Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Occurrence:Earth-shocks, commonly referred to as earthquakes, are natural phenomena characterized by the shaking of the ground. In the biblical context, earth-shocks are often depicted as manifestations of God's power and presence, serving as both literal and symbolic events within the narrative of Scripture. Biblical References: 1. Divine Manifestation and Judgment: Earth-shocks frequently accompany significant divine interventions and judgments. In the Old Testament, the earth trembles at the presence of the Lord. For instance, during the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, the mountain quaked greatly: "Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently" (Exodus 19:18). 2. Prophetic Imagery: Earthquakes are often used in prophetic literature to symbolize the upheaval and transformation associated with the Day of the Lord. The prophet Isaiah speaks of a future time when the earth will be shaken: "Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken from its place at the wrath of the LORD of Hosts, in the day of His burning anger" (Isaiah 13:13). 3. Historical Events: The Bible records several historical instances of earth-shocks. One notable event occurred during the reign of King Uzziah, as mentioned in the book of Amos: "The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel" (Amos 1:1). 4. New Testament Fulfillment: In the New Testament, earth-shocks continue to signify divine activity. At the crucifixion of Jesus, the earth shook, and rocks were split, indicating the cosmic significance of His death: "At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split" (Matthew 27:51). Similarly, at the resurrection, an earthquake accompanied the angel's descent to roll away the stone from the tomb: "Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it" (Matthew 28:2). 5. Apostolic Era: Earthquakes also appear in the Acts of the Apostles, highlighting God's intervention in the early church. When Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi, a violent earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, leading to their miraculous release: "Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone's chains came loose" (Acts 16:26). Theological Significance: In the biblical narrative, earth-shocks serve as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the transient nature of the created order. They underscore the reality that God is actively involved in the world, using natural events to fulfill His purposes and communicate His will. Earthquakes, as depicted in Scripture, are not merely random occurrences but are imbued with theological meaning, pointing to the ultimate restoration and renewal of creation under God's reign. Concordance Earth-shocks (2 Occurrences)Mark 13:8 Luke 21:11 Thesaurus Earth-shocks (2 Occurrences)Earth-shocks. Earth-shock, Earth-shocks. Earthward . Multi-Version Concordance Earth-shocks (2 Occurrences). Mark 13 ... /e/earth-shocks.htm - 7k Earth-shock (11 Occurrences) Outbursts (5 Occurrences) Wonders (111 Occurrences) Earthward (1 Occurrence) Different (87 Occurrences) Disease (213 Occurrences) War (529 Occurrences) Resources Is God imaginary? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible teach that the earth is flat? | GotQuestions.org Old earth vs. young earth'what are the core issues in the debate? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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