Scores dead after earthquake in Italy; plus a larger quake in Myanmar

Amatrice, Italy before the quake

Central Italy was hit by a deadly earthquake:

August 24, 2016

AMATRICE, Italy — A strong earthquake in central Italy reduced three towns to rubble as people slept early Wednesday, with reports that as many as 50 people were killed and hundreds injured as rescue crews raced to dig out survivors.
The toll was likely to rise as crews reached homes in more remote hamlets where the scenes were apocalyptic “like Dante’s Inferno,” according to one witness.

“The town isn’t here anymore,” said Sergio Pirozzi, the mayor of Amatrice. “I believe the toll will rise.” http://www.cbsnews.com/news/italy-earthquake-dante-inferno-kills-dozens/

August 24, 2016

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake rocked a swath of central Italy and destroyed four small villages popular with tourists early Wednesday, burying residents under rubble as they slept and killing at least 63 people, including two infants. More than 100 are missing and believed to be trapped under the debris.

The temblor hit at 3:36 a.m. local time near Norcia, 50 miles southeast of Perugia, and was felt more than 100 miles away in Rome. As many as 39 aftershocks jolted the region into the early morning hours, some as strong as 5.1.

“The worst affected towns were believed to be Accumoli, Amatrice, Posta and Arquata del Tronto,” reported Reuters.

Among the hardest hit was Amatrice, a village of 2,000 north of Italy’s Lazio region, with entire palazzos razed to the ground. Aerial images from the fire department showed whole streets flattened. http://www.wnd.com/2016/08/6-2-magnitude-earthquake-shakes-italy/#DJwr5I2TLdHy8lJL.99

The mayor said that the town of Amatrice is not there any more. When people in Amatrice went to bed last night, they had no idea that there town would be gone during their normal sleeping time.

UPDATE: Here is a later update:

August 24, 2016

ROME — At least 120 people were killed and dozens more were missing or feared dead Wednesday after a magnitude-6.2 earthquake and a series of aftershocks struck several towns in central Italy, toppling scores of buildings, according to Italy’s civil protection agency.

Hardest hit were towns in the regions of Umbria, Lazio and Marche, some 80 to 100 miles northeast of Rome.

Immacolata Postiglione, head of the civil protection agency, gave the breakdown at a briefing Wednesday but stressed the figures were still provisional.

Earlier, the Italian news agency ANSA reported at least 35 were killed in the town of Amatrice, 11 in Accumoli, near Rieti, and 17 in the province of Ascoli Piceno, which includes Pescara del Tronto.

Much of city center of Amatrice was covered with metal and rock debris that collapsed in the initial quake and aftershocks. Resident of this picturesque medieval town of around 3,000 people gathered in the piazzas, dazed by the quake and fearful of more temblors. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/08/23/norcia-italy-earthquake/89240378/

The families of those affected are in my prayers.

UPDATE: 08/25/16: Girl pulled from rubble as Italy earthquake toll hits 252.

Things can change quickly (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:3).

We need to be careful about being complacent. Many these days are not hot or cold, but lukewarm (cf. Revelation 3:14-19). Notice also what the Apostle Peter was inspired to write:

1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:1-13)

The Bible clearly warns that prophecies will be fulfilled and people are not to be complacent thinking certain things will not happen–because Bible prophecy will be fulfilled.

Around the same time the Italian village was hit, Myanmar was hit with an even stronger earthquake, but without known deaths:

August 24, 2016

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 hit north-central Myanmar Wednesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

No casualties were reported, although tremors were felt in the Thai capital, Bangkok and Kolkata in India — each around 1,000 kilometers away.

… the southeast Asian country … felt … a 6.8-magnitude quake in November 2012 {that} left nearly 40 people dead. http://www.voanews.com/a/earthquake-shakes-myanmar/3478659.html

Jesus warned about a time of earthquakes and troubles:

8 … And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be…troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

Earthquakes and other disasters should remind us that our lives can be changed quickly and that repentance is needed now. None should wait. Even Christians need to examine themselves and repent where needed (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:28-32).

While your life may seem ‘normal,’ consider that since the earthquake today, what was ‘normal’ for many in an Italian town is now gone. Sudden destruction can happen (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:3).

Do NOT wait until it is too late (cf. Zephaniah 2:1-3; watch also Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy).

Are you spiritually prepared?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Earthquakes Today and Bible Prophecy Contains a cool up-to-the-hour update of earthquakes around the world from USGS. It also explains what did Jesus teach about earthquakes and how the Bible describes “the big one” (as well as when it is expected).
Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy Is it safe to be ‘independent’ or in a non-Philadelphian Church of God? What did God inspire Zephaniah to write?
Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation discusses the largest church since the second/third century, which in a real sense is the eighth church mentioned in the Book of Revelation (it also endorses “eighth day” worship). What church would support the Beast? Here is a link to a video titled: Europe and the ‘Holy Roman Empire’.
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermons Why Teach the Kingdom of God? and The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2024 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2016, 2017, or 2018? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation Start in 2016?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something? Here is a version in the Spanish language Escrituras sobre Preparación física para los Cristianos.