USGS: 7.9 Earthquake Off Philippines’ Coast

(Choo photo)

A major earthquake has occurred near the Philippines and a tsunami warning was issued:

Fri Aug 31, 2012 9:46am EDT

(Reuters) – An earthquake of 7.9 magnitude struck off the Philippines on Friday and a tsunami warning has been issued for the region, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

The quake was centered off the east coast, 91 miles off the town of Guiuan in Samar province at a depth of about 20 miles, USGS said.

The tsunami warning was issued for the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea and other islands in the Pacific including the U.S. state of Hawaii. The NOAA Tsunami Center later lifted a warning for Japan, Taiwan and several other Pacific islands.

Shortly before this quake, LCG sent out the following as part of its weekly update:

Recently, a series of earthquakes struck California and El Salvador–adding to a worldwide number of earthquakes in various places. Imperial County, California, experienced many tremors ranging from 2.0 to 5.5 in magnitude. “By 5 p.m., the USGS had recorded about 300 earthquakes, and the count continued to rise throughout the evening” (LA Times , August 26, 2012). Although earthquakes are common in the region, so many at one time is unusual. The following day, El Salvador experienced a 7.4 magnitude earthquake triggering a small tsunami. No casualties were reported (Associated Press , August 27, 2012).

In August alone there have been 11 earthquakes with a strong magnitude rating of 6.0 or higher. The varied locations of these quakes include: Alaska, Peru, El Salvador, Iran, Russia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and China (US Geological Survey).

Jesus Christ stated that in the end times, “there will be great earthquakes in various places” (Luke 21:11). As earthquakes continue to occur in different regions, King David’s words can give comfort: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling” (Psalm 46:1-3).

Interesting timing.

Jesus, of course, warned about a time 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)

We may be at this prophetic point as all the weather, earthquakes, and other problems that have happened in the past couple of years or so could be considered as “troubles.” Perhaps the earthquake and weather problems can serve as another wake-up call to people everywhere that the world can change very quickly and that the time to repent is now:

30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. (Acts 17:30-31)

There are troubles and repentance is needed.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
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? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012, 2013, or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? What is “the beginning of sorrows”? Have we begun or are we about ready for “the beginning of sorrows” to begin.
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
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).
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
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?