Many who are misinformed or mistaken about the Scriptures believe that a worldwide increase in earthquakes is a sign that the end is near—that Christ will soon return to set up an earthly kingdom or to destroy the planet. With the tragedy in Haiti a couple of weeks ago, a number of false teachers and the Biblically ignorant have again begun to ramp up their teaching to this effect.

Most of the error that is taught on this subject stems from the misinterpretation of just a few Bible passages. A mere examination of the context of these passages by an honest truth-seeker would clear up many mistaken notions.

Consider Matthew 24:7 and its parallels in Mark 13:8 & Luke 21:11. In Matthew’s account Jesus says, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.” What is Jesus talking about? When will there be “famines, pestilences and earthquakes,” and what will they signify?

In the context, Jesus and His disciples had just been viewing the stones and buildings in and around the temple (Matthew 24:1; Mark 13:1; Luke 21:5). Jesus told His disciples that all of these stones would be thrown down; that is, the temple would be destroyed (Matthew 24:2). Later, His disciples ask Him when this would happen, and what would be the sign of His coming and of the end of the age (Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:4). Plainly, the disciples’ first concern was about when the temple would be destroyed, and Jesus’ answer addresses this issue. Among other things, Jesus states that before the destruction of the temple (which occurred in 70 A.D.), “you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 25:6–7).

Notice two things that are very obvious in this context: First, Jesus is teaching that there will be earthquakes before the destruction of the temple. He is not even discussing the end of the world. Second, earth-quakes and other manmade and natural phenomena (wars, pestilences, famines), ARE NOT INDICATORS or SIGNS that the end (of the temple) is near. He plainly says that when these things occur “the end is not yet”!

So, those who misuse Matthew 24:7 to teach that earthquakes are a sign of the end of time are mistaken on two counts. One, the passage isn’t even talking about the end of time. And two, it doesn’t teach that earthquakes are a sign, but rather that they are not a sign.

Jesus clarifies that the events that would actually signal the de-struction of the temple in Jerusalem would be “that the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world” and that “the abomination of desolation” (the Roman army) would come to Jerusalem (Matthew 24:14–15).

There is no doubt that the earthquake in Haiti should grab our attention. It should motivate compassion, charity, prayer, and concern for the eternal destiny of thousands of souls who died without knowing Jesus. But we cannot allow even such an enormous tragedy as this to cause us to replace Scripture with supposition and superstition. And remember this, if we are part of the kingdom of heaven we are a part of something that no earthquake can move or destroy. Let’s hold fast to it. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28).