Like most of you, I have watched in horror as pictures, videos and stories from the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have flooded both mainstream media and social media. It has proven to be a catastrophic few days throughout that area, as one sizable aftershock after another shakes that part of the Middle East.

Here is a diagram of the area, and a layman’s explanation of why these earthquakes have been so devastating:

Two large tectonic plates, the Arabian Plate and the Anatolian Plate, intersect in Turkey. The Eurasian Plate also pushes southward from the north. Therefore, as the Arabian Plate pushes to the north, it squeezes off the Anatolian Plate, forcing it to move westward. The North Anatolian Fault and East Anatolian Faults create the “break” that sends the Anatolian Plate sliding.

Though nations are not identified in the diagram, Turkey is somewhat fenced by the fault lines and Syria lies partially on and south of the East Anatolian Fault. Israel lies to the south, just down the Mediterranean Coast.

Particularly given the size of the initial quake, as well as the number and size of the aftershocks that continue even now, we are wise to consider once more what Jesus said in Matthew 24 (and the sister passage in Mark 13):

⁶ And 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. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of sorrows.

~Matthew 24:6-8

Sure, there have been earthquakes, wars, famines and pestilences before. But rarely all happening at once, and certainly not in the frequency and severity we see now.

As believers, there has never been a more urgent time in history to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our loved ones and friends. Our world is shaking to the core…and not just geologically. As believers, we are anxiously awaiting His return. But even if He tarries, it is only those who are anchored in Jesus Christ who will withstand what could well be coming our way.

How do I know that? Well first, just look around. How many people who have proclaimed to be Christians have strayed from the faith, particularly during and since COVID? We also live among the most suicidal, depressed and drug-addicted population in our lifetimes (if not longer). Work and taking care of one’s family are no longer values. Confusion about race and about sex (as in male and female) is off the charts, and far too few even care to do anything about it.

But more importantly, I know because the Bible tells me so! The prophets Daniel and Ezekiel warned centuries ago about such a time, and Revelation spells out what will occur during the tribulation. We are not living in the tribulation, but we can certainly see the stage being set for the rise of the Antichrist who will usher in the tribulation.

We know because God has made it known! We must anchor ourselves to the Rock of our salvation, and we must share the Gospel to a lost and dying world. How will you do that today?

Now, back to the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Guess who the first nation was to send highly trained search and rescue units into the midst of danger? Yes…Israel. Almost always they are first to arrive, even when it is an enemy nation such as Turkey.

Here they are, arriving the morning after the earthquake. Immediately they rescued several survivors trapped in the rubble. Pray they find more before the survival window closes.