An earthquake measuring around 5.3 on the Richer Scale struck southern Lebanon yesterday, and was felt across Israel and Syria. It followed a smaller earthquake which hit the region last week, measuring around 4 on the Richter Scale. Yesterday's earthquake came just two days after the Iranian ambassador to Syria had threatened Israel with an "earthquake" that would "shake the Zionist regime", in response to the killing of the arch-terrorist Mugniyah.

Quote: "Iranian ambassador to Syria, Ahmad Moussavi, warned Wednesday that "the death of (Hizbullah leader) Imad Mugniyah will lead to an earthquake in the Zionist regime," the Islamic Republic News Agency reported. He added that "this despicable crime will increase the Zionists' disasters and strengthen the courage of those who will hit the Zionist regime."

The Iranian ambassador praised Mugniyah as a "great commander who had become a shahid by the Zionist criminals". He was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and Israeli civilians. AFP reported that yesterday's earthquake interrupted Friday prayers for Muslims in Judea and Samaria. The Islamic Waqf have also issued a statement blaming Israel for damage caused to the Temple Mount during yesterday's earthquake, saying that Israeli excavations have undermined the stability of the Al-Aqsa mosque, and have urged Islamic states to take action against Israel.

Quote: "The officials, who also said the quake caused cracks in several local residential buildings, said the hole was a meter deep, two meters long and meter and a half wide. The Islamic Movement blamed Israel for the hole, saying Israel is digging tunnels in the area that undermine the stability in the area of the Al-Aqsa mosque. The organization urged Islamic states to take action to stop Israeli excavations in the area.

In reality, the excavation work that was being undertaken by Israel is nowhere near the Temple Mount. The most recent dig that has been carried out on the Temple Mount was actually carried out by the Waqf themselves, and was bitterly protested by observant Jews at the time. The Islamic Waqf used a mechanical digger to create a trench one metre deep and four hundred metres long to lay new pipes and electric cabling for the mosques on the Temple Mount. During the process they damaged artefacts that dated back the Second Temple era, including a seven metre wall belonging to buildings of the Temple courts. A panel of experts have stated that the region is overdue for a major earthquake, and that Israel is not prepared to deal with the aftermath of such an event. Seismologists expect that the 'big one' could occur around 2011.

Quote: "During the Knesset discussion on earthquake precautions held in January, a representative of Israel's fire department said that in the case of a serious earthquake, only 29 firefighters would be available in Jerusalem to handle a situation in which, according to forecasts, hundreds of houses will collapse and thousands will be killed. A 2005 forecast maintains that if an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter Scale were to hit Beit She'an, 16,000 people would be killed, 90,000 people would be hurt and 400,000 would become homeless. 130,000 buildings will collapse or suffer extensive damage.

The Bible prophesies that such an event will take place during the tribulation period.

Revelation 11:13
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Why do men give glory to God in the midst of such terrible suffering? Perhaps because they will know that this event was foretold by God in the Scriptures, and that He is still in complete control of world events, despite the chaos going on all around them. But not all will respond in the same way. During the tribulation period, there will be many that will blaspheme God because of these plagues, and they will not repent of their evil deeds nor give Him glory (Revelation 16:9). And that's sad, for the Bible states that God desires not the death of wicked (Ezekiel 33:1). The Bible also says that the Lord is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2nd Peter 3:9). That includes you. Jesus Christ said, if we die in our sins, where He is we cannot come (John 8:21). Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross for you, so that your sins might be forgiven, and that you might be with Him forever. Repent to God of your sins, and believe that Jesus Christ has taken the punishment you deserved, and you are forgiven.

Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not (the person who does not rely on good works for salvation), but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly (but puts his faith in Jesus Christ for justification from sins), his faith is counted for righteousness (he is completely forgiven in the eyes of God).

Source YNet News, Haaretz