The King James Bible version of Revelation uses the word "earthquake" seven times in five verses. The number seven, in this book dedicated to prophecy, symbolizes the complete perfection of God's intervention in the affairs of humans!
The End Is Coming!
The Bible lists several events which will gradually lead to the end of the world as we know it and the return of Jesus Christ. One of these events, scattered throughout the planet, will be the increased frequency of earthquakes.
And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you do not let these things disturb you. For it is necessary that all these things take place, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in different places (Matthew 24:6 - 7, HBFV).
The Sixth Seal of Prophecy
Jesus is given the privilege by God the Father to open Revelation's seventh seal of prophecy (Revelation 6 - 8). When he opens the sixth of seven seals, a great earthquake takes place on the earth. It is apparently so massive that all the mountains and islands are moved from their places!
The torrent of cosmic catastrophes occurs because the sixth seal heralds the beginning of the Day of the Lord. This "day" of prophecy reveals God's wrath through its punishments on all those on earth who worship the Beast and who refuse to repent (Joel 2:10 - 11, Revelation 6:15 - 17).
Then I saw Him open the sixth seal. A violent earthquake occurred; the sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair; the entire moon became like blood . . . the sky separated like a scroll being rolled up; and every mountain and island was moved from its place (Revelation 6:12, 14, HCSB).
A Signal of Judgment
The seventh seal of prophecy, also opened by Christ, brings with it thunder, lightning and an earthquake. A golden censer, initially filled with incense to represent the prayers of the saints, has fire from God's heavenly altar placed within it after which it is cast to the earth. It symbolizes the fiery judgments about to ensue on those who refuse to repent of their sins.
Now when He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about a half hour . . . And another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar; and much incense was given to him . . .
And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire from the altar, and cast it into the earth; and there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings, and an earthquake (Revelation 8:1, 3, 5, HBFV).
Massive Jerusalem Quake
The Two Witnesses, after they are killed by the end time Beast power who rules the earth (see Daniel 7:21), are left unburied in Jerusalem. After three and one-half days they are resurrected back to life. By virtue of this act, and the principle of the last shall be first (Matthew 19:30), they become the very first humans resurrected and rewarded with eternal life!
Then after the three and a half days, the spirit of life from God entered into them (the Two Witnesses) and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them.
And they heard a great voice from heaven, say, "Come up here!" And they ascended into heaven in a cloud; and their enemies saw them rise. And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; and seven thousand men were killed in the earthquake . . . (Revelation 11:11 - 13, HBFV).
A Symbolic Quake
Revelation's third of three prophetic "woes" begins in heaven where it is proclaimed that God will finally act to take over man's governments through Jesus' return.
Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, and He shall reign into the ages of eternity." . . . (Revelation 11:15, HBFV).
God's heavenly temple is then thrown open, allowing the spiritual Ark of the Covenant to be seen. This unique event is heralded by thunders, lightnings and a symbolic earthquake taking place where the Eternal has his throne.
And the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple; and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake and great hail (Revelation 11:19, HBFV).
The Greatest Shaking Ever!
Unlike what took place in Revelation 11:19, which was a symbolic quake, what Revelation 16 describes is nothing short of amazing. The last earthquake mentioned in prophecy will be the most devastating and powerful shaking of the earth EVER in human history!
Then the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "IT IS FINISHED."
And there were voices and thunders and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were on the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great (Revelation 16:17 - 18, HBFV).
This unprecedented earthquake of prophecy will destroy countless cities on earth! It will also be of such an immeasurable magnitude that islands will disappear and mountains will crumble (Revelation 16:20)!