Biblical Disaster Definitions

Luke 21:11-14 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. "But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.

Keywords: earthquakes, famine/drought, and pestilence

Earthquake: An earthquake is caused by the volcanic activity of the shifting of the earth’s crust.[1] Earthquakes are described in Ezekiel, Numbers, and Revelation. Palestine has two to three major quakes per century and two to six minor shocks per year. Earthquakes can be signs of God’s judgment as Isaiah and Revelation. In the event of Jesus’ resurrection, the earthquake is used to demonstrate good.  

Famine and Drought: Famine is an extreme shortage of food.[2] Drought is an excessive dryness of the land. A drought can cause a famine. Famine and droughts are seen in the Old Testament with Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, David, Elijah, Elisha, Haggai, and Nehemiah. Prophets of God predicted famines and droughts. They could last for many years. Locust, wind, hail, mildew, and enemies have been causes of famine for the disobedience of God’s people.

Pestilence: Pestilence is a devastating epidemic written by Old Testament writers.[3] Pestilence arrives in the form of a destroying angel. God sends pestilence as punishment for persistent unbelief, failure to fulfill covenant obligations, to encourage repentance, and withheld to allow survivors to witness God’s acts of liberation.

Bibliography

Ellis, Bob R. "Famine and Drought." .” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 557. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Logan, Phil. "Earthquake." .” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 450. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 199-265. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984.

"Pestilence." .” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1253. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

[1] Phil Logan, “Earthquake,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 450.

[2] Bob R. Ellis, “Famine and Drought,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 557.

[3] “Pestilence,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015),1253.