A 6.5 magnitude earthquake surprises the region north of Boise, Idaho, on Tuesday evening; Reports that the quake was felt as far away as Helena, Montana, and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Rural Idaho, USA, was surprised on Tuesday evening by a 6.5 magnitude earthquake that struck near the town of Stanley which is located approximately 130 miles northeast of Boise. Early reports did not indicate any injuries.

Effects from the earthquake are reported to have been experienced as far away as Helena, Montana (330 miles), and Salt Lake City, Utah (350 miles). People in Montana reported shaking objects on the walls as well as other moving objects in the house. One resident from Missoula, Montana, Andy Cross, shared that while they were working on their weekly Bible study, the stool he was sitting on began to shake as well as the rest of the house, lasting for about 10 seconds.

One resident of Stanley, Idaho, explained how he could actually hear the roar of the earthquake and thought it was the wind at first but he realized what it was when everything began to shake.

It’s reported that an earthquake of this magnitude only takes place every 3-4 decades in this region of the US. The last one occurred in 1983 (7.0) which caused significant damage and killed two youth.

According to the National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC), there are approximately 20,000 earthquakes annually worldwide (mostly smaller) and about 55 per day. The month of March recorded 341 earthquakes worldwide with only two of them being 5.0 or higher.

Earthquakes in Various Places

Matthew 24:3-8 – “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”

Jesus spoke of earthquakes in various places as one aspect of “the beginning of birth pangs” during his discourse on the Mount of Olives located east of Jerusalem. There’s no question that earthquakes have been taking place throughout history. What makes the number of earthquakes in various places even more interesting today is the lesson Jesus used next in his discourse; the parable of the fig tree. Throughout scripture, the fig tree represents the nation of Israel. Beginning in verse 32, Jesus explained to His followers that the blooming of the fig tree (the nation of Israel) would be the telling sign of where the world is on the biblical timeline.

In 1948, the world witnessed the rebirth of the nation of Israel. Now the world is witnessing them flourish in the land God has given them. We are the generation that is witnessing the signs Jesus spoke of as well as the blossoming of the nation of Israel. According to Jesus, when we see these things, we should know He is “near, right at the door.”