Building collapsed 8 June 2026 in General Santos City
(Photo public domain via Wikipedia)
A deadly earthquake struck in General Santos City in the Philippines:
Powerful earthquake hits Philippines, killing …
8 June 2026
The magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the island of Mindanao shortly before 7:40am local time on Monday (23:40 GMT, Sunday), according to the United States Geological Survey.
The initial earthquake was followed by more than an hour of aftershocks, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
General Santos, a city of 722,000 people in southern Mindanao, sustained some of the most serious damage. …
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said emergency agencies had been activated, including the Office of Civil Defence and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Marcos said he had ordered the closure of schools in affected areas.
According to the state-run Philippine News Agency, 3.2 million students and 128,000 teachers and personnel were affected on what was meant to be the first day of school in the country.
“The safety of our children comes first,” Marcos said. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/8/tsunami-warnings-issued-after-8-2-magnitude-earthquake-off-philippines
Powerful Philippine quake leaves at least 32 feared dead, survivors recount fear
GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines, June 8 (Reuters) – The death toll in a powerful 7.8‑magnitude earthquake off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday has risen to at least 32, with dozens of people injured, disaster officials said, as Manila stepped up search and rescue operations. The quake, which triggered tsunami warnings across several countries, hit early in the morning about 20 km (12.4 miles) off the coast of Sarangani province, with tremors felt strongly across Mindanao and 420 km away in the city of Manado on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/earthquake-magnitude-73-strikes-mindanao-philippines-gfz-says-2026-06-07/
Those affected by the quake in the Philippines have been in my prayers.
I wrote to Joe Lumpay, our leader in the Philippines, and asked the following:
Were you or any brethren affected by the latest earthquake?Bob Thiel
He responded with:
Dear Dr. Thiel,
No, but there were some who felt a very very slight tremor but personally I myself didn’t. Thank God we were safe.Joe
While that is good news, the death’s from this quake are a sober reminder that life is fleeting. Consider also the words of Jesus:
1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-5)
Your situation can change. You can perish. Do not put off full repentance as YOU may not have as much time to become a true Philadelphian Christian as you might think.
We know that Jesus prophesied earthquakes in various places (Mark 13:8). Notice some statements in my article 26 items to prophetically watch in 2026:
5. Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Jesus taught:
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. (Matthew 24:7).
Earthquakes could trigger supervolcanoes (watch Earthquakes and Super Volcanos and Are supervolcanoes a real threat?) and cause other troubles (Mark 13:8).
Then there are also smaller volcanoes, such as Mt. Rainer, which are believed to have massive potential for disasters themselves.
Many moderns, ‘experts’ and otherwise, do not think such disasters could happen–at least not in their lifetimes.
But they are wrong. Notice what the Apostle Peter was inspired to write:
1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation — as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:1-18).
Things will not remain as they have. Yellowstone could erupt–BIG TIME! …
Ultimately, a massive earthquake will hit:
18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (Revelation 16:18-20)
Notice that the above earthquake is so big that the cities of the nations will fall. Mountains will be leveled and islands “fled away” (more on this can be found in the article Islands and Bible Prophecy). This seems to be the biggest earthquake that will ever hit the planet with humans on it. Despite the view of ‘preterists’ that this already happened (see The Dangerous Rise of Preterists), that is nonsense.
The earthquake of Revelation 16 will be bigger than what the usual “experts” have believed was possible. It will change the planet and humble parts of humanity.
It should be noted since that apparently biggest of all earthquakes seems to take place near the end of the Day of the Lord, it cannot happen prior to 2031 (for more on why as well as dates, please see the articles When Can the Great Tribulation Begin? and Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Could the 6,000 Years End?).
While that one will not occur in 2026, other significant ones are in the future.
Expect serious earthquakes in different places, in 2026.
That said, consider that the beginning of sorrows Jesus told of is BEFORE the start of the Great Tribulation.
Related to earthquakes and supervolcanoes, we also have the following video:
Earthquakes and Super Volcanos
Is a black swan just another pretty bird? Well, yes, but a black swan event has a totally different meaning. A black swan event is described by Britannica.com as: “A black swan event is an unexpected and highly impactful event. It is characterized by its extreme rarity, severe consequences, and the tendency for people to rationalize it only in hindsight.” Would a massive earthquake or the eruption of a super volcano qualify as a black swan event? The answer is yes. One black swan event that poses a risk right now are the massive super volcanos long overdue to erupt and another black swan event is the tectonic plates that are generating incredible pressure as they grind against each other and will result in massive earthquakes. The United States has both the massive Yellowstone super volcano and the San Andreas Fault as well as the Ring of Fire. Could a black swan event jeopardize the very existence of the United States? Is it possible one or more events could set the United States up for an invasion from the King of the North? Does the Bible foretell of an earthquake so large and powerful that mountains are leveled and the islands fled away? The beginning of these events is referred to as “The Beginning of Sorrows” and will lead up to the “Great Tribulation”. These are some of the many signs Jesus gave us to help prepare us for His return. Dr. Thiel gives us understanding of some of the signs to watch for as he goes into detail on these events and shines the light of Bible Prophecy on helping the Christian understand the times we are in and prepare for Christ’s return. Read the full article to this video titled ’Yellowstone super volcano, Cascadia subduction zone, New Madrid Fault, and San Andreas earthquake risk: What if the US was hit by more than one ‘big one’?’
Here is a link to our video: Earthquakes and Super Volcanos.
Remember, Jesus said:
37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:37)
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Earthquakes and Bible Prophecy This article has historical, technical, and biblical information about earthquakes. It also show what Jesus taught about earthquakes and how the Bible describes “the big one” (as well as when it can be expected). Here is a link to a related video: Earthquakes and Super Volcanos.
26 items to prophetically watch in 2026 Much is happening. Dr. Thiel points to 26 items to watch (cf. Mark 13:37) in this article. Here is a link to a related sermon: 26 Items to Watch in 2026.
Are supervolcanoes a real threat? Are supervolcanoes, such as Yellowstone in the USA or various ones in New Zealand a real threat? If so, what type of threat? Are supervolcano issues consistent with biblical prophecies? If so, which ones? Could the eruption of a supervolcano make the USA, New Zealand, or other lands vulnerable to takeover in the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21). Dr. Thiel answers these questions while standing a top of a supervolcano in a geothermal area of Rotorua, New Zealand. This is a video.
Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is are links to related sermons: Christian Election: Is God Calling YOU? and Predestination and Your Selection; here is a message in Spanish: Me Está Llamando Dios Hoy? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? Two related sermons about this are also available: Real Repentance and Real Christian Repentance.
About Baptism Should you be baptized? Could baptism be necessary for salvation? Who should baptize and how should it be done? Here are links to two related sermons: Let’s Talk About Baptism and Baptism, Infants, Fire, & the Second Death.
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
Why is there a Philadelphian remnant of the true Christian Church of God? Did the old Worldwide Church of God essentially predict a Philadelphian remnant? Is a Philadelphian remnant needed for end-time prophecies to be fulfilled? Here is a link to a related sermon: The Philadelphia Remnant.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2026, 2027, or 2028? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? A short video is available titled: Countdown to the Great Tribulation.