Everyone can see that what is happening in the world...is...not...normal!
Over the last few hours I became aware of the awful devastation that took place in some of the southern United States because of the "unprecedented tornadoes." Not unprecedented because of the event, but unprecedented because of the time.
I'm hearing from those who know more about these things that they were not looking for or expecting such voracious tornadoes at this time of the year.
My prayers go out to all those that have lost homes, workplaces loved ones. It really is an awful, awful situation.
While these states are still trying to navigate the global pandemic that is COVID-19, they have even more to deal with.
As I'm writing this, I'm watching the news reports and it's unbelievable the amount of destruction and devastation that has been caused.
A present, eighty people have lost the most precious gift that they held...their lives.
The questions that I want to ask you is this? What do you make of what we are all witnessing? How do you read these events that are happening now, day after day, week after week? Are these events just random "capricious outbreaks of disorganized, unregulated forces of nature" or is there a bigger picture...a much BIGGER picture?
Let me share with you scripture. Scripture that I believe speaks very clearly and candidly to our time and day.
Matthew 24:32-33
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
In the same way that we know that a change of season is coming by the signs observed in the budding fig tree, we know that the end of this world and the second coming of Jesus Christ is near, "even at the doors" by the signs that Jesus himself told us to watch for.
But if you don't know what you're looking
for, you'll never know when you've seen it!
Jesus continues...
Matthew 24:37
But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
What were Noah's days like?
Genesis 6:5
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
What is the result on the planet of the increased wickedness of mankind?
Isaiah 24:4-5
4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. [But why is this happening]
5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they [the inhabitants of the earth] have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
There is just not enough space in this blog to unpack Isaiah 24:4-5...maybe I'll deal with this in another blog soon. Consider this scripture too...
Hosea 4:1-3
1 Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.
3 Therefore [as a result, because of this] shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
What we've just read is that nature is indeed being turned out of its course. Both the animal kingdom and the ecological world strange things are happening, and they are happening rapidly.
Watch these two videos and then let me share with you a couple of statements written well over one hundred years ago:
Now read these statements and think about what you're reading.
How frequently we hear of earthquakes and tornadoes, of destruction by fire and flood, with great loss of life and property! Apparently these calamities are capricious outbreaks of disorganized, unregulated forces of nature, wholly beyond the control of man; but in them all, God's purpose may be read. They are among the agencies by which He seeks to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger.
Prophets and Kings 277.1 (1917)
Hmmm...what do you think?
What about this one?
Satan works through the elements also to garner his harvest of unprepared souls. He has studied the secrets of the laboratories of nature, and he uses all his power to control the elements as far as God allows. When he was suffered to afflict Job, how quickly flocks and herds, servants, houses, children, were swept away, one trouble succeeding another as in a moment. It is God that shields His creatures and hedges them in from the power of the destroyer. Great Controversy 589.2 (1911)
Consider these verses in connection with the above statement...Job 1:18-19
Last statement:
While appearing to the children of men as a great physician who can heal all their maladies, he will bring disease and disaster, until populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation. Even now he is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. Destruction will be upon both man and beast. Great Controversy 589.3 (1911)
[To listen to these statements in their context click here and play chapter 36 of The Great Controversy:
I know, the tendency is toward fear, but don't succumb to that feeling! The God of the Bible is way ahead of any and every evil in this world and the last time I checked, He is still ruler and sovereign of worlds, planets and stars, seen and unseen.
So as the song goes "Why worry, when you can pray, trust Jesus, He will lead the way. Don't be like doubting Thomas, put your faith and trust in Jesus, why worry, worry, worry, when you can pray"
Finally, for those of you that are a part of the same Christian movement as myself, here is a very pertinent question that is being asked to us...
Are we to wait until the fulfillment of the prophecies of the end before we say anything concerning them? Of what value will our words be then? Shall we wait until God's judgments fall upon the transgressor before we tell him how to avoid them? Where is our faith in the word of God? Must we see things foretold come to pass before we will believe what He has said? In clear, distinct rays light has come to us, showing us that the great day of the Lord is near at hand, “even at the doors.” 9T 20.2
With that being said, before I close off, let me share with you some of my most treasured promises that help keep me going and focussed:
Have a great week and God bless you!
Maranatha!
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