EARTHQUAKES AND DISASTERS

January 2005 article by Simon Thompson

Recently we have all seen and witnessed the devastation and destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean. We have also read and heard the varied comments in our newspapers and on our TV’s. Some have said that it was a terrible natural disaster; some have said if there was a God this would not have happened, others have said this makes them doubt that there is a God at all. Is all this based on a total lack of knowledge and understanding of God’s word and God’s plan? Yes, I believe so.

God has told us in His Word that these things are a sign to us of the nearness of His Son’s return. How can someone who has given prior warning be to blame?

Luke ch 21 v 25-27 tells us :

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring. Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

In Matthew 24 v 7 we are told quite specifically of the time in the world just prior to the return to the earth of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

It is a shock when so many people lose their lives in this way, and we can all feel a humanitarian desire to help these devastated communities, and that is right - we should help our neighbour whoever they are. But these words have been penned for 2000 years, so when these disasters do occur we ought not to be so shocked.

It is necessary to take heed, not just of what’s occurring today but also of what’s around the corner. Revelation ch 16 v 18, Daniel ch 12 v 1 and Matthew ch 24 v 21 all tell us of a time never seen before on this earth. There will be a worldwide earthquake; when this occurs there will be tsunamis everywhere, death on immense scale. The world will be changed back to an age forgotten by modern man.

But we are also told in these passages that this will be the time when God will set up on earth His kingdom, which will never end, which we can be part of. It is necessary in these last days to be watching for these things and to be searching out God’s purpose with this earth and man upon it.