Deadly Typhoon Rai shows that devastation can come quickly
Surgio City After Typhoon Rai (Photo via Philippines Coast Guard)
Here are some news reports related to Typhoon Rai:
Typhoon Misery in Philippines …
December 25, 2021
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Hundreds of thousands of people in the Philippines … marked … Saturday without homes, adequate food and water, electricity and cellphone connections after a powerful typhoon left at least 375 people dead last week and devastated mostly central island provinces. …
Before Typhoon Rai hit on Dec. 16, millions of Filipinos were trooping back to shopping malls, public parks and churches after an alarming spike in infections in September eased considerably.
Gov. Arthur Yap of hard-hit Bohol province, where more than 100 people died in the typhoon and about 150,000 houses were damaged or destroyed, asked foreign aid agencies on Saturday to help provide temporary shelters and water-filtration systems to supplement Philippine government aid. https://www.voanews.com/a/typhoon-misery-in-philippines-pandemic-dampen-christmas-joy/6369479.html
December 25, 2021
More than a week after Typhoon Rai cut a swathe through the archipelago, killing nearly 400 people and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless, survivors clung to family and faith after their homes … were wiped out. … widespread destruction caused by Rai in the southern and central regions of the country has dampened celebrations as many survivors plead for drinking water and food.
Mindanao, Siargao, Dinagat and Bohol islands are among the most devastated by the storm, which knocked out electricity, tore off roofs, shredded wooden buildings, felled concrete power poles and uprooted trees.
The scale of the damage, lack of mobile phone signal or internet in many areas, and depleted government coffers after the Covid-19 response were hampering efforts to distribute aid. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/philippine-typhoon-rai-survivors-wish-for-roofs-and-food-at-christmas
The above mentioned damage as well as internet issues.
As mentioned in the CCOG Letter to the Brethren: December 23, 2021, I had contacted our volunteer leader in the Philippines to see how and if the brethren were affected by the deadly Typhoon Rai, but had not heard back. He finally was able to send an email today that contained the following:
Dear Dr. Thiel,
Its a sobering news to report to you that our province (Surigao del Norte) was the hardest hit as first landfall of the deadly Typhoon Rai (named Odette here) then, Cebu and other parts of the Visayas. This afternoon so far the first time phone signaĺs appeared but electricity still nil since it went off at the middle of the typhoon. Our electric power system still in state of rehabilitation in cooperation with other neighbouring provinces’ electric cooperatives to hopefully restore the grid in 2 months time. We are charging our phones in a genset only.
Today is Sabbath. Barely able to open your Letter to the Brethren and the Church’s website.
Yes, for a deadly typhoon such as this, damages are always expected. Our own house sustained only a neglible damage compared to others with only a roof flashing blown away. But our shop and garage (a 5-minute walking distance from our home) was totally colapsed. Had I happened to parked our service car inside our garage, that car could have been wrecked by a collapsed roofing and walling. It was a blessing that we have disposed our SUV 3 weeks before the typhoon. This garage was for this SUV. Another belessing in desguise is that there was a delay of the coming of the NEW ONE as replacement for the sold old suv because a new one could surely be kept in the garage. Our business (store) establishment and office in the city proper was topless. Glass panels were all broken. But despite all this, we are thankful to our God who kept us always safe along the way.
I haven’t any communication yet with our brethren in Cebu. We have heard some news that the typhoon hits the Cebu province with the same intensity as ours. I think we should not be much worry for {our man} in Cagayan de Oro City, their place was outside of the typhoon coverage. I will give you updates from them soon after I could make contact with all of them.
I will send pictures in the separate email. Just this is for now.
Our best regards,
Yes, Typhoon Rai is sobering. Please keep the brethren and those affected in the Philippines in your prayers.
I wrote our lead man back today to see if we can help.
That being said, weather events help show all of us that things can change very quickly.
Expect more severe storms.
We are seeing more extreme weather.
Typhoons (which are called hurricanes when they hit the Americas) are consistent with prophecy. For more scriptural details, see also the article Weather Blessings and Sorrows or the earlier post ‘Monster Hurricane Florence aims to drench Carolinas’.
As longtime readers of this page are aware, I have repeatedly warned of weather problems coming. Back in 2009, in my book, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, I warned about something that would happen:
Odd weather patterns result in … natural disasters. Matthew 24:7 …
The world is actually in a berserk transition … It is the beginning of sorrows. Matthew 24:8 (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Nazarene Books, 2009, p. 240)
Since that was published, we have had record smashing heat, stronger hurricanes, major tornadoes, and odd weather problems. These weather issues should serve as a wake-up call.
Some may wish to watch our video:
Hurricanes and Prophecy Hurricane Harvey dropped the greatest amount of rainfall in any USA storm. Hurricane Irma was the strongest hurricane ever in the Atlantic. Hurricane Irma wiped out most of the island of Barbuda, caused a million to lose power in Puerto Rico, devastated St. Martin’s, hit Cuba, and hit Florida. A news headline stated ” ‘Nature’s gone crazy’: Winds, fire, floods and quakes plague North America.” Is there any tie to prophecy? Are heavy winds and rains discussed in the Bible? Any ties to homosexuality and other forms of immorality? What about Donald Trump and Jennifer Lawrence? Does God control the weather? What does God want people to do? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more. This is a video.
Jesus foretold:
8 And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)
Major hurricanes/typhoons are troubling. We are in the beginning of sorrows.
Weather events should serve as a wake-up call to all.
But not everyone believes that and few will actually make the necessary spiritual changes in their life.
Don’t make excuses. Take action. Remember, you can change–and quickly. Here is a link to our video: ‘How to Change Your Life in 5 Seconds’.
Additionally realize, many despise/dismiss prophecy, even though the Apostle Paul was inspired to write:
20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:20)
Yes, the vast majority despise prophecies and will not accept true prophets. The Bible warns about that (cf. Matthew 23:29-37).
Extreme weather helps show people that things can change quickly and will not necessarily continue as they have been. And not just places in Asia are affected.
Europe and the USA faced deadly weather this year (e.g.‘Germany floods: At least 33 dead’ ‘Record-breaking drought, heatwaves, wildfires, melting permafrost, and plagues promises to be a worrying summer for the United States! … Canada … Bulgaria … Spain’ and Tornadoes cause damage in 5 states; scores appear to be dead).
Furthermore, many want to act like nothing is really changing and that prophecy is essentially a waste. The Apostle Peter warned about that:
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. (2 Peter 3:3-7)
These are the last days as we seem to be in the “beginning of sorrows” and are getting closer to the start of the Great Tribulation.
Many scoff.
Most will not change as they should.
But you can.
As far as hurricanes/typhoons go, here is another link to our video: Hurricanes and Prophecy.
Related to islands, we recently put out the following video: Islands and Biblical Prophecies.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Hurricanes and Prophecy Hurricane Harvey dropped the greatest amount of rainfall in any USA storm. Hurricane Irma was the strongest hurricane ever in the Atlantic. Hurricane Irma wiped out most of the island of Barbuda, caused a million to lose power in Puerto Rico, devastated St. Martin’s, hit Cuba, and hit Florida. A news headline stated ” ‘Nature’s gone crazy’: Winds, fire, floods and quakes plague North America.” Is there any tie to prophecy? Are heavy winds and rains discussed in the Bible? Any ties to homosexuality and other forms of immorality? What about Donald Trump and Jennifer Lawrence? Does God control the weather? What does God want people to do? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more. This is a video.
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them? Here is a link to a related video: Islands and Biblical Prophecies.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2029 or or 2031 or 20xx? There is also a video titled 6000 Years: When will God’s Kingdom Come? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
Might the U.S.A. Be Gone by 2028? Could the USA be gone by the end of 2028 or earlier? There is a tradition attributed to the Hebrew prophet Elijah that humanity had 6,000 years to live before being replaced by God’s Kingdom. There are scriptures, writings in the Talmud, early Christian teachings that support this. Also, even certain Hindu writings support it. Here is a link to a related video: Is the USA prophesied to be destroyed by 2028? In Spanish: Seran los Estados Unidos Destruidos en el 2028?
The Great Tribulation: What Happens First? What events have happened? What are some events that are now happening? And what events need to happen for the Great Tribulation to start? Here is a link to a related sermon video: Counting Down to the Great Tribulation. Here is a video in the Spanish language: Contando los eventos y el inicio de la Gran Tribulación.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2022, 2023, or 2024? 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? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede la Gran Tribulación comenzar en el 2020 o 2021? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? A related video is: Great Tribulation: 2026 or 2027? A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation start in 2022 or 2023? Here is a video in the Spanish language: Es El 2021 el año de La Gran Tribulación o el Grande Reseteo Financiero.
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something? Here is a version in the Spanish language Escrituras sobre Preparación física para los Cristianos. Here is a link to a related sermon: Physical preparedness for Christians.
Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? What does the Bible teach about weather? What about floods, droughts, heat, earthquakes, tornadoes, and solar storms? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather? A related item in the Spanish language would be Bendiciones y maldiciones del clima.
The ‘Unpardonable Sin’ and ‘Climate Change’? On September 7, 2016, Olav Fykse Tveit, Church of Norway Pastor, and the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, essentially declared that those who ignore ‘climate change’ are committing the ‘unpardonable sin’ against the Holy Spirit. Are those two even related? In this video, Dr. Thiel answers that and explains from the Bible what the ‘unpardonable sin’ is and how you can avoid it. He also discusses aspects of Christianity and the environment.
The Bible, Christians, and the Environment How should Christians view the environment? Does the Bible give any clues? What are some of the effects of air, water, and land pollution? Is environmental pollution a factor in autism and death? Do pollutants seem to double the autism risk? What will Jesus do? A YouTube video is available titled Air Pollution, Autism, and Prophecy.
Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: ¿Tiene la CCOG confirmadas las señales de Hechos 2: 17-18? Here is a link in the French language: Est-ce que l’Église Continue de Dieu confirme les signes d’Actes 2:17-18? A related sermon in the English language is also available: 17 Last Days’ Signs of the Holy Spirit.
Church of God Leaders on Prophets Have there been prophets throughout the church age? Are any supposed to be around in the last days? What have COG leaders stated or written about prophets? Here is a link to a related sermon: Church of God Leaders on Prophets.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
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. 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.
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