Does God Use Disasters?

Earthquake Damage in Port-au-Prince

Does God use disasters as punishment for sins? Many of various faiths believe that He does:

Is God’s wrath at work in natural disasters?

Washington Post – May 1, 2010

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/30/AR2010043002116.html

While I am not saying that I believe that the specific “sins” (some of which are not sins) listed within the article above caused the specific events the above article listed, it is true that God often uses disasters to get peoples attention.

Here is the latest commentary by LCG’s Wyatt Ciesielka:

Massive “natural disasters” reminiscent of Mark 13:8 seem to be growing more frequent every month. In addition to the horrible destruction and loss of life, these tragedies are economically devastating. The European aviation sector alone lost more than $3.3 billion dollars from the relatively small volcanic eruption (Associated Press, “EU moves to help aviation heal $3.3 billion losses,” April 27, 2010). What would be the consequences if the U.S. Yellowstone Caldera, or the Indonesian Lake Toba Caldera erupted? It is nearly unfathomable!

Jeremiah 17:1-4 explains that national punishment is the eventual result of national sins and false religion.　 Ultimately, this punishment will lead to our wealth, and even our people being given “as plunder” to foreign nations (vv. 3-4). Furthermore, this tragic collapse will happen suddenly and when many do not expect it (Isaiah 1:7, Habakkuk 2:7, I Thessalonians 5:3). Read more

Even more disasters are coming according to Jesus:

21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened (Matthew 24:21-22).

Notice that protection is promised for some by Jesus:

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write…10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth (Revelation 3:7,10).

But the part of the good news is that Jesus will return afterwords and establish His glorious kingdom.

If you want to learn more, please check out the following articles:

There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? What is “the beginning of sorrows”? Have we begun or are we about ready for “the beginning of sorrows” to begin.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?