Varying death counts from Oklahoma tornadoes; more severe weather expected

Tornadoes and violent storms are again in the news, but the numbers of confirmed deaths from yesterday’s storm have been reduced (see second headline, which came out within an hour of the first one):

20 children among 51 victims in Okla.; toll could hit 90

May 21, 2013

MOORE, Okla. — The grim work of search, rescue and recovery spun into a second day Tuesday in central Oklahoma after a massive and murderous tornado blasted through the area, killing at least 51 people, flattening neighborhoods and destroying two elementary schools.

Amy Elliott of the state medical examiner’s office said the death toll could rise by as many as 40 as rescue workers pick through rubble from Monday’s monster, which cut a path more than a mile wide through this Oklahoma City suburb of 41,000 people. The National Weather Service said the tornado spent 40 minutes on the ground, a 20-mile swath of death with winds approaching 200 mph. http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2013/05/21/oklahoma-tornadoes/2344923/

Oklahoma tornado: Authorities lower death toll to 24; number of injured hits 240

Coroner’s office has ‘good news’: Death toll lowered to 24 because of double counting, rescuers frantically search rubble

Rescuers searched frantically for survivors Tuesday as the death toll from the massive tornado that leveled suburban Oklahoma City was dropped to 24.

The sharp decline from the original fatality list of 51 names was likely caused by double counting of victims, authorities said…The number of injured was placed at 240, with 60 of them being children. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/terrifying-footage-shows-twisters-tearing-america-heartland-video-article-1.1349229#ixzz2Tw7g6nEd

More severe weather expected after monster tornado

May 21, 2013

More severe weather is in the forecast for parts of the central United States already reeling from powerful tornadoes this week.

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., says golf ball-sized hail, powerful winds and isolated, strong tornadoes could strike areas of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma on Tuesday. The area at risk does not include Moore, Okla., where dozens of people were killed in a monstrous tornado Monday.

Severe weather warnings extend through most of the central United States, with conditions ripe for large storms from Michigan to Texas, reports meteorologist Larry Mowry with CBS affiliate KTVT in Dallas.

Forecasters say the greatest risk for severe weather Tuesday includes the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The National Weather Service is predicting flash flooding in parts of Arkansas and Louisiana as the storm system dumps several inches of rain in a short time frame Tuesday afternoon. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57585431/more-severe-weather-expected-after-monster-tornado/

Irrespective of the actual number killed, my prayers go out to those affected.

This is what a tornado can do to a house:

Tornadoes can be very destructive.

While humans often seem to think otherwise, God is in charge and controls the weather. Notice the following:

17 He casts out His hail like morsels;
Who can stand before His cold?
18 He sends out His word and melts them;
He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow. (Psalms 147:17-18)

Fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling His word” (Psalm 148:8 , RAV).

17 I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me,’ says the Lord. (Haggai 2:17)

3 He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth. 4 After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. 5 God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. 6 For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength. 7 He seals the hand of every man, That all men may know His work. 8 The beasts go into dens, And remain in their lairs. 9 From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north. 10 By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen. 11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds. 12 And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, That they may do whatever He commands them On the face of the whole earth. 13 He causes it to come, Whether for correction, Or for His land, Or for mercy. (Job 37:3-13)

And while tornadoes are common in the US Mid-West this time of year, weather-problems are one way that God uses to try to get peoples’ attention to repent (cf. Haggai 2:17). It seems that the severity of destruction from tornadoes has increased in the past few years.

Jesus taught:

7…And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:7-8).

8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

Surely, many who have experienced weather-related problems this year consider them to be consistent with troubles and sorrows, that Jesus predicted.

Back in 2009, my book, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, I wrote that the following was about to happen:

Odd weather patterns result in food shortages and natural disasters. Matthew 24:7

The world is actually in a berserk transition, as the real age of peace is not yet here. It may be a period of chaos. It is the beginning of sorrows. Matthew 24:8

Severe and odd weather problems should serve as a wake-up call. It was also reported that 2012’s “huge drought was a freak of nature that wasn’t caused by man-made global warming, a new federal science study finds” (Heat, drought, and flooding).

And when you see headlines such as 2012: The year of extreme weather and LA Times: 2012 hottest year on record, you know this is happening.

But the points of many of the weather-related problems is to get people to change before worse disasters befall them.

We seem to be in the time that Jesus referred to as the beginning of sorrows, a time just before the Great Tribulation. A time that will be worse than any on this planet.

God wants people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). He uses weather for correction and for His mercy (Job 37:13).

Will you heed the weather warnings?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done?
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.
Do Christians Sin? This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Overcoming Sin What is sin? How are Christians suppose to overcome it? Here is also a link to a video titled How to Overcome Sin.
How to Prevent Sin This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Just What Do You Mean Conversion? Many think that they are converted Christians. But are they? Would you like to know more about conversion. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
False Conversion Have you really been converted? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this article on this important subject.
All About Water Baptism What is baptism? Would you like to know more about it. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. As far as early history, see also Baptism and the Early Church.
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hindrance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach?