Romans 5:20 says … But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
It is often argued that God, in his righteous indignation against sinful nations, sends natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes and hurricanes as judgement. Or, sometimes as a reminder to change their ways and trust Him.
I have never understood how believers think that God would use killing people, mostly unbelievers, and sending them to hell, as an effective evangelism tool. Thinking like this completely ignores the fact that when God wanted to reach the unbelieving world, He sent his Son, not natural disasters.
The Character of God
Jesus Christ is the measure by which we judge the Scripture and see the character of God. Jesus said some very important things about God’s judgement.
1. John 5:22 For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment unto the Son. The Father does not judge anyone.
2. The real clincher is his second statement. John 12:47 If anyone hears me and doesn’t obey me, I am not his judge—for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.
It seems we have a conspiracy here. The Father hands all judgement to the son, then the Son says he’s not going to judge anyone.
In the book of Luke, we see this coming to a head. The disciples asked if they should call down fire from heaven as Elijah did, when the village of Samaritans didn’t receive the words of Jesus (Luke 9:51-54). Now Jesus’ response was interesting. He never denied that the disciples could actually call down fire. Rather, he rebuked them, saying they knew not what Spirit they were of.
Luke 9:55 – 56 But Jesus turned, and rebuked them, and said, You know not what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Today's Verse: 2 Peter 3:9 pic.twitter.com/PO8mXPIHDU
— Kevin Barner (@KEBarner) July 31, 2016
What about past judgments in the Bible?
Now, I’m not denying that there is judgement to come. But it is called The Day of Judgement. This is when men will be judged for what they have done with Jesus Christ. That day is not today.
Neither am I denying the judgments of the past. But, we live under the New Covenant, where the Blood of Jesus has dealt with the sin issue, once and for the whole world (1 John 2:2).
In fact, if God the Father were to judge a nation or a people now, He would have to apologize to Jesus for shedding his blood for the forgiveness of sin, in vain. It would ultimately make Jesus Christ a liar, for having prophesied that all sins would be forgiven the sons of men. (Mark 3:28)
So what about all those dreams and prophecies about tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes? Well, how did Jesus deal with natural weather phenomenon that threatened people’s lives? He took authority over it, and said “Peace be still.” (Mark 4:39)
Oh, how we miss the heart of the Father in these dreams and visions. God fully knows the power he has invested in his children, and the authority we have over the earth. (Psalms 115:16 ) It is our responsibility to establish God’s will on the Earth. Hence, God reveals those things to us, not as a certain event that will happen.
Rather, He is showing us the plans of the enemy that we can take authority over it and bring it to nothing. This is so that unbelieving men wouldn’t perish and go to hell. Rather they will come to learn of the goodness of God that leads to repentance and be saved. (2 Peter 3:9)
Now Over To You!
What do you think? Does the Bible support this argument of disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes and hurricanes being the work of God? Do you believe we have authority of the elements?
condemn no man.. judge all thoughts, all words, all deeds BUT CONDEMN NO MAN. I don't eat burnt and contaminated food. I JUDGE all things that I eat… both physical and spiritual. A father judges his children till they are of age. A boss judges his workers. Authority judges all that is under their care. You MUTUALLY judge whether to remain in a RELATIONSHIP. You have authority to continue in friendship or to end it but you are JUDGING also. Let your judgements/choices be made in love.
Actually what it is, is that man chases God away by his sin. God turns his face from man and ceases to offer His protection. In this void the devil moves in and has free reign to cause chaos and destruction. How can God offer his protection to a people who have totally disrespected Him, deny His existence, kill their babies by the billions, engage in adultery, watch porn, do drugs, do not pray, etc., etc. Also if you watch closely, there is a warning crescendo in the build up of these natural disasters; small at first, gradually getting worse as man ignores the warnings and continues in his sin.
Actually what it is, is that man chases God away by his sin. God turns his face from man and ceases to offer His protection. In this void the devil moves in and has free reign to cause chaos and destruction. How can God offer his protection to a people who have totally disrespected Him, deny His existence, kill their babies by the billions, engage in adultery, watch porn, do drugs, do not pray, etc., etc. Also if you watch closely, there is a warning crescendo in the build up of these natural disasters; small at first, gradually getting worse as man ignores the warnings and continues in his sin.
I can see that you have not understood the New Covenant the and
Impact that the Cross has made. There is not scripture to support that
teaching.
First thing about the new Covenant, our faithfulness is
not required, secondly it will never cause God to turn his face from
people as he was forced to under the Old Covenant.
Hebrews 8:9
New Living Translation (NLT) This covenant will not be like the one I
made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and led them out
of the land of Egypt. They did not remain faithful to my covenant, so I
turned my back on them, says the Lord.
Next, God is everywhere,
there is no place God is Not. All things, including the devil and
consist and have existence in Christ.
Colossians 1:16 -17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth,
visible
and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Lastly,
God gave us his BEST when were still Enemies and at our Worst! If he
gave us his best, when we were at our worst, what makes you think he
would turn his face away from
us now?
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
God is no longer relating to us according to our sins, he is relating to us according to what Christ
has done on Humanities behalf
Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
For
God to punish us because of Sin, he would have to apologize to Jesus,
because that would mean that God didn’t really forgive the sins of the
world, and Jesus suffered for no reason.
I think natural disasters are the earth’s way of saving itself. For example if the earth didn’t vent itself through volcanoes would it blow itself a part? While not that scientific I think the same thing can apply to earthquakes. I believe God is very much alive through natural disasters and especially in the aftermath when people begin helping where they can.