TSUNAMIS AND THE LAST DAYS?

Excerpts from a message given by Dr Samuel Doctorian on 16 August 1998 on the Isle of Patmos (Full article in GOOD NEWS, March 1999). “On 20 June 1998, at 03:50 in Patmos, suddenly my room was full of light, and there are no lights around here. It is a house all by itself at the end of the road near a monastery. Lo and behold, when I was wide awake, I saw five beautiful angels...” “Suddenly the first angel on my right side said, ‘We are five angels from five continents. We are here to give you messages for the five continents of the world...’” “The first angel said, ‘I have a message for all of Asia.’ When he said that, in a split few seconds, I could see all of China, India, Asian countries like Vietnam, Laos - I’ve never been to these countries. I saw the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. And then the angel showed me all of Papua New-Guinea, Irian Jaya and down to Australia and New Zealand. ‘I am the angel of Asia,’ he said. In his hand, I saw a tremendous trumpet that he was going to blow all over Asia. ‘Millions are going to hear the mighty Voice of the Lord. There shall be disaster, starvation - many will die of hunger. Earthquakes will take place all over Asia and the sea will cover the Earth...’ “I saw this on 20 June (1998). Today is 16 August (1998). A few weeks ago I heard the news of villages completely wiped out and washed into the sea in Papua New-Guinea. Thousands of lives were in great jeopardy. The angel told me that this was going to happen all over Asia. ‘The Earth will fall into the sea,’ I heard the angel say. ‘Part of Australia will be shaken and will be divided, and a great part will go under the ocean.’... Twice I heard the words, ‘Catastrophic, catastrophic!’ Then the angel said, ‘Financial crisis will come to Asia. I will shake the world...’ I was trembling while the angel was speaking. Then he looked at me, smiled and said, ‘There shall be the greatest spiritual awakening - bondage will be broken. All over Asia - China, India - people will turn to Christ. In Australia, there shall be tremendous revival. It is the last harvest.’ Then, as if the Lord were speak-ing, He said, ‘I shall prepare My Church for the return of Christ.’ I was happy with such good news after the message of judgment. Excerpts from “Threats Even Bigger Than Terrorism” by Tom Robinson (Full article in GOOD NEWS, September 2004). How many people are aware that greater disasters than even nuclear or biological terrorism are real possibilities from the realm of nature? Though nearly 3 000 people were murdered in the Sept. 11 (2001) attacks, approximately 20 000 people died August 2003 from a heat wave in Europe. And more than 40 000 people died in the Bam earthquake in Iran December 2003. These numbers could be eclipsed by even more devas-tating natural disasters. BBC News recently reported: “Giant tsunamis [tidal waves], super volcanoes and earth-quakes could pose a greater threat than terrorism, scientists claim. Global Geophysical Events, or ‘Gee Gees,’ as they are nicknamed, are not taken seriously enough, they say. The global community needs to monitor these risks, and develop strategies to cope in the face of a catastrophe” (Aug. 9, 2004). A follow-up story the next day elaborated on the first of these threats: “A scientist has attacked the inaction over a threat from a dangerous volcano in the Canary Islands which could send a tidal wave crashing against the US... If Cumbre Veija volcano erupts, it may send a rock slab, the size of a small island, crashing into the sea, creating a huge tidal wave. Walls of water 300 feet high would travel to the US at the speed of a jet. Within three hours, the wave would swamp the west coast of Africa. Within five hours it would reach southern England and within twelve hours, it could hit America’s east coast... New York, Washington DC, Boston and Miami would be almost wiped out by the tsunami generated by the insecure rock falling into the Atlantic (Aug. 10, 2004). ‘Eventually’, the scientist said, ‘the whole rock will collapse into the water, and the collapse will devastate the Atlantic margin...’” These are earth-shattering possibilities, unimaginable catastrophes of, as the saying goes, biblical proportions. And the Bible does indeed warn of such calamities as the end of this present era of civilization approaches, climaxing in global catastrophes comparable to those described above. “And there will be... on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth...” (Luke 21:25-26). The encouraging news is that Jesus Christ will return to rescue us from all the calamities humanity is subject to because of its sins. He will return with power to rule over all the earth! God wants us to have our focus in the right place, to put our trust in Him as the ultimate Source of protection and, more important-ly, eternal salvation! Excerpts from “Waves of Devastation and Disaster: What Do They Mean?” by John Ross Schroeder As we struggle to come to terms with the worst earthquake in 40 years and the Indian Ocean tsunamis that followed in its wake, we should be asking important questions like “Where is God?” and “What spiritual lessons should we learn?” WHERE IS GOD? Most of the many morning newspaper accounts attributed the tide of death to the awesome power unleashed by our own planet. The term “nature” was used over and over again, implying some sort of force beyond reason or understanding was involved. We acknowledge our own fragility in the face of this terrifying demonstration of what we call “nature’s power.” As noted British columnist William Rees-Mogg stated in The Times: “We are not in control; the tsunami has demonstrated this ancient truth” (Dec. 27, 2004). That’s true, but there is more to the story. Few understand that very long ago God placed on earth an archangel named Lucifer (specially created as a bringer of light). Eventually he chose to rebel against his Creator, turning this beautiful planet into a sorry scene of waste, confusion and devastation (Read Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28). Later, in seven days, God restored and renewed the earth into the idyllic place it had once been. He created the first man and woman and placed them in the Garden of Eden. But like the fallen Lucifer, they too rebelled against their Creator and God had no option but to banish them from their paradise-like garden. Adam and Eve set a pattern of disobedience for mankind, and we have been going astray from God ever since! But from the very first, God has had a plan for the redemption of humankind (Revelation 13:8). In His divine wisdom and to help fulfil His basic purpose, God has chosen to leave Satan in charge of this earth until the time of the future return of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul acknowledged the devil's rulership by calling Satan “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2). Three times in the book of John, Jesus referred to Satan as the ruler of this world (“prince” in the KJV). This is not to say that he is behind every disaster like this latest earthquake/ tsunami or every personal misfortune, but these disasters serve to highlight his harmful influence during “this present evil age” (Gal. 1:4). He has the power to spread misery and suffering throughout his domain. So the question remains: Why does God sometimes allow such devastation to take place, and what should our reaction be? How should we respond when disaster occurs? Jesus called to mind a disastrous accident in teaching us all a very important lesson. Referring to a great tragedy in Jerusalem, He said: “...Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:4-5). Our shortsighted way of life often brings on the potential for disaster. God has created a world of cause and effect. Proverbs 26:2 tells us that “the curse does not come without a cause.” Sometimes, however, there is a long time lapse between cause and consequence. This is what deceives humans into thinking that they can get away with their evil deeds (Eccl. 8:11). Somehow we like to play Russian roulette with our precious lives. This world is recklessly drinking iniquity (lawlessness) like water. We are removing ourselves further and further away from God and His righteous way of life, willingly rejecting His blessings and protection! Herein lies the answer to the question, “Where is God?” People have pushed Him out of their lives and even out of their consciences. And He is allowing them to do so, for now. This morning The Daily Telegraph in London published two editorials on the same page. Not surprisingly, the first one was titled: “A Terrible Reminder That Nature Is Dangerous” (Dec. 27, 2004). It was about the disastrous effects of the tsunamis in the Indian Ocean. The second, just below, was entitled: “Losing Our Religion.” The connection between the two will become obvious. This last editorial consisted of commenting on an accompanying feature article in the same paper titled: “Britons’ Belief in God Vanishing as Religion Is Replaced by Apathy.” Likewise the sub-head read: “The national mood towards faith is one of indifference.” The second editorial talked about Britain “becoming a nation of shoulder-shrugging agnostics who, instead of thinking systematically about religion, react to tragedy by improvising rituals with the nearest objects to hand, such as flowers or teddy bears”. God, of course, would far prefer that the reaction be personal repentance of their individual transgressions of His law. (The British example is used simply because England is where I live and needed information is more readily accessible. If I still resided in my native United States, its example would probably be more appropriate. America acknowledges God to a much greater degree than Britain, but still doesn’t live His way.) The latest British poll conducted by The Daily Telegraph is far from encouraging. The feature article mentioned earlier sums up the startling findings: “In 1968 more than three quarters of people, 77%, said they did believe in God. That figure has fallen by nearly half to 44% - a minority of the population.” REACTING WITH REPENTANCE It’s very encouraging to see that the Western nations (including Britain) have immediately pledged millions of dollars of disaster aid and have begun airlifts of desperately needed supplies to these battered regions. This tradition of generosity and help for those in need is an outgrowth of these nations’ long Judeo-Christian heritage and is to be highly commended. But how should we personally react to a disaster of such enormous proportions - no matter how far away? Again, Jesus Christ said not to take our lives and well-being for granted, that they can disappear in an instant due to circumstances beyond our control. Personal repentance, He said, is the only sensible response to disaster (Luke 13:1-5). Our nations continually break God’s great spiritual laws with seeming impunity, and then we wonder why bad things tend to happen. When God sent His prophets to warn ancient Israel, the inhabitants often reacted by stoning them. Later He sent His very own Son and they likewise murdered Him. Then the Church Jesus built was assigned the task. It is still on the job. But few today really and truly like to hear where their misguided way of life is taking them. We don’t like God interfering in our business. As mentioned above, an increasing number don’t even acknowledge His existence. One of the purposes of this prophetic publication is a call to repentance. If you are stealing in some way, heed the words of the apostle Paul: “Let him who stole steal no longer” (Ephesians 4:28). If you are having an affair, remember the words of the book of Hebrews: “Marriage is honourable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). Jesus simply said to a woman He had forgiven: “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). No matter what course your neighbour or your nation as a whole may take, you can turn from your sins and begin to live a righteous life by the indwelling of Jesus Christ through the power of God’s Holy Spirit (Gal. 2:20). As a reader of this article, you are most likely being called to repentance by your Creator. Don’t leave your life to the vagaries of time and chance. Act now! Jesus Christ said the appropriate response to disasters is personal repentance. The Christian way of life is a way of changing to become like Christ. [http://www.ucg.org/wnp/wnp0501/wavesofdevastation.htm] You may either agree or disagree with the authors’ views/statements above, but one thing is certain: “...man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment...” (Hebrews 9:27). The question remains: Where do YOU stand with GOD? If death should knock on your door today, will you be ready to stand blameless before God? If not, repent of your sins and give your life to Him today! “‘Come now, let us reason together’, says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be a white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’” (Isaiah 1:18). - Editor