Is the Recent Increase in Natural Disasters God's Judgement?

Could the increase in natural disasters around the world actually be the judgment of God? "Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it?" (Amos 3:6)

The Bible clearly states that nothing happens in this world apart from God which includes disasters. But calamity isn't always the results of judgment. Admittedly, God has used disaster many times in judgment but some disasters could be merciful warnings that beg repentance.

New Orleans has been known for years as a place of drunkenness and sex which was devastated by Katrina. Haiti is known for its witchcraft and was torn apart by a massive earthquake as was China which is known for the worship of idols. Pakistan is a land of idol-worship as well which has suffered severe loss of life due to flooding and the whole world has seen the Asian tsunamis that shocked us all.

Is God warning the nations?

In the Old Testament, (Gen.15:16) God sent the Israelites to Egypt for 400 years because the sins of the Amorites weren't complete and therefore undeserving of judgment at that time. At the end of the 400 years, God used the Israelites to administer judgment upon them because their iniquities had reached its limit.

Apparently, sin has a limit and once it has reached its limit, God executes judgment. "Come out of her my people and be not partakers of her sins and receive not of her plagues." (Rev. 18:4)

Job lost his children when heavy winds destroyed the house they were in. When Job heard the crushing news about his children he said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:19)

Job attributed the death of his children to God. Actually, every calamity that happened in the book of Job was attributed to God. "And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him." (Job 42:11)

Was God punishing Job's children? It is interesting that in the first chapter of Job we find that he offered continuous sacrifices for them. " -- and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all -- Thus Job did continually."

What does Jesus say about disasters?

We live in a fallen world. Jesus said in Luke 13 that disaster could strike good people as well as bad at any given moment.

"There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

Jesus has given us a warning that no one is guaranteed another day of life. The consummation of all things is near and the world around us is getting more evil every day. Natural disasters will increase as we approach the end of the age. Are they God's judgments? For some they could be and for others they could be merciful warnings to repent.

When the storm came upon the disciples on the sea they became terrified. When they finally woke Jesus, He rebuked the wind and waves then He rebuked them for their lack of faith. Jesus was in their boat. Why be afraid when the Lord himself is right there with you? Of course, if the Lord is not with you then you should be afraid. Is Jesus in your boat?

Physical death is something we all have to face whether it is at a young or an old age. None of us knows when death will happen and to put off getting right with God is like playing Russian roulette with our soul.

In the book of Revelation it says that God will pour His wrath upon the unbelieving world in the form of natural disasters as a warning to repent and turn to Him. " -- they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory -- and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores." Evidently, they know that God is responsible for the disasters but they had rather run and hide than repent and give Him the glory.

Disaster can be a warning that something worse is coming. There is real evil in the world and those who don't belong to God are in the clutches of this evil. Satan has blinded their minds from the truth. God is dealing with this evil which will not relent, but when man is overwhelmed he will ultimately yield. The question is, how devastated does one have to be before submitting to the sovereignty of God?

Many foreign countries worship false gods and practice all kinds of evil before the Lord. America is steadily heading in the same direction. Our beloved country is rapidly spiraling away from God towards the point of no return. Billy Graham said that if God doesn't punish America soon He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.

America was once known as a God-fearing nation. We were respected and revered as morally upright and strong. But we have fallen from this respected position. People used to dream of one day coming to the great America but now, those who want to come here are the underbelly of other world societies.

Our nation has been moving steadily away from God since 1963 when a law was passed that banned the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit from all schools and government buildings. Search our past and examine the way life used to be before America turned from God then compare it to what we see today.

We are nearing the return of Jesus Christ and those who are alive at this time will see the book of Daniel and Revelation unfold before their eyes. The United States is currently the most powerful nation on Earth. Why is America not mentioned in Daniel or Revelation? Could it be because America will be taken out?

God used natural disasters on numerous occasions to judge rebellious nations. He wiped out everyone on the planet with a flood except Noah and his family. Egypt was nearly destroyed by natural disasters when Pharaoh refused to let the Hebrews leave.

Contrary to popular belief, God is still in control of His creation. He bears patiently with people, but He will not be mocked or blatantly defied. Ramses tried to defy God and the entire land of Egypt was devastated as a result. Assyria defied God and one angel wiped out 185,000 soldiers. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Heb. 10:31)

Is the recent increase in natural disasters God's judgment? Not necessarily. It really depends upon one's definition of judgment. As we near the end of the age, God will begin to pour out His wrath but He doesn't hit the world with the full force of judgment. He mercifully allows people time to repent by slowly increasing the impact rather than wiping everything out with one blow, which He could easily do.

Study the Scriptures and see how God deals with rebellious disobedience then decide for yourself. If we are indeed on the threshold of the end times, the disasters we're seeing today will pale compared to the judgments that await those who refuse to acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ.

A day is coming when these natural disasters will increase and intensify beyond anything known today. A time of untold terror will fall upon those who remain steadfast in their rebellion against the sovereign Lord of the universe.The natural disasters of today should be considered merciful warnings to repent and turn to the One who loved us so much that He actually left His throne and entered this world to free us from the powers of darkness.

Jesus Christ will be revealed one day to the whole world. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Him as Lord whether on Earth, in heaven, or in hell. The powers of darkness will tremble with fear because their reign of evil will be at an end as God brings forth the consummation of all things.

Jesus died to give us life in eternity. We cannot (dare not) enter eternity without Him. God dwells in unapproachable light. No mortal can survive the presence of God without being regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Those who accept the way that God has chosen to redeem them, which is by faith in the one He sent to Earth, are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus -- " (Rom.8:1)

In conclusion, not all natural disasters are judgements and should be considered warnings of mercy from our Creator. When earthly parents correct a child they frequently state that the punishment will be worse if the child doesn't change his or her ways. God says the same thing to His children. "Go and sin no more lest something worse come upon you." (John 5:14)