Within the past year our country seems to have been struck by numerous catastrophic events from one coast to the other. There have been terrible hurricanes, devastating fires, and recently flooding and mudslides in California. We feel for those who have gone through such tragedies. But, the question that I want to ask is this, “Has our nation learned anything from these calamities?” Have we learned anything about the weakness and inabilities of man to control natural disasters? Have we learned anything about God and His power from such events?
In Revelation chapters 8, 9, and 16 Jesus reveals that there are trumpets of warning and then bowls of wrath. In biblical times trumpets were used to warn. Symbolically, in the book of Revelation they carry the same message. He then goes on to tell of natural calamities which befall the earth and its inhabitants. He speaks of fire and hail (8:7). He speaks about the springs of water and the ocean (8:8, 10). In chapter 16 when He speaks of the bowls of wrath, He mentions, the earth and sea (16:1, 3). He mentions fresh water (16:4). He mentions fire (16:8). Symbolically, Christ was conveying a message that men and women should repent. They first received warnings by tragic events that took place on the earth. Later, in chapter 16 He notes that God not only warns, but that He also has bowls of wrath He will pour out on the inhabitants of the earth.
I’m not saying that God has sent the hurricanes that devastated parts of the U.S. and the Caribbean. Nor am I saying that God has started the destructive fires we have seen, nor the devastating floods and mudslides. But, should not those horrific acts of “nature” cause us to recognize there is a Higher Power? Should they not cause all of us to examine his or her life and say, “I need to repent and draw near to God?”
God is patient toward us, “Not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9. Sad as it may be, both with regard to the trumpets of warning and the bowls of wrath, the text says, “they did not repent” (Revelation 9:21; 16:9, 11). Have the calamities this nation suffered the past few years caused us to repent? Maybe some? Hopefully many! But, personally, I fear the one who would write the text of our lives would have to repeat what the Revelation writer wrote, “They did not repent.”
What will it take to turn our nation back to God? What more can God do? He has sent the sacrifice for our sin, given us the Book of Instruction, and allowed the tragedies of nature to get our attention. Let’s remember the powerful prayer from the Old Testament, “And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land,” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Wayne Burger
