The title of this article is also the partial title of an article in a recent issue of Time, following the devastation caused by hurricane Irma in late August and early September 2017, which affected the southern U.S.A. and many islands in the Caribbean. What is disconcerting, however, is that this partial title is in smaller print, while underneath is a further addition in much larger and much bolder print: “And so do we.” The import of the article is that even if the storms are getting stronger, man is learning how better to cope with them. The authors themselves explain that “a lot of smart people did a lot of things right to prevent a historic hurricane from doing historic damage.” Since hurricane Irma, two other hurricanes and two reasonably strong earthquakes have affected the North American continent, wreaking further havoc. In fact, the damage caused in Puerto Rico by hurricane Maria is so great that current predictions are that it may take six months for electrical power to be restored.
It is a fact that the storms are getting stronger. It is true that very strong hurricanes have occurred before, but they were generally few and far between. In the last few years, and especially in 2017, there have been more storms, stronger storms, and closer together. Other events too, such as earthquakes, massive amounts of rainfall with flooding, severe droughts, and tsunamis, have been more frequent in the last few years.
Doubtless the damage done not only reflects the severity and frequency of the storms, but also the increasing population of the world. Areas that were formerly somewhat sparsely populated are now heavily inhabited, and the infrastructure consequently more susceptible to damage.
Experience
It is true that man does learn from experience. The disastrous effects of hurricane Katrina back in 2005 did teach some valuable lessons, and the responses to later storms have been proportionately better. More people have been evacuated, better emergency measures have been introduced, and faster responses have resulted in better damage control.
Having said all this, however, it remains that man is no match for the power of God in creation, and with all his bravado, he realizes deep down that he can be brought to his knees rather easily. The modern world lives on two basic commodities—electricity and oil. Without electricity, computers, cash registers, cell phones, and the Internet do not work. Since modern business is controlled and transacted by these entities, without electricity it grinds to a halt. It is true that electricity can be generated by coal, oil, or nuclear power, but if these are not available, once again business and the normal activities of life cannot carry on. Flooding and other natural disasters can and do easily damage nuclear power stations, coal-fired electrical plants, and oil refineries.
God’s Warning of Judgment
What does all this mean for the world and for the believer? It means two things. First of all, God is warning this world of more severe judgments, after the believer is called home. Man may blame some of these disasters on climate change and its effects, but in the end result, there are no second causes with God. He is in control, and the storms are allowed by His hand. He is seeking to get man’s attention and to draw souls to Christ while there is still time. Our responsibility as believers is to press this on lost souls and to point out to them that all these things are portents of coming judgment on this world.
We know that after the church is called home, these natural disasters will increase during the first half of the tribulation period, as God takes down the vast commercial system that has developed in this world. At first only poorer people will be affected, but eventually all will feel it. Finally, during the great tribulation, God’s direct hand will be felt in far more severe judgments that men will readily recognize as coming from a God of judgment. All of man’s pride will be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
The Lord’s Coming
But for the believer today, all these things also say to us, “The coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (James 5:88Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (James 5:8)). While He was here on earth, our Lord Jesus could warn the people that in a coming day there would be “famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (Matt. 24:77For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matthew 24:7)), while in another discourse He could warn of “signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity” (Luke 21:2525And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)). We know that the complete fulfillment of all this awaits the first half of the tribulation period, after the church is called home, but already we can see God setting the stage for all this. We are entitled to “see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:2525Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)), and the day referred to is surely the day of judgment. Knowing that the Lord’s coming for us precedes the judgment, we can go peacefully on our way, knowing that our “redemption draweth nigh.” At the same time, we should have that sense of urgency that comes from a realization that “the time is short.” If Christ has given us light, we are to “walk circumspectly ... redeeming the time” (Eph. 5:14-1614Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:14‑16)). The eternal rest in glory will more than make up for our efforts down here.
W. J. Prost