Response to tsunamis

[clawhammer]

Well, I was in church today and the sermon was a response to the deadly tsunamis that hit asia on december 26. The preacher said that he beleived (and it made sense to me) that this was sort of another wake up call from God. God would rather have 153000 people perish than 6 billion. Now here comes the interesting part:

For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality Romans 9:28.

Based on that text he said that one possible way that it could go down is that if there were another disaster of this magnitude somewhere else in the world, or even a disaster half this size here in the US, almost everyone would start talking about the end being near. He said that this could fulfill that text in romans above, because almost all of this would happen overnight.

This was something that I thought was interesting, but I was wondering what you think about it.

[Xtreme_098]

Thats what people said after 911. Who knows, maybe the end is near, maybe it was just nature, maybe god is trying to wake everyone up. This is something we can debate about for years but it comes back to the same thing: We just have to wait to find out.

[eversio11]

Originally Posted by clawhammer

Now here comes the interesting part:

For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality Romans 9:28.

How is that interesting? It just says God's judgment will be quick and thorough. I don't see how you instantly jump to 'earthquake'.

Earthquakes happen, tragedies happen, people die. I know in times like these insecure people turn to the simple answer of 'God did it', but this is getting out of hand.

[DGB454]

I don't know if it's insecurities that lead people to look to God. People of faith look to God in all things. When something large scale happens like this earthquake I think there is a tendency for people of faith to get a little excited. A little hopefull so to speak.To say to themselves "what if ?". It may sound crazy but I look forward to seeing the end. I think most Christians do. We don't want to die but we look forward to His comming. What we don't look forward to is the people we care about not being ready when it happens. I don't look forward to the end comming and some of you not being ready. I consider many of you my friends even though we never met personally.

Are we nearing the end? I have no idea. We are closer today than we were yesterday.

[twospirits]

Originally Posted by clawhammer

Well, I was in church today and the sermon was a response to the deadly tsunamis that hit asia on december 26. The preacher said that he beleived (and it made sense to me) that this was sort of another wake up call from God. God would rather have 153000 people perish than 6 billion.

Hmmm, its interesting that here is another example of a not so loving God bringing forth his wrath to the creatures he created.

Its truly amazing how so many folks actually start to come out of the woodwork stating stuff like this to their followers. Its an unfortunent natural event that has killed thousands of people. Plain and simple.
You can't not honestly tell me that a true loving God would allow such a thing to its people.

As for the stated scripture, that can be attributed to over a hundred world calamities in the past two centuries alone.

Originally Posted by DGB454

It may sound crazy but I look forward to seeing the end. I think most Christians do. We don't want to die but we look forward to His comming. ......

Are we nearing the end? I have no idea. We are closer today than we were yesterday.

You are absolutely right, that is a very scary statement. Its like if you are inviting such an event or possibly even start one to have the prophecy come true. Scary indeed.

The last sentence has been repeated numerous times by numerous people throught the centuries and yet we are still here.


TS out

[DGB454]

Originally Posted by twospirits

Hmmm, its interesting that here is another example of a not so loving God bringing forth his wrath to the creatures he created.

Not so loving? You are here and you are alive.You are given a chance. Do you deserve even that?

Its truly amazing how so many folks actually start to come out of the woodwork stating stuff like this to their followers. Its an unfortunent natural event that has killed thousands of people. Plain and simple. You can't not honestly tell me that a true loving God would allow such a thing to its people.

Allow? Earlier you implied he caused it. You need to have an understanding of God. He owes us nothing. He gives us everything. He doesn't owe us a good life. When bad things happen it's funny how non believers will say "there is no God" or " If there is a God then he is cruel"
Yet when good happens they don't say "There is a God" or "If there is a God he is a good God".

As for the stated scripture, that can be attributed to over a hundred world calamities in the past two centuries alone.

Of course. It's not the end of things. If it were then you wouldn't be here. When it's time we will know. Things will get worse.

You are absolutely right, that is a very scary statement. Its like if you are inviting such an event or possibly even start one to have the prophecy come true. Scary indeed.

Inviting His return is scary to you? Why would that bother you? Do you associate His return with something bad? If you don't believe then what do you have to be concerned about? Perhaps you are simply suggesting that I look forward to a major calamity to happen? If so then you suggest that I would entertain the thought of creating one to speed His comming?(God works in His own time and not mine.)
It wasn't my mind that came up with that idea it was yours. I would say that we have more to fear from thoughts from people like you than me.

The last sentence has been repeated numerous times by numerous people throught the centuries and yet we are still here.

The last statement was "we are closer today than yesterday" Was that a false statement?

[Muscletang]

It's times like this when natural disasters and other horrible things make people wonder if the end times are near. Christians believe that Christ will be coming back some time in the future.

After 9/11 and this tsunami they believe he'll be here very soon. I believe he'll be here but during times, like now, when it seems he'll be here any second, I read the following Bible verse.

Christ stated that when he returns, he'll come like, "a thief in the night." Would a theif rob a house if you were expecting him? No. Would Christ come back if we were expecting him? No.

[DGB454]

Good point. But isn't there a verse that states that we will know by the signs? By we I mean the people who are looking for His return. I will look up the verses when I have a few more minutes.

[Muscletang]

Originally Posted by DGB454

Good point. But isn't there a verse that states that we will know by the signs? By we I mean the people who are looking for His return. I will look up the verses when I have a few more minutes.

True, but I think one of the signs is already here. If I remember right, it says everybody in the world will be known by number. Some people have the same name but they don't have the same social security number.
Also, when Europe went to the Euro-dollar, that was another sign that was fulfilled.

[youngvr4]

Originally Posted by twospirits

Hmmm, its interesting that here is another example of a not so loving God bringing forth his wrath to the creatures he created.



TS out

now i'm not saying god did it, and i'm not saying he didn't do it

but death is not seen through gods eyes they same way its seen through yours.

maybe you think once you die, you have lost absolutley everything.
i don't know gods mind and niether do i know yours, but as i've said before

and the bible quotes "the end of a thing is better then its beginning"

ecclesiastes 7:8

also as i stated before on this subject, i do not feel sorry for the dead, but for the loved ones left behind with nothing.

we are all different and see things different, some think war is neccessary and some think its not. some like bill clinton and some don't.

so beleive me i'm not trying to alter your way of seeing things, just trying to let you see it from others stand points

and one more thing, though quotes from the bible may not mean didly squat to you or others here, id does mean something to others

quote "therefore i praised the dead who were already dead, more than the living who are still alive, yet, better than both is he who has never existed, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun"

ecclesiastes 6 :2-3

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by Muscletang

Also, when Europe went to the Euro-dollar, that was another sign that was fulfilled.

I'm not familiar with that one; what reference are you using?

[youngvr4]

he's probably referring to the third seal in revalations

[solaris=amazing]

Lol, god made my 95 tbirds radiator fan seize so i couldn't drive for 2 days. Honestly, i seriously think that SHIT HAPPENS. If god had the power to make the earth rumble, and create a tsunami-why not use that power to heal all the sick children out there...But Nooooooooo.

Seriously, i believe god made the entire world/galaxy/universe etc, EVERYTHING. But we are here to learn and fend for ourselves. We have dead loved ones watching over us, but thats all i believe. One day, we might meet god..i hope so.

[chacal]

Originally Posted by Muscletang

Also, when Europe went to the Euro-dollar, that was another sign that was fulfilled.

The Euro-dollar??? What's that?
Probably you'll find Euro-dollars in the wallet of people who use watches with ten positions.

Originally Posted by twospirits

You are absolutely right, that is a very scary statement. Its like if you are inviting such an event or possibly even start one to have the prophecy come true. Scary indeed.

I agree. It's scary to think some crazy dumbo could start something so that he could see Jesus return to Earth. I don't want to be blown to outer space thanks to the convictions of some freak.

Signs, signs, signs... What would you say if you lived in Europe in 1350? The black death caused 25 million victims in just under five years between 1347 and 1352. That was about 1/3 of the european population. Was it a sign?
I don't doubt it was a sign for those who lived then.

[twospirits]

Originally Posted by chacal

Signs, signs, signs... What would you say if you lived in Europe in 1350? The black death caused 25 million victims in just under five years between 1347 and 1352. That was about 1/3 of the european population. Was it a sign?
I don't doubt it was a sign for those who lived then.

Good point.

The way I see it, the bible and any other religous manuscript is basically a collection of stories told by man (not God) and carried down the centuries.
Anyone can say a prediction and eventually something or someone will make it seem fullfiled. I can put in a time capsule that I predict a major event will happen when there is an earthquake, a tidal wave and an explosion all at the same time that will make the fish boil and cause hunger throught the land. Eventually it will happen or close enough to it that will make folks say its fullfilled. Not to get too much off topic, but the greatest predicter ever "Nostradamus" falls in this category as well. His predictions are outstanding, but if you really look carefully, almost any one that has been said as fullfilled can be repeated at a different timeframe. Like the saying goes "History Repeats Itself".
His greatest prediction was one that actually mentions a date and yet nothing major actually happened on that day. So much for predictions.

TS out