Are natural disasters truly calamities or God's way of getting our attention? If we were Egyptians living in the time of Moses we might have concluded that the unfortunate series of naturals disasters were random calamities, but we would have missed the point.
"I performed My signs among them, that you may know that I am the LORD." ( Exodus 10:2 )
Whether God causes all natural disasters is a source of endless debate, but His true purpose overarches all that happens: "that you may know that I am the LORD." The one thing that He absolutely desires of each of us is that we become totally and intimately aware that the true God is the Lord YHWH.
Our Father's primary purpose in natural phenomena is not so much in convincing the unconverted as in strengthening the faith of believers. Notice: "I performed My signs among them, that you may know that I am the LORD." (Exodus 10:2 - emphasis added). In the face of God's miraculous Pharaoh's heart was hardened all the while Moses and Aaron were strengthened in their faith.
The Book of Revelation presents a series of natural phenomenon similar to the plagues performed by the hand of Moses in Egypt. I once thought that the purpose of these great events was to awaken non-believers to God's true reality, but now I think differently. The response of non-believers is clearly described:
"men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague was extremely severe." ( Revelation 16:21 )
"they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds." ( Revelation 16:11 )
If the purpose of the plagues of Revelation is to convince the wicked, then God's purpose will fail! But if the purpose is to convince believers during those difficult times it is consistent with what we read in Exodus 10:2.
As children of the One true God we are not concerned about what is coming into the world but rather He who is in the world and who one day will make His permanent dwelling place on this planet. Our great purpose is to know Him and His Son, our Lord Jesus.
Steve
"I performed My signs among them, that you may know that I am the LORD." ( Exodus 10:2 )
Whether God causes all natural disasters is a source of endless debate, but His true purpose overarches all that happens: "that you may know that I am the LORD." The one thing that He absolutely desires of each of us is that we become totally and intimately aware that the true God is the Lord YHWH.
Our Father's primary purpose in natural phenomena is not so much in convincing the unconverted as in strengthening the faith of believers. Notice: "I performed My signs among them, that you may know that I am the LORD." (Exodus 10:2 - emphasis added). In the face of God's miraculous Pharaoh's heart was hardened all the while Moses and Aaron were strengthened in their faith.
The Book of Revelation presents a series of natural phenomenon similar to the plagues performed by the hand of Moses in Egypt. I once thought that the purpose of these great events was to awaken non-believers to God's true reality, but now I think differently. The response of non-believers is clearly described:
"men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague was extremely severe." ( Revelation 16:21 )
"they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds." ( Revelation 16:11 )
If the purpose of the plagues of Revelation is to convince the wicked, then God's purpose will fail! But if the purpose is to convince believers during those difficult times it is consistent with what we read in Exodus 10:2.
As children of the One true God we are not concerned about what is coming into the world but rather He who is in the world and who one day will make His permanent dwelling place on this planet. Our great purpose is to know Him and His Son, our Lord Jesus.
Steve
posted by steve @ 9:50 AM
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