In ancient times people thought thunder was an indication that ‘the gods’ were angry. Greeks pictured Zeus with a lightning bolt while Norse people imagined Thor wielding a hammer in the sky. Modern science has given physical explanations for thunder and lightning so we smile at the innocent myths of bygone generations.
But what if there were an all powerful Creator Who had authority over nature and its physical laws? The Maker of the system must surely have ultimate control over it?
The New Testament Gospels describe an occasion where Jesus stopped a storm on the Sea of Galilee with a word of command. The One Who calmed a storm could presumably stir one up.
This same Jesus predicted wars and ‘natural disasters’ such as famine, plague and earthquake before His return to judge. The book of Revelation mentions various cataclysmic events including earthquakes, thunder, lightning and intense heat as warnings to alert human beings to the reality of being assessed and potentially punished by the holy Ruler of all things.
OK so while we of course do all we can in the short term to assist those affected by these things we might do well to also ask ourselves, what if the Bible is true? What if there is a God and He is angry at times with human beings who persist in proud disobedience, spoiling His good order with every kind of corruption? What if our present disasters are a sign of worse to come?
Wouldn’t we be wise to heed the warning and humble ourselves before such a Being!
Mercifully the Bible presents us with a Being Who is more than just powerful and holy, He is also loving and gracious and has provided a way for people to escape ‘the wrath to come’. Jesus, God the Son, is the Way, dealing with our offense by His suffering on the cross, opening the possibility of reconciliation between the Maker and His creation.
If we’re prepared to turn from wrongdoing we can meet God not as our Judge but as our generous ‘Father’. He promises that beyond the apocalypse there will be a better time with creation renewed. That will be the lasting home of everyone who follows the Saviour. Now that’s comforting.
Let’s all think seriously about these things.
But what if there were an all powerful Creator Who had authority over nature and its physical laws? The Maker of the system must surely have ultimate control over it?
The New Testament Gospels describe an occasion where Jesus stopped a storm on the Sea of Galilee with a word of command. The One Who calmed a storm could presumably stir one up.
This same Jesus predicted wars and ‘natural disasters’ such as famine, plague and earthquake before His return to judge. The book of Revelation mentions various cataclysmic events including earthquakes, thunder, lightning and intense heat as warnings to alert human beings to the reality of being assessed and potentially punished by the holy Ruler of all things.
OK so while we of course do all we can in the short term to assist those affected by these things we might do well to also ask ourselves, what if the Bible is true? What if there is a God and He is angry at times with human beings who persist in proud disobedience, spoiling His good order with every kind of corruption? What if our present disasters are a sign of worse to come?
Wouldn’t we be wise to heed the warning and humble ourselves before such a Being!
Mercifully the Bible presents us with a Being Who is more than just powerful and holy, He is also loving and gracious and has provided a way for people to escape ‘the wrath to come’. Jesus, God the Son, is the Way, dealing with our offense by His suffering on the cross, opening the possibility of reconciliation between the Maker and His creation.
If we’re prepared to turn from wrongdoing we can meet God not as our Judge but as our generous ‘Father’. He promises that beyond the apocalypse there will be a better time with creation renewed. That will be the lasting home of everyone who follows the Saviour. Now that’s comforting.
Let’s all think seriously about these things.
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