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Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Other Tragedies By Elder Thomas L Waters Pastor of the Jesup Primitive Baptist Church, Jesup, Georgia We were awestruck by the devastation caused by the massive earthquake and ensuing tsunamis in the regions of the Indian Ocean in late December, 2004. People in eleven Asian and African nations were killed as entire towns were obliterated, geological and geographical formations changed and, according to one expert, the rotation of the earth was altered. At the writing of this article, some estimate the death toll will exceed Four-Hundred Thousand ( 400,000) people. In Sri Lanka ten’s of thousands are dead and nearly three thousand miles away on East Coast of Africa, scores of others are reported killed. The scale of the disaster is being described as being of “Biblical Proportions.” The Bible does records plagues and devastation of colossal proportions. Flood - Required forty days for the waters to reach its peek. It rose and rose until the tallest mountain peeks were under twenty-two and half feet water. (Genesis 7:11-12, 17-24) Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah - Thousands and thousands of people were obliterated and the cities totally destroyed. Many believe the area where the cities were located is now submerged under south end of Dead Sea. (Genesis 19:23-28) Destruction of Jerusalem - Jesus prophesied about the grievous destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (See LUKE 19:41-44). During that siege hundreds of thousands were killed and/or died of starvation and disease. Josephus said of the destruction “Jordan could not be passed over, by reason of the dead bodies that were in it” Some scholars believe that Revelation 6-7, the Opening of 7 Seals (“4 horsemen of the apocalypse”) and Revelation 8-9, Seven Trumpets (devastating plagues upon vegetation, sea, waters, heavens . . ) are a Historical Description of What Happened in A.D. 70. What are we to think about tragedies? Let me mention two things. First, cataclysmic events continue to vindicate the accuracy of the Bible. In light of the scope of damage, death and structural changes caused by events like Mt. St. Helens or the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamis, Biblical descriptions of sudden seismic and cosmic events or devastating plagues don’t seem exaggerated - not even to reasonable western minds of the 21st century. Sceptics scoff at the accuracy of the Biblical accounts of creation, a worldwide flood, plagues and the existence of some of the nations and wars recorded in the Bible. Archeology and science, however, continue to find evidence that validates the accuracy of the Bible. The more rocks we look under, the more discoveries man makes the more “empirical evidence” is collected for the authenticity of Biblical records. In fact, the distance between what the Bible declares and scientific evidence is not widening but narrowing. In light of the recent tragedies, the Bible’s record in Joshua 10:13 and Isaiah 38:8 of an interruption in the rotation of the earth should seem plausible - even to skeptical minds! Second, Christ used tragedy to call men to repentance and readiness. In the 13th chapter of Luke, Christ addresses four critical questions men wrestle with.
1. Vs 1-9 - Question about tragedies - “suppose ... worse sinners than others?” 2. Vs 10-21 - Question of formality vs. people- “ought not this woman . . . be loosed” 3. Vs 22-30 - Question about salvation - “Lord, are there few who are saved? 4. Vs 31-35 - Question of divine sovereignty and human responsibility - “I must journey . . . you were not willing” It is an old saying, Repentance is never too late; but it is a true saying, Repentance is never too soon. Henry Smith As Jesus continues His journey to Jerusalem (Luke 13:22), He is told about a tragedy that had occurred in Jerusalem. Pilate (the Roman governor of Judea) had killed some Galileans - even as they offered sacrifices in the Temple. The Bible says their blood was mingled with that of their sacrifices. Very little is known about this event. William Hendriksen in his commentary on Luke notes, “Neither Josephus nor any other writer, sacred or secular, relates this incident . . . Exactly when this gruesome event had taken place and why the governor had cause them to be murdered is not stated” Jesus responded to this disturbing news by recalling how eighteen people had been killed by a falling tower. Like the first incident, we know very little about this tragedy. The tower that fell was probably a tower on the wall near the pool of Siloam in Jerusalem. It is worthy of note, that neither incident is of Biblical proportion. Both events were regional and limited in scope. Both, however, were known about by those to whom Jesus was talking. Jesus used both events to call men to repentance. Cataclysmic events continue to vindicate the accuracy of the Bible. Christ used tragedy to call men to repentance and readiness Apparently, there were two ways of interpreting these tragic events. First, there was the human interpretation. Christ’s response suggests the people were interpreting these tragedies as happening to people who were “worse sinners.” Since these people were “worse sinners” some men could reason something like this will not happen to me. Second, there was the Divine interpretation. Christ declares these things did not happen because these people were “worse sinners” than everyone else. In fact, Jesus stress tragedy can and does happen to anyone. Life can and does suddenly end. Like the Galileans, one may be in church; or like those that the tower killed, one may be walking down the street; or like many killed by the tsunamis one might be on vacation when suddenly death and destruction come. No one is immune. Man’s response to tragedy is often panic and blame. We tend to ask why did this happen and seek to explain it by science or luck. The Scriptures teach that tragedies should cause soberness and understanding. Tragedy should cause us to ask what may I learn. Tragedies should cause us to contemplate the providence of God. Whatever the cause, lesser tragedies such as the flood, destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah, destruction of Jerusalem or the devastating tsunamis in the Indian Ocean basin - all are reminders of the final day of judgment. (2 Pet 3:7 KJV) "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." . . . (2 Pet 3:10-13 KJV) "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." How are you interpreting events around you? Do you see them and count yourself lucky? Better? Immune? Are you applying your heart to wisdom and numbering your days? (Psalm 90:12). The call to us all is same, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Right now as the Holy Spirit is stirring your heart - do not turn away. Today while eternity is fresh in your mind - commit your life to God. “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts”
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