PRE-434-434. A Christians Response to Calamities

434. A Christians Response to Calamities

A Christian's Response to Calamities

by David Wilkerson

November 28, 2005

[May 19, 1931 '96 April 27, 2011]

A national radio call-in show spent two hours of a recent broadcast focusing on the book of Revelation. The host posed the following questions to his listeners: '93Do you believe that all the recent calamities are God'92s judgment for our nation'92s sins? Do you think the book of Revelation is being fulfilled? Do you believe we'92re living in the end times?'94

The amazing part is, this was a secular radio show. And a majority of callers answered yes, they believed society had become so lawless and immoral that God had to intervene with action. These callers were convinced God is warning our society through all of the recent storms and calamities.

Anywhere you go, it seems you hear conversations on Revelation and prophecy. People are saying, '93Something is definitely happening. Is God speaking through all of this? Are these calamities supposed to mean he'92s judging the nations?'94

Think of the mounting number of disasters that have taken place in recent years:

'95 The American mainland was attacked for the first time in our history, with New York City and Washington, D.C. the targets of terrorism.

'95 Massive hurricanes struck Florida, causing over $20 billion in damage and leaving multitudes homeless.

'95 A tsunami struck in Asia, killing hundreds of thousands of people and leaving millions homeless.

'95 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed a major American city, flooding New Orleans and causing unbelievable destruction along the Gulf Coast, leaving thousands without homes.

'95 A massive earthquake struck Pakistan, registering an incredible 7.6 on the Richter scale. It was the deadliest quake in modern times, killing over 70,000 people and sending aftershocks throughout India. Half a million people were stranded without aid, and another million were left homeless.

'95 International health organizations are warning of a deadly flu pandemic, from a lethal strain of bird flu. It has spread from China eastward to Russia, Romania and Turkey. If it mutates, it could kill 2 million people in the U.S. and countless millions worldwide.

'95 Famine is raging in Zimbabwe. The Catholic Archbishop in the region warns that 200,000 people could die within the next four months. Already, 700 people a day are dying from AIDS, and 700,000 people have been left homeless.

'95 As I wrote this, Hurricane Wilma had already wreaked destruction on Mexico'92s Yucatan Peninsula. Experts at the national hurricane center said their computer models, which forecasters use to gauge the storm'92s spread and direction, had completely collapsed, making predictions difficult.

'95 In forty nations around the world, terrorist cells are growing and threatening those nations from within their borders.

If we believe the Bible is God'92s eternal Word, then we must believe what Peter has said:

'93God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly'94 (2Pe_2:4-6).

God brought down fire upon Sodom and Gomorrha, destroying those cities. And he sent a flood to destroy a wicked, vile society in Noah'92s day. Indeed, there have been earthquakes and famines and plagues throughout history. Yet, I wonder: did all of these things happen with the same intensity and quick repetition that we'92re seeing today?

For an entire generation now, there have been many prophetic warnings about such calamities. Interest has so increased in these subjects that in the past few years some popular book series on the rapture and end times have become international bestsellers. Yet, to many, it is just another horror story.

Over the past twenty-five years, I have been but one small voice among many that have repeatedly warned of a worldwide shaking to come. Yet I believe most of these messages, mine included, have made virtually no impact whatsoever on secular society. Believers have been stirred to pray and prepare, but sinners seem to shrug their shoulders.

Think about it: has there been any mention of God in world leaders'92 responses to these calamities? God forbid that anyone in Congress should ever suggest the Lord may be involved in the shaking of all things. God forbid that the Lord may be saying something about the sin of our society. In spite of all the clear warnings and shakings, God has been left completely out of the equation.

The ungodly simply are not listening.

In devastated New Orleans, the mayor has declared that he wants to turn the flooded areas into a massive Las Vegas-like district with huge gambling casinos and pleasure palaces. According to one recent report, committees are now planning for one of the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations of all time. They'92re inviting people from around the world to come and help celebrate.

You can be sure New Orleans will come back. And it'92s going to be wilder and more sinful than ever. Yet all of this is happening in spite of the warnings and pleadings of God'92s watchmen. I thank God that as believers flocked to the troubled areas to help evacuees, a good number of people turned to the Lord. But even in the midst of the disaster, the secular crowd refused to acknowledge God or even mention his name.

In Revelation we read of calamities so devastating that '93men (shall) seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them'94 (Rev_9:6). We read of God pouring out '93the wine of (his) wrath'94 (14:10), followed by ecological disasters, scorching heat, pandemic diseases. These all come after God has already sent voices and trumpets to warn. They come even after Christ has appeared to warn and awaken his church.

Incredibly, the Bible says those '93not killed by these plagues '85 repented not '85 that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver '85 neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts'94 (9:20'9621).

'93Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory'85. They gnawed their tongues for pain, and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds'94 (16:9'9611).

What incredible passages. People would rather chew their tongues and curse God than repent, even when the invitation is made available to them.

Beloved, if the secular world is not moved by prophetic messages, then why warn at all? Why tell the ungodly, '93God is speaking through these things'94? If, after all these devastations come upon the earth, sinners still end up shaking their fists at God, why even raise a voice?

The Bible answers us with this: '93Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets'94 (Amo_3:7). Simply put, God is faithful to warn, because that is his justice and his mercy. He may use scientists and other secular voices to issue warnings, but no matter what the means, wicked nations and individuals must be warned.

What is the message of the church of Jesus Christ in such a time?

Jesus told us that when we begin to see these things come to pass, we are to look up and rejoice, for our redemption draws nigh. But this is quite different from rejoicing over calamities. If all we can say to a sinful world is, '93The end is near, judgment is beginning, and we told you so,'94 then we'92re not offering them any hope at all.

We have already seen that as calamities increase, and the world seems to spin into chaos, hopelessness increases and hearts become hardened. If there is no message of hope or redemption, the sinner will conclude: '93If this is God'92s wrath, if this is the end and we'92re all headed for hell, then let'92s all party and go out stoned.'94

Over thirty years ago, I wrote a prophetic book called The Vision, in which I warned of drastic weather changes that would strike our coasts. These calamities would be so phenomenal, experts would say of them, '93This is beyond comprehension. These disasters are of biblical proportions.'94

When I wrote a book about a coming financial holocaust, I sought God over the message I was given. I was deeply heartbroken, thinking, '93Is this all there is, only a negative message? Lord, is this really the word you want me to deliver? Am I going to spend my life just warning?'94

The Holy Spirit made me a promise at that time. He impressed on me, '93When the shaking worsens, when you see these things coming to pass, you'92re going to be among those preaching hope. While others are worried and nervous, I will anoint you with a message of mercy, grace and redemption. In a time when hopelessness abounds, your preaching will abound with hope.'94

What I write to you now is one of those promised messages.

When I say the church must now preach hope and holy expectation, I am not talking about only heaven.

The message of hope we'92re called to deliver can'92t be merely an attempt to convince sinners of how wonderful heaven is going to be. We don'92t tell them to repent just so they can escape the current mess and go to paradise without suffering.

Of course I believe in heaven. In fact, it'92s a subject I love to preach about. I get exhilarated as I contemplate being in paradise with Christ for eternity. But if that is the only hope we preach to sinners '97 peace and rest someday, beyond this world '97 they'92ll come back at us with a response somewhat like this:

'93Look, I'92m not thinking about eternity right now. I'92m not preoccupied with '91heaven someday.'92 When you talk about God, you tell me that somewhere, someday, I'92ll get some relief. That sounds fine, but right now I'92ve got to find something to get me through another day. I'92m overwhelmed, facing crisis after crisis. And I need some kind of hope or miracle, not tomorrow but today.'94

At present, the world is anxious, perplexed, out of its mind with fear. So, how do we preach hope to those living in despair?

Honestly, I have grown tired of saying, '93Let me show you what the world needs,'94 or, '93Here is what the church must do.'94 I'92m too old to start a '93new hope'94 movement, with TV appearances and books published and '93hope conventions.'94 I simply don'92t have pat answers anymore. I think of all the books and sermon tapes circulating today about how to find peace, about how to cope with stress, about hope. So few of them seem to have had any impact at all on the secular world.

All I can do is tell you how the Holy Ghost is dealing with me.

I'92m convinced people lose hope because they'92ve lost faith.

Why have people lost faith? It'92s because they couldn'92t find evidence of it in the one place they thought they could find it: the church of Jesus Christ. Sinners have come to the church looking for someone who perseveres in his trials and hardships, who, when all is sinking around him, has a solid, anchored faith.

The world has heard many sermons on faith from television and radio. Non-believers have heard the doctrines of faith, have even read the books on faith that we preachers publish. And they'92ve heard Christian after Christian boast of having faith. But everywhere they look now, they see examples of shipwrecked faith. Christians who once espoused faith are now giving up their trust in God in the midst of their hard times.

I heard a newscaster say recently, '93We are living in a nervous society.'94 New Yorkers are nervous about terrorist strikes on subways. And multiple millions worldwide are worried by all the shaking that'92s going on around them.

So, where do people turn for hope? Where do they find examples of unshakable faith?

The Spirit has spoken a clear word to me: '93You have to anchor your faith, David. Set your heart to trust God in everything, at all times. Make sure your faith does not waver.'94

To '93set'94 our faith means to '93stabilize, make unshakable, set down roots, put pillars underneath, lay a foundation.'94 Scripture says it is within our power to do this. James writes, '93He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord'94 (Jam_1:6-7).

In this passage, the Lord lays the whole responsibility on the believer. God is telling us, in essence, '93When the world looks at my people in these days of trembling and anxiety, they have to be able to see faith. While everything is shaking, faith is what must remain solid and unshakable. So, you, believer, anchor your faith. You, Christian, take a fixed position. And never give up that position.'94

I'92m convinced the world doesn'92t need more sermons on faith. They need to see an illustrated sermon: the life of a man or a woman who'92s living out their faith before the world. They need to see servants of God go through the same calamities they'92re facing and not be shaken by them. Only then will sinners come face to face with the powerful testimony of unwavering faith.

David described this when he spoke of '93them that trust in (the Lord) before the sons of men'94 (Psa_31:19). He was talking about believers whose strong trust and faithful lives are beams of hope to those in darkness.

When you set your faith by bringing every burden and trial to Christ, leaving everything at his feet and resting in faith, you'92re going to be severely tested.

Once, when I was in the process of setting an enduring faith, when I truly laid all my burdens on the Lord, I received a phone call with news that shook me. For a fleeting moment, a flood of fear swept over me. But the Holy Spirit gently whispered, '93Hold your faith position, David. Don'92t give it up. I'92ve got everything under control. Just stand steadfast. You are never, ever to cast aside your set posture of faith and trust. Leave it all with me.'94

I'92ll never forget the peace that flooded through me in that moment. And by day'92s end, my heart was full of joy as I realized, '93Oh, Lord, I trusted you. I didn'92t waver. Thank you.'94

In Psa_78:1-72, we read about Ephraim, the largest tribe in Israel. Ephraim was the most favored tribe of all: numerous and powerful, skilled in the use of weapons, and well equipped for battle. Yet, when Ephraim went out to meet their enemy, we read this of them: '93The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle'94 (Psa_78:9).

This mighty tribe had gone out better armed and more powerful than their enemy. But for some reason, when Ephraim saw the opposition, they gave up and retreated. They had resolved to fight and win, but once they came face to face with their crisis, they lost heart.

Ephraim in this passage represents the numerous believers who have been blessed and favored by the Lord. They'92re well taught, equipped with a testimony of faith, armed for battle against whatever may come. But once their enemy shows up and starts to threaten them '97 when mounting trials and troubles seem too big, too much to handle '97 they turn back and quit, casting aside their faith.

Scripture says Ephraim questioned God'92s faithfulness: '93Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? Can he provide flesh for his people?'94 (Psa_78:19-20).

'93[They] believed not for his wondrous works. '85 Neither were they steadfast in his covenant'94 (78:32, 37). Finally, here was the result: '93[They] limited the Holy One of Israel'94 (78:41).

Ephraim'92s lack of faith and cowardice shook up the other tribes in Israel. Imagine the damaging effect when the others saw what had happened: '93This highly favored people weren'92t able to stand. If those who claim to wear God'92s armor and wield the sword of his Word suddenly fold in their troubled times, what hope do we have?'94

Beloved, we dare not condemn Ephraim, because we may be more guilty than they are. Think about it: we have been given more light. We have their example to warn us. We have the Holy Spirit abiding in us. And we have the Bible, the fully revealed Word of God, with greater promises.

I for one am guilty of Ephraim'92s sin. Over the years, in times past, I went out fully armed, determining, '93This time, I will set my heart. And I will not fear. I will not listen to the doubts and fears of my flesh. I won'92t waver, and I won'92t turn back. I will not pout, fret or wallow in self-pity.'94 Yet, so often, unbelief robbed me of victory.

Even today, I cannot boast in my flesh. I have so much yet to learn about '93setting my faith.'94 But I have tasted the victory that comes when I trust the Lord in all things, when I purposefully lay all my burdens on Christ and go my way at rest.

In Hebrews we read, '93By their faith '85 the elders obtained a good report'94 (Heb_11:2).

The Greek word for '93obtained'94 here means '93to bear witness, to become a testimony.'94 Our ancestors in the Lord had a settled, unwavering, anchored faith and it became a testimony to God'92s faithfulness in troubled times.

First, they had a witness within that God was pleased with them. They had trusted him through floods, mockery, bonds, imprisonment, torture, warfare, lions'92 dens, fire. And after it all, they knew the joy of the Lord smiling at them and saying, '93Well done! You believed and trusted me.'94

'93Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him'94 (Heb_11:6). Whenever we hold our faith position through hard times, we have the same affirmation from the Holy Spirit: '93Well done. You are God'92s testimony.'94

When I can rest through storms, when I have cast every burden on Christ and I hold my faith position, then I have obtained a '93good report.'94 And I am becoming a beacon of hope to those around me. Those who watch my life at home, at work, and on my block may not respond openly. But they will know there is hope and redemption available to them.

They can look at me in my hour of crisis and say, '93There is hope! There stands someone who hasn'92t lost faith in God. There is a fighter who won'92t quit. He trusts his God.'94

As calamities increase, and the world falls into greater distress, the believer'92s response must be a testimony of unwavering faith.

By: David Wilkerson