God Controls Everything.
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Property Of God
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Question: "Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?"
Answer: Why does God allow earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, typhoons, cyclones, mudslides, and other natural disasters? The late 2004 tsunami tragedy in Asia, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 in the southeastern United States, and the 2008 cyclone in Myanmar have many people questioning God’s goodness. It is distressing that natural disasters are often termed “acts of God” while no “credit” is given to God for years, decades, or even centuries of peaceful weather. God created the whole universe and the laws of nature (Genesis 1:1). Most natural disasters are a result of these laws at work. Hurricanes, typhoons, and tornados are the results of divergent weather patterns colliding. Earthquakes are the result of the earth’s plate structure shifting. A tsunami is caused by an underwater earthquake.
The Bible proclaims that Jesus Christ holds all of nature together (Colossians 1:16-17). Could God prevent natural disasters? Absolutely! Does God sometimes influence the weather? Yes, see Deuteronomy 11:17 and James 5:17. Does God sometimes cause natural disasters as a judgment against sin? Yes, see Numbers 16:30-34. The book of Revelation describes many events which could definitely be described as natural disasters (Revelation chapters 6, 8, and 16). Is every natural disaster a punishment from God? Absolutely not.
In much the same way that God allows evil people to commit evil acts, God allows the earth to demonstrate the consequences sin has had on Creation. Romans 8:19-21 tells us, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” The fall of humanity into sin had effects on everything, including the universe we inhabit. Everything in Creation is subject to “frustration” and “decay.” Sin is the ultimate cause of natural disasters just as it is the cause of death, disease, and suffering.
So, we are back to where we began. We can understand why natural disasters occur. What we do not understand is why God allows them to occur. Why did God allow the tsunami to kill over 225,000 people in Asia? Why did God allow Hurricane Katrina to destroy the homes of hundreds of thousands of people? What we can know is this…God is good! There are many amazing miracles, in instances of natural disaster, that occurred - preventing an even greater loss of life. Natural disasters cause millions of people to reevaluate their priorities in life. Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid is sent to help the people that are suffering. Christian ministries have the opportunity to help, minister, counsel, pray - and lead people to saving faith in Christ! God can, and does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies (Romans 8:28).
GotQuestions.Org
Answer: Why does God allow earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, typhoons, cyclones, mudslides, and other natural disasters? The late 2004 tsunami tragedy in Asia, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 in the southeastern United States, and the 2008 cyclone in Myanmar have many people questioning God’s goodness. It is distressing that natural disasters are often termed “acts of God” while no “credit” is given to God for years, decades, or even centuries of peaceful weather. God created the whole universe and the laws of nature (Genesis 1:1). Most natural disasters are a result of these laws at work. Hurricanes, typhoons, and tornados are the results of divergent weather patterns colliding. Earthquakes are the result of the earth’s plate structure shifting. A tsunami is caused by an underwater earthquake.
The Bible proclaims that Jesus Christ holds all of nature together (Colossians 1:16-17). Could God prevent natural disasters? Absolutely! Does God sometimes influence the weather? Yes, see Deuteronomy 11:17 and James 5:17. Does God sometimes cause natural disasters as a judgment against sin? Yes, see Numbers 16:30-34. The book of Revelation describes many events which could definitely be described as natural disasters (Revelation chapters 6, 8, and 16). Is every natural disaster a punishment from God? Absolutely not.
In much the same way that God allows evil people to commit evil acts, God allows the earth to demonstrate the consequences sin has had on Creation. Romans 8:19-21 tells us, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” The fall of humanity into sin had effects on everything, including the universe we inhabit. Everything in Creation is subject to “frustration” and “decay.” Sin is the ultimate cause of natural disasters just as it is the cause of death, disease, and suffering.
So, we are back to where we began. We can understand why natural disasters occur. What we do not understand is why God allows them to occur. Why did God allow the tsunami to kill over 225,000 people in Asia? Why did God allow Hurricane Katrina to destroy the homes of hundreds of thousands of people? What we can know is this…God is good! There are many amazing miracles, in instances of natural disaster, that occurred - preventing an even greater loss of life. Natural disasters cause millions of people to reevaluate their priorities in life. Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid is sent to help the people that are suffering. Christian ministries have the opportunity to help, minister, counsel, pray - and lead people to saving faith in Christ! God can, and does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies (Romans 8:28).
GotQuestions.Org
This topic makes me think of a question I have heard numerous times:
If God is such a loving God why does He allow such terrible things to happen?
A good answer to this question can be found in the OT book of Job. Which I strongly encourage any with this question to read. But I encourage anyone who chooses to do so to pray first for God's enlightenment on this matter before doing so.
Just my thoughts.
May God Bless You
Danielle
If God is such a loving God why does He allow such terrible things to happen?
A good answer to this question can be found in the OT book of Job. Which I strongly encourage any with this question to read. But I encourage anyone who chooses to do so to pray first for God's enlightenment on this matter before doing so.
Just my thoughts.
May God Bless You
Danielle
Brother Mike
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God allows?
Chad:
I am going to take the stance of God is not causing these things, but rather it is the effect of the curse of the law on this planet. For by one mans sin death reigned.
Sin and the spiritual effect of sin has caused this planet to shift and groan. This planet can no longer sustain life, but only hold life for a brief time. Jesus said in the end there will be an increases of these things as sin abound more and more. Thank God Grace is also coming to counter this and all things are upheld by the word of his Power.
So, because Judgment is for an appointed time these things occur because of the condition of the planet, not because God is out to get anyone.
God is not allowing or causing any of this and I could make a real strong argument for God "Causing" things in the Old testament, causative V.S permissive consequence for following Satan. God is not a murderer and takes not pleasure in the death of the wicked.
There was Judgment once on the whole planet. Peter talks about this and the next time the earth is going to be melted and not flooded.
Can God change weather? Of course, as he caused rain and things that help those that trust in him. Could he have stopped that Tsunami from destroying those 225,000 people? Yes he could have, but we need to remember that God is not unfairly stepping on the toes of the god of this world, His time is coming though and there are reports of that wave splitting before hitting certain churches and God intervening and saving whole groups of people.
JOB:
What answer?
1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Does love send a spiritual nut case to murder Children? Some Christians think God does, not knowing the difference between good and evil yet.
(Heb 5:14) Someone that truly knows God would never think he would do this type of thing or allow by choice.
To believe God gave permission or made some kind of deal with the devil concerning Job will have to take into account that many other scriptures could not be true and the Word contradicts itself, not only that but are accusing God of being evil.
God sifted Job or tested Job or was proving to Satan Job would not curse him would be totally inconsistent with the rest of God's dealings with men in the Bible. David lost a child because of blatant sin against God. Job lost his children for fearing God and staying away from evil. It does not even make sense.
What really happened with Job?
1) Does God need Satan to test anyone?
2) Does God make deals with a fallen spirit that can not even tell the truth if he tried? (John 8:44)
3) Did Satan really care if Job cursed God when God had to remind him not to kill him? meaning God knew Satan's intentions all along and Job would have never been around to see if he cursed God or not.
4) Did God really give Satan any permission as the Hebrew Word for Behold all that he has is in your power is Look and see (Pay attention) He is all yours. There is no agreement to Satan's deal or permissive Hebrew word used here.
5) God said this is all without cause. God never thought there was any point to this whole thing as he said so himself or do we miss that somehow. God had to get involved (You move me against Job without cause) as Satan did not just foolishly lay hands on those that server God.
6) Satan came to God, God knew What Satan came for and off the start of the conversation God defended Job by telling Satan all the Good things about Job.
7) Satan went on to con and lie his way by mentioning the things that were mentioned at the start of the chapter. Job's Things and Children. The things Job was AFRAID of loosing. Did Job sacrifice for his Children in faith (Without faith it is impossible to please him. Heb 11:6) or was it out of fear of loosing them?
8) Being told to fear not over 59 times in the KJV alone not to mention all those times we are told to be of good courage, worry not, take not care, ETC..........Might give us a clue to something here.
9) What did Job say?
Job 3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
Job 3:26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
Is Satan not the spirit of fear?
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
What really did happen to Job?
Jesus Is Lord.
Chad:
I am going to take the stance of God is not causing these things, but rather it is the effect of the curse of the law on this planet. For by one mans sin death reigned.
Sin and the spiritual effect of sin has caused this planet to shift and groan. This planet can no longer sustain life, but only hold life for a brief time. Jesus said in the end there will be an increases of these things as sin abound more and more. Thank God Grace is also coming to counter this and all things are upheld by the word of his Power.
So, because Judgment is for an appointed time these things occur because of the condition of the planet, not because God is out to get anyone.
God is not allowing or causing any of this and I could make a real strong argument for God "Causing" things in the Old testament, causative V.S permissive consequence for following Satan. God is not a murderer and takes not pleasure in the death of the wicked.
There was Judgment once on the whole planet. Peter talks about this and the next time the earth is going to be melted and not flooded.
Can God change weather? Of course, as he caused rain and things that help those that trust in him. Could he have stopped that Tsunami from destroying those 225,000 people? Yes he could have, but we need to remember that God is not unfairly stepping on the toes of the god of this world, His time is coming though and there are reports of that wave splitting before hitting certain churches and God intervening and saving whole groups of people.
JOB:
What answer?
1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Does love send a spiritual nut case to murder Children? Some Christians think God does, not knowing the difference between good and evil yet.
(Heb 5:14) Someone that truly knows God would never think he would do this type of thing or allow by choice.
To believe God gave permission or made some kind of deal with the devil concerning Job will have to take into account that many other scriptures could not be true and the Word contradicts itself, not only that but are accusing God of being evil.
God sifted Job or tested Job or was proving to Satan Job would not curse him would be totally inconsistent with the rest of God's dealings with men in the Bible. David lost a child because of blatant sin against God. Job lost his children for fearing God and staying away from evil. It does not even make sense.
What really happened with Job?
1) Does God need Satan to test anyone?
2) Does God make deals with a fallen spirit that can not even tell the truth if he tried? (John 8:44)
3) Did Satan really care if Job cursed God when God had to remind him not to kill him? meaning God knew Satan's intentions all along and Job would have never been around to see if he cursed God or not.
4) Did God really give Satan any permission as the Hebrew Word for Behold all that he has is in your power is Look and see (Pay attention) He is all yours. There is no agreement to Satan's deal or permissive Hebrew word used here.
5) God said this is all without cause. God never thought there was any point to this whole thing as he said so himself or do we miss that somehow. God had to get involved (You move me against Job without cause) as Satan did not just foolishly lay hands on those that server God.
6) Satan came to God, God knew What Satan came for and off the start of the conversation God defended Job by telling Satan all the Good things about Job.
7) Satan went on to con and lie his way by mentioning the things that were mentioned at the start of the chapter. Job's Things and Children. The things Job was AFRAID of loosing. Did Job sacrifice for his Children in faith (Without faith it is impossible to please him. Heb 11:6) or was it out of fear of loosing them?
8) Being told to fear not over 59 times in the KJV alone not to mention all those times we are told to be of good courage, worry not, take not care, ETC..........Might give us a clue to something here.
9) What did Job say?
Job 3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
Job 3:26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
Is Satan not the spirit of fear?
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
What really did happen to Job?
Jesus Is Lord.
SpiritLedEd
Member
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2005
- Messages
- 5,315
It is ludicrous to say that God doesn't allow bad things to happen to his followers. For example, God allowed Paul to be stoned and left for dead at Lystra (Acts 14:19). Its not that God wished that evil on Paul, but, He does not interfere in peoples' exercise of free will - to do so would be a violation of his nature.
SLE
SLE
Does God allow everything
Chad, your post was EXCELLENT! God allows things but he is not the author of them. God is not the author of the horrible storms and weather, nor is he judging the earth in wrath. God does not kill the righteous with the unrighteous. In fact, God removed his people from his wrath when judgment fell. God is accused of things he is not and would never do. People read the Mosaic Law, the flood, and the burning of Sodom to support the most damnable doctrine in the church. Its the sovereignty of God doctrine.
Job is the most misquoted abused book in the bible. The story of Job is a true account of Jobs life and the story records true statements made by Job, but many statements are not true facts about God. God never used Job as a pawn to prove a point and he does not do this today. We are told to consider Jobs end. God restored to him double what was lost in his life.
Job is about a man who trusted God, was confused about the trial he was in, tried to use mans wisdom to figure it out, then tried to use his own works as a basis for his right standing with God. The reason Job repented is because he states, I uttered things to rashly, things I did not understand. He was confused on what happened in his life. Fear opened the door to Satan, however, the book clearly reveals that God is the one who restores, and Satan is the destroyer.
Job went to men for advice and they about killed him with their wonderful insight. Job was fearful that he would lose everything because his kids would go party on their birthdays. Read Chapter one. Fear opened the door to destruction. (The thing I greatly feared has come upon me) Satan took advantage of Jobs ignorance. Men at that time did not have authority over the devil because Jesus had not come and won back the authority Adam gave to the devil. Job really did not understand their was a devil. He attributed everything to God. However, if you start around chapter 32 you read of a man named Elihu who began to sort things out! God spoke from the whirl wind, and then Job began to understand he was wrong about God! Job is a good book to learn from. Even when things go wrong, God will still restore your life!
Bottom line is God has given authority on earth to men. Saved and unsaved. Unsaved men use their authority for evil. Saved men use their authority for good. Sin in a land causes the earth to produce storms, earth quakes and the horrible disaster we see on this earth. God is not using these things to teach anyone a lesson.
For over 23 years God tried to warn New Orleans about Katrina. I know I lived their. When Hurricane Elaine hit that area in the 80's I was living on Keesler AFB in Biloxi Ms. It wiped the base out. At that time their was danger of the dikes failing in New Orleans. From 1985 until Katrina, God sent messengers to that city saying Repair the dikes. They never did. So, when Katrina hit, they were not prepared and the dikes failed. It was not God. Stupid men in authority caused it! God saw the storm years before it happened and no one listened. God lovingly tried to warn New Orleans! it went something like this, hey, you built your city in a bowl, put a lake over your head and live right on the ocean. You may want to re-think that!
Folks, God is not pouring out his wrath on this earth at this time. There is a wrath to come, but as Christians you have been saved from that wrath. Christians died in Katrina, the Tsunami and other disasters. So what we are saying is God killed the righteous to teach the unrighteous a lesson. No, men served other Gods, pushed God away and suffered for their stupidity and opened the door to destruction. Paul the apostle suffered for the sake of righteousness. God tells us all Godly will suffer persecution. However, it is not from him. Read Mark chapter 4 and Matt 13 the parable of the sower. It tells us, that persecution comes for the sake of the word. Paul was persecuted by religous people who did not want the revelation of salvation by Grace taught. We will suffer in the earth, but its not Gods doing! Does he allow it? Yes, but God does not send nor does he ordain it! Its just part of evil verses good.
Its like a women who gets aids because she had sex out of wed lock. She then gets pregnant and gives it to the baby in her womb. God did not do that. She did! She slept with someone with aids and that aids was passed on to the child. Her sin affected the innocent!
Now, if that baby is born with aids, its not Gods fault. That is why we as the church must begin to exercise our authority on earth so we can lay hands on that baby and get it well. It will be a testimony to Gods goodness. Sin is not fair, that is why God wants us to keep away from it. Sin and Satan are the only one who would see a child suffer from aids when they did nothing wrong!
Christ did away with keeping the Law for rightstanding with God. Under Moaic law, if you wanted blessing you had to earn it by works. However, no one could keep the law, it was impossible! If men failed to keep the law, then wrath fell, its the only covenant like it in the bible. However, Jesus did away with that covenant and gave us the new covenant! Wrath was satisfied when Jesus went to the cross. God is so sovereign he will not violate his word. Men are screwing this planet up, not God!
Chad, your post was EXCELLENT! God allows things but he is not the author of them. God is not the author of the horrible storms and weather, nor is he judging the earth in wrath. God does not kill the righteous with the unrighteous. In fact, God removed his people from his wrath when judgment fell. God is accused of things he is not and would never do. People read the Mosaic Law, the flood, and the burning of Sodom to support the most damnable doctrine in the church. Its the sovereignty of God doctrine.
Job is the most misquoted abused book in the bible. The story of Job is a true account of Jobs life and the story records true statements made by Job, but many statements are not true facts about God. God never used Job as a pawn to prove a point and he does not do this today. We are told to consider Jobs end. God restored to him double what was lost in his life.
Job is about a man who trusted God, was confused about the trial he was in, tried to use mans wisdom to figure it out, then tried to use his own works as a basis for his right standing with God. The reason Job repented is because he states, I uttered things to rashly, things I did not understand. He was confused on what happened in his life. Fear opened the door to Satan, however, the book clearly reveals that God is the one who restores, and Satan is the destroyer.
Job went to men for advice and they about killed him with their wonderful insight. Job was fearful that he would lose everything because his kids would go party on their birthdays. Read Chapter one. Fear opened the door to destruction. (The thing I greatly feared has come upon me) Satan took advantage of Jobs ignorance. Men at that time did not have authority over the devil because Jesus had not come and won back the authority Adam gave to the devil. Job really did not understand their was a devil. He attributed everything to God. However, if you start around chapter 32 you read of a man named Elihu who began to sort things out! God spoke from the whirl wind, and then Job began to understand he was wrong about God! Job is a good book to learn from. Even when things go wrong, God will still restore your life!
Bottom line is God has given authority on earth to men. Saved and unsaved. Unsaved men use their authority for evil. Saved men use their authority for good. Sin in a land causes the earth to produce storms, earth quakes and the horrible disaster we see on this earth. God is not using these things to teach anyone a lesson.
For over 23 years God tried to warn New Orleans about Katrina. I know I lived their. When Hurricane Elaine hit that area in the 80's I was living on Keesler AFB in Biloxi Ms. It wiped the base out. At that time their was danger of the dikes failing in New Orleans. From 1985 until Katrina, God sent messengers to that city saying Repair the dikes. They never did. So, when Katrina hit, they were not prepared and the dikes failed. It was not God. Stupid men in authority caused it! God saw the storm years before it happened and no one listened. God lovingly tried to warn New Orleans! it went something like this, hey, you built your city in a bowl, put a lake over your head and live right on the ocean. You may want to re-think that!
Folks, God is not pouring out his wrath on this earth at this time. There is a wrath to come, but as Christians you have been saved from that wrath. Christians died in Katrina, the Tsunami and other disasters. So what we are saying is God killed the righteous to teach the unrighteous a lesson. No, men served other Gods, pushed God away and suffered for their stupidity and opened the door to destruction. Paul the apostle suffered for the sake of righteousness. God tells us all Godly will suffer persecution. However, it is not from him. Read Mark chapter 4 and Matt 13 the parable of the sower. It tells us, that persecution comes for the sake of the word. Paul was persecuted by religous people who did not want the revelation of salvation by Grace taught. We will suffer in the earth, but its not Gods doing! Does he allow it? Yes, but God does not send nor does he ordain it! Its just part of evil verses good.
Its like a women who gets aids because she had sex out of wed lock. She then gets pregnant and gives it to the baby in her womb. God did not do that. She did! She slept with someone with aids and that aids was passed on to the child. Her sin affected the innocent!
Now, if that baby is born with aids, its not Gods fault. That is why we as the church must begin to exercise our authority on earth so we can lay hands on that baby and get it well. It will be a testimony to Gods goodness. Sin is not fair, that is why God wants us to keep away from it. Sin and Satan are the only one who would see a child suffer from aids when they did nothing wrong!
Christ did away with keeping the Law for rightstanding with God. Under Moaic law, if you wanted blessing you had to earn it by works. However, no one could keep the law, it was impossible! If men failed to keep the law, then wrath fell, its the only covenant like it in the bible. However, Jesus did away with that covenant and gave us the new covenant! Wrath was satisfied when Jesus went to the cross. God is so sovereign he will not violate his word. Men are screwing this planet up, not God!
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