Why is God Destroying Our Cities?

[HankD]

When the Wrath of God is poured out upon the earth there will be no doubt, no question necessary but that it is the wrath of God.

Revelation 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Nowhere in the Revelation does anyone, including the tormented, ask if this horror show is from God, they have no doubt and many blaspheme Him refusing to repent.

There are no atheists or agnostics in the Book of Revelation.

HankD

 

[Felipe Rios]

This maybe a very simple answer but even if God sent everyone to hell, He is still just. The point is that whether God directly or indirectly causes calamity on people, He is still just and righteous in everything He does.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

I know from Amos 3:6 that the Lord is responsible for all the disasters that befall a city. So, I ask what to me seems an obvious question: Why is God bringing so many terrible calamities upon U.S. cities with the weather, and dare I ask, terrorism?

I wanted opinions form others while I ruminate more on my own answer.

I see no evidence that this naturally occurring event is God's attempt to destroy a city.

 

[TCassidy]

I've already made this point, TC. But it's going ignored.

That's why I made it again. It is the definitive answer to the OP. I wonder why everyone is ignoring it.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

I can not get past Amos 3:6 which seems to clearly state disaster only comes upon cities because the Lord wanted it to happen. Now, as TCassidy pointed out though, I cannot understand why God decided it was best to bring ruin to a city.

As a result, I have been searching the bible to see if God judges nations and cities beyond Israel and its enemies, because Israel is God's possession and a holy people. They were given a covenant of earthly rewards and curses based on their innocence or sin.

I have found the verses (Jeremiah 25:17-27) and (Genesis 18:16-33). Jesus also seems to reinforce this idea in (Matthew 11:23) when he talks of Sodom standing until the day he came into the world. As a result I am sure that it was not just "fallen nature" that causes such calamities but the very desire of God based on the scriptures I have uncovered.

However, I could also ask why the Israelites were sold into slavery for 400 years? The bible doesn't say and it certainly was not the sins of the people Israel compared to Egypt that did this as far as I can tell.

That said, I do not know why God brings such calamities and I must be very careful not to claim it is because of sin, as the bible does not seem to make this clear. I will have to keep up my searching of the bible.

 

[Reformed]

I can not get past Amos 3:6 which seems to clearly state disaster only comes upon cities because the Lord wanted it to happen. Now, as TCassidy pointed out though, I cannot understand why God decided it was best to bring ruin to a city.

As a result, I have been searching the bible to see if God judges nations and cities beyond Israel and its enemies, because Israel is God's possession and a holy people. They were given a covenant of earthly rewards and curses based on their innocence or sin.

I have found the verses (Jeremiah 25:17-27) and (Genesis 18:16-33). Jesus also seems to reinforce this idea in (Matthew 11:23) when he talks of Sodom standing until the day he came into the world. As a result I am sure that it was not just "fallen nature" that causes such calamities but the very desire of God based on the scriptures I have uncovered.

However, I could also ask why the Israelites were sold into slavery for 400 years? The bible doesn't say and it certainly was not the sins of the people Israel compared to Egypt that did this as far as I can tell.

That said, I do not know why God brings such calamities and I must be very careful not to claim it is because of sin, as the bible does not seem to make this clear. I will have to keep up my searching of the bible.

You are presupposing Hurricane Harvey was evil. It was a hurricane. Do you possess the ability to determine whether a hurricane is good or evil?

 

[Alcott]

We are not privy to how or why disasters happen. God allowed Satan to cause calamity upon Job, but we don't know how Satan can direct natural forces in that way, nor whether every, or even most, times disasters happen there is anything like the 'argument' between God and Satan. But if they do occur at random, it's like 'devastation roulette' as to who and where it happens. Does God even know where it will happen? That has to be a yes, or God is not all-knowing. But then, if He knows and doesn't cause it, it is subject to other forces that He chooses not to control, even though He knows exactly what will happen. But we already know that God, by worldly standards, would be guilty of child endangerment and negligent homicide, among other 'crimes,' by leaving his children in harm's way, not only in possible danger, but in knowledge of coming tragedy.

To say "we're not privy" to how or why devastation comes is inadequate for our inquiring minds. And it's nothing but slothful to beg to know why. So then there's no approach but "Get over it!"

 

[Iconoclast]

That's why I made it again. It is the definitive answer to the OP. I wonder why everyone is ignoring it.

While it is a good verse I do not think it answers the op.the condition of the man born blind and God using it for His purpose...is different than national judgment.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Everyone, why are you not arguing with me through the scriptures? I thank those like TCassidy and Sapper Woody who have used the scriptures to dislodge my thinking. I know that the Lord is always responsible for the calamity that befalls a city or nation from the bible, but I cannot tell for what reason this is happening with any certainty. Thank you.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

I will leave this thread open for any further arguments in favor or not in favor of the calamities coming upon America being punishment or not.

 

[Reformed]

Everyone, why are you not arguing with me through the scriptures? I thank those like TCassidy and Sapper Woody who have used the scriptures to dislodge my thinking. I know that the Lord is always responsible for the calamity that befalls a city or nation from the bible, but I cannot tell for what reason this is happening with any certainty. Thank you.

Because some things are self-evident. Do you need to read the scriptures to understand the rain cycle or weather patterns? Do you need to read the scriptures to understand that too much irrigation for the orange groves in Polk County, Florida, from the Florida aquifer leads to sink holes?

 

[Steven Yeadon]

I have found the verses (Jeremiah 25:17-27) and (Genesis 18:16-33). Jesus also seems to reinforce this idea in (Matthew 11:23) when he talks of Sodom standing until the day he came into the world. As a result I am sure that it was not just "fallen nature" that causes such calamities but the very desire of God based on the scriptures I have uncovered.

Human reason does not always match up with the Word of God. In fact, I have found it rarely does. He confounds the intelligence of the intelligent and the wisdom of the wise after all. The Law is not readily apparent from birth in most cultures and neither is the Sermon on the Mount.

I do not trust human reason over what the Word tells me. Human reason is foolishness compared to the Word of God. Just look at what science has to tell us about "geological and cosmic history" versus the bible's history of the world.

These are the verses I have found that point out that calamity befalls cities and nations by the desire of God.

(Amos 3:6) shows that when calamity befalls a city the Lord has purposed it.

(Genesis 18:16-33) with (Matthew 11:23); (Jeremiah 25:17-27); (Amos 2:1-3), (Amos 1:9-10), and (Amos 1:11-12); (Jonah 3) and (Jonah 4); among so many others that I could spend the night finding more, give strong evidence that God condemns and destroys the nations of the earth for their sins irrespective of how they treated Israel.

I must now say, looking at the biblical evidence, that if the nation of the U.S.A. were to be destroyed one day, then it seems that would only come about because our sin became so great that God stopped having forbearance. Of course, for people who work to defend the U.S. from enemies foreign and domestic, including myself, that only makes perfect sense. Why else would God turn on the work of our lives and destroy our people?

Of course, hurricane Harvey is not the destruction of the U.S.A. and may not be a punishment for sin at all. I agree with Sapper Woody and TCassidy on whether Houston's destruction and New Orleans' destruction and Orlando's devastation in 2004 were caused by sin. I cannot know the mind of God on this one with the information I have.

 

[Adonia]

God is not willingly destroying our cities. We happen to live on a planet that is affected by a thing called weather. Man has also built his cities in low lying areas next to large bodies of water which makes the situation worse. In the end all this is just nature doing it's thing.

 

[Adonia]

This nation is being judged for national sins, abortion,apostasy,greed,prejudice turning from the 10 commandments.
God is angry with the wicked every day.
It is only his mercy and long-suffering that the whole world is not destroyed right now.
Without special revelation we don't know exactly why one area gets hit and another doesn't or what are the reasons.
We do know that God is not just a mere spectator.
In the Old Testament other nations were used to punish Israel because they had the word of God and turned from it.
Isaiah chapter 10 is clear that the Assyrians were a rod in God's hand to punish Israel but there we have special Revelation that tells us exactly why what was happening was taken place.
In the case of Job things took place but we were given a behind-the-scenes look at what was taking place between God and Satan.
We do not have that special Revelation for the events of this hurricane.

What about all the weather destruction that occured on this planet BEFORE man was even here? Who was God chastizing then? You are attempting to use your religious belief's to explain the normal actions of nature.

 

[HankD]

This all has its beginning in what is called original sin.

We are a sinful fallen race. This sin condition even impacts our global environment.

Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Compared to our own personal sufferings, they pale in comparison to the suffering of Jesus.

Imagine today that if ALL you had was what you are wearing - no house, no car, no TV, no computer, no nothing.

Hurricane Harvey is an opportunity to help others in desperate need.

Actually there are those all over the world while they have no hurricane Harvey are in the same condition with nothing.

I thought also of the third world nations where this kind of disaster would rack up deaths in the 10's even 100's of thousands of lives.
Last count 16. How thankful we should be to God for this through the several layers of government He used to provide the help.

No wonder the world risks life and limb to get within our borders.

HankD

 

[Bro. James]

Amen, HankD. Romans Chapter 8:1-38, every verse, is filled with present day applications. There are also some interesting references to predestination. Many folk do not seem to realize that God knows the end from before the beginning--in every detail.

He expects two things from His children: trust and obedience. We fall short in both departments. "Why do you call me Lord, and do not what I say?" Therefore, we stagger at His promises. "O Ye of little Faith"

Time to repent and do the first works. Our redemption draws neigh.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

[Bro. James]

God is not willingly destroying our cities. We happen to live on a planet that is affected by a thing called weather. Man has also built his cities in low lying areas next to large bodies of water which makes the situation worse. In the end all this is just nature doing it's thing.

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No "happen" to it. We are here for a purpose. God knows them that are His. Every hair is numbered. We are bought with a price. And everything is going according to God's plan which is without error.
We are in a spiritual warfare which has been going since Lucifer fell. The war is between good and evil. Lucifer has been defeated by Jesus--the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world.

Lucifer knows his time is about up. He knows where he is going. He will not go down until Jesus puts him down.

The Lord does not expect much from us--just tell someone about Jesus. There are still some lost souls out there.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

[Iconoclast]

What about all the weather destruction that occured on this planet BEFORE man was even here? Who was God chastizing then? You are attempting to use your religious belief's to explain the normal actions of nature.

What weather destruction are you speaking about,before man was here?
there was no such events;


31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

the earth was not under the curse.

 

[Iconoclast]

God is not willingly destroying our cities. We happen to live on a planet that is affected by a thing called weather. Man has also built his cities in low lying areas next to large bodies of water which makes the situation worse. In the end all this is just nature doing it's thing.

Psalm 148King James Version (KJV)

148 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.

6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word

 

[Iconoclast]

TC said;

I wasn't aware God is destroying cities. We have always had weather. Long before there were cities here the Indian's Teepees were blown away by such storms.

But if God is directly responsible for the storms and terrorism (maybe the first but I doubt the latter except in the permissive sense) then His goal may be to show others how much we care by the help we provide for those in need. And to show us the blessings which accompany such help for the needy.

JDF said

I see no evidence that this naturally occurring event is God's attempt to destroy a city.]

Because some things are self-evident. Do you need to read the scriptures to understand the rain cycle or weather patterns? Do you need to read the scriptures to understand that too much irrigation for the orange groves in Polk County, Florida, from the Florida aquifer leads to sink holes?

Hello Reformed and TC, and JDF....

During this flooding...deaths have occurred.
Scripture speaks of each of us having an appointed time of death.
The means of that death also providentially is fixed.
Scripture speaks of Gods control over weather events, the flood, and several other places....;

james5;
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

or here;
7 And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.

We are not given special revelation each time a judgment is given[or a blessing]....but in light of these scriptures....could you shed some light on your thoughts and pertinent scriptures concerning this.

I notice some members seem to side with "mother nature".

I do not think you do, but let me know how you see these verses as they would impact Gods direct dealing and control over the weather, as well as His over riding providential control as well....thanks