In a previous post we explored the possibility that the earthquake in Haiti is God's judgment on Haiti (link to post). As we said then, it may well be God's judgment on that nation, and it may be hard for us to discern what particular sin or sins brought about that judgment.
But there is another lesson that we may consider the earthquake in Haiti. That is we may consider the earthquake as a warning to the U.S. in particular, the Americas more broadly, or even to any nation that is going on in sin.
Recall what we learn in the Gospel:
There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them,(Luke 13:1-9)
"Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
He spake also this parable;
"A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, 'Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?'
And he answering said unto him, 'Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.'"
Nations who lack fruits that please God should look at this apparent judgment on Haiti as a warning. Do we think that Haiti was the worst of the Caribbean nations? Do we think that its sin had more of a stench before God than that of the U.S. or of the U.K. or of Russia?
Even now it may be that this earthquake is being sent as a warning to all nations to turn from their sins. Surely nations - who tolerate the holocaust of the unborn, who wink at sodomy, who are rampant in fornication and adultery of every kind, and who refuse to purge their land of murderers and witches - surely such nations ought to tremble before the awesome might and power of God.
For man this was a devastating disaster. For God this was nothing. God has brought greater judgment than this. In the time of Noah, recall, God destroyed the entire world by a flood. And some day, perhaps soon, Christ will come again in judgment and destroy this world with fire.
It is relatively easy to point the finger at Haiti and suggest that God's earthquake (for it was God's earthquake) was a judgment on their sins. What about the sins of our nations? Now is the time for repentance.
- TurretinFan
10 comments:
If the natural man is too dull to understand the necessity to repent, how is an act of natural revelation functioning as a warning to anyone?
John:
Are you asking because you want to know how, or because you think the natural man isn't too dull? If the latter, consider:
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
If the former, the warning is a warning even when folks do not heed the warning, just as the Jews of Jesus' day did not.
If an alarm rings in a forest ...
- TurretinFan
TF,
John does raise an interesting point.
How, in your opinion, does natural revelation - in the form of divine judgments for example - function to warn the spiritually insensible that they ought to repent?
And a follow up: since you seem to indicate that unbelievers "experience God" in the form of temporal divine punishments, wrath, etc.; according to your understanding of scripture do you hold to the view that believers "experience God" apart from the mediation of the Word and Sacraments?
I'm speaking of "religious experiences", not bare experientialism.
In Christ,
CD
CD:
General revelation is obviously as useless to the spiritually insensible as special revelation.
I'm not sure what you mean by your second question, or what it really has to do with this post.
-TurretinFan
TF,
to these words I would add some of my own, first, your words:
TF:
surely such nations ought to tremble before the awesome might and power of God.
My own:
yes and the demons tremble. Why is it that some of those for Whom Christ was sent seem to be in the clouds and dull of hearing at times when the demons tremble in anticipation of what they know their doom is and reprobates have no clue?
Psa 37:12 The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him,
Psa 37:13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.
The reprobate, there is no hope for the reprobate seeing they are not of the Election or Calling given to the mission:::>
Psa 73:3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Psa 73:4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.
Psa 73:5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.
Christ is Risen:::>
Luk 8:10 he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'
But that there is no confusion about Who is doing what:::>
Luk 8:16 "No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.
"No one", that is the Triune God, each one does Their part in this "mission", after "lighting a lamp" covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed.
One need heed this thread and take sober assessement of their ways and as King Solomon taught:::>
Pro 5:3 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil,
Pro 5:4 but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
Pro 5:5 Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol;
Pro 5:6 she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it.
But rather:::>
Pro 12:28 In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.
and
Pro 15:10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.
Pro 15:11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man!
and
Pro 15:24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
TF said: I'm not sure what you mean by your second question, or what it really has to do with this post.
Sorry TF, I wasn't trying to be oblique; and I do think the question is on topic.
I was referring to what R. Scott Clark has called "QIRE" (the Quest for Illegitimate Religious Experience).
In chapter 3 of his book Recovering the Reformed Confession Clark defines QIRE as the attempt to “experience God apart from the mediation of word and sacrament”.
This includes such things as signs and wonders, the still small voice, so-called praise and worship, revivalism, etc.
Perhaps you don't agree with Clark, but I'm trying to correlate where you stand on the subject of believers "experiencing God" in relation to where you seem to stand with respect to unbelievers "experiencing God"; to wit (possibly) His divine judgment and wrath in the form of an earthquake.
I hope this helps, and I look forward to your reply.
In Christ,
CD
Couldn't have put it better myself. Man's self-righteous nature often causes him to look at the faults of others instead of himself.
CD:
In my reading of R. Scott Clark, he seems to be referring to people who think that they have heard the "Still small voice of God" (i.e. some kind of private propositional revelation).
If RSC were to deny that God reveals himself through Creation and Providence he would himself be outside of confessional bounds. So, I don't think that's a fair way to interpret his comments.
-TurretinFan
It seems that those Christians whose hearts are grieving for the suffering that is plaguing the Haitian people are putting their love and ocncern into action in which ever way they are able.
They are praying yes, and they are giving financially, and they are going there without pay to assist in the rescue efforts, and they are giving of their time to love the Haitian people and be Christ to them, and they are rallying others to do what they can to help alleviate the suffering. For it is Christians who are the body of Christ, who are meant to be His hands, His feet, His love, His compassion, His strength at this time.
I close my mouth as to the why's of such a tragedy and know that God calls on me to do what I am able to show Christ's compassion.
May all those who are so blessed to call themselves Christ followers show His compassion at this time in whatever way they can.
No problem by me, Darlene! While we are there giving them food and so forth - let's not forget the Gospel, though!
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