9/11
Katrina
COVID
These events are so ingrained in the fabric of our collective experience that we can refer to them by their shortened names and evoke emotions with strong memories in the minds of most; beyond this, what ties them together?
For 9/11, there was no warning; from the time we were told that a “plane” had hit the World Trade Center, we found no possible frame of reference to imagine what was, in truth, already unfolding, moment by tortured moment. We simply could not imagine that anyone would fly jetliners loaded with fuel and passengers into occupied buildings for the sole purpose of exacting the very carnage that ensued, where thousands were lost.
For Katrina, warnings upon warnings were given, yet failure upon failure—from those who could not imagine a great city like New Orleans inundated or parts of the MS coast devastated—resulted in almost fifteen hundred lives lost and untold suffering. In the 21st century where fewer than ten deaths are common with these type storms, we simply could not imagine that one more would be that bad.
COVID continues to unfold, its story being told day by day of the damage to the soul of the US and the world—fractured and lost in a way that will never be undone. At its outset, when we were asked for “15 days to flatten the curve,” we had absolutely no idea where all this would lead. We simply could not imagine that an illness could devastate so much or take so many thousands of lives.
Other than the anniversary that is upon us now, why delve into these painful truths? Because we are more than poised to enter an era of unprecedented suffering beyond that brought by these events. Like the comfort-loving creatures that we are, our fingers are in our ears, and we are counting “how long we have until things get really bad.” We simply cannot imagine men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth…Luke 21:26
Even that reaction is prophesied in the Word of God:
For of this are they are willingly ignorant of…2 Peter 3:5a
But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, Matthew 24:37-38.
For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed…Matthew 13:15a
I know there are those who preach that the rapture of the Church must happen before the tribulation, but know there are enough strong men of God who believe and preach otherwise to warrant your taking notice. Be prepared for whatever comes! I am not here to convince you on that subject, but give you references to access:
Nevertheless, if you are awake in any sense right now, your gut is telling you there is something coming. You hope it will “not be that bad,” but I am here to tell you it will be far worse than anything you can imagine. The events we have remembered above should be enough to convince you that just because you have not yet seen a series of prophesied events unfold is no assurance that they are not even now beginning to unfold, every bit as dangerously and more so than what has been conveyed unto you.
Deuteronomy 28 and Isaiah 47 include warnings from God so stark that they rise to the level of grisly scenarios. But in bringing these prophesies of what He would do, God paints a picture of how these people were living in such peace and safety they simply could not imagine what was to come upon them: “The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness…,” Deuteronomy 28:56; and, “thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it,” Isaiah 47:7. Those on whom these prophecies would fall could not fathom that all they had built could be destroyed for violating what God had put in place.
I tell you, it is high time to awake out of sleep (Romans 13:11) and realize that what has been prophesied for eons is going to come to pass. Our world will to change beyond our understanding. The only way to fully prepare is to do so with hearts stirred to seek God and set to fight for whatever it takes to know Him in the truth of His Word and the power of His Spirit. You must do this for yourself. Do not wait for others to decide it is time to evacuate the burning building. Find an exit sign now, and start walking toward the only refuge that has proven truly safe from the dawn of time: the Word of God.
It is not popular to ask anyone to “Be afflicted, mourn, and weep,” but I feel God calling us all to this. In the larger context, it produces hope: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up, James 4:8-10.