Does the birth pangs of our times serve God's dual purpose?

Birth Pangs And Judgments

Q. In your article “2012…End of the World?” you stated, “Earth’s land mass has been pushed apart to form the current continents and islands, the Earth’s orbit has been extended by 5 ¼ days, and its axis tilted by 23.44 degrees. All this and more will have to be fixed in order for Earth to once again be the paradise it was created to be.” A journalist on a secular news video stated today that the earthquake in Chile, “moved so much mass on the planet that government scientists estimate it moved the earth off it’s axis by about three inches; shortened the day by a few millionths of a second; and raised the ground level of one island by six feet.”

I understand that earthquakes like these are part of the “birth pangs”, but do you also see this as God restoring the planet to its original form? Or do you see this happening more during Daniel’s 70th week and the Great Tribulation judgments?

A. I can’t prove this from the Bible, but it’s my belief that the End Times judgments, beginning in a small way with the so-called birth pangs, will serve a dual purpose. In addition to being the means of punishment for the unbelieving world they will also be preparing Earth for its restoration to the way it was when Adam was created. I believe that’s why the return of the Lord is sometimes called the renewal (regeneration, restoration, restitution)) of all things, as in Matt. 19:28 and Acts 3:21.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

Why September 11?

Online 911 Video

Question: "Where was God on September 11?"

Answer: On September 11, 2001, God was exactly where He always is – in Heaven in total control of everything that happens in the universe. Why, then, would a good and loving God allow such a tragedy to happen? This is a more difficult question to answer. First, we must remember, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). It is impossible for finite human beings to understand the ways of an infinite God (Romans 11:33-35). Second, we must realize that God is not responsible for the wicked acts of evil men. The Bible tells us that humanity is desperately wicked and sinful (Romans 3:10-18, 23). God allows human beings to commit sin for His own reasons and to fulfill His own purposes. Sometimes we think we understand why God is doing something, only to find out later that it was for a different purpose than we originally thought.

God looks at things from an eternal perspective. We look at things from an earthly perspective. Why did God put man on earth, knowing that Adam and Eve would sin and therefore bring evil, death, and suffering on all mankind? Why didn’t He just create us all and leave us in Heaven where we would be perfect and without suffering? It must be remembered that the purpose for all creation and all creatures is to glorify God. God is glorified when His nature and attributes are on display. If there were no sin, God would have no opportunity to display His justice and wrath as He punishes sin. Nor would He have the opportunity to show His grace, His mercy, and His love to undeserving creatures. The ultimate display of God’s grace was at the Cross where Jesus died for our sins. Here was unselfishness and obedience displayed in His Son who knew no sin but was “made sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This was all to the “praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:14).

When thinking of September 11, we tend to forget the thousands of miracles that occurred on that day. Hundreds of people were able to flee the buildings just in the nick of time. A small handful of firemen and one civilian survived in a tiny space in a stairwell as the one of the towers collapsed around them. The passengers on Flight 93 defeating the terrorists was a miracle in and of itself. Yes, September 11 was a terrible day. Sin reared its ugly head and caused great devastation. However, God is still in control. His sovereignty is never to be doubted. Could God have prevented what happened on September 11? Of course He could, but He chose to allow the events to unfold exactly as they did. He prevented that day from being as bad as it could have been. Since September 11, how many lives have been changed for the better? How many people have placed their faith in Christ for salvation as a result of what happened? The words of Romans 8:28 should always be in our minds when we think of 9-11, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.”

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Recommended Resource: Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey.

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Got Questions? The Bible has Answers! We'll find them for you! www.GotQuestions.org

Signs of the End Times

Pestilence In Various Places

Q. Do you have any thoughts on the swine flu epidemic? It seems to me that God has been screaming warnings to mankind from the Heavens for the past few years through all the weather changes, i.e. hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, hail and thunder storms, droughts, and the like, but people for the most part are ignoring those warnings.

Are tornados, earthquakes, and now swine flu judgments from God, or are these a result of sin and Satan’s dominion on the earth? I’ve been told by ministers that God does not judge the earth and its dwellers until the tribulation, but one can’t help but wonder if God is not judging the world now. I would be most grateful for your thoughts.

A. One of the signs the Lord gave that the end is coming is the rise of pestilence in various places. The Aids virus, new drug resistant strains of familiar diseases, and flu epidemics all fit into this category. In Luke 21:11 the Lord called them birth pangs.

Ultimately, these things can all be traced back to the entrance of sin into the creation, since God did not create the world this way. Technically they aren’t judgments but warnings that judgment is coming. The Lord said they would become more frequent and intense as the time for judgment approaches.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

USA in the Bible

Is The USA In Bible Prophecy?

Q. I have some thoughts on the USA in prophecy and wanted your opinion on these. I have a very hard time believing that we can’t see the USA in prophecy, I think that we don’t want to see it in prophecy because of our love for this country and our pride. This country is way too influential and center stage/unique to overlook and to ignore these facts is like being blinded to a major truth.

It also seems possible that this country could represent the great whore in the bible, because of the trade, commerce intertwining with the other countries and I wonder if this is the place that will be mourned at some point because of destruction, either financial ruin or other destruction. In other words, I think that this country could be the new Babylon.

A. The reason I don’t see the US in prophecy is that there’s not one verse in the Bible that can be used to support this view. We Americans think that we’re so important that surely we must be in the Bible, but when compared to the countries who are mentioned we are nothing more than a flash in the pan, a country with a little over 200 years of history, and only 70 of that significant to the rest of the world.

Sure, we’re guilty of enough sin to be compared to Babylon, but we didn’t start every single pagan religion like Babylon did, we aren’t second only to Jerusalem in terms of mentions in the Bible as Babylon is, and we aren’t located in the cradle of civilization where Babylon is. Our main connection to Babylon is that we’ve enabled it to be reborn for it’s role in the end times.

And in case you haven’t noticed, we’re about to be consigned to the dust bin of history, well before the major End Times events get under way. Half of our wealth has disappeared in the last few months, and soon we won’t be able to borrow any more money to fund our budget shortfalls. That means we won’t be able to fight any more wars or even guarantee our own security, let alone anyone else’s.

Some say we can recover from this, but they’re not taking into account the fact that the citizens of this country who belong to God will disappear shortly, further weakening America while the focus shifts to Europe and the Middle East, just like the Bible says.

The inescapable fact is that as far as Bible prophecy is concerned, there is no US in the End Times.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com