Australia, Way Down Under!

First it was the greatest drought in the nation's history. Then came killer firestorms in early February, which took the lives of more than 200 people—and that number continues to grow. Authorities are having trouble identifying bodies burned beyond recognition, according to Victoria deputy police commissioner Kieran Walshe. Raging flames left thousands of hectares of land in the southern state of Victoria resembling a barren moonscape. And now, to add to the misery of the nation: flooding! The northeastern state of Queensland has just endured floods covering an area the size of South Australia—the worst since the area was settled 150 years ago. An estimated 9.8 inches [25 centimeters] of rain fell in one day, causing streams and rivers to overflow their banks and forcing mining operations to shut down. As many as 150,000 cattle have drowned in the inundation. Relief flights dropping fodder began on February 25, but most of this season's calves have perished in the floodwaters.

Lost crops and livestock will have a dramatic effect on the state's economy. Perhaps 20 percent of the sugarcane has been destroyed in some areas, driving prices up by 12 percent. Fresh produce will also be more expensive in coming months. Rural towns, remote farms and ranches may be isolated for weeks until water levels recede, according to Jeff Perkins, hydraulic supervisor at the flood warning center in Brisbane. Food and survival supplies are being airlifted into areas isolated by the high water, because the highways and rail lines are impassable. However, the rough and ready Aussies are taking the disaster in stride. The biggest complaint at the Albion Hotel in Normanton is that the bar is running low on beer. Dangerous crocodiles, some estimated to be 5 meters long [16 feet, 5 inches], are swimming freely though flooded towns. Agence-France Presse reported on Feb. 18, 2009 that the remains of a five-year-old boy were found in a crocodile. All of these conditions bring to mind a prophecy recorded for us thousands of years ago in God's word: "Then, if you walk contrary to Me, and are not willing to obey Me, I will bring on you seven times more plagues, according to your sins. I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and make you few in number; and your highways shall be desolate. And if by these things you are not reformed by Me, but walk contrary to Me, then I also will walk contrary to you, and I will punish you yet seven times for your sins" (Leviticus 26:21–24). What will be the next disaster to befall the people of Australia? Will the rotting corpses of tens of thousands of dead animals breed diseases that will ruin agriculture—and even spread into an unprepared human population? Will food shortages spread nationwide? Will a weakened Australia find itself more vulnerable to aggression by regional enemies? Read what Scripture says: "And I will bring a sword against you that will execute the vengeance of the covenant; when you are gathered together within your cities I will send pestilence among you, and you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. When I have cut off your supply of bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall bring back your bread by weight, and you shall eat and not be satisfied" (Leviticus 26:25-26).

Of all the Anglo-Saxon descended nations, Australia has become one of the most irreligious and secular. The average Australian has rejected his country's religious heritage and is now beginning to pay the price: the loss of God's protection and blessings. Without the safety offered by the Creator of heaven and earth, Australia is leaving itself at the mercy of forces that will continue to inflict punishing blows until its people turn to God in heartfelt repentance. Read our booklet Who Controls the Weather? to gain new insight into who is really in charge of events in the land down under.