The beginning of sorrows

The torrent of sickening images of death and destruction in Haiti just keep on coming. Search and rescue operations have become grisly recovery operations, as the dead are removed from the rubble of collapsed buildings.

The nightly news on television shows dump trucks loaded with bodies being unceremoniously dumped into gaping holes in the ground; mass graves that are quickly covered over to prevent the spread of disease into a weakened populace. Helpless family members and loved ones look on, enduring the heartache and pain of their loss while suffering from incredible hunger and lack of basic needs. The stench of death and decaying bodies is overwhelming.

Hordes of injured men, women and children appear to be in a dazed stupor, awaiting medical treatment and relief. Stressed medical teams work under the worst of conditions to relieve the suffering amid the cries of pain and groaning of countless victims. Fear grips the survivors and the rescuers alike, as strong aftershocks continue to remind everyone of what can happen when the ground is violently shaken.

Tragically, the government of this poverty-plagued nation is overwhelmed and unprepared to provide even a modicum of organization, police protection or emergency aid to its citizens.

The generosity of the people of the United States and many other countries is remarkable, as millions of dollars are being contributed for relief. Despite the fact that aid from around the world is pouring in, relief supplies pile up in the face of the frustrating task of clearing the roads and overcoming the bureaucratic tangle, which hinders distribution of the critically needed supplies to those who languish.

We have seen some of these images of incredible devastation and suffering before, but not in this part of the hemisphere, and not so close to home. Could it happen in the USA, or Canada or the UK on the European Continent? Could a catastrophe of this magnitude strike in highly developed countries of the west and not just in the poor and underdeveloped nations that so often seem to bear the brunt of such calamities? We have had Hurricane Katrina and some major earthquakes over the years in the United States, but nothing on this scale. Yet, as a people, we seem to quickly forget and go blithely on without making changes or preparing for the next major event.

Does God have a hand in these horrific occurrences? It infuriates some people to even consider this, but what does the Bible say? The prophet Amos wrote anciently, "If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it?" (Amos 3:6). Jesus Christ was also up front with His disciples when He told them in His Olivet Prophecy, "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:4-8).

Other passages in the Bible clearly state that God will use physical circumstances, such as weather and various calamities – both "natural" and manmade – to accomplish His will and to teach the lessons that He wants mankind to learn. Peace and plenty for all mankind will be achieved only when the Kingdom of God is established on the earth. Until then, you can expect greater disasters and you will see that what we are experiencing now is but, "…the beginning of sorrows."

You can know what to expect and what to do about it. Our free booklets, Who Controls the Weather and Prophecy Fulfilled: God's Hand in World Affairs will give youdirectionand peace of mind in these troubled times. Check them out atwww.tomorrowsworld.org.