We Know Not the Hour
by Horane Smith

 

The world’s attention is now focused on the tsunami disaster in South East Asia, which has killed at least 160-thousand people. That figure is expected to rise, as thousands more are missing, and an outbreak of diseases could mean the loss of more lives.

Aid is pouring in from many nations, relief organizations, private and public companies, churches, individuals, and so on, in keeping with an appeal by the United Nations for assistance. But even without the U.N.’s appeal, people and organizations, governments and churches have been united in their efforts to help those badly in need. Out of a terrible and devastating situation, the good will of people is evident, as they rally to support a worthy cause.

What are we to make of this disaster? Is it a mere natural disaster that has nothing to do with a time predicted in the bible when there will be “distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring.” (Luke 21:25)

Afterall, the tsunami disaster is nothing near the massive flooding of the Yangtze River in China, in 1931. There were more than three million deaths from flooding and starvation. In China again, in 1556, an earthquake hit the province of Shansi, on February 2, killing 830,000 people. The biggest earthquake in history occurred in 1201, in the Mediterranean claiming 1.1 million lives in Egypt and Syria, according to the Discovery Channel, the U.S.G.S. and the BBC. The tsunami disaster pales in comparison to these massive events in history that claimed so many lives.

The tsunami disaster is definitely one of the most devastating in our modern history. We hear stories daily of widespread suffering caused by dislocation, the grieving of the missing and the loss of lives, and the disruption of a way of life for hundreds of thousand of people from at least four nations. This disaster is by no means an ordinary incident.

True, the tsunami is a natural phenomenon. True, the world has seen more devastating acts of nature. True, such acts of nature have been with us since the beginning of civilization. One can think of the great deluge by the hand of the Almighty God when he decided to intervene in the affairs of humanity during the flood of Noah’s time. God’s wrath was upon men and “the fountains of the great deep broken up and the windows of heaven were open.” (Gen. 7:11).

God might not have been intervening again into the affairs of men by way of the tsunami. On the other hand, it could very well be; we don’t know. However, what we do know is that the bible, the God-breathed Word of God, tells us that shortly before the return of the glorified Christ to set up divine rule of this earth, terrible things will be happening.

The frightening scenario is this. “For as in the days of No’e 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 No’e entered the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away: so shall the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matt. 24-37-39).

There’s a lesson in the tsunami for all of us. Jesus says “but of that day and hour knoweth no man, not the angels, but my Father only.” He was speaking of his triumphant second coming.

The Christ, our Lord and Saviour, gave us some signs to watch for before his entry onto the Mount of Olives, where he will set foot on the day he returns.

“Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, see that ye be not troubled for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Nations shall rise against nations, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famine, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matt. 24: 6 – 8).

Yes, the bible also speaks of a time when our weather systems will change. This will result in floodings, droughts, famines, earthquakes and diseases. “And there shall be signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars.” (Luke 21.25)

The tsunami is not in itself the end of the world but rather is merely one of a number of events that will culminate at the end of this age. Indeed, there could be more tsunamis before Jesus returns; there could be more devastating hurricanes, earthquakes or tidal waves. However, the bible says “when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

The people of God are looking forward to the return of our Saviour because he’s the only one that can end the suffering on this earth, be it through sickness or disease, famines or natural disasters, wars or terrorism. He’s the only one that can bring everlasting peace, so be prepared to meet him. The first step in preparing to meet him is to repent of the sins committed against God, and be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit..

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”