| HERALD MINISTRIES EDITORIAL PAGES FROM THE DESK OF THE FOUNDER AND EDITOR OF HERALD MINISTRIES :
I’m sure this is only one editorial that will be written out of thousands pertaining to Katrina, the killer hurricane that could go down as the worst catastrophe to ever hit the United States. It’s difficult for Americans to comprehend the possibility of “totally evacuating” a city of its populace, especially one as large as New Orleans. It was again difficult to watch the looting of stores by some, while others were risking their lives trying to save those still trapped in their homes, or those swimming in fetid waters trying to reach dry land or a piece of wood to cling to. For many, this is the time when people ask “where is God at a time like this?” or “What kind of a God would allow such human suffering?” However, as bad as this is, history also records catastrophic events, such as the eruption of Mt. Vesuveus and the total destruction of Pompeii; with the death of most of its people. In the 1920’s and 30’s there were floods in China where upwards of two hundred thousand people drowned. About the same time an earthquake hit Tokyo that killed more people than would die in Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined. Many Christians are asking the question “are we living in the end time?” “Is this the prophesied end of the world?” “Can this happen in the 21st century?”’ In the Olivet prophecy, Jesus Christ foretold of the time of the end. He prophesied that false prophets and deceivers would come upon the scene, saying that they are preaching Christ, when in fact, they would be deceiving many. Jesus foretold of wars and rumors of wars. When nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. He prophesied of famines and pesticides that usually follow world wars, but perhaps the biggest events that would happen in the latter days would be earthquakes in divers places. In Matt. 24:21 He said “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world until this time, no nor ever shall be.” Today the earth is hit with nearly 3,000 earthquakes daily, with only a few strong enough to register on the Richter scale. But as we read of earthquakes, many of us still remember the Tsunami that killed hundreds of thousands. We also see an increase in volcanic activity all over the world. So we ask: is it just “sensationalist reporting” by the media to get attention? Is it just “better reporting” of events that used to happen and go unreported or unnoticed? Are we truly living in the latter days? I remember when America first attacked Iraq and there was war in the Middle East. People stopped me in the streets or in stores and asked, “is this the end of the world? Is the battle of Armageddon about to happen?” Is God actually in the big picture by giving us a wake up call to repent, and to seek Him and be saved from the predicted holocaust of the future? In the book of Revelation, we read of cataclysmic events that will terrify the bravest and the strongest of people. We read of the opening of the six seals in Rev. 6, that begins seven years of prophesied tribulation. Again it talks of false prophets, wars, famines and disease. It foretells of heavenly signs in the sun, moon and stars so terrible that men try to hide in dens and rocks in the mountains, hoping to die, but unable to. Then we have the 7 trumpet plagues that prophesy events that will kill billions of people until there could be fewer than 100,000,000 people left in the whole world out of seven and a half billion. It talks about asteroids hitting the oceans causing great tidal waves and finally the battle of Armageddon when Christ returns to destroy the New World Order that is already being formed to take over the earth. So as terrible as these events are that are hitting Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, they can’t compare to what is predicted for a world that has totally forgotten God, and has turned to a life style that Jesus said would resemble the life style of people in the days of Noah and those of Sodom and Gomorrah. The big question is: does this all have to happen? The answer is no, it does not if the people would only return to God and begin to obey his commandments. Today we are needlessly fulfilling the scripture that is found in Proverbs 14:17 “There is a way that seemeth right with a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” In Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 in the Old Testament are 2 chapters called the “blessing and cursing” chapters. Blessings for those who obey God, and cursings for those who do not obey Him. Some will say, “Oh, those are only for the Jews”. No, they were written to all of the 12 tribes of Israel of which Judah is only one. In Romans 2:11 we read: “For there is no respect of persons with God.” Therefore the blessings and cursing chapters were written for all of mankind to read. Let me ask you, Is God only on our minds when we can criticize Him after a great disaster happens? Is God on our minds when we allow judges, political and “religious” groups to kick God out of our schools? Banning prayer and teaching evolution as the beginning? Is God first and foremost in our lives when political hacks that are given judgeships, are allowed to ban the Ten Commandments or anything that pertains to God from our courthouses and municipal buildings? Could God be trying to get our attention by allowing nature to go unchecked, resulting in horrendous catastrophes to happen? Are they happening because the god of this world who controls principalities and powers including the weather is allowed to go unchecked? Do you suppose that if this nation and the nations of the world would pray and fast and seek the Lord, that He would protect our countries from such terrible tragedies? Would the blessings described in Leviticus 28 and Deuteronomy 26 become the norm for life? A few people think this nation was founded on Godly principles. but the “conservatives”, the “neo-morons” and certain institutions have nearly succeeded in eliminating God from all walks of life. Where Hollywood and television and yes, even our TV can continue to promote sexual sin, adultery and fornication that nearly resembles old time stag films that shows the evil persons as the winners and victors, and decent people as brainless and stupid? In the book of Jonah, God sent Jonah to prophesy against the great city of Nineveh because of its wickedness. But Jonah tried to evade this calling. However, Jonah was finally convinced by God to fulfill the warning and in Jonah 3:4 Jonah cried out “Yet in 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” But the people began to fast in sackcloth and ashes, even the king. And yes, even the animals did not feed or drink water. What happened? Did God notice this? Let’s see by reading Jonah 3:10 “And God saw their works that they turned from their evil way, and God repented of the evil that he had said that he would do unto them: and he did it not.” Do
you suppose if the United States as a people would call for a
day of fasting and prayer, admitting their sins before God and
repenting of them, that God would again protect this great people?
I believe He would. Perhaps President Bush should do as the King
of Nineveh did. Do you suppose God would also see this today?
Well, I believe that it is worth a try, don’t you?
Harold
E. Cormany, Elder and Minister
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