Hurricane Helene: Climate Change or Prophetic Fulfillment?

 

Avignon (Flood of 1856) Artist: Édouard Baldus

Like most of you, I am reeling in the shocking aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

The damage from this storm is incomprehensible. Rumors of corruption from governmental response agencies cause deep distress. Countless stories of sorrow and loss, scene after scene of destruction, heartache, and bereavement—it’s literally more than the human soul can bear. I cannot bear it and neither can you.

Keep helping however you can—prayer, resources, chainsaws and shovels, water and bread, diapers and dollars—but know this:

YOU WERE NOT MEANT TO HANDLE THIS. Don’t let your soul drown in the after-flood. Be in your life where God has you right now. God does not love folks in the Carolinas *any more or any less* than He loves your literal neighbor, your community, your own children, or you. Your prayers for healing, the personal hardship you face, the trials of your loved ones—whatever valley of the shadow you’re walking through right now, it is no less important to God. Right now, if you love Him and are His, He is working ALL things together for good.

To borrow an old biblical term, it would be a good time to gird up the loins of your mind. Pace yourself; we’re only picking up speed. What the world calls climate change is what theologians call prophetic fulfillment.

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring. (Luke 21:25)

 

Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm John via Wikimedia Commons

Worse sinners? I tell you, no. But unless you repent...

Disasters WILL happen. Hardship will increase. The earth and all of creation groans and labors with birth pangs under the curse of sin as we await to be delivered. (See Rom. 8:21–23, Rev. 12:1–5) As you watch the news, hear rumors and reports, as you weep, pray and send aid as you are able, keep this urgent warning in mind: 

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:1–5) 

Repent. In Greek (“metanoia”) it means “change your mind.” In English, it means think (“pent”) again (“re”). Repent about what? Think again about what you’re trusting in. God is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance: to trust the only One who can save, His Son Jesus Christ. “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30–31) 

He makes it simple and clear: repent or perish. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall not perish. (John 3:16–18, Acts 16:30–31) This isn’t about changing your doings, but about changing your mind. It is about believing God. “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:2–5). 

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall not perish.

Not believing God makes him a liar (1 John 5:9–11) and we know God is truth; it is impossible for Him to lie. Christ died for your sins, rose again, and is coming back—first, to receive His own, then second, to judge the world. Tell your children. Tell your literal neighbors. Tell your community. Tell the people around you, where God has you in your own life right now. Do not be in unbelief. Jesus warns, 

Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins. (John 8:24)

Your next hour is not guaranteed. Believe that Jesus Christ paid for your sin with His own death and rose from the dead. He is alive! And He is coming soon! 

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For those looking for a relief organization you can trust, I can personally vouch for Eight Days of Hope. I’ve had several family members who have volunteered with them for years. Learn more here: Hurricane Helene Response.

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