Hurricane Katrina – Another Birth Pain
At 10 pm CDT on Saturday, August 27, 2005, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for the north central gulf coast from Morgan City, Louisiana, eastward to the Alabama/Florida border including the city of New Orleans. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within the next 24 hours and preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
At the time of the warning, the center of Hurricane Katrina was located about 335 miles south-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Tens of thousands heeded the warning and the highways going out of New Orleans were choked with cars alternating between stop and 10 mph.
Hurricane Katrina arrived at 6:30 Monday morning, August 29, 2005, as a category four hurricane. A couple of days later, people began to realize that it was one of the greatest natural disasters that has ever occurred in United States history. The swath of destruction covered 90,000 square miles (about the size of Kansas).
As this article goes to press, more than 300,000 people have lost their homes. Engineers estimate that as much as eighty percent of New Orleans flooded because the levees and water pumps failed. The damage caused by wind and water could total more than 100 billion dollars. The area between New Orleans, and Mobile, Alabama clearly resembles the destruction caused by the tsunami that hit southern Asia in December, 2004. Given the biblical proportion of this event, here are some thought questions to consider:
- Was Hurricane Katrina an act of God that is, a deliberate punishment?
- Did God time the arrival of Hurricane Katrina so that the Southern Decadence convention could not be held? The Southern Decadence convention is a gay and lesbian version of Mardi Gras that has been ongoing in New Orleans since 1972. This orgy and drunken celebration lasts four or five days and more than 120,000 revelers attended last year.
- Did God target New Orleans and the cities of the gulf coast because the citizens there are more wicked than other cities in the United States? Is it possible that New Orleans and the gulf coast cities had exhausted God’s grace and protection?
- Are a majority of the victims of Hurricane Katrina evil people?
- Were you surprised at the lawlessness and looting that occurred in New Orleans?
- What will be Katrina’s influence on the United States’ economy in days to come?
- As you watched Katrina’s drama unfold, did you think about coming events?
Commentary
I believe Hurricane Katrina, like the tsunami in southern Asia in December 2004, was another “birth pain,” and you need to be aware that several more “birth pains” are coming. As the Second Coming of Jesus draws near, events of biblical proportion will escalate in severity and frequency, and their purpose is fourfold: First, disasters forcibly remind us that material things are temporal. The things in life that matter most are the people around us – loved ones and neighbors. Second, disaster bring out the best and worst in people.
True character is revealed in anarchy. Caring people respond to the needs of those around them and selfish people think only of themselves and their survival. The problem with the carnal nature is that a large number of people (both rich and poor) are law abiding only because they are forced to be so. Price gougers, thieves and looters are of the same ilk. Third, the economic ripple caused by huge disasters forces those who were unaffected to sympathize with those who lost everything. Last, horrific events are prophetic samples of things to come.
They make the scope of Revelation’s story easier to comprehend. The powers of nature are truly awesome and in this light, “birth pains” are for the benefit of the current generation.
According to His sovereign authority, the Father predetermined long ago that random and violent acts of nature would sharply increase near the end of the world. Terrible events will grow in frequency and strength as we draw closer to the Second Coming. The forces that create these natural events were “built in” from the beginning of creation. God designed that nature itself would draw attention to the fact that this planet is predestined for destruction. The cancer of sin is about to be eliminated and the appointed hour for the total destruction of Earth is near.
You may ask, “How do we really know the end of the world is near?” Basically, there are three ways to know that the time of the Second Coming is near. First, the apocalyptic prophecies of Daniel and Revelation prove that the end is near because they are chronological in nature. Remember, the book of Daniel was sealed up until the time of the end (Daniel 12:4, 9), and now that we understand the four rules of apocalyptic interpretation that were sealed up in Daniel, we find that Daniel and Revelation chronologically chart the progression of time from 605 B.C. to the Second Coming.
In other words, the sequence of events presented in Daniel and Revelation means there is no other possible conclusion than we are near the end. Second, the frequency and intensity of “birth pains” indicates the Second Coming is near. Sooner or later, the whole world will be affected by these catastrophic events and as a result of these calamities, many will awaken to the fact that planet Earth itself is dying. Third, the degenerate condition of people indicates the Second Coming is near.
Paul wrote, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2 Timothy 3:1–5)
The Beginning of Birth Pains
Just before His death, the disciples of Jesus asked about signs that would herald His return and the end of the world. Jesus said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” (Matthew 24:6–8, italics mine)
The apostle Paul also associated “birth pains” with the Second Coming. He wrote, “For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying [we need], ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2–3, italics and insertion mine)
Calamitous events are often blamed on God (called acts of God) because God is sovereign. Many people believe that God controls everything that happens, but this is not the case. If this were true, then sin itself would never have happened. However, Bible history does indicate that God does destroy nations and punish people. He even destroyed the whole world in Noah’s day. There is one major difference between violent acts of nature and God’s wrath. God lets people know what He is about to do before He does it!
This is a crucial point. In fact, this is why the book of Revelation demands understanding. There is a specific warning for Earth’s final generation in the book of Revelation. This warning can be understood before the Great Tribulation begins and if people choose to reject it, they do so at their own peril. “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)
Hurricanes, tsunamis, famines, earthquakes and runaway fires are not necessarily a deliberate punishment sent from God. God has used and will use such events as punishment, but when He does, He sends a specific warning. In today’s context, calamitous events that come without divine warning should be understood as “birth pains.” God has not yet punished New Orleans and other notoriously wicked places on Earth, but that day is coming.
Currently, God is trying to speak to our generation, but unfortunately, too few people listen to His Word. For example, millions of Christians are acquainted with the term, “The Great Tribulation,” but the irony is that very few people believe it applies to them. Most Christians fall into one of two categories.
The larger group believes they will be in Heaven when the Great Tribulation begins because of a so-called pre-tribulation rapture. The other group believes the bulk of Revelation happened in the past, that is, it is historical in nature. The net effect in both cases is the same – Christians conclude the seven trumpets of Revelation will not affect them! How sad. How delusional. Jesus said that birth pains will indicate the end of the world is coming and the good news is that birth pains will eventually give way to the creation of a new order. Like Abraham, let’s keep looking for the city whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:10)
Larry Wilson, founder of WUAS, became a born-again Christian in 1972. His interest in the gospel led him on a 40+ year quest to learn more about what God has revealed to Earth’s final generation. The results of his research have been shared throughout the world in books, television & radio broadcasts, media interviews, and seminars that are publicly available on all different types of media (see our Christian Bookstore).
What is Wake Up America Seminars (WUAS)?
Wake Up America Seminars, Inc. is a nonprofit, nondenominational organization with a focus on the study of End-Time Prophecy. WUAS is not a church, nor does it endorse any denomination. Our focus is singular: We are dedicated to proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and His imminent return. We are delighted that people of all faiths are diligently using the Bible study materials produced by WUAS. All study materials are based solely on the Bible alone.
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Happy Sabbath to the seminar team. My name is Ken C. I am looking at Daniel 11:37 and am very puzzled by the sentence. Now we know that this sentence is referring to the devil. We also know that the devil has no ancestors. I think it is to be understood “ The devil will show no regard for the gods of the Popes ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will the devil regard any god.” …… What say you Larry? Praise be to our Great and Precious Lord and Savior; Jesus Christ, The Lord God Almighty.
Hello StratKnob:
Thank you for your email. My response will be somewhat lengthy because there is an important story within the final verses of Daniel 11 that needs to be told. Portions of this story were given to other Bible writers, but Daniel’s portion is important, although incomplete. I have included some references if you wish to study further into this story.
As you may know, I understand the horn power which appears at the appointed time of the end to be the physical appearing of the devil.
https://www.wake-up.org/beast/the-antichrist-the-man-of-lawlessness.html
https://www.wake-up.org/great-tribulation/the-antichrist-and-the-mark-of-the-beast.html
https://www.wake-up.org/beast/the-antichrist-when-will-he-appear.html
The horn power in Daniel 8 is a stern-faced king that comes out of the north. Daniel 8:9, 23.
I also understand the king of the north, beginning with Daniel 11:36 to be the devil. To make sense of the last segment of Daniel 11, I have paraphrased the text starting with verse 36, please keep in mind that my paraphrase is based on facts which are declared elsewhere in the Bible:
{36} “When the stern-faced king, the devil, physically appears upon Earth personating Christ at the fifth trumpet in Revelation 9, he will claim to be God. Claiming to be God, he will covet the honor that belongs to the true God. The devil bears the title, King of the North, in this prophecy for two reasons. First, as a point on the compass, north symbolizes the dwelling place of God. (Isaiah 14:13, Job 37:22) North also represents the direction from which divine destruction comes. (Jeremiah 1:14, 25:9, 50:3, Ezekiel 26:7) Second, in the previous verses of Daniel 11, Daniel saw Israel caught between two great rivals — the kings of the north and south. Beginning with verse 36, Daniel saw God’s people caught between two great rivals during the Great Tribulation — those who believe and worship the devil as God (followers of the king of the north) and those who refuse to obey either the devil or the God of Heaven (followers of the king of south). However, the devil will do as he pleases, no one can stop him. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god known to man and will say unheard-of things against the Most High God. (2 Thessalonians 2:2-12) He will succeed until the 1,335 days of God’s wrath are completed (Daniel 8:17, 19; 12:11, 12; Revelation 15:1) for what has been predetermined by the Most High God will occur.
{37} The angel said, “Daniel, just as the nation of Israel rebelled against the God of their forefathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob — the devil will show no respect for any god which the religious people of the world worship. (2 Thessalonians 2:4) The devil will also have no regard for Jesus, the coming the Messiah, the Holy One, whose birth is the desire of all godly women in Israel. The devil will exalt himself above all that is called God. Be warned. The king of the north will claim to be Almighty God, appearing in the form of a glorious man — not subject to laws or authority created by man. He will be described as the man of lawlessness by Paul because he will demand that people disobey the laws of man as well as those of the Most High God.
{38} Instead of respecting the gods that people know and trust, at the sixth trumpet in Revelation 9, he will abolish the governments and religions of the world. In their place, he will set up a theocracy, a one-world church/state. He will rule as Lord of lords and King of kings. He and his demons will use force to accomplish these things. He will demand that everyone worship and obey his laws or be killed. A global church/state has not occurred on Earth and this development will be impossible before the time comes. Be prepared. At the appointed time the devil will abolish the world’s seven religious systems. He will exalt and honor himself by receiving gifts gold and silver, precious stones and costly gifts.
{39} “When he has gained a great following, he will fiercely attack the faithful people who remain faithful to the Most High. However, the 144,000 and the people of God will resist the schemes of the devil. Large numbers of people will be deceived by the devil and join his rebellion against God’s truth. The world has not seen anything comparable with what the devil will do. He will deceitfully honor those leaders of Earth who acknowledge him as God. After winning the great war described in sixth trumpet war (Revelation 9), he will establish ten rulers over the people of the world and he will distribute the land for a price.
{40} “At the time of the sixth trumpet, there will still be many around the world who are opposed to the devil and his goals. They will engage the army of the devil in battle, and just like the see-saw battles between the kings of the north and south described earlier in Daniel 11, the devil will attack his adversaries by land, air, and a great fleet of ships. He will invade and destroy many countries, and sweep through them like an irresistible flood.
{41} “The devil will invade and destroy your homeland of Israel. Many countries will fall, but throughout the world there will be a remnant of people who will remain faithful. Just as some of your people escaped the destruction of Nebuchadnezzar by fleeing to the remote areas of Edom and Moab, God will sustain His people during the end time. People like the leaders of Ammon, who protected your people when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, will also be delivered from the devil’s hand.
{42} As the temporary ruler of Earth, the devil will extend his power over many countries. Egypt, which symbolically represents his opposition (the king of the south), will not escape his dominion. {43} The devil will control the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of the world. Even those who hate him and those who hate the Most High God will have to submit to him, for no person will be able to buy or sell unless he or she obeys the laws of the devil and his theocracy.
{44} At the appointed time, people all over the world will see and hear reports of violent activity in the eastern sky. Those having the seal of God will hear the voice of Jesus who rules from Heaven. Jesus will announce the imminent destruction of the king of the north. The devil will be alarmed because he will know that his days are few, in a rage he will attempt to annihilate all of God’s people by setting up a universal death decree.
{45} “Daniel, you know of God’s promises in the prophecies of Ezekiel, Jeremiah and Isaiah. You know that God promised to exalt Israel and make Jerusalem the greatest city of the world, but His promises will not be fulfilled as planned. Israel will not meet the terms and conditions of the covenant given to them. So, God will fulfill all that He has spoken through a new Israel, consisting of those who belong to Christ. But, just before Christ returns and establishes His kingdom, the devil will physically, and he will establish his theocracy as “the great city” which rules over the world. He will rule over the world for a very short time. Yet the devil will come to his end, and no human will be able to prevent the fulfillment of these things.
{12:1} “About the time the devil implements his mark (tatoo) and establishes his rule over Earth, Michael, the great Prince of Heaven who protects His people, will arise from His seat at the right hand of God’s throne. Jesus will stop His intercessory work on behalf of the human race. At that time, He will send the seven last plagues upon His enemies. The distress caused by the plagues will be terrible. Never, since the history of mankind, will such destruction cover the face of the Earth. But your people — everyone whose name is found written in the Book of Life — will be delivered from death.
{2} A few days before the Second Coming, multitudes of martyrs who died during the fifth seal will awake during a special resurrection to everlasting life. Also, those who crucified Jesus will be resurrected so that they might see Him coming in clouds of glory.18 Their shame and the contempt will remain upon them until they are destroyed at the Second Coming. {3} In the end, the 144,000 will be victorious. They will shine with the brightness of Heaven. They will lead many people in the world to righteousness, and the 144,000 will shine like the stars forever and ever in the new earth.
{4} “But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of this vision. This information is reserved for the final generation who shall live at time of the end. Many generations will try to understand these prophecies, they will go here and there to increase knowledge, but the Most High God has sealed this book until the appointed time arrives.”
For further study, please see:
https://www.wake-up.org/beast/the-antichrist-his-worldwide-deception.html
https://www.wake-up.org/beast/the-antichrist-his-throne-and-tattoo.html
https://www.wake-up.org/other-studies/no-more-delay-pdf-file.html
I hope this helps!
Kind regards