Season of God's Judgment
Let me preface by saying that I know this is hurricane season and that hurricane activity was forecasted to be above average. Also, I’m not the type of person who sees every natural disaster as something supernatural. After all, that is why they are called natural.
But why such unprecedented and unpredicted devastation with Hurricane Helene? I'm sure many, many Christians have prayed, yet Hurricane Helene wreaked such devastation that entire towns are gone, with not even roads leading to where they once were. The most recent death toll is at more than 230 people.
Why is Hurricane Milton still a Category 5? It was downgraded to a Category 4 and is again a Category 5 as of this writing.
Aren't we told the fervent prayers of the righteous avail much? God even promises:
Isaiah 65:24
Before they call I will answer;
while they are yet speaking I will hear.
And where Jesus promises:
John 14:13-14
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
God’s very nature is evident:
Numbers 23:19
God is not man, that he should lie,
or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
2 Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
If God hears our prayers, will answer, and cannot go back on His word or break promises, then what are we missing? Certainly, God’s character hasn’t changed; it can not! Then, what is happening here in America?
It’s Time We Asked The Hard Question
What if these devastating hurricanes are part of God's judgment on America?
What if the wickedness that has exponentially multiplied since January 6th, 2021, becomes enough for the Lord?
Think about the rampant evil and wickedness that has flourished in America since the Biden/Harris administration. We now have transgender commanding officers in the U.S. military, including men like Rachel Levine, who currently serves as a four-star admiral.
Also, under the Biden/Harris administration, criminals of every variety, from South American gangs to spies, have been allowed to pour into America with nothing to only little done. To make matters worse, more than 150 Democrats actually voted against Republican Representative Nancy Mace's bill that would have ensured illegal immigrants convicted of sex offenses are deported or deemed inadmissible to the country.
From an article written in Newsweek:
The bill would also deport or deem inadmissible to the country undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of, or admit to having committed, sex offenses, domestic violence, stalking, child abuse or violating a protection order.
https://www.newsweek.com/full-list158-dems-voted-against-sex-crime-ban-immigrants-1956261
Yes, you read that correctly; they voted against deporting illegal immigrants who hurt children!
In a statement provided to Newsweek, Mace said: "158 Left-wing members of Congress just voted against deporting rapists, pedophiles and murderers of women and kids."
https://www.newsweek.com/full-list158-dems-voted-against-sex-crime-ban-immigrants-1956261
There is no way that God can overlook any of this wickedness because He is love, holy, and just.
There is one type of wickedness that is above all others. The sin of antisemitism/antizionism.
Does Our Relationship With Israel Really Affect Our Relationship with God?
Zechariah 2:8-9
For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: “Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me.
Romans 11:18-22
do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
(emphasis mine)
In Zechariah, we see Israel as the apple of God’s eye. We also see God’s reaction when you poke Him in the eye by going against Israel. The term apple of his eye refers to the pupil of God’s eye. When anyone, or in this case nation, goes against Israel, God will curse them.
We see a similar pattern in Romans chapter 11, where Paul is warning the gentile Christians in Rome and us today not to be against the Jewish people. Then, we are told the curse that will follow: Otherwise you too will be cut off.
The Biden/Harris administration’s treatment of Israel has been particularly antisemitic. Especially ever since the Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7th, 2023, and the atrocious and unspeakable acts they committed, including taking ten American citizens hostage, three of which have now been killed.
What has the Biden/Harris administration’s response been over the last year? It certainly hasn’t been calling Hamas to release the hostages or end hostilities with Israel.
What about America’s response to Israel’s response to the constant attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon? It’s the same as the response to the attacks by Hamas, condemnation of Israel, and calls for a ceasefire.
While America cannot legally cut Israel off, this current administration is undoubtedly getting as close to it as possible. That brings with it a curse from God.
Genesis 12:3
I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
(emphasis mine)
Kamala Harris refused to preside over or attend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's joint address to Congress.
What If There Are Still A Righteous Remnant?
Proverbs 29:2
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
What about those who are righteous and support Israel? Will God answer the prayers of the righteous?
To answer this, we need to look at Ezekiel chapter nine. I will put the entire chapter because this fits what is happening in America right now.
Ezekiel chapter 9
Then he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying, Bring near the executioners of the city, each with his destroying weapon in his hand. And behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his weapon for slaughter in his hand, and with them was a man clothed in linen, with a writing case at his waist. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar.
Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub on which it rested to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writing case at his waist. And the Lord said to him, Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it. And to the others he said in my hearing, Pass through the city after him, and strike. Your eye shall not spare, and you shall show no pity. Kill old men outright, young men and maidens, little children and women, but touch no one on whom is the mark. And begin at my sanctuary. So they began with the elders who were before the house. Then he said to them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out. So they went out and struck in the city. And while they were striking, and I was left alone, I fell upon my face, and cried, Ah, Lord God! Will you destroy all the remnant of Israel in the outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?
Then he said to me, The guilt of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great. The land is full of blood, and the city full of injustice. For they say, The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see. As for me, my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; I will bring their deeds upon their heads.
(emphasis mine)
We see something similar to what’s happening in America in ancient Israel. There is a righteous remnant that is clearly against the abominations that were happening in Israel at that time. We also see Ezekiel crying out to God, wondering if God will spare Israel.
And God gives Ezekiel the answer that also answers the question of how God is currently treating America.
The wickedness in Israel and Judah had reached a breaking point, and since the Lord is love, holy, and just, and one who keeps all of His promises, He had to pour out His wrath and judgment on Israel.
The same is true for America today.
Eternal Principles
There are certain eternal spiritual principles that God has set. These principles cross cultures, time, and space.
For instance, sins that will always bring judgment on any nation, such as the sins listed in Leviticus chapters 18 and 20. You can read more on this here.
Zechariah 1:15
And I am exceedingly angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little, they furthered the disaster.
The other sin is antisemitism. Since the dreadful day of October 7th, 2023, the sin of antisemitism has exploded across America.
Reports of antisemitic incidents in the US have reached a record high since last year's Hamas attack in Israel, according to a preliminary report from the Anti-Defamation League Center for Extremism (ADL).
The group found more than 10,000 incidents from 7 October 2023 to 24 September of this year, more than a 200% increase compared to the same period a year earlier.
These are staggering numbers. They are numbers indicative of systemic antisemitism in America. From the Whitehouse to college campuses to every major city in America.
It’s even gotten to the point where there are now Queers For Palestine, where Jews in America are afraid to wear kippahs or anything else that might identify them as Jews.
As we have seen, God will come against anyone and any nation that sets itself against the apple of His eye, His Chosen People, Israel.
America has become like ancient Israel in her wickedness and has set herself against Israel. In other words, America has become God’s enemy in almost every conceivable way.
“Natural” Disasters of Supernatural Origin
Deuteronomy 11:17
then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and he will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain, and the land will yield no fruit, and you will perish quickly off the good land that the Lord is giving you.
Once again, we see the eternal principle of God judging nations, this time through catastrophic weather events. The Lord did this worldwide with the flood; one day, as mentioned in the book of Revelation, we will see more disastrous weather events happen worldwide.
As I write this, we are seeing this play out before our very eyes as Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida.
Yes, Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton are part of God’s judgment on America.
Is There Any Hope?
2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
There is always hope, even after cataclysmic events.
The answer to hope in America lies with Jesus. We must repent for any part we played in sin flourishing in America, including if any of us voted for Biden and currently plans to vote for Kamala Harris.
Let’s pray that in the aftermath of these hurricanes, many will come to Jesus. Let’s pray for revival in these regions and across America.
Will there be more and even worse natural disasters in America?
As I sit here, I’m trying to be as sensitive to the Lord as possible. The answer He has given me is it depends on how much we harden our hearts.
Hebrews 3:7-11
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,
“Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks!
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness.
There your fathers tested me and tried me, and they saw my works for forty years.
Therefore, I became provoked at that generation and said, ‘Their hearts are always wandering, and they have not known my ways.’
As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’”
The Spirit of the Lord is speaking today to all of us.
“Repent! Don’t harden your hearts and bring calamity upon your heads! Instead, turn back to me, and I will welcome you back with open arms and a kind heart!”