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Storms and Other Disasters: Are They From God?

Storms and Other Disasters: Are They From God?

On August 3, 2023, I became medical director at Honey Lake Clinic (HLC) in Greenville, Florida. HLC is a Christian psychiatric residential treatment center (RTC). We provide holistic, Christ-centered mental health treatments to bring healing to mind, body, spirit, and relationships by identifying the cause of the sickness and restoring the individual to harmony with God’s design for life and health.

Since 1900, 34 major hurricanes (category 3 or higher) have hit the state of Florida, but only two of those have hit in the bend region where HLC is located—both since I became medical director at HLC:

  • Idalia on August 30, 2023.
  • Helene on September 27, 2024.
  • Hurricane Debby also hit the bend on August 5, 2024, but it was a category 1 storm.

In the aftermath of these events, multiple people have asked me whether these storms are from God, the devil, or just the natural processes of nature.

First, we thank God for His protection of HLC during these storms. During the two major storms, patients and staff evacuated for two days, many trees were blown over, fencing was damaged, and power was lost for multiple days, but no buildings were damaged, and the clinic was able to continue to provide services throughout.

But the question remains—how do we understand these events? Punishments inflicted by God for the increasing wickedness in the world? Attacks of Satan to try to destroy God’s agents and resources? Or nothing more than natural phenomena?

The Bible documents that when not restrained by God, Satan can bring storms of various kinds. In the first chapter of Job (vv. 12, 19), the devil brings a windstorm strong enough to collapse the house Job’s children are in. And in Mark 4:37, the Bible describes the sudden appearance of a furious, unnatural storm that terrified the disciples and threatened to drown the early church, requiring Jesus to rebuke the storm and calm the seas.

The Bible also documents that sometimes God brings storms—the great Flood described in Genesis chapters 6 through 8, for instance, and the story of Jonah running from God and the storm that raged until he was tossed into the sea (Jonah 1:10–12).

And, of course, there are simply natural weather patterns that are not instigated by God or the devil. So when devastating storms occur, how do we know what conclusion to draw about any particular storm?

 

Who Did It?

When I suggested that these recent storms were not from God but were either directly from the devil seeking to destroy or the secondary results of evil in the world, I was challenged. Some have immediately referenced God’s use of power to bring storms in Bible times and asserted that it is God acting to bring judgments to punish wickedness in the world—the proverbial “acts of God.”

So if storms can come from God, the devil, or natural processes, how can we tell the difference between when God is acting and when Satan is acting?

First, God always announces through His prophets what He is going to do before He does it:

Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7 NIV84).

Before God intervenes, He always warns to give opportunity for repentance. Why? Because God’s actions are always therapeutic, designed to save and heal, and are not punitive. He warns to alert people in order to protect and save them.

  • God announced the Flood for 120 years before it happened and provided a way of escape through the ark.
  • God announced to Abraham about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and sent angels to warn Lot.
  • God warned Pharaoh and all of Egypt through Moses about the coming plagues and gave opportunity to avoid them.
  • God sent Jonah to Nineveh to warn them and, because they did repent, He did not bring the storm.

Whenever God is the one acting, He warns through His messengers before the event occurs in order to give people time to flee, repent, and avoid the destruction.

To my knowledge, these recent storms were not announced beforehand by God’s prophets to warn and give time to repent—thus, they were not from God. So that means they are either simply natural events, ones fueled by the devil, or they are the result of evil actions on this planet.

The second reason we can know that these recent storms were not from God is because God’s actions are always therapeutic in nature, while Satan’s are always destructive. On the surface, the acts of God and the acts of the devil may sometimes appear similar, but they are not.

For instance, a surgeon will act to amputate a gangrenous foot in order to save the patient. But the surgeon’s action is not the same as a Taliban terrorist amputating the foot of an infidel. Both people are amputating limbs, but one is acting to save and heal; the other is acting to injure and destroy. This is the difference—and context, circumstance, and motive of the one taking the action determine the difference.

Once Adam sinned, no human could be saved without the promised Seed of Genesis 3:15—and the entire Old Testament narrative is about God working to bring Jesus to be our Savior and Satan’s work to stop Him. How could Satan stop Jesus from being born as a human and becoming our Savior without merely killing all humans? By getting all humans to permanently harden their hearts against God. God would not force a woman against her will to be the mother of Jesus, and God would not have Jesus born to a woman like Jezebel, who would have offered Him as an infant sacrifice to a pagan god.

At the time of the Flood, there was only one righteous man left on the earth, only one family left who would listen to and trust God and, thus, only one family through whom God could work to save humanity from sin. Thus, the Flood was not God acting to destroy but, instead, acting to save and heal.

If you would like to read more about how God’s actions are therapeutic and not destructive, see our blogs:

 

Today’s Disasters

So why are we seeing more storms and disasters? The godless world would have us believe it is because of climate change due to increased carbon emissions, but this is a lie intended to get people to surrender their freedoms to the control of the elites. Moreover, the climate change hoax is a direct denial of the Word of God, for God made two promises after the Flood. One promise was that He would never again destroy the world by a flood, and He gave the rainbow as a reminder to us of that promise.

But He also promised:

As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease (Genesis 8:22 NIV 84).

For more on the climate change lies, see our blogs:

It is not climate change that is causing the increase in disasters; it is a spiritual change, the hardening of human hearts. The climate change narrative is how Satan is disguising the real problem!

God is the Creator and Sustainer of reality. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned, God has been using His power to save and heal, to restrain evil, to hold in check the principalities and powers of darkness for the purpose of leading people to salvation. But when God removes His restraining hand, as He did in the book of Job, Satan has more freedom to act—and Satan is the destroyer.

The dwelling place of the Holy Spirit on the earth is the spirit temple, the human heart and mind. As billions of people harden their hearts against God, the Holy Spirit is slowly withdrawn from the earth and, as a result, Satan gains more and more freedom to act—and this is what is causing the increase in disasters upon the earth. This withdrawal of God’s presence and protection because humanity has hardened their hearts to Him is described in the Bible as “God’s wrath.”

The apostle Paul explicitly states in Romans 1:18, 24, 26, and 28 that God’s wrath is letting people go from His protection to reap what they have chosen, and the natural result is destruction. Many Bible scholars recognize this truth. From the book Hard Sayings of the Bible, published by Intervarsity Press, commenting on Romans 1:18–32, we read:

In some sense, God’s wrath is built into the very structure of created reality. In rejecting God’s structure and establishing our own, in violating God’s intention for the creation and substituting our own intentions, we cause our own disintegration.

The human condition, which Paul describes in Romans 1:18-32, is not something caused by God. The phrase “revealed from heaven” (where “heaven” is a typical Jewish substitute word for “God”) does not depict some kind of divine intervention, but rather the inevitability of human debasement which results when God’s will, built into the created order, is violated. Since the created order has its origin in God, Paul can say that the wrath of God is now (constantly) being revealed “from heaven.” It is revealed in the fact that the rejection of God’s truth (Rom 1:18-20), that is, the truth about God’s nature and will, leads to futile thinking (Rom 1:21-22), idolatry (Rom 1:23), perversion of God-intended sexuality (Rom 1:24-27) and relational-moral brokenness (Rom 1:28-32).

The expression “God gave them over” (or “handed them over”), which appears three times in this passage (Rom 1:24,26,28), supports the idea that the sinful perversion of human existence, though resulting from human decisions, is to be understood ultimately as God’s punishment which we, in freedom, bring upon ourselves.

In light of these reflections, the common notion that God punishes or blesses in direct proportion to our sinful or good deeds cannot be maintained… God loves us with an everlasting love. But the rejection of that love separates us from its life-giving power. The result is disintegration and death (Kaiser, W., et al., pp. 542, 543, emphasis mine).

At the end of time, God’s wrath is the gradual release of His protection from all those who have hardened their hearts against Him. As this occurs, evil forces will gain more freedom to act and we will see ever-increasing destruction of all kinds—natural disasters, pestilences, wars, famines, and human abuse and exploitation.

And, consistent with His character, God foretold His actions in letting go, withdrawing His protection, and the subsequent results through Jesus’ prophecies recorded in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 and also through John in the book of Revelation.

But Jesus also tells us that we are not to be overcome with fear when these things occur; instead, He said, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28 NIV84).

And Paul tells us exactly what our mindset needs to be at this time in human history, because we are not children of the dark but of the light:

Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:1–9 NIV84).

We have nothing to fear from the wrath of God, for we are His children and He will never abandon us, leave us, or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He is with us always, even to the end of the earth (Matthew 28:20). So lift up your head and rejoice as these events take place, for Jesus is coming soon!

 

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I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

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I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

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I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

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Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

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Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

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Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana