Are God's Judgments beginning in America?

[treasures]

For us who are in Christ Jesus, our sins were punished on the cross in the Person of Jesus. God's wrath fell upon Him in place of us. There is therefore now no condemnation for us.

God *disciplines* His children of course, He is a loving Father. But He does not mete out judgments upon us.

The Trib is the time for God's judgment on the world, we're still in the Age of Grace.

I do see the difference there, iSong, after some study. Thank you for pointing that out.

[clemson]

My tact and thought about America's woes: when discussing with the unsaved in particular I think of it as God's hand of grace is coming off of America for ignoring Him and abandoning His ways. The thought started with the epidemic proportions of Autism that have little to no explanation. America is getting a taste if you will what it is like to not have God involved with the daily affairs of the nation.

On another note, there was an interesting statement before in this thread about nations not having an afterlife. In one real sense I don't believe that is correct. There will be nations in the Kingdom Age and after the new heavens and new earth.

24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. Rev 21

While autism is a 'disorder' there are some positives that come up with it, depending on severity. I don't think that's why I think it's more of in the last days sort of deal.

[Bubbeto4]

It's NOT just the wildfires, and the "derecho-storm" (wish they'd stick with english). It's the accumulation of events that have taken place here in the U.S. and world-wide; let's say just within the last five years.
It's pretty obvious there's a "trend" wouldn't you say? How many people perished in the tsunamis and earthquakes? On some it may have been judgement, but for everyone, the frequency and intensity of the accumulated events should be a warning! The "birth pains" are reaching a critical stage. The question is
are you and I ready? Jesus will come like a flash of ligthning, or as a "thief in the night" and at a "time that you think not"..

Like you, I expect more events, frequent and intense. I believe the "delivery-room" is ready!

God Bless,
Dan

Epidural anyone? I didn't have one with my two kids-but I think I need one now! Yes to Dan the Elder-I agree there is a trend ...All the pain and hardships everyone is going through is very over-whelming! Of course, I want to be "awake" (with oil in my lamp for the delivery), but these "birth pangs" which will get stronger, longer and less time in between are getting harder to fathom. I agree with one poster that God is removing His hands off the US. You don't mess with Israel Mr. "O". That (plus major sin) is "cooking our goose". Maybe this is judgement on the US-but of course not The Tribulation yet. We live in very interesting times-I'm ready to be "delivered" ...and praying for unsaved people I know/and don't know

[raptureholic]

Yes, things are ramping up now and the birth pains are increasing all around the world and not just in the US, because of the increased rebellion and sin.
Remember God's judgments have not started yet until Jesus opens the first seven seals in the 7 yr tribulation period and those come directly from God no one else.
So there is no pre-judgment or pre-wrath of God before the tribulation begins these are just as described in the Bible as birth pains and nothing more. But as they increase, which they are then we know that Jesus is returning for us very soon.

[Buzzardhut]

Yes, things are ramping up now and the birth pains are increasing all around the world and not just in the US, because of the increased rebellion and sin.
Remember God's judgments have not started yet until Jesus opens the first seven seals in the 7 yr tribulation period and those come directly from God no one else.
So there is no pre-judgment or pre-wrath of God before the tribulation begins these are just as described in the Bible as birth pains and nothing more. But as they increase, which they are then we know that Jesus is returning for us very soon.

Some believe the birth pangs are the events in the trib that lead up to Jesus' Second Coming.

[logosone]

Being a resident of maryland(10 minutes from DC) I'd have to say the storm was more an annoyance than anything else. It wasn't as bad as it was hyped and the majority of the state was back to business as usual pretty fast. If anything, it proved how reliant we are on electricity and how people can turn and act like a "mob" when things get a little tough.

Could it be a judgement? Maybe, but I feel like it would have been worse if God really wanted the attention of the capital. Maybe this was just a small warning, I don't know but it really wasn't much but a thunder storm to me.

Mtown, not exactly sure where you are, where you have been or what your circumstance was,
but let me make it clear to all observers, this was a catastrophe for the Mid-Atlantic region.

Now on 8 days with no power, phone. WV was decimated by this storm.
We had over 800,000 people affected and many thousands STILL in the same
shape from June 30. No, this was a disaster, I don't want anyone to be confused here.

The only thing that kept this from being a total nightmare was the strange way
that there were was electric here and there that kept the panic people in their
stuff. As usual, all stores (that were open) were immediately stripped bare
and you simply couldn't get into a gas station, providing you could find one
that was open. Many stores are still closed because of supply issues.

The control panel is flashing WARNING!

[treasures]

Mtown, not exactly sure where you are, where you have been or what your circumstance was,
but let me make it clear to all observers, this was a catastrophe for the Mid-Atlantic region.

Now on 8 days with no power, phone. WV was decimated by this storm.
We had over 800,000 people affected and many thousands STILL in the same
shape from June 30. No, this was a disaster, I don't want anyone to be confused here.

The only thing that kept this from being a total nightmare was the strange way
that there were was electric here and there that kept the panic people in their
stuff. As usual, all stores (that were open) were immediately stripped bare
and you simply couldn't get into a gas station, providing you could find one
that was open. Many stores are still closed because of supply issues.

The control panel is flashing WARNING!

Very true. We've had power for a few days now in southern WV, but many still do not. We just saw National Guard coming through yesterday, on their way to pass out food and water to outer areas that remain without power and my BIL (guard as well) has been dispatched to yet another area this week. People continue to suffer today.



http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/0...8I55DN20120705

500,000 US customers still without power after storms

* West Virginia hardest hit state

* Heat wave to continue through weekend

(Reuters) - Six days after violent storms hit the United States, more than 500,000 homes and businesses remained without power from Ohio to Virginia as a heat wave baked much of the nation on Thursday.

Nearly a third of electricity customers in West Virginia, home to 1.9 million people, were without power, making it the hardest hit state. Utilities warned that some people could be without power for the rest of the week in the worst-hit areas.

[waiting1]

I think it is less of a judgment and more of God removing His hand of protection from this country.

Ditto! These are just to get our attention that "Judgement Is Coming" and to fullfill the "Number Of The Gentiles" to initiate the Rapture!

[waiting1]

Fire being brought down on Sodom and Gommorha. Israel being in the seige and then being carried off to Babylon. Egypt suffering the 10 Plagues. The World suffering the curse of Adam and Eve eating of the "Tree of Good and Evil". Israel suffering Droughts. King David's outcome for sleeping with Bathsheba, and also for indirectly murdering Uriah. Davids numbering of Israel and is given a choice of 3 Judgements. These are just a sampling of those in the Bible. This nation will experience as far as I can see right now, "True Judgement" when we the church are removed from her midst. True Judgement will not commence until after the Rapture. And given "how many innocent babies have been killed" in the womb and "same sex marriage" both being allowed and called marriage and even honored. This country "I feel" will be the very "First Place" where God will start judging and punishing harshly down here. We have killed over 50 MILLION babies in the womb and no telling how many outside the womb that were killed and were hidden from being public knowledge of such. Pride isn't just confined to gays anymore, Pride is displayed by all who love and flaunt their sins and stand Proud in their accomplishment of them these days in this country. God's Fury will soon come full measure and "Woe" to those who are in the path of it. People if you are unsaved come to Jesus Christ now before it is too late, it is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of The Most High God and be one of the objects of His Wrath.

[Blissfully Blessed]

God is trying to get our attention. He is long-suffering and patient (willing that none should perish, but rather that all would come to repentance and acknowledge His son as our personal Lord and savior). Even God, who makes Himself so plain, through the gift of His word and the way He speaks through nature and the way that He speaks through people like you and I, will eventually withdraw from those who continually reject His love (because they've made it clear that they don't want Him, and God will not force us to believe and love and trust in Him; God cannot reach those who have hardened their hearts against Him). We can learn a lot from God; eventually, we have to leave people to the choices that they make because they show through their actions that they no longer have any interest in trying to fix, repair, or reconcile a relationship or conflict.

How many rules did God declare to Adam and Eve in the beginning? Just one. "Don't eat of the fruit of that tree." His one command, and look at how we even messed that up. Without God, there is no Rest; I'm glad I know Him. God made us to need Him to find "the peace that surpasses all understanding," or otherwise we would be content to live in our sin and broken relationships forever if we could fulfill that need on our own. We need Him in our lives. But the flesh is full of pride, and we continue to turn away. Eventually, God will say, "Enough!"

But, before He does, I believe God, in His love, will do all that He can to reach us. That's why He sent Jesus.

No, I do not believe that this is judgment. Dare I say it...this might sound strange, and please, someone, correct me if I'm wrong. I believe this is an act of mercy. Hardship might wake a remaining few souls up. Pray for ears and eyes to be opened so that people might see through these events for what I believe they are, God calling out for the world to come to His saving grace before it's too late. Mercy...because to be left here after the Rapture is going to be so much worse.

We all need to be chastened sometimes. God is calling those across America and, indeed, those around the world who are still willing to listen, to repentance. I believe our time is short; soon, we will be going home. The harvest is white, but the laborers are few.

God is calling us to Him before He unleashes His wrath on a depraved world.

I am in total agreement with all you stated. You are very wise for your years. How refreshing!

That's an amazing poem. Do you know who wrote it?

[grace-saved]

Fire being brought down on Sodom and Gommorha. Israel being in the seige and then being carried off to Babylon. Egypt suffering the 10 Plagues. The World suffering the curse of Adam and Eve eating of the "Tree of Good and Evil". Israel suffering Droughts. King David's outcome for sleeping with Bathsheba, and also for indirectly murdering Uriah. Davids numbering of Israel and is given a choice of 3 Judgements. These are just a sampling of those in the Bible. This nation will experience as far as I can see right now, "True Judgement" when we the church are removed from her midst. True Judgement will not commence until after the Rapture. And given "how many innocent babies have been killed" in the womb and "same sex marriage" both being allowed and called marriage and even honored. This country "I feel" will be the very "First Place" where God will start judging and punishing harshly down here. We have killed over 50 MILLION babies in the womb and no telling how many outside the womb that were killed and were hidden from being public knowledge of such. Pride isn't just confined to gays anymore, Pride is displayed by all who love and flaunt their sins and stand Proud in their accomplishment of them these days in this country. God's Fury will soon come full measure and "Woe" to those who are in the path of it. People if you are unsaved come to Jesus Christ now before it is too late, it is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of The Most High God and be one of the objects of His Wrath.

I agree with all you have stated here. I just recently read a series of articles (will try to find the title) discussing the difference between "judgement" and events planned to raise our awareness and get our attention. We are blatently taunting God as a nation and soon he will totally withdraw his protecting hand. Right now we are being given mercy and a chance to have eyes to see and ears to hear. Wake up call.......

[Time4me2fly]

As it was in the days of Noah. I believe that the judgements have started, what you refer to and what the book of revelations refers to are the wrath of God, and I agree that this won't occur until the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation. What was it in the days of Noah. It says that people went about their normal lives, but that evil was rampant. The news now defies even the wildest imagination of any fiction writers of days past. These judgements are designed to get our attention I agree , before the full wrath of God is unleashed on this world, long after the church is gone. We battle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers.

[Buzzardhut]

As it was in the days of Noah. I believe that the judgements have started, what you refer to and what the book of revelations refers to are the wrath of God, and I agree that this won't occur until the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation. What was it in the days of Noah. It says that people went about their normal lives, but that evil was rampant. The news now defies even the wildest imagination of any fiction writers of days past. These judgements are designed to get our attention I agree , before the full wrath of God is unleashed on this world, long after the church is gone. We battle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers.

Jesus' resurrection & His gift of the Holy Spirit ushered in our current Age of Grace where we will remain until the rapture. Earth's judgments will not begin until then; we currently have warnings and groanings but not God's apocalyptic judgments.

[metroames]

I came across this passage this week and thought of this thread. Maybe not Judgment, but perhaps chastisement, as in "correction"?

Job 37

5 God thunders marvelously with His voice;
He does great things which we cannot comprehend.
6 For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’;
Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.
7 He seals the hand of every man,
That all men may know His work.
8 The beasts go into dens,
And remain in their lairs.
9 From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind,
And cold from the scattering winds of the north.
10 By the breath of God ice is given,
And the broad waters are frozen.
11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds;
He scatters His bright clouds.
12 And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance,
That they may do whatever He commands them
On the face of the whole earth.
13 He causes it to come,
Whether for correction,
Or for His land,
Or for mercy.

[Buzzardhut]

I came across this passage this week and thought of this thread. Maybe not Judgment, but perhaps chastisement, as in "correction"?

Job 37

5 God thunders marvelously with His voice;
He does great things which we cannot comprehend.
6 For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’;
Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.
7 He seals the hand of every man,
That all men may know His work.
8 The beasts go into dens,
And remain in their lairs.
9 From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind,
And cold from the scattering winds of the north.
10 By the breath of God ice is given,
And the broad waters are frozen.
11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds;
He scatters His bright clouds.
12 And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance,
That they may do whatever He commands them
On the face of the whole earth.
13 He causes it to come,
Whether for correction,
Or for His land,
Or for mercy.

Possibly; remember the OT is before this age of grace.
Chastisement and warning is the most the weather can do during this age of grace.
God is using the voice of humanity to spread the gospel today, weather and even angels come after the rapture.