Does God Use Global Crisis to Judge the World?

If God is love, how can He permit tragedy and suffering in the world? Are natural disasters judgment? Why do bad things happen to good people? These questions and many others fill the minds of Christians and non-Christians alike. How can we understand the nature of God as it relates to the realities of suffering we see in the world?My desire to answer questions was born out of watching well-known Christian leaders on TV as they were interviewed about tragedies and disasters. To my amazement, they could not explain “why God allowed bad things to happen.” The opportunity to reach millions of people with the revelation of God’s character, nature and love was lost. The usual “answers” that I heard would always include the well-worn phrase, “God has everything under control.”Without realizing it, these leaders were blaming God for the suffering of millions around the world. If a self-destructing world is an example of God’s “control,” then why should we expect the lost to believe in this Christian God? Learning to answer these kinds of questions and many others became the focus of my teaching ministry.

People have questions, and frequently these questions are left unanswered in our churches and ministries.

During my first three years of employment at Andrew Wommack Ministries, I was given the opportunity to answer questions sent in from around the world in response to Andrew’s television and radio broadcasts. As time went by, I realized that most people have the same basic questions.When I began teaching at Charis Bible College, I was given the opportunity to develop some new courses. I immediately decided to create a course entitled Answers to Important Questions. It’s now a second-year course that is taught during two terms. Some of the questions covered in the course are included in this booklet, because these questions are some of the most frequently asked.My answers may not be satisfactory for all, and in some cases can be considered as suggestions to ponder. More could certainly be written about each topic, but my hope is that the information contained within will be helpful to the reader. God has answers to our questions! The more we get to know Him, the more His truth will dispel our doubts, and our faith in our loving Father will grow.

Does God Judge Using Natural Disasters?

Tragedies that happen in the earth are a result of sin and the work of the enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now (Romans 8:22).Earthquakes, famines, hurricanes and other disasters do not represent the work of God, but rather are the results of sin and its effects in a planet that is “groaning and travailing in pain” under the “bondage of corruption” (Romans 8:21–22).The planet has been subjected to corruption. At the flood in the days of Noah, the planet was shaken to its core as the depths were broken up and the continents were divided. Tremendous change took place that left the earth unstable and dramatically different from its original state. Now earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts, floods and fires exist that bring death and destruction to millions. These do not represent the will of God. He does not send them.Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).It would make no sense for God to send us into all the world to preach the gospel (good news) to all men while at the same time He destroys them through tragedies and disasters. Our gospel is good news, and God’s mercy and grace have given us this time in which He is not imputing our sins unto us (2 Corinthians 5:19). He has reconciled Himself unto us and is pleading with us through the gospel that we be reconciled unto Him! (2 Corinthians 5:20)The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should  perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Jesus made it clear that God is not judging the earth.

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son (John 5:22).And Jesus also revealed how judgment would come.He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day . . . (John 12:48).We will be judged by the Word of God in the “last day” (See Romans 2:5). Therefore, natural disasters are not God’s judgment for sin. Natural disasters are a part of fallen nature.

Does God Allow Suffering?

Suffering is a part of the fallen world in which we live. To ask if God allows or sends suffering to us is to assume that God orchestrates the circumstances of men’s lives and of the earth according to His mysterious will. Some suffer while others seem to live free from suffering. What is God’s role in man’s suffering?It is important to understand that God gave the earth to man (Psalm 115:16, Psalm 8:4–6, Genesis 1:26–28). It is man who unleashed suffering and death into the human race. Suffering was never a part of God’s plan or God’s will for creation. To suggest that God now uses suffering to correct or perfect us is entirely wrong. God is against everything that causes suffering. He is against ignorance, injustice, laziness and sickness. Only good things come from God ( James 1:17).

To suggest that God now uses suffering to correct or perfect us is entirely wrong.

Many suffer due to a lack of understanding. They don’t seek or understand spiritual truth or how the kingdom works. Others suffer due to the injustice of governments or society. Still, others are lazy and suffer because they do nothing to improve their situation in life. Others suffer sickness because they believe God made them sick or wants them sick. Others may suffer from tragedies and catastrophes.We cannot control the events that transpire in our fallen world, but we can certainly be prepared to overcome. God has given us the name of Jesus, the better covenant, better promises, the Holy Spirit, the faith of God, the keys of the kingdom, the power to bind and loose, the word of His power and the armor of God. We are well equipped to overcome! God hasn’t allowed suffering. He has allowed us to use the wealth of His grace to be strong and victorious when suffering comes our way.

Suffering is a horrible result of man’s sin.

It is our sin that put Him on the cross. It is for our sin that He suffered and died. The judgment of our sin fell upon Him. He rose from the dead in order to save us from the power of sin and to give us eternal life. He has called us to preach this gospel in all the world. As hearts are transformed by the love of God, evil will be extinguished. How much suffering has been avoided because evil men headed for destruction have repented and been transformed? We have no idea how much suffering has not happened because of the gospel message changing lives. Thank God for that!Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (Ephesians 3:20).