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Unimaginable... the apocalyptic scenes from New Orleans of the dead floating on the water, of lawlessness, looting, raping, stealing and shooting at rescue helicopters. Rescuers being shot at as they deliver the sick to hospital. A dying city flooded with toxic water and belching fire. The Casino driven economy of Biloxi destroyed.

What's happening?

We are seeing images of Matthew 24:15-22 right before our eyes: "flee to the mountains...  let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house... let no one in the field go back to get his cloak... how dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers" (in the Superdome)!

The Twin Towers, the Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina are not the full scale judgment of God. However they are clear warnings and a shortening of the times of evil. It's time to learn the lesson from the fig tree - Matt 24:15-33.

Below are some sign posts to help us interpret these events through the lens of Scripture. Each person has to do their own study and reach their own conclusions before God...

"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation', spoken of through the prophet Daniel, let the reader understand" (Matt 24:15).

International Gay Pride leaders planned a 10-day World Pride festival and parade in Jerusalem this August, saying they want to make a statement in the Holy City. Their festival in Jerusalem was blocked ... but it was to go ahead in New Orleans. References: New York Times, The Age, The World Congress of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Jews web site.

On Monday 29 August Hurricane Katrina not only struck New Orleans but also took out the Southern Decadence festival which was scheduled to commence in that city on Wednesday 31 August.

Last year this event drew more than 100,000 revellers and pumped approximately $95 million into the New Orleans economy. This year it had civic approval, with the Mayor planning to provide an official proclamation to welcome an event that planned to lewdly display wickedness in the streets of New Orleans. Here's a quote from one of the New Orleans web sites: "Southern Decadence has stayed true to its name and public displays of sexuality are pretty much everywhere you look."
Click here for source.

Are authorities accountable to God for idolatrous decisions and behaviour? It has been said that if God didn't judge sin in America he would have to apologise to Sodom and Gomorrah! 

Psalm 82 provides insight about the operation of God's judgment alongside rescue of the weak and needy at times when the foundations of the earth are shaken (for example the Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina).

Revelation 14 tells us there is a time when God will no longer stay his hand in the face of perfidious rebellion. People cannot continue to reject God in the way they live, play and do business and not reap what they sow. Accordingly Hurricane Katrina has renewed the imperative to fear God:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10).

Whatever your response to this prophecy one thing's for sure - it's time to get on our knees before God and face one question squarely:

Am I integrating Matthew 22:37-40 into my everyday life?

Is there a higher priority than Jesus in our daily life? Perhaps promotion, reputation, pleasure or money? If so, this is high risk idolatry. Now is the time to connect with God 24/7 and respond to God with a whole heart.

Daniel is a great example of living this way. With this in mind let's ask God to grant us:

• a soft heart with a daily attitude of repentance

• the inner motivation of the Holy Spirit to obey Jesus

• the capacity to integrate God's ways into everyday life (Matt 28:18-20).

In days ahead there will be two harvests:

• a harvest of salvation, and

• a harvest of judgment.

Judgment is God's business. What we are called to do is be happy workers in the harvest of souls. Hurricane Katrina provides a reality check, ie: what's the point of working your guts out in any activity if your attitude disconnects you from God?

There will be a harvest of Souls from Katrina, as many who have lost everything will also experience an outpouring of Christian care and compassion that will lead them to new relationship with God.

Death and Life from Hurricane Katrina. She has brought us all face to face with forces that remind us to prioritise God in our daily lives. As we put His ways into daily practice we will be ready for the future.

Your Vocation is Your Mission

PS: We should be circumspect before jumping on the judgmental band wagon with regard to Federal relief efforts. While there are lessons to be learnt, things are not always the way they are portrayed in the media... click here for more info. We are called to pray for our leaders, especially at a time of tragedy when they are under huge stress and trying to do good (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

Click here for Katrina Postscript.

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