In the Gospel of Matthew the Man of Galilee makes an extraordinary claim:
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
Matthew 28:18
However, risen Lord Jesus having all authority in heaven and on earth has not removed natural disasters from the world. For example, the tectonic plates of planet Earth continue their movement causing sometimes devastating earthquakes, volcanoes erupt near densely populated cities and the global weather system causes fearsome hurricanes that destroy property and kill and maim humans.
Instead of promising to put an end to natural disasters Christ does the opposite and says in the Gospels that there will be frequent earthquakes.
And so it is in our world. Despite of the victory of Christ and His having all the power in heaven and on earth our daily news report natural disasters from all parts of the world, one deadlier than the other, some causing tsunamis some collapsing large parts of cities like in 18th century Lissabon or 21st century Port de Prince and now in Chile.
In the majestic words at the end of the Gospel of Matthew Lord Jesus did not promise to put an end to natural disasters. The focus of His words is in something else altogether..
Instead of promising to put an end to natural disasters Christ does the opposite and says in the Gospels that there will be frequent earthquakes.
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”How could you possibly call such an absolute ruler benevolent who does not prevent massive human suffering but talks about more of it on the way?
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Matthew 24:3-8 NIV
And so it is in our world. Despite of the victory of Christ and His having all the power in heaven and on earth our daily news report natural disasters from all parts of the world, one deadlier than the other, some causing tsunamis some collapsing large parts of cities like in 18th century Lissabon or 21st century Port de Prince and now in Chile.
In the majestic words at the end of the Gospel of Matthew Lord Jesus did not promise to put an end to natural disasters. The focus of His words is in something else altogether..
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