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Email: <lelgee@voicenet.com>Copyright © L. L. Griffith 1996. ISBN 0-929554-09-4. This document may be reproduced in whole or in part provided that this copyright notice is reproduced on each copy made.
Just two most recent events of a catastrophic nature which might
come to the mind of a U.S. resident are:
...one, the eruption of Mt. St.
Helen in Montana; and
...two, the devastating San Francisco earthquake
involving the North Ridge area of California.
Though the local residents and all our population were forewarned to expect the probabilties, the people of our country nevertheless were overwhelmed by the suddenness and the devastation of each event. For days all eyes were glued to the TV's as the enormity of the occasions unfolded.
What is the nature of a catastrophe? The following definitions come from The Reader's Digest Great Encyclopedic Dictionary:
Catastrophe, n.
Catastrophic, adj.
Catastrophism, n
Disaster, n.
After Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door in Germany, amazing things began to happen in the world of Bible readers. The minds of the people began to grasp that idea that there was indeed a God in the heavens, that He did indeed intervene in the affairs of men on this earth, and that there was hope for a better way of life than that offered by the established Church. The Holy Bible taught them these things, bringing a happiness of spirit where before there had been only a despair, and poverty, and ignorance. The people learned to have faith in God.
In a number of the books of the Bible, there are wonderful things written of which are described as catastrophic in nature. From the reading of these things, many people came to an understanding. They determined that many of these events were brought about by "the hand of God," -- simply because no man was able beforehand to know or to cause such things to come to pass. They attributed these things to the work of an Almighty God and His powers in the heavens, Who extracted retribution and vengeance upon His enemies, but who loves and helps those who trust Him. These people became known as "catastrophists" on account of this understanding.
There were some who promoted the view of God as "an angry God," and, who countered with their own theory about the way in which things of such an "angry God" came to happen. (This paper does not touch on this topic.) This was not a God of love, nor of an holy spirit, but a God who punishes people for 'error.'
And, then there were, and still are, the pious humanist religious, who explain many of these Biblical things by the use of the "laws of nature." Although, saying that they are believers in the Bible and its God, they, basically, reject the thought of any divine intervention in the affairs of men by the powers of the heavens. Their God does not live nor move to help any man.
(Space left here for my readers to supply their own answers.)
Here I ask my readers to verify that their own dictionaries report similar definitions for the words, listed above, for sake of unanimity.
In past time my mind has been divided as to what the Holy Scriptures meant with the use of the word, sudden, Strong's No. 160.
The word appears just twice in the N.T. Writings; in Luke 21:34, (as unawares); and in 1 Thess. 5:3, as sudden. Its Greek root is indicated to come from No. 1, a- and from No. 5316, phaino. Evidently meaning, (for I am not a scholar of Greek language) unseen or unappearing, something not apparent, thus providing an ambivalence for the two words of the English translation.
Its adverb, suddenly, Strong's No. 1810, appears five times in the New Testament, in Mark 13:36; in Luke 2:13, 9:39; and in Acts 9:3 and 22:6. Its root is associated with No. 160, and with No. 1819, exapina, found in Mark 9:8. Here, it seems, the element of surprise is introduced and added to the first definition.
A second word from No. 869, aphno, also translated suddenly, is found in Acts 2:2, 16:26, and 28:6. It seems to include the element of speed, instance or haste with a prior surprise about (an astounding event).
These same ideas seem to prevail with the O.T. words describing the sudden and unexpected nature of a thing. These are found under No. 6598 and 6621, pithom and petha, meaning, in an eye's blink, according to Gesenius's Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon.
Young's Concordance lists these usages of suddenness on page 945, column a, No. 1 and No. 4; and column b, No. 5.
All these O.T. references considered, No. 4 appears to list the many which may be associated with calamity and disaster.
Some horrendous events -- brought about by the powers of the heavens -- are mentioned in the O. Testament Writings. The following verses use the word, (while not actually showing or illustrating a present catastrophe).
The instances where the Holy Spirit power does the making and carrying out of a catastrophe are shown in the following events revealed in the Scriptures. Destruction of life and ruination of property are well illustrated in every instance.
The Flood
The Egyptian Plagues
The Closing of the Red Sea over Pharoah's Army
The Breaking of the Tablets and the Plague upon the Children of Israel
The Rebellion of Korah, etc., and the Opening of the Earth.
The Plague on Midian, on account of Peor
The Rain of Stone from Heaven, at the slaughter of Gibeon
The Overthrow of the Cities of the Plain: Sodom and Gomorrah
The great earthquakes of 700-900 B.C.
And, So On...
In addition to these events recorded in the Bible, there are many of the same kind of things related in the myths, folklore and common histories of ancient peoples.
Catastrophism seems to be well enough illustrated throughout the writings of the Old Testament.
Within the writings of the Old Testament it is also noted that the LORD, our God, is a God Who changes not. His is a personality which remains constant, faithful to His word, characteristically loving toward the children of Adam. There are no shadows in the manner of His turnings, per the N. T. He is a constant generator and dispenser of light; and a faithful rewarder, of good toward those who obey Him and of vengeance upon those who rebel against His Word and purpose. He changes His mind at times in order to fulfill His purpose, but Himself changes not. To Him belongs the highest powers of the heavens, He is Almighty in His works, and in his deeds toward mankind. The earth and all things in it are held under His great power; by withholding the power of His Spirit all the earthly creation of flesh would die.
This is an awesome realization of His constancy and His powers.
Why then should there be such doubt concerning His authority, ability or power to bring about any work that He chooses to do, however destructive and ruinous to the lives of evil men?Is there any evidence that He ever brings about such works against those whom he has chosen for His own purpose for His Son? No, He will destroy the old and evil things so that a new and better creation might remain.
Let me address the four points (above, under Third; a, b, c, and d) relevant to the question.
In the conclusion of all things concerning Israel, of the wrath of God and the judgment to come, of the revelation of the Lord's "day," are we -- or are we not -- taught by the Scriptures to expect some kinds of sudden, surprising, and shocking "works" brought about by the powers of the heavens? This question covers both points, a. and b.
What is the theory now presently accepted in academic circles which has replaced the teaching of catastrophism, if it is not the theory of evolution? Has not this same evolutionary theory been assiduously accepted into the religious circle of academicians as well, and through them become melded into "Bible teaching"?
Since catastrophism seems to be the evidently true teaching of the Bible, why has the subtle teaching of the evolutionary theory been permitted -- especially in the Christian community -- to work to the discredit of any study or teaching about Biblical revelations concerning "the last days?" Is antisemitism at work still?
In the estimation of this writer, the working of the spirit of antichrist during the past three centuries or so, has brought about an almost complete triumph for the power of evil. The Chief Adversary of God has overturned the teaching of the Holy Scriptures, of the teaching of the Lord and his apostles so that the truth is very, very difficult for the ordinary man to grasp - even when told of the past marvellous works of God! Christendom is not only astray from the path of righteouness, Christendom has well nigh lost any way of regaining any direction toward it.
In addition to this state of things, the conditions surrounding the future existence of Israel grow bleaker and bleaker as the news reports of her international and internal national affairs continue to be delivered to the world's hearing. The Jewish prospects for "peace and security" have been proclaimed for over a hundred years but are no better today than they were in the days following the exodus out of Egypt. Until they become a God-believing nation, the people in Israel remain at the mercy of their surrounding enemies.
By what means shall their deliverance and their redemption from death come to pass? Shall these two things happen without any sign of warfare, disaster, calamity, debacle, or catastrophe?
Shall we believe men of smooth words who deceive the simple-minded? Or, shall we believe the writings of the Bible which proclaim faith in God, and in the working of His mighty powers?