Recently, the world has witnessed apocalyptic scenes from Los Angeles wildfires. The question naturally arises: why does God allow such disasters to happen?
The judgments of God are in our land. The Lord is soon to come. In fire and flood and earthquake, He is warning the inhabitants of this earth of His soon approach. O, that the people may know the time of their visitation! {EGW; PH164 26.2; 1904}
These divine judgments have already begun in major cities. The urgent call is clear: leave the densely populated urban centers, for more catastrophes are imminent.
In the future, cities will certainly feel the terrible results of earthquakes and fires. Cities will be destroyed by flood and by lightnings. Out of the cities, is my message at this time. {EGW; 21LtMs, Lt 158, 1906, par. 1}
Natural disasters serve as heaven’s warning signals - Christ’s return is imminent. The time for preparation is now.
God’s message for the inhabitants of earth today is, “Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 24:44. The conditions prevailing in society, and especially in the great cities of the nations, proclaim in thunder tones that the hour of God’s judgment is come and that the end of all things earthly is at hand. We are standing on the threshold of the crisis of the ages. In quick succession the judgments of God will follow one another—fire, and flood, and earthquake, with war and bloodshed. We are not to be surprised at this time by events both great and decisive; for the angel of mercy cannot remain much longer to shelter the impenitent. {EGW; PK 278.1; 1917}
Like an anchor in turbulent seas, faith provides stability amid approaching storms. The time for spiritual preparation is now.
The Christian’s hope is as an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast, and entereth into that which is within the veil, whither Christ the forerunner is for us entered. We have an individual work to do to prepare for the great events that are before us. The youth should seek God more earnestly. The tempest is coming, and we must get ready for its fury, by having repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord will arise to shake terribly the earth. We shall see troubles on all sides. Thousands of ships will be hurled into the depths of the sea. Navies will go down, and human lives will be sacrificed by millions. Fires will break out unexpectedly, and no human effort will be able to quench them. The palaces of earth will be swept away in the fury of the flames. Disasters by rail will become more and more frequent; confusion, collision, and death without a moment’s warning will occur on the great lines of travel. The end is near, probation is closing. Oh, let us seek God while he may be found, call upon him while he is near! The prophet says: “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” {EGW; ST April 21, 1890, par. 11}
These escalating calamities mark the proximity of earth’s final events. Every moment for seeking divine protection grows more precious.
The judgments of God are in the land. The wars and rumors of wars, the destruction by fire and flood, say clearly that the time of trouble, which is to increase until the end, is very near at hand. We have no time to lose. The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecies of the eleventh of Daniel have almost reached their final fulfilment. {EGW; RH November 24, 1904, par. 8}
The Los Angeles fires stand as stark warnings to Earth’s inhabitants. Throughout history, God has used fires to awaken humanity. When His protective hand withdraws from cities, it manifests as one of the signs of judgment. Yet it is crucial to understand: God does not directly destroy these cities - He simply withdraws His protective presence.
The Lord gives warnings to the inhabitants of the earth, as in the Chicago fire and the fires in Melbourne, London, and the city of New York. When God’s restraining hand is removed, the destroyer begins his work. Then in our cities the greatest calamities will come. Is this because people do not keep Sunday? No; but because men have trampled upon the law of Jehovah. The Lord is slow to anger. This should inspire the heart with gratitude. “The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.” (Verse 3.) {EGW; 12LtMs, Ms 127, 1897, par. 18}
These fires are divine warnings, yet they come mingled with mercy - a final call to return to divine principles.
Years ago this scene passed before me as a representation of what would happen in the future. I saw also that costly buildings in the cities, supposed to be fire proof, would be consumed by fire. The fire that lately swept through Patterson, N. Y., and the fires that have been in other places, are a fulfilment, in part, of the warning. Yet God has not executed His wrath without mercy. His hand is stretched out still. His message must be given in Greater New York. The people must be shown how it is possible for God, by a touch of His hand, to destroy the property they have gathered together against the last great day. {EGW; 17LtMs, Lt 43, 1902, par. 4}
Behind these natural disasters lies a profound purpose: they serve as calls to return to divine law and order.
The Lord is teaching men that there are limits to His forbearance. In fires, in floods, in earthquakes, in the fury of the great deep, in calamities by sea and by land, the warning is given that God’s Spirit will not always strive with men. The times in which we live are times of great depravity and crime of every degree. Why?—-Because men whom God has blessed and favored have reduced His holy law to a dead letter, making void the law of God by the traditions and inventions of the man of sin. A more than common contempt is put upon the commandments of God, while the representative men of the Colonies have exalted the first day of the week to be observed by all men. They would have men bow down and worship it, as did Nebuchadnezzar when he exalted the golden image in the plains of Dura. When wickedness comes to this pass, it is fast reaching its height. Well may the prayer go forth from the people of God, calling for His interference, “It is time for thee, O Lord, to work; for they have made void thy law.” (Psalm 119:126.) {EGW; 12LtMs, Ms 127, 1897, par. 21}
Just as ancient judgments served as warnings, today’s calamities echo heaven’s urgent plea for repentance.
The flames which consumed the cities of the plain shed their warning light down even to our time. They bid us shun the sins that brought destruction upon the ungodly at that day. {EGW; ST August 24, 1882, par. 11}
Heaven’s plea echoes to Earth’s inhabitants today. How will you respond?