| (Copyright) by Richard Markland (London, Ohio) |
|---|
| On December 11, 2021, multiple tornadoes struck five states causing catastrophic damage, killing, and injuring hundreds. The city of Mayfield, Kentucky was completely destroyed by not only the worst tornado in the state’s history, but the strongest recorded tornado in U.S. history. Because Americans have become accustomed to tornadoes as a natural phenomenon that happens year after year, what took place from Kentucky to Arkansas will soon be forgotten. Such will not be the case, however, for those who lost loved ones, as well as their homes and businesses. One Mayfield resident interviewed on Fox News stated that it was “absolutely the most terrifying event I have ever experienced.” It will be remembered for the rest of the lives of those who survived, and a warning of far greater natural disasters to come. America has been put on notice by the God it claims to worship. The reason for why this catastrophe took so many lives and did so much damage is a mystery to the vast majority of Americans, but it isn’t a mystery and can be understood. Because the Bible is rejected, the answers for why a catastrophe such as December 11th took place will only be a lifelong devastating nightmare and heartache for those directly impacted. Far greater disasters are going to tragically take place and cause far greater pain and sorrow, if the American people and the nation’s leaders do not turn to the God who controls the weather and uses it to correct the nation for disobedience. Nahum 1:3- “…the Lord has his way in the whirlwind and the storm…” As defined by Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Tenth Edition: Whirlwind- “A violent or destructive force.” Tornado- “A violent destructive whirling wind.” How many Americans learned anything from the catastrophic devastation and loss as described in the following report? Storms Kill and Injure Hundreds from Kentucky to Arkansas (The Associated Press December 11, 2021) “Kentucky’s governor says a devastating tornado touched down for 227 miles – more than 200 in the state – and deaths were feared in 10 counties. This will be, I believe, the deadliest tornado to ever run through Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear said at a news conference. The storms hit a candle factory in Kentucky, an Amazon facility in Illinois and a nursing home in Arkansas. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the damage was caused by straight-line storms or a tornado, but the National Weather Service office near St. Louis reported ‘radar-confirmed tornadoes’ in the Edwardsville area around the time of the collapse. Numerous apartment complexes in Bowling Green had major structural damage, and some factories had collapsed during the storm. We had to, at times crawl over casualties to get to live victims, said Jeremy Creason, the Mayfield fire chief and EMS director. If early reports are confirmed, the twister ‘will likely go down perhaps as one of the longest track violent tornadoes in United States history,’ said Victor Genzini, a researcher on extreme weather at Northern Illinois University. The longest tornado on record, in March 1925, tracked for about 220 miles through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. But Genzini said this twister may have touched down for nearly 250 miles. The storm was all the more remarkable because it came in December, when normally cold weather limits tornadoes, he said. Debris from destroyed buildings and shredded trees covered the ground in Mayfield, a city of 10,000 in western Kentucky. Twisted metal sheeting, downed power lines and wrecked vehicles lined the streets. Windows and roofs were blown off the buildings that were still standing. This was an incredible storm that lasted a long time and covered a lot of territory, said Larry Vannozzi, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service office covering the Nashville area. Governor Asa Hutchinson said after touring the wreckage of the nursing home heavily damaged in Monnette, Arkansas, ‘It is catastrophic. It’s total destruction.’” Isaiah 29:6- “You shall be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and a great noise, with storm and tempest (a violent and turbulent storm), and the flame of a devouring fire (wildfires that have plagued the U.S.).” An All Too Familiar Attitude The news media always interviews people immediately after any given major natural disaster with accompanying images of the destruction. Because most survivors are in shock, those impacted haven’t had time to come to terms with what has taken place. Regardless of how reality has not yet set in, those who survive all seem to respond in the same way. “We may have lost our home, but it can be rebuilt. Material things can be replaced, but lives can’t.” “We are a strong community, and we will rebuild.” “We will come back stronger than ever.” A typical narrative offered by journalists and anchors is, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you.” Considering a liberal and godless agenda by the mainstream networks, such words are mere platitudes. If so concerned, why doesn’t the media return in the coming days, weeks, and months to inform the American people of not only the rebuilding effort, but interview the same people interviewed while in shock? It’s not a part of the American mindset to admit defeat. To portray an attitude of defeatism would mean people have to resign themselves to what has happened. Resilience replaces resignation, but having to face reality is inevitable, and the struggles are lifelong for many people. The Bible Condemns a Strong-Willed Attitude Amidst Disaster On September 11, 2001, the Twin Towers and the Pentagon were stuck by terrorist attacks. Shock was soon replaced by anger. The nation’s leaders and the American people openly expressed that action must be taken. Resiliency, determination, and American pride soon became the norm. To accommodate the nation Senator Tom Daschle (D) South Dakota read two verses in the Bible with the intention of encouraging the nation, but both verses were not written to encourage, but is a condemnation of the American attitudes of defiance and pride when adversity strikes. Senator Daschle soon fell from grace when his political career ended in scandal. Was it a mere coincidence, or the consequences for defying words of warning to the nation? Isaiah 9:9-10- “And all the people shall know (will know God’s judgment) even Ephraim (modern day America)…, that say in pride (disdain and conceit) and stoutness (stubbornness) of heart (10) The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones (we will rebuild): the sycamores are cut down (there is massive destruction), but we will change them into cedars (we will come back stronger than ever).” America would do well to heed the words of a modern-day prophecy. In light of what took place in Mayfield, Kentucky, and surrounding states on December 11, 2021. If the past is any indication lessons haven’t been learned because major changes in the lives of people must take place. Why Tornadoes and Natural Disasters Occur From the New Living Translation Hosea 7:2- “…Its people don’t realize that I am watching them. Their sinful deeds (the breaking of God’s law) are all around them.” Ezekiel 7:3-4, 9- “…I will call you to account for all your detestable sins (4) I will turn my eyes away and show no pity. I will repay you for all your detestable sins. Then you will know that I am the Lord (9) …Then you will know it is I, the Lord, who is striking the blow.” Amos 5:12- “For I know the vast number of your sins and depth of your rebellions.” God Promises He Will Forgive America’s Leaders and People if they Turn to Him Jeremiah 3:13- “Only acknowledge your guilt. Admit that you rebelled against the Lord your God…” Luke 13:3- “…And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.” Micah 7:18-20- “Where is another god like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight (take great pleasure) in showing unfailing love. (19) Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! (20) You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised to our ancestors Abraham and Joshua long ago.” |
| Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: America Has Been Put On Notice Article by Richard Markland Comments by Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota) |
|---|
| I found the following online in regard to Tom Daschle: I know that there is only the smallest measure of inspiration that can be taken from this devastation. But there is a passage in the Bible from Isaiah that I think speaks to us all at times like this. ‘The bricks have fallen down but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled but we will replace them with cedars.’ That is what we will do. We will rebuild and we will recover…” So spoke United States Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, on September 12, 2001, in response to the shocking terrorist attacks the day before. https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/we-will-rebuild Daschle was an early supporter of Barack Obama’s presidential candidacy, and was nominated by President-elect Obama for the position of Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services after the 2008 election. However, Daschle withdrew his name on February 3, 2009, amid a growing controversy over his failure to properly report and pay income taxes. He is currently working for The Daschle Group, a Public Policy Advisory of Baker Donelson, a large law firm and lobbying group. From Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Daschle#:~:text=Thomas%20Andrew%20Daschle%20(%2F%CB%88d,the%20Majority%20Leader%20in%202001. They don’t go away; they just regroup and thus is what Tom Daschle did. As far as the United States being Ephraim, many who have researched this subject such as Steve Collins and Yair Davidiy believe that Manasseh is the United States and not Ephraim. Does anyone reading this have any articles in regard to this, if so, please send them to us for print. Thank you! |
| Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: America Has Been Put On Notice Article by Richard Markland Comments by Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota) |
|---|
| How to tell the difference between a Manassite and an Ephraimite: Jdg 12:1 And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire. Jdg 12:2 And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands. Jdg 12:3 And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me? Jdg 12:4 Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites. Jdg 12:5 And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay; Jdg 12:6 Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand. |
Views: 0