The Mystery of 'Tsunami'?
By Dr. John Williams
Email: iicm@aol.com
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I. INTRODUCTION
Even though tsunamis have erupted and caused havoc in different parts of the
world in the past, it is not something that we talk about much or worried about.
Because, compared to other kinds of natural disasters like hurricanes,
tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, storms, floods, forest fires, thunders,
lightening etc., the occurrence of tsunamis are less frequent and rare.
The purpose of this article is to
particularly take a serious look at the cause and effect of tsunamis with
reference to the most recent and rigorous tsunami which hit about 7 countries in
Southeast Asia, and has caused the deaths of more nearly 200,000 people, in
addition to the extensive and irreparable damage to the properties on shore, the
boats and equipments of fishermen and some valuable properties situated in the
shores of the sea. Of course, the loss of human lives, is the greatest tragedy,
which went to the extent of totally wiping out many families, and in killing
some of the family members, leaving the rest of them alive. But those who are
alive are really shattered by the loss of their family members as well as their
homes and livelihood.
Having given a general
introduction to this article in the foregoing paragraphs, let us concentrate in
this article about the views and reaction of various groups of people who try
to explain it in a number of ways.
II. THE SCIENTIFIC VIEW
It is needless to spend much time on this viewpoint
because the scientists have done extensive research and studies on this natural
phenomenon causing catastrophic effects and grave consequences. What has been
reported by the media are well documented, and that does not seem to have any
controversial views concerning this natural event. Looking into the history, we
can literally count the number of tsunamis of some significance, that have hit
some parts of the world, because the occurrences have been rare and
sporadic. According to the scientists, there are some regions of the world that
are more prone or vulnerable to such tsunamis to occur than the other regions of
the world. As a result of some extensive and in-depth research done by the
scientists who study tsunamis, some highly technological equipments and devices
have been developed and set up in some strategic locations, to give early
warnings of possible eruptions of tsunamis. Further, we should note that such
devices have not been set up in all the regions of the world where the incidence
of tsunamis is highly probable, for reasons of prohibitive financial costs. It
is also possible that tsunamis have been given lesser priority compared to other
more important needs.
III. THE PHILOSOPHIC VIEW
A philosopher may probably explain a
tsunami as something that occurs naturally and we human beings living on this
earth, have to live with it and take it as something that is natural even though
it may not occur frequently and perhaps, just take it as their misfortune, if
they are affected by it.
IV. THE POLITICAL VIEW
We have been exposed to various viewpoints concerning tsunamis, which were
expressed in the television network and other media, by various politicians with
diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Generally speaking, the Politicians try their
best to be careful to ensure that they do not offend any religious or other
groups in a delicate situation like this. Instead of speculating the causes of
tsunami and the role and the responsibility of God in this horrible disaster,
from the religious perspective, they just express their concern and feelings
about the urgency of taking necessary steps to save the lives of people whose
lives are still in jeopardy, and those people who are missing. Further their
concern and actions are directed towards providing humanitarian services,
medical aid, etc. to those who survived this disaster, as expeditiously as
possible. This effort requires raising of enormous amounts of money to provide
food, medical aid, shelter, clothing, water, etc., and through their publicity
and appeal, significant progress has been made in this direction, which should
be appreciated.
The News Reporters drag into
their TV programs, leaders of different religions, to question them, and to put
them on the spot, to explain an event like this, from their religious
viewpoints. However, the politicians do not take sides with any particular
religious group but simply try to elucidate the views and the feelings of those
men who represent some of the major religions of the world, with a hope to find
some kind of consolation through their words of comfort.
V. THE RELIGIOUS VIEW
The general response of the religious leaders who are questioned by the news
media about the role of God, in terms of causing it or not stopping it, they
tend to answer the questions posed to them, without any specific reference from
their Holy or Religious Books. They generally respond in general terms implying
that they do not have a specific answer or a rational explanation that would
adequately satisfy and answer the questions raised by the people at large.
The general trend seems to be
that none of these religious leaders neither blame God for causing it, allowing
it or not preventing it, but at the same time, they try to comfort and console
the bereaved family members in some way.
Now let us try to find an
explanation or a reason for a situation like this in the context of tragedies,
destruction, losses, agony, deaths of family members, the confused and worried
state of mind of the survivors who have not still recovered fully from the shock
and effect of the tsunami.
In the minds of every tsunami
victim there is a question about God's role and intervention in a situation like
this, in averting it before the occurrence or saving the lives of the multitude
of people and their belongings from this catastrophic destruction after the
incidence. Perhaps some of the following rational explanations given below will
be acceptable to various groups of people in this world:
? There is no God
? If there is a God, He does not
normally do anything against the nature, because nature is something that God
permits to take its own course.
? If there is a God, He allowed
it to happen for some reasons of His own, which is beyond the human
comprehension.
? God has predestinated the
future of every human being on the face of the earth and nothing can go against
his will and destiny
? Since God is generally
considered to be a Just and a Good Person, He would have His own justifiable
cause for allowing such a calamity to hit the world, which has caused an
irreparable damage. Even though it may sound unjust, in the long run this event
will have very little or no significance.
? We have no right to question God for anything that He does, but to just accept it in reverence and faith.
We can come up with any number
of such explanations to rationalize the attitude and position of God towards
this tsunami, but it will not be satisfactory and convincing.
VI. THE BIBLICAL VIEW
The Biblical view is presented below in terms of what the Bible says, which
explanation may or may not be acceptable to everyone, but that is perhaps the
best explanation that we can find and have some comfort in.
? God is the creator of the whole
world including the seas surrounding the land and the core of the earth [which
includes minerals, clay, water, larva, heat etc.]
? God has set in motion several
natural laws and phenomenon which are self regulated, while at the same time,
natural disasters do happen as a result of certain kinds of conditions which are
created naturally, and result in rain, hail, storms, tornadoes, hurricanes,
floods, tsunamis, etc.
? God created men and women and
put them on this planet in this kind of natural surroundings which are subject
to the natural disasters as described above, which are referred to by men as the
'Acts of God' for the simple reason that man is not able to pinpoint any
specific reason for these kinds of occurrences, which will be universally
acceptable.
? Looking back into the Bible
history, we can come across literally hundreds of supernatural and catastrophic
events of great magnitude, which have taken place as a result of the wrath or
vengeance of God, when the people repeatedly disobeyed God's laws and
ordinances, in spite of repeated warnings that were given to them by the
servants of God. Some of such events are listed below:
1. The Great Flood that destroyed the world by a continuous downpour of rain from heaven for forty days and forty nights, because according to the Bible, the imagination of every man was wicked and evil, except Noah who walked with God and was a righteous man. Therefore, God saved him and his family through an ark which God instructed him to build according to His plan, and destroyed the whole world and all the living creatures.
2. The destruction of Sodom and
Gomorrah by fire and brimstone, because the people that lived in those two
cities were wicked and sinful and particularly, because they engaged in
Homosexuality which was an abomination to God.
3. The Ten Plagues that were
brought upon Egypt by Moses during the reign of Pharaoh when he disobeyed God by
not delivering God's children [Israelites] from the captivity and bondage in
Egypt they were in for many years. These plagues included:
? Turning the water in the sea
and all the other water reservoirs into blood
? Causing the rivers to bring
forth frogs abundantly and to go into the houses and even into the bed chambers
and upon the beds of the Egyptians.
? Smiting the dust of the land to
become lice throughout all the land of Egypt
? Causing grievous swarm of flies
to go into the houses of all the Egyptians
? Causing all the cattle of Egypt
to die
? Causing boils to break forth
with blains upon men and the beasts
? Causing the rain to pour
continuously with grievous hail
? Causing locusts in large
numbers to invade Egypt and to eat all the trees, plants and grass
? Causing darkness to cover the
entire land of Egypt for 3 days
4. When the children of God, in
the Old Testament times, on one occasion, instead of worshiping the true and
living God, disobeyed his commandment and deliberately "worshiped idols or
images", God caused the land on which the people were standing to split wide
open and to swallow those people alive, and made the land cover up the opening
thereafter.
5. When the sinners of the world
who did not believe in God, revolted against the Kings appointed by God and
attacked them, God caused those people to be smitten and killed mercilessly and
for their homes with the families to be captured, ransacked and set on fire.
6. There has been numerous
instances recorded in the Bible about fire coming down from heaven and consuming
a multitude of people; and hails of huge proportion falling from heaven,
destroying people in great numbers for disobeying God.
7. When the Philistines rebelled
against God and persecuted Samson, God restored back to him, the supernatural
strength that he lost when he fell for Delilah. At this critical time, when he
prayed to God for strength, he regained his former strength back with which he
destroyed thousands of Philistines who had gathered in a massive structure, by
shaking and pulling down the pillars on which the entire building rested. This
resulted in the death of a multitude of people.
8. During the journey of the
children of Israel through the wilderness for forty years, under the leadership
of Moses to start with, on numerous occasions, God's wrath was poured upon his
people when they repeatedly neglected the Commandments of God and indulged in
sinful practices. God has caused mass destruction of such people
instantaneously.
9. In the New Testament Times,
when Ananias and Saphira lied to God's servant about the proceeds of the land
they sold, God made them drop dead on the spot.
10.It is important to mention
what the Bible says about the End Time events which will take place at the end
of the world, both as a sign and as a severe penalty for ignoring God and his
statutes, and living in sin, deliberately and defiantly. These examples are
listed in the concluding paragraph. It is important to note, that in the human
history, several disastrous and catastrophic events have happened. Further, it
is mentioned in the Book of Revelation that something far more frightening
events are in store for the people on this earth at the End Times, which we are
fast approaching according to the End Time prophecies.
VII. THE END TIMES
What has happened in the incident
of the Tsunami that hit some nations in Southeast Asia, should be just taken as
a warning signal, to face the End Times, and the Final Judgment of God, even
though there may have been many innocent victims in this gruesome and terrible
event. Many of the victims may not really deserve such a catastrophic and sudden
death. However, we should understand the fact that somebody has to pay the
price for the blessings of others, but God in His infinite love and wisdom has
allowed this to happen. To redeem the sinners from the penalty of sin, God
sent his only begotten son, Jesus, to come into this world in the form of man to
die on the cross as a ransom. Perhaps this unfortunate event, Tsunami that took
place now will serve as a warning to those who are indulging in sinful,
criminal, terrorist and unlawful activities all over the world.
The 'Seven Trumpet Judgment' mentioned in the book of Revelation, will be executed as per God's plan which according to the End Time Prophecies seem to be very near. Some of the specific details of the kinds of events that are going to take place are given below:
1. Hail and fire mingled with
blood being cast upon the earth and the third part of trees and all green grass
being burnt up.
2. A great mountain burning with
fire and being cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea becoming blood,
the third part of the creatures in the sea dying, and the third part of the
ships being destroyed.
3. A great star burning as a lamp
and falling upon the rivers, resulting in water becoming wormwood causing men to
die when they consume it.
4. One third of the sun being
smitten and the third part of the moon and stars as well resulting in one third
of the globe getting utterly dark followed by a loud voice coming from an angel
saying ' Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth.'
5. A star fell from heaven onto
the earth and the fifth angel was given the key to the bottomless pit. John the
writer of the book of Revelation, saw this angel open the bottomless pit from
which arose smoke like coming from a great furnace and the sun was darkened by
this smoke. Further he saw locusts coming out of the earth which was given power
as scorpions of the earth. These scorpion- like locusts were instructed not to
kill the men with a seal on their foreheads but to torment them for five months.
6. The sixth angel was instructed
to slay the third part of men.
7. The seventh angel proclaimed
that the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and he
shall reign forever and ever.
? The
'Seven Vial Judgment' mentioned in the book of Revelation, will be
fulfilled as indicated below:
1. Grievous sore came upon those
who worship the images
2. Poured out a vial upon the sea
which caused the sea to become as the blood of the dead man causing every living
soul in the sea to die.
3. The next vial caused the
waters of rivers and fountains to become blood
4. This vial poured upon the sun
which gave the sun the power to scorch all men with fire.
5. The next vial caused full
darkness to cover the earth, at this time, the people blasphemed God because of
the severe pain and sores but they repented not for their wicked deeds.
6. The sixth angel poured a vial
upon the river Euphrates which caused it to dry up, so that the way of the kings
of the East might be prepared. Three unclean spirits like frog came out of the
mouth of dragons and the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false
prophet, who were getting ready to gather to fight in the Battle of Armageddon.
7. A great voice came from heaven
like thunders and lightnings, followed by great earthquakes which caused the
great city divide into three parts at which time, great hail fell upon the
people from heaven and every hail stone weighed about a talent, when the men
again blasphemed God.