THE JUDGMENT
OF GOD

The Church in Germany had become compromised and complacent in the early 20th century. Cheap grace was being dispensed without true repentance and many were dabbling in the occult. A nationalistic spirit was also prevalent, along with anti-Semitism. Hitler rose to power and was cheered by the masses, including many church leaders. The swastika replaced the cross in most churches throughout Germany. Hitler then started a world war and murdered 6 million Jews. Make no mistake; God used the Allied Forces to bring severe judgment on Germany… with incredible destruction. There were many faithful Christians in Germany during this horrible time. I’m sure the Lord was with them, but He did not spare Germany because they were there. 

“Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send a famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,’ says the Lord God’.” (Ezekiel 14:13-14). 

Are you paying attention, Church? In 2017 we saw Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma bring devastation to Texas, Puerto Rico, and Florida. There were also many tornadoes, wildfires, floods, and hailstorms causing $300 billion in damages. 

In 2018, over 1,600 significant flood events occurred in the United States, two of which were Florence and Michael. Residential and commercial flood damage in North and South Carolina and Virginia from Hurricane Florence is estimated to be $22 billion, with roughly 85% uninsured. Hurricane Michael destroyed Mexico Beach, Florida and cost an estimated $25 billion. A total of eleven western states had at least one wildfire that exceeded 50,000 burned acres. 

Both California and Oregon had seven fires that burned more than 50,000 acres each. The disastrous Camp Fire, California’s deadliest on record, had 86 fatalities. Thousands of homes and cars were gutted by fire, and the town of Paradise was almost destroyed. A rash of tornado outbreaks, spawning 82 tornadoes in total, occurred in Louisiana and Arkansas to Florida and Virginia. Severe storms pelted Dallas and Colorado Springs with large hailstones causing incredible damage. 

In March 2019, I wrote about the severe storms, fires and floods that had already been battering America, mostly in areas with the highest concentration of Christians; this has come because judgment begins at the house of God. At that time, the Lord was warning of worse things to come, if we did not repent. Soon after, there were 500 very destructive tornadoes, in just four weeks! 

Open your eyes. You must see what the Lord is doing. “Even the stork in the heavens knows her appointed times; and the turtledove, the swift, and the swallow observe the time of their coming. But My people do not know the judgment of the LORD.” (Jeremiah 8:7). 

In 2020 the Almighty brought or allowed: 

• The COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Closed churches and businesses. 
• Caused job loss. 
• Shut down the idols of entertainment and sports, etc. 
• He also brought extreme heat, lightning strikes, and wind that caused wildfires to burn over 6 million acres in the West! 
• He caused the severe wind (derecho) in the Midwest that leveled 10 million acres of crops. 
• Several floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes took many lives and caused serious property damage. 
• He allowed the devil to stir up racial and political division, rebellion and riots. 
• He turned America over to its sinful desires by appointing a new administration. 
• Severe unprecedented winter storms caused massive power outages. 

In the summer of 2021, extreme weather flattened rural communities in Germany with floodwaters, triggered deadly mudslides in India, and sparked heatwaves and fires. Floods also wrought damage in parts of New Zealand, Nigeria, and Iran. There was catastrophic flooding in Zhengzhou, China. More than 8 inches of rain hit in one hour, and more than 23 inches of rain from July 17 to 20, 2021; that was equivalent to a year’s worth of rainfall in just three days! Over 3 million people have been affected – 376,000 relocated to shelters. 

Floods ravaged Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, killing at least 180 people. Parts of Western Europe were battered by two months’ worth of rainfall in two days, leading to overflowing rivers and torrents of floodwater that toppled centuries-old buildings and saturated farmland that collapsed into giant sinkholes. Rain also inundated Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, and Austria. 

In the Pacific Northwest, hundreds of people were believed to have died from the extreme temperatures. In Russia’s Siberia, nearly 200 separate forest fires have choked the region in smoke that has since drifted to Alaska. California had a record-breaking year in wildfires, and Oregon was besieged by heat, drought, and the nation’s largest blaze, the 394,000-acre Bootleg fire. The Bootleg created massive clouds of smoke and ash seen from space and brought haze to the East Coast; this smoke was toxic, causing health problems. 

The Western United States experienced the worst drought in 1200 years! The water supply for livestock and crops quickly diminished, and many wells for drinking water went dry. Millions of grasshoppers invaded Utah, Wyoming, and Montana, destroying the crops.You can blame all of this on climate change or the devil, but God, who is in control of all things, allowed it. He can stop or allow anything! You must understand; it is God, not Satan, who controls the weather. (Exodus 9:29; Psalm 135:6-7; Jeremiah 10:13). God controls the wind. (Mark 4:35-41; Jeremiah 51:16). God controls the skies and the rain. (Psalm 77:16-19). God has power over the clouds. (Job 37:11-12, 16). God has power over lightning. (Psalm 18:14). God is in control of ALL things, including the weather. Yes, in one instance, we see the devil use the wind to kill Job’s children (Job 1:18-19), but God permitted him to do it. 

Our God is God Almighty! He is sovereign. “I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:7). The Lord has been warning His Church. Please note that most of these disasters occurred in areas with a greater concentration of Christians. Do you think these people were worse sinners than the rest of us? “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-5). 

Our God is also merciful and He has been very patient, not wanting any to perish. Nevertheless, a great and terrible judgment awaits America and other nations that mock God, murder their babies, push Him out of the schools, and teach sexual perversion instead. I hope you understand that the difficulties we have been experiencing are only the outer bands of a very serious storm. All of this is the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:8). The Greek word for “sorrows” is “odin” and it is often translated “birth pangs.” I think you know that labor pains don’t stop; they only increase in frequency and intensity. In His mercy, the Lord will continue to shake everything to bring sinners to repentance. 

We must fear God and repent of our sins. Time is running out. I hope you will take this seriously. God is very serious! He raised up enemies against Israel, Judah and Jerusalem after they rejected Him and refused to repent. Don’t think He won’t do the same with America. The leaders of Russia and China have begun to meet and cooperate. Beware! 

Wake up, Church. Judgment has begun and it will get much worse unless we repent. I am speaking to the Church: “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now, if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:17-18).

So, how should we be praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are experiencing these shakings? With tears of empathy and with fear. Pray that before, during, and after these disasters have affected their lives that the fear of God and conviction of sin will bring them to repentance. That the Lord will help them rebuild their lives on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, loving, obeying, and serving Him with all of their heart. This is God’s redemptive purpose for the shaking and the best possible outcome. Also, pray for the churches in those regions to reach out in love and be a light in the darkness. Ask God to give you understanding. Instead of dreading this time of shaking, see it as an opportunity to spread the gospel and share the love of Christ. 

The Lord has been preparing you for this hour, to be His witness, a light in the darkness. According to your gifts and talents, you are to comfort the afflicted and rescue the lost. As things begin to intensify and lives are broken, many backsliders and unsaved will feel the need for God. 

This will be your time to arise and shine, offering the gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Of course, we should also give practical help (food, clothing, shelter) after natural disasters, wars, and population displacement. Please don’t run and hide during these troubled times. The Lord will surely give you the grace to endure. 

And one more thing: Ask God for the grace to love, forgive, and bless those who will hate and curse you. Suffering and dying for Jesus is the ultimate witness, the ultimate act of love. “Therefore, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” (1 Peter 4:19). 

For those who are now living in sin: You have a choice. You can admit your sins and turn away from them, or you can get angry with God when disaster comes and refuse to repent. I hope you make the right choice. “They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.” (Revelation 16:11). 

“Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O undesirable nation, before the decree is issued, or the day passes like chaff, before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you! Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.” (Zephaniah 2:1-3). 

Jesus is Warning of Judgment 

“If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” (Matthew 5:29). 

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14). 

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:21-23). 

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28). 

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37). 

“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:6). 

These verses were written to Christians! 

“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God’.” (Hebrews 10:26-31). 

“You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.’ Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore, consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.’” (Romans 11:19-22). 

Have you heard it said that the Lord would never bring judgment to America or some of the other nations because there are many more than 10 righteous in the land? This is referring to Abraham’s request of the Lord regarding the destruction of Sodom. (Genesis 18:23-33). Let me remind you of these verses from Ezekiel: 

“The word of the Lord came again to me, saying: ‘Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,’ says the Lord God’.” (Ezekiel 14:12-14). 

“Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, ‘Sword, go through the land,’ and I cut off man and beast from it, even though these three men were in it, as I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but only they themselves would be delivered’.” (Ezekiel 14:17-18). 

The Lord is clearly saying if He needs to bring judgment on a nation, He would not hold back even if Noah, Daniel, and Job, all stunning examples of persevering righteousness, lived in the land. They would not even be able to deliver their children. Only they would be delivered. Do you understand?

When judgment comes upon a nation, the righteous will be delivered, but that nation will be judged even though some righteous people dwell there. Continue to ask God for mercy. Severe judgment is knocking at the door. 

Personal Judgments Noted in the New Testament 

Judgment for lying to God: “…Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in not knowing what happened.” 

“‘ Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.’ Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last’.” (Acts 5:5, 7, 9-10). 

The judgment of weakness, sickness, even death for receiving Communion in an unworthy manner: “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself.” (1 Corinthians 11:29). 

There is also a judgment for not forgiving someone who has offended you: “And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So, My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (Matthew 18:34-35). And something much worse: Your sins will not be forgiven. (Matthew 6:15). 

The judgment of sickness: I’ve heard it said, “God doesn’t make anyone sick or bring disability!” That is simply not true. Sometimes sickness is a punishment from God. The following verses clearly prove this: Jesus is speaking to the Church of Thyatira about a so- called prophetess who was committing sexual sin. “Indeed, I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.” (Revelation 2:22). 

Here are a few more examples: 

▪ Elijah writing to Asa, king of Judah: “behold, the LORD will strike your people with a serious affliction…” “and you will become very sick with a disease of your intestines… ” (2 Chronicles 21:14-15). 

▪ The “angel of the Lord struck him (Herod) because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.” (Acts 12:23). 

▪ Paul made Elymas, the sorcerer, blind. “The hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” (Acts 13:11). 

If someone who is sick asks you if they are being punished by God, don’t be too quick to say, “He would never do that!” Ask some probing questions, and if necessary, lead them to repentance. Then pray for their healing. (James 5:15). 

On the other hand, never assume that someone is sick or handicapped because they have sinned. When Jesus was asked, “who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” (John 9:2-3). Even so, some people are sick because they have sinned. Unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, and resentment can make you physically and emotionally sick; this is a known fact and these are sins. Also, if you eat or drink too much, this could make you sick and could even kill you. 

There is a remedy: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15). 

So, you see, sin and sickness can surely be related. Ask the Lord to search your heart, repent of your sins, and be healed in Jesus’ name! God’s judgment is very real; the consequences of sin can be devastating. But you do have a choice! Will you love money and materials, or will you follow Jesus? Will you love yourself and your life, or will you follow Jesus? Will you love porn and illicit sex, or will you follow Jesus? 

There is a way that leads to eternal joy in heaven and one that leads to hell. I’m being blunt because you are running out of time. Will you choose Jesus and obey His Word, or will you choose the cheap thrills of this life and spend eternity suffering in hell. 

I preach the narrow way because Jesus did. (Matthew 7:13-14). I warn about hell and the fear of God (Matthew 10:28) and preach repentance (Matthew 4:17) because Jesus did. We must proclaim the full truth of God’s word in this hour. If not, we will be held accountable.