If we search the Scriptures, we can find disasters that occur on a personal or small scale as found in Job's life and the fall of the tower at Siloam (Luke 13:4). We can find disasters that took place on a large scale such as the earthquake that hit Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah (Zechariah 14:5) and the famine that took place in Jerusalem in the first century. Scripture is also full of catastrophes that took place on a national or global scale. If the Y2K problem turns out to be as bad as the worst scenario that has been proposed, we would have to say that it would definitely fall into the latter category as a major catastrophe. Let us assume for the moment that this is going to be the case. If we compare Y2K to the national or global disasters of the Bible, what can we learn?
National Catastrophes in Scripture: We could clearly identify events such as the Flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, Joseph's Famine, the Conquest of Canaan, the 3-Year Drought in Israel, and the Captivity of Judah as disasters that occurred at a national or global scale. These catastrophes all have some striking similarities in the Reason, the Preceding Events, and the Effect on God’s children.
Reason: None of these disasters happened by accident! With the possible exception of the famine in Egypt, each disaster was the result of judgement for sin.
Preceding Events: For each of these catastrophes, there was always a warning first. Why? Because God, in His mercy, was trying to correct and reform. In most cases, the people continued in their sin, the warning went unheeded, and judgement fell. Effect on God's People: In every catastrophe, the people of God have always been protected in some way. This is not to say that there were no inconveniences, but their lives were spared. Elijah was not the only one that God protected in Israel (1 Kings 18:13), and even with the Captivity of Judah, God did not utterly destroy His people. Y2K as a National Catastrophe: Now let us consider Y2K in the same way, though we cannot study the effect on God's people since that is yet in the future.
Reason: No doubt, America is full of sin and deserves to be judged. Thus it would not be a stretch to assume that any catastrophe from
Y2K could be considered to be judgement.
Preceding Events: Looking back over the past year, I have seen fear and panic. People moving to the country, stockpiling food and water, and collecting cash from the bank. There seems to be a good deal of selfishness as well, as one would expect when a mob panics. Rather than doubling the soul winning efforts, many of God’s children are busy looking after their own well being. We can add turning from God as well to this nasty list. Rather than seeking the wisdom of God or listening to the Pastor, many are trusting in their own understanding and listening to the world’s advice. God help us! Conclusion: If we compare Y2K with the national catastrophes in Scripture there is an obvious mismatch. First we find God’s people acting like the heathen and apostate. No doubt the Midianite army would handle Y2K as they did the battle with Gideon (Judges 7:22).
Elijah could well ask, "Is it not because there is not a God in America" (2 Kings 1:6). Then too, this question is just begging to be asked - “Where is the warning from God?” The Church has the Holy Spirit dwelling within. One would think that the Church would know what God was about to do. God has certainly not told me that Y2K is an impending judgment, and I know He has not told my Pastor either. Will God change His methods and bring judgment without a warning? If He has told these folks who are so busy preparing, why aren’t they out telling America to repent as Jonah did at Nineveh? I would sure hate to be in their shoes if God has told them that Y2K will be a catastrophe and they have not warned others (Ezekiel 33:6). If Y2K is anything, it is certainly this: an indication of the sorry state of the Church and OUR need for revival.
Written by, Greg Allgood
Senior Applications Developer / System Architect
GregSuzi@GTE.net