EPIC FIRES IN COLORADO: IS GOD USING NATURAL DISASTER TO GET OUR ATTENTION?

* Putin tells Israel not to attack Iran
* What does Bible prophecy say about the future of Egypt?
* Implosion hits New York Times bestseller list
Joel C. Rosenberg
(Washington, D.C., June 27, 2012) -- "A three-day-old wildfire erupted with catastrophic fury Tuesday, ripping across the foothills neighborhoods of Colorado Springs, devouring an untold number of homes and sending tens of thousands fleeing to safety in what was shaping up as one of the biggest disasters in state history," reports the Denver Post. "'This is a firestorm of epic proportions,' said Colorado Springs Fire Chief Richard Brown....An apocalyptic plume of smoke covered Colorado's second-largest city as thousands of people forced to evacuate."

Catastrophic. Epic. Historic. Apocalyptic. Is it possible God is using natural disasters to get our attention? Excerpt from Implosion: "Natural disasters continue unfolding one after another here in the at home and around the world as they always have. But have you stopped to notice that so many recently are described as 'historic' and 'unprecedented?' Eight of the ten most expensive hurricanes in American history have happened since 9/11. The worst was Hurricane Katrina, which nearly wiped out an American city and ended up costing more than $100 billion. Hurricane Irene made 2011 the worst year in American history for natural disasters, with ten separate catastrophes costing $1 billion or more. In 2011, America experienced the worst outbreak of tornadoes in nearly half a century. In 2011, Texas suffered the worst fires in the history of the state, amid the worst drought in Texas history. In 2011, Virginia-and much of the East Coast-experienced its biggest earthquake since 1875."

The fact is that throughout the Bible and throughout history God has used natural disasters to shake families, cities, regions and entire nations. Why? To get the people's attention. To warn people to stop drifting and/or rebelling from God and repent. To urge people to let go of anything or anyone else they are holding onto for peace and security and hope in this world and instead turn their hearts wholly and completely to faith in Jesus Christ. "For thus says the Lord of hosts, 'Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. I will shake all the nations....I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations'" (Haggai 2:6-7, 21-22).

WHAT DOES BIBLE PROPHECY SAY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF EGYPT? -- On the blog, I've posted a video from the Middle East Media Research Institute showing Mohamed Morsi speaking in Cairo on May 13, 2012. He declared: "The Koran is our constitution. The Prophet Muhammad is our leader. Jihad is our path. And death for the sake of Allah is our most lofty aspiration." Then, Morsi proclaims "This nation will enjoy blessing and revival only through the Islamic sharia [law]." He adds: "I take an oath before Allah and before you all that regardless of the actual text [of the current Egyptian constitution], Allah willing, the text will truly reflect sharia law, as will be agreed upon by the Egyptian people, by the Islamic scholars, and by legal and constitutional experts. Rejoice and rest assured that these people will not accept a text that does not reflect the true meaning of the Islamic sharia as a text to be implemented and as a platform. The people will not agree to anything else."

Bible prophecy -- particularly Isaiah 19 -- indicates that in the last days Egypt will go down a very dark path, and suffer under a terrible dictator. "I will deliver the Egyptians into the hand of a cruel master, and a mighty king will rule over them," declares the Lord God of hosts, we read in Isaiah 19:4. Then Egypt will face tremendous judgment by the God of Israel. Eventually, however, the prophecies indicated that the Lord will show the Egypt His love and mercy and reveal the Lord Jesus Christ to them. There will then be a great spiritual awakening as many Egyptians turn away from the false prophet Muhammad and fully embrace the salvation, forgiveness and healing found only in the Lord Jesus Christ. "They will cry to the Lord because of oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Champion, and He will deliver them.Thus the Lord will make Himself known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day. They will even worship with sacrifice and offering, and will make a vow to the Lord and perform it. The Lord will strike Egypt, striking but healing; so they will return to the Lord, and He will respond to them and will heal them." (Isaiah 19:20-22)

It's far too soon to say Morsi is the "cruel master" described by the prophecy. Indeed, some argue that phrase describes Radical Islam. Others argue that phrase refers to the Antichrist during the Tribulation. My point here is simply this: prophecy indicates that God is going to let the Egyptians go down a very dark and terrible path by their own choice, but eventually He will redeem them by His mercy through Christ. In the meantime, the Church needs to do all we can to pray for the people of Egypt, preach the Gospel to all of Egypt, teach the Word of God to all Egyptians, strengthen our Christian brothers and sisters as they face persecution, help them train pastors and plant new churches, love the Muslim people with Christ's sacrificial love, and continue to stand with Israel and bless Israel with unconditional love and unwavering support. This is precisely what The Joshua Fund is seeking to do. Please pray with us and stand with us as we seek to love Egypt during this very difficult time.