Stunning Natural Disasters
A commentary by Don Hooser
United Church of God pastor, Sedro-Woolley, WA
Two recent calamities have evoked shock and sympathy from around
the world. The first was in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The
second was in China.
Striking Myanmar's Irriwaddy delta area on May 2 and 3 with
winds as high as 150 mph, Cyclone Nargis was the third-deadliest
Asian cyclone of the past fifty years. It drove ashore a massive
ocean surge that devastated an area approximately the size of Austria.
Intermittent monsoon rains continue to compound the misery.
As of this writing, the official toll of the dead and missing already
exceeds 133,000 people. The ultimate toll will be much higher as
another 2.5 million desperate people were left without food, safe
drinking water, medical supplies, sanitation, clothing and shelter.
Equally distressing has been the reluctance of Myanmar's military
government to allow large-scale foreign relief efforts to deliver
food and supplies to the ravaged villages.
On May 12, southwestern China was jolted with a 7.9 earthquake
that was centered in its Sichuan province. As of this writing, officials
estimate the number of deaths at over 50,000 and the number of injured
at over 220,000. Over 4 million homes were shattered across the
quake area. Dozens of aftershocks have multiplied the damage and
terrified the survivors. Sichuan province is the most populated
part of China—home to 87 million people.
This earthquake is China's worst since 1976 when 242,000 people
were killed by the Tangshan quake. Even the people of Beijing, China's
capital, 960 miles from the quake's center, and Bangkok, Thailand,
1200 miles away, felt the shaking.
China's government proclaimed a three-day period of mourning
starting at 2:28 p.m. on Monday, May 19—exactly one week after
the killer quake struck. The Olympic torch relay, a significant
symbol of national pride and publicity that anticipates the Beijing
games in August, will also be suspended during the mourning period.
Especially heartbreaking has been the news of many, many children
being buried in the debris and rubble of collapsed school buildings.
The extensive death and damage was due to several factors. The
area was densely populated. The quake's epicenter was shallow—only
six miles deep. The region's mountainous strata are exceptionally
hard, allowing seismic waves to travel far before diminishing in
strength. Villages at the base of mountains were partly buried by
massive landslides. And the poorly constructed buildings made them
susceptible to collapse.
In contrast to Myanmar, China deserves credit for opening its doors
to offers of emergency aid from around the world. And the Chinese
government has exerted massive efforts for search and rescue, for
clearing rubble and for bringing supplies to the refugees.
However, even these relief efforts have been greatly hampered by
so few access roads, collapsed buildings, torrential rains and other
factors. The need to provide safe drinking water, food, medicines,
tents and other supplies is still urgent as the danger of disease
outbreaks escalates.
Every time we hear of such catastrophic events, we are reminded
of how vulnerable we are to injury and death. Life is indeed very
fragile. And the Bible reveals that disasters will increase. In
describing events of the end time, Jesus warned that "there
will be great earthquakes in various places" as well as other
destructive disasters (Luke 21:11).
Consider this observation from Solomon: "For man also does
not know his time: like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught
in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when
it falls suddenly upon them" (Ecclesiastes 9:12). How true
this is! None of us knows precisely when the end of our life will
occur.
So our primary focus should extend beyond our present temporary
existence. The Bible teaches, "If in this life only we
have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now
Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of
those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man
also came the resurrection of the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:19-21).
How and when will the dead be resurrected? Will all of those who
have perished in recent disasters be resurrected?
Why is a resurrection of the dead even necessary to complete God's
plan for mankind? And how significant is it to you and your loved
ones?
 For a thoroughly inspiring explanation of this very personal subject
I suggest that you download, request or read online our enlightening
and very encouraging free booklet: What Happens After Death?
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