Katrina and Prophecy
by George Stewart

I was sure that after hurricane Katrina (August, 2005) hit the Gulf Coast the modern day “prophets” would be on their computers and web sites proclaiming a biblical connection to the “signs of the times.”

I was not disappointed.

No later than September 1^st some had already declared this particular hurricane to be found in the Bible. In spite of the fact that even the word “hurricane” is not found in the English Bible (NASB).

The “End Times Bible prophecy” web site (September 4, 2005) was one of the most reserved. Yet, even this writer tried to connect Israel’s evacuation of the Gaza with the hurricane. He writes: “But it’s no accident that these parallel events happened back to back as they did. The connection was apparently a fulfillment of a promise God made concerning his first chosen nation.” He refers to Genesis 12:3 as support for this claim. Then he charges that “America is responsible for Sharon having to make the unilateral move he did.”

The basic problem with such claims made by dispensationalists is their failure to understand that God has instituted a New Covenant through Jesus Christ and national Israel’s role in His plans is completed. To Jeremiah God promised a new and different Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31). Hebrews 8 quotes from Jeremiah and declares that this promised New Covenant is in affect (Hebrews 8:7-13). Galatians 6:16 refers to the church as the “Israel of God.” National Israel of today has no more special claim on God’s protection than any other nation.

A more bizarre and dangerous “prophecy” is found on a so-called “Revelation 13” web site (September 1, 2005). This site claims that by using”Codefinder Bible Code software” one can find all kinds of “hidden prophecies” in the Bible. The writer says this “Codefinder” can locate these “hidden prophecies” in the “Old Testament Hebrew text” and the “King James Bible.” (One might wonder why only in the King James Bible. But those who accept such nonsense do more wandering than wondering.) And who among us can be surprised that the “Codefinder” found “Hurricane Katrina” in the Bible.

After reading the entire text it still escapes me where he found Katrina in the Bible. He says his first hits are in Matthew 26:47 and Luke 14:26. Without explaining this (at least to me) he jumps to Mark 4:37 (Jesus calming the storm). Now read carefully, here is what he says: “Mark 4:35-41, about Jesus calming a storm, may indicated that the economic and social storm created by Hurricane Katrina will soon return to calm, so it gives people reason for hope.” Get that? Neither did I. With such biblical “interpretations” you can make the Bible say anything you want.

But he isn’t through with his marvelous “Codefinder.” He says, “The second matrix is Old Testament at Lament. 3:45-Ezek. 30:12.” There he finds the words “Katrina,” “Orleans,” “Great Waters,” and “Rivers.” Wow! (Don’t waste your time to look.) Isn’t it amazing that before the computer and the “Codefinder” software came along no one would have noticed? I wonder if this fellow should be held responsible for not alerting New Orleans before the hurricane hit?

How does this writer tie this in with prophecy? “In terms of Biblical prophecy,” he says, “I would relate Hurricane Katrina to Revelation 12:14-15.” The eagle (in Revelation 12:14), he says, is the United States and the “flood could be Hurricane Katrina.” “This,” he says, “could indicate a saviour (sic) will come out of the U.S., and the serpent is therefore attaching the U.S. by natural disasters, Muslim terrorism, etc.” We get closer to this writer’s message when we read: “I think that this megastorm is another sign that we are now going through the End Times events described in the Bible’s Book of Revelation.” Never mind that the New Testament writers clearly show that the “last days” began at Pentecost (e.g., Hebrews 1:2). And certainly Revelation chapter 12 has nothing to do specifically with the United States. Instead it is a picture of the birth and victory of Christ and His protection of the church (see my book, Our Reigning King and Returning Lord, pp. 186-190).

Surprisingly (?) this writer has already identified the “Antichrist” as Russia’s President Putin and Osama bin laden as the “Demon of the Bottomless Pit” of Revelation 9:11. He says “The U. S. is being attached by demonic forces, because the U. S. is a force for good in the world.” Is this guy just a good ole-fashioned patriot? Hardly. Like all dispensationalists he is more concerned about national Israel. He writes: “But the U. S. must continue to defend Israel in the Middle East, and divine protection will defend the U. S. and Israel when Armageddon comes in 2007.”

To respond to all of these ridiculous claims would take several pages. I will add just a few remarks concerning two subjects: the antichrist and Armageddon. Hundreds of individuals have been called “antichrist” over the centuries, including the Pope, Martin Luther, Napoleon, Hitler, Mussolini, Henry Kissinger, and even Jimmy Carter. It would seem that any thinking person would ridicule anyone who would suggest yet another. The Apostle John wrote that even in the first century “many antichrists have arisen” (1 John 2:18). For further study, see my book, Our Reigning King and Returning Lord, pp. 222-234.

The second subject to address here is that of “Armageddon.” Russell Chandler (Doomsday) has an excellent historical study of nineteen centuries of individuals and groups declaring they know when the End will be. Obviously all have been wrong. Can we learn from that? And finally, Dwight Wilson (Armageddon Now!), a dispensationalist and minister in the Assemblies of God, writes: “’Armageddon Now!’ has been the premillenarians’ cry since 1917—to what avail?” Then he issues a warning to those of his own persuasion. He writes: “The premillenarians’ credibility is at a low ebb because they succumb to the temptation to exploit every conceivably possible prophetic fulfillment for the sake of their prime objective: evangelism.”

We might give some the benefit of the doubt concerning their motives, but for those that promote such things as the “Codefinder” we allow no such grace: they are simply false teachers bent on misleading for personal gain.  Beware!