Flooding and devastation.

So far this year, more than 230 million people have been affected by flooding in China—that is equal to two thirds of the U.S. population or nearly half of Europe’s population! Also, more than 3,000 people have died in the flooding, resulting in $50 billion dollars in damage. The August floods alone claimed nearly 1,500 lives (ChinaDaily.com, September 1, 2010).

In Pakistan, August floods affected one fifth of the nation and more than 20 million people—equivalent to Australia’s population! Five thousand miles of roads and railway have been washed away, along with 7,000 schools and 400 health care centers. Rescue workers have been forced to destroy roads and railroads in order to divert flood waters away from towns and villages. So far, the damage has exceeded the total aid given to Pakistan for the past five years (New York Times-Global Edition, August 24, 2010).

Bible prophecy specifically warns that various kinds of natural disasters will increase in frequency and intensity as the end of the age approaches (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8). The disastrous flooding in China and Pakistan certainly fits these prophecies.  The U.S. and other nations have invested billions of dollars in Pakistan, only to see much of it literally washed away in the floods. These catastrophes may be one more way the U.S. and other Israelite-descended nations will be brought low–by giving their resources to help others in need.

Sadly, the “god of this age”—Satan the devil—is angry and relishes the sufferings of human beings made in the image of God. God speed the day of Satan’s removal from the face of the earth (Revelation 20:1-3)!