In the Bible (Matthew 24:36) Jesus states, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Nevertheless, Minister Harold Camping, president of Family Radio, falsely predicted the rapture would occur on May 21.

While Camping was wrong and reckless on many levels with his end of the world prophecies including leading his followers astray biblically, one cannot help but notice how precious and fragile life is in the wake of tragic tornadoes throughout the Midwest, especially in Joplin, Mo., which suffered the most tragic twister in modern U.S. history.

No matter what your religious affiliation is, one cannot help but empathize for these people who have endured so much this week, but continue to remain positive and faithful despite losing all that they had. They have been an inspiration and an example of how strong our fellow Americans can be at a time of tribulation.

Nevertheless, the recent natural disasters should not give validation to false end of the world prophecies, but should make us realize that our life is not our own, our worldly possessions are not our own, but belong to God and can be taken away in the blink of an eye.

As a journalist and columnist, I am the first to realize that in my profession I must remain as objective as possible and represent the diversity of the readers of Regal Magazine, but only those that are brain dead would not admit that there is something more to these constant devastating disasters around the world and they are not just due to science and the weather. I often say that science and religion work hand in hand. Science deals with the how of life and religion deals with whom and often why.

Unfortunately, we live in a society that cares less and less for the morals we once valued and more about the materialism that we see celebrities flaunt daily. Many Americans would literally sell their soul for material possessions that can be snatched away tragically like the material possessions once owned by many Joplin residents.

Like many, I cracked jokes at the false end of the world prophecies of Camping and his followers who would listen to an 89-year-old false prophet rather than read the Bible for themselves, but in actuality I believe God is definitely trying to tell us something with the tragic tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis that have destroyed communities, cities and countries across the world.

As a Christian, I firmly believe that the Bible is the truth and that God’s word is detailed in this book. As a result, I never predict why God does something if it is not in those pages. However, the false end of the world prophecies notwithstanding, maybe He is telling us that He is still in control of a world that disregards His law and does not respect anyone who believes in Him.

Maybe the recent natural disasters and false end of the world prophecies are just reminders that no matter how much our politicians, judges, school administrators and community leaders want to push our society away from acknowledging Him and His will, He still has a way of getting our attention and making us realize that it is Him who controls the world, not the people of the Earth, regardless of how powerful and influential they think they are.

Author Bio: Todd A. Smith is publisher for ; Regal Black Mens Magazine

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