Are catastrophes a sign of God's judgment? by John MacArthur

Faith and Theology: Dr. John MacArthur Q&A

Day 14 of 21 Are catastrophes a sign of God's judgment? Upon hearing about an incident where Galileans were sought out and killed in the temple by Roman authorities while in the process of offering a sacrifice, perhaps because they were seditious zealots, Jesus asked His listeners, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners…because they suffered such things?" (Luke 13.2). It was the belief of many that disaster and sudden death always signified divine displeasure over particular sins (see Job 4.7). Those who suffered in uncommon ways were therefore assumed to be guilty of some more severe immorality (see John 9.2). Jesus did not deny the connection between catastrophe and human evil, for all such afflictions ultimately stem from the curse of humanity's fallenness (Gen. 3.17-19). Furthermore, specific calamities may indeed be the fruit of certain iniquities (Prov. 24.16). But Christ challenged the people's notion that they were morally superior to those who suffered in such catastrophes. He called all to repent (v. 3), for all were in danger of sudden destruction. No one is guaranteed time to prepare for death, so now is the time for repentance for all (see 2 Cor. 6.2). Jesus also mentions another disaster in Siloam, where evidently one of the towers guarding an aqueduct collapsed, perhaps while under construction, killing some people (v. 4). Again, the question in the minds of people was regarding the connection between calamity and iniquity ("worse sinners"). Jesus responded by saying that such a calamity was not God's way to single out an especially evil group for death, but a means of warning to all sinners. Luke 13:2 NKJV 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? Job 4:7 NKJV 7 “Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright ever cut off? John 9:2 NKJV 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Genesis 3:17-19 NKJV 17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Proverbs 24:16 NKJV 16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity. II Corinthians 6:2 NKJV 2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.