KATRINA - What Is God Saying?

A Cleansing Has Begun
Francis Frangipane

By now, most of us are familiar with the wide range of opinions offered to explain the prophetic significance of Hurricane Katrina. In case you missed any, here are some widely circulated perceptions, starting with two from the non-Christian world:

* It is interesting to observe the radical Islamic perception of Hurricane Katrina. Extremists believe this storm was enlisted by Allah to fight America. It is not hard to see how the Jihadists arrived at their position. Judgment, like beauty, exists in the eye of the beholder. They blame American greed for defiling their cultures and exploiting their wealth and resources. Not that I believe in Allah, but I, too, question the record profits gathered by our large oil companies. Indeed, while our gasoline prices have sky-rocketed, Exxon Mobil had $7.64 billion profit in the past quarter alone. Our government needs to investigate the oil companies. At the same time, I don't believe Katrina was sent by God because of America's sins against Muslims. The fact is, we went to war against Serbia to save Muslims in Bosnia and we liberated Afghanistan from the oppression of the Taliban, all without any reward or goal of obtaining wealth from oil.

* Next: Several European nations warned America that Katrina came to teach us a "lesson." This storm, according to them, was a consequence of our disregard concerning environmental issues. Our alleged failure has increased global warming, which in turn has increased the intensity and frequency of hurricanes. In their view, America has sown the wind and we are now reaping whirlwinds. I really don't know about hurricanes and global warming, but Rev 11:18 says that God will ultimately "destroy those who destroy the earth." We must be wise with our resources.

* A number in the pro-life community have been warning that, if America does not repent of abortion, judgments are sure to come. It is very possible this is the beginning of wrath for the murder of innocents. However, I'm not sure how the destruction of the northern Gulf coast connects with punishment for abortion.

* Some Christians here and in Israel are saying this hurricane is God's wrath on the U.S. for pressuring Israel to surrender land for peace. Even though some of my friends, who I respect, believe this, I have a hard time seeing this as true. Although I agree that pressuring Israel to give up land for peace is ill-advised and wrong, I also believe American intentions for Israel's well-being remain strong and are sincere. America remains Israel's closest friend and strongest ally.

Remember, the Lord's word in Gen 12:3 tells us that God will bless those who bless Israel and He will curse those who curse Israel (as Abraham's seed). So is America a blessing to Israel? If we asked the Jewish people themselves if America is a blessing, my opinion is that they would overwhelmingly say, yes. I believe America is working to find a means to achieve enduring peace for the Jewish nation. Disagreeing with how to move forward in this extremely difficult situation is not cursing the Israelis. Men and governments will make mistakes, but mercy-oriented intercession will ultimately bring God's will to pass for all nations. However, to state unequivocally that Hurricane Katrina is God's wrath for the Gaza evacuations -- that America is a curse to Israel -- simply is not true. Yet, time will tell.

* Others are sure that this storm hit New Orleans in particular because of the city's ever deepening descent into moral anarchy, paganism and depravity. Not that New Orleans is worse than a few other cities that come to mind, yet New Orleans has embraced wantonness and corruption on a sinister level. Please understand, in no way do I want my words to dim our aggressive prayer and compassion for this entire area; there are great Christians who have remained faithful to God and stood for righteousness for generations. Yet, it must be noted that, on the very weekend following Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans was scheduled to welcome over 100,000 homosexuals for the thirty-fourth celebration of "Southern Decadence." The argument that Katrina was divine wrath striking flagrant sin is strong. Other cities following New Orleans' path should take note: government officials have grimly announced that the entire city has been destroyed.

* My View: To understand my sense of this time of devastation, we must go back to February, 2003, when I published a message entitled, "A Nation Cleansed by the Spirit of God." In it I spoke of a fearful night encounter I had with the Lord. Quoting the article itself, the Lord warned, "I will strike America; I will strike and bring chastening." As I prayed, I suddenly became aware (and I'm quoting again the article) "of the major hurricanes and earthquakes that have hit the U.S. over the past 30 years. I was absolutely amazed at how God's protection has covered our land: how greatly minimized was the loss of life! I thought of the massive earthquakes that have struck Kobe, Japan and Turkey, and the storms that killed vast multitudes in Central America and Asia. Yet we have suffered very little loss of life. Though we have deserved God's wrath, clearly His mercy has always restrained the worst from happening. We have grown comfortable with divine protection. Yet, I wondered, would this striking be a . . . major wounding from a natural disaster?"

The striking, I felt, was not from God's hand, but the removal of His hand of protection. The article continued, "this coming wound had the potential to be massive. Its effect would penetrate the soul of the entire nation. While it may originate in something meant for evil, I felt the Lord's promise was that He would turn it toward good. The result of this measured devastation would be that multitudes would rise up and reject the unclean spirit that has manipulated our population; they would truly return to the Lord. Even the entertainment industry would begin to reject the controlling powers of perversion and hell."

The Lord warned, "I will strike . . . with chastening." To chasten is to make chaste or to purify. Thus, it is significant in my mind that the name, Katrina, means "purity" or "cleansing." My faith tells me that this hurricane, as devastating and terrible as it has been, will ultimately produce some measure of spiritual cleansing in our land. Right now, there is much heartache and suffering -- and even defiance in the gay community as they seek to still hold their "Southern Decadence" celebration. However, ultimately our nation will be genuinely closer to the Lord. Still, let us pray that no further wounds are necessary to achieve national repentance.

The Present Goal
Our task now must be to do what we can to help this afflicted area. Let us all pray and support churches in the states surrounding the hurricane zone. If you or your church can send teams to help the efforts of workers, let us do so with zeal. Multitudes have been displaced by this catastrophe and can be reached and touched by Christ at this time. If you are from the surrounding area and your church is involved reaching to evacuees, please let us know and we will try to direct volunteers or finances to your congregation.

As Christians and churches reach to the many displaced and wounded, I'm awed by the outpouring of compassion flowing to the poor, many of whom had been hopelessly trapped in the bowels of New Orleans. Many will relocate and find new beginnings; the presence of God will shepherd them into a brighter future. Yet, the cleansing of God is reaching far beyond the oppressed; it is also releasing compassion among the multitudes who have been awakened and empowered. People who have not had a chance to show their love are reaching to help the afflicted. People are praying; they are opening their wallets, hearts and homes. Mercy is flowing in America. A great cleansing has begun.

Special Note: Let us also be praying for President Bush and his staff. There has been a lot of misinformation and blaming, all of which is deepening divisions between people.