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  • JohnNoZ asks
    “
    God's blessings and punishment?
    ”

    Pat Robertson recently stated that the earthquake in Haiti is God's punishment for a Satanic bargain that a small number of Haitians made in the 1800's.

    Is God punishing Haiti? Was Katrina punishment for America? Is China's recent prosperity His blessing?

    Or is this just the rain that falls upon both the good and the evil, as mentioned in Ecclesiastes?

    posted 1/15/10 9:30 pm gmt - 4 answers

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Answers

  • Delivered says

    There's something very important I missed in my answer. That is this: Most of the prosperity God promises is not in the physical realm. It's in the spiritual. The fruit of the spirit, the peace that passes all understanding. The blessings Paul received in the most dire of circumstances and the blessings He poors out into those who are the poorest of the poor. Spiritual Blessings. Things that cannot be bought or sold. That's God's prosperity! It's the only prosperity that will last! Blessings, John!
    posted 1/29/10 5:52 am gmt
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  • JohnNoZ says

    I am especially glad that you added your last comment, Delivered. Those blessings are far less arbitrary than prosperity, or lack of physical trial, which seem to visit everyone, at one time or another.
    posted 1/29/10 9:45 pm gmt
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  • Delivered says

    First of all, Pat Robertson never said the earthquake was punishment for Haiti. The media took something out of context and ran with it. The church followed behind like vultures to clean up the scraps.

    Secondly, the Bible is very clear that these things can be punishment/judgements from God. Jesus, Himself speaks about God's punishment/wrath on those who refuse to repent. Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21. These things are going to happen because of we deny God. God's been that way from the beginning. Starting with the flood. Ending in fire!

    God's love and wrath are hand-in-hand. Heard a really good message on that at Bethel. Listen @ http://www.bethelweb.org/ Jan. 17th message. Dr. D. A. Carson.

    The prosperity in China might be a blessing. The Christian population is growing and they are petitioning the government for freedom to worship.

    We don't know for sure about what is God's judgement or what is His blessing. We do know he says in His Word: Bless is the nation who's God is The Lord!

    Suffering comes to all of us, like Job. Not everything that happens is a judgement from God. But a lot of things are and when we refuse to acknowledge Him. When we turn our backs and go our own way, after He's clearly warned us of the outcome. We get what He says we have coming to us! Remember, He's faithful to keep His promises!!!!
    posted 1/23/10 6:27 am gmt
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  • Delivered says

    *Blessed is the nation....
    posted 1/23/10 6:29 am gmt
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