“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, ‘Who is this that darkens counsel with words without knowledge” Job 38:1-2
What a week it has been! The devastation taking place across the mid-section of our country is like nothing I have ever seen before. With relentless force, one storm after another has pounded whole cities and neighborhoods into oblivion leaving death and destruction in its wake with hundreds, if not thousands of people affected. With my heart in my throat I’ve watched these images come across my computer screen and I have to say, I can’t even begin to imagine what these people have lived through.
These storms follow in the wake of two important events that took place this past week. 1) The Obama speech calling for Israel to return to its pre-1967 borders and, 2) the widely publicized prediction of a May 21 rapture.
Most of us who watch Bible prophecy closely see a direct correlation between pressure on Israel for dividing the land to the destructive events taking place through out the heart of our country. But, I think there may be a secondary reason as well.
I was speaking on the phone to my daughter (Seven Stars) about the Joplin, MO tornado, when she pointed out to me that the name Joplin is most likely a derivative of the biblical name Job. Well, I thought that was pretty interesting and had to look it up for myself, and she was right.
The on-line source I read, stated that the name Joplin is most likely related to the Biblical name Job, as Biblical names had become quite popular following the return of the crusaders in the 12th century. It also said, that the name could be related to the word joppe, a word used to describe a professional jester, in other words, a fool. A jester was a professional jokster, prangster and mocker who was allowed to say through political parody what regular people were not. http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Joplin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jester
I’m certainly not suggesting that the citizens of Joplin are fools or anything like it, but, I do find the connection between the names to be quite interesting; first to Job and all his troubles and secondly, to fools and their mocking. All the more interesting, when you consider that Joplin, MS was name for Reverend Harris Joplin, the founder of the areas first Methodist congregation. The godly foundation of our country, sadly, uprooted like the trees and homes of the city which bore the greatest brunt of the tornados great fury.
I was thinking about this the other evening, (the sad effects of the tornado, the great mocking which had been taking place following the Camping prediction), when I sat down to read my Bible. I prayed as is my custom before reading and ask God to show me some insight in to the things that were on my mind. I then randomly opened my Bible and I had turned to Proverbs chapter 1. I began to read, wondering what it was God wanted to show me. When I came to verses 22-27, I think I knew.
“How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. But, since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored my advice and would not accept my rebuke. I in turn will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity over takes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.” Proverbs 1:22-27
The Bible has a lot to say about fools and mocking and I believe that God has spoken in response to the events of this past week. No doubt in my mind. The world continues with business as usual, oblivious to the truth of what is happening around them; clueless, they try to make some sense of what they consider to be crazy weather patterns and the constant barrage of disasters now hammering this nation week after week, but, we, who are watching know, it isn’t a mystery to us – out of the whirlwind, God has spoken.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6 Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy
Heaven Bound 
Good post. Living in Tuscaloosa, AL I can promise some are paying attention now that weren’t earlier. We held a quick prayer session at a nurses station right before it hit. I truly believe the people praying is why the hospital itself didn’t take a direct hit here. MS is Mississippi. MO is Missouri. Joplins in mo though I believe there is a Joplin in Mississippi a well
[ Thank you Sandi for writing and sharing your experience, I’m so glad to hear that you’re prayers were answered and that you were kept safe. Thank you too for correcting my abbreviation error, I appreciate the eagle eyes of my readers. Blessings! C]
By: Sandi on May 26, 2011
at 11:35 am
It’s Joplin, MO, not Joplin, MS.
[Thank you Martha, for some reason I can never keep those straight abbreviations straight, although, you would think I would remember, as we have the USS Missouri ported here in Hawaii, also known as, “the Mighty MO” – correction made. Blessings! C]
By: Martha Boshart on May 26, 2011
at 11:41 am
The Lord of Hosts has spoken through His Whirlwind.
President Obama already spoke these word, “You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. ” Psalms 18:28, Appomattox Day, April 9, 2009. The Lord already answered this prayer unto POTUS as he requested the Lord of Hosts to turn ….his…darkness into light.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6379972n&tag=contentMain;contentBody
The Lord of Hosts answer was given in the last 3 seconds of the video.
YosoY Chilquyyah
By: yosoy on May 26, 2011
at 12:17 pm
Great, god-given insight, Cindy. Thanks for sharing it!
Kim
By: Kim on May 26, 2011
at 3:39 pm
It never ceases to amaze me how the world seems to have it’s collective head stuck in the sand. I read an article on the internet yesterday. The headline was “Storms Not Unusual” I may be getting senile but I don’t remember anything quite like this in my 66 years on this planet.
By: Linda on May 26, 2011
at 9:31 pm
Hi Cindy,
I have been watching with the help of a number of sites that have tracked the patterns of the storms that have occurred around the times that the US and others have come against Israel and it’s right to the land that God himself had given to Israel. I have also seen that there are a number of sites that seem to believe that the governments of the world are engaged in weather modification. There is one site that claims to be able to “predict” when serious weather will occur. I want to go on record to say that I am very Suspicious of this idea. This could well be a distraction to the fact that these weather patterns are a direct result of taking up a position against Israel, and God specifically promises, I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. I think this may just be a way of the enemy taking credit for the weather and keeping people from seeing the real reason for it. I would also say that the images that are being seen on the screen could be real or they may not be real. I have seen some things come out of Hollywood that looked very real, but is actually computer generated.
Ephesians 5:14-16
14 Therefore He says:
“ Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”
Walk in Wisdom
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
[Hi Jeff, Thanks for sharing this very interesting information. I’ve been hearing about weather modification as well and if true, it would undoubtedly be one of the most powerful and diabolical technologies ever devised for entire countries and economies could be altered almost over night in the aftermath of a big event. Whether there is any truth to this kind of thing or not, I have no idea. Ultimately, however, it is all within the hand of God and nothing can or will occur that he does not allow – super weapon or not. Blessings! C]
By: jeff on May 26, 2011
at 11:25 pm
I am a Missourian – born and raised here. I live not very far from the area this devastation landed. I spoke with someone last night that grew up in Joplin and had been on the phone with families that went through this. He gave a rundown of what had happened to his friends – some still missing – some in the hospital in critical condition. He spoke of people that were “impaled” against walls. It is truly tragic.
The Lord has revealed to me some of the religious history of this state. Missouri, St. Louis, other cities in Missouri have very deep satanic roots. I have been shocked at all the false idols that can be found here. Christians are learning the “symbols” that have been hidden from us. Missouri has deep satanic symbolism.
With that said, I can tell you that revival is springing up. There have been great prophecies spoken over Missouri (and Southwest Missouri) and many have been coming for years expecting this to happen. Many prayers have gone up. Expectation has been high. Many here have been expecting the “earthquake” for at least the last 5-6 years.
On the flip side – satan is also expecting to “get his share.” I have found “mob” heavy in the area and demons are running rampant. Emotions are running high.
Southwest Missouri has VERY LARGE churches. Our churches are NOT following the clear path laid out in the early church, but there are wonderful people in them that truly love the Lord. There are people coming out of churches that have a clear picture of the early church and where the Millenial church should be heading. Groups are beginning to form away from the old foundations wanting to “lead” in the laying of the new foundation.
The storms that went over Joplin went over my head. For hours – for days – I felt like Noah (in the Ark). I had absolute peace. I have NEVER E-V-E-R heard or been in the middle of anything like them. Absolutely incredible. The earth and heaven shook with fervor!
I think of these scriptures when I think of the “whirlwind” –
Jer 30:23 Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind; it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.
Zec 9:14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
He is allowing all of this to happen to bring in His Kingdom. I can tell you with absolute certainty that He will allow our homes to be taken – our cars to be taken – everything we own or have to be taken in order that everything will line up with His desires and His will. I KNOW – because it has happened to me (more than once). This is not a time for “hanging on” – it is a time for “letting go” and to surrender our lives, our families, and our “stuff” to Him to do with as He chooses.
too.
I don’t believe that Missouri has seen the end of it – there’s much more to come. However, many will totally surrender to Him in the coming storms.
[Thank you B for sharing your first hand account with us. Just reading your words, lends realism to the story that goes beyond what photos can show. I feel pretty sure that Missouri has not been singled out for judgment alone, no doubt, there is a day of reckoning coming for the rest of us as well. May God bless you and continue to keep you safe! C]
By: "B" on May 27, 2011
at 2:25 am
Wow, thanks for sharing that insight. I know there is much more than meets the eye, as the shaking in the second heaven that is not so obvious. Yes, how much more precious is the well-being of one soul, to spend eternity with God, than all the treasures of the world.
[Thank you Sam! How right you are, there is much more going on than meets the eye. May God keep you and your family safe in the coming days! C]
By: Sam on May 27, 2011
at 7:04 pm
Your article reminds me of the picture of our leader in the news approximately January ’09 as the “Joker.”
Here is another great article on whirlwinds:
http://www.thetrumpet.com/?q=8289.6982.0.0
A few quotes:
Scientists search for explanations within the natural world itself, particularly as disasters increase in their regularity and lethality. But the true explanation provided by revealed Scripture is that these disasters are curses being inflicted on us for our rebellion against our Maker.
“The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and WILL NOT AT ALL ACQUIT THE WICKED: the Lord hath his way in the WHIRLWIND and in the STORM, and the clouds are the dust of his feet” (Nahum 1:3). In today’s language, this is speaking of God sending hurricanes and tornadoes—in order to punish “the wicked.”
We should recognize these as being curses on and warnings to the nation, not particular individuals.
[ Excellent comment Jeane! Thanks for sharing the verse from Nahum – without a doubt we are being warned and judged! C]
By: Jeane on May 28, 2011
at 5:34 pm
Hello Cindy,
I had been speaking to a men’s prayer breakfast about several correlations of judgments against America based upon our government’s stance and policies with Israel. I had just told them to watch, as the statements made by President Obama regarding 1967 borders were going to be followed by serve consequences. Joplin was literally divided and the settlements of many taken away . . .
I too just posted a brief about Joplin that struck me a curiously noteworthy.
http://gatesofthecity.wordpress.com/2011/05/29/joplin/
Peace,
William
By: William E. Males on May 30, 2011
at 4:48 pm
[…] by the Sea notes this in her post, ‘Out of the Whirlwind’, […]
By: Plumbing the Meaning of Joplin, Part I: The Four-Gallon Trough « New Wineskins on June 1, 2011
at 6:08 pm
The death toll now appears to stand at 138. News article:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TORNADO_JOPLINS_LOSS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
He was headed to Southern California with plans to study film production at Chapman University and dreams of making movies in Hollywood. He honed his chops on YouTube, gaining thousands of followers as “willdabeast8888,”
More than a third of those who died were 65 or older, including at least 10 in the Greenbriar nursing home
By: Jeane on June 4, 2011
at 9:13 pm
More to ponder:
http://watch.pair.com/chuck-pierce.html
Here is an excerpt from http://watch.pair.com/chuck-pierce.html. This excerpt was supplied by the author:
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is a Masonic monument representing the Royal Arch Degree of Freemasonry. This stainless steel Arch was constructed in 1965 by Eero Saarinen and is the second largest monument in the world, rising 630 ft. high from a 60-ft. foundation and spanning 630 ft. at ground level. Its classic weighted catenary curve sways 1/2″ to 1″ in 20 mph winds. Rooted in the bedrock next to the Mississippi River, the Arch would function as a tuning fork in the event of a LARGE FLYING OBJECT impacting it, SUCH AS A PLANE, and the vibrations would trigger a GREAT EARTHQUAKE. Presciently it seems, a 1960’s comic book featured Captain Marvel defeating a monster by using the Gateway Arch as a tuning fork! In a real event, however, not only would the Mighty Mississippi overflow its banks, but the Missouri River and the Ohio River which flow into the Mississippi north and south of St. Louis, would back up, causing massive flooding. With all of these occurring simultaneously, the surge over the central U.S. could resemble a tsunami.
Rev 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after
the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood!
Another possible scenario for an event which is appearing more and more
like a “sure thing?”
By: Jeane on June 6, 2011
at 8:45 pm
[…] The witching hour… (http://ispygod.net/) I Spy A Fierce Dragon (http://ispygod.net/) Out of the whirlwind (https://cindybythesea.wordpress.com/) Lessons From The Whirlwind […]
By: High winds… [Job 38-41] « I Spy God on November 29, 2012
at 12:44 pm