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Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

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Page 1: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.
Page 2: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

Banda-AcehBanda-Aceh – – BeforeBeforeBanda-AcehBanda-Aceh – – BeforeBefore

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Banda-Aceh Banda-Aceh – – AfterAfterBanda-Aceh Banda-Aceh – – AfterAfter

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Gleebruk Village Gleebruk Village – – BeforeBeforeGleebruk Village Gleebruk Village – – BeforeBefore

Page 5: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

Gleebruk Village Gleebruk Village –– After AfterGleebruk Village Gleebruk Village –– After After

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Meulaboh Beach Meulaboh Beach –– Before BeforeMeulaboh Beach Meulaboh Beach –– Before Before

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Meulaboh Beach Meulaboh Beach –– After AfterMeulaboh Beach Meulaboh Beach –– After After

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a little theodicy for a tilted planeta little theodicy for a tilted planet

byby

Ken ChantKen Chant

a little theodicy for a tilted planeta little theodicy for a tilted planet

byby

Ken ChantKen Chant

Page 9: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

texttexttexttext

““My God, my God, why My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? have you forsaken me? Why do you stay so far Why do you stay so far

away? How can you listen away? How can you listen to my desperate cry, and to my desperate cry, and

not rush to help me?”not rush to help me?”(Psalm 22:1)(Psalm 22:1)

““My God, my God, why My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? have you forsaken me? Why do you stay so far Why do you stay so far

away? How can you listen away? How can you listen to my desperate cry, and to my desperate cry, and

not rush to help me?”not rush to help me?”(Psalm 22:1)(Psalm 22:1)

Page 10: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

problemproblemproblemproblem

Great tragedies in human life Great tragedies in human life always stir up the bitter always stir up the bitter question: question: “If God is truly all-“If God is truly all-powerful and all-loving, how powerful and all-loving, how can he allow such things to can he allow such things to happen? why does he not happen? why does he not intervene to stop them?”intervene to stop them?”

My reaction to “The My reaction to “The Titanic” . . . Titanic” . . .

Great tragedies in human life Great tragedies in human life always stir up the bitter always stir up the bitter question: question: “If God is truly all-“If God is truly all-powerful and all-loving, how powerful and all-loving, how can he allow such things to can he allow such things to happen? why does he not happen? why does he not intervene to stop them?”intervene to stop them?”

My reaction to “The My reaction to “The Titanic” . . . Titanic” . . .

Page 11: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

provisoprovisoprovisoproviso

Let me say at the outset Let me say at the outset that no answer can fully that no answer can fully satisfy our demands, or satisfy our demands, or remove the pain of awful remove the pain of awful disaster.disaster.

But some defence is But some defence is possible, which possible, which maintains the wisdom maintains the wisdom and goodness of God.and goodness of God.

Let me say at the outset Let me say at the outset that no answer can fully that no answer can fully satisfy our demands, or satisfy our demands, or remove the pain of awful remove the pain of awful disaster.disaster.

But some defence is But some defence is possible, which possible, which maintains the wisdom maintains the wisdom and goodness of God.and goodness of God.

Page 12: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

1.1. God knows all about it.God knows all about it.1.1. God knows all about it.God knows all about it.

No earthquake, flood, or famine ever No earthquake, flood, or famine ever takes God by surprise.takes God by surprise.

So, why doesn’t he prevent them, So, why doesn’t he prevent them, or at least give adequate warning?or at least give adequate warning? Our own law requires this!Our own law requires this!

No earthquake, flood, or famine ever No earthquake, flood, or famine ever takes God by surprise.takes God by surprise.

So, why doesn’t he prevent them, So, why doesn’t he prevent them, or at least give adequate warning?or at least give adequate warning? Our own law requires this!Our own law requires this!

Page 13: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

We don’t know, for many We don’t know, for many things are hidden from our things are hidden from our eyes.eyes.

But remember that Jesus But remember that Jesus predicted such things, and predicted such things, and was able to accept them was able to accept them without condemning the without condemning the Father . . . Father . . .

We don’t know, for many We don’t know, for many things are hidden from our things are hidden from our eyes.eyes.

But remember that Jesus But remember that Jesus predicted such things, and predicted such things, and was able to accept them was able to accept them without condemning the without condemning the Father . . . Father . . .

Page 14: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

"You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. "You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. Don't be alarmed! These things must happen, Don't be alarmed! These things must happen, but they don't mean that the end has come. but they don't mean that the end has come. Nation will fight against nation and kingdom Nation will fight against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” earthquakes in various places.”

(Matthew 24:6-7, GW)(Matthew 24:6-7, GW)

"You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. "You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. Don't be alarmed! These things must happen, Don't be alarmed! These things must happen, but they don't mean that the end has come. but they don't mean that the end has come. Nation will fight against nation and kingdom Nation will fight against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” earthquakes in various places.”

(Matthew 24:6-7, GW)(Matthew 24:6-7, GW)

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The fact is, we live on a violent savage The fact is, we live on a violent savage planet, with a raging inferno at its planet, with a raging inferno at its core, and a turbulent surface.core, and a turbulent surface.

Its vast energies are released Its vast energies are released without respect of person or without respect of person or place.place. But that is the nature of the entire But that is the nature of the entire

universe, and without it, none of us universe, and without it, none of us would be here!would be here!

The fact is, we live on a violent savage The fact is, we live on a violent savage planet, with a raging inferno at its planet, with a raging inferno at its core, and a turbulent surface.core, and a turbulent surface.

Its vast energies are released Its vast energies are released without respect of person or without respect of person or place.place. But that is the nature of the entire But that is the nature of the entire

universe, and without it, none of us universe, and without it, none of us would be here!would be here!

Page 16: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

2.2. Man is Born to Trouble.Man is Born to Trouble.2.2. Man is Born to Trouble.Man is Born to Trouble.

““As surely as sparks fly upward, so all As surely as sparks fly upward, so all who live in this world will know trouble!”who live in this world will know trouble!”

(Job 5:7)(Job 5:7)

““As surely as sparks fly upward, so all As surely as sparks fly upward, so all who live in this world will know trouble!”who live in this world will know trouble!”

(Job 5:7)(Job 5:7)

Page 17: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

Ever since the Fall, suffering has been Ever since the Fall, suffering has been an inescapable part of the human an inescapable part of the human condition.condition.

Thus the earth produces thorns Thus the earth produces thorns and is subject to decay and death.and is subject to decay and death.

Ever since the Fall, suffering has been Ever since the Fall, suffering has been an inescapable part of the human an inescapable part of the human condition.condition.

Thus the earth produces thorns Thus the earth produces thorns and is subject to decay and death.and is subject to decay and death.

Page 18: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

Beginning with the Flood, Beginning with the Flood, the earth has known many the earth has known many disasters worse than any disasters worse than any current event.current event.

Those tragedies did not Those tragedies did not impugn the integrity of impugn the integrity of the Almighty any more the Almighty any more than a contemporary than a contemporary crisis can.crisis can.

Beginning with the Flood, Beginning with the Flood, the earth has known many the earth has known many disasters worse than any disasters worse than any current event.current event.

Those tragedies did not Those tragedies did not impugn the integrity of impugn the integrity of the Almighty any more the Almighty any more than a contemporary than a contemporary crisis can.crisis can.

Page 19: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

But note here two other important But note here two other important ideas ideas ––

1.1. Much loss of life is caused by our Much loss of life is caused by our own folly –own folly –

Think about San Francisco, LA, Think about San Francisco, LA, Auckland, Ferntree Gully, etc. Auckland, Ferntree Gully, etc.

But note here two other important But note here two other important ideas ideas ––

1.1. Much loss of life is caused by our Much loss of life is caused by our own folly –own folly –

Think about San Francisco, LA, Think about San Francisco, LA, Auckland, Ferntree Gully, etc. Auckland, Ferntree Gully, etc.

The Golden Gate Bridge, San FranciscoThe Golden Gate Bridge, San FranciscoThe Golden Gate Bridge, San FranciscoThe Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

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2.2. We have never been promised We have never been promised immunity from trouble.immunity from trouble.

We are part of human society, and We are part of human society, and must accept ill fortune along with must accept ill fortune along with good (cp. Jeremiah 45:1-5) . . . good (cp. Jeremiah 45:1-5) . . .

2.2. We have never been promised We have never been promised immunity from trouble.immunity from trouble.

We are part of human society, and We are part of human society, and must accept ill fortune along with must accept ill fortune along with good (cp. Jeremiah 45:1-5) . . . good (cp. Jeremiah 45:1-5) . . .

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““This is what the Lord says This is what the Lord says to Baruch, 'I am tearing down to Baruch, 'I am tearing down what I have built, and I am what I have built, and I am uprooting what I have uprooting what I have planted throughout the earth. planted throughout the earth. Why then do you look for Why then do you look for some great thing for some great thing for yourselfyourself?? No! You can’t No! You can’t expect any special favours, expect any special favours, for I intend to bring disaster for I intend to bring disaster everywhere, says the Lord!”everywhere, says the Lord!”

““This is what the Lord says This is what the Lord says to Baruch, 'I am tearing down to Baruch, 'I am tearing down what I have built, and I am what I have built, and I am uprooting what I have uprooting what I have planted throughout the earth. planted throughout the earth. Why then do you look for Why then do you look for some great thing for some great thing for yourselfyourself?? No! You can’t No! You can’t expect any special favours, expect any special favours, for I intend to bring disaster for I intend to bring disaster everywhere, says the Lord!”everywhere, says the Lord!”

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3.3. The Mystery of Joy. The Mystery of Joy. 3.3. The Mystery of Joy. The Mystery of Joy.

There are three special things we can There are three special things we can say about the mystery of human say about the mystery of human suffering suffering ––

There are three special things we can There are three special things we can say about the mystery of human say about the mystery of human suffering suffering ––

Page 23: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

a)a) Like Job, we will Like Job, we will lose our questions lose our questions when we finally see when we finally see the glory of God the glory of God (Job (Job 40:1-5; 42:1-6).40:1-5; 42:1-6).

a)a) Like Job, we will Like Job, we will lose our questions lose our questions when we finally see when we finally see the glory of God the glory of God (Job (Job 40:1-5; 42:1-6).40:1-5; 42:1-6).

Page 24: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

b)b) The mystery of joy is even greater The mystery of joy is even greater than the mystery of pain.than the mystery of pain. Thus Sir Thomas Browne Thus Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682)(1605-1682), ,

in his in his Religio Medici, Religio Medici, showed 400 showed 400 years ago that –years ago that –

b)b) The mystery of joy is even greater The mystery of joy is even greater than the mystery of pain.than the mystery of pain. Thus Sir Thomas Browne Thus Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682)(1605-1682), ,

in his in his Religio Medici, Religio Medici, showed 400 showed 400 years ago that –years ago that –

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““While many are obsessed While many are obsessed with the problem of evil, with the problem of evil, and of pain, we should and of pain, we should rather explore the equally rather explore the equally complex problem of the complex problem of the existence of goodness, existence of goodness, and of joy.”and of joy.”

““While many are obsessed While many are obsessed with the problem of evil, with the problem of evil, and of pain, we should and of pain, we should rather explore the equally rather explore the equally complex problem of the complex problem of the existence of goodness, existence of goodness, and of joy.”and of joy.”

The Laughing Cavalier, by Frans Hals (1624)

The Laughing Cavalier, by Frans Hals (1624)

Page 26: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

The fact is, both pain and pleasure are The fact is, both pain and pleasure are equally inexplicable and equally equally inexplicable and equally undeserved.undeserved.

The fact is, both pain and pleasure are The fact is, both pain and pleasure are equally inexplicable and equally equally inexplicable and equally undeserved.undeserved.

Laughing Children with a Catby Judith Leyster (1629)

Laughing Children with a Catby Judith Leyster (1629)

Page 27: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

c)c) God himself has God himself has shared this valley of shared this valley of tears through the tears through the sufferings and sufferings and terrible death of his terrible death of his only Son.only Son.

c)c) God himself has God himself has shared this valley of shared this valley of tears through the tears through the sufferings and sufferings and terrible death of his terrible death of his only Son.only Son.

Page 28: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

4.4. NIMBYNIMBY4.4. NIMBYNIMBY

Everybody wants God to do Everybody wants God to do something, but only if his interference something, but only if his interference is confined to some other place!is confined to some other place!

It is the typical n.i.m.b.y. It is the typical n.i.m.b.y. syndrome!syndrome!

Everybody wants God to do Everybody wants God to do something, but only if his interference something, but only if his interference is confined to some other place!is confined to some other place!

It is the typical n.i.m.b.y. It is the typical n.i.m.b.y. syndrome!syndrome!

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How loudly they would shriek and complain How loudly they would shriek and complain if the Lord decided to take control over if the Lord decided to take control over theirtheir lives! lives!

Imagine the Lord asserting mastery Imagine the Lord asserting mastery over their homes, businesses, over their homes, businesses, government!government!

How loudly they would shriek and complain How loudly they would shriek and complain if the Lord decided to take control over if the Lord decided to take control over theirtheir lives! lives!

Imagine the Lord asserting mastery Imagine the Lord asserting mastery over their homes, businesses, over their homes, businesses, government!government!

Parliament House, CanberraParliament House, Canberra

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Do you doubt that people Do you doubt that people would furiously oppose would furiously oppose him?him?

Then look at how Then look at how they treated Jesus they treated Jesus when he tried to when he tried to introduce the introduce the government of God!government of God!

Do you doubt that people Do you doubt that people would furiously oppose would furiously oppose him?him?

Then look at how Then look at how they treated Jesus they treated Jesus when he tried to when he tried to introduce the introduce the government of God!government of God!

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The The JewsJews hated him, the hated him, the RomansRomans killed him, and the killed him, and the GreeksGreeks laughed at him! laughed at him!

Do you really suppose Do you really suppose that divine intervention that divine intervention would be any more would be any more welcome now than welcome now than then?then?

The The JewsJews hated him, the hated him, the RomansRomans killed him, and the killed him, and the GreeksGreeks laughed at him! laughed at him!

Do you really suppose Do you really suppose that divine intervention that divine intervention would be any more would be any more welcome now than welcome now than then?then?

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How about if the Lord decided to How about if the Lord decided to curtail their pleasures because of curtail their pleasures because of their sin?their sin?

No! They want God to stave off No! They want God to stave off disaster, pain, or loss, but they disaster, pain, or loss, but they resist any accounting of their resist any accounting of their misdeeds.misdeeds.

How about if the Lord decided to How about if the Lord decided to curtail their pleasures because of curtail their pleasures because of their sin?their sin?

No! They want God to stave off No! They want God to stave off disaster, pain, or loss, but they disaster, pain, or loss, but they resist any accounting of their resist any accounting of their misdeeds.misdeeds.

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5.5. We trash our own planet.We trash our own planet.5.5. We trash our own planet.We trash our own planet.

When we ourselves are When we ourselves are busily wrecking the busily wrecking the environment and killing environment and killing each other with zeal, it ill each other with zeal, it ill behoves us to blame behoves us to blame God for nature’s fury!God for nature’s fury!

When we ourselves are When we ourselves are busily wrecking the busily wrecking the environment and killing environment and killing each other with zeal, it ill each other with zeal, it ill behoves us to blame behoves us to blame God for nature’s fury!God for nature’s fury!

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By self-inflicted wars, pestilence, By self-inflicted wars, pestilence, famine, global warming, and the like, famine, global warming, and the like, we slaughter millions of people.we slaughter millions of people.

Why then should the Lord Why then should the Lord suppress natural cause and suppress natural cause and effect whenever it threatens our effect whenever it threatens our contentment?contentment?

We are happy to receive the We are happy to receive the benefits of natural law!benefits of natural law!

By self-inflicted wars, pestilence, By self-inflicted wars, pestilence, famine, global warming, and the like, famine, global warming, and the like, we slaughter millions of people.we slaughter millions of people.

Why then should the Lord Why then should the Lord suppress natural cause and suppress natural cause and effect whenever it threatens our effect whenever it threatens our contentment?contentment?

We are happy to receive the We are happy to receive the benefits of natural law!benefits of natural law!

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Yet having said that, we must also observe Yet having said that, we must also observe that a measure of war, pain, struggle, that a measure of war, pain, struggle, disaster, seems to be an inescapable part disaster, seems to be an inescapable part of God’s plan at this time.of God’s plan at this time.

There are several reasons for this, There are several reasons for this, among them the following among them the following ––

Yet having said that, we must also observe Yet having said that, we must also observe that a measure of war, pain, struggle, that a measure of war, pain, struggle, disaster, seems to be an inescapable part disaster, seems to be an inescapable part of God’s plan at this time.of God’s plan at this time.

There are several reasons for this, There are several reasons for this, among them the following among them the following ––

Page 36: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

a)a) The restless energy of fallen humanity The restless energy of fallen humanity needs some kind of release.needs some kind of release.

b)b) Crisis forces people to search for and Crisis forces people to search for and find creative solutions.find creative solutions.

a)a) The restless energy of fallen humanity The restless energy of fallen humanity needs some kind of release.needs some kind of release.

b)b) Crisis forces people to search for and Crisis forces people to search for and find creative solutions.find creative solutions.

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c)c) Suffering stirs up compassion and Suffering stirs up compassion and benevolence.benevolence.

d)d) Tragedy compels people toward a Tragedy compels people toward a dependence upon God.dependence upon God.

e)e) One disaster may serve to prevent One disaster may serve to prevent something worse something worse ––i.i. Stopping a warStopping a war

ii.ii. Forcing preventive action against Forcing preventive action against disease, natural forces, etc.disease, natural forces, etc.

c)c) Suffering stirs up compassion and Suffering stirs up compassion and benevolence.benevolence.

d)d) Tragedy compels people toward a Tragedy compels people toward a dependence upon God.dependence upon God.

e)e) One disaster may serve to prevent One disaster may serve to prevent something worse something worse ––i.i. Stopping a warStopping a war

ii.ii. Forcing preventive action against Forcing preventive action against disease, natural forces, etc.disease, natural forces, etc.

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The idea is this: unbroken peace The idea is this: unbroken peace and prosperity, health and and prosperity, health and happiness, would leave the happiness, would leave the human race enervated, dull, human race enervated, dull, empty of dynamic vitality.empty of dynamic vitality.

By contrast, the present By contrast, the present condition drives us ever condition drives us ever onward to higher onward to higher achievement.achievement.

The idea is this: unbroken peace The idea is this: unbroken peace and prosperity, health and and prosperity, health and happiness, would leave the happiness, would leave the human race enervated, dull, human race enervated, dull, empty of dynamic vitality.empty of dynamic vitality.

By contrast, the present By contrast, the present condition drives us ever condition drives us ever onward to higher onward to higher achievement.achievement.

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There is an undoubted mystery here, There is an undoubted mystery here, but, as Paul says, we are at best like but, as Paul says, we are at best like people people “looking through a piece of “looking through a piece of smoky glass”.smoky glass”.

Yet we can be sure of two Yet we can be sure of two wonderful things wonderful things ––

There is an undoubted mystery here, There is an undoubted mystery here, but, as Paul says, we are at best like but, as Paul says, we are at best like people people “looking through a piece of “looking through a piece of smoky glass”.smoky glass”.

Yet we can be sure of two Yet we can be sure of two wonderful things wonderful things ––

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1.1. God knows what he is doing!God knows what he is doing!

2.2. The most awful The most awful disasterdisaster of all, and the of all, and the most glorious most glorious triumphtriumph ever, still lie ever, still lie ahead of us . . . ahead of us . . .

1.1. God knows what he is doing!God knows what he is doing!

2.2. The most awful The most awful disasterdisaster of all, and the of all, and the most glorious most glorious triumphtriumph ever, still lie ever, still lie ahead of us . . . ahead of us . . .

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The WarningThe Warning The WarningThe Warning

““My dear friends, here is something that you My dear friends, here is something that you should never forget – in the sight of God one should never forget – in the sight of God one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day! So the Lord is not tardy years are like one day! So the Lord is not tardy in fulfilling his promise, as some have said. in fulfilling his promise, as some have said. Rather, he is patient with you, because he does Rather, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed. Instead, he is not want anyone to be destroyed. Instead, he is giving space for everyone to abandon their sins. giving space for everyone to abandon their sins. . . . . . .

““My dear friends, here is something that you My dear friends, here is something that you should never forget – in the sight of God one should never forget – in the sight of God one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day! So the Lord is not tardy years are like one day! So the Lord is not tardy in fulfilling his promise, as some have said. in fulfilling his promise, as some have said. Rather, he is patient with you, because he does Rather, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed. Instead, he is not want anyone to be destroyed. Instead, he is giving space for everyone to abandon their sins. giving space for everyone to abandon their sins. . . . . . .

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The Disaster The Disaster The Disaster The Disaster

““. . . Nonetheless, the Day of the . . . Nonetheless, the Day of the Lord will come without warning, Lord will come without warning, like a thief. On that Day the very like a thief. On that Day the very galaxies will vanish with an awful galaxies will vanish with an awful clamour, and the earth and clamour, and the earth and everything on it will be destroyed. everything on it will be destroyed. Yes, the heavens will be aflame, Yes, the heavens will be aflame, they will burn with fire, and the they will burn with fire, and the stars above will melt away in the stars above will melt away in the heat. . . . heat. . . .

““. . . Nonetheless, the Day of the . . . Nonetheless, the Day of the Lord will come without warning, Lord will come without warning, like a thief. On that Day the very like a thief. On that Day the very galaxies will vanish with an awful galaxies will vanish with an awful clamour, and the earth and clamour, and the earth and everything on it will be destroyed. everything on it will be destroyed. Yes, the heavens will be aflame, Yes, the heavens will be aflame, they will burn with fire, and the they will burn with fire, and the stars above will melt away in the stars above will melt away in the heat. . . . heat. . . .

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The Lesson The Lesson The Lesson The Lesson

““. . . Since we know that all these things . . . Since we know that all these things are destined for destruction, what kind are destined for destruction, what kind of people should we be? Surely, as we of people should we be? Surely, as we wait for the Day of God, and do all that wait for the Day of God, and do all that we can to hasten its coming, we should we can to hasten its coming, we should strive to be holy and we should dedicate strive to be holy and we should dedicate ourselves to the service of God. . . . In ourselves to the service of God. . . . In the meantime, we are waiting for what the meantime, we are waiting for what God has promised: new heavens and a God has promised: new heavens and a new earth, where only righteousness new earth, where only righteousness can flourish. . . . can flourish. . . .

““. . . Since we know that all these things . . . Since we know that all these things are destined for destruction, what kind are destined for destruction, what kind of people should we be? Surely, as we of people should we be? Surely, as we wait for the Day of God, and do all that wait for the Day of God, and do all that we can to hasten its coming, we should we can to hasten its coming, we should strive to be holy and we should dedicate strive to be holy and we should dedicate ourselves to the service of God. . . . In ourselves to the service of God. . . . In the meantime, we are waiting for what the meantime, we are waiting for what God has promised: new heavens and a God has promised: new heavens and a new earth, where only righteousness new earth, where only righteousness can flourish. . . . can flourish. . . .

Page 44: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

The Triumph The Triumph The Triumph The Triumph

““. . . Therefore, my friends, as you wait . . . Therefore, my friends, as you wait for that Day, do your best to be pure and for that Day, do your best to be pure and faultless in God's sight and to be at faultless in God's sight and to be at peace with him. . . . Be on your guard, peace with him. . . . Be on your guard, so that lawless people will not be able to so that lawless people will not be able to entice you to folly, and cause you to entice you to folly, and cause you to lose your security in Christ. Rather, lose your security in Christ. Rather, continue to grow in the grace and continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory, now and Christ, to whom be the glory, now and forever! Amen.” forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:8-18)(2 Peter 3:8-18)

““. . . Therefore, my friends, as you wait . . . Therefore, my friends, as you wait for that Day, do your best to be pure and for that Day, do your best to be pure and faultless in God's sight and to be at faultless in God's sight and to be at peace with him. . . . Be on your guard, peace with him. . . . Be on your guard, so that lawless people will not be able to so that lawless people will not be able to entice you to folly, and cause you to entice you to folly, and cause you to lose your security in Christ. Rather, lose your security in Christ. Rather, continue to grow in the grace and continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory, now and Christ, to whom be the glory, now and forever! Amen.” forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:8-18)(2 Peter 3:8-18)

Page 45: Banda-Aceh – Before Banda-Aceh – After Gleebruk Village – Before.

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