Sermon on Jeremiah 29:11 – How to Understand God’s Intention of Not Bringing Disaster to People

As disasters grow more severe, how can we truly grasp God’s compassionate intentions to save humanity and find the path to God’s protection amidst these calamities? The following content will provide you with answers, so keep reading!
The Bible records, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11). Thousands of years ago, the Israelites were taken captive to Babylon, losing their homeland and freedom. During their difficult exile, God conveyed His intentions to them through this message. God didn’t wish to bring calamity upon His people; instead, He wanted them to have peace and hope. Some may wonder: If God didn’t want His people to suffer disaster, why were the Israelites still taken captive, losing their homeland and freedom? Those familiar with the Bible know that the Israelites’ captivity was mainly due to their disobedience to God’s commandments and laws. Despite God’s numerous warnings, they often fell into idolatry and sinful acts. As a result, God allowed foreign powers to invade and exile them to Babylon, using this as an opportunity for them to reflect and repent. Nevertheless, God also encouraged and comforted them through His words, reflecting His compassionate intentions. Regardless of His actions, God’s heart toward humanity is always benevolent.
In the present day, we are witnessing an increase in wars, plagues, earthquakes, and famines, which has left many people wondering: If God’s intention towards us is for peace and not calamity, then why are these disasters escalating? In fact, there is also God’s earnest intention to save humanity.
God says, “Today, not only am I descending upon the nation of the great red dragon, I am also turning to face the entire universe, causing the entire empyrean to quake. Is there a single place anywhere that is not subject to My judgment? Is there a single place that does not exist under calamities that I rain down upon it? Everywhere I go, I have scattered all sorts of “seeds of disaster.” This is one of the ways in which I work, and is without doubt an act of salvation for humanity, and what I extend to them is still a kind of love. I wish to allow even more people to get to know Me and be able to see Me, and in this way, come to revere a God whom they could not see for so many years but who, right now, is real.” “In this stage of the work, because God wishes to reveal all of His deeds throughout the world so that all humans who have betrayed Him will come again to submit before His throne, God’s judgment will still contain His mercy and lovingkindness. God uses current events throughout the world as opportunities to cause humans to feel panic, spurring them to seek God so that they may flow back to be before Him. Thus, God says, ‘This is one of the ways in which I work, and is without doubt an act of salvation for humanity, and what I extend to them is still a kind of love.’”
God’s words are clear: The calamities in the end times serve two purposes. On one hand, they are God’s judgment on the wickedness of humanity. On the other hand, they are meant to save those whom He has chosen. Why do we say this? Because the occurrence of these disasters fulfills the prophecies of the Lord’s return: “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (Matthew 24:7). The Lord Jesus has long since come back and spoke many words to save people from sin and suffering, leading them to purity and bringing them into God’s kingdom. However, in the last days, humanity has become deeply corrupted by Satan. People pursue wickedness, delight in sinful pleasures, and engage in conflicts for personal gain. Nations war against each other, and violence and deceit fill the earth. No one seeks the Lord’s appearance, and no one welcomes God’s coming. As a result, God uses calamities to judge those who do evil and oppose Him. At the same time, through these disasters, God compels those He intends to save to seek His work in the last days, follow His footsteps, and accept His salvation, granting them the opportunity to be protected in the midst of these calamities. This is one of the ways God saves people—a manifestation of His mercy and His special love for humanity. If people see calamities descending but disregard the message of the Lord’s return, do not seek His appearance or accept His end-time salvation, and even resist His appearance in the last days, they will miss the chance to welcome the Lord and be saved. Instead, they will be punished in the great calamity that comes upon them.
Now that you understand God’s compassionate intentions behind calamities and have dispelled the misunderstandings about Him, if you are willing to investigate God’s work in the end times, welcome the Lord’s second coming, and be among those protected by God during disasters, please reach out to us through the online chat window at the bottom of our website. Let’s study God’s words together and have online discussions, so you will gain a deeper understanding of God’s work and welcome the Lord soon!