The fires presently raging in southern California, in particular the Los Angeles area, may prove to be one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the United States. As of this writing, the death toll has reached at least 16, with 16 reported missing [1], and the damage to property is thus far incalculable. Words like “apocalyptic” have become ubiquitous in reports describing the horror inflicted on the affected countryside and its inhabitants.

The hearts of Seventh-day Adventists, and all others touched by the scenes and consequences of this tragedy, go out to the uncounted numbers who have lost possessions and loved ones. But the significance of such events in the light of Bible prophecy and our Lord’s promised return cannot be lost at such moments. The following statements from the pen of Ellen White predict the intensifying of such calamities as the end of human history approaches:

The restraining Spirit of God is even now being withdrawn from the world. Hurricanes, storms, tempests, fire and flood, disasters by sea and land, follow each other in quick succession. Science seeks to explain all these. The signs thickening around us, telling of the near approach of the Son of God, are attributed to any other than the true cause [2].

How frequently we hear of earthquakes and tornadoes, of destruction by fire and flood, with great loss of life and property! Apparently these calamities are capricious outbreaks of disorganized, unregulated forces of nature, wholly beyond the control of man; but in them all, God’s purpose may be read. They are among the agencies by which He seeks to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger [3].

Even now he (Satan) is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous [4].

“Oh, let us seek God while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near!”

But perhaps the following statement is the most moving of all, not only in light of the disaster still unfolding in southern California, but in light of its appeal to those with hearts tender toward God. Speaking of the last days, the prophet writes:

Fires will break out unexpectedly, and no human effort will be able to quench them. The palaces of earth will be swept away in the fury of the flames. . . . The end is near, probation is closing! Oh, let us seek God while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near! [5].

Here we see our ultimate task, as we minister to the distraught and suffering in their hour of loss. Probation is coming to an end, and the divine Judge is weighing the hearts of us all. May each of us find peace with the God of Scripture through surrender, pardon, and victory over sin, is my prayer!

REFERENCES

1. Christopher Weber and Holly Ramer, “16 dead, 16 missing as fire crews try to corral Los Angeles blazes before winds return this week,” Associated Press, Jan. 12, 2025 https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-wildfires-southern-california-c5826e0ab8db965cb2814132ff54ee6f

2. Ellen G. White, Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 408.

3. ----Prophets and Kings, p. 277.

4. ----The Great Controversy, pp. 589-590.

5. ----Messages to Young People, pp. 89-90.

Pastor Kevin Paulson holds a Bachelor’s degree in theology from Pacific Union College, a Master of Arts in systematic theology from Loma Linda University, and a Master of Divinity from the SDA Theological Seminary at Andrews University. He served the Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for ten years as a Bible instructor, evangelist, and local pastor. He writes regularly for Liberty magazine and does script writing for various evangelistic ministries within the denomination. He continues to hold evangelistic and revival meetings throughout the North American Division and beyond, and is a sought-after seminar speaker relative to current issues in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He presently resides in Berrien Springs, Michigan