Are Punishments Sent from God or Just Natural Disasters?

Some people believe when bad things happen man is suffering because of Sin, or are these catastrophes a part of living in a world that is constantly evolving and changing. It’s true whenever the earth hiccups the entire world feels it through natural disasters, climate changes, and other world events. Or is there something lurking in the darkness, could it be Nibiru, an Asteroid, Pole Shift, the Dark Rift, or Planetary Alignment.
People are continually under mental attack about the future, and the lingering question, or more specifically the date on most people’s minds – December 21, 2012. The End of Days, Doomsday, The Final Countdown or whatever term or phrase designed to scare the heck out of you. Should we worry about things we can’t control, but how can you not worry? Some of the problems around the world are definitely created by man and only man can make the necessary changes. If we can by the effort of all, control pollution, slow down if not stop global warming, fix health care, the economy and the list goes on – It’s fixable. Can we fix a demoralized society, and if so, how? If Sin is the driving force that is steering man to the Apocalypse; the divine punishment man receives from God that is described in Revelation? Is sin something man can control? If sin is an offense to God, then God has an incredible amount of patience dealing with this generation.
Would God reveal the end of days to the prophets or seers when the bible says?
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matt. 24:36)
Noah
Genesis 6:7
“And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.”
God decided to punish the world by a great flood. He chose Noah to build an ark. This ark would be large enough to carry Noah, his family and all the animals. The Bible tells us it rained for forty days and nights until the entire earth was flooded. Many different cultures speak of a great flood and each culture was saved by a boat or climbed to a high mountain. Again, the debate continues on whether there actually was a global flood. In 1999, Robert Ballard discovered an ancient coastline under the Black Sea which pointed to a great flood. The Radio carbon testing showed that this flood occurred around 5500 BC which was the time of Noah. Currently, the great flood is under scientific scrutiny and continual debate. Where is Noah’s Ark and could there still be anything remaining after all these centuries? There is no substantial proof that Noah’s Ark is sitting on top of Mt. Ararat in Turkey.
Sodom and Gomorrah
In Genesis 19:24
“Then the Lord raised upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven.”
Geologists have located two cities near the Dead Sea. The carbon dating tests indicated that these cities were in existence at the time of Sodom and Gomorrah. The tests also showed these two cities were destroyed by fire.
Again science steps in for a possible explanation; there is a fault line that runs underneath the cities which could have caused the catastrophe. There was an earth quake around 1900 BC which was approximately the time these two cities were destroyed. Geologists also found calcite at the excavation site. This material can only be found in meteors. Could the cities have been destroyed by a meteor?
Moses
According to the Holy Bible the book of Exodus (which means leaving), God sent Moses to free the Jews from the Egyptians around 1300BC. The Egyptian Pharaoh wouldn’t release the Jews and as punishment God sent 10 plagues.
The Ten Plagues:
The Nile River turns to blood- Some scientists explain it wasn’t blood it was actually red algae that carried anthrax and killed the fish.
The land was overrun with frogs- Some scientists explain frogs lay an abundance of eggs, and because there weren’t any fish to eat them they over ran the land.
Infestation of flies- Some scientists explain that the frogs created an environment for flies which carried the anthrax virus.
Infestation of Mosquitoes – Some scientists explain that the frogs created an environment for mosquitoes which carried the anthrax virus.
The live stock died throughout the land- Some scientists explain that the flies and mosquitoes spread the virus/anthrax which killed the live stock.
Man suffers from boils- Some scientists explain these could have been caused by the mosquitoes and flies.
Hail destroys crops- Some scientists explain that hail storms are a natural occurrence.
Locust destroy the rest of any vegetation- Some scientists explain that locust have been causing problems in this part of the world since ancient times.
Darkness for three days- Some Scientists explain that there were great sand storms that could cause darkness for three days.
The last and most unexplainable was the death of all first born male Egyptians.

After the Pharaoh lost his first born son, he released the Jews. He couldn’t live with this decision and sent his army. His arrogance and anger only served to cause more sorrow and loss and sent his men and horses to a watery grave. Scientists agree to disagree not only on the exact location God split the water for the Jews to cross, but how could something this impossible be possible. Many believe an earthquake caused the water to drain which allowed passage. Others believe a massive sand storm blew in for a long enough period of time that it covered up the water and created dry land for passage. After a period of time, the waters returned and covered up the sand.

Are these punishments from God maybe his wake up call to mankind? Many people see the current catastrophes happening in the world as a definite call from Heaven. Wake up before it’s too late. Change your life and stop wasting it in the pursuit of the temporary and selfish pleasures. Improve the world and improve yourself. Maybe we need to do more than recycle our garbage; maybe we should recycle our souls. Scientists will continue to debate on whether what occurred in the Holy Bible is true. For those that believe in God no explanation is necessary. For those that don’t believe no explanation is possible.