Cataclysmic floods are headline news these days. Images of raging waters carrying along cars and trucks like toys are vivid reminders of the destructive forces of water. But, devastating as these floods are, they pale in comparison to THE flood, a worldwide catastrophe. This great flood, and the account of Noah and the ark - recorded in the book of Genesis - is a story well known to many. This epic disaster is unparallel, and, mercifully, always will be:
"the LORD said to Himself, 'I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done. While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease.'" (Genesis 8:21-22)
Even considering the evil intent of the human heart, God has decreed that He will never again act in judgment as He did in the days of Noah. Agricultural, seasonal, and daily cycles are reminders that God will never again act in watery judgment. But, that doesn't mean He won't act again in judgment, as many mistakenly believe.
The apostle Peter, responding to the cynic's view that Jesus' Second Coming was a myth, insightfully revealed pertinent details regarding coming judgment:
"it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:5-7)
If you're betting that God won't ever again act in judgment, it's a bet you are sure to lose! Just because He promised never to act again in watery judgment doesn't preclude other forms of judgment. As surely as places such as California anticipate THE BIG ONE (earthquake), so people everywhere can also anticipate imminent fiery judgment at the hand of our Creator.
So, what's a person to do if THE BIG ONE (judgment) is coming? Again, Peter provides valuable insight: "Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God" (2 Peter 3:11-12). Live a holy life in Christ Jesus. Passionately pursue godliness. Separate yourself from lifestyle that ultimately invokes God's wrath and judgment. Share the gospel message (Acts 8:12) with urgency and compassion.
It's easy to view the cycles of nature (Genesis 8:22) as predictable safe patterns, but we know that one day they will be abruptly preempted in catastrophic judgment. Live life today with that knowledge, and pursue the priorities that it prompts.
Steve
© 2011, Steve Taylor
"the LORD said to Himself, 'I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done. While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease.'" (Genesis 8:21-22)
Even considering the evil intent of the human heart, God has decreed that He will never again act in judgment as He did in the days of Noah. Agricultural, seasonal, and daily cycles are reminders that God will never again act in watery judgment. But, that doesn't mean He won't act again in judgment, as many mistakenly believe.
The apostle Peter, responding to the cynic's view that Jesus' Second Coming was a myth, insightfully revealed pertinent details regarding coming judgment:
"it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:5-7)
If you're betting that God won't ever again act in judgment, it's a bet you are sure to lose! Just because He promised never to act again in watery judgment doesn't preclude other forms of judgment. As surely as places such as California anticipate THE BIG ONE (earthquake), so people everywhere can also anticipate imminent fiery judgment at the hand of our Creator.
So, what's a person to do if THE BIG ONE (judgment) is coming? Again, Peter provides valuable insight: "Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God" (2 Peter 3:11-12). Live a holy life in Christ Jesus. Passionately pursue godliness. Separate yourself from lifestyle that ultimately invokes God's wrath and judgment. Share the gospel message (Acts 8:12) with urgency and compassion.
It's easy to view the cycles of nature (Genesis 8:22) as predictable safe patterns, but we know that one day they will be abruptly preempted in catastrophic judgment. Live life today with that knowledge, and pursue the priorities that it prompts.
Steve
© 2011, Steve Taylor
posted by steve @ 8:04 AM
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