Heed the Warning
September 4, 2005
Dear Friends,
As the rescue operations continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we are left to wonder why thousands of people failed to heed the warning to flee as this Category 5 hurricane bore down on the city of New Orleans. Some people were unable to leave, but others just decided to stay. As is evident from the newscasts, many felt the storm would, like so many others, simply miss the city altogether. Other people simply believed the storm would not be as bad as people claimed it would be. In the end, many people suffered terribly for their mistake while other paid with their lives. Much human suffering could have been averted had people only listened to the warning.
The description of the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Bible is spoken of in terms with make the combined effects of 9/11, the tsunami and Katrina sound like child’s play. The warnings we are given are astounding.
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (Matt. 24:21 RSV)
In light of these descriptions, it begs the question – “Why do so many fail to heed the warning?” People continue to live in sin as if this will not come to pass. Not surprisingly, the Scriptures provide us with the answer of why people do not heed to warning. Some people just assume that life was we know it will go on forever.
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man. (Matt. 24:36-39 NJB)
Other will dismiss the Second Coming as pure fiction.
First of all, do not forget that in the final days there will come sarcastic scoffers whose life is ruled by their passions. ‘What has happened to the promise of his coming?’ they will say, ‘Since our Fathers died everything has gone on just as it has since the beginning of creation!’ (2 Pet. 3:3-4)
Other people fail to realize how terrible the Second Coming will be for those who are still serving sin. “For look, the Day is coming, glowing like a furnace. All the proud and all the evil-doers will be the stubble, and the Day, when it comes, will set them ablaze.” (Mat. 4:1 NJB)
We certainly don’t want to be accused of trying to scare people into serving Christ. In the seven years we have been writing the Thought For the Week, we have never delved into this very important topic for this very reason. However, the warning from God is real and needs to be heeded. We would prefer to focus on the loving offer of forgiveness and salvation. If that is not sufficient to motivate, perhaps the warning of impending judgment will do the trick. God tells us what to do. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world.” (Acts. 17:30-31)
Let us not be like the willing stragglers of the New Orleans disaster who failed to heed the warning, but let us believe, repent, be baptized and “go and sin no more.” Our lives depend on it.
Have a great week!
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