| August
12 , 2006
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Generally speaking I am an optimist. But
I am also a realist. When it is clear that events will go
a certain direction, I don’t hide my head in the sand
and pretend they won’t. Accordingly, when the Bible
lays out explicitly the future for the world, I don’t
fight it. And the Bible does state categorically that all
the shuttle diplomacy and negotiations will never bring
world peace.
In fact, just when world leaders think they have settled
world problems, the bubble will burst. The apostle Paul
reminded the Christians living in Thessalonica that “….when
they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction
cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and
they shall not escape.” 1 Thessalonians 5:3.
With that in mind, our greatest concern ought to be what
our spiritual state will be when it happens. Some people
already have stockpiles of food and other essential items
in case of disaster. I don’t criticize that. But that
kind of preparation only takes care of the body. What about
the soul?
The Lord Jesus spoke of a rich farmer who prepared only
for his body. The man said to himself “…thou
hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease,
eat, drink, and be merry” Luke 12:19. But God said,
“Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required
of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast
provided?” Luke 12:20.
The only real preparation for the soul is accepting the
amazing grace we often sing about. Salvation from future
catastrophic events depends solely on our accepting the
free gift of salvation. The Lord Jesus suffered under the
wrath of God so we would never have to. But this salvation
must be accepted personally.
Paul reminded the Christians that they would never face
the future world conflict. He told the Thessalonians that
“…God has not destined us for wrath, but for
obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9.
The question is, Have I received salvation. If I haven’t,
I am in a precarious place. The writer to the Hebrews asked,
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;
which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was
confirmed unto us by them that heard him.” Hebrews
2:3. The answer is, There is no escape! Salvation is provided,
but it must be received.
Jim Beattie
submitted by Russ Nesbit
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