Earlier this year, in the state of Queensland, Australia, it had rained for three weeks on all but three days. The soil was already saturated when a line of storms hit the city of Toowoomba, dumping an additional 6.3 inches of rain in thirty-six hours. The heavy rains ran down the gullies and streets and into East Creek and West Creek, which meet to form Gowrie Creek. Toowoomba was hit by flash flooding when all three creeks burst their banks, pushing a devastating wall of water through the center of the city. With no warning, many people were swept to their deaths in the onrushing floodwaters.
Even if there had been a warning, there are those who would ignore it. That’s been the history of people through the ages. You may remember the story of Noah in the Bible. God had told him to build a great ark, because there was so much violence in the earth that He was going to bring a flood that would cover the whole earth to destroy everything living. However, in His mercy He made a way of escape and offered safety inside the ark for anyone who believed His warning and went inside. It took many years for Noah to build the ark, and he warned everyone who came by about the coming flood. He also told them of God’s offer of safety inside the ark. Many of you will remember that only eight people went into the ark and were saved—Noah and his wife, and their three sons and their wives. Everyone on the outside lost their lives, because they didn’t believe God’s warning.
This is the story of one family in Toowoomba’s flash flood that had no warning. John and Donna were the parents of four sons. Their two younger sons, Jordan, 13, and Blake, 10, were with their mother, driving in the city about 2 p.m. when they drove through water that at the time was only up to their car wheels. However, their car engine stopped, and Donna called for emergency help on her cell phone. She was unable to call anyone else, as she had no phone credit.
The emergency operator told the three to stay where they were. However, they soon were forced to climb onto the roof of their car after the floodwater rose rapidly. John, the dad, said later that no help came, and bystanders watching the family did not offer help. He said, “All these people were just standing around until an old, scrawny man grabbed a bit of rope, wrapped it around himself and jumped in.
Jordan couldn’t swim and is terrified of water. But when the man went to rescue him, Jordan said, “Save my brother first.” The man rescued Blake and then tried to tie the rope around Jordan and his mother, but the rope broke.
Jordan and his mother were swept downstream. The two were able to briefly cling to a tree, but they were overcome by the force of the raging floodwaters and were swept away.
John wept as he told of his son’s bravery when he knew how terrifying their last moments were. “I can only imagine what was going on inside Jordan’s head to give up his life to save his brother, even though he was terrified of water.” John said, “He is our hero!”
This family was among many who lost loved family members in the flash flood on that tragic day. There was no warning. And there are other devastating events in our world that give little or no warning—earthquakes, tornados, avalanches. But there is a major event coming that God has given us full warning about. His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, is going to call out of this world all Christian believers who have had their sins cleansed by the blood He shed on Calvary’s cross. He willingly gave up His life so that any who would accept Him as their personal Saviour would be safely taken to heaven before judgment falls on this evil-filled world.
He promises, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:33And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:3)). He gave His life that we might live in His home in heaven for all eternity, safe from the judgment this world and those left behind will experience. In His great love and mercy for sinners, He is still saying today, “Now is the accepted time ... now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)).
God doesn’t tell us when this event will take place; it could be this very day. He warns you and me—”Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man [Jesus] cometh” (Matthew 24:4444Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:44)).
If He comes today, are you ready? Or will you be left behind for judgment?
ML-08/14/2011