In the year 62 A.D. two small towns in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius were severely damaged by an earthquake. For sixteen years the citizens of the two towns worked to rebuild their towns bigger and better than ever. They were still building in A.D. 79, when Vesuvius erupted and buried both towns. Of the estimated 20,000 people living in Pompeii, at least 2000 died, and the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were totally destroyed.
Coming nearer to our time, in 1631 Vesuvius erupted again and killed 4000 people.
Closer still, in 1980 an earthquake struck Naples, in the shadow of Vesuvius, and claimed 3000 lives.
Asked about the possibility of a really gigantic upheaval in that unstable area, a great scientist answered, "We prefer to forget about that prospect!"
Where there were only 20,000 in A.D. 79, the whole area may contain 2,000,000 today. 2,000,000 souls living in the shadow of total catastrophe! Of course they "prefer to forget"—but can they?
Every tremor of the earth, (one town has counted 100 tremors in a single day) every rumble from Vesuvius, is a warning. Would you like to live "on the edge" like that?
It may be that you are living in even more deadly danger every day of your life! You may stand on firm ground; you may never have experienced an earthquake nor even seen a volcano, but you have still no guarantee of safety even one hour ahead.
No, never! He says instead, "Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Prov. 27:11Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1).
Oh, please don't say, "I prefer to forget about that prospect!"
The people who live in the "Fiery Fields" near Vesuvius may feel that they must stay there; they were born there, perhaps, their families are there, all that they have is there. They may not think that they have any choice. But you do have a choice. Your immortal soul is in danger, was born in danger, but you may still "flee from the wrath to come."
You have only to turn to the Lord Jesus and receive the salvation He freely offers you and you can know that you are safe, forever safe, on the Rock that can never be moved or shaken. "For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?" Psa. 18:3131For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God? (Psalm 18:31).
The choice is yours!