The fleet lay at anchor in the harbor on Saturday, December 6, 1941, and business was carried on as usual in the city of Honolulu. The sailors had their shore leaves, and the evening was spent as any other Saturday evening. There had been rumors that war might break out some day, but as yet there was nothing to cause alarm. Soldiers, sailors, and civilians retired that night with a feeling of safety and security. True, the horrors of war were being experienced in other parts of the world; but in Hawaii everything was so quiet and peaceful that there was apparently no reason for concern.
However, about seven o'clock on Sunday morning, without warning, the harbor, barracks, and city were attacked. War had not been declared; in fact the envoys were talking peace. Nevertheless, war was there with all its realities. The first blows were struck with fury, resulting in considerable loss of life, bodily injury, and property damage.
Many years before, there was another tragic day which caught the people wholly unprepared. That day was more disastrous than December seventh at Pearl Harbor, for it was accompanied with almost total loss of life. There have been many sad disasters in the world's history, but this one was the worst to date. The people had become very wicked, and God could no longer bear with them in patience; so He sent a messenger to warn them—Noah, a just man. The people did not believe the message, but Noah believing it, knew that judgment was coming; therefore, he built an ark that would rise above the waters of judgment. None but Noah and his family turned to God in repentance, or sought refuge from the coming storm. God tells us of the rest in these words: "As in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away." Matt. 24:38, 3938For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:38‑39).
In this case, the people had plenty of warnings as they listened to Noah's preaching, and saw him building the ark, but they went unheeded. At Pearl Harbor there was no warning, and the storm broke like a hurricane. Both instances, however, prove that trouble and even death can come unexpectedly. Eating, drinking, marrying, and all of the ordinary pursuits of life are no guarantee of safety.
Now let us take a sane and sober look into the future. The judgment of God hangs over the world today, for it is guilty of the rejection and crucifixion of His Son. Yet people today, as in the days before the flood, are living carelessly, while judgment approaches. Absence of worry or indifference is no guarantee that all is well. Every fisherman's carefully baited hook proves that danger and death lurk where least expected. Lack of concern on the part of the victim does not make the sad end any more pleasant.
Friend, your very enjoyments, occupation, or family, may be as the bait that hides the fatal hook. Anything that so occupies you as to make you indifferent to the judgment of God, is like a covering over the eyes as you approach the edge of a precipice. Stop! Listen!
There is also another matter of deep concern for you. You may not live until the judgment falls on this guilty world, for you might not see many more days. Life is very uncertain at best and today it is more so. Even should you die first, you would not escape the judgment of God; for He Himself tells us, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27).
But, friend, there is a sure and certain way of escape from that judgment. You can without fail escape both the judgment that will surely fall on the world, and the judgment that is after death. You can even be sure of it now. Frankly, now, would you not like to make your escape sure and certain? The way is very simple and will cost you nothing. Here it is, "Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6). He died for sinners. He, the sinless One, bore the whole storm and wrath of a holy God against sin, in order that you might not have to meet it. All that He requires of you is to come to Him as a guilty sinner, and believe that He died for you.
The incident of Noah in the ark should illustrate the way of escape. Those inside of the ark were safe, though the waters rose higher and higher, for the ark bore all the storm for them.
"Will you not flee to Jesus Christ, the true Ark of safety today? He invites you to come, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).
Please do not close your eyes to your peril, but instead make sure your escape by taking the salvation that is offered free. It cost God the best Gift He had to make this way of escape possible. Be wise; take it now and thank God for it. Do not go back to a false peace on the brink of judgment, but find true "Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1).