The tsunami warning siren wailed out its loud discordant notes along the northeastern coast of Japan.
It began its blaring less than a minute after one of the strongest earthquakes in recorded history struck. For thirty-six seconds, the earth lurched and pitched under Japanese feet like it was a living beast.
Most of the people knew exactly how to react because the Japanese government had conducted numerous tsunami drills along the coast. House doors were flung open and people rushed into the streets. As fast as their feet would carry them they made their way along designated tsunami evacuation routes. Small signs written in Japanese, with a picture of a wave on them, marked out the evacuation routes. These routes lead to nearby hillsides which the government had judged high enough to provide protection.
Approximately five minutes after the earthquake first struck, the tsunami unleashed its terrible fury along the coast. Boaters out at sea would not have noticed the tsunami, but as the tsunami approached the shore it was a different matter. The first indication it was about to strike was when it rapidly drew the water away from the coast like an extremely low tide. Then a faint roaring could be heard in the distance. As the tsunami raced up the sloping coast into shallower depths, the wave grew to monstrous size. The tsunami consisted not of just one giant wave, but of a succession of waves in some places over forty or fifty feet tall. The waves crashed over sea walls, ran over highways, slammed into houses, and battered buildings. Strong structures crumbled into pieces and in an instant were turned into floating piles of debris. Cars, trucks, airplanes and boats were all carried along by the irresistible force of the tsunami. In many places the tsunami spread its path of destruction up to seven kilometers inland.
Tragically the tsunami took a great human toll also. Some people did not heed the warning siren and made no attempt to flee. Others took refuge in large and strong buildings only to have the buildings collapse about them. Yet others, like the aged and infirm, could not move fast enough and were caught by the gigantic surge of water. Some had tried to rescue prized possessions which slowed them down. Others lost their lives when they fled to places which they thought were high enough to give them protection, only to find out to their amazement that the tsunami was far more powerful than they thought.
The earthquake and tsunami of Friday, March 11, 2011, joins the ranks of the greatest natural disasters of all time. Most of us will never experience a natural disaster on such a scale. However, there is the potential for a spiritual disaster in each of our lives that is even greater in magnitude. Each person will have to answer to God about their sins. The Bible says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:3131It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31)). People who die in their sins will be swept away into everlasting punishment and the darkness of a lost eternity. God doesn’t want that spiritual disaster to happen in anyone’s life. He wants all to turn to Him in repentance and faith that they might be saved. That men and women might have a way to be saved, God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world.
Nearly two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ, God’s precious Son, hung on a cross outside Jerusalem. At any time He could have called out, and thousands of angels would have come to deliver Him. He let Himself be nailed to those awful pieces of wood because He knew that only through His own death might sinners have a way to be saved from their sins. At the cross He gave His life and shed His precious blood so that all who believe on Him might find the one place of safety. The infinite value God finds in Christ’s death is placed on the sinner’s account the moment they believe on His name.
The tsunami safety routes were clearly marked, and a great number of people were saved by following them. The Bible has many verses which clearly mark out the way of salvation. Here are a few of them which clearly show the way we must take to “flee from the wrath to come.”
“The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed” (Romans 10:8-118But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 10:8‑11)).
Salvation is offered free to all, and the angels of God rejoice when a single sinner repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet it is sorrowful to think that a great many for a variety of reasons will not receive God’s precious offer of eternal life. Many because of unbelief simply refuse to heed God’s warning about the judgment to come. They are like those in the tsunami who heard the warning and ignored it, only to be finally overwhelmed. Others might think they are going to take refuge in good works or religious effort and therefore don’t need faith in the Saviour. Their good works may look formidable and substantial. However, these works will provide no protection for souls in the awful day of God’s judgment, but they will crumble to pieces like many of the buildings in Japan did when struck by the tsunami. Nothing short of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who died and rose again will ever save a soul. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9)). Still others because of the love they have for possessions will never find room in their hearts to trust the Saviour.
God will see that every person receives their proper due. “Who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath” (Romans 2:6-86Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: 8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (Romans 2:6‑8)).
In the entire world there is but one place for the sinner to flee that will keep them safe. It is the place sinners come to when they call out by faith to the Lord Jesus. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)). Will you call out to Him to be saved from the judgment that must otherwise overtake you?