Recently we had the privilege of visiting the Hawaiian Islands. One of the things I think we shall always remember is the destruction caused by the recent volcanic eruptions of Mt. Kiluea.
It is difficult to imagine rock heated so hot that it melts and flows like a raging flood, flowing as fast as 30 miles per hour, with fountains of lava spurting 1700 feet into the air. That’s as high as tall skyscrapers. But such can be the force of an eruption.
Among the ruins, we saw the places where houses once stood, the burned out tops of cars, and twisted steel gates. We could still feel the heat of the lava as we walked on top of it.
It reminded us of the Bible verses found in 2 Peter 3:9-12 which tell us of God’s final destruction of this earth. “The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up,” and “all these things shall be dissolved.”
Yes, God will destroy the whole earth with fire because of the corruption of sin. But God also tells us that He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
What a loving God He is. He is grieved by sin and all the sorrow that it has caused and does cause. God is holy and cannot let it continue. He must punish sin and everyone who will not accept the Lord Jesus as their substitute. Have you confessed to God that you are a sinner? He wants to save you from fiery judgment, so He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the world to die for sinners. Yes, through Him is “the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things.” Acts 13:38,39. But to those who will not repent and receive the Lord Jesus, God says, “Behold, ye despisers... and perish.” verse 41.
What a wonderful God. Though He must punish sin, He loves the sinner and wants to save him. He can take away all your sins and save you from that terrible punishment. Won’t you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved?
“What must I do to be saved?” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:30,31.
ML-08/02/1987