People who are alive at this moment will be dead tomorrow, because they will not heed the warnings that dangerous Hurricane Irene is rapidly approaching the east coast and is putting at risk something like 65 million people in its path. I have ridden out two death wielding hurricanes, Camille and Katrina, and I can tell all my friends who are reading this today and might be in Irene’s path that this is no laughing matter, and you should pack up and get the heck out of its way and go to a safe shelter NOW!
It is a frightening experience to ride out a hurricane and it puts into perspective just how tiny and insignificant that we are in comparison. Hurricane Katrina was supposed to cross Florida and turn right and go towards Tampa. Had I been in the cone of its path I would have left long before it arrived, but forecasters said it would go the opposite direction from where I lived in Islamorada.
They were wrong
Instead of taking its predicted right turn, it took a LEFT and headed straight south towards the Florida Keys where I lived. And then before heading west across the Gulf of Mexico towards New Orleans, it sat off of Key West and started intensifying and growing larger and larger and we got slammed by its outer bands.
My oceanfront home got mauled as it sent devastating winds and horizontal rain barreling down upon us. I frantically ran from window to window watching the power of the vicious storm; lightening would illuminate the eerie black skies and I could see the gusting winds snapping trees and destroying everything in their path.
I spent a very long night running from window watching and praying that my home would hold up to the vicious storm and that we would remain safe. Meanwhile my wife who had setup a comfortable makeshift pallet in the hall snored through the entire storm, completely oblivious to the dangerous situation.
The next morning I was amazed to see a forty foot sailboat washed ashore along with my brand new flats boat which was totaled. Most of my dock was gone and a large tree sat atop one corner of my house. It was hotter than Hades and as humid as a wet sauna. We had no electricity and there was no way to escape the heat. My driveway which is a quarter of a mile long was impassable and littered with debris and felled trees.
Fortunately we lived through it, but there were those who died in that terrible storm and those deaths have been well documented. The people of New Orleans had plenty of time to get out ahead of Katrina’s path, but ignored the dire warnings and some even used the approaching storm as yet another reason to party, (as If they need a reason to party down there).
A few days later the party was over and the stench of death and devastation lie in its stead.
The media, the government, politicians, various emergency responders and weather forecasters have issued the dire warnings about the approaching storm Irene and what must be done if folks are to live, and they should listen and take action right now.
The Bible has issued a warning too, and we should listen and take action right now. The rumblings have begun, the ground is trembling, and the dark clouds are approaching. People we should know that as sure as the sun comes up in the east that the truths and predictions told in the Bible will unfold as predicted and nothing will be able to stop this storm as it wreaks havoc on civilization as we know it. The Lord is coming to render His final judgment and this approaching storm is a magnitude of which the world has never seen.
The Bible tells us specifically we will know it is approaching when we see wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, natural disasters, famine, a time of great learning where travel will be greatly facilitated, a 200,000,000 man army amassing “out of the east” (China), Europe will unify, plans being made for a single currency and one world government, evil times where the hearts of men and women will grow cold and apostasy or falling away from the faith will occur, the Jews return to the Holy Land after being scattered for over 2000 years and will be surrounded by enemies intent upon their destruction, men burning with lust for other men and likewise with women, pestilence and disease killing millions of people, rise of Russia, instant communication around the world, the Gospel will be preached worldwide, technology will become available for the mark of the beast, false prophets and Gods will arise….
Look around. Do you see any of this happening today? Those are storm clouds approaching, but people want to discount them and ignore them. It’s crazy behavior because that is predicted in the Bible too. The Bible tells us that God will return like a thief in the night at a time when no one will be expecting Him. We will be going about business, getting married, partying down, whatever. Then it will be upon us.
When will it happen? Jesus said no one knows the exact time, but we will know by the signs of the times, (listed above). Those are our approaching storm clouds folks; Jesus gave us the warning. It is time to make preparations NOW.
Make no mistake. Open your Bible and read it for yourself. Sin has consequence and judgment is coming is the overriding message that is being blared out of Scripture today. There is only one shelter that can protect us from the storm that approaches and that is found exclusively in Jesus Christ. His salvation is free of charge; we just have to put our trust and faith in Him. You can be safe and sound and snore your way through the storms of this life like my wife did with Katrina if you belong to Jesus.
Don’t be like those foolish people who will ignore the warnings about Irene and needlessly die this weekend. Seek shelter in Jesus Christ today, while there is yet a little time.
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday.
Luke 21:28
“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near…
Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.”