the7ones.comGod’s Early Warning System
by Matt Clifton
As I listened to the blaring sound of the tornado sirens being tested in our town one day, it struck me how important disaster preparedness can be. The forces of nature can be devastating and sudden. When disaster comes, we harness all the energy and resources we can to assure that lives and property can be saved, or to at least assure ourselves that if it does happen again we will have some sort of warning, and a way to begin recovery afterwards. As citizens we are very happy to have such a warning system in place in the event of another tornado.
Some disasters come totally by surprise. Preparation after the fact is important in cases where we have no advanced warning. Remember the terrorist attacks of 9/11? The nation swept into high gear to prepare itself for the next attack, and to put systems in place for detecting chemical, biological and radiological substances, new methods of screening passengers on airlines, tighter immigration restraints, etc. People feel a little safer, now. Likewise, the tsunami that affected Indonesia recently and brought such a huge toll in terms of human lives was a complete surprise. The world mourned for those lost, and scientists struggled to find ways to give better warnings for such things.These are all physical dangers to life and limb that we have to deal with in life here on earth. Rarely do we receive as much advanced warning as we would like to prepare for disaster.
All of this should underscore the importance of God’s warning to us about the coming judgment! In His great mercy, God has not left us without advance warning.
In Matthew chapter 12, some of the Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign to prove to them who He was (v. 39). Jesus, however, knowing their reason for asking, tells them that no sign will be given, except the sign of Jonah. In other words, when Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead, Jesus provided the sign that He was who He claimed to be (v. 40). Paul confirms in Romans 1:4 that His resurrection proves Jesus is the Son of God.
The resurrection of Christ was fair warning! He taught that there was a coming judgment for all men (Matthew 25:31-46) and that men would be judged according to the words He spoke (John 12:48). Among the words Jesus spoke were the commands to believe on Him (John 3:16), repent (Luke 13:3), confess Him before men (Matt. 10:32,33) and be baptized (Mark 16:16).
If only the protection of our physical lives were so clear cut! Have you made provision though Christ for your eternal spiritual life?
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