Destruction Falls

Scripture:
Revelation 16:17-21 (ESV)

The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.

Devotional:

As I read about the one hundred pound hailstones my mind wandered to the movie Armageddon with Bruce Willis.  It was about a giant asteroid that was on a collision course with Earth.  There have been other movies as well about meteors heading to Earth.  Always there is a hero or group of heroes that save the day.  Sure some die in the movies but civilization and the planet are saved.  Life goes on.

When God brings about the end and Revelation comes to pass no one can save the day.  God’s judgement and wrath are being poured out upon the earth for all of our foolish sins.  People will futilely curse God and blame Him.  But the truth of the matter it will be mankind’s own fault.  The choice is ours.  We can follow God’s ways or we can go at it our own way.  Just think if everyone turned to Christ there would not be any need for Revelation to come to pass.  No one would be around after the rapture.  Wouldn’t that be wonderful?  The problem is that the entire world hasn’t accepted Jesus.  Not everyone will be willing to. 

Despite that we need to do our part.  Unfortunately, most Christians fail to reach out and make disciples, myself included.  Jesus tells us to go and make disciples of all nations.  Matthew 28:19-20 ESV:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This is not a request or a suggestion.  So why do we pass it on for someone else?  Why is it we think it isn’t our job or that we do not have to.  I am just as guilty and I have to change that.  It is our job to reach the world so that everyone will know Jesus.  If each of us started to do our part, we would change the world.  Not everyone will accept but that doesn’t mean we are supposed to give up.  Jesus hasn’t given up on you.  He hasn’t given up on me.