Prepare For The Storm
What storm? Well, pick one. If you believe in global warming and all the predictions from the “scientists,” we’re in for increased hurricane activity, tornados, and firestorms. The polar icecaps are going to melt and raise the ocean levels. But if you read our last post, Is Fear King, you’ll realize it’s just more of “their” scare tactics to keep us bound in fear.
There is, however, a storm coming for which we can and should prepare. It will come when least expected. There will be no further warnings or telltale signs other than the depravity of man continuing the downward spiral. Not being prepared will introduce us to the worst nightmare imaginable on a global scale. And there will be no place to hide from it nor will we awaken out of it. No, I’m not talking about a fresh outbreak of COVID-19 (24, 57 or whatever), although that could be a part of it. And natural disasters will destroy much of the world, although there will be nothing “natural” about them.
We are, and have been for decades, on a slippery slope of immorality and self-centeredness the likes of which might have only existed before “The Flood,” in which the entire earth’s population, less eight people, was destroyed. The problem is, like the frog in the pot of water, our environment has changed so slowly, we haven’t recognized it because what should have been the standard, the benchmark, has changed along with it. We are about to boil to death, and it feels normal.
Though the God who created everything,
and sustains it with His word, is singularly patient and loving, He has a timetable that, I believe, is rapidly approaching expiration. If that’s true, how do we prepare? Is there any way to avoid it?
For a typical storm, there are two types of preparation necessary: physical and mental. For this one, neither will help. We must be prepared spiritually. And only those who are, will escape. In I Peter 1:13, we’re told to “prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” How do we prepare our minds? Romans 12:2 has the answer, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” We can only do that when we are “new creatures.” II Corinthians 5:17 says, “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
The only prerequisite
to be included in the group that escapes the coming storm is to know Jesus Christ personally as your Savior and Lord. If you do, you’re in. If not, you’re out. Period. End of story. But it’s a story with a happy ending…if you “renew your mind” and become a “new creation.”
Fortunately, it’s not a long arduous transformation. It can happen instantly when you 1) agree with God that you’re a sinner, separated from Him (Rom. 3:23) and deserving of death (Rom. 6:23), 2) realize there’s nothing you can do to restore the relationship, except repent of your sin (tell God you’re sorry) and ask for forgiveness based on Jesus Christ’s death on your behalf (John 14:6), 3) accept God’s free gift of salvation (Eph. 2:8,9).
Escaping the coming storm (judgment)
is just the beginning. Heaven awaits and it will be glorious. There will be no sin there…ever. No sorrow, no pain, no death, bitterness, envy, lying, stealing or any other negative thing you can think of. Just the glory of God and Jesus our Savior. We’ll see the angels who are magnificent, created beings. We’ll walk on streets of gold. Each of the twelve gates in the New Jerusalem is a single pearl. Satan and his demons, who have tormented us and sought our destruction during our time on earth, will have been banished to the never-ending fires of hell that burn for eternity. Now that’s something to look forward to.
Check out our “Steps To Salvation” page on this site for more detailed information about becoming a new creature, prepared for the coming storm.