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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nMark 9: 43b-44 \u201cIt is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It surely seems as if there is one disaster on this earth after another. Many claim these have always been and will always be. In my years, I certainly cannot remember a time in which there have been so many disasters, so frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maui has been and will continue to be the most beautiful of the islands. It was and mostly still is, (except for the Lahaina area), a tropical paradise. Unless one has been there, the majesty of the seashores to the mountains leaves one awestruck in amazement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To have experienced this once tropical paradise and then see the \u201cafter\u201d pictures is reminiscent of the Hiroshima pictures after the atomic bomb. Total devastation is difficult for many of us to comprehend but it happens and the word \u201cvictim\u201d really becomes very powerful and meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We often hear spoken the words, \u201cBut, we are alive.\u201d Granted that is precious and to each survivor, of utmost concern. Also, to consider the material things lost that can never be replaced is horrifying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The death count this morning is at eighty souls. There are still many missing and that number will likely rise. Each of those was a precious family member to someone and their loss is devastating. We are in prayer for those and also pray in hope each individual had heard about the saving power of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One man in Lahaina said \u201cI can\u2019t even prove who I am.\u201d When told to be on the lookout for looters, one woman said, \u201cWhy? There\u2019s nothing left!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When seeing the aerial photos, I recognized roads I had driven on, the seaport where we docked and a street in the old section of town. Those places were not difficult to identify but had been reduced to burnt out rubble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we worked disaster relief with Christian agencies, after floods and hurricanes, it was not uncommon to see family pictures, Bibles, family documents and other non-replaceable items lying in front yards, soaked and covered in mud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is a period of disbelief on the part of victims. \u201cIs this just a bad dream?\u201d It takes a while to realize the reality of a disaster. Stages of grief apply in being victims of a disaster similar to losing a loved one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance are not only stages of grief but are stages of suffering. Physical or mental, suffering is very real and to lose everything materially, is a tragedy to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Workers in New York after the terrorist attack on September 11th, 2001, saw a surreal appearance in not only the place, but also in the people. We were there with a DR agency the weeks after the attack. The expressions on people\u2019s faces showed a feeling of disbelief; those that were there the moment the planes hit the twin towers are unforgettable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luke 23: 42-43 \u201cAnd he (the thief on the cross) said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.\u201d Jesus described Heaven as paradise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can quickly determine paradise here on earth is only temporary but the paradise Jesus described is eternal. We earthlings cannot comprehend eternity. All of our time factors\/references have a beginning and an end. Eternity does not!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God\u2019s paradise is so much more than man\u2019s version. Many here on earth would describe paradise as a tropical island; I would consider a chalet in the Alps as my paradise. A paradise designed and built by our Creator will be beyond our wildest dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revelation 21: 1-4 \u201cAnd I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mankind has a choice! We can repent and accept the reality of a crucified and resurrected Savior; or we do not. The concept is simple: either we believe it, or we don\u2019t! Christ Jesus shed His precious perfect blood for the sins of mankind (Hebrews 9: 22).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preaching the Biblical reality of eternal punishment in the place commonly referred to as Hell, is something I prefer not to do. I will continue to promote the belief that Jesus came to the earth in the flesh (John 1: 14) to die for the sins of mankind because he loves His creation (us). He did not intend to scare us into Heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the simple truth is, the Bible teaches there is such a place. Matthew 25: 41 \u201cThen shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.\u201d The fires in Hawaii will be extinguished; the fires of Hell will not!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revelation 20: 15 \u201cAnd whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.\u201d People try to word around these simple truths but they say what they say! It is my responsibility to share with people the reality of the scripture for what it says and not add to it or take from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Romans 10: 9-10 \u201cThat if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No one, especially me, would trivialize the horror of what the people of Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii have endured the last few days. And they will continue to suffer the effect of the fires for years after the rest of the world has only a superficial knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What the rest of the world must not forget is that prophesies in the Bible are happening as we watch, right here on earth, right now. Even though, many in our world disregard the words of God, the truth is evident if we will simply read, consider and believe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The famines and pestilences of Matthew 24: 6 are ongoing. The characteristics of man described by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 are being witnessed worldwide. The Revelation 13 prophesies are being sought by the godless in our world not knowing what they\u2019re asking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A world ignorant of Bible teachings is a dangerous world to live in and humanity is moving further away from God every day we exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To state an opinion: we will continue to see disasters and they will be like \u201cthe beginning of sorrows\u201d as stated by Jesus in Matthew 24: 8. They will increase in frequency and intensity; this has already been witnessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We must always teach that eternal salvation is by a faith based belief in Christ Jesus crucified for the remission of sin and resurrected (Acts 12: 4).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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