Fighting for What Counts

What is to become of the world? The United States has elected a new leader for our country, Israel is poised to hold elections, health questions are arising about the dictator of North Korea, Russia is still being governed by Vladimir Putin-but no one wants to say anything due to Putin's police state tactics. Everyone is looking for answers to a unraveling situation in the global world's history. No matter who is elected certain things must take place as mentioned in the Bible. Sure, many are looking to leaders for hope in what seems to be a dark, questionable path. The nations and citizens find it convenient to ignore the fact that the Lord is the judge of mankind. Different countries have opted to elect leaders who they believe can bring structure and peace to their country. Are their efforts all for nothing? The only sure thing in life is ones ability to determine the fate of their souls. How unfortunate it is that people do not have their priories in order, feeling as though they need to save intangible objects, things that will pass away, more so than the need to save their immortal souls. A regrettable practice today is that countless people dedicate their time and energy to causes that interfere with their personal relationship with the true God concerning their salvation.

"Save the Planet!" is the mantra of Al Gore and celebrity environmentalists. They are convinced that mankind will destroy the earth. Do any of their own beliefs agree with what the Bible says? The Bible does not state that mankind has the capability to utterly destroy his creation, the Earth. However, it does mention how the Lord has reserved a judgment of fire for the Earth as we know it. Psalm 96:13 reads, "For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the Earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with His truth." God has already destroyed the earth with water during the flood and according to 2^nd Peter, the Lord will destroy the earth again but with fire. "... He used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. (2^nd Peter 3:6-7)" Why will the Lord annihilate the earth in the future? Genesis clearly explains why the Lord destroyed earth in the past, "Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah," I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (Genesis 6:11-13)." It was because of man's wickedness and corruption that the Lord destroyed the earth.

Only Noah and his family were found righteous enough to escape the Lord's coming judgments against the world. Instead of an ark, many Christians will be sparred the judgments of the world because of the rapture. What are the judgments coming to the world? The book of Revelation reveals seven opening judgments on the earth at the beginning of the tribulation:

1) A false leader comes to bring "peace" on Earth, but ushers in chaos.

2) Peace is taken away from the Earth.

3) Famine is spread across the earth.

4) A fourth of mankind is killed by the sword, hunger, and beasts.

5) The souls of the martyrs cry for the avengement of those who dwell on the earth.

6) Severe calamities of nature and heavenly astronomical events cause great fear on the earth.

7) Silence-before the remaining judgments are poured out onto the earth.

These are just a fragment of the future judgments that will be facing mankind and earth. (Revelation 6:1-8:6)

The event of the rapture is an occasion that many Christians are looking forward to. For just as Noah did, Christians will escape the coming judgments described during the period of the Great tribulation. It is a blessing that the period that mankind currently lives in is the church age-an age that began when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Humanity will shift in a different direction that will ultimately cause a deep longing for the present days that we are living in. It doesn't matter who may or may not be elected, the end of an era is quickly approaching. "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:8-9)." Make sure you don't lose focus and live your life for objects that are perishable, but base your future decisions on believing in the Son of God-a choice that will ultimately determine your salvation. Are you prepared to meet your maker?