A Smoldering City

 If today were your last living day, do you know where your eternal place of residence would be? Would your heart be ready and fully prepared to meet Jesus at any given moment?

I think everyone would collectively agree that the world we are currently living in could only be described as a chaotic and crumbling mess. So many tragedies have taken place within the last several months as well, such as weather-related disasters, massive flooding, widespread fires, aviation incidents, and growing presence of global turmoil.

We are truly living through perilous times within a smoldering city.

A noteworthy fact: Did you know that fire often smolders for weeks before its flames ever make an appearance? And in those beginning stages, sometimes even an odor isn't always detectable. 

I thought that was both interesting and a little bit frightening. It's somewhat unthinkable to consider the possibility of looming trouble long before it becomes noticeable to the naked eye. 

But it's not impossible. 

That's exactly what is happening in our world today.

Yet many precious souls are STILL so blinded with their hearts remaining deceived; they are living in total oblivion and are currently unable to see the dangerous presence of evil and the eventual destruction that lies ahead for them. It's sadly not unusual for some to laugh and joke while on social media about the promise of Christ's return. The Bible provides a stark description of scoffers in 2 Peter Chapter 3:

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God, the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:3-7)

 I've come across the following thought numerous times and it is so true: 

While the world prepares for war, Heaven is preparing for a wedding.

Jesus loves you and He so freely offers the precious gift of salvation. The verses that are included below are two of my favorites and I could not go without sharing them today. The truth of God's Word can sometimes be stark but His love for all is straightforward and beautifully evidenced all throughout Scripture.

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to a place of repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God has 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". (Romans 10:9-10)

Won't you come to a place of repentance and settle the matter of your eternal residence today?