Water and Fire

Meditate.

Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, "What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created." They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then 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 Peter 3:3-7

Watch out for those scoffers. They are all around us now, saying that Jesus isn’t coming soon. Hey. Look at what is going on in the world. Surely you have heard of the Abraham Peace Accord between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain? Is that the peace treaty that is prophesied in the Bible? Possibly. How about all the earthquakes lately? Are those the ones prophesied in the Bible? Possibly. One day is as a thousand years…and a thousand years as one day in God’s timeline. So it may still be a thousand years before Christ returns for His church, but still we must consider Jesus’ words…"You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected." Luke 12:40.

Replica of Noah's Ark - Amsterdam

Water and fire. I think it is interesting that John the Baptist said that he baptized with water, and that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (see Matthew 3:11). Fire. The fire of the Holy Spirit purifies. Similarly, judgment will result in fire…and then destruction. We don’t often think of fire destroying the ungodly people…but that is just what Peter is conveying in God’s word here. That is the fire of hell in the Day of Judgment. Only the unbelievers, the ungodly people, will have to face that just like the ungodly of Noah’s day went through the flood that cleansed the world of sin. Something to think about. Water and fire. During Noah’s time life went on just like normal—people partying and living their lives until the deluge of water covered the earth. That is what will happen again…up until the time that Jesus returns for His church. Life will go on. Work, marriages, parties, and then the Rapture will take away the Bride of Christ…the church. Then later fire will ensue and wipe out the ungodly. Are you ready? Which group will you be in? Those who are Raptured…or those who are left behind to face God’s cleansing fire? The choice is totally yours. No one else can make that decision for you. Not your Mom or Dad, Grandma, spouse, children, friends, neighbor, coworkers—even God Himself. You choose. 

Prayer ~ Lord God, I choose You. I want to be with You always. I know, that like all others, I am a sinner, and I repent of my sin. Please forgive me and take me into Your family that I would live with You forever. Thank You, Jesus, that You have taken my sin to the cross…and that I am forgiven. The fire of the Holy Spirit has purified my soul forever.

Verses of Salvation ~ Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?" He replied, "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. Acts 1:4-9

Be witnesses for Jesus about your salvation telling people everywhere about Him. You don’t have to travel to Jerusalem, Judea or Samaria…or to the ends of the earth. The mission field is at your door. Begin in your own home…your neighborhood and your community. Do others see Jesus in you?          

© 2020 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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