Later than You Think

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

Captain Sampson of the British navy witnessed one of the greatest volcanic eruptions in history, the Krakatoa eruption of 1883. It was so powerful that the explosion was heard on the Rodriquez Island about 3,000 miles away. Ash from the eruption fell on Singapore about 525 miles to the north, on Cocos Island 720 miles to the southwest, and on ships over 3,500 miles to the west-northwest. Darkness covered the Sunda Straits from 11:00 AM until dawn the next day.

Swanson wrote in his ship’s log, “I am writing this blind in pitch darkness. We are under continual rain of pumice-stone and dust. So violent are the explosions that the ear-drums of over half my crew have been shattered … I am convinced that the Day of Judgment has come.”

He and his crew had witnessed something so extraordinary that it caused them to stop and think — is this the end of the world? Clouds of smoke and ashes. Darkness. They must have thought the sun had become like sackcloth.

Well, I believe we are living in extraordinary times. Violent eruptions are taking place all around us. Not the volcanic kind, rather, massive eruptions of iniquity. Do you recognize them, dear Christ follower? Do you see them as a wake-up call from the Lord? Jesus predicted extraordinary times as the end of the age draws near. It may be closer than we think. 

Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation, 2 before the decree is issued, or the day passes like chaff, before the LORD’S fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger comes upon you! 3 Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD’S anger. Zephaniah 2:1-3