Observing staggering amounts of geothermal features in one general location ought to unsettle the mind of a man. Think about it, coming face to face with the visual reality that we are living on a fireball, insulated by layers of earth, tends to make a man think, "This sucker is gonna blow, isn't it?" And the answer to that question is "Yes it is." And not, if? But, when?
The observable beauty and splendor of geothermal activity is but a miniscule fraction of the churning, violent goings-on occurring miles beneath the earth's surface. This photograph of the Beehive Geyser in Yellowstone National Park is a glorious example of this magnificence made manifest to us in a harmless and entertaining way. But approach one of these features and you can sense the danger contained within. Sulfuric steam escapes from the depths, creating an environment on the earth's surface which is uninhabitable to all but the most unique of organisms, called thermophiles.
You do see the rainbow in the photo, do you not? And you do know the significance of the sign of the rainbow, yes? The rainbow is God's. It is God's promise to never do to the earth and its inhabitants what He did in Noah's day. See Genesis 9:12-15 - "And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh."
We have it on the highest authority that the waters of this earth will never again be used to destroy this place. Knowing this, and knowing that this promise is conveyed to us by the sign of the rainbow, gives us a sickening feeling when we see God's promise of restraint being desecrated by Sodomites prostituting the rainbow flag in celebration of their sin and in staggering disregard for God's commands.
While these folks may or may not be aware of God's promise of the rainbow (though some are and Satan certainly is), I wonder if they are aware of another promise dealing with the same subject? II Peter 3:3-7 speaks clearly when it says - "knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly."
Just as the Lord rained down sulfur and fire on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in a localized area to destroy them for their perversion (Genesis 19), He has pledged to do something similar again. This time, however, it will not be merely a local event, but a global one.
Friends, God's mercy has an ending point. There will come a day when He will call forth judgment upon all of the ungodly. This time of reprieve and opportunity that we are currently experiencing will not last forever.
Knowing this and believing it wholeheartedly, my counsel to you is simple and it is this:
“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7)
Just as the sign of the rainbow promises mercy, it also serves as a reminder of the judgment that God rained (literally) down. And similarly, just as we can today observe geothermal manifestations with wonder and awe, we know that one day, when God releases the core of the earth and commands it to spill out upon the surface, men will observe with sheer terror and will plead to Him for mercy. But there will be none.
In light of this, I urge you to turn to the merciful One today. You will be pardoned!
Pastor Jeremy
