The Approaching Storm
By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.
02/08/2023
Our God shall come and shall not keep silent; a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. (Psalm 50:3)
For several years now my family and I have lived in the mountains of Colorado. We love the tall pines, mountain air, and wildlife. There is nothing quite like that first snowfall of winter as it blankets the evergreens and aspens. As beautiful as it is, however, winter weather brings its own hazards as well.
I recall one time in late September my wife Wendy and I set out to drive through the national forest that adjoined our property at the time and take in the fall colors. Our journey began at about 8,000 feet elevation and our plan was to drive up the mountain as far as our SUV would take us on the forest service roads.
When we got to about 10,000 feet, we started noticing ominous clouds rolling in. It was the unmistakable sign of a snowstorm. Since we were unaware of any winter weather advisories for our area, we reasoned that it must not be anything serious, and we continued to drive.
As the snow gently fell, we watched the deep red, vibrant orange, and gorgeous yellow leaves, interspersed among the stately tall pines, as they all became dusted with pure white. What a sight to behold! It was as if we were witnessing an accelerated transition from autumn to winter in real time.
Our delight in the scenery was short lived, however. It was not long before we realized, winter weather alert or not, we were about to get pummeled with snow. We hastily turned around and began the descent back toward our cabin, but not before almost getting stuck in heavy wet snow that covered the rapidly deteriorating dirt road. It was a lesson learned: Mountain weather can change suddenly and fiercely!
Reflecting on that experience makes me think of the Lord’s coming. He came once, like a gentle, quiet snow, in the most unexpected and humble way, to save the world from sin. When He comes back, however, it will be in fierce judgment with a sharp sword to judge the nations (Revelation 19:15).
In these great last days of deception, it is easy to become fixated on the approaching storm of evil, destruction, and tyranny that Satan and his earthly accomplices are foisting on the world. It is all around us and shows no sign of slowing down. But have you stopped to think about the approaching storm of divine judgment?
The psalmist writes, “Our God shall come and shall not keep silent; a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him” (Psalm 50:3). At a time when evil seems to go unchecked, we can take comfort in knowing that one day God will bring judgment in fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
In light of the approaching storm of God’s judgment, it is more urgent than ever that you make sure you are right with God. God’s Word says, "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, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:6–7).
There is only one way to avoid God’s judgment at the end of the age—only one way to be made right with a holy God. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died and rose again to pay your personal penalty for sin? He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47).
02/08/2023
Our God shall come and shall not keep silent; a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. (Psalm 50:3)
For several years now my family and I have lived in the mountains of Colorado. We love the tall pines, mountain air, and wildlife. There is nothing quite like that first snowfall of winter as it blankets the evergreens and aspens. As beautiful as it is, however, winter weather brings its own hazards as well.
I recall one time in late September my wife Wendy and I set out to drive through the national forest that adjoined our property at the time and take in the fall colors. Our journey began at about 8,000 feet elevation and our plan was to drive up the mountain as far as our SUV would take us on the forest service roads.
When we got to about 10,000 feet, we started noticing ominous clouds rolling in. It was the unmistakable sign of a snowstorm. Since we were unaware of any winter weather advisories for our area, we reasoned that it must not be anything serious, and we continued to drive.
As the snow gently fell, we watched the deep red, vibrant orange, and gorgeous yellow leaves, interspersed among the stately tall pines, as they all became dusted with pure white. What a sight to behold! It was as if we were witnessing an accelerated transition from autumn to winter in real time.
Our delight in the scenery was short lived, however. It was not long before we realized, winter weather alert or not, we were about to get pummeled with snow. We hastily turned around and began the descent back toward our cabin, but not before almost getting stuck in heavy wet snow that covered the rapidly deteriorating dirt road. It was a lesson learned: Mountain weather can change suddenly and fiercely!
Reflecting on that experience makes me think of the Lord’s coming. He came once, like a gentle, quiet snow, in the most unexpected and humble way, to save the world from sin. When He comes back, however, it will be in fierce judgment with a sharp sword to judge the nations (Revelation 19:15).
In these great last days of deception, it is easy to become fixated on the approaching storm of evil, destruction, and tyranny that Satan and his earthly accomplices are foisting on the world. It is all around us and shows no sign of slowing down. But have you stopped to think about the approaching storm of divine judgment?
The psalmist writes, “Our God shall come and shall not keep silent; a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him” (Psalm 50:3). At a time when evil seems to go unchecked, we can take comfort in knowing that one day God will bring judgment in fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
In light of the approaching storm of God’s judgment, it is more urgent than ever that you make sure you are right with God. God’s Word says, "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, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:6–7).
There is only one way to avoid God’s judgment at the end of the age—only one way to be made right with a holy God. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died and rose again to pay your personal penalty for sin? He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47).
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