(This Could Be You)
The picture below is of a fragment of the Shoemaker-Levy Comet striking the planet Jupiter in 1994. The fireball at the lower left is about the size of Earth. The bright spots are where the surface of the planet still glows after the strike of two other fragments of the comet. What if it the comet fragments had hit Earth instead of Jupiter? This could have been you.
What other reminders have we been given of our mortality and the fact that the earth will one day end? What other reminders do we need? What would be enough of a jolt to awaken the world to the end of all things?
Luke records Jesus’ words of warning: Luke 21:25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.”
This warning is not given in wrath and anger, but in mercy, so that taking hold of Christ by faith we will be “able to stand before the Son of Man.” Our Savior wants nothing so much as to have us be able to stand before Him bearing the righteousness that is ours by faith, and welcomed by Him into our heavenly home.
That being the case, we do well to ask ourselves, “What is truly most important in life?” The answer surely is summed up in Jesus’ call to repent of our sinfulness, and to place our trust in Him for forgiveness, life, and salvation.