36 Scary Hours!

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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Have you ever thanked God for your mayor, your policemen, and the other authorities who protect you? The Bible says “they are God’s ministers [servants]... to execute wrath [carry out punishment] upon him that doeth evil.” Romans 13:4,64For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (Romans 13:4)
6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. (Romans 13:6). Even though they may sometimes do wrong things and should be punished, God has put them there for a purpose.
Christopher and Dawn live in the large city of Los Angeles, where not long ago the police lost control for 36 hours. The results were frightening! Almost 60 people died, 2,400 were injured, and thousands of stores were looted, damaged or destroyed. When the police and other authorities lost control, people of all ages acted on what was inside of them sin. God warns us, “Because sentence [punishment] against an evil work is not executed [carried out] speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:1111Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Every one of us has an evil heart inside, and there is only one way to change that evil heart being given a “new” heart.
God hates sin, whether it is secretly stealing your brother’s chocolate bar, or carrying a stolen chair down the middle of the street in broad daylight. He will punish sin too. Sometimes punishment comes right away, as it did for some of the looters who entered a store to steal and were trapped by fire. For every one who has not had their sins forgiven by the Lord Jesus Christ, there will be judgment after death in the lake of fire. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” Hebrews 9:27,2827And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:27‑28). But the Lord Jesus loves us, and took the punishment that we deserve. He paid the penalty for those who are sorry about their sins and come to Him for forgiveness. “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18). The Lord Jesus gives those who come to Him for forgiveness a new heart a heart that loves to do what is right, as well as the power to do what is right even when tempted to do something wrong.
Did you know that even worse times are coming? When Christopher and Dawn were surrounded by fires on the north, south, east and west, stores and businesses on both ends of their block were looted, and the electricity went off, they were frightened, although they knew that God was with them. But God took care of them, and made a way for them to leave the city. He gave them an escape past burning buildings and stealing, angry crowds. Soon the Lord Jesus is coming to call to Himself all who trust in Him. Once again there will be no authorities to restrain evil and protect people. Men will again kill and steal as they choose, and things will be so terrible that people will “seek death, and shall not find it.” Revelation 9:66And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. (Revelation 9:6). There will be no comfort then in knowing that God is with you, because He will not be with you; He will have already taken all Christians to heaven. There will be no escape.
Will you be with Jesus in heaven then, or will you have to live through that terrible, terrible time that will last much longer than 36 hours? “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2).
ML-10/11/1992