“Happy is he . . . whose hope is in the Lord his God: which made [the heavens], and earth, the sea, and all that therein is.”
Psalm 146:56
We are naturally curious to know what is underneath our feet, and some answers have been provided by scientific exploration. The outer crust of the earth, for instance, is not the same in every place, but in general it is about twenty-five miles deep on land and only six or seven miles deep under the ocean floors.
It is the soil of this crust that the Creator prepared to nourish plant life. At various depths, but still within the crust, coal, oil, minerals and gems are found in abundance. This indicates how liberally He has provided for generations before us, ourselves and those generations that may come after us.
Below the crust is a layer about 2000 miles thick called the mantle. Scientists believe this is where big earthquakes start, as well as volcanos that break right through the crust and release their fiery lava, steam, smoke and ashes from mountaintops. Such forces have been known throughout history and in our present time. Mount St. Helens in Washington State is a recent example, and constant eruptions on the Island of Hawaii are another. Frequently we hear of disastrous earthquakes in South America, Mexico, Asia and even in our state of California. There is no sure way to tell exactly where or when any of these events may happen again.
Finally, at the center of our earth is the core. Scientists presume it has a cover of molten metal over 1000 miles thick surrounding it, and they also presume the great core itself is made of solid iron or nickel or a mixture of both. However, no one knows for sure, and this is something only the Creator knows.
Volcanos, earthquakes, strong winds and rain do make some changes in the surface of the earth, but they are not of too much consequence. The world will remain essentially the same until, because of man’s sinful departure from God, His judgment will fall on it. That is the time the Bible speaks of: “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:1010But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10)).
Before that judgment comes, He will take to heaven all those who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. Later He will recreate the world in unspoiled beauty where sin will never mar it again. However, those who have refused the Saviour’s love will never see this new beauty, because hell will be their destiny.
These are true and serious thoughts. Are you sure your eternity will be in heaven?
SEPTEMBER 9, 2001
ML-09/09/2001