What if God...?

Romans 9:21-24

21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? 22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

There is a level of fear being propagated across this nation that we are on the brink of being attacked by a nuclear barrage from Russia. The U.S. is standing its ground in defense of Ukraine and warning our foes of great retaliation if this ever comes to pass. Of course, not much is being said and many aren't really paying attention because of other distractions, like elections and the economy here domestically. But even if we do pay more attention to what is going on the world's stage, how long will the sword rattling go on before the leaders of nuclear power nations lose their patience? Moreover, how long will God hold out His mercy?

First, we must understand that what is happening should not come as a surprise to anyone who knows anything about what Scripture say regarding end times. In fact, if you hold any biblical world view, you might say, "I am not surprised at what is going on. But I am surprised there is not more of it going on."

Well Johnnie and Joanie! Just you wait. If things don't change for the better soon, we may see things the likes this country and this world has never seen in its short history. However, panicking over what this country does or doesn't do will not change what God has already put into motion. For there is no promise of this nation existing in the end times. That should not alarm or scare you, but ought to bring joy in knowing that the Lord's return is soon.

Our nation has a big gash of a wound that is spilling out blood all over, and it's affecting every state, city, town, village, and hamlet. No politician can fix it with a law, or edict. No one is safe. No community is safe from the rage and crime. No church is safe from warriors for Satan in bringing churches down and dispersing the assembly using fear and intimidation to entice the members to flee in droves. But if this nation keeps turning away from God, then we could and should expect things to go south very quickly. In some ways, it has already!

Beyond the scope of increasing inflation, rising energy prices, heinous crime sprees, the open border crisis, and political corruption, this nation cannot stand long. Green deal laws and abortion rights won't mend this broken nation. But only add to the brokenness, because we leave God out of it. In fact, I believe that we will implode by our own hand, rather than explode because of a missile barrage from a foreign enemy.

But what if God, who is in control of all things, kept us from the hour? So far He has - by His mercy, He has held back His wrath - that is what we truly deserve. What if God decided to pour out His wrath upon this earth right now? He could! For no one knows the Day or the Hour!

The key here is, God's judgement is right and just, and impartial. He, who is the Potter, has the wherewithal to form each of us, both righteous and unrighteous, Jew and Gentile, as vessels from the same clump of clay. It is by His mercy and grace we are born and die. The end depends on how we live and who we live for.

If you fear and cower in fear by what you see and hear, then there is not a better time than right now to get right with God, and repent and come to faith in Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom with His own life to die to purchase you back and forgive you your sin that eternally separated you from the Father. Not only that, regardless what happens on this orbital rock called earth, will pale in comparison to what will happen to you eternally if you reject Christ.

There are no guarantees of what will happen today or tomorrow. But there is a promise He makes that enables us to escape the dread that will fall on this world. It is the promise of forgiveness of your sins, and putting your trust in faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, who suffered God's judgment on sin by the blood Jesus shed upon the cross. Then comes the promise and assurance of everlasting life beyond the grave, which is the power of the resurrection.

You can wait and see how this plays out - but it will be too late if the end comes and you live without faith in Christ. Listen, if I am wrong about salvation, you have lost nothing. But if I am right, and Christ calls the Church up (the rapture) and comes back and you still refuse Him, you stand to lose everything.