Editor: The year has just begun and it has been reported that 33 mass animal death events have taken place in 18 countries around the world. Mass animal death, floods, cyclones, earthquakes, sun flares, dead animal-littered pacific floor, extreme climate changes, unpredictable weather patterns…are just a few of the foreshadows of the great destruction that lies ahead.{{more}} Whether the scoffers want to believe it or not, those events mark the nearness of the coming of Jesus Christ to bring retributive judgement upon those who transgress His laws and defile the earth. Well did Jesus prophesy of the signs: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” Luke 21:25-27.

Despite the lessons that God seeks to teach us through disasters, there are those who prefer to remain in their comfort zone of false security and say “it’s global warming”, “nature is angry with us…” Their intention is to take man’s mind away from the reality of the perilous times in which we live and the need seriously get prepared to meet their God. For years many Vincentians have continued in the same old sinful ways after God spared us from a number of disasters. We are quick to claim that “St Vincent is blessed.” Some have even jested that “God is a Vincy”. Sadly, there are even those who would mock the Christians who remind them that these are signs of the end. Interestingly, the Bible prophesies of these mockers too. It is high time that we stop taking the mercy and longsuffering of God for granted. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9.

We need to turn our eyes upon Jesus. Give up the arrogance, selfishness, vindictiveness, the hatred. Repent and allow God to change your character from sin to righteousness. Dangerous times are ahead; no peace and safety is ahead, as some may want us to believe. Destruction is coming and our only security is in Jesus Christ. Renowned 19th century writer Ellen G. White sums it up well in her warning that “everything in the world is in agitation. The signs of the times are ominous. Coming events cast their shadows before. The Spirit of God is withdrawing from the earth, and calamity follows calamity by sea and by land. There are tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, murders of every grade. Who can read the future? Where is security? There is assurance in nothing that is human or earthly.” Desire of Ages p.636

Ann-Marie Ballantyne