Heeding Advance Warning Can Save Your Life!

ON December 26, 2004, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake jolted Simeulue, an island off the northwest coast of Sumatra, and island all eyes on the shore looked out to sea.  The tide was receding beyond normal. Instantly, everyone started running for the hills, shouting, "Smong! smong!" the local word for tsunami. Within 30 minutes, powerful waves came crashing onto the coast, destroying most of the homes and villages.

Simeulue Island was the first location to be hit by the devastating tsunami. Yet, o the 78,000 residents, only 7 died.  Why comparatively so few?" A saying among the islanders is:  'If a strong tremor occurs and the sea withdraws, run to the hills, for the sea will soon crash rush ashore.'  From the past experience, the people of Simeulue had learned to recognize an approaching tsunami by the  change in the sea. Heeding the advance warning saved their lives.

The Bible speaks of an approaching disaster, a "great tribulation such as not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21)  but this is not the end of planet Earth by irresponsible human activities or some catastrophic natural event- for it is God's purpose that the earth remain forever.  (Ecclesiastes 1:4) Rather, the coming tribulation is an act of God to "bring ruin to those ruining the earth." It will be the end of all wickedness and suffering.  (Revelation 11:18; Proverbs 2:22)  What a blessing that will be!

Furthermore, unlike tsunamis, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions, the coming destruction will not result in the death of innocent people.  "God is love," says the Bible, and God, whose name is Jehovah, promises that "the righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever upon it."  (1 John 4:8; Psalm 37:29) How, though, can you survive the great tribulation and enjoy the promised blessings? The key is:  Heed the warning!

Next time: Heeding Advance Warning Can Save Your Life!/BE ALERT TO THE CHANGING TIDE

From The Watchtower magazine