In 2018, California wildfires were the deadliest and costliest in the state’s history. 8500 fires burned nearly 2 million acres. Fire destroyed 18,000 buildings and killed about 85 people, costing more than $3.5 billion. Experts say the devastating fire was due to both intentional and unintentional causes, including global warming. Our hearts grieved as we saw images of fire raging across the land. But I could not avoid thinking about the biblical prediction that one day a fiery judgment will come upon the earth when God decides to destroy the wicked works of mankind. I say this knowing skeptics dismiss such predictions as silly. They believe the earth will always continue as it has in the past, even though the Bible warns us against that kind of scoffing. We read in 2 Peter Ch 3 that “the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.” Please don’t ask me to say when or how this will happen. I only pass on what the Bible teaches: yet the same Bible says those who belong to God by faith in Christ will escape and enjoy eternal life.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
