I once watched a news report where they interviewed a man whose house had burned down.  In that interview he stated that he told his wife to save a few things because the house was going to burn down.  We can understand the losses that occur when a house burns down and often sympathize with those who face such great losses.  Who wants to lose all that they own and have to start from scratch?  No one does.  Yet, when it comes to questions like that on a spiritual basis people are willing to lose all, even though there is no starting over.  The value of the soul is lost on the minds of most men (Matthew 16:26).

     While man understands the cost of his house burning, he is often lost to the idea of watching his soul burn.  Jesus promised everlasting punishment in a lake of fire for those who do not obey Him (Matthew 25:46 and Revelation 21:8).  While a man’s clothes, bedding, valuables, and other items have some importance in his life; nothing outweighs the value of one’s soul.  There is going to be a day when this world will end.  All that is on this earth will be burned up.  What good does a classic vehicle that has been restored serve a man on that day?  Just as sure as the sun that rose on this day, the earth will be destroyed some day.

 When writing of the Lord’s return, Paul used a description that is not so easily forgotten.  Paul said: “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Thessalonians 1:7-8).  The inspired writing of Paul about the Lord coming in flaming fire should cause some to rethink their spiritual conditions.  Our Lord is not going to come as the blonde haired, blue eyed, loving man that some portray Him as.  Our Lord is going to come and take vengeance on the disobedient.  Truly, our Lord is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29).

     During the time wherein our Lord will return, people will not be able to run and hide under a rock.  The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ will also be the time wherein the earth and all that is contained therein will be burned up.  Notice the description that is given from God to us through the pen of Peter: “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  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.  But 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.  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” (II Peter 3:7-12)?
 
     One should tremble at the awesome power of God.  Our God spoke and the earth was (Genesis 1).  He has spoken again, and the earth will not be.  Peter’s question about what manner of persons we ought to be, in light of God’s Judgment, is a valid question.  I have often wondered how seriously folks think about the Judgment Day.  Obviously, most do not take it seriously enough.  If one’s hopes and dreams are in this earth, their focus is on something that is but temporary.  All of mankind needs to dedicate a greater focus on the life to come, not on that which is beginning to fade.  This earth and all that is therein will be burned up.  Much like a fire department preparing to rescue people from a fire, Christians must take the responsibility of trying to help save those who will be burned up.

     The purpose of Christ’ death is clear through the Scriptures.  The life of Christ was spent so that we could be saved.  Notice a few Scriptures that show us this truth: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).  “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:11). “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17).  “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Romans 5:8-9).  “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 5:9).

     Since the purpose of our Lord coming to this earth was to die that we might be saved, shouldn’t we make sure that people know that?  God does not want anyone to perish (II Peter 3:9).  Yet, we know that the majority of mankind will perish (Matthew 7:13-14).  We therefore, must be sure that we help the cause of Christ by seeking out those who may be searching.  Paul said: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (II Corinthians 4:6-7).  How often do we realize the value of the Gospel?  Do we look at it as a treasure?  Do we realize that we are the vessels that carry this treasure?  Do we consider the spiritual poverty of this world in light of the fact that we have the treasure of the Gospel that could help to bring spiritual wealth to those who are lost?

     We must also consider that those of the world cannot be our only focus of teaching.  There are plenty within the body of Christ who have fallen and some who have not even been recognized as such.  Preaching the Gospel needs to be done among those of the world just as much as it needs preached to those that have at one time, obeyed the Gospel.  Consider such is what Paul did when he assembled with the saints in Troas (Acts 20:7).  Additionally, each Epistle of the New Testament is written not to those of the world, but those whom were called out of this world through the Gospel.  We can’t look past our erring brethren when it comes to the preaching of the Gospel (James 5:16; 19-20 and Jude 22-23).

     Sin is a disease that both spreads and kills (Romans 6:23, Galatians 5:9, and II Timothy 2:16-18).  The Gospel is not only what reveals the cure, but the Gospel is also a preventative tool in the spiritual wellbeing of the hearer (Romans 1:16 and James 1:21-25).  Sadly, the Gospel is the best kept secret in this world.  Yes, people have access to Bibles.  Yes, people have the ability to read.  But, are there those of us that know the truth out teaching it (Romans 10:14-17)?  Can we honestly conclude that someone will pick up a Bible, begin reading in Genesis, and desire to be immersed just a few years after they figure out that there is no tabernacle, temple, high priest, or a Sabbath Day?  Ask the Eunuch how great it is to have the Scriptures, but no teacher to help you with them (Acts 8:31).  All Christians need to be out trying to save a few from the eternal flames that await the ungodly.  Don’t send the ladder up to the roof and expect people to first find it and then know how to properly climb down.  What would we think of a fire department that did such a thing?  With that in mind, how do you suppose God views us when we say “they have access to the Bible”?

     This world is temporary.  The Day of Judgment is sure to come.  As Christians we have the privilege of knowing what is right and having each other to lean upon in times of weakness.  Those that are of this world that might be searching for a way out of this world do not have the blessing that we do in each other.  We need to be willing to help find those people, and when we do, we can help them to know the truth.  There are many out in our day extending invitations for people to come to God.  There is however, just one true way (John 14:6).  Since we, the true children of God know that way, we need to share it!