September 06, 2019: SOAP #3564:  Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 11:17 saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. 18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great—and for destroying those who destroy the earth.” 19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

Observation:   My attention has been drawn to the last phrase in verse 18.  “The time has come…for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

In the first chapter of the Bible, Genesis 1, six times God declares the various parts of creation “good.”  Then in the last verse as God looks over everything, He says “it was very good.”  It was abundantly or exceeding good!

God created this planet for the purpose of hosting people.  He placed everything we would need to maintain our lives.   We are to use it, but not destroy it.  In judgment, God speaks of “destroying those who destroy the earth.”

Application:   The earth is valuable, and we should treat it with respect.  God, who created the earth, still considers it His!  I may have purchased or inherited property, but I am only a temporary resident.  I appreciate God’s creation by taking care of what I use.  I appreciate it by using it to serve others.  I need to leave it better than when I arrived.  I need to be careful not to waste it’s potential.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you have provided a beautiful place for us to live.  May I properly respect what you have created. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!