Nougat 14

Yesterday we noted that the Coming of Christ is beyond time.‬‬ We spoke of Christ already reigning in our hearts. In today’s Holy Nougat, we hear Jesus’ response to the disciples on what some of the signs will be:

““And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building— until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.” Luke‬ ‭17:28-29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Could it be that the increased volcanic activity in recent time, such as Soufriére in St Vincent and the Icelandic eruptions, are signs of the times? And what of the prior verses which reference floods of Noah-like proportions? Ironically, most ‘traditional’ references to end times or Christ’s return don’t include Luke. I’m more familiar with Matthew 25, Daniel, Revelation. But what if?

A January 2007 article published on Research Gate suggests that scholars found evidence linking the destruction of Mt Sodom in the Dead Sea with a volcanic eruption and not a mere earthquake as some have imagined. (And for the record, Soufriére is French for sulphur). More recently, the Kingstown Searchlight, the Vincentian newspaper suggested that the material from a live volcano kills any and everything in its path; which corroborates the demise of Lot’s wife.

Now, before we jump to cast judgement on any nation; especially in their season of crisis; I hasten to clarify that a sign is not a judgement. A sign gives direction and clarity to something else. Here we are seeing from Christ‘a words that what we are experiencing could be labour pains / birth pangs. Christ’s return is imminent, possibly very near.

As many of us would grab our raincoats or umbrellas when the sky is overcast; so might we also put plans in place for the Return. Rather than panic, let us pray as we prepare; prioritizing sharing what we know with others in the process.

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May all we seek be found in Christ