"The Coming Storm" by Shelley Bauer

The massive subzero storm that affected much of the United States this past weekend, dumped snow, sleet and freezing rain. The storm was approximately 2,000 miles in length affecting over 170 million people, causing widespread power outages and severe travel issues.

Meteorologists were warning about the potential for significant weather at least 2 days in advance, giving people ample time to get the necessary things in place before the event happened. Many people heeded their advice visiting the grocery stores, getting food, water, and gasoline for their generators and vehicles. Others were even more prepared by having a fixed generator, food staples that they had acquired over time, and emergency items in case of power outages. Because of this, they weren’t as concerned as those who didn’t prepare themselves for future emergencies.

What if I told you that there is an even more dangerous storm quickly approaching, one that is approximately 24,900 miles in length (around the entire earth), and will affect over 8.2 billion people? What if I told you that various men and women have been sounding the alarm bell for thousands of years beginning with Noah? He warned people of the upcoming flood for approximately 120 years. Only Noah’s family heeded the warning. There were others such as Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Nahum and Obadiah that spoke of the upcoming calamites that God would bring upon the people unless they repented.

Jesus warned us that in latter times, this world would be destroyed. These warnings were intended to call us to repent and turn away from sin so we could avoid the upcoming judgement. Jesus said in Luke 21:25-26, “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heaven will be shaken.” Revelation 16:18 declares, “Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake.” It goes on to say in Revelation 16:21, “From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.”

Jesus sternly told the “religious” people of the day in Matthew 16:2-3, “When evening comes you say, ‘It will be fair weather for the sky is red, and in the morning, today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky but you cannot interpret the signs of the times." 

In many cases in America, the leaders in the churches are more concerned about their own comfort than that of their congregates. Churches are run like businesses. Shepherds are more like a “Judas goat” then a Bellwether sheep.  A Bellwether sheep is an experienced leader of a flock, often fitted with a bell so that the shepherd (Jesus), can track the flock’s movements. It leads the other sheep to where it knows, through experience, are “green pastures” it has been safely led to in the past.

In contrast, a Judas goat is a trained goat used in animal herding. In stockyards, a Judas goat would lead sheep to slaughter while its own life was spared. Historically, some Judas goats received rewards for their actions such as treats or nicotine (possibly for addiction?) for leading sheep to slaughter. It reminds me of some well named leaders in the church today, who receive millions of dollars while fleecing their flock for personal gain, giving them a watered-down Gospel that leads them to their destruction.

Due to the widespread power outages, many people over these past few days were searching for a, “Warming Center.” It’s a designated short-term, emergency location designed to provide refuge from dangerous cold or inclement weather. They’re intended to prevent death and injury from hypothermia, frostbite and exposure. Spiritually speaking, there is a warming center in Christ that is not meant to be temporary, but permanent. It is the only place for mankind to be protected from the storm that will engulf the entire earth.

The Lord always warns us before He acts. He wants us to be prepared, not scared. Psalm 46:1-3 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear though the earth should change and though the mountains shake into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its lofty pride.”

Again, Jesus Christ is the only “warming center” that will protect us from destruction in the approaching storm of all storms that will soon affect every single person on earth. Your protection at that time will not be found in a certain personality, a denomination or ministry, or any other religious attachment. Jesus tells us plainly in John 14:6, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.”  There is no other way to get out of this storm into a safe place.

In another passage, Jesus declared, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”  (John 10:9) Through acceptance of His sacrifice on the cross for the price of your sin, receiving Him as your Messiah, He provides the way into a place of safety and security from whatever may come. May we all hear and do what the prophet Isaiah declared long ago; “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near,” (Isaiah 55:6) for there is a time when He will not be found.

There is a storm coming that will be impossible to hide from. Please prepare yourself now before it’s too late by surrendering your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. He is coming soon to deliver all who will look to Him as their only shelter from the storm of His wrath.

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done… Blessed are those who wash their robes [a cleansed, repentant heart], that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city… Yes, I am coming soon.” (Revelation 22:12-20) Amen, Come, Lord Jesus.