The End of the World: A Reflection on Revelation, Part 3
Scripture Reading:
“They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God...”
Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae were buried under thick layers of ash and volcanic mud that hardened with each rainfall and passing season. At first, the soldiers, government officials, and local surviving citizens attempted to salvage what they could reach by digging into the ruined remains, but these efforts lasted only a few months. Interest gradually waned. The Empire moved on to other things. And the resting places of these three cities passed out of memory for roughly 1600 years. Then, by a chance discovery, the ruins of Pompeii were rediscovered in the 1700’s. Slowly but surely, what can be viewed today has been unearthed by careful removal and preservation of one of the greatest archeological finds in history. What the visitor sees is astounding[1]—perfectly preserved remains of life as it was in 79 A.D.
Pompeii was not an unusual town. There were illicit activities, to be sure; there were also people trying to do the right thing, caring for their families, contributing to the community.[2] For us today, what will visitors to the remains of our homes and cities find of interest? What evidence of our faithfulness will we leave? What legacy will follow us when, centuries from now, archeologists find the remains of our lives. What will they discern were our priorities?
Today, reflect on your legacy to the future. What will you leave behind for others to remember and appreciate? What are you contributing to the present?
And remember, “Salvation belongs to our God...”
Footnotes:
[1] The casted figures of people going about their daily tasks, only to be trapped in ash and stones and then asphyxiated, if not incinerated in the final firestorm, a pyroclastic flow of superheated gas and rock traveling at 450 miles per hour at ground level and reaching temperatures of 1830 degrees Fahrenheit.
[2] There were Jews and, likely, Christians in Pompeii. Paul landed very close to the city on his Fourth Missionary Journey on his way to Rome, some twenty years before the eruption of 79 A.D.
David Jordan is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Decatur. He contributes regularly to our devotions and blogs. Dr. Jordan is also a regular contributor for Baptist News Global.