Christian Living
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Rev 14:11 KJV
Last week headlines screamed for relief as temperatures kept climbing in the western states. 103... 116... 118... 125 no relief in sight.
Sweltering residents across the West headed for lakes and rivers, seeking relief from triple-digit temperatures expected to set records through at least today.
One firm's office workers were given the option to float on inner tubes down the Boise River instead of sitting at stuffy desks, with temperatures in Boise reaching 103 degrees. Forecasters predicted a high today of 107 - six degrees higher than the 101 record for this date set in 1985.
But temperatures in part of the West were climbing so high that authorities warned residents of southern Nevada, southeast California and northwest Arizona that outdoor activities could be dangerous except during the cooler early-morning hours. Phoenix reached 115 degrees; Baker, Calif., reached 125.
Even Stanley, Idaho, which at more than 6,000 feet elevation is routinely the coldest place in the lower 48 states, was seeing record highs, the National Weather Service said. The remote town in the Sawtooth Mountains reached 91 degrees yesterday, and was expected to hit 92 today.
Around Las Vegas - where temperatures reached 116 degrees - transformers overheated and caused electrical-pole fires because of all the people switching on air conditioners, said Scott Allison with the Clark County Fire Department.
In Phoenix, 42-year-old laborer Russ Waldrip wiped sweat from his face as he unloaded large windows from the back of a truck.
"When it gets this hot I pour water over my head all day," Waldrip said. "Sometimes I can't wait to jump in the pool, but I don't even have the energy to do that."
In Reno, the Salvation Army opened a cooling center at its Sutro Street headquarters where people could sit in an air conditioned room and sip cold water.
"There are a lot of people in our neighborhood that don't have air conditioning," said Salvation Army Maj. Doug Williams. "We just wanted to make sure they have a place to sit for a few, to get a break from the heat."
About 30 people were there early in the afternoon; among them was 84-year-old Geneva Moses.
"It's real nice," Moses said. "There's so many people that can't stand a lot of heat. At my age I can't stand heat any more. It's really hard on senior citizens. I guess it is on everyone." (source: USA Today and AP reports)
Despite the record setting temperatures out west it still does not compare to what awaits those who do not put their trust in the Lord.
Revelation states that for all who bow down to worship the beast and his image and take the mark of the beast their torment would never end. I can only imagine what that day would have to be like. To be tormented day and night without relief. The reports coming out of the western this past week indicated the number of ways people were coping with the high temperatures. Swimming in lakes and ponds and retiring to air conditioned homes and cool places around town. Some dunked their heads in water all day long to try to keep cool.
Can you imagine being that hot and having absolutely no where to go? I mean no escape from the heat and it would just keep getting hotter and hotter and hotter. No water to drink let alone swim in. No air conditioning. No shade trees or ice cream just heat and torment day and night. Not even death would relief you from the torment.
Words can not describe the torment a soul goes through who has turned their back on God. One can only attempt to explain the agony and pain of such torment. On this side of eternity a tormented soul can find relief in death but once death has taken its toil there remains no further remedy.
JESUS THE THIRST QUENCHER
But to those who hope in the Lord we read:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,For they shall be filled. Matt 5:6 (NKJV)
And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst John 6:35 (NKJV)
They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Rev 7:16-17 (NKJV)
What a contrast to the above! What welcomed relief from torment! What a paradise to enjoy! Perpetual bliss compared to perpetual torment! Which do you prefer, smoking or non- smoking? Today is the day you must choose your destination. Choose wisely for a wrong choice does have consequences.
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