‘Day 329

“The one who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7,8. (NASB)

Idolatry was a major issue in NT times. At the top of the idolatrous food-chain was the Emperor of Rome himself. Just as First-Century Christians denied the attractions of the empire to follow Jesus, so Christians today need to repudiate the idols of our generation. We often worship at the idols of science, technology, wealth and commercialism. In the process we easily ignore the implications of creation and the cross. But such contemporary idolatry may soon prove to be as foolish as the claims of the Empire once were.

In recent decades the scientific community has been stunned by the complex and sensitive conditions required for intelligent life to exist on Earth. The universe appears, in fact, to have been incredibly fine-tuned for the benefit of humanity on Earth at this point in cosmic history. And this insight is being discovered across the board: in physics and astrophysics, classical cosmology, quantum mechanics, and biochemistry. The existence of intelligent carbon-based life on Earth depends upon a delicate balance. If any part of this balance were even slightly altered, life as we know it would not exist.

I love explaining to my Science classes the miracle of water, one of the strangest substances known to science. When water reaches 4 degrees the Hydrogen molecules shift on the oxygen molecule so that it can form a lattice. Its specific heat, surface tension, and physical properties are different from the norm. For example, the fact that its solid lattice phase is less dense than its liquid phase, so that ice floats, is virtually unique in nature. But this property of water is essential to life. If ice were denser than water, it would sink to the bottom of bodies of water, where it would remain in the deepest parts until eventually all lakes and oceans would be solidly frozen. Instead, ice forms a protective skin on the surface of reservoirs of water. This is one of many unique characteristics of water that are absolutely essential for heating and cooling, the formation of cell walls and membranes, and so many other elements essential for human life.

Since the beginning, God has offered the water of life freely to the thirsty. All you have to do is drink. But oh, what a change takes place in this miracle! By drinking the water of life you become a child of God with all the rights and privileges of an heir. Just think, a child of the king of the universe, whose kingdom has no end!

His power is unlimited, and He will blot out any signs of sin from the universe. The wicked will be destroyed in the lake of fire, which is eternal. “The second death” does not mean life – the only ones who are given life are those who drink of the water of life. See John 17:3