Mount St. Helens Syndrome

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The longsuffering of our Lord is salvation. —2 Peter 3:15

On March 20, 1980, Mount St. Helens in Washington, a supposedly dormant volcano, began to quake and rumble. The local population was evacuated to a “safe” distance 8 miles away. Later, the side of the mountain began to bulge. Scientists were not alarmed because past research of volcanoes indicated that they never blew sideways.

Then on May 18 the side of Mount St. Helens exploded, shooting tons of debris downhill at the speed of 150 miles per hour. A minute later, the volcano exploded upward with the equivalent power of 500 atomic bombs! Two hundred thirty square miles of forest were devastated and 57 people lost their lives. The scientists had assumed that natural events would continue as before. But they were wrong.

The book of 2 Peter tells us of a future time when a similar misplaced confidence will be destroyed by the fiery end of our world (3:4-7). But the good news is that God will build “new heavens and a new earth” (v.13). He is “not willing that any should perish,” and He is patiently waiting so that more people will find true safety in His Son Jesus (v.9). They need only accept the salvation He offers.

Have you trusted Christ for your safety? —Dennis Fisher

Are you unsure where you stand with God? Please read Safe And Secure: The Permanence Of Salvation

God’s people must point the way if others are to escape God’s judgment.