Fish and Ships

Fish and Ships

Revelation 8: ⁸ Then the second angel blew his trumpet. Something that looked like a huge mountain on fire was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea was turned into blood, ⁹ a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

 

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Fishing at a stocked lake was enjoyable. We caught several fish that were noteworthy. We went to other lakes that had fish at one point, but upon returning, the lakes seemed dead. “What happened to all the fish?” I pondered.

 

• I enjoyed fishing.
• I have seen lakes with fish jumping out of the water.
• I never wondered what it would be like if there were no fish.

 

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, hears the second of seven trumpets blown. This second step of taking down Satan’s kingdom, was focused on the sea. A third of the fish and ships were killed and destroyed, more than likely to affect tourism, commercial fishing and goods and services trading.

 

My Observations:

• GOD doesn’t seem to be afraid of destroying the earth HE created, because HE is powerful enough to protect humans.
• Once GOD cursed something, there is no power to turn it back into being blessed.
• GOD’s people who believe in JESUS as the Savior will not have to experience a second death.

 

Destruction is usually an attribute we do not like to give to GOD, but is necessary. I mean, HE tells us what is coming and how HE will do it. We have to believe HE is going to do what HE says HE will do.

 

GOD warns us so we can have plenty of time to get in alignment with HIM. HE laid out HIS plan as clear as possible, showing us HE will take down Satan’s kingdom and bring HIS kingdom into full glory. This is not a time to be scared, but it is not a time to rejoice either, for GOD does not wish anyone to perish. This is a time to prepare.

 

Challenge

• How do you think the writer felt about writing this?
• Have you ever asked GOD to show HIS plan to you?
• Since HE has shown HIS plan, do you agree with HIS methods or does it raise more questions?
• Will you seek a different set of questions and allow HIS plan for your life to be shown to you without trying to steer GOD into getting your way but HIS?

Saved From Fired and Drowned

Isaiah 43: But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
³ For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in your stead.

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“It hurts me but I am looking to fire you” were the words of my former janitorial supervisor. “Are you drowned in paperwork” a former coworker asked me. Firing and drowning are strange concepts to me. I hope it doesn’t mean placing logs at my feet and lighting a match to burn me or holding my head beneath water until I suffocate.

• Sometimes the fires of life can get to me.
• Sometimes I feel like I am drowning in work, debt, pain or something else.
• Sometimes the waters knock me over and the fires burn my soul.

Fire also has been used to illustrate an unmet yet extreme want or desire. It burns from within and can cause me to turn away from GOD. Meanwhile water, while soft, can knock me over when it comes at me too fast, similar to the problems of life. When I try to hold back the raging river of trials, I seem to get flooded with worry. What am I to do?

• GOD says to me “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.”
• GOD says to me “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”
• GOD says to me “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Only GOD can make those statements. HE is the only one who can protect me, my family, my community and my nation. GOD continues to say to me “No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” When GOD holds onto me, no one can take me out of HIS hand, not even myself. GOD’s salvation is as permanent as HIS promises. HE acts on my behalf and no one can reverse it.

• Are you being burned by the fires of life?
• Is life dishing out trials that are knocking you over like a flood?
• Can you slow down and see that GOD is holding onto you tightly in spite of the way you think about HIM?
• Will you call out to HIM today?