You can run, but you can't hide

It Doesn't Matter, by Pat McCurdy 

It doesn't matter if you're old  

It doesn't matter if you're young 

It doesn't matter if you're smart 

It doesn't matter if you're dumb 

It doesn't matter if you're big 

It doesn't matter if you're small 

It doesn't matter if you run 

It doesn't matter if you crawl 

It doesn't matter 

It doesn't matter if you're plain 

It doesn't matter if you're pretty 

If you're living on the farm 

If you're living in the city 

It doesn't matter if you will 

It doesn't matter if you won't 

It doesn't matter what you wear 

It doesn't matter what you don't 

It doesn't matter

It doesn't matter It doesn't matter It doesn't matter

Now you might think that you're the center of the UniverseIt doesn't matter

It doesn't matter if you're good 

It doesn't matter if you're bad 

It doesn't matter who you know 

It doesn't matter who you've had 

It doesn't matter what you say 

It doesn't matter what you do 

It doesn't matter where you are 

Or where you might be going to 

It doesn't matter

It doesn't matter if you're black 

It doesn't matter if you're white 

If you're standing in the dark 

If you're standing in the light 

It doesn't matter what you want 

It doesn't matter what you need 

It doesn't matter if you beg 

It doesn't matter if you plead 

It doesn't matter
It doesn't matter It doesn't matter It doesn't matter
Now you might think that you're the center of the Universe 

It doesn't matter
It doesn't matter if you're rich 

It doesn't matter if you're poor 

It doesn't matter how you look 

Or what you're looking for 

It doesn't matter if you laugh 

It doesn't matter

The ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum thrived near the base of Mount Vesuvius at the Bay of Naples. In the time of the early Roman Empire, 20,000 people lived in Pompeii, including merchants, manufacturers, and farmers who exploited the rich soil of the region with numerous vineyards and orchards. None suspected that the black fertile earth was the legacy of earlier eruptions of Mount Vesuvius. Herculaneum was a city of 5,000 and a favorite summer destination for rich Romans. Named for the mythic hero Hercules, Herculaneum housed opulent villas and grand Roman baths. Gambling artifacts found in Herculaneum and a brothel unearthed in Pompeii attest to the decadent nature of the cities. There were smaller resort communities in the area as well, such as the quiet little town of Stabiae.

At noon on August 24, 79 A.D., this pleasure and prosperity came to an end when the peak of Mount Vesuvius exploded, propelling a 10-mile mushroom cloud of ash and pumice into the stratosphere. For the next 12 hours, volcanic ash and a hail of pumice stones up to 3 inches in diameter showered Pompeii, forcing the city's occupants to flee in terror. Some 2,000 people stayed in Pompeii, holed up in cellars or stone structures, hoping to wait out the eruption.

A westerly wind protected Herculaneum from the initial stage of the eruption, but then a giant cloud of hot ash and gas surged down the western flank of Vesuvius, engulfing the city and burning or asphyxiating all who remained. This lethal cloud was followed by a flood of volcanic mud and rock, burying the city.

The people who remained in Pompeii were killed on the morning of August 25 when a cloud of toxic gas poured into the city, suffocating all that remained. A flow of rock and ash followed, collapsing roofs and walls and burying the dead.

In the sixth chapter of Revelation, a similar scene will unfold.  The difference is that it will be world-wide, not confined to a small area affecting only a few cities and towns.

Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.  They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.  FOr the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" --Revelation 6:15-17.

The kings, princes, and generals, the rich and mighty, might have thought that they had the resources necessary to keep themselves and their estates secure.  But when the day of the Lord arrived, they were as powerless as the slaves and peasants who worked for them. Their wealth and power will never compare to the dread of the Lord and the splendor of His majesty.  Isaiah 2:10, 19, 21 says, "Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from dread of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty!...Men will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from dread of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when He rises to shake the earth....They will flee to caverns in the rocks and to the overhanging crags from dread of the Lord and the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth."

Many of the most secure people on earth will suddenly wish for death.  Hosea 10:8 says, "The high places of wickedness will be destroyed--it is the sin of Israel.  Thorns and thistles will grow up and cover their altars.  They they will say to the mountains, 'Cover us!' and to the hills, 'Fall on us!' "  Jesus himself quotes this scripture when he speaks of the last days. In Luke 23:28-31 Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.  For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then they will say to the mountains, 'Fall on us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!'  For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

It won't matter who you are or what wealth you have accumulated over your lifetime.  Amos 3:14-5 says, "On the day I punish Israel for her sins, I will destroy the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.  I will tear down the winter house along with the summer house; the houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed and the mansions will be demolished, declares the Lord."  Even the signs of opulence--a summer home, a winter home, or expensive imported decorations, such as carvings and inlays of ivory--could not benefit their owners on the day of God's judgment.

Make no mistake, my friends.  The day of the Lord is coming.  Joel 1:15 says, "Alas for that day!  For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty."  Later, Joel says "Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming.  It is close at hand--a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness.  Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was of old nor ever will be in ages to come....The Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey his command.  The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful.  Who can endure it? The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord."

So in the face of such destruction, who can stand?  Remember the last blog entry, when God promised that those close to His heart, who keep his word on their mouths, will survive.  But for those who reject Him, "His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him." (Nahum 1:6)  Malachi 3:2 says, "But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire, or a launderer's soap."  What is the purpose of a refiner's fire? To burn away the dross, and to purify the gold, silver and precious metals that will be left, reflecting his beauty.  What is the purpose of a launderer's soap? To wash away all filth and stains, and to leave clothes spotless and white.  Those who desire the Lord's coming must know that clean hands and a pure heart are required.  White clothes signify purity.  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (Matthew 5:8)

I urge you, friend, examine your heart.  Are you like the rich, young ruler, thinking that you can buy your way into heaven? Jesus told him to sell everything he had, so that nothing would stand between him and God.  Are you holding on to sin and disbelief?  Do not let the stain of sin separate you from God's mercy; wash your hands (your body, your self) and your clothes (what you surround yourself with, what you are intimate with), so that nothing stands between you and God when the day of the Lord comes.

1.      Just as I am, without one plea, 
 but that thy blood was shed for me, 
 and that thou bidst me come to thee, 
 O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

2. Just as I am, and waiting not 
 to rid my soul of one dark blot, 
 to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, 
 O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

3. Just as I am, though tossed about 
 with many a conflict, many a doubt, 
 fightings and fears within, without, 
 O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; 
 sight, riches, healing of the mind, 
 yea, all I need in thee to find, 
 O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

5. Just as I am, thou wilt receive, 
 wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; 
 because thy promise I believe, 
 O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

6. Just as I am, thy love unknown 
 hath broken every barrier down; 
 now, to be thine, yea thine alone, 
 O Lamb of God, I come, I come.