The Death Of A Comet
On July 6, 2011 NASA scientists watched as a “sun-grazing comet” crashed into the sun. Of course, “crashed” may not be an accurate description since “the comet simply evaporated away” as it neared the surface of the sun.
Such a comet would have normally endured for thousands of years, orbiting the sun through the solar system again and again. Yet, as this comet approached the 10,000-degree (F) surface of the sun, it melted away and disintegrated in a matter of minutes.
The comet, a “dirty snowball” of frozen water, frozen gases, and fragments of rock, originated in the spherical Oort Cloud that lies at the extreme edge of our solar system. The Oort Cloud, the spawning place of comets, extends up to 1-2 light years away from the sun. Yet, even though these comets are so incredibly distant, there is no escape from the sun’s relentless tug. All will fall to the sun sooner or later.
As this distant comet was eventually pulled into the sun, so every human being that has ever lived – no matter how far he or she has strayed – will be called to face Almighty God. As the Book of Revelation tells us, when that time comes, people will cry out to the rocks and mountains, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of God … for the great day of God’s wrath has come and who will be able to stand?
” (Revelation 6:16-17). I dare say that, in our sinful state, we will fare no better than that comet which evaporated before the fierce heat and radiation of the sun.
Yet, for all who cling to the atoning sacrifice for sins, the Lamb of God Jesus Christ, the consuming fire of God’s wrath is forever quenched. Jesus said, “Whoever hears my word and believes in Him who sent me, has eternal life and does not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24). The Apostle Paul wrote that “There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1) and that Jesus Christ “delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). No matter how distant you and I may be from God, we have a face-to-face appointment with Him. If we flee to Him now for forgiveness, we’ll find Him as the great Lover of our souls, our Savior, and unfailing Friend. But if we continue to keep our distance from Him in this life, we’ll face Him in the end as the supreme Judge of the universe.
PRAYER: Dear Father in Heaven, here and now I admit my own sinfulness and guilt. I flee to You now for forgiveness and mercy, trusting completely in Your Son, the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Cleanse me, change my heart, save my soul, and write my name in Your book of life. Amen.
