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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Billboard/Poster/Sign (any or all) (12/02/10)
    But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance. (Mark 13:23 NAS)
The sign states ‘Warning! Tower of Terror is a free-fall type attraction with sudden high-speed ascents and drops through darkness,’ but I did not heed the advice and went ahead with the ride. The consequence was a once in a lifetime experience—a scare of my life—even though it may sound or seem fun to some. That was years ago when I visited the theme park at Disney World’s MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida.

The Tower of Terror is an attraction, a thrill ride at the theme park featuring a visit to the 199 feet tall fictional Hollywood Tower Hotel adapted from the television series ‘The Twilight Zone’. Upon entering the elevator and going up to the 13th story, a free-fall drop sequence takes place in the dark—with all the guests in it! This drop sequence, over the years, has been changed from one to two drops to a pre-programmed multiple drop sequence, and today randomized drops.

Like the many pre-ride warning signs around the theme parks, the Bible also provides many warning signs of what is to come before our Lord’s return. Nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes (Matthew 24:7). Signs will occur in the sun, moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations and perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves (Luke 21:25). In the last days, difficult times will come, for people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:1-4). False christs and false prophets will arise and will show signs and wonders in order to lead us astray (Mark 13:22).

All these are warning signs, and God has told us everything ahead of time that we may be prepared and on our guard (Mark 13:23). We should therefore warn others what is to come that they may not have to face the consequence and experience the eternal scare of their lives—death without Christ. For unlike the drop sequence of the Tower of Terror ride, the drop into the bottomless pit or abyss is eternal, and all who are lost without Christ will perish and suffer the agonizing death in hell forever (Revelation 9:1-2; 20:12-15).

The Bible states very clearly that the end will come when our Lord hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, after those who belong to Christ at His coming are raised (1 Corinthians 15:23-24). We should therefore take heed not to ignore the warning signs, for the gospel must first be preached to all the nations before the end will come (Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10). As children of God, therefore, let us proclaim Christ and unravel the mystery of God’s salvation to the yet unsaved, admonish and teach those who have been saved, that we may present everyone complete in Christ (Colossians 1:26-28).

Thank You dear Lord for letting us know in advance the things that will take place before Your return, so we can be on our guard. We know Lord that difficult times are coming or have already come, with wars and famines, earthquakes and tsunamis, people who are self-centered, materialistic and without self-control. Help us Lord to take heed these warning signs, to recognize and understand the need to quicken our efforts in bringing more people into Your kingdom. Guide us Lord as we unravel the mystery of Your salvation to warn the unsaved, admonish and teach the saved, so as to present everyone complete in You.
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This article has been read 1443 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Nancy Bucca
12/09/10
I enjoyed this. I think it would make a nice devotional.
Rachel Phelps
12/10/10
I like your opening, caught my attention.
Noel Mitaxa 
12/13/10
You've bridged across from the adventure to the limited time we have left in an inviting challenge. Well done.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
12/13/10
Many might feel a temptation to skip over a devotion but I always light up when I recognize yours because I know it's going to have a great message.

I smiled when you talked of the Tower. I've been to MGM many times and made the ride to the13th floor only to chicken out and take the elevator back down. But in Feb the girls and I did a special girls only vacation and this time I wanted to experience the ride. I enjoyed it. I realized I'd been missing out on a lot of life.

Your devotion reminds me that Jesus may return at any minute and I need to stop taking the elevator down in life. My illness has stopped me from fully living.

A good devotion can provide a different message for each person that reads it and you did that in this one. I thank you so much for letting God use you to tell me I need to stop procrastinating and startliving right now!
Verna Cole Mitchell 
12/14/10
Your introduction is an excellent lead-in to your spiritual thoughts. Amen to your prayer.
Connie Dixon
12/14/10
I like your comparison between theme parks and the Bible, warning signs and God's Word. The signs are there if we just take the time to read them. Good job on this timely devotional.
The Masked Truelovers
12/14/10
I like illustrations that make biblical teachings more clear. You drove the message of "our need for salvation" home with your comparison of the Dark Descension.

Congratulations on accurately presenting that "fire and brimstone" message that people don't like to hear.
Melanie Kerr 
12/14/10
A good devotional taking us from the familiar to, perhaps, the not so familiar. I don't do scary fairground rides.
Gregory Kane
12/14/10
I'm with Shann. Makes me want to go and try out the Tower of Terror - even if I do regret it afterwards! An interesting devotional
Lollie Hofer 
12/14/10
Great timing for this devotional. I was reading Matthew 25 this morning and the Parable of the Talents really stuck with me. I've been meditating on His return all day so your devotional had an extra powerful punch for me. Well done. You consistently do Write4Christ.
Catrina Bradley
12/15/10
I always enjoy your devotions, and this one is outstanding. I hope your effort and your talent is rewarded by the judges, but if it isn't, rest assured that your reward from God is already waiting for you. Thank you for blessing me.