The altimeter read 4,500; five times higher than our normal patrol altitude, but, from here, I could see the ocean to the west, and the mountains to the east. As I scanned from west to east and back, the evidence of plate tectonics was vivid. The canyons, valleys, and riverbeds were an equally prominent testimony of the flood's run off. The cumulus clouds beyond the mountains were building like a whistling tea kettle. The 10,000' mountains provided a good measure of the true height and power of the clouds. The entire scene was a dynamic illustration of the living power behind creation.
Stretching out in every direction like sediment from runoff, was civilization. Like the clouds, it seemed to spread as I watched. To look down through my binoculars into the civilization below was like looking through a microscope. I was watching two men make preparations to distribute more cocaine into a demanding, flooded marketplace. Intoxicated greed feeding an intoxicated need. Another virus attacking an overrun organism.
Setting the binoculars down, I mulled over the effect of what they were doing and what I was doing. I multiplied my conclu-sion by the square mileage of population within my view and factored in the exponential varieties of other crimes-in-progress at that moment. What came to mind was a wave, approaching from the horizon, and growing as it approached. How high would it grow before it broke and washed us all away like sand on the beach? The temptation was as subtle as a whisper. “Are you really making a difference? Are you gaining any ground? Why don't you get smart and give up?"
Earlier the same day, a pastor stood before a large crowd in a small funeral chapel. The majority were high school age, saying farewell to a fellow student and friend. As the pastor began to speak, he saw adults fold their arms across their chests and glance at their watches. So, he preached the Good News of Jesus Christ and nine students received Christ as Savior and Lord. As he left the grave side, scanning the hillsides full of graves, the temptation was as subtle as a whisper. “Are you really making a difference? Are you gaining any ground? Why don't you get smart and give up?"
Later that evening, a small group of people went out from a local church into the same civilization and continued... knocking on doors, asking questions, and presenting the Good News of Jesus Christ. At the end of the evening they met together, recounting the results. They had knocked on one hundred doors, and two people received Christ as Savior and Lord. The temptation was as subtle as a whisper. “Are you really making a difference? Are you gaining any ground? Why don't you get smart and give up?"
The promise reads, “ ...on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."1 Everyone is born on the wrong side of the gate.2 Christ stands at the gate, and with a scarred hand, knocks.3 Anyone who makes the choice will find the gates do open, and Christ will come in to stay. The promise is even more powerful than the lie. Just consider the source of the promise, the Creator Himself!
Standing at the Gates of Hell
Standing at the gates of hell,
feel the heat and fury,
always pressure, always painful,
always in a hurry.
Standing at the gates of hell,
smell the condemnation,
hear the hopeless, helpless cries,
pleading for salvation.
Standing at the gates of hell,
can also be so quiet...
Like the smoldering, hopeless calm,
following a riot.
Standing at the gates of hell,
the crowd drowning in their grief.
Another young life taken out!
Why is there no relief?
Standing at the gates of hell,
before a freshly opened grave,
a pastor speaks the words of Christ,
about the gift He gave.
Standing at the gates of hell,
the One who holds the keys,
to death, and even hell itself,
for all eternity.
Standing at the gates of hell,
the One who bore the pain,
the consequences paid in full,
His cost is now my gain.
Standing at the gates of hell,
outstretched hands, pierced by nail,
absolute proof of His promise,
“These gates shall not prevail.”
Standing at the gates of hell,
He's calling YOU by name.
The price is paid, the gift is yours!
It's for YOU that He came.
Standing at the gates of hell,
His blood sets captives free.
Receive Him now, choose to believe,
choose to be free indeed.
1Matthew 16:18
2Romans 3:23
3Revelation 3:20