A Preview!
                                                                                              By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                              May 24,2018
     "And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh [the redeemed] come to worship before Me, saith the Lord.  
     And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against Me: for their worm [soul] shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched, and they shall be an abhorring [hated; despised] unto all flesh,"  Isaiah 66:23-24
Introduction
     If the reader watches much TV, or reads the paper, or goes to see movies, they surely know that "previews" are given over and over of what is coming or what is going to be seen in the future.  Sometimes these previews are shown weeks in advance, day after day.  
     The Lord God also gives previews of events He has prophesied in His wonderful Word.  Only in God's Word, His previews are usually referred to as "warnings," [Isaiah 58:1] and the readers of His Word are told over and over again to "watch," Mark 13:35-37.
The Reality of Hell
    Hell, or Hades, is a real place with a real location.  It is the place where the eternal souls of lost, unbelieving, Christ rejecting, men and women, go, when their body dies. Mark 9:43-48.  In God's inspired Word, the location of Hell is always referred to as being down, under, low, lower, below, or beneath the surface of the earth.  The Lord God said in His Word many centuries ago,   
"For a fire is kindled in Mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains," Deuteronomy 32:22.  
        Modern evolutionary science teaches that millions of years ago, the earth was a burning star, similar to the Sun, but that the fire on this "star"  finally burned out, except for some fire still in the interior of the earth, and that earth is gradually cooling off.  
     Contrary to the theories of science, there is no evidence that the earth was ever a burning star.  None whatsoever!    This hare-brained theory of science, is in no way in harmony with what God's Word teaches about the creation of the earth.  Rather, as this Scripture says, sometime after the creation of the earth and mankind upon it, the Lord God, being angry with the wickedness of men,  kindled a fire in the interior of the earth, and that fire has been gradually consuming the interior of the earth ever since, just as this Scripture says.  Even as it increases it is fulfilling the Word of God.  Due to the wickedness of mankind on the earth in these "last days," "Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it," Isaiah 5:14.  Also see Habakkuk 2:5.  Hell, located in the interior of the earth, is gradually growing larger, and moving ever closer to the surface of the earth.   
     The Mountains
     Notice that this Scripture in Deuteronomy 32:22, also explicitly states that the fires of Hell would ".....set on fire the foundations of the mountains."  Today we refer to such mountains as "volcanoes."  This inspired Scripture makes a direct connection between these volcanic mountains and the fires of Hell.  This inspired Scripture clearly indicates that it is the fires of Hell that we see as volcanic eruptions today.  Is there any proof of this truth?  I'm so glad you asked!
A Preview of Hell...?  
     Even as I write, there is a volcano on the big island in Hawaii, which has been erupting now for several weeks.  The eruption has steadily grown in size and intensity.  It is now throwing molten lava 150 feet into the air above the mouth of the volcano, looking like a fountain of molten fire.  The molten lava from the eruption has spread overland for miles, and has reached the coast, and is now pouring into the ocean.  There is no indication at this present time of the volcano slowing down or stopping it's eruption.  In fact, the scientists studying the volcano are warning the people in Hawaii that there could be a massive explosion, which could destroy a part of the island, and cover the entire island with volcanic ash.  To look at this eruption, looks like one is looking into the fires of Hell.  So the Lord God does give "previews" of future prophetic fulfillments to mankind.  
      It is interesting to watch this volcano, but this is not the reason I mentioned it.  Rather, those scientists who seriously study volcanic eruptions actually began to record "the sounds" of volcanic eruptions around 30 or 40 years ago.  Why? Their claim is, that by carefully studying the sounds made by the erupting volcano, they can determine the depth in the earth from which the molten lava came, and the approximate temperature of the lava, and even when the volcano may stop erupting.  Very interesting research, but.......
     What really caught my attention in reading about this, is that very soon after the scientists began recording the sounds of the volcanic eruptions, they actually and literally heard what sounded like human voices screaming and crying mixed into the sounds of the eruptions.  A few of those scientists were so "shook up" by what they heard, that they abandoned their theories of evolutionary science, and began seriously seeking the Lord as their own personal Savior, and some of them have been saved.  Of course most of the scientists explained away the screams and cries they were hearing, as sounds being caused by steam escaping from the lava.  Ho hum!  
       Our readers can decide for themselves, but just keep in mind that the Bible teaches over and over again in various Scriptures that the lost, incorrigble sinner does descend into the lower parts of the earth when they die, exactly the same place the inspired Word of God teaches about the location of the fires of Hell.  Just "coincidence?"  Think about it!  
The Melting of the Mountains
     We believers today are living in a repetition of "the days of Noah," just like the Lord Himself predicted for world conditions, when He comes to resurrect and rapture His people to glory, Luke 17:26.   
     But if our readers will seriously study the prophetic Scriptures, when the Lord comes at the time of the rapture, He will not come down to reside on the earth at that time.  Rather, the prophecies state, "The voice of my beloved!  behold, He cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills," Songs 2:8.  In other words, the Lord will just slightly touch the tops of the mountains and hills when He comes to resurrect and rapture His Church and people to glory.  
     Then another prophetic Scripture states, "The mountains quake at Him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at His presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein," Nahum 1:5.  This prophecy appears to be speaking of volcanic eruptions occurring at the time of the Lord's coming, causing the mountains to shake and the hills to "melt."  The melting of the tops of the hills certainly indicates volcanic activity.    And dear readers, we believers living today are very close to the coming of the Lord.  Is the Lord God then giving mankind a "preview"  of what is coming "big time" during the Tribulation period following the rapture?  It sure appears so to me.  
     In Joel 2:1-5 is recorded a prophecy of "the day of the Lord" [the Tribulation period].  The first verse of this chapter states that those living in the land will "tremble" in that day.  Why? Because.......
     It will be "A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness.....," 2:2.  I am well aware that the Scriptures following go on to describe the plague of locusts, also prophesied and described in Revelation 9:1-19.  However, it is not the locusts who make it dark.  
     Rather, according to this passage in Rev. 9:1, these locusts appear on the earth after "the bottomless pit" has been opened on the surface of the earth.  This certainly suggests more volcanic activity.  And in Rev. 9:2, it is explicitly stated that "smoke" coming up out the "bottomless pit" will cause the "sun and air" to be  "darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit," 9:2.  This is speaking of volcanic activity on a large scale during the coming "day of the Lord" [tribulation period].   There is no question that during the Tribulation, active volcanoes will be erupting all over the earth.   And yes!  I do believe that our gracious Lord God has given to mankind a "preview" of what is coming.  
A Day of Clouds and Thick Darkness
     I began  pastoring a church in Richland, Washington in the latter part of 1979.  Shortly after I moved there Mount St. Helens began shaking and spewing steam. Mount St. Helens is located about 120 miles, just a bit to the southwest of Richland.  It was still shaking and spewing steam when it violently erupted in May of 1980.  
     It was Sunday morning, a beautiful day with not a cloud in the skies as far as one could see.   I was in my study that morning, preparing for the morning services, when the entire building suddenly shook, and yes, from 120 miles away, I heard the explosion of Mount St. Helens.  At that moment, I thought it must have been a sonic boom from an airplane.  But I shortly learned different.......
     We began our morning service, and as the services were progressing, the light coming into the sanctuary through the stained glass windows first  became dim, then dimmer, and finally completely dark.  
      When we dismissed services that Sunday morning, and stepped outside, it was pitch black. I mean I couldn't see my hand in front of my face.   Not a trace of light anywhere.  The ash cloud from Mount St. Helens had completely covered our town.    And we could smell and feel the darkness.  The stench of sulphur was in the air, and the volcanic ash was falling from the clouds of ash covering everything, and we could feel it falling.  We knew then that Mount St. Helens had exploded.   And how! Just how explosive are volcanoes?  Well, when Mount St. Helens exploded, it blew 1,300 feet of soil and rock right off the top of the mountain.  Yes, the Lord God gave us a "preview" of what is coming, especially during the Tribulation period following the resurrection and rapture of all New Covenant believers from off the earth.  Every Christ rejecting, lost, unbeliever, left behind at the rapture, can look forward to seeing and experiencing for themselves just such volcanic activity all over the earth during the seven years of the Tribulation period.
The Current Volcano
     Will the volcano now erupting  in Hawaii explode?   I haven't the slightest idea!  But if it does, it is likely that a large part of the "big island" in Hawaii will be no more.  Every true believer in Hawaii should be praying for the mercies of God.  In fact every true believer on the west coast of America, should be also be praying for the Lord's mercy.  If this present erupting volcano in Hawaii explodes, it could create a tidal wave sweeping across the Pacific that could be hundreds of feet high.  Such an explosion could also effect the interior of the earth, and cause earthquakes all over the earth.  Pray, dear readers, for God's mercy upon us all.   While the "preview" may be putting on a good show, I have no desire to see the main attraction.  
Conclusion
     Once again, I ask the readers of this study if they are truly saved and ready to meet the Lord?  He is coming SOON!  Does the reader have assurance of salvation, and know that when our Lord comes, He is coming for YOU?  If not, please read and act upon 2 Peter 1:10-11.  I truly want to meet my readers in glory when the Trumpet sounds, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.  Please don't disappoint me!  
      But  what does the inspired Word say about how to be saved?  Just read, John 3:3-7, 3:16-18, 3:36, 5:24, 14:6, Acts 4:12, 16:30-31, Romans 10:8-13, and Ephesians 2:8-10.   Please take this appeal to heart while there is still time and opportunity for YOU to be saved.  
       May the Lord God add His grace and blessings to this message.  
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     Permission is granted to any true believer, or Bible believing Christian ministry to reproduce this study to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.  
     Those readers who would like to contact me personally, may do so by using one of the following.......
     POSTAL.......Pastor F. M. Riley, 14275 County Road 8120, Rolla, MO 65401.   
     EMAIL..........francismriley34@gmail.com
     PHONE........573-202-6493
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