That title’s not a typo. It’s the name of the Iceland volcano that erupted mid-April, belching out brimstone, smoke, and fire. It brought air travel around much of Europe to a standstill. During this volcanic eruption, pieces of rocks, minerals and volcanic glass the size of sand and silt spewed into the air. These tiny particles can blow more than 3,000 miles from the erupting volcano. When silica in the ash gets into aircraft engines it heats up and melts, clogging and stopping the engines – not a good time to be in a plane.
Fortunately for the United States (at the time of this writing), the wind is blowing towards Europe, but since God is in control of volcanoes and wind direction, that could easily change (Jer. 51:16). This is just another phenomenon that reveals how helpless mankind actually is. In fact, volcanologists are saying that things could get worse. If the lava flow from Eyjafjallajokull melts the glaciers that hold down the top of another volcano, Katla, then it could erupt as well; pumping gigantic amounts of ash into the atmosphere with the possibility of sending the world into an extended deep freeze. Since God can bring the world to a standstill with a dust cloud, there shouldn’t be any question about who’s really in charge down here.
The spiritually prudent should see this volcano as a sign of God’s foresighted kindness and patience, giving us time to make sure we are prepared for what’s ahead (Amos 3:6-8). In Eyjafjallajokull, we are witnessing a type of dress rehearsal for a soon-to-come event found in Revelation 9:1-5:
“And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. And he opened the bottomless pit; and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And they were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green things, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.”
In addition to spewing out brimstone, this eruption will send forth locusts, with the God-given purpose to sting as scorpions. Only those having the seal on their foreheads will escape the wrath of this sting. According to Scripture, this seal is defined as righteous living, since it is written: “The firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, `The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, `Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it [the seal of true righteousness]’” (2 Tim. 2:19 AB.)
Using Eyjafjallajokull, God is forewarning us of the day, soon coming, when His wrath will be revealed from heaven against all the ungodly on earth, including those who are suppressing the truth about creation – substituting their theory of evolution as an explanation of His creation. Through His creation, He has chosen to make Himself known. Within creation, His eternal power, invisible attributes and divine nature are clearly seen, so that all men are without excuse for their unbelief (Ro. 1:16-20).
Through creation, His Gospel is being preached: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork. Day after day pours forth speech, and night after night shows forth knowledge. There is no speech nor spoken word [from the stars]; their voice is not heard. Yet their voice [in evidence] goes out through all the earth, their sayings to the end of the world. Of the heavens has God made a tent for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; and it rejoices as a strong man to run his course. It’s going forth is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the ends of it; and nothing [yes, no one] is hidden from the heat of it” (Ps. 19:1-6 AB.)
Eyjafallajokull, like the rest of God’s creation, most assuredly is speaking to us, without words, yet speaking all the same, as a wake-up call to a sleeping people. Jesus taught about this present time, using Matthew 25:1-13 in the Parable of the Ten Virgins: The virgins, both wise and foolish, were all asleep.
“… And at midnight [the last hour] there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom [Jesus Christ] cometh; go ye out to meet him [the bridegroom had been a long time coming and the virgins had all become drowsy. So the wise virgins arose and prepared themselves with righteousness (Rev. 19:7-8), but the foolish were found unprepared when the bridegroom came]; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
In the past, God has used His creation to speak to us in many ways – flood, famine, earthquake, frogs, locusts, fire, hail, and even death – to persuade the hard of hearing. Is it therefore too difficult to recognize that Eyjafallajokull is yet another voice, sounding out from His creation to wake us up? It’s nearing midnight and time is running out… will you be prepared?