Revelation 16:1, 18; Every Island Fled Away
Revelation 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. … 18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, andso great.
Singapore is an island state of 719.1 km² with 5.607 million (2016). We are a small island state that is heavily urbanised, located at the end of the Malayan Peninsula between Malaysia and Indonesia. Having GDP per capital: 87, 856 to 90, 151 USD (2016), we are ranked 3rdby both International Monetary Fund and World Bank and 4thby Central Intelligence Agency.
The Singapore area comprises mainland and other islands. The mainland of Singapore measures 50 kilometres from east to west and 27 kilometres from north to south.
Singapore has reclaimed land with earth obtained from its own hills, the seabed, and neighbouring countries. As a result, Singapore’s land area has grown from 581.5 km² in the 1960s to 723.2 km² today, and may grow by another 100 km² by 2033.
Singapore’s main territory is a diamond-shaped island, although its territory includes surrounding smaller islands. The farthest outlying island is Pedra Branca. Of Singapore’s dozens of smaller islands, Jurong Island, Pulau Tekong, Pulau Ubin and Sentosa are the larger ones. Most of Singapore is no more than 15 metres above sea level.
The highest point of Singapore is Bukit Timah Hill, with a height of 165 m (538 ft.) and made up of igneous rock, granite. Hills and valleys of sedimentary rock dominate the northwest, while the eastern region consists of sandy and flatter land. Singapore has no natural lakes, but reservoirs and water catchment areas have been constructed to store fresh water for Singapore’s water supply.
Revelation 16 tells us that his island state of Singapore will one day be destroyed in a global earthquake during the 7thvial judgment that marks the final judgment at the close of the Great Tribulation.
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, andso great. 19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 20And every island fled away,and the mountains were not found.
We are told that this earthly house of ours in Singapore will ultimately be destroyed when God judge the world with a mighty earthquake so great that every island fled away. We are a small island that will not be spared of the catastrophe to come.
The Apostle Peter observed, 2 Peter 3:10-14 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeingthen thatall these things shall be dissolved, what manner of personsought ye to be in allholy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
How ought we to live our lives in view of this future reality? The Apostle Paul gives us these words of counsel in Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Life! We can only live once. Time moves in one direction and that is forward. And there is no winding back of time and life. How then shall we live it? How can we live it to the fullest? The investment of a life. How precious and yet how fleeting! Cherish life. Live it well!
Solomon has been analyzing the make-up of a good life and he provides us the final analysis and gives to us a perspective of a good life.