August 20, 2006

 

 

Uncovering the Truth

 

   August 24th, 79 A.D.  It was a day of death and devastation that continues to give the modern world a rare glimpse into ancient life and human nature.

 

   In the thriving cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum — not far from Rome and just 10 miles from the foot of volcanic Mt. Vesuvius — thousands went about their everyday routines despite three days of ominous rumblings from the mountain above.  Then, Vesuvius erupted in a torrent of smoke and lava.  Ironically, it was the day after Volcanalia, the annual feast honouring the Roman god of volcanic fire.  

 

   For twenty-four hours, death rained down.  Those who fled without concern for possessions made it to safety.  But others, slow to escape and weighed down by their worldly burdens, never stood a chance.  Neither did those who chose to stay put, barricading themselves behind doors and walls they thought would withstand the threat.

 

   Destruction came from every direction.  Hot ash, pumice and molten rock fell from above while an acrid avalanche of mud and toxic gas careened down the mountain at 100 km an hour.  Victims were either incinerated, asphyxiated in the poisoned air, buried under three metres of falling ash, or entombed beneath three storeys of rock and roiling soil.

 

   And there they stayed, undisturbed for 15 centuries until an Austrian prince heard rumours of buried treasure and bought a huge piece of land in the area.  For thirty years he had tunnels dug deep into the debris, bringing him an exquisite collection of priceless artifacts.  When word got out in 1748, looters swept in and pilfered the ancient sites for the next 100 years.  In 1860, authorities finally stopped the thefts and began a professional, painstaking excavation.

 

   What the archaeologists found both stunned and fascinated the world.  Victims engulfed by the gas and ash were perfectly preserved at the moment of death.  Many cowered or clung to those they loved.  As one young girl clutched a statue of a goddess, a man tried to pull a goat outside the city wall by its halter.  Another man lying next to his pregnant wife reached over to cover her face with his robe the instant before they died.  Another woman was found by a wine vat filled with a thousand pieces of gold and 100 silver dishes, one of them inscribed with, “Enjoy life while you have it, for tomorrow is uncertain.”

 

   True enough.  The smart among us know life is fleeting and fragile.  They take nothing for granted.  The greedy and ungrateful take, believing they’re granted nothing. But Scripture says it’s not enough just to enjoy this life.  While we do so, we’re to take a longer view, remembering Jesus is coming back to take prepared people to a prepared place called heaven.

 

   Though there will be ominous signs, that day will catch many unaware.  “Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgement.  Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living!”  Then Peter adds, “But we’re looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world where everyone is right with God.  And so, dear friends, while you’re waiting... make every effort to live a pure and blameless life.  Be at peace with God.  And remember, the Lord is waiting so people have time to be saved.” (2 Peter 3:10-15)

 

   I often hear people say, “I’ve made my peace with God.”  But the real question is, “Has God made his peace with you?” If we ignore his Son and the command to live a life of love and selflessness, the answer is no.  That’s why we must try to recapture the urgency and immediacy of the New Testament, recognising we could die suddenly or the Lord could come at any time.  On that day, no gold or false gods will do us any good. we’ll be powerless to save those we love, and the eternal consequences will be set in stone like the bodies of Pompeii.

 

   So it’s time to get right and get ready, putting our possessions in perspective and our priorities in order.   Perhaps more than anything else, that’s the central truth uncovered at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius.

 

By Rick Gamble.  Published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the followers of Christ congregation in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.  Reprint at will in not-for-profit publications.  To subscribe to this free weekly article, send a note to Rick at sgamble@bfree.on.ca