Upon Iron Lake, a definitive line of plumage from the fire cut the surface waters in two, and there I sat in the midst on the line…. the smell of the smoke filled the air, overpowering the normal scent of northern Minnesota pine that fills the atmosphere. A perfect picture  of heaven and hell, of the judgment and mercy, of salvation and condemnation. Next thing to come was a pre-evacuation warning and being told to be prepared for evacuation. I pondered and slept on the realties to come in the foreseeable future. The imminence of the fires sweeping over the area (where retreat, solace, tranquility, spiritual renewal, prayer, Bible study  are the whole reason for going up to Gunflint); which placed upon my heart and mind the following Scriptures, that I read the next morning:

 

Hebrews 12:25-29  See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken–that is, things that have been made–in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

 

2 Thessalonians 1:5-12  This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering– since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

2 Peter 3:5-10  For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

 

You see, the prayer retreat was cut short, due to the fires being just 23 miles from the campsite. On the first full day it was windy – that is when the plumage was seen and the sky divided, on the second day, the pre-evacuation warning came – that morning before– during Bible study is when the statement came, then the forestry personal came to give notice, and on the third day we were told to evacuate and not only did we prepare, but that is also the day we departed.

Well, I could not easily express the overwhelming sense of what the Holy Spirit was impressing upon my heart, mind and a statement that keeps coming back to me…. “be ready to evacuate”…. rapture …. Christians need to be ready, prepare…. out of time up north and the fire approach – the following poem / prose / pre-evacuation notice comes:

 

The smoldering of God’s anger is about to burst int flames.

 

He has issued the “be ready to evacuate” warning before the fire of His wrath comes

down upon the world as its tempestuous wind blows the burning across the lands.

The songs of new morning have ceased obscured by darkness

and silent in the thick turbid ash air.

One can smell the smoke and see it hang in the atmosphere in this age’s end

with thickness of sins silty scent tainting the clear truth’s call.

 

Stored up for years – the Lord’s pain with red, yellow, and orange dark billows.

Escape the coming tribulation of humbling only in turning to the Son and His Way.

The age of grace is closing soon, before the wrath brimstone burns.

Not much longer and salvation comes, with tribulation after

for those who refuse to listen to the Gospel’s plea.

 

When Jesus calls us, and trumpet blows beyond earthly plain….

‘Evacuate’ – the fires of heaven fall; My wrath does come upon world’s all –

it can no longer be contained.

 

Oh – it is not for those who do call on My name, I will protect them from the flames;

for by My blood the have been saved, believing in the Lamb slain.

I came back from the dead so God’s wrath they need not dread,

I know the numbers of hairs on each of their heads, and I paid the price of sin in their stead.

 

He has issued the “be ready to evacuate” warning before the fire of His wrath comes

down upon the world as its tempestuous wind blows the burning across the lands.

The smoldering of My anger is about to burst int flames.

 

Are you part of the remnant ready for the rapture? Are you prepared, made whole by Jesus through His Word? Are You ready for the evacuation?

 

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11  Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

 

Remember God Loves You and So Do I,

Pastor Daren Lee Barnett