Red Tide threatens Florida coastlinePDFPrintE-mail
World
Written by Chris Perver  
Monday, 11 August 2014 20:32

Red tideA massive algal bloom off the Florida coastline is expected to reach the shore within the next couple of weeks. The bloom, covering an area of water approximately 50 miles wide by around 80 miles in length, is one the largest that has been seen in the region for at least a decade. It has already been responsible for the deaths of thousands of fish in the Gulf of Mexico. The algal blooms turn the sea a blood-red colour and produce chemicals which are extremely toxic to marine life and also harmful to humans. Experts are warning of severe impacts to local ecology in the event that it washes ashore...

Quote: “The Red Tide or Algal bloom is a phenomenon that has been occurring in the sea water for centuries. It is result of the disturbance created by few species of a type of algae called dinoflagellates. Their massive population growth result in discoloring of water, most probably in colors like red or brown. The algae bloom becomes uncontrollable and production of toxic chemicals begins. The water turns toxic and results in the death of marine creatures including fish, octopus and others.

In the book of Revelation we read of a day when the sea and the rivers will become like blood. The Bible also predicts that much life that is in the sea will die because of this plague...

Revelation 16:2-7
And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

The first time we read in the Bible of water being turned into blood is in the book of Exodus. The children of Israel had been slaves in the land of Egypt for four hundred years. God's promise, to bring them out of slavery and into a land flowing with milk and honey, is a miniature picture of His plan of salvation for us today. In bringing them out, God said He would execute judgement against all the gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12). One of those gods was the Nile river. Instead of worshipping the true God who created the river, the ancient Egyptians worshipped the river because it was a source of life in the dry and barren land of Egypt. So the Lord turned the water of the river into blood to show the Egyptians that He was the true God. When the Lord Jesus Christ gave His life upon the cross of Calvary, He also executed judgement against the 'god of this world', Satan. He freed us from the bondage of our sin, and will take us one day to that promised land called heaven...

Hebrews 2:14-15
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

In relation to the judgements of the tribulation period, we read that they are God's righteous response to the persecution inflicted upon His people. Many people think of the book of Revelation as a book of doom and gloom, filled with natural disasters and catastrophes. But as the first verse indicates, it is really the book of the “Revelation of Jesus Christ”. Yes, the world will suffer terribly, primarily because of its sin and wickedness. Judgement is coming. God wouldn't be just if He did not punish wrong-doing. And this world system, and its governor the devil, will be judged. But the Lord Jesus Christ is also coming back to put things right. That's what the book is about.

The signs of His coming are plain for all to see. Israel is back in the land, preparations are being made for the rebuilding of the Temple, the status of Jerusalem has become a global issue, there is talk of halting the flow of the Euphrates, militant Islam is on the move and Christians are suffering terribly for their faith... Jesus Christ is coming back soon. First for those who have trusted in Him for salvation, to take them to the Father's House (John 14), and then He will come in judgement upon this wicked world. Are you ready to meet Him?

God loves you so much. He sent His Son Jesus Christ into this world to bear the punishment for your sin so that you wouldn't have to. Jesus Christ gave His life upon the cross so that you could have everlasting life in heaven. And all God asks you to do to receive this free gift is to accept what His Son has already done on the cross for you. Don't wait until it's took late. Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

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Photo credit: Foter / Public domain

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