At the beginning of this century, the French island of Martinique was a prosperous colony in the Caribbean and was known as the Paris of the West Indies. The capital St. Pierre had a population of some 30,000 and lay at the foot of Mount Pelée, an old dormant volcano. During 1902, boiling water and steam were seen erupting from the crater and on April 25th, a scientific expedition was sent up to investigate. The island's newspaper, "Les Colonies" published the findings and told the inhabitants that there was no reason to be afraid.

However, some individuals began to get worried but were mocked by various editorials of the newspaper.

Day by day, life became unbearable on the island. A hideous odour of sulphur filled the air and birds dropped out of the air asphyxiated by the ash and sulphur.

By May 3rd businessmen and prudent individuals moved to the Southern part of the Island. However, the newspaper continued to mock, and on May 7th it published an interview with Professor M. Landes which read, "Mont Pelee presents no more danger to the inhabitants of St. Pierre than does Vesuvius to those of Naples." The Newspaper added "We confess we cannot understand this panic. Where could one be better off than in St. Pierre?"

On the morning of May 8th, at 7:52 AM exactly, the Volcano erupted and exploded. There was no warning as the side of the mountain ripped out. Super heated steam at a temperature of 1000 degrees Centigrade blasted out at hurricane speed obliterating the whole town and incinerating 30,000 people. Only two men survived the destruction, a prisoner, who was in the town dungeon and a cobbler who hid in his cellar.

How like many in the world today who treat God like an extinct volcano. They doubt His existence, mock at the thought of hell and judgment, laugh at the Bible, and continue in their sinful ways, all the while neglecting the salvation of their souls.

The Bible tells us,

"the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His might angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 1).

The good news of the gospel message is that you can be saved from the wrath to come by hiding in Christ. He bore the judgment of God against sin, when He died upon the cross. He rose again from the dead and is in heaven today. He is a refuge for sinners who put their faith in Him. To neglect Christ is to put yourself in danger for God will judge this sinful world. The Bible warns us "Be not deceived, God is not mocked" (Galatians 6v7)