What If Today Were August 8, 1945?

What if today were August 8, 1945 and you were a citizen of Nagasaki, Japan?

Only two days ago, on August 6, a nuclear bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. You stand in a city 198 miles away, perhaps a four or five hour drive.

Though hard to comprehend this new and massive weapon, you would know the stark realities of the destruction. In addition, you would have seen or heard of the warning pamphlets dropped by U.S. planes. You would have heard the allied radio broadcasts urging your government to accept an immediate cease fire. You would know that citizens of your city had been told to flee to safety or suffer a similar fate.

What will you do? You must decide.

You know the danger, but you can not know that if you put off your decision until Noon tomorrow, you could be one of the 30-40,000 killed when a bomb known as “Fat Man” detonates.

What if today, right now, you faced a similar warning? A warning you’ve seen on TV, heard on the radio, overheard people talk about? A warning that you now read with your own eyes.

Will you seek safety, or ignore the fact that tomorrow, or tonight, or one minute from now it might be too late?

The clear warning I speak of is this: “man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27)

When you die and face judgment, will you be innocent or guilty? God will rule on your fate based on the Ten Commandments (Rom 2:6-11) How will you do?

If you have ever stolen anything (regardless of value), you are guilty of theft (the eighth commandment). In God's holy eyes, you are a thief.

If you have ever told a lie, you are guilty of breaking the ninth commandment. In God's holy eyes, you are a liar. The Bible warns that all liars shall have their part in the Lake of Fire (Rev 21:8).

If you have ever looked at someone other than your spouse with lustful thoughts, you are guilty of breaking the seventh commandment. In God's holy eyes, you are an adulterer.

The Bible says that no thief, fornicator or adulterer will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10).

There are many choices you can make, but only one will provide safety from the destruction to come. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." and "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved." (John 14:6; 10:9)

Will you head this warning of your guilt and fate? Will you seek the safety of God’s Son, Jesus Christ? He paid for your sins. When Jesus died on the cross it was like a legal transaction where your crimes were paid in full. All that is required of you is to respond to these warnings. How? Agree with God that you have broken his laws and repent (decide right now to turn from all sin) and put your full trust in Christ to save you. He will forgive and forget your sin. Then read the Bible and do what it says.

It is up to you. You have been warned. You can repent and trust in Christ, or you can ignore the warnings just like tens of thousands of people who woke up in Nagasaki on August 9, 1945 but did not live to see the next day.

(Image is from pamphlet dropped in Japanese cities by the U.S. Office Of Warfare Information)