Matthew 7:21-23  ‘Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’

• DAILY READING – Galatians 5:1-15; Lamentations 5; Psalm 147

In recent times, planet Mars has become the focus of much scientific study about possible human habitation. With discouraging news about the earth’s degenerating  environment, some of the richest people on earth are seriously planning to eventually relocate to Mars, as a way of escape. As technology advances, arguments favoring movement to Mars has gained momentum. Though water on Mars is scarce, and there is less water there than in the Earth’s driest deserts, yet scientists say it is possible to grow food, make breathable air and harvest energy from solar panels.

Indeed building colonies on Mars has entered the realm of the possible. And within the next 10 years regular flights of supplies and people will begin and  the first set of travellers will make the six-month journey to Mars. These pioneers will have to build habitable indoor spaces and, later, domed communities. Scientists believe that by 2040 there should be a thriving colonial Martian town.

Space travel companies are now rapidly springing up, such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Stratolaunch Systems and Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic. These companies are set to facilitate the growth of the human presence on Mars. Their ultimate vision is for millions of people to eventually live and work in space.

But the bottom line is that only the wealthy will have the means to move to Mars.  The cost of the flight and setting up on another planet will hover well past the means of almost anyone but the superrich. Target ticket price is $500,000 per person, and that’s just to get there. Imagine then the cost of setting up a home there and catering to one’s comfort.

However none of these manmade plans to escape from the earth can save man in the end. Man’s salvation is not in building structures to escape to in outer space, but our hope and salvation is in building a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 7:21-23  Jesus said ‘Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’

It is our knowing God and our intimate relationship with Him that will help us escape the evil of the last days.. Just as Noah built an ark of deliverance from the flood, Jesus is the ark that will deliver men from the wrath to come.  During the time of Noah, things seemed normal, people were still eating and drinking until the last moment. So it is now, but though things may appear normal,  there is a groundswell in the realm of the spirit. Things are gradually coming to a climax. And intimate knowledge of God is what will save us from destruction. Our love for Him is what matters most. Knowing God is our guarantee of eternal life, it is our passport to Heaven. And we build up intimate relationship with God, through time spent in prayers and fellowship. And so while men plan to escape to Mars, let us plan to go deeper in our relationship with God, because that indeed is our only guarantee of safety.

PRAYER:  Lord, please help me to keep focused on knowing you more and more. Please grant me the grace to persevere in prayers and to continually seek You with all of my heart in Jesus Name.

Quote

Nothing liberates like truth, the truth you know and act upon will set you free.

WORDBITE 222.