Here you can see a photo of Ross Dam. Ross Dam is just upstream from Diablo Dam.
As I gazed at Ross Dam I was in awe of the waffle-like texture of the dam. I have never seen a dam with a waffle-like texture.
The verse popped into my mind: “And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.” – 1 Peter 2:5 (NLT)
Yesterday’s blog post compared the Church to a dam. Just like the dam is holding back water, so also the Church “holds back” evil in our world (by the power of the Holy Spirit).
Just like Diablo Dam is built on a solid rock foundation, so also the Church is built on the solid rock foundation of Jesus Christ!
“As you come to him [Jesus Christ], the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house. … For in Scripture it says: ‘See, I lay a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him [Jesus Christ] will never be put to shame.’” – 1 Peter 2:4-6
Here once again is the photo of Ross Dam. Each person who believes in and follows Jesus Christ is like a concrete block in this dam. We are individual concrete blocks … but we are joined together (by the power of the Holy Spirit) to become a great, mighty structure!
“Through Jesus Christ we have access to the Father by one Spirit. … We are now fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him [Jesus Christ] the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
“In him [Jesus Christ] you are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” – Ephesians 2:18-22
Ross Dam and Diablo Dam restrain the water. They hold the water back. So also, the Church (empowered by the Holy Spirit) holds back evil and wickedness in the world.
Jesus himself stated that we are like “salt” holding back decay: “You are the salt of the earth.” – Matthew 5:13
Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ & follows Him are “living stones” … “cemented together” by the power of the Holy Spirit … and tasked with the purpose of “holding back” & restraining evil in our world.
What does this look like practically??
“Put away sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed. … Rid yourselves of anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language. Do not lie to each other. Instead, be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.” – Colossians 3:5-13
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. … Live in harmony with one another. … Do not repay anyone evil for evil. … If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge. … If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:14-21
What would happen if Ross Dam was suddenly gone??
What would happen if Diablo Dam was suddenly gone??
Destruction downstream!!
Catastrophic destruction!
So also, one day the “dam” will be suddenly removed. That which has been restraining and holding back sin in our world will suddenly be taken away.
* “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.” -2 Thessalonians 2:7
Make no mistake, the Holy Spirit (at work through the Church) is holding back lawlessness and evil in our world. And one day, this restraint will be removed. The “dam” will be taken away, so to speak.
* “Because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.” – Romans 2:5
* “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” – Romans 1:18
* “All will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:12
* “Then he [Jesus Christ] will say, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ … Then they will go away to eternal punishment.” – Matthew 25:41, 46
Once more here is the photo of Ross Dam. Imagine in your mind this dam suddenly being removed.
Imagine all the massive amount of water “stored up” behind the dam suddenly unleashed! Imagine the destruction!
So it will be with everyone who does not believe in Jesus Christ.
Destruction is coming.
God’s wrath is a fearful thing!
Repent of sin!
Turn from your sin and trust in Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sin. You do not want to face God’s wrath because of your sin.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Acts 2:21
Saved from the wrath of God.
Saved from destruction.
