God is patient. He does not always immediately show His anger, but rather grants a person time for repentance. However, people often do not draw the right conclusions from these extended times of grace. They do not repent of their sins, but continue as before. Our age has been given new warning signs. We are faced, for instance, with the problem of pollution.

The problem is not only one of industry and technology. It is also spiritual. The Bible tells us that God throughout history has permitted plagues of various kinds to afflict the people of the world. The Book of Revelation after describing some of these plagues says in conclusion: "And they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts" (Rev. 9:21).

God can use technology as a means of carrying out His punitive judgements. Be not deceived. God exists. He watches out for His honor. When His patience is tried to the limit, He carries out His judgements.

The pollution problem of our time is a serious warning for everyone who has eyes to see and ears to hear. It is a sign that a certain time period of God's patience is coming to an end. We should not take God's patience for granted or think lightly of it. "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads to repentance?" (Rom. 2:4) The solving of the pollution problem naturally will require technological means, but we need spiritual help to be saved from God's wrath.

Christ has borne the wrath of God in our behalf. God's love has been revealed in Him. Let us confess our sins to Him, believe that they have been forgiven for the sake of His suffering and death, and truly repent of them. Otherwise God's wrath will come upon us in one way or another, either here in time or in eternity. Let us not despise God's goodness - it leads to repentance.

Life is good for us when we live as God's children. We know that God takes care of us. This world is aging and is on its way toward destruction, but our everlasting inheritance is preserved for us in heaven. Without Christ we would have reason to tremble and fear, but when He is our Mediator we are safe.