"... For in a single hour your judgment has come... For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste... For in a single hour she has been laid waste." -- Revelation 18:10, 17, 19

A recent article mentioned the increase of heart attacks during the holiday season. The stress and demanding activities of the season bring poor health to a climax. After years of careless eating and unhealthy living, in a single hour everything falls apart.

The world carries on in the same way. Careless and ungodly living will continue, year in and year out, but a day will come when "in a single hour" everything will fall apart. As the passage mentions; judgment will come, wealth will be laid waste and the city itself will be laid waist.

In light of this coming day my friend, "... what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness...!" (2 Peter 3:11) There's no better time to start living right and serving the Lord than today. Perhaps this is the reason a voice from heaven says in verse four, "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins..." As the New Year approaches, let's make every "single hour" count for the Lord.