A Testimony To Faithfulness

History tells us that in 79 A.D., the Roman city of Pompeii (near modern-day Naples) was literally buried in lava by the violent eruption of the Mount Vesuvius volcano. The city was lost for nearly 1,700 years before its accidental rediscovery in 1748.

During the excavation of that city, archaeologists found people in the streets, who had been attempting to make their escape out of the city (see video). Some were found in deep vaults, trying to find some kind of protection from the volcanic lava flow, while others were found in lofty chambers (see video).

One interesting find, was the remains of a Roman sentinel who was standing at the city gate with his hand still grasping his weapon. He had been placed there by his commanding officer, keeping watch for any intruders coming into the city. As the lava stream rolled into the city, he had faithfully stood at his post, never waving from his responsibility as sentinel.

Similarly, our Captain (Hebrews 2:10) has placed us as a sentinel "entrusted with the gospel" (1 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:13-14).

No matter what spiritual wickedness comes our way (Ephesians 6:12, will we, as the above Roman sentinel, be found faithfully standing at our assigned post, watching for any intruders? (Ephesians 6:13; Acts 20:29-31; cf. 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2 Peter 2:1-3).

 —Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets