“Lava from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has destroyed about 600 to 700 homes since it began flowing early last month and there’s no sign of it stopping anytime soon,” said officials on Monday. The next day Kilauea erupted again with “a blast similar to a series of explosions that have sent towering columns of ash high above the island. A 5.3-magnitude earthquake accompanied the latest eruption.
“The current lava eruption began May 3 in the Leilani Estates neighborhood, about 35 miles away from the island’s largest city of Hilo. For weeks, the lava oozed through the town, burning down homes and the surrounding jungle. But in the past two weeks, more vigorous lava flows have poured downhill to the coast, blocking roads and destroying hundreds of homes in the Kapoho and Vacationland areas.” In fact Vacationland has been wiped off the island.
“Pictures show a fast-moving pahoehoe lava flow (a smooth, billowy, thin lava) that emerged from fissure 20” and is traveling at 16 miles an hour, and destroying everything in its path. It is now a massive river that has flowed to the sea, where it has created about 200 acres of new land and causing explosions as the molten rock hits the cold water.
The lava river is full. Experts are concerned that the banks formed by lava flow could continue to expand and eventually overflow the lava bank, creating more lava rivers with catastrophic effect on the neighboring areas.
“The ongoing lava flows have forced thousands of people from their homes, although many have been allowed to return on a temporary basis, particularly in the Leilani Estates area.
‘There is no magic wand for this event,’ said Robert Fenton, a FEMA administrator. ‘It’s going to take a whole community effort.’
The lava flow from the volcano burns and obliterates everything in its path revealing nature’s overpowering force. Hawaii is the playground of many wicked men and women. It is one of the most liberal states in the United States. Thank God for a few faithful souls who uphold His law that live there. But is this volcano a prophetic type of the last great judgment of the wicked?
“Upon the wicked He shall rain quick burning coals, fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.” Isaiah 9:5; 34:2; Psalm 11:6, margin. Fire comes down from God out of heaven. The earth is broken up. The weapons concealed in its depths are drawn forth. Devouring flames burst from every yawning chasm. The very rocks are on fire. The day has come that shall burn as an oven. The elements melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein are burned up. Malachi 4:1; 2 Peter 3:10. The earth’s surface seems one molten mass—a vast, seething lake of fire. It is the time of the judgment and perdition of ungodly men—“the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion.” Isaiah 34:8. The Great Controversy, page 672.
“There are forces now ready, and only waiting the divine permission, to spread desolation everywhere.” The Great Controversy, page 614.