There is something about a giant cruise ship running aground that catches one’s attention. The headlines are currently filled with the news of the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia running aground and tipping over next to the island of Giglio. Three people are confirmed dead, and many more are missing—though they hope the missing are not casualties, but are on the island being sheltered by residents. I trust that is true.
Cruise ship tragedies touch us, because they are the quintessential vacation romp turned into a calamity. They often become a metaphor for a country’s (or the world’s) pleasant circumstance coming to an end.
The reason this event caught my eye is that the name of the Costa Cruise line vessel is Concordia. Concordia means peace. Peace ran aground off the coast of Italy yesterday. At the same time, Italy’s credit rating, along with eight other countries in the euro-zone, caused financial markets to shake because their credit ratings were downgraded yesterday. Just like the Concordia, the world’s financial ship is running aground off the shore of Italy. When economies collapse, peace usually goes with them.
The other intriguing thing about this tragedy, is that it occurred just off the coast of the island of Giglio. In English, that would by the island of Lily. The imagery is a bit too obvious to pass up. Jesus Christ is the Lily of the Valley. If you do a web search on the symbolism of this lily, you will find out that it symbolizes the return of Christ. Garden Guides summarizes it this way:
In Christian symbolism, lily of the valley represents the Advent or coming of Christ, because the flowers appear so early in the spring.
So, metaphorically, the good ship peace runs aground on the approach to the second coming. Honestly, you really can’t make this stuff up. If the Lord were using current events to send prophetic warnings, could he have made it any more obvious?
Voices, both secular and prophetic, have been concerned that 2012 will be a year filled with shaking. I believe the Lord is confirming this, and giving advance notice to those with ears to hear. Of course, those with ears to hear will not be filled with fear, but hope and confidence. Those who have built their house on the Rock, the Lily of the Valley, have nothing to fear. The apostle Paul instructed us on this:
Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5)
The kingdoms of this world are becoming the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. And he will reign forever and ever.
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Update 1/16/12
Authorities have now found six bodies, and are concerned the death toll will rise. I did not specifically issue condolences to those most effected by this tragedy when I first posted. I am correcting that deficiency today. May God’s peace fill all those who are in mourning. My prayer is that God touch them all with his Life.
