Roy Exum: The Bible In Gatlinburg

  • Friday, December 2, 2016
  • Roy Exum
Roy Exum
Roy Exum
The day after fire rained and reigned in Gatlinburg, Isaac McCord, 24 and from Tullahoma, was picking up debris at the popular Dollywood attraction. The theme park had minimal damage compared to the hundreds of structure either lost or severely damaged in Sevier County. He picked up a piece of paper that was in a puddle of water, beneath a bench.

“It was one of the most surreal moments of my life, both emotionally and spiritually," McCord told CNN. "I was in utter shock when I read what I found.
At first I just thought it was maybe a piece of newspaper or maybe a magazine but I was curious to see if I could find out where it came from, or how far it traveled... so I got down on my knees to get a better look and realized it was a page from the Bible."

Not just any page – one side was so charred it was ineligible but on the other were the words from the Book of Joel. The Book of Joel is one of what is called “the minor prophets” towards the end of the Old Testament. It has two chapters and – get this – it is heavy on the idea we must repent or face God’s judgement.

Among the verses the prophet Joel predicted – and Dollywood’s Isaac McCord read – were these:

* * *

JOEL1:15 – “The day of the LORD is near, the day when destruction comes from the Almighty. How terrible that day will be!”

JOEL 1:19-20 – “To you, O Lord to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field. The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.”

JOEL 2:1 – (barely visible) “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;"

* * *

Before you jump off a bluff or hide under the bed, remember Joel was only a minor prophet – my Christ tells us very specifically in Matthew 24:36-39 that no one knows the day or the hour – included the Old Testament prophet Joel: Matthew 24:36-44 reads:

* * *

Matthew 36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”

* * *

Isaac called nearby worker Misty Carver to: “Look at this!”

“We were like this is unreal, this is unbelievable,” McCord told the Knoxville News Sentinel. “When we had both fully read it, we looked at each other – and I will never forget this moment – we both burst into tears. I was ghost white and there was nothing else to do.”

As soon as he posted a picture of the seared page on his Facebook page, it went viral. By 4 o’clock yesterday it had been “shared” on 175,000 other Facebook pages and many feel it is a sign from God.

McCord has gotten responses from all over the world. He plans to frame the page and has since added another post on his Facebook page:

“I want to take a moment to thank those who have played an integral part in spreading hope and faith during such tragedy. As Gatlinburg and Sevier County assess damages, I'm brought to my knees as realizations of homelessness become reality for a vast majority of folks in the area.

“The post I made earlier today reflects the vision and mission for those affected, and that is, to rebuild. The community and surrounding counties are very resilient in their ability to persevere in times of great struggle, and I pray that everyone joins together in bringing this to life. We need you more than ever.

“For those expressing gratitude for the sharing of today's experience, THANK YOU for reaching out. It means the world to me to see such kind and loving comments come in from all over the country. You guys rock.

“For those wishing to aid in the fight whether by donation or volunteer work, please contact Red Cross @ 1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-27677).”

royexum@aol.com
The charred page from the Bible Isaac McCord said he found as he helped clear up Dollywood Park this week.
The charred page from the Bible Isaac McCord said he found as he helped clear up Dollywood Park this week.
Opinion
Capitol Report From State Rep. Greg Vital For March 28
  • 3/28/2024

Budget becomes central focus in final weeks of 113th General Assembly Members of the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee this week were briefed by Finance and Administration Commissioner ... more

Senate Republican Caucus Weekly Wrap March 28
  • 3/28/2024

This week on Capitol Hill lawmakers were hard at work passing meaningful legislation to improve the lives of Tennesseans as the General Assembly begins to wind down. Public safety was a big focus ... more