Go Figure

“And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands”  Revelation 9:20(a)

In studying the book of Revelation, I found that while some of it is a mystery because of the symbolism, there is one thing that is clear:  God gives men many opportunities to repent and turn to Him, but He will also judge those who do not.  God will bring some horrific and gruesome circumstances upon a world of ungodly and evil people, but even that will not persuade them to repent.  It’s difficult for those of us who have been walking with the Lord for many years, not perfectly, but sincerely committed, to understand how these unbelievers in Revelation could undergo such harsh and cruel judgments and not repent, but that was their response.

There is only one way of salvation: by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8).  Jesus was adamant when He said that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” and that “no one can come to the Father except through Him” (John 14:6).  People come to Christ either because they are drawn by His love and acceptance, or they come because they are motivated by the threat of an eternity spent in hell.  However, following Christ is so much more than a way to escape hell.  Salvation is the way to a real and satisfying life.

Christians should be so committed to Christ that nothing could deter them from loving and serving Him.  On the other hand, many people, like these folks in Revelation, are so attached to their sin that they are committed to their selfish, prideful, and sinful lifestyles.  Paul wrote in Romans 1:18-32 about how far away from God that sin takes individuals, so far that some never escape the clutches of sin’s bondage.  Some people use the excuse that they don’t believe in what the Bible says about sin, about Christ, and about judgment.  However, if one would only diligently study God’s word, he or she will begin to have his or her eyes opened to the truth and begin to see the world more like God sees it.  Many dismiss the truth in God’s word without really knowing what it contains.  God will reveal Himself to anyone who diligently seeks Him through His word.

Hebrews 10:31 tells us that “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”.  But let me say, “It’s a real comfort to fall into the arms of a loving Savior”.