A woman once told me she had never been spanked, that she was so sensitive, a strong word from a parent was enough to change her behavior. I could not relate to that. As a child I heard strong words every day. I ignored them.
I was a strong-willed child. Nothing would deter me from doing what I wanted except the threat of physical pain. I needed a regular dose of corporal punishment to remind me of the rules. But I am not interested in discussing punishment. What I am interested in is that moment of repentance.
What does it take for you to repent? How greatly must you suffer before you change your ways?
In Revelation 9, God begins to pour out His wrath on the earth. As you read this list of judgments, try to predict at what point the people will repent of their sinful ways.
- “The first angel blew his trumpet, and hail and fire, mixed with blood, were hurled to the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up” Revelation 8:7. (Did people repent? No.)
- “The second angel blew his trumpet… a third of the sea turned to blood, a third of the creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed” Revelation 8:8-9.
- “The third angel blew his trumpet … a third of the water became wormwood, so that many people died” Revelation 8:10-11.
- “The fourth angel blew his trumpet … a third of the day was without light” Revelation 8:12.
- “The fifth angel blew his trumpet” and released something like flying scorpions (Abaddon or Apollyon) to torment people for five months. “In those days people will seek death and will not find it” Revelation 9:1-6. (Is anyone repenting yet?)
- “The sixth angel blew his trumpet” and released an army of 200 million horsemen to kill a third of the human race. From the mouths of the horses came fire, smoke, and sulfur, and the tails of the horses resembled the mouths of venomous snakes and they inflicted injury, Revelation 9:13-19.
Would you be ready to repent? I would. But the End Times will be characterized by hearts grown cold and unrepentant:
“The rest of the people, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands to stop worshipping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood … And they did not repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts” Revelation 9:20-21.
God, never let our hearts grow hard and calloused. May we have tender hearts before you, and humbly repent of every sin you bring to mind. Help us love you more every day.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 