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2. The Seven Trumpet Judgments (Revelation 8:7 - 9:21)
Who Repents Today?
REVELATION 9:20-21
20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn’t repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn’t worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk. 21 They didn’t repent of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their sexual immorality, nor of their thefts.
The judgment of the sixth trumpet is not yet the final judgment. The One who has a holy love hesitates to fully eradicate His depraved creation. He still has patience with them and loves them, like a father loves his wayward son. He helps them despite their depravity, and awaits their return. God loved the fallen, rebellious world so much, that He sacrificed His only begotten Son for those allied with demons. This He did in order that they might recognize their depravity, turn around, through faith in God's Lamb receive eternal life, and be sanctified to a service of love (John 3:16).
God waits eagerly for the repentance of every single sinner (Luke 15:10). He withholds His righteous judgment in hope that many Jews, Christians and Muslims, as well as followers of other religions or atheists might yet let themselves be saved. Paul explains: “Do you not know that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)
Repentance begins with recognition of sin. No man can recognize anything where pitch dark night reign. But when a match is struck dim contours become visible. Where a candle burns near-lying objects become recognizable. As soon as an electric lamp is turned on the room becomes light. When a searchlight is turned on we close our eyes because of the brightness. When we peer through a microscope we recognize mountains of dust, mites and dirt even on a “white vest”.
All the more a person approaches the light of God, all the more he becomes aware of his sin and depravity. When the eminent priest, Isaiah, saw the train of the holy God's robe he shuddered and cried out: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts” (Isaiah 6:5).
The angel of Revelations awaits, following the sixth wave of judgment, a response of repentance from all nations. He thereby ascertains that for those remaining on earth repentance is still possible. They are still in position to recognize their sin through the Law of Moses and the grace of the gospel. The Old and New Testaments have not been abrogated. There seldom occurs repentance without the proclamation of law and the gospel. The Bible will be proclaimed in the world until the very last days. If people are silent the stones will speak! Some Bible-oriented inscriptions on gravestones are silent, and yet still eloquent witnesses to the love of the holy God.
The light shines in the increasing darkness, but the darkness will not comprehend it (John 1:5).
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we magnify You because You are actually our Father. Hallelujah! And You care for us more than we think about You. Forgive us our growing interest in money, professions, honor and leaders more than You, and free us from trusting the signs of sorcery that we may not become connected to unclean spirits, or false, worldly parties, but to our Savior Jesus alone. Help our friends to repent indeed and become free from their hidden chains.
QUESTION:
- What are the modern idols in your surroundings?