THE UNREPENTANT
Malachi 4:1, 3: “‘Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire.’ Says the LORD Almighty. ‘Not a root or branch will be left to them.’ … ‘Then you will go trample down the wicked, they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do these things,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
Hell is not permanent. However, eternal death is.
Do you understand repentance? The series Commanded Holy Days Importance Today just finished. Finishing touches need to be added that make all the difference whether the reader gets the point. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” Emphasis added for this devotion.
The Lord is very patient. WHEN He fulfills the opening scripture, many will cry out, “Give me another chance!” Make no mistake what the opening Scripture says: the unrepentant will cease to exist. They will not suffer eternal torment. They will burn up. And then, YOU will walk over their ashes, trampling down the wicked under the soles of their feet!
Truly?
Revelation 20:14 says, “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second [and final] death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” This is final judgment, the end for the unrepentant in The Eighth Day.
Yes, the LORD is plenty patient.
He resurrects every person. He teaches each person His righteous ways. He introduces each one to His Son Jesus Christ. He offers each one eternal life who submits to Christ—who took our place and died on the cross for us—specifically to offer us salvation, eternal life with God.
Then Satan is released for a short time to tempt people into sin again. People’s rebellion determines their own fate.
Take Home Nugget
So, what is so important about repentance? Repentance is agreeing with God. Repentance is stopping the sin. Repentance is changing one’s mind. Repentance is giving up rebellion. Revelation 21:8 lists the rebellious: “The cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters, and all liars—their place will be in the lake of burning sulfur.
If you recognize yourself among the rebellious, maybe repentance is your ticket to eternal life.
Holy Father, help me to repent of my sins and be named in Your Book of Life. I ask this with thanks, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Adapted from God’s Holy Day Plan, The Promise of Hope for All Mankind. ©1966, 1998, 2001, 2010, 2013 by the United Church of Christ. Ohio. Pg. 51.
J.D. Griffith
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