Revelation 14-16

December 28

Revelation 14-16

When the end or time approaches there will be a great division that will take place. In Matthew 13:47 and following, Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like a net that catches all kinds of fish and the fishermen separate the good from the bad. "This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:49-50, NIV) Jesus also said that at the harvest the wheat and the weeds would be separated. The wheat taken into the barn and the weeds will be burnt. These verses from Revelation reveal the fulfillment of the stories told by Jesus. Those who die in the Lord will rest from their labor, while the wicked will be cursed to eternal damnation.

You would think that when the bowls of wrath began to be poured out, the people would turn to God, begging for mercy, but they refuse to repent and give Him glory. In the Old Testament, God called Israel to repentance, but they refused. They trusted the other nations instead of trusting God. In our day, many people die refusing to turn to God, refusing to repent of their sin, refusing to put their trust in Jesus. We are reminded of the power of sin. Sin overpowers us and hardens our hearts until we refuse to listen to God; we refuse to submit to His authority. It is important to respond to God’s call when we hear Him. To “put off” responding may harden our hearts so we cannot respond. There will be a day of judgment, our only hope is to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus.