Scary. Frightening. Horrifying. How bad does it have to get? We're now on to the seven trumpet judgments found in Revelation 8:6-9:21 and these judgments are even worse than what we've seen before. Honestly, they're absolutely terrifying. The world as we know it is being destroyed right and left and by the end of chapter 9, one third of the people on earth have been killed. That's hard for me to comprehend.
Then I get to Revelation 9:20-21 and I'm bewildered.
These horrifying things are happening at God's direction and command yet there's no recognition of God. No submission. No change of heart. No repentance of sin. The people continue putting themselves first living for self. They are on their way to hell and proud of it.
So here's my request for you and for me this week. Those people described in Revelation 8 & 9 could be someone in our families, our best friend, a co-worker, our neighbor. Let's take some time today and think about who we know that doesn't know Christ. I mean really think about this and let their faces come to our minds. Now you already know what I'm going to say--these people need to hear about Christ. We won't regret telling them about Jesus, and if they choose to accept the Lord, they will be eternally grateful. Tami W.
P.S. If you've never shared your faith with anyone before, that's ok. Ask the Lord to help you and to give you an opportunity to talk with this person. He will. Just trust Him and let Him work through you. And one more thing. Don't get discouraged. Things don't always happen in the time and manner we think they should.
Dear Tami,
Yes, it is scary, frightening and horrifying as you have said and even more when we think. Yes we, our families and friends could be in the third part. When Jesus came the first time, we forsook Him. He came poor and humble even though He owns Heaven, the world, the universe and all that is within and out. He came only to do good but people were so caught up in worldly things and judged Him from His outward appearance and just chose not to believe Him. On His return we can see vengence - the fire in His eyes. It is scary and we must pray and as you have said, pray for ourselves, our familes, our friends and the whole world. Jesus revealed all this to John. He loves us so much that He is showing us what can happen and it is a warning to us to prepare for Him, repent and do His Will. I hope I am right. He is still a compassionate and forgiving God.
In the Bibe reading for today, Jeremiah 18, the parable of the potter, verses 7 and 8, "At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them". I am wondering, do you believe that if we all pray as Daniel, Hezekiah and others did, He will listen? I believe in Him and I live in hope.
Joan,
Thanks for your blog today and your question about God listening and responding to our prayers. Yes, I believe God listens to our prayers. But that doesn't mean He's going to answer the way we want. God's answering (or not) many times has to do with our motivation and what we're asking for. An attitude of repentance is key, particularly when we're talking about praying for nations and countries. We see that with both Daniel and Hezekiah.
We are called to pray for our nation. It's not only a privilege, it's a responsibility (1 Tim. 2:2). And God does sometimes hold back His judgment on nations. Nineveh is a good example. Jonah proclaimed that God would destroy the city in forty days. The people heard, believed and repented from the lowliest citizen all the way up to the king himself. Jonah 3:10 says, "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it."
So it can happen. But, again, the key is repentance. Second Chronicles 7:14 says, "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
So let me encourage you (and really all of us) to being praying for our nation wherever that is. And, since you mentioned Daniel, maybe take a look at his prayer and use it as a guideline. Repentance can happen and it can start with us. Tami W.
Tami,
Thank you so much. Yes repent we must. I will use Daniel's prayer as a guideline. God bless you and your family. Joan R