December 18, 2006 - Obadiah and Revelation 9
Failure to repent of sins is a serious offense in God's eyes. When we fail to repent, it leads God to take drastic actions. We must be open to God's voice and ready to repent whenever He points out our sin, or we are in danger of God's anger against sin.
Obadiah is a prophecy against the country of Edom. Because Edom would not repent of pride, God was going to destroy them completely. They had aided the enemies of Israel. They had killed God's people. They had rejoiced when Jerusalem was destroyed. They had not repented of these sins, so God decided to destroy them. This sounds drastic, but God knows when there is no reason for a person or a country to continue, because they will not listen to Him.
Revelation 9 speaks of a future time when God will send terrible plagues on the unbelievers. (v.4b) Why did He do these things? They would not repent. (v.20) They were guilty of murder, drug related activities, and sexual immorality. What does that sound like to you? It sounds like today in the USA to me. How long will we be able to escape God's anger against sin? I am sure He is already punishing us, but I do not know how long it will be until He decides to take extreme measures. However, I do know that the Bible shows us clearly that this is God's holy and righteous nature. He can't allow us to fail to repent for very long, or else He is teaching people that holiness doesn't matter.
I pray that we will take an account of our lives as this year draws to a close and ask God to show us how we need to repent before Him. I pray that we will take it as seriously as God does.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jonah and Revelation 10.
Obadiah is a prophecy against the country of Edom. Because Edom would not repent of pride, God was going to destroy them completely. They had aided the enemies of Israel. They had killed God's people. They had rejoiced when Jerusalem was destroyed. They had not repented of these sins, so God decided to destroy them. This sounds drastic, but God knows when there is no reason for a person or a country to continue, because they will not listen to Him.
Revelation 9 speaks of a future time when God will send terrible plagues on the unbelievers. (v.4b) Why did He do these things? They would not repent. (v.20) They were guilty of murder, drug related activities, and sexual immorality. What does that sound like to you? It sounds like today in the USA to me. How long will we be able to escape God's anger against sin? I am sure He is already punishing us, but I do not know how long it will be until He decides to take extreme measures. However, I do know that the Bible shows us clearly that this is God's holy and righteous nature. He can't allow us to fail to repent for very long, or else He is teaching people that holiness doesn't matter.
I pray that we will take an account of our lives as this year draws to a close and ask God to show us how we need to repent before Him. I pray that we will take it as seriously as God does.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jonah and Revelation 10.