December 19, 2006 - Jonah and Revelation 10
Yesterday, we saw the destruction that comes when people fail to repent of sin. Today, we see the remarkable response of God when people do repent of sin. This is a message of hope. There is no one who is so far gone that God will not respond to him, if he will repent.
Jonah knew this truth very well. He told God that the reason he ran away from God was that he knew God responded to repentance. (4:2) He saw God respond to the repentance of the people of Nineveh. (3:8-10) Jonah did not possess a heart of compassion and forgiveness like God. He cared more for a plant than for the people of Nineveh. However, God loved them, even though they were very wicked, and He did not destroy them, because of repentance. This great story shows us that we should all have hope in the Lord. If we will just admit our sins and turn from them, God will see and respond positively. Are you willing to repent?
Then, in Revelation 10 we read about a mighty angel. The message of this angel is sealed up until the end of time, but the message of God to us is not sealed. God speaks to His people and to the whole world through His prophets, and He speaks clearly. God told John to continue to prophesy to the people of the world. (v.11) He told Jonah what to say, too. The message is clear. It is the response that is questionable. Jonah knew God's will, and he did the opposite. He saw God's compassion on Nineveh, and he was upset, instead of rejoicing. There are some people who just won't repent. They won't throw themselves on God's mercy by repenting. They decide to remain unmoved and unchanged from their selfish condition. God will respond, if we will simply turn to Him in true repentance like Nineveh did.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Micah 1-3 and Revelation 11.
Jonah knew this truth very well. He told God that the reason he ran away from God was that he knew God responded to repentance. (4:2) He saw God respond to the repentance of the people of Nineveh. (3:8-10) Jonah did not possess a heart of compassion and forgiveness like God. He cared more for a plant than for the people of Nineveh. However, God loved them, even though they were very wicked, and He did not destroy them, because of repentance. This great story shows us that we should all have hope in the Lord. If we will just admit our sins and turn from them, God will see and respond positively. Are you willing to repent?
Then, in Revelation 10 we read about a mighty angel. The message of this angel is sealed up until the end of time, but the message of God to us is not sealed. God speaks to His people and to the whole world through His prophets, and He speaks clearly. God told John to continue to prophesy to the people of the world. (v.11) He told Jonah what to say, too. The message is clear. It is the response that is questionable. Jonah knew God's will, and he did the opposite. He saw God's compassion on Nineveh, and he was upset, instead of rejoicing. There are some people who just won't repent. They won't throw themselves on God's mercy by repenting. They decide to remain unmoved and unchanged from their selfish condition. God will respond, if we will simply turn to Him in true repentance like Nineveh did.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Micah 1-3 and Revelation 11.