Revelation 9:20-21
The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Dragons, pestilence, plagues, beasts, false prophets, the more you read Revelation the more questions arise. It is a mysterious book. Despite these things, there is an even more mysterious thing in this book. It’s an everyday experience. Something so shocking, yet we are generally unphased by it. We go about our days shocked by the disasters, plagues and dragons of the world around us, but a more astounding thing beats in the chests of so many.
The unrepentant heart is truly a marvel. So often followers of Christ who face the dragons of their lives wonder, “how could someone walk this earth without knowing Jesus?” Revelation shows us an end full of things we never want to experience. The wrath of God is not to be trifled with. What Christians have avoided through the sacrifice of Christ is still awaiting any who do not yet name Christ as LORD. What a terrible thought. What can be done?
It’s interesting that so often we consider that the challenges of life should lead those apart from God back to him. That they should realize their sin and need for a savior, and come running into his arms of grace, after all, isn’t that what every Christian has done? That’s certainly our experience of the change that led our hearts from sin and to Christ.
The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
Jeremiah 17:9
The problem faced by those in our passage from Revelation was revealed thousands of years earlier in the book of Jeremiah. Though they had experienced so much suffering around them, “they did not repent.” Their hearts continued to deceive them into worshiping idols, and to enjoy the sin that “clings so closely” (Heb. 12:1). This is the shocking nature of the unrepentant heart. Though all the wrath of a holy and just God falls down around them leaving barely room for them to set their foot safely, they will not repent.
This may be understandable when you consider some you know who seem to have had so many opportunities to look to Christ, but it may be hard to grapple with the reality of your own heart- for none of us were exempt from this condition.
if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Romans 5:10
The fact is that if you and I were standing there in Revelation 9 with all those other unrepentant people, we would have no hope of repenting either, unless Christ died. Unless God so worked in our hearts to draw us to himself. If your heart is new today, rejoice! It is not of your doing, but the work of the Father who loves you and made you new! If today there is someone you know is living in this Revelation 9 state, do not lose hope. As sure as Christ can save one sheep he can save another. Pray. seek the LORD. Confess. Repent. Rejoice. Love. Serve. Bring light into this dark world. Reveal the hope you have in the savior who so loved you that he took the wrath of God for you!
