Except You Repent, You Will Perish!

Luke 13:1, “There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

In this passage, Jesus issued a call to repentance! His attention was directed toward the sin of all men. Evidently, some worshipers from Galilee had been killed by Roman soldiers while they offered up their sacrifices in the temple. They were not worse sinners because this happened to them. The issue is that God had presented them with a New Testament or new covenant in Jesus Christ. The new covenant requires repentance for sins and turning to a new life in Christ. God promised through the writings of the Prophets that their Deliverer would come in His time. Luke acknowledged that in the book of Acts.

Acts 3:18, “But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”

The prophecies by Old Testament prophets concerning the coming of Jesus Christ and what He would suffer were fulfilled perfectly. Jesus was crucified and rose from the grave becoming victorious over death. His disciples saw Him ascend into the heavens where He sits at the Father's right hand. He will remain there until the time of the "restitution of all things." Then the prophecies concerning His Second Coming will be fulfilled perfectly just as in the First Advent.

We are nearing the “restitution of all things.” The stage is set and the players are taking their places. God is moving the course of human events to the culmination of this age. Current events are a testimony to where we are as we approach the final curtain.

My prayer is that God will open our eyes to understanding the significance of what is happening now in our world and help us to see the urgency of His message. The world is doomed to eternal darkness except they turn to Jesus Christ in repentance. “Repent ye therefore...” Acts 3:19