Children of God

            This past year has definitely been different from every other year in our lives, especially for our children. We are still living currently through a Pandemic and uncertainty. Our children need growth in Christ and it is not based on what the world does or say, but on us as parents. It all starts at home and introducing Christ into their lives to prepare and protect them in their future. I have learned as a parent we can’t protect our children from everything in this world or from what they see or hear. The majority of the world is lost and blind but our children must live in it until his return. We must teach them the truth and pray to God to protect and guide them. Proverbs 22:6, Start a youth on out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it. It starts with us as parents and in our homes.  

            Matthew 18 (Mark 9:33-37, Luke 9:46-48), the disciples are asking Christ, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus calls a child and had him stand among them. Verse 3-5, “Truly I tell you”, he said, “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child – this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one child like this in my name welcomes me.” Mark 10:13-15, the disciples tried to keep children away from Jesus to bless them. “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.  

We are all God’s children. Christ has paid the price for our sins to welcome us as his children into his heavenly kingdom. We have been adopted by him. John 1:12-13, But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born, not of natural descent or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. Romans 8:16-17, The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs – heirs of God and coheirs with Christ – if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. John 14:18, I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. He has adopted us as his children and we are never alone when we have faith and believe.  

So, what must we do to be called children of God? 

1.      Truth  

We must teach our children about the Truth and that starts with the Bible. 3 John 1:4, I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Christ is happy when we as his children walk in his truth. 2 John 1:4, I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, in keeping with the command we have received from the Father. Without the truth we can’t combat the forces of Lucifer and will not be able to tell the difference between the Shepherd’s voice or the wolves. Without the truth we will not know what sin is or repentance. We will not know how to find salvation with Christ, accept him as Savior and be baptized. John 14:6-7, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will also my Father. John 14:17, He is the Spirit of truth – the Comforter that Christ sent to us when he ascended when he gave us the Holy Spirit. Without the knowledge of the truth how can we plant the seed in others and help introduce them to our Lord and Savior Christ.  

We as Christians have become even more of a minority in this sinful world. Our children must know the truth for them to have a chance to defeat all the weapons Satan attacks them with. Now more than ever children have access to anything and everything. Satan has used Social Media to hurt so many children, affecting their mental, spiritual and even physical health. Satan has attacked the eye and our vision to disrupt our relationship with Christ. Matthew 6:22-23, The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness, how deep is that darkness! Our children’s eyes must be protected from the devil’s attack. He is more cunning and evil and knows how to draw attention away from our relationship with God. Social Media has become an idol to many and has blurred and blinded their eyes. That is why the Belt of Truth is part of the armor of God. Satan is the deceiver and fights with lies, but only God’s believers have the truth to defeat him.   

2.      Obey  

Once we know the truth this will cause us as children of God to obey his commands. John 14:15, If you love me, you will keep my commands. Ephesians 6:1, Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right. Colossians 3:20, Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. I Peter 1:14, As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. I John 5:2, This is how we know that we love God’s children; when we love God and obey his commands. Obedience to God and his commands pleases him and blesses your life. When the truth is conflicting with the world and are against God’s truth, we must obey God. Traditions and politics are not commands from God and don’t be lost in them like the Pharisees. In the end it will work out when we put God first. He usually has a way of making everything work out in his own time. 

2 Samuel 15:22, Then Samuel said: Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. Saul, David and Solomon’s great and powerful kingdoms fell because they did not obey God. They sinned and made mistakes but thankfully our God is a forgiving and merciful God. Israel over and over again did not obey God and was punished throughout history for their sins. Even now the world rejects God and does not obey his commands. Churches ignore God’s commands to please the world and we wonder why the world is chaotic as it is now! God does not care about your opinion or your feelings. He is a jealous God and will not tolerate us not following his commands. Hebrews 12:8, But if you are without discipline (can’t have discipline without obedience) – which all receive – then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Those who do not obey become rebellious to God. Isaiah 30:9, They are rebellious people, deceptive children, children who do not want to listen to the Lord’s instruction. Lucifer rebelled against Christ and those who do not obey will also be grouped with sinners. Hell is their destination if they do not turn from disobedience.  

3.      Light and Salt (Matthew 5:13-16) 

Once we know the truth, obey God commands we become light and salt to the world as Children of God. Jesus said in John 12:36, While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become children of light. Ephesians 5:8, For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. I Thessalonians 5:5, For you are children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or darkness. We go from darkness to light when we know the truth and believe. We are to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16), let our light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Those who live in the light have nothing to hide. Sin hides in the darkness/shadows and avoids the light. We are to do our best to be blameless, pure and faultless in this crooked and perverted generation, and be among them shining like stars in the sky (Philippians 2:15). You can’t hide the brightness of a star and the world needs our light now more than ever. Our light should be acting in a way that glorifies Christ to the world. If you ever hold up a candle that is lit to a wall or surface, the light does not cast a shadow. A flame of light can’t cast a shadow, for it radiates light and is pure. There is no shadow inside of it. We are to be a guiding light to those lost in the shadows which is a symbol of sin. Once light touches the shadow, the shadow disappears. So as children, be a bright light to everyone you meet, whether in school, at work or anyone in the world. Shine like the stars, for the glory of God. 

Salt is used for flavor and preserving food. Most food, especially fast food probably would not taste so good if it did not have salt on it. Salt can also be used to clean things and is widely used in the chemical industry. Christ is saying as children of God we must be tasty and flavorful to the world. We must preserve our purity in Christ. If we lose that taste/flavor and function to preserve it is no longer good for anything. Salt is made out of Sodium (Na) and Chloride (Cl). More than 70% of the world is covered by ocean and this combination is the reason of the salinity of seawater. Without the salinity most, if not all of the life in the ocean could not survive and that would be catastrophic. About 60% of the human body is made up out of water. Disruptions in sodium and chloride can cause mental changes and other pathologies in humans. A balance is needed and salt is a very important part of our diet, body and survival of many, if not all living things. 

4.      Imitator  

As children of God when we have the truth, obey, become light and tasty as salt, we start to now IMITATE CHRIST! Ephesians 5:1-5, Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children and walk in love, as Christ also loved us, a sacrificial and fragment offering to God. But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as proper for saints. Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Christ is the complete opposite of all sin and we need to imitate him like that in our lives. The world will also not know us the same way they did not know Christ when we imitate him. I John 3:1-2, See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children – and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him. Dear friends, we are God’s children now and what we will be has not yet revealed. We know that when he appears we will be like him because we will see him as he is. (See previous posts for further insight on Imitating Christ)  

 5.      Power/Boldness/Confidence  

Once we start to Imitate Christ, the Holy Spirit can rest on us and we begin to have Power In the Name of Jesus. Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” We will have confidence and never be ashamed of being a follower of Christ. 1 John 2:28, So now, little children, remain in him so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming. We must proclaim to the lost about Christ before it is too late. Acts 4:13, When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. Jesus said himself we would be able to do miracles like him when we become true believers. The Holy Spirit is able to educate us in the word and give us power. In Acts 9, we can see Peter prayed to God and raised a woman named Tabitha from the dead. As children who believe in God we have power In the Name of Jesus. 

(Read more in depth Post: In the Name of Jesus) 

        6.      Forgiving  

This one may be a little more difficult for Children of God, but it is so important. The world will hate us and even now persecution is occurring in other countries. Matthew 18, Peter asks Jesus how many times should we forgive someone for sinning against us. As many as seven times? Jesus replies in Verse 22, “I tell you, not as many as seven, but seventy times seven. Jesus speaks about the kingdom of heaven as a king who wants to settle accounts with his servants. There was one servant who owed ten thousand talents (equivalent of $3.48 Billion now) and did not have the money to pay the king back. He would have to sell his wife, children and all his possessions. The servant fell facedown and begged for mercy. The King forgave him his debt. Now this servant who was just forgiven 3.28 billion dollars went out and found a servant who owed him a hundred denarii (equivalent of $11,733 now) and started choking him and tell him, “Pay what you owe!” That servant fell facedown and begged him to also be patient and he will pay him back. But instead of forgiving like the King, which was a much more substantial amount, he threw him into prison instead. The King finds out and throws the wicked servant into jail and to be tortured until he pays back everything. Verse 35, “So also Heavenly Father will do to you unless every one of you forgives his brother or sister from your heart. There is no limit for forgiveness and we don’t keep score. Matthew 6:14-15, For if you forgive others their offenses, your Heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses. Luke 23:34, Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing. Even while suffering and dying on the cross, Jesus asked God to forgive the soldiers.  

 The Holy Spirit will teach us and guide our words in those difficult times. The world has become unforgiving and that is what Lucifer wants. Without forgiveness we can not be children of God. Matthew 5:43-45, “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and you’re your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Stephen in Acts 7, while he was being stoned to death for his belief and preaching the truth, he asks “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he died. Mark 13:11, So when they arrest you and hand you over, don’t worry beforehand what you will say, but say whatever is given to you at that time, for it isn’t you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. John 16:8-15 explains that the Holy Spirit guides us to the truth and speaks whatever he hears from God and Jesus. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus and will take what is from him and declare it to the world. Everything the Father has is Jesus’ and the Holy Spirit takes from what is Jesus’ and will declare it to us. If God did not forgive us of our sins and if Christ did not die for the sins of the world, we would never have been given the chance to enter God’s kingdom and become his children. The world does not want to forgive and they have hardened their hearts like Pharaoh in Egypt. But we as children must love our enemies, pray for them and forgive without limits. 

We don’t realize how powerful it really is to be adopted as a child of God. There was no adoption process in the ancient Jewish culture. When a man died, usually a brother would become the head of the household. The Romans did have a concept of adoption and it has a powerful meaning. In those times, parents could disown their biological children if they desired. But adopting a child meant something completely different in those times. The child was chosen freely by the parents and that child was a permanent part of the family. This meant that once they were adopted that the parents could not disown them like they could their biological children. As an adopted child they became a new person. Their prior commitments, debts and responsibilities were all erased. A new beginning and a new mission or task was taken on. Once adopted it made them heirs to their father riches, blessings and possessions. It fully united them as one. Doesn’t that sound amazing as a Christian? We are adopted in Christ’s family and become heirs (Romans 8:16-17)! We become as one people, the Church his bride. We have been chosen by God and it is a constant reminder that He desires us, loves us, created us for His purpose! We are children of God because of Jesus himself. His sacrifice on the cross and dying for our sins has caused us to be able to be adopted as children of God. How amazing and wonderful to know that we will never be alone and we are adopted into God’s Kingdom. These are just a few attributes to being a “Children of God.” Daily we must commit to God’s word and to search and know him.

In the Name of Jesus

             John 20:21-22, Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 14:16, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the spirit of truth. The word is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.” Those who believe in Christ will know the comforter and the Holy Spirit will allow us to do miracles in the name of Jesus.  

          Jesus ascended into heaven and commissioned his disciples to spread the good news to everyone. Matthew 10:7-8, “As you go, proclaim; ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give.” Peter and John are walking through the temple gate called “Beautiful,” in Acts 3. There was a man over 40 years old who was lame since birth, who was carried everyday by someone (not named) to the temple gate everyday so that he could beg. He saw Peter and John entering the temple and asks them for money. Peter, along with John, looked straight at him and said, “Look at us (verse 3).” Most likely pointing out that they had on ragged clothes and no signs of wealth or status on them. In verse 6, Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I do have, I give you: IN THE NAME of JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth, get up and walk!” Peter took his right hand and raised him up. The lame man’s feet and ankles became strong and he jumped up and started to walk. He begin to walk, leap and praise God and everyone at the temple were astonished. Verse 12, Peter addressed the people: “Fellow Israelites, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us, as though we made him walk by our own power of godliness?”  

           After this happened, the high priests, captain of temple police, scholars, rulers and elders arrested Peter and John for proclaiming Jesus. In Acts 4 it says 5,000 people believed and repented. The following day Peter and John were questioned, “By what power or in what name have you done this (verse 7)?” Acts 4:8-12, Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man, by what means he was healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the NAME of JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead – by him this man is standing here before you healthy. This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders which has become the cornerstone. There is no salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” The Holy Spirit declares that there is no other name greater than Jesus and only salvation can be obtained through him!  

            The reason why the Name of Jesus is above all names can be seen in Philippians 2:5-11, Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider the equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death – even to the death on the cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow – in heaven and on earth and under the earth – and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Jesus who was sinless, was the Son of God came down to earth to live like us. He humbled himself, became a servant and died on the cross for the sins of man. Without him we would not be able to receive paradise again at his second coming.             

            Peter and the disciples did miracles because of the power In the Name of Jesus. It was not their own names that could do such miracles. No man can bring us salvation or forgive us of our sins. Not Mary, not the saints, not the Pope, not Allah or Mohammed can forgive us of our sins or gives us salvation. There is only one name above all names! The name alone brings fear to Lucifer and his forces of evil. Demons cower at his name. Christ’s name gives us boldness and allows us to do healing, signs and wonders through the Name of Jesus (Acts 4:29-30). We can cast out demons In the Name of Jesus, heal the sick In the Name of Jesus, speak boldly In the Name of Jesus, break the hold of sin over us In the Name of Jesus, repent In the Name of Jesus, power In the Name of Jesus and victory In the Name of Jesus! His name is so powerful that when he comes riding on his White Horse at judgement, he has a name written that no one knows except himself (Revelation 19:12). But he will have a name written on his robe and on his thigh that all of the world will see: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16).  

 

 

Live your life for his name and with faith. In the Name of Jesus, has more power than any weapon created by man of this world or any weapons of Lucifer. 

 

Psalms 115:1 

Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your faithful love, because of your truth. 

 

Repentance

            Repentance is a part of every Christian’s life and understanding what that truly means is vital to our spiritual growth and relationship with God. The definition of Repent in the dictionary is to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin. The biblical definition of Repentance is changing or turning your mind away from sin. You may have acted or thought some way before but now you have decided to change for God. You reject Satan and the sin in your life. You accept Christ and now believe with faith. You have turned your back on sin so that you may walk the path towards God. It is a 180 degree turn from sin and we never look back. Acts 20:21, I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. Faith and repentance are two sides of the same coin and it must be integrated into our lives. Repentance can’t happen without faith. To be saved, you must place faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sin and that decision requires changing or turning your mind away from your sinful life. It is not just about regret or remorse but changing and turning away from the old you.  

            Jesus spoke about repentance, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32).” Matthew 4:17, From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Mark 1:14-15, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news. Jesus was telling the sinners to “Repent,” he was talking about a change of heart toward sin, the world, and God; an inner change that gives rise to new ways of living that exalt Christ and give evidence of the truth of the gospel.  

Repentance is not only possible for everyone but it is a command and the emphasis that their needs to be change within us. No one is exempt and we are all sinners. From the day we are born, we are born into sin. John the Baptist preached a message of repentance and prepared the way for Jesus. Acts 19:4, Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, this is, in Jesus.” Matthew 3:7-8, When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of Vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. Jesus was telling them that they needed to change and repent for their sins. This was the message that John was preaching and the message Jesus was preaching at the very start of his ministry. After Jesus’s death and resurrection in Luke 24:46-47, This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Jesus commands us to be his witness and preach about repentance to the world. Only when we repent can we continue to build our relationship with God. 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away and see, the new has come.  

The issue now more than ever is that the world and many churches have twisted the real meaning of repentance. It is a false understanding by the word and this correction must be made. We can’t serve two masters, Jesus and the World/Satan. We can’t say we are saved and have repented if we continue to live in the life of sin. What does that mean exactly? You can’t be saved or say you have truly repented if you are still sinning against God. Examples we see in society and acceptable: Sex before marriage which leads to abortion or having children before marriage, addictions to pornography, addiction to alcohol/drugs, adultery, lust, glorifying yourself/pride etc. The world may accept these things but God does not. Repentance turns away from all these sins and glorifies God and his truth. If we continue to live with sin from our old lives, than we have truly not repented. Don’t get me wrong, this is a daily battle and will never end till our last breath on earth. We must continue to pray, fast, read and practice the truths of God. Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). We must look at Jesus and his truth to live a holy life. The world does not determine what is true, holy, good or righteous, but only our God! We won’t know the truth unless we read the Bible so that we may not be deceived by wolves. We can’t follow Jesus and yet live in our old sin and call it repentance. True repentance means we have turned from our old ways and now live under Christ’s authority. It is not a one-time thing but a lifestyle change forever and daily.  

Hosea 14:2, Take words of repentance with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: Forgive all our iniquity and accept what is good, so that we may repay you with praise from our lips. So many times in Israel’s and the Jewish history God punishes them because of their sinful ways until they repent. Repentance is for everyone, “So then, God has given repentance resulting in life even to the Gentiles (Acts 11:18).” We can see examples of people who did not repent, like Lucifer and Judas. Also we can see at the end of days in Revelations many who did not repent.  

Lucifer rebelled against God and convinced other angels to follow his plan. Yet we know they failed, thrown out of heaven down to the earth and Hell was created as their punishment. Lucifer was so close to God that he was able to speak and walk with the creator yet he became full or pride thinking he could become greater than God. Lucifer never repented for his sin and because of that pride his eternity will be spent in Hell. To this very day, Lucifer will never repent and ask for forgiveness, because his sinful pride will never allow him. Isaiah 14:13-14, You said to yourself, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of the god’s assembly, in the remotest parts of the North. I will ascend above the highest clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” This shows the pride and sinful nature of Lucifer, who knew God and yet thought he could be greater than him.  

            We can see such pride also in Revelation chapter 8 and 9. There are seven angles that are preparing to blow 7 trumpets that will release God’s punishment on the earth. First Trumpet hail and fire, mixed with blood so the third of the earth, trees and green grass were burned up. The Second Trumpet, a great mountain ablaze with fire was hurled into the sea and a third of the sea became blood. A third of the living creatures in the sea died and a third of the ships destroyed. The Third Trumpet, a great start blazing like a torch fell from heaven and a third of the rivers and springs of water became wormwood and so many died. The Fourth Trumpet, a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. An eagle is noted flying overhead crying out in a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who live on the earth, because of the remaining trumpet blasts that the three angels are about to sound (Revelation 8:13)!” Living through the 4 trumpets already sounded by the angels seems horrific. Now we get a warning that the last three are going to be even worse!  

            The Fifth Trumpet, a star that had fallen from heaven to earth was given the key for the shaft to the abyss. The smoke that came up from the abyss darkened the sun. Locusts came out and was given to them like the power that scorpions have on the earth. They can only harm those who do not have God’s seal on their foreheads and can’t harm grass, green plants or trees. They were not allowed to kill those people but will torment them for five months. Those who are tormented will seek death but God will not allow them to die. You can read the scary description of them in 9:7-10. The Sixth Trumpet, four angels who were prepared for the hour, day, month and year were released to kill a third of the human race. An army of two hundred million. 9:17-19, This is how I saw the horses and their riders in the vision: They had breastplates that were fiery red, hyacinth blue and sulfur yellow. The heads of the horses were like the head of lions and from their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. A third of the human race was killed by these three plagues – by fire, the smoke and the sulfur that came from their mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouths and their tails, because their tails, which resemble snakes, have head that inflict injury. Yet, yet after 6 Trumpets of God’s wrath poured out on the world in verse 20 and 21, The rest of the people, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands to stop worshipping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood, which cannot see, hear or walk. And they did not repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts. They are being punished right in front of their eyes by a true and living God, yet they did not repent for their sins. How could that even be true after the horrendous things they witnessed and saw? Just look at the world around you today, the truths that many believe are not God’s truth and the devil will continue to blind their eyes till it is too late.  

            When the Seventh Trumpet blows it will be too late. Revelation 11:15, The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever. The dead will be judged and the saints will get their reward. The temple of God in heaven will be opened and the ark of his covenant appeared in his temple. Flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder, and an earthquake and severe hail occur. I can’t even imagine the pride of those who don’t repent after seeing the true God release his wrath upon them. Christ is not coming back to make peace, but to claim his kingdom, now and forever. There will be so many calamities that will occur and it is better to repent and live a life with God. We can’t let pride or any other sin rule over us or we will lose paradise. Eternity is a lot longer than the short amount of time we spend here on earth. Repentance is for all and we must only ask with a true heart and have faith in Christ.  

            Matthew 27:3, Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, was full or remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. If we read on, he threw the silver into the temple and then hanged himself. Matthew 26:24, The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born. I don’t know or can’t imagine what if Judas did repent? If he had faith, believed and knew the truth, then would he have realized that Christ would rise again on the third day as he did? Could he have asked for forgiveness and repented at that moment? We can see in John 6:64, Jesus is saying to his disciples, “But there are some among you who don’t believe. (For Jesus knew from the beginning those who did not believe and the one who would betray him.) Jesus chose the twelve, well aware that he knew who would betray him because of his unbelief (John 6:70-71). Judas did not believe and that is why the devil was able to enter his heart and he betrayed Jesus. Even though he was full of remorse and probably wept with bitter tears after the fact. But his remorse from what the Bible says is not true repentance and it led him to suicide. He did not believe even though he witnessed first-hand the power of Christ. Revelation 2:5, Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Those who do not truly repent will not enter the Kingdom of God and your light will be extinguished.  

            Repentance is a command and all must repent, be baptized and become a new creation in Christ. 2 Peter 3:9, The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all come to repentance. We must all come to repentance before it is too late. It is too late for Lucifer and those who did not repent in Revelation. God is patiently waiting but the time can be at any moment. Revelation 3:3, Remember, then, what you have received and heard; keep it and repent. If you are not alert, I will come like a thief and you have no idea at what hour I will come upon you. So many lives have been lost in this Pandemic and none of us know the moment of our last breath. If you are reading this that means God has given the blessing of another day. Don’t waste your chance and repent of your sins, turn and change the course of your life. Hell is a much easier path to end up in compared to the narrow path of trying to reach Heaven. But we must endure till the end to enter the Kingdom of God and repentance is a command for entry.  

 

As the world celebrates Easter this Sunday, don’t forget what the true meaning is and we must remember it every single day in our lives. He died on the cross not for himself but for us. He was perfection and the Son of God. The world must know the truth of Christ and we are chosen as his messengers. Repentance is not perfection. Repentance is the attitude that says, “I hate the things that killed the One who died for me.” Repent before it is too late!