November 16, 2022 – Wednesday
Why so Much on Repentance
1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV
9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Comment
Our verse for today tells us why it is so important to have repented in believing Christ died for your sins and rose on the third day defeating death. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 along with Revelation 3:10 together show that believers (real believers, not those in name only) will escape the terrors of the tribulation.
9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:9
10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. Revelation 3:10
Thus, those who have repented, and accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior not only avoid damnation, but also the tribulation. Many people do not make an effort to decide to accept Christ and the salvation offered through Him wanting instead to live their lives whatever way they wish without any consideration for their eternal future. Or possibly they are waiting until a future date and time when they are ready to change their ways.
The problem is they almost never know the time or date or cause of their death. In 2021 it is estimated 43,000 died in automobile accidents. Most of us spend a good amount of time in cars, so this could be anyone of us at any time we are in a car. Or it could include one of our friends, acquaintances, family, or loved ones. Of the 43,000 who died in these accidents, none planned to die on that date and at that time.
Estimates are that only 24% of the US population consists of born-again Christians. That means that over 30,000 of those who died in auto accidents were people who waited too long to decide or simply refused to decide. As a result they are damned.
Another statistic, over 100,000 individuals died from drug overdoses in a twelve-month period. Using the same estimate of 24% as born-again Christians (though that is likely high for this subgroup) that means it is likely over 76,000 were unsaved and met their Make without having accepted Christ.
There are many more statistics, but from these two alone, over 100,000 individuals in the United States waited too long and were too late to accept Christ. These were almost all certainly unplanned unexpected deaths.
Then there is the Rapture. If the rapture were to occur tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, who would be raptured and who would not? At most, 24% of the population would be raptured and a lot of Christians in name only would be left behind because they did not truly repent and accept Christ in time.
Some will be saved during the Tribulation, but they will be beheaded according to Revelation 20:4, 4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But they could have avoided this had they only repented and accepted Christ in their hearts.
Bottom Line: We need to pray for revival, for more people coming to Christ and avoiding damnation. That includes people we love and those we don’t like at all. None of us deserve salvation, but it is offered to everyone.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us time and more time to repent and time to pray for those who have not repented, no matter who they are. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek