[Sons to Glory!]

Our little group is now covering Revelation 9 & 10, and yesterday a brother spoke about the wrath of God being poured out on mankind in this section of scripture. (We believers know that Jesus took the wrath of God for us, and people just need to look to Him and accept this Free Gift to escape God's wrath.) However, after experiencing many woeful calamities - clearly sent by God - in these chapters, it says men will refuse to repent!

What struck me from that was this: if people won't repent after experiencing these things, then will will it take?! That is, what more can God do? I have to say that after considering these things in this light, the "needle" moved away from universalism or annhilationism a pretty fair degree - if people are so stiff-necked after these extremely humbling things, then God will have no choice. He already has the right to kill those who sin, but in love, He poured His wrath on His Son, and now we must accept the Lamb's sacrifice.

And even the judgments in Revelation are a mercy, as I believe many will be saved as the "heat" is turned up in tribulation. But it also shows that some will harden themselves all the more. What a dangerous thing - there is a Lake of Fire prepared for the devil and his angels, but scripture is clear that some people will wind up there. Lord Jesus! Some very unpleasant things must be done by God, and He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. (Ezekiel 18:23)