Friday | 15 October 2021
The proclamation of God’s judgement upon the wickedness of mankind was part of the mandate that belonged to John the Baptist. He said to the multitudes who came out to him, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’ Luk 3:7-9.
Mankind is held accountable by God for the wickedness that has resulted from the Fall, causing pain and destruction, both in the natural creation, and in the society of human relationships. Through the word of the cross, ministered in the spirit and power of Elijah, a hearer is caused to look on Christ whom they have pierced as a consequence of their rebellion and sin. Zec 12:10. Rev 1:7. Their heart is pierced and laid bare before the eyes of the Lord. The messenger exhorts them to not draw back in unbelief, but to fear God ‘who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell’. Mat 10:28. Heb 10:39.
A person who resists the Holy Spirit at this point, does not receive a fear of God and is unable to believe the word of the messenger. This is because they turn their eyes away from the Lord, drawing back from Him when their heart is pierced by the word, and their iniquity is revealed to them. Describing this response, King David wrote, ‘There is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes, when he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit.’ Psa 36:1-3.
Further Study:
PSALM 50
Daily Proverb:
References:
Luk 3:7-9
Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’
Zec 12:10
And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
Rev 1:7
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
Mat 10:28
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Heb 10:39
But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
Psa 36:1-3
An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes, when he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good.