Why Repent?

“…And I heard the number of them which were sealed; and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”

We live in a mighty world in which there live 2 billion Christians alone! Is it possible that only 144,000 will be saved? Do you believe this? How often have you been asked this question by sincere, professed believers? How many more doubt this, perhaps even some devoted believers.

Well, the Apostle John, that old sage of Patmos, saw this on the desolate island of Patmos in Greece. He not only saw it but heard it! Furthermore, he saw the Holy of Holies, and the sealed ones.

So, how few are there, really? A zealous pastor in Italy believes the figure is very large! Moreover, is this a literal or figurative number? It is exact in its wording, not symbolic, but realistic; the Word of God. The Greeks have an agonizing word for it in referring to this number. They say ” alimono” if there is only 144,000! Meaning, woe, emphatically if there is only 144,000!

Others question this figure further, saying this refers to the Israeli tribes of the past, or it consists of men only, or that it’s composed of 12 different characters (i.e. cholic, sanguine, etc.) and they shall enter into 12 different gates in Heaven.

Therefore, some unshakably believe, some erroneously believe, and other popularly do not believe. One can, however, by studying the Scriptures and the Spirit of Prophecy, discover that the message of Rev. 7:104 is the present truth, and includes Rev. 14:1; 12:4; Daniel 12.

The Holy Scriptures say, in Luke 18:8, ” Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” This implies that there will, in fact, be very few… if any! Why aren’t all ready? Why aren’t others that believe in Jesus Christ ready? What of the Great Multitude? Those from Adam to the 2nd Advent of Jesus Christ? Those from Adam to the year 1844? Is it those who believe by faith alone and not works, or those who believe by faith and works?

But first, an important scripture to understand for our time is from 1 Thess. 4:17, ” Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall ever be with the Lord.” A familiar passage for many of us today, however, we must repent first of our sins, before we are caught up in the air. Or, are we ” caught up” in our sins?

The word, repent, and repentance is mentioned over 75 times in the Holy Scriptures. It must, therefore, have importance, and needs to be understood in its entirety, before proceeding further. Repent, simply means, ” a wish one had not done something; feeling regret for deed or omission. In Biblical terms it is called, penitent, or penitence. Most often, this is brought to ones light by the standard of the Law (Ten Commandments). An interesting definition is taken from the Greek, ” meta-nois,” which translates, ” after-understanding” . Yes, understanding comes after the fact.

But, what is sin and who are the sinners? We find a partial answer in Luke 13:4, ” Whereby men must not judge but repent,” or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? Here we have an industrial accident involving some Galileans, whereby the question was raised. The same burning questions arise when the 9/11 Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were destroyed in New York City; and concerning the thousands of victims who recently died in the Tsunami of S. E. Asia. The Lord pointedly answered the Galileans, ” I tell you, Nay, But, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” The answer for man today, is the same, ” repent or perish.”

We continue on the same theme, in Acts 3:19, ” Repent, therefore, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing (latter rain), shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Repentance, hereby, is a condition for receiving the latter rain. Who, therefore, will receive it? Are you preparing for it?

We are all vital tools of Jesus Christ, and so have a great need of Jesus in order to be tempered and shaped. Consequently, we become obedient tools in His hands. Elijah was a shining example of obedience, in which he defended the living God in his striking victory over Baal and 850 supporting priests. The magnificent result that followed was the repentance of 3000 faithful followers.

The Apostle Paul, all alone, in the rich and influential city of Athens, Greece, stood on Mars Hill of the Acropolis, and boldly preached the message of repentance to the Unknown God, and followed saying that, ” the times of this ignorance God overlooked, but now commandeth all men, everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:22, 30). His message was repeated in all his travels in Greece, from Beria, Philippi, and Corinth to Thessalonica.

The question, again, why repent? ” For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23). But, why are we afraid to tell people to repent? It’s because since we were born, we have learned to steal, grab, lie, and cheat.

Jesus Christ elaborated on this when He answered the Pharisees by, ” Saying unto them, They that are well need not a physician, but they that are sick. I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matt. 9:12, 13).

Again, why repent? ” For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, or Lord.” It’s a promised gift, a gift to be cherished and longed after. It’s a matchless gift, that cannot be duplicated in this expectant and fictitious world.

The Apostle Paul, in prison, and abandoned by most of his friends, wrote to young Timothy, who was intimately associated with Paul, and instructed Timothy, ” To lead a quiet, and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” Paul instructed him further, ” God our Saviour, who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:3, 4).

But, we still hear. Where’s Jesus? When will the end come? We have heard this for centuries from our forefathers. Many rejected the truth, and many more apostatized. Few will be saved we understand now. ” Who at the time were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.” (1 Pet. 3:20).

Yet, we see that God’s mercy abounded to the inhabitants of Nineveh, in which an entire prosperous city repented and was saved! A city of six score thousand persons, including the king and nursing babies. This was the greatest revival in history! What a marvel! The Jonah fish story tells of this spiritual miracle. (Jonah 1-4)

There is opportunity for all! ” God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9). God loves us, but sees some of us are not ready. Are you? But, not only us but the whole world. ” He is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us.” (v.9)

What, however, is man’s attitude today? Even professed Christians? We an refer to the seven churches for an answer, in part. We are living in the church age of Laodicea, the last church, the last period, the last generation. This church is passing through a crisis state, a state of indifference, and lukewarmness.

When did it begin for our church? In 1844, when Miller and thousands rejected its message, and in reality was the beginning of the judgment, when Jesus Christ entered the Holy of Holies from the Holy of the Heavenly Sanctuary.

When did Jesus Christ begin His ministry here on planet Earth? He began His public ministry in Capernaum, and, ” From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17; 9:12, 13). Furthermore, Jesus visited Nazareth with His disciples, and, ” They went out and preached that men should repent, and they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” (Mark 6:12, 13).
The message of Jesus Christ, therefore, was that also, of John the Baptist… repent!

Ezekiel, priest, and prophet, was the Watchman, who was commanded by the Lord to give warning to the wicked and the righteous. “If you give the wicked no warning from his wicked way, nor the righteous man who commits iniquity, they will die and your blood I will require at your hand.” (Ezek 3:18-20) It is your duty, therefore, and privilege to warn them of their ways. If not, you will be a “stumbling block” for them and their blood will be on your hands. For many to be asked to repent has a jarring sound, and needs to be approached in the spirit of Jesus.

Judah is a disastrous example of non-repentance. But, he returned the coins. Is this repentance? No. Silver is not repentance. What would you do if you were placed in such a position? Jesus Christ washed his feet. He knew! Judah could have repented; however, he was left in the darkness of his heart. He passed the limit. There was no returning. If he committed true repentance, he would go to Jesus, to Golgotha, to Herod, the courts, the trial. He repented, however, for the results and not the act.

Elijah, the Tishbite, and prophet, the victor at Mt. Carmel, was commanded by God to denounce King Ahab. Elijah boldly entered King Ahab’s palace, past the guards, and confronted him, commanding him to repent.

The Pharaoh and the Egyptians didn’t truly repent; although they were given time to repent.
Balaam, the disobedient and rebellious prophet, did not exhibit true repentance.
Eli, the high priest, and judge, yet, did not exhibit true repentance.
King Saul, king of Israel, did not exhibit true repentance.
Felix, the Governor, did not exhibit true repentance.
The Antediluvians, did not exhibit true repentance.

But, David, exhibited true repentance, crying until tears wet his bed. (Ps. 51:10)
Apostle Peter, who thrice denied Jesus, repented, crying bitterly. (Matt. 26:25).
Zacchaeus, the tax collector, exhibited true repentance. He heard of Jesus Christ; climbing a tree, as he was short, to see Jesus. He truly repented. Did he keep all the money he absconded with? No! He returned four times that amount. (Lk 19:8)

The thief on the cross exhibited true repentance. He had a chance to repent and it was done in the last three hours on the cross. He was miraculously saved. He believed in the crucified Jesus. The thief shouted, “Don’t you fear God”? to the other thief; the third angel’s message – Fear God! He made God his trust.

There are two classes of sinners:
l. The repented sinner.
2. The unrepentant sinner.

How long will it be before you accept to repent? How long before you will make Jesus Christ your intercessor? In Greek, intercessor is defined as, “Meso-labis,” meaning, “in the middle– to handle.” In other words, if you accept Him, He will handle matters in the midst of your life. Moreover, how long will it be before the door of grace is still open? Now, it’s open. Soon it will be too late, when you finally decide.

What, then, do we need to do now? “Wherefore, as the Holy Spirit saith, Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts…” (Heb. 3:7, 8). Don’t say tomorrow. What else? “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon him while He is near.” (Isa. 55:6) Repent and be forgiven.

There are three classes of men:
1. Rev. 6:15–The unbeliever, and completely unrepentant.
2. Jer. 8:7, 20–Believe in God and Jesus Christ, but know not the Law.
3. Isa. 25:9–Those ready, and waiting for the coming of the Lord.

It’s much like waiting for a guest at your home; flowers, clean, neat. But, here we are waiting for the King of Kings.
Which class are you in?

Repent, therefore, and seek Him with tears. He’ll forgive you. Not for our own good only, but of the family, and others. Repent, but don’t stand in sin. When baptized, you’ll walk in a new life. But, repentance and faith are needed for baptism. ” And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized,” and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)

From what we read heretofore, and heard, what is true repentance. Well, it can take on many more meanings, but simply the spirit of prophecy says, “The things hated you now love, and the things you loved you now hate.”
Furthermore, it’s confessing sin without excusing it.

Well, now being inspired by words heard or read today, you say, I’m going to repent tomorrow. No, it’s not that easy. Man cannot do it by himself. It’s obtained only by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit affecting the heart. This is the miracle of the ages! For one, it’s shown by obedience to God’s Law. Repentance continues all our lives… to the very end. It’s a daily relationship with Jesus.

But, that great deceiver, Satan tries to discourage us. It’s his number one and favorite tactic… discouragement!

We’re like little children. We start to walk, drink milk, fall, get up, and fall. We are much like that, too. We don’t see. We fall. We get up. We fall. The elect, too! Many are always fallen. So, if we fall, we get up and ask forgiveness. Then, we fall less, and less, and less each time.

There’s a thin line between the world and Jesus Christ. For many it’s erased. One can’t distinguish anymore between the world and Jesus. What’s your position? Are you walking on that thin line or has it vanished?

Soon we’ll see our King and God in all of His glory. All of those who have repented of their sins will be waiting for that glorious event. All of those who have repented and overcame, and washed their robes (KJV–do His commandments), in the blood of the Lamb, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” (Rev 22:14).

Finally, we read in Heb 12:17, of Esau, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, a warning to professing Christians. Esau was destitute of faith, who despised his birthright, and sold it for a “momentary fleshly gratification”. He didn’t recognize that it was a spiritual thing of value, but only as there was faith to apprehend it; understanding it and taking hold of it.

He was, therefore, rejected and found no place of repentance, though he sought it with tears and anguish. But, only after the passing of (“meta-noisis”-GR) understanding. (Gen 27:38). Like Judah, he passed the limit!

May we be one of them that have repented and overcame, and understand the vexing and searching question, “Why Repent”?
AMEN