“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:1–2. So let us consider that, as the time is at the very end, likewise, when it is said “IT IS AT HAND” in Matthew 3:2, this is the kingdom of heaven.

GOD DOES NOT TARRY 

In the following text we discover how the day of the Lord is described in prophecy. “Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before Him, it shall be very tempestuous round about Him.” Psalm 50:3. See also Zephaniah 1:14–15

“When these things are dwelt upon as they should be, scoffers will be developed who walk after their own lusts, saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?’ for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. But ‘when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.’ ‘But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.’ Thank God, all will not be rocked to sleep in the cradle of carnal security. There will be faithful ones who will discern the signs of the times. While a large number professing present truth will deny their faith by their works, there will be some who will endure unto the end.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 10

“God is long-suffering, not willing that any should perish; but His forbearance has a limit, and when the boundary is passed, there is no second probation. His wrath will go forth and He will destroy without remedy.” –The Youth’s Instructor, March 28, 1905

In the book of Acts 17:30 and Matthew 4:17; 3:2, we find the reason as to why we are called to repentance, but “It is only through Christ that we can be brought into harmony with God, with holiness; but how are we to come to Christ? Many are asking the same question. . . [but the answer is given]; “Repent, . . . and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.’ Acts 3:19.” –Steps to Christ, p. 23

TRUE REPENTANCE: 2 CORINTHIANS 7:8; PROVERBS 28:13

“Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life.” –Steps to Christ, p. 23

“Who is desirous of becoming truly repentant? What must he do?—He must come to Christ, just as he is, without delay. . . . With prayer he will mingle faith, and not only believe in but obey the precepts of the law. He will announce himself as on Christ’s side of the question. He will renounce all habits and associations that tend to draw the heart from God.” –Selected Messages, book 1, p. 393

“We do not repent in order that God may love us, but He reveals to us His love in order that we may repent.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 189

“Repentance comes from Christ as truly as does pardon.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 175

“Oh, no! He who died to redeem man from death, loves with a divine love, and those whom He loves He rebukes. ‘As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.’ But many will not receive the message that Heaven in mercy sends them.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 257-258

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED: JOHN 1:9; 4:14–16

“If you are condemned, there is but one course for you to pursue: you must repent toward God because of the transgression of His law, and have faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ as the one who only can cleanse from sin. If we would obtain heaven, we must be obedient to God’s holy requirements. . . . The wrestlers of old strove to obtain a perishable crown, and should we not strive to win the crown that fadeth not away?” –Selected Messages, book 1, p. 317–318

WORKS AND DEEDS OF REPENTANCE: MATTHEW 3:8; ACTS 26:20

“At every advance step in our Christian experience our repentance will deepen.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 561

“No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin; it is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct. Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 555–556

When one has works of repentance, he will bear the fruits of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22–23).

JESUS HAS ALREADY OPENED A WAY FOR US

“If we would be saved at last we must all learn the lesson of penitence and faith at the foot of the cross. Christ suffered humiliation to save us from everlasting disgrace. He consented to have scorn, mockery and abuse fall upon Him in order to shield us. It was our transgression that gathered the veil of darkness about His divine soul and extorted the cry from Him, as of one smitten and forsaken of God.  He bore our sorrows; He was put to grief for our sins. He made Himself an offering for sin, that we might be justified before God through Him. Everything noble and generous in man will respond to the contemplation of Christ upon the cross.” –Lift Him Up, p. 240

MELKIZEDEKI BATHOLOMAYO

BAMI STUDENT – TANZANIA