Here is the good and true news for humanity: there is still time for everyone to be saved. After Jesus' second coming, there will be no more salvation (Luke 13:24-27). That's why we must preach the Word in season and out of season, so that those who believe our preaching will be saved (2 Timothy 4:2). This is also the worst time, because many people are deceived about the future, thinking that being a member of a good church will guarantee that they will go up with Christ to Heaven. The Bible doesn't say that (Matthew 7.21-27).

          God was furious with Jerusalem, the city of the great King, because the people disobeyed God's rules. Those who receive Jesus as Savior and Lord have their sins forgiven, but some are unaware that many of their practices are forbidden in the Holy Book. If they don't abandon them, they will never be on the right side of Christ and will go into eternal fire. You may say, “It's not fair to judge like that,” but it will happen!

           Those who lived in the kingdom of Judah only wanted to prosper, to enjoy the good things of life and the pleasures of the flesh, disregarding the Word. Ignorance of the Bible doesn't free anyone from guilt for sin committed; however, in order for everyone to know what the guidelines of Scripture are, they must be ministered to the lost. The person who goes to church just once in a while can’t make excuses for not knowing about the error.

          The Hebrews had been taken out of Egypt, where they had no value and no hope that the Lord could save them from Pharaoh's fury. God took them to the Promised Land and made them understand the difference between right and wrong. However, because they prospered and only thought about worldly life, they didn't care about sinning against the Word. Today, there are those who say that life is theirs and do with it as they please. Life is Jesus, and to sin is to deny Him as Lord (John 14:15).

           We have been taken out of the world ruled by the devil, but before that, just as with the children of Israel, there was not the slightest hope that we would be freed from Satan and his demons. Christ has set us free, and His love has made us children of God, which is why the Word exhorts us: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25). Meditate on this warning and honor the Lord!

           The Father loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to deliver us from hellish captivity. God placed our iniquities, transgressions, pains and infirmities on Jesus (Isaiah 53:4,5). However, many reject this fact, and this is serious. The Bible declares: But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15,16). Accept Jesus and be saved now!

           Those who stray from the Way to Heaven will encounter all kinds of suffering. The great plague announced in the verse under study is real and symbolizes spiritual death - eternal separation from the Creator. This eternal plague will be the companion of those who are not born again to a life with Christ.

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares