And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold and silver and brass and stone, and of wood, which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk. Revelation 9:20
A drunk driver who had caused an accident in which several people were killed was sent to prison for several years. Each year, he would apply for parole, and each year the families of his victims strongly opposed his release. Finally the time came when he had served his entire sentence, and the so-called justice system was required to release him from custody. Police departments issued a warning on his release, because the man had made it clear that he had no intention of giving up drinking, and no intention of not driving, even though he was under strict orders not to drive a car. Two days after he was released from prison, he was seen outside a liquor store, trying to convince someone to go in and buy alcohol for him. We would think that most people would have learned a lesson from the terrible outcome of their crimes and from the high price he had been forced to pay. But it was as though he did not care that he had killed people and was a deadly menace. He was like those in our text who had witnessed terrible judgments on the earth and still continued their idolatrous ways.
The tribulation scene in our text is one so dreadful that we cannot imagine it. Billions of people die, and as many more wished they could die because of the agonies inflicted on them. And yet, despite the overwhelming evidence that they have seen God’s judgment against sin, they dismiss that evidence to they can continue to worship false gods. We might find it hard to believe people would be so foolish. And yet, people are just as foolish today. All around us are the proofs of the wages of sin. People are sick and suffering and dying because of their sinful lifestyle choices. People are facing incredible hardships and loss because of their misguided search for pleasure instead of righteousness. Everything bad that happens all around us is because of sin, as mankind rejects the principles of godliness that would protect them from much of the suffering that occurs. And before we point too many fingers at the foolish sinners around us, let us remember that our mirrors will often reveal to us those who are just as foolish.
Most of us, before we were saved, resisted the Gospel for a long time. What a foolish thing to do, when God was reaching out in love and compassion to give us peace and joy and safety. Even after we were saved, the foolishness did not end. Far too often, we listen to the devil when he tries to convince us that the pleasures of the world are just as attractive as the Word of God and the company of the Lord’s people. We pay a high price for such foolishness in a lack of spiritual growth and a loss of uplifting fellowship. We make many mistakes in our Christian life, and there is a cost that we must bear, especially when we make the same mistakes that caused us grief before.
May the Lord grant us wisdom to avoid those things that take us away from Him, and enable us to appreciate and serve Him. -Jim MacIntosh