LAST-MINUTE REPENTANCE?(12)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*LAST-MINUTE REPENTANCE? (12)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Matt 26:24 *The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Some people are destined for hell, though they are alive

*Scripture Commentaries.*

It would have been better that anybody who ended up in hell had not been born.

This is the meaning behind Jesus's statement on Judas.

It tells us the sad and regretful end of a life that fails to repent and ends in hell.

While God does not wish to or predestine people to hell, 1 Pet 3:9, sadly people choose to go there themselves.

God is love 1 John 4:8, and He does not want the death of any sinner, Ezk 18:23; 33: 11-12, 1 Tim 2:4, 2 Pet 3:9.

He does not want their death, suggests that He does not want any sinner to die unrepentant.

Several scriptures point to Christ's last- minute mercy to offer repentance opportunities to sinners, Matt 27:38-44, Luke 23:39-43 and there are instances where some were not offered the opportunities but died, Luke 12:13-21; Luke 13:4-5.

The admonition is that salvation is today, 2 Cor 6:2, Rom 13:11. Do not postpone anything to tomorrow, Jam 4:14.

Yet, in all of God holding out an olive branch to offer peace and reconciliation,

to all people and nations, ref John 3:16, evil has not ceased.

Jer 5:26 says *For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.*

Job 1:6 *Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.*

When some people persistently commit evil, scriptures tell us that their eternal destination can be determined while they are alive.

The general understanding is that while we still breathe there is hope, ref Job 14:14 but the sad story of the wicked and unrepentant people tell us that as God spoke of them so they ended up in hell.

There are people who are so bad that they know they are going to hell, and all they want is to bring as many people with them.

They are people who have chosen to remain wicked, unrepentant, and abominable.

Judas was predicted as a son of perdition.

The one who would betray Jesus was not aforementioned, Ps 41:9; 55:23-14 but the moment he got into the scene, John 6:70-71, he was known and Jesus said he was a child of perdition meaning he was destined for destruction or eternal damnation.

One may say what Jesus said about Judas was changeable, but one must also remember that Christ would not make a conclusive statement on what He knew could be changed.

God would not speak inconclusively. He speaks, knowing what He means.

Though He does not change, Numb 23:19 and we know our prayers can change God's original intentions, Exd 32:11-14 but we must know that for those who are chosen for destructions, Rom 9:7, God who knows their evil hearts will always be true about them. He can not lie, Heb 6:18.

Hell is reserved for some people. Judas, the devil and his agents, Matt 25:41. This scripture must be fulfilled in some people. Their eternal loss to hell must be fulfilled just like it was fulfilled in Judas, John 17:12, 19:28.

The good news, however, is that no one's name or no name, category, or extraction was mentioned, so you can still escape hell. It was only when Judas was identified as the betrayer that it became clear it was he *"....that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.* Matt 26:23.

It became clear it was he who would be destined to ruin.

Worst still, his act, which identified him as a son of perdition, was used in 2 Thess 2:3 to refer to the *".....man of lawlessness...."* or the Antichrist.

What is God's mind concerning you today?

Why would you allow God to condemn and destine you to destruction while you are alive just like He did for Judas?

Why would you choose to go around as a Heaven bound when Christ has already condemned you?

If anyone today were around when Jesus spoke about Judas' eternal damnation, they would say it was judgmental to say so.

Believe it or not, if anyone speaking in the Holy Ghost tells a person that he/she is a child of perdition, it is sealed!

You can still change before Christ makes up His mind and declares you a child of perdition though you are still living.

Repent now before it is too late!

*Remorse corner.*

It would appear to say 'it is not too late than never' or 'better late than never', but Judas' case was too late, never to be better. There was no more hope for him though he was living.

*Call to Word action.*

Jesus told Judas that he had already chosen his path, which was against God's will. Satan already entered into him so *".....Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.* John 13:27.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

There may be some rebellion or choices that may reach a point of no reverse or return. They make repentance elusive and impossible or hard for the sinner. At that point, Heaven may have concluded and lost hope on the sinner.

Becareful.

*Prayer.*

May Christ not condemn me. May l not find myself in a situation of no option of repentance but doom and destruction as Judas found himself, in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.