Throughout time God has used people to proclaim His message. He used prophets in the Old Testament, apostles in the New Testament and He will use the 144,000 Jewish believers in the tribulation. He even uses each one of us as we share the gospel and tell people how our relationship with Jesus has given us peace and hope.
As we see the final judgment drawing near in Revelation, we are introduced to two witnesses that will stand and proclaim God’s message to the people on earth as the final judgment draws near. These witnesses will be empowered by God and nothing will be able to stop them until they finish the mission for which God sends them.
“…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11 NIV
We don’t get to see a transcript of the two witnesses’ sermons, but since God has been proclaiming his salvation plan since the beginning of time, it may have sounded something like this:
“God loves you, but your sin has separated you from Him. The only sufficient payment for your sin is the blood of Jesus. Make Him the Lord of your life now, before it’s too late.”
After the two witnesses leave the scene, God is ready to take back His creation. The full might of His wrath is coming and the people who stubbornly refused to repent and turn to Him will have no excuse. They will have become so set in their way of life and so accustomed to living a life apart from the Word of God that they won’t even want to change.
When the seventh trumpet sounds, John hears voices in heaven proclaiming that the reign of Jesus has finally come! (Revelation 11:15) Those around the throne of God are celebrating because it is finally time for the faithful servants of the Lord to receive their reward!
If you are a redeemed child of God, this is your blessed hope! When you stand before God, hand in hand with your Savior, you will not have to fear eternal judgment. In the meantime, you have a very important job to do. Share the gospel! Until the final trumpet sounds, people need to hear that there is still time to repent and be saved.
And if you are a sinner without a Savior, you have a life or death decision to make. Turn to Jesus Christ now or stand before God on your own with just your sin and your excuses.
Listen and pay attention! Do not be arrogant, for the Lord has spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God before it is too late. Acknowledge Him before He brings darkness upon you, causing you to stumble and fall on the darkening mountains. For then, when you look for light you will find only terrible darkness and gloom. – Jeremiah 13:15-16 NLT
THE GOSPEL:
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God created you! (Psalm 139:13-16) He loves you and He wants to have a personal relationship with you! (John 3:16)
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Everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) Your sin makes it impossible for you to be in a personal relationship with the Holy God. (Isaiah 59:2)
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Because God loves you, He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to pay the price for your sin. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, you can have His righteousness in place of your sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
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The only thing you need to do is admit that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, believe that Jesus is the only one that can save you and ask Him to be your Savior and the Lord of your life. (Romans 10:9-10)
