Unrepentant

            “The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given to it to scorch men with fire.  Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory.  Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds” (Revelation 16:8–11).

            Painful times in life often become periods of reassessment for many who experience them.  How often have you witnessed a renewed interest in spiritual matters in people following a tragedy, either individually or collectively?  A loved one dies or a relationship is destroyed and, often, a person is driven to their knees in prayer to a God they have ignored for a long time.  Or a national tragedy occurs and, suddenly, attendance at church services swells.  Sadly, once the crisis passes and the pain subsides, things return to “normal.”  Once again, there is little time for spiritual things and God’s name is only invoked as part of a curse.  I’m not here to sit in judgment over the sincerity of the repentance of anyone in these kinds of situations.  My point is that pain and suffering drives many people toward God instead of away from Him.

            That is what makes the text above from Revelation 16 stand out in such stark contrast.  God’s righteous judgment was being poured out on those who were living in rebellion to Him.  The persecutors were getting a taste of their own medicine.  One would expect such pain and suffering to drive the rebels to their knees before the God of heaven.  But they were so hardened in their sin that they stubbornly refused to repent.  Rather than give God their glory He deserves, they blasphemed Him (cf. Jeremiah 5:1-3; 6.27-30).

            How incredibly sad!

God loves you!

Mike