Three years ago this August the doctor told us I had cancer. As he talked about starting treatment immediately, I asked what I considered to be a pretty good question: “What if I don’t do anything?” The answer was rather sobering: “You’ll have about three months to live.” The doctor could have put it this way: “You shall surely perish.”
We don’t use the word “perish” too often (unless we’re talking about fruit), but it was a common word for Jesus and His spokesmen. “Unless you repent, you will perish.” I wonder if such words were as powerful to Jesus’ listeners as my doctor’s message was to me. If the Word of the Lord went forth today saying, “Time is short! Repent or perish!”, I wonder what people would say.
I don’t guess I need to wonder what people would say, we know. “Quit trying to scare us with such nonsense! Alarmists have said ‘the end is near’ for generations, but time goes on.” What brings a response to a hard message? I only went through chemotherapy because I believed I had cancer, perhaps repentance only comes when someone believes there is a need.
I started to write that the most important thing is “what one believes”, but such a statement falls short. The most important thing is “what is true”. People may argue with the notion that time is short, but what is true? None of us have a guarantee of tomorrow. None of us know our final hour. The important matter is this: Do I need to repent? God wants me to know the truth. May we seek His face.
First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heaven existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. II Peter 2:3-9