Revelation 9:13-21 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,… I. ALL MEN NEED REPENTANCE. II. GOD PLEADS WITH MEN TO BRING THEM TO REPENTANCE. These judgments of which we read are not God's primary dealings with men. He does not begin in this manner. God has pleaded with men by His Spirit in their consciences. By His goodness, giving them all manner of providential mercies. Then, more especially by His Word. III. BUT THESE MILDER METHODS OFTEN FAIL. IV. STERNER METHODS ARE THEN TRIED. V. BUT EVEN THESE, AT TIMES, AND FOR LONG TIME, FAIL. This is the declaration of our text (also Jeremiah 5:3; Jeremiah 8:6; Romans 2:4, 5). So was it with Pharaoh, when the plagues one after another, which in many respects resembled these trumpet-plagues, came upon him. VI. WHAT IS THE REASON OF THIS? The answer is manifold, as, for example: 1. Those that are spared argue from that fact that they need not repent. 2. Sin deadens belief in God. It makes men practical atheists. 3. God's judgments are put down to secondary causes. 4. "Perfect love casteth out fear." This is true in a sense the apostle never meant. Let the heart love sin, as it is so prone to do, and that love will utterly cast out the fear of God. 5. The law of habit. You may bend the sapling, but not the tree. VII. How INTENSELY SERIOUS ARE THE TEACHINGS OF THIS FACT! Is it true that, though God sends judgment after judgment upon men, they will yet not repent? Then: 1. More judgments and worse will come. 2. How we need to watch and pray lest we be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin! 3. What imperative need there is of the power of the Holy Spirit! (S. Conway, B. A.)4 Parallel Verses KJV: And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,WEB: The sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, |
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