They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. Revelation 16:9
but they refused to repent of what they had done. Revelation 16:11
And they cursed God Revelation 16:21
Spurgeon writes about repentance as, "repentance which is worth having turns a man inside out and purges the innermost part of the soul — killing the love of sin so that even if sin could be made profitable and sweet to the man — he could not abide it."
There have been many times in my life when I've hardened my heart to the message of God. It isn't something I'm proud of and the consequences were always terrible. Despite knowing I was deliberately ignoring God's will, I kept walking down my own path. Despite the Holy Spirit tugging at my heart, I set my heart on disobedience. The negative consequences weren't what God wanted for me, but they were my choice as I rebelled.
It's the same for those men and women during the last days. God loves them and would give them mercy and grace if they'd just repent, but they don't. They're choosing the consequences of rebellion. I think of how hard the hearts of those remaining members of the human race must be to refuse God's grace and continue in their rebellion. They've experienced cataclysmic events that have altered the foundation of the world. They've heard the preaching of the witnesses and still, they won't repent. Instead, they rebel even further and choose the consequences!
Thankfully, we have the chance to soften our hearts, repent and praise God, so join me in reading Revelations 15 and be encouraged!
