“Thank You, Lord Jesus, that though there are frightening events, happening all over the world, You are God of great compassion and mercy. Lord, You do not want anyone to perish but that all should repent and return to You. Lord, we pray that all over the world, people will repent and cry out to You and be saved, even in the very last moment of human history. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”
Acts 2:19-21 I WILL SHOW WONDERS IN HEAVEN ABOVE AND SIGNS IN THE EARTH BENEATH: BLOOD AND FIRE AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. (20) THE SUN SHALL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS, AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE COMING OF THE GREAT AND AWESOME DAY OF THE LORD. (21) AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS THAT WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.’
We have been considering the terrifying happenings across our world. We have understood that the very last of the signs before our Lord returns, will be related to the sun and the moon. We realise that we are at the very edge of the close of human history. The Lord is coming and it will be a great and awesome day.
Even as we ponder on all these realities, we must know that the Lord longs that people must be saved. He does not anyone to perish and go to the place of eternal destruction, which has been prepared for the devil and his angels. Sadly, this is where, those who continue to reject God, will go. He longs for all to repent and come into His eternal dominion with Him.
Acts 4:10-12 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. (11) This is the ‘STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED BY YOU BUILDERS, WHICH HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.’ (12) Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
This is significant. There is no other name, by which man must be saved. It is the name of Jesus Christ and in His name alone, by which, man can be saved.
As Peter and the other disciples gave this message of Jesus, to the devout Jews gathered from all the nations, we see that many were convicted. They repented and returned to the Lord. There were some who remained hard-hearted and did not surrender their lives to Christ.
Acts 2:37-41 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (38) Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (40) And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” (41) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
As it happened here in Acts 2, this is the same experience that must happen all over the world. People need to know of the name of Jesus and they need to repent and surrender themselves to His lordship. He who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved. This is the nature of God. He longs to have mercy and He is waiting to forgive and restore anyone who calls on His name, the name of Jesus.
Romans 10:11-13 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.” (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (13) For “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.”
Anyone, from any background but who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus shall be saved.
Psalms 86:4-5 Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. (5) For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
Anyone who calls on the Lord will experience the mercy of the Lord. God is abundant in mercy and ready to forgive. This is His nature. His character does not change. We must keep in mind that as much as the Lord is a God of mercy and compassion, He is also the God of righteousness, justice, vengeance, and wrath on those who continue to reject Him.
Psalms 130:7 O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption.
With the Lord is mercy and with Him is abundant redemption. This tells us that when we come to Him in repentance and brokenness, seeking His forgiveness, He forgives us. He takes us out of our pits, cleanses, washes, and restores us to the full stature to which He created us. This is His redemption. God’s salvation is a total restoration. This is His character.
Psalms 145:8 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.