The Lord warns that He is merciful and kind, and therefore invites everyone to confess their sins to Him. Today, divine grace works salvation through the blood of Christ. Anyone who has transgressed in any way and wants to be forgiven must go to Jesus with sincerity, confess the offense committed against someone, and then make amends with that person. Remember: if you close the door, there will be no forgiveness (Matthew 5:23–25)!

Jeremiah was considered the weeping prophet, but even so, the people of Judah did not make things right with God, preferring to continue in their evil doctrine. Because of this unyielding attitude, the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians. This story symbolizes what will happen to those who are in no hurry to make things right with God. The evil doctrines of the children of Israel prevented them from confessing their iniquities and converting to the Lord!

The prophet cried out day and night, fulfilling the ordinances of Heaven, but pride prevented the people from seeking the Lord to be set free. Nothing is more powerful than the Word of God, for all the statements contained therein will come to pass (Matthew 24:35). Therefore, those who live far from communion with the Most High must repent to be forgiven (Acts 3:19). The Day of Christ's return to the world will be terrible for the insubordinate, because they will remain here!

Jeremiah's preaching was an invitation to the rebels of Israel to seek forgiveness while there was still time. However, they seemed numb; they could not hear the Lord. Therefore, they did nothing and, as a result, they were taken captive to Babylon. It was unbelievable: those who had been freed from slavery in Egypt were going into captivity in Babylon (2 Kings 25).

Here is the promise: if they returned to the Lord, they would see the glory of the Almighty destroy Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian emperor. About a hundred years earlier, during the reign of Hezekiah, Sennacherib rose up to confront the servant of God. However, the king of Assyria, even with 185,000 soldiers, saw his best warriors succumb to the passing of an angel of God (2 Kings 19:35). If Judah had said yes to the Lord, Babylon would have been constrained. However, Israel was ashamed for not believing!

The prophet Jeremiah said that if that nation turned back from its evil ways, God's wrath would not fall upon it, because He was gracious. Today, many mock God's warning and prefer to continue in sin. With every passing minute, Christ's return draws nearer. Those who are not taking advantage of the grace that came to give everyone the opportunity to redeem themselves will be servants of the Antichrist (Revelation 13:1-8). Make up your mind now!

To despise the salvation announced by Jesus and the apostles is the worst decision anyone can make, for there will be no second chance. What do you say to the Lord now? Do you say yes to Him?

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares