When King Hezekiah became king over Judah, he brought about reform in Judah. Hezekiah followed the Lord as his father, King David, did. When Hezekiah had become king, there were still Israelites living in exile in Assyria. When it came time to celebrate Passover, Hezekiah sent couriers throughout the land with this message:

“People of Israel, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to you who are left, who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. Do not be like your parents and your fellow Israelites, who were unfaithful to the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. Do not be stiff-necked, as your ancestors were; submit to the Lord. Come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the Lord your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. If you return to the Lord, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him” (emphasis added).

2 Chronicles 30:6-9 (NIV)

Hezekiah’s declaration presented some interesting points for the Israelites to ponder. Hezekiah pointed out that the reason for the Assyrian attack on Israel was the people turning away from God. Hezekiah claims that the people’s unfaithfulness and stubbornness brought the Lord’s anger down on them. Hezekiah also presented the people with hope, “If [they] return[ed] to the Lord, then [their] fellow Israelites and [their] children [would] be shown compassion by their captors and [would] return to [the] land.” God would return the people to the land because he’s gracious and compassionate. All the people had to do was accept their guilt and return to the Lord. Then, things would get much better.

Not everyone received Hezekiah’s message well.

The couriers went from town to town in Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun, but people scorned and ridiculed them (emphasis added).

2 Chronicles 30:10 (NIV)

Not everyone scorned and ridiculed Hezekiah’s couriers.

Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem. Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 30:11-12 (NIV)

Some people listened to Hezekiah and accepted his message, while others scoffed at it. These people chose to continue in their wicked ways and ignore the signs of the times. Many people in Israel had been carried away into captivity by the Assyrians, and the only king in the land was Hezekiah. One might have thought that the people would heed Hezekiah’s message and turn back to the Lord. After all, how else would they get back their loved ones?

I often hear talk of the end times today. Some Christians point to what’s happening in the world as evidence that we are living in the end of days. I have no doubt we are living in those end times. Once Jesus was glorified, the clock started ticking. However, for every person that points out the signs of the times, many others scorn and ridicule them. Just like the Israelites did in Hezekiah’s time.

Jesus is coming back. It may not be today or even in 2022, but He is coming back. Perhaps, more importantly, we are going to die. If the Second Coming happens in our lifetimes, we will miss out on dying. Yet, it’s better to be prepared to die than to hope for the Second Coming to spare you from death. Now, if you’re saved, you’ll be ready when Jesus comes back or when you die. If you’re not saved, you will go to hell after Jesus returns and when you die. This is why I see ministry messages based on the end of days as a bit trite compared to the overwhelming fact that we will all die. It could be tomorrow or even today.

So, while you might be scoffing at the signs of the times, consider the facts of the ages instead. You will die, and if you don’t know Jesus, you’ll go somewhere no one wants to go.

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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