Since Adam fell out of God’s grace mankind has been a victim of sin in rebellion against God’s will. Genesis 6:5 says the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Consequent upon sin, God destroyed the earth in the days of Noah by floods. God also destroyed nations and kings who rebelled against his word, e.g. Pharaoh and his host of army in the Red Sea. God also destroyed individuals who blasphemed him, e.g. Goliath.
For these reasons, 2 Peter 3: 9 says it is not God’s wish that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (paraphrased). God then sent John the Baptist as the forerunner of Christ Jesus for the purpose of our redemption. John’s message was therefore consistent with that of Christ Jesus who said in Matthew 4: 17, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The word of God has been consistent throughout the ages because it is subject to the power of the Holy Spirit and any word which is contrary is not from the Holy Spirit and must be rejected for its lack of foundation in scripture.
2 John 1: 10 says if any one comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into the house or give him any greeting. A number of us are being destroyed because we have given in to strange doctrines. John taught and preached the true doctrine as God ordained him to do. Titus 2: 1 says but as for you, teach what befits sound doctrine. What doctrines do we preach, is it of men or from God?
John’s call for repentance
John the Baptist said in Matthew 3: 2 Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. What did John mean? One, the consequence of sin is death so he cautioned us to show remorse for our bad deeds. Romans 6: 23 says the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Without repentance, God will not forgive us of our sins and we will die eternal death.
Sin is a spiritual sickness and Jesus is the physician for the sickness. Jesus said in Mark 2: 17 those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 1 John 1:8-9 also say if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We must not deceive ourselves with the obvious denial that we are spiritually sick.
Two, John meant to say that Christ Jesus who was and is ordained from heaven and through whom sins would be healed by was and is still within our reach. Would we not feel good if the greatest physician for our sickness welcomes us to his clinic for healing for free based on our simply acknowledging him? Based on scripture and by divine instructions, John was calling on all to take advantage of Jesus’ presence while he could or may be found.
Isaiah 55: 6-7 say seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Jesus is at hand only whilst we have breath and beyond breath, the opportunity to access him will be forever lost. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Jesus is waiting with open arms to heal us as John the Baptist preached. Tomorrow may be too late to ask for his intervention.
Why the brood of vipers?
John the Baptist said to the Pharisees and Sadducees in Matthew 3: 7 you brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit that befits repentance and do not presume to say to yourselves, we have Abraham as our father; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
Brood of vipers meant the Pharisees and Sadducees were conspirators of venomous enemies against Godliness who acted in concert in spite of their traditional opposing doctrines. It is not in dispute that at all material times, they were in cohort or collusion to thwart Jesus Christ and John who foresaw it described them as such.
Matthew 16: 1 says and the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him (Jesus) they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. Jesus also said in Matthew 16: 6 take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. We are sometimes motivated to do evil in spite of our doctrinal exposure. We must be careful because evil has consequences. Galatians 6:7 says, do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he shall also reap. Are we vipers against Christ Jesus and his mission on earth?
Repentance of some Pharisees and Sadducees
At the preaching of John the Baptist, some Pharisees and Sadducees repented and went to John the Baptist to be baptized openly. Repentance is an individual decision to make irrespective of our faith, creed, belief, family system or circumstances. It demands a bold step of faith towards divine liberty and security in Christ Jesus forever. The repented Pharisees and Sadducees faced the risk of death by stoning yet they braved it because they prioritized salvation as first and to flee from God’s wrath.
John the Baptist said in Matthew 3: 11-12 I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. John meant his baptism was for cleansing but Christ Jesus’ salvation did not only cleanse but renewed the soul also. 2 Corinthians 5: 17 says therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. The renewal is by the Holy Spirit and with fire from above through the blood of Jesus.
John the Baptist likened the blood of Christ Jesus to the winnowing fork figuratively to clear his threshing floor with righteousness and holiness, and to separate his saved and righteous people from sin and the world. Thereafter, Jesus Christ would burn the chaff which is the wasted and good for nothing life of the unrighteous and sin with unquenchable hell fire prepared for the devil and his rebellious angels in Matthew 25: 41; Revelation 12: 9. The fire is unquenchable because God will not change his mind.
Are we prepared to face this eternal separation from God and to endure the eternal consequences of sin in the most dreadful unquenchable fire ever which all volcanic erupted fires and all fires and infernos combined throughout the ages cannot compare with. Matthew 8:12; 13: 42, 50; 22:13; 24:51. Luke 16: 23 says there will be no support, not even a drop of water to quench our thirst. Hebrews 2: 3 says how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? We pray that the Holy Spirit will lead us to repent today as John the Baptist and Christ Jesus preached.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, like the Pharisees and Sadducees who truly repented, we have also fled from the wrath to come and sought shelter in your blood and in your holy name that is above all names. Be the physician of our souls in baptism of the Holy Spirit. Help us to prepare your way in righteousness and to make your way straight in truth without deceit or hypocrisy. Wash our sins away with your blood and create in us a new heart to adore you in your holy name, Amen!!
