(The following is the December 12 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Revelation 9 and pay close attention to verses 20-21.)

The events of Revelation 9 are catastrophic. The torment unleashed on the ungodly is so terrible that people long to die but can’t. Plagues then kill a third of humanity. Those tormented have the opportunity to repent, but they refuse. We shake our heads in disbelief at their hard-hearted response: “The rest of the people, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands to stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see, hear, or walk. And they did not repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts” (vv. 20-21).

Christians may find it hard to understand when people choose continued sin over repentance when faced with such tragedy, but we witness that behavior daily. While most of today’s ungodly don’t worship idols similar to first-century pagans (although some do), many contemporary people worship objects and interests with devotion equal to first-century pagans bowing before their idols. The gods of fortune, fame, self, and power still have their devotees.

The sins of Revelation 9 read like a transcript of today’s news: “And they did not repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts” (v. 21). When did you last watch the news without hearing multiple stories involving these acts? Isn’t their frequency greater now than a few years ago?

Biblical prophecy tells us what to expect as we witness growing lawlessness and godlessness. But until Christ comes again, our mission remains: persevere in faith and do everything we can in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring others to faith in Jesus.

Next Step:
What actions in your community reflect the willful godlessness of verse 21? Pray for strength to persevere in faith and biblical truth when others around you rush in the opposite direction.