Jacob’s Final Warning
Now, brothers and sisters, I told you I would prophesy. Here it is: everything the prophet Zenos said about Israel—when he compared them to a cultivated olive tree—will absolutely come true. When God reaches out a second time to bring his people back, that will be the final time his servants go out with his power to care for and prune his vineyard. And after that, the end will come quickly. How blessed are those who have worked hard in his vineyard! And how cursed are those who get thrown out to face their own fate! The world will burn with fire.
How merciful our God is to us! He remembers Israel—roots and branches alike. All day long he reaches out to them. They’re stubborn and resistant, but everyone who doesn’t harden their heart will be saved in God’s kingdom.
A Plea to Turn Back
So please, brothers and sisters, I’m pleading with you: turn back to God. Come to him with everything you’ve got, and hold tight to him just as he holds tight to you. While his mercy is still extended to you in the daylight, don’t harden your heart. Today, if you hear his voice, don’t harden your heart. Why would you choose death? After being fed by God’s good word all day long, will you produce rotten fruit? Will you force him to cut you down and throw you into the fire?
Don’t Reject What You’ve Been Given
Will you reject these words? Will you reject what the prophets have said? Will you reject everything spoken about Christ—after so many have testified of him? Will you deny Christ’s good word, God’s power, and the gift of the Holy Spirit? Will you snuff out the Spirit and mock the great rescue plan laid out for you? Don’t you know that if you do these things, Christ’s power to redeem and resurrect will force you to stand before God—ashamed, crushed by guilt, facing the full weight of justice? Justice can’t be ignored. You’ll be thrown into that lake of fire and sulfur, where the flames never die out and the smoke rises forever and ever. That lake of fire and sulfur means endless suffering.
So please, brothers and sisters, turn back. Enter through the narrow gate and stay on the hard path until you reach eternal life. Be wise. What more can I say? Finally, I say goodbye until we meet before God’s judgment seat—which terrifies the wicked with fear and dread. Amen.