Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 28, 2022: SOAP #4773: Revelation 5-9  (re-worked SOAP from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 9:20 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshipping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality, or their thefts.

OBSERVATION:    God had given them a history of His gracious works on their behalf, but they did not repent.  God had sent prophets to speak to them, warning them of the results of their sin, but they did not repent.  God had given them examples of how other nations had reaped the results of their sin, but they did not repent.  And here a third of mankind will be killed, yet the remaining will still not repent! What an amazing statement!  I think even God is surprised.  How powerful is evil that can hold onto man even when it is obvious that he should repent and call on God.

APPLICATION: God deals with me for my good and for His glory.  What does it take to get me to repent? When I see His goodness, I should be drawn to repent of any sin out of my love and appreciation for Him.  When I see His judgment on the world around me, I should be quick to repent.  When His hand of judgment comes to me, either because of the sin in the world in which I live or because of my own personal sin, I should be quick to repent. Like Nehemiah (1:6-7) I should pray as though the sins of the nation were my own.   And like the prophet Habakkuk (3:2) I can pray, “in wrath remember mercy.”

I must not let evil have a foothold in my life. As soon as God convicts me of sin, I must be quick to confess and ask His forgiveness. (1John 1:9) 

Sin is powerful, but not as powerful as the blood of Jesus!  When I confess my sin, He forgives me on the basis of His blood sacrifice and cleanses me from all sin!!!

PRAYER:  Lord, I want to be quick to acknowledge my sins and turn away from evil!  I know your judgments are always right, yet I ask you to be quick to show mercy.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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