Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
This passage of scripture confirms the sacred truth that there is a limit to God's forbearance, and if we persist in known sin, then His gracious overtures of mercy are withdrawn, and our probation comes to an end, even if we are alive at the time. There are many fanciful teachings which abound today as pertains to God's love and patience with the human family, one of them being that there is no sin for which we cannot find pardon. Now, while it is true that God will forgive any sin that is genuinely repented of and confessed, yet there are several instances in the Bible where individuals had their probation closed whilst still living, and even though they lived for some time after this occurred, yet the voice of The Holy Spirit went forever dead in their consciences, never ever to be sounded again.
The reason for this sad occurrence is that a person can become so stubborn and hardened in sin that is known, that it becomes impossible for them to distinguish clearly between right and wrong, and the end result is spiritual madness, in which everything sinful seems upright, and everything good seems to be evil. This is what took place with the sons of Eli the high priest, when they persisted in a known, wrong course of action, even after God had warned them repeatedly about coming judgments. The situation had reached a boiling point from which Eli could not hide his face anymore, yet after a very mild remonstrance on his part, his sons dug in and continued in the same iniquitous path, just as if God or Eli had never spoken. Let's read:
1st Samuel 2:16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force. 17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord. 22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. 24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress. 25 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father"......
When the supreme court of the United States passed the gay marriage law across the land recently, there was great rejoicing by that community in several places, and many gay pride celebrations around the globe were thus triggered. Some were seen to be singing and dancing in the streets because of what they considered as a great advancement of society, and many gay couples rushed to town clerks and local churches to ratify what God has strictly forbidden. The fact is that what actually took place with thousands of people is that their probation was closed permanently, and although they may still be alive, yet many of them can never again find pardon and peace with God, because they sinned against great light. Let's read again:
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.
The close of probation is an event that brings a long process to an end, and even though it still lingers for the world at large, yet in the lives of many thousands, the process has already been ended, and soon it will be revealed that there is a limit to God's mercy, for even though He takes no delight in the death of the sinner, yet unlike humans, He does not allow His feelings to get in the way of sound judgment, and therefore He will visit our iniquities as a nation in due season. In the days of Noah, The spirit of God pleaded with the people for 120 years, and after the specified probationary time came to an end, then mercy took a back seat and gave way to those terrible judgments by which approximately seven billion people were slain.
The very same scenario will be repeated in our day, for although the Lord bears long with our infirmities, yet the scriptures teach us that there is a point of no return, and to that time we are now hastening with lightening speed. Let us therefore not trifle with God's grace, any longer, because Christ died to save us from all sins, some of which have now been made the law of the land. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which confirms this solemn truth, and it is the will of God that as many as have ears to hear, will take note and be found in Christ blameless, so that the threatened retributions of coming days and years will leave us unscathed. Let's read:
John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!