THOSE WHO DO NOT CALL ON JESUS WILL PERISH… FOREVER…
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” —Luke 13:1-5
Death comes to people in a variety of ways. These are two examples from the Word of God— Those killed by government orders and those killed when a wall fell on them. This happened, not because these people who were killed were worse sinners than others, but because their appointment with death had arrived— “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Yes, their appointment with death had arrived. You and I have an appointment with death as well.
Jesus repeated something twice in this portion of God’s Word to really focus on. He said, “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” What? If someone didn’t repent then would Pilate kill them? If someone did not repent then would a wall fall on them and kill them? No, that is not what He is saying. He is talking more than physical death when He mentions “perish.” The perishing Jesus is talking about is the result of not repenting. Again, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise (of coming back), as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). His desire is that people repent and not perish. That is why He has not returned yet. He is patiently waiting for more people to repent— to turn from their own ways and follow Him.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Here, perish is the opposite of having eternal life. Or, to perish is to have eternal death. This is called the second death— “The lake of fire is the second death” (Revelation 20:14). This second death is not annihilation, but “the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). Here is the warning of the judgment to all who reject Jesus—
“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” —Revelation 20:11-15
When Jesus said that those who did not repent would “likewise perish,” He meant they would experience the second death in the lake of fire forever and ever. I cannot fully grasp that truth, but Jesus warned of it many times (read also Luke 16:19-31). I am so glad that I have called on Jesus and am following Him. Dear Father, if there are any reading this who have not called on Jesus, please draw them to Him now. May it be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. Yes, may this be so and all for Your honor and glory! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYZw0dfLmLk&t=7s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqWYSyDZYIg&list=RDEqWYSyDZYIg&start_radio=1