IT IS DONE!
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit
John 19:30
The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. …The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.
Revelation 16:17-21
The above scripture verses contain concluding statements, “it is done” and “it is finished”. In the first verse, JESUS is saying “it is finished”, signifying that the punishment of sin which the whole human race would bear was now borne by HIM, which meant that our case was finished. However, though GOD intends to save the whole world, it is only those who are willing to receive HIS salvation who will be saved (see John 3:16; Romans 9).
Therefore, for those who believe in JESUS, the first “it is finished” is for their benefit. Notice that the first “it is finished” is a statement of peace and joy. It signifies the destruction of our sinful nature through believing in the atoning power of the Blood of JESUS, our redemption through HIS death, and finally the transformation of our mortality into immortality through the power of HIS resurrection. All these benefits are granted to anyone who chooses to receive JESUS as their LORD and SAVIOR. Here there is a chance, everyone has an equal chance of being saved. The death and resurrection of JESUS meant that every barrier was destroyed, to make a way for everyone to make a choice without any outward influence. We were all counted under sin, including the Israelites, so that GOD’s grace might be revealed to all.
We must realize here that every man or woman stands in the face of one of these two statements. If a person doesn’t want, “It is done” at Calvary, then he or she will hear “It is done” at Armageddon. (Dr. Roger Barrier )
The second statement, “it is done”, is uttered at the end of the world, where people are now judged according to what they chose. For those who gave heed to the Messenger of peace, they will be spared from the great calamity. However, those who ignored the messengers of peace, they will be made to hear the voice of this messenger of war. It is by GOD’s grace that the first messenger is for peace, and prepares everyone who is willing, to embrace GOD’s grace and love. Therefore, after the utterance of the Armageddon statement, anyone who is not found on the side of GOD’s love will be made to suffer on the side of GOD’s wrath.
Notice that on the first statement there is repentance of the centurion (Matthew 27:54). So the first incidence carries redemption and regeneration, a chance for repentance and the supreme gift of salvation. Contrastingly, at the sound of the second statement, there is no more room for repentance. Sometimes we tend to think that hard times are a perfect condition for one to repent, but the events recorded in the book of Revelations show that it is only by the grace of GOD for one to repent and be saved. Instead of pleading with GOD to rescue them from the painful conditions, the people “…..cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible (Revelations 16v.21).Therefore let us not fool ourselves by deciding to repent tomorrow, because the more often you say “no” to Christ, the harder it is to ever say “yes.”
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:13
be blessed!!
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
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