God gives grace and mercy. He makes His sun rise on both the evil and the good. He loves the sinner (thank God), but hates sin. He gave His only begotten Son to propitiate His righteous anger over man's inveterate iniquity and unrighteousness. He is the giver of all good gifts, and His patience and long-suffering are integral to His being.
But God (the two most amazing and terrifying words in existence) will not strive with mankind forever. When His patience is ended, His giving is rescinded, supplanted by His giving over to man what man apart from God desires the most - the illusion of God being out of man's frame of reality entirely.
This takes two major forms, each with many subcategories. The one is the denial of God's existence. The other is the remaking of God in man's own image.
Either path leads over a horrendous cliff, with a slow and excruciating descent downward.
God gives over individuals and nations. It is never pretty.
There are a significant predictions in Scripture about what will happen on the earth when God takes away His restraining influence.
That is not pretty either. In fact, it makes all the human degradation, depravity and destruction that has taken place throughout history pale in comparison.
There is hope for those not yet given over. This hope lies not in what they can become or in any action they can take, but in what He will do in them once they surrender their long war against Him. For there can be no truce as the battle field broadens and becomes increasingly deadly - only surrender or defeat.
Surrender, if done in time, will result in escape when He takes His protective hand away from the earth and allows the entire planet to be given over.
For us, His children by faith, the signs of the times are prevalent. Keep your eyes peeled on the Middle East, and especially Israel.
And like beloved children on a long journey, sometimes we can't help but ask Him that proverbial and ancient question: "Are we there, yet?"
I'm pretty sure we're getting close.
