What does it say?
Josiah, king of Judah, when the Law of the Lord was found he made many changes in the land of Judah but this did not result in salvation from the wrath of God for the sins of Israel and Judah for the Lord had set a date for the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of men. Josiah was killed by Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt and the people made Jehoahaz king in place of his father. “Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. But he took Jehoahaz away and brought him to Egypt, and he died there.” (2 Kings 23:34) Jehoiakim rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. Jehoikim died and was replaced by his son Jehoiachin who was captured by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon who would remain in Babylon to his death. After this, Zedekiah was made king, then Jerusalem was burned and plundered by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
What does it mean?
A day and an hour is coming in which God will judge the world in righteousness through a man whom God has appointed, furnishing proof to all men by raising him (Jesus Christ) from the dead. These words Paul the apostle spoke to the philosophers in Athens. (cf. Acts 17:31) God has promised to judge the earth. It has been a long time since Jesus departed from the earth and gave his Spirit to the church. God is slow to anger and this is demonstrated in the people of Israel and Judah but God will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. Turning from sin to doing what is right does not do away with the sins committed in the past. God has promised death to all who break his commandments. Turning to doing what is right today is good but it does not do away with the sins of the past. God’s promises always come true. The promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus and the promise of eternal punishment and hell, both if these are true.
What shall I do?
Repent and believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Turning from sin will not save you but you must turn from sin to the salvation of the Lord which is found in Jesus Christ alone. Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)
