Until He Returns

Matthew‬ ‭18:21‭-‬22‬ [21] Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” [22] Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

These two verses are sandwiched between two important passages. The first is about dealing with a brother who has sinned against us, and the other is about a king who forgave a large debt to one of his servants, but then that servant chose not to forgive a fellow servant who owed him much less than he owed the king. Jesus was making the point that we will be forgiven by God as we forgive others. This does not mean that we lose our salvation of we don't forgive, for no one can take us out of His hands, and nothing can separate us from His love. However, when we choose not to forgive we put a barrier up between us and God, in our relationship and fellowship with Him that hinders our prayers and quiet time with Him. That being said, Peter's question got him a very interesting answer. The Book of Matthew was written from the perspective of demonstrating to the Jews that Jesus is their Messiah. I point this out because there is an Old Testament Book that speaks of "seventy times seven" in it, and it pertains to the entire history of God dealing with Israel, bringing an end to sin, finishing transgressions, bringing reconciliation, and bringing everlasting righteousness. In Daniel 9 an angel explains to Daniel that there will be seventy sets of seven years for God to carry out His plan for Israel. Thus far, sixty nine of those sets of seven years have been fulfilled. There is one set of seven years still left to be fulfilled, which will occur at the seven year Tribulation Period. When we go back to what Jesus responded to Peter, in essence He was saying, "Peter, you forgive as many times as you have opportunity to forgive, until I return." In other words, we are to forgive others until the day Jesus returns or He calls us home. No exceptions. Will that be easy? No, it won't. As a matter of fact, it'll be impossible, but only if we try to do it in our own strength. In our flesh we cannot truly forgive, but in the power of the Holy Spirit we can. So the next time someone offends us, sins against us, and puts us in a position to forgive, we must ask ourselves this question, and answer it, "How many times do I have to forgive? As many times as required, until Jesus returns." That, my friends, could be a long time from now or tomorrow; because He could return at any moment, and we're not promised another day.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).