3. The Special Importance of Repentance

One of the key words for a true comprehesion of the biblical message is that of the „repentance”.

Shortly before Jesus came, appeared a man who began to announce the following:

”2  ... Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3.2)

His name was John the Baptist.

He was named so, as he baptised the people ”with water unto repentance” (Matthew 3.11)

Those who became aware of being sinful beings and were therefore in need of being purged and making a new start, had been baptised of him.

The baptism with water had surely a formal and preparatory character, as after John was to come the one who had the absolute power to purge the sins: The Saviour Jesus Christ.

Shortly after that came Jesus himself, who also ”17 began to preach, and say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4.17)

After Jesus had sent his twelve disciples to move from place to place, do good and heal the sick, these also preached that ”the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. It is said about them:

”12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.” (Mark 6.12)

While speaking to a crowd of people, the apostle Peter counselled them imperatively:

”19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...”

(Acts 3.19)

With regard to the importance of repentance, Jesus says:

”10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

(Luke 15.10)

Is repentance optionally or rather an urgent advice of the Godhead?
The Scripture tells it to us:

”30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent."

(Acts 17.30)

The Bible says that Jesus will return. Many will say now: ”This is being told over and over again since two thousand years and everything remains as it was.”
Also this earthly way of thinking had been long ago prophesied in the Holy Scripture.

We are even being told of the reason for this ”delay”:

”3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

(2 Peter 3.3,4)

The answer of the Bible is:

”9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."