HOW MUCH AND HOW MANY?

PRAY WITH ME FOR AFRICA: The Democratic Republic of Congo (Formerly Zaire) and not to be confused with The Republic of Congo on its western border is found at the very center of Africa. This massive country with a fast growing population of 80 million is in great need. Although it is rich in diamonds, minerals, agriculture and hydro-electric potential, the past governments of President Moboto and Kabila have plundered the nation for personal gain and civil strife has destroyed the economy and infrastructure. The conflicts in Congo have resulted in more deaths than any since WW2. Pray with me for stability in DR of Congo.

While reading an introduction to the book of Jeremiah I came across this sentence, "Josiah's reforms, reaching their apex in 622 BC, forced a repressing of the worst practices outwardly, but the deadly cancer of sin was deep and flourished quickly again after a shallow revival." Today, in our context, we do not even have the advantage of a shallow revival to repress the cancer of sin in our society, which begs the question how much more sin will God allow in this world before bringing His final judgement, and how many righteous believers are needed to hold back God's wrath a little bit longer?

 Of course I am referring to God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 15.16, "And they (the offspring of Abraham) shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." The decay of the cancer of sin in the Amorites to the point of God pouring out His wrath would take 400+ years.
Then we have God's word to Abraham in Genesis 18.32, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it." But obviously ten righteous people were not found for God did destroy Sodom.
Finally we have to add to the above the patience and mercy of God who withholds His wrath as long as possible so that as many as possible may come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. "but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come..." And ,"this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (2 Peter 3.9-10, Matthew 24.14)
The cancer of sin is growing in the world as is the number of born-again believers. In God's time and according to His righteousness and mercy these factors will lead to the final wrath of God and the new heaven and the new earth. How much sin, How many righteous. That is for God to decide.
 
Good articles I listened to this week:
Interview with John Lennox on Stephen Hawking
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If4XisIJNA4