Acts 13

“Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭41‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This warning that Paul is quoting comes from Habakkuk 1:5.  The word “scoffer” refers to someone who mocks or ridicules the beliefs of another person.  In the Bible, a scoffer is someone who is outspoken against God and His truths.  Proverbs 19:29 (NKJV) tells us that there are consequences for scoffers: “Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.”  Here are some truths about God: 1) He meticulously created the universe and every creature within it.  2) He set rules in place in order to help everyone navigate through life and be able to receive His abundant blessings. 3) He inspired many writers over several centuries to compose the Holy Bible so that there could be a written record of His Word to mankind.  4) He sacrificed His Son in order that all people on Earth could have their sins forgiven, have a genuine relationship with Him, and have eternal life in Paradise.  5) He continues to offer daily blessings to all who believe in Him, including protection, guidance, comfort, strength and provision.  The Almighty God is deserving of everyone’s time, respect, obedience, love, gratitude and adoration.  There has never been a reason to scoff at the message of the Gospel, and there is no excuse to do so in today’s world.  God wants to bless those who follow Him – what is so bad about that?  “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!” (Psalms 1:1, NASB).  However, there are ever increasing numbers of people that openly mock and try to discredit God and His gift of salvation.  We see this with the acceptance of evolutionary theory that excludes a Creator, the rapid expansion of false religions that deny the deity of Christ, and the explosion of those who identify themselves as agnostics and atheists.  All of this is yet another Bible prophecy coming true: “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires” (2 Peter 3:3).  We must stand strong in our faith and continue to believe the truths about our Heavenly Father, even when it is unpopular or difficult to do so.  Don’t listen to people who openly reject and boldly ridicule the message of the Gospel.  Scoffers have always been and will always be present in the world.  But there is coming a promised day when “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).  On that day there will no longer be any scoffers. They will at last accept the truth, and their scoffing will be forever silenced.