Josephus and Repentance - Lee Brainard

In the writings of Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian who chronicled the fall of Jerusalem at the hands of the Romans, we find the biblical term repentance used on various occasions in a way that very nicely illustrates the biblical sense.

When the Roman army had already breached the outer two walls of the city, and only the inner wall separated the Jews from the peril of the sword, General Titus offered the inhabitants of the city very generous terms for peace. If they would repent and believe, that is surrender (lay down their weapons and quit fighting) and trust the good will of the general and the good terms of surrender which he offered — good news considering the circumstances — then they would be pardoned and their lives spared.

This parallels the message that God holds out to the world. If men will repent and believe, that is surrender (lay down their sins and quit living in rebellion) and trust the good will of God and the good terms of surrender — good news considering that they are on the road to eternal punishment in hell — then they will be forgiven and granted eternal life on the basis of Christ’s work on the cross.

So what will you do? Will you hold out like the inhabitants of Jerusalem and perish? Or will you surrender and gain eternal life?

~Lee Brainard, August 15, 2015