“Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (Revelation 14:7, ESV)
In this chapter of the Revelation to John we see, among other things, a vision of a flying angel who exhorts people everywhere to heed the message of the gospel, to believe in Jesus and worship Him alone. The reason is that the Lord’s judgement on unbelievers, on unrepentant sinners is about to commence. The success that the wicked enjoyed in life is fleeting and temporary, but their punishment, eternal suffering, is quite horrible. They will suffer God’s wrath and be separated from Him for all eternity while the redeemed enjoy eternal blessings. The realization of this eternal fate can drive many from their lives of immorality and materialism to the Lord for it shows them that the Lord is serious about sin and that He is able and willing to do all it takes to destroy it.
We Christians have a responsibility to warn sinners of the danger they face not to gloat in it. As we warn we must give comfort and hope to those who are overwhelmed by their sin and guilt. We must tell them of the mercy of God: He is always willing to forgive any and transform individuals. That is the message of the gospel of grace that drove me and millions of other believers into the loving hands of Jesus Christ: love not fear; mercy not judgment; the blood of Christ, not my works. There is hope for this sinful world in Christ alone! And we ought to let everyone know it.