[Jesus] has freed us from
our sins by his blood.
—Revelation 1:5
Three texts strongly influenced John Nelson. The first filled him with fear, the second with hope, the third with joy.
The text that frightened him was Revelation 20:12–15: “The dead were judged according to what they had done . . . If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
The text that gave him hope was Isaiah 55:7: “Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”
The text that gave him joy was Revelation 1:5: “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.”
God didn’t send Jesus to condemn you.
He sent him to save you.