The story of how man’s redemption was to occur is found in the pages of God’s word. When man sinned in the Garden of Eden, God could have justly destroyed man, but instead he devised a way for man to be justified in His sight again (Genesis 3:15).

The coming of a savior was promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), and the story of this man and his descendants leads one to the time of Christ. The account goes through two periods of captivity for God’s people. God gave instructions to his people and time and time again they disobeyed him. When they disobeyed, God punished them as a father punishes his child who is disobedient. God also blessed them when they followed him and even delivered them from enemies as long as they followed his commands. God has and still keeps his promises to man.

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3:9, 10).

God’s desire is that all men would be saved, but he leaves the choice up to man whether to accept or reject his terms. He has given the ultimate sacrifice — Jesus to die for all men (John 3:16); he has given an instruction manual to be followed — the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17); and he has given man time to obey (2 Corinthians 6:2).

It is hard to understand why some men have chosen to try and find their own way to God, when God has shown the way.

Some men think (and it is not a new thought) that they do not need God at all. They can do everything by themselves.

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the Earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" (2 Peter 3:3-7).

They assume that just because things always have been, they always will be. This also is a false belief.

Still others seem to think that the way God has prepared needs to be changed, so they seek to add a few things to what God has said, or they think God has asked for too much so they want to leave part of it off. In other words they want to have things their way.

This idea will cost countless millions their souls. Hebrew history should serve as a learning tool, that this will not work? God has prepared the way and made salvation accessible for all men, on the same terms. If man will simply study and obey God’s commands he can be saved. Why not obey God as he desires, since he prepared the path?