The Axe Is Laid Unto the Root of the Trees
What does this mean? It is one of the most alarming statements made by John the Baptist in his call to repentance, as it obviously contains threat of imminent danger. But beyond that general message that repentance is required by God now in order to avert disaster, what precisely is meant by this saying? For a long time I had this vague sense of the meaning of the saying but only this morning did the refined question arise in my heart, and with the correct question, the answer almost instantly. I had always asked, Who is wielding this axe? Since we know that the call is repentance unto God, surely it is God who will punish the refusal. Ultimately, He is the One who wields the axe. As when the king of Assyria (the antichrist) shall glory in himself but God's rebuke is that he is simply a tool commanded by God. "Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against