Repent and Return to God

As we walk the path of faith, we always hear God’s teaching on repentance. If we do not understand the true meaning of repentance, we will easily fall into the trap of thinking: “I have nothing to repent of. What shall I repent for?”

Remembering the love of our Heavenly Father and Mother, who sacrificed Themselves to open the way to the forgiveness of sins for Their children, let us see what the Bible teaches about repentance, which God’s people must practice until the day they go to heaven.

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near”

The Bible describes repentance as the act of confessing our genuine regret over all our past sins and turning back to God. When Jesus came to this earth 2,000 years ago, He began to preach the gospel by saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mt 4:17).

As the world is changing faster than ever, Jesus’ words—“the kingdom of heaven has come near”—resonate more deeply within our hearts. These days, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing people’s lives in remarkable ways. AI demonstrates excellent reasoning capabilities, and unlike humans, it has no physical limitations. As a result, AI becomes more and more commonplace, replacing human labor across various industries. As this trend continues to accelerate, there are growing concerns that while science and technology are advancing at an astonishing pace, the number of jobs available to people is steadily decreasing. What if AI could fully perform even the duties of gospel workers, such as delivering sermons and preaching the gospel? Just by thinking about it, we become alarmed, and at the same time we feel heaven is that much closer.

In times like these, what kind of faith should we have? Jesus said that we must repent as the kingdom of heaven is near. The word “repentance” literally means a change of mind that involves a conscious turning away from wrong actions, attitudes, and thoughts. Repentance involves not only confession but also a change of heart and a change of behavior.

We came to this earth as a result of disobedience to the will of our Heavenly Father and Mother in the kingdom of heaven. True repentance comes from turning back to God. Whenever our hearts become distracted and turn toward the world, we should correct ourselves through self-discipline and self-control, as the Apostle Paul said, “I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave” (1 Co 9:27). By doing so, we must always keep our eyes on Father and Mother. When we possess this attitude of faith, we can be said to have a heart of true repentance and to be worthy of going to heaven.

The prodigal son who repented and returned

Jesus taught us what repentance is and why we must repent, through a parable.

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. Lk 15:11–24

The prodigal son was deeply immersed in the world, having left his father’s side. Only when he found himself in desperate straits did he begin to think of his home. In that moment, he made the decision to return his father and put it into action. Realizing his sin, feeling genuine remorse, and turning back to his father with a change in mindset and behavior—this is repentance. When the father saw his son coming, he recognized him in the distance and ran to greet him joyfully.

This parable fully reflects the heart of God who said, “There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Lk 15:7). Like the prodigal son in the parable, we committed sin in heaven and were separated from our Heavenly Father and Mother (Isa 9:2). For us, our Father came down to this earth, endured the mocking of people—His creatures, and shed His blood on the cross. Our Mother also suffered pain and affliction for us. Since Father and Mother suffered all these things in our stead, which we deserve because of our sins and transgressions, we have been healed, just as it is written: “But he was pierced for our transgressions . . . and by his wounds we are healed” (Isa 53:5).

When we reflect on Their sacrifice, we come to realize how desperately we need true repentance. The repentance of the prodigal son began the moment he thought of his father and decided to return to him. In the same way, the moment our hearts turn toward our Father and Mother is the very moment of repentance. Turning our hearts and eyes away from the world and fully returning to God is complete repentance that our Father and Mother desire from us. God welcomes His children with delight and embraces them with love when they repent of their sins and return to Him.

Return to God

Repentance simply means returning to God. Let us take a look at more Bible verses about repentance.

Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting them to come to the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover to the LORD, the God of Israel. . . . At the king’s command, couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the king and from his officials, which read: “People of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to you who are left, who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. Do not be like your parents and your fellow Israelites, who were unfaithful to the LORD, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. Do not be stiff-necked, as your ancestors were; submit to the LORD. Come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the LORD your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. . . . for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.” 2 Ch 30:1–9

During the divided kingdoms of Israel in the north and Judah in the south, the Israelites faced national challenges as a consequence of worshiping pagan gods and idols. At that time, Hezekiah was the king of the southern kingdom of Judah. When he realized the significance of the Passover after hearing God’s word through the prophet Isaiah, he sent couriers throughout Israel and Judah with an invitation to celebrate the Passover together. In his letter, he urged the people of Israel and Judah to “return to the LORD.” His message was an exhortation to turn away from sin and return to God in the fear of Him by celebrating the Passover, so that they could receive blessings together, although they had been away from God for a long time.

You will again obey the LORD and follow all his commands I am giving you today. Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors, if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Dt 30:8–10

God promised to bless the people in everything they did, when they returned to Him and obeyed His word again, although they had once disobeyed Him by following pagan practices and worshiping idols. In this way, the Bible repeatedly teaches that repentance is returning to God.

The work of salvation accomplished through repentance

It is also repentance, the way back to God, that people can be blessed. The book of Jonah also shows how repentance leads to God’s blessing and salvation.

The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. . . . Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. Jon 1:1–7

The prophet Jonah was commanded by God to go to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, an enemy of Israel, and to proclaim the message of judgment. However, he ran away from God’s command and encountered a violent storm at sea. The sailors cast lots to discover the person who had provoked God’s anger, and the lot fell on Jonah. So, he was thrown into the sea and offered a prayer of repentance to God from the belly of a fish for three days. God heard his prayer and rescued him from the fish’s belly (Jon 1:8–2:10). As soon as Jonah was put back on dry land, he went straight to Nineveh and proclaimed God’s message to the Ninevites.

Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. Jon 3:3–6

Jonah must have been so afraid to follow God’s command to proclaim destruction in the capital city of Israel’s greatest enemy. However, when he repented and did everything according to God’s will, something completely unexpected happened. The people of Nineveh, who had not believed in God, listened to Jonah and repented before God, from the king to the common people. When God saw their repentance, He relented from the disaster He had announced, and saved more than 120,000 people by His grace (Jon 3:7–10; 4:10–11).

All of this took place because Jonah had repented, choosing to forsake his thoughts and preach God’s message to them. As a result of his repentance, he was able to deliver a powerful message that led to the salvation of the 120,000 Ninevites. Repentance brings such great blessings.

We have come to God and live in the abundance of God’s blessings. Nevertheless, if we still fail to obey God’s word, having turned our hearts away from God and pursued worldly things, then we need repentance. With a repentant heart like Jonah’s, let us wholeheartedly proclaim the light of truth of Christ Ahnsahnghong and New Jerusalem Mother to the whole world. It is our mission to preach the gospel to all 8 billion people, so that they can repent and come to God in order to receive the blessing of salvation. If we have not fully obeyed even the smallest part of God’s will, we must repent of it and take the lead in preaching the gospel to Samaria and even to the ends of the earth.

Let us lead humanity to repentance

God teaches us to repent and turn away from sin, choosing to follow the way of life—the way of salvation that leads to heaven.

“Therefore, . . . , declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!” Eze 18:30–32

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 2 Pe 3:9–10

There are many people in the world who live without knowing that they are sinners from heaven and that Father and Mother have come to this earth to save humanity. We should diligently preach God’s word to those who cannot repent because they do not know it. Let us spread the gospel more rapidly and lead them all to repentance, ensuring that no one is left alone, so that we can all receive a rich welcome into the kingdom of heaven, our eternal home.

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Rev 22:17

The Spirit is God the Father, and the Bride is God the Mother—the heavenly Jerusalem (Rev 21:9–10; Gal 4:26). We turned away from our Father and Mother in heaven. For us, His children, our Father came to this earth, which is so tiny compared to the other planets and stars in the universe, and He calls out to us, “Come to me” (Mt 11:28). In this age of the Holy Spirit, our Mother has also come and calls out to us, along with our Father, “Come to receive the water of life” (Rev 22:17). All people must truly repent and return to Heavenly Father and Mother, the Spirit and the Bride. Only then will we be able to see the complete fulfillment of Jesus’ words: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Now we have a precious opportunity to work out our salvation through repentance. God gives great blessings and grace to those who repent. When we devote ourselves to preaching the gospel with a repentant heart, something amazing will happen all around the world; God will allow 8 billion people to repent and return to Him. I earnestly ask all of you, God’s children, to truly repent and lead all people to the path of salvation, following the Spirit and the Bride with joy and thankfulness wherever They lead you.