The apparent suicide of disgraced billionaire Jeffrey Epstein brought an end to one tragic chapter in his ugly and abusive life. But it is certainly not the end of the story. He will yet have his day in court. In fact, in the end, all of us will.

But before drawing some sobering moral lessons from the painful story of Epstein, my thoughts go out to the women and girls whom he victimized. May I address each of you directly?

View Comments (6)

I haven’t the slightest idea what it feels like to be trafficked or abused. I can’t relate to the emotions you are experiencing. But I can understand that it must be terribly frustrating not to be able to bring charges against him a court of law. Not to be able to look him in the face—if that is what you had planned to do—and give him a piece of your mind.

And I imagine that his death is small consolation to you right now.

But this much I know: What he did not pay for in this world, he will pay for in the world to come. The judge he will stand before sees all and knows all and is perfectly just. And based on the words of Jesus, I would hate to be in the shoes of a child abuser on that fearful day (see Matt. 18:1-6).

I also know that no amount of prison time for Epstein could bring healing to your own soul, and so I pray that you’ll be able to find a path to restoration and wholeness in the days ahead.

With that being said—from the heart—let me share with you some sobering words from the Bible.

These words may have seemed irrelevant to Epstein at the height of his powers. He was incredibly wealthy. He was the friend of presidents and leaders. He was surrounded by beautiful women.

Yet the words of Scripture always come to pass, sooner or later. As Moses said almost 3,500 years ago, “be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23b).

Either in this world or the world to come, our sins will catch up with us, and we will give account —unless, of course, we have truly repented before God and received forgiveness through the blood of Jesus.

In that case, God forgives us completely and entirely, calling us to lead a brand-new life. At the same time, we may still have to do the time for our crimes here on earth.

With our true repentance, God will forgive us for getting drunk and committing vehicular homicide. But we may spend years in jail for our misdeeds.

With our true repentance, God will forgive us for racking up a massive gambling debt. But we will still have to pay off our creditors.

On the other hand, if there is no repentance, no seeking mercy through the cross, then one way or another, our sins will catch up to us. In the end, no one—and I mean no one—will escape….

(Excerpt from Charisma News article by Michael Brown.)