God never intended to convert the world through judgement. What judgement does, is makes us listen to Grace. It makes us take seriously, what God is offering as the way of escape.

In these terrible judgements we see the power, the majesty, the might, and the inescapability of God, and we have to ask ourselves, “What can I do to be saved?”

That is the effect of judgement. God then provides to those who feel their peril is a message of grace. It is not when judgement threatens that we turn to God. It is when we see God’s suffering love that gives itself for us, that carries the hurt and agony and pain. It is that that breaks our proud hearts, and that opens the door to salvation.