Unless you repent, Jesus said, you will likewise perish. Now, what Jesus said must surely be a surprise to all of us. What Jesus taught is exactly opposite to the way we normally think. In fact, what Jesus taught was so non-traditional that in order to make sure His disciples got the point, Jesus immediately told a second similar story. Jesus referred to that historical event when a tower in Siloam fell and killed 18 people.
Sin often does bring terrible earthly consequences.
Nevertheless, Jesus said we are not to stand around pointing out which of our friends or neighbors have suffered or died from this or that sin. Rather, Jesus said that each of those calamities we hear about, and each of the tragedies we learn about should be a solemn reminder that unless we acknowledge our own sinfulness and unless we express to God our sincere sorrow for our own sin, an even greater tragedy may well come upon us. We will then die a death that is eternal. I know how unusual, or out of place, or irrelevant, these words of Jesus may sound to you at the moment. Pastors preach directly from the Bible, warning people that sinful and unrepentant sinning will bring the judgement of God.