An old Christian once asked a bright intelligent youth what he intended to do on his leaving, School.
"Why I am going to college to study law." "And what then?"
"Why then I expect to be made a judge."
"And what then?"
"Why, of course I shall be married and be surrounded by a large circle of friends."
"And what then?"
"Then I hope to enjoy myself for many a long year at the head of my profession."
"And what then?"
"Then of course I shall be getting old."
"And what then?"
"Why, of course I cannot expect to live forever, and I must die."
"And what then?"
"Why then I shall be buried with a grand funeral, and mourned over by all my friends."
"And what then?" again solemnly asked the old man.
"Why then—why then," said the boy, "I cannot tell what then."
Reader, are you perhaps dazzled by bright prospects of riches and honor? Then hear God's warning: "The rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes being in torments." Luke 16:22,23.
Let us now question some true Christian as to his future:
"Why, I am hoping to be more like Christ my Savior."
"And what then?"
"Why, then I may have to pass through trials and persecutions for His sake."
"And what then?"
"Why, many of my friends will leave me."
"And what then?"
"His love will more than make up for it, and I shall get strength and patience to bear it."
"And what then?"
"I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I may sleep in Jesus, or He may come for me and take me to spend eternity with Him."
"But if you should die, what then?"
"I shall go to be with Christ which is far better. (Phil. 1:23) and my body will sleep in the grave until He comes for me, and then, 'The dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: And so shall we ever be with the Lord.' " (1 Thess. 4:16, 17.)
I am sure our reader can see the wonderful difference between the end of the student and that of the Christian. What are your prospects?
"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!" Num. 23:10.