THE theories of men may suffice for a time, but when death comes in view, and it becomes a question of meeting God, and giving an account of ourselves to Him, we need the solid rock of eternal truth upon which to stay our souls. Nothing but having our feet planted firmly upon “the word of the Lord which endureth forever,” will do in the hour of death (1 Peter 1:24, 2524For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1 Peter 1:24‑25)). “The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (Psa. 12:66The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6)).
Some years ago lived in Nova Scotia a man known to the writer. He had embraced what is known as the Universalist doctrine. All went well while health and strength lasted. The delusion that all would be saved buoyed him up, in spite of the strong assertion of the Word of God that, “whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:1515And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)). The idle dream was indulged in for many a long year, yet there had been no conversion, no repentance toward God, no faith in Christ, who died for sinners, no “confession with the mouth unto salvation”; but the flippant repetition of a doctrine that was begotten in man’s own corrupt mind, and had no foundation in the Word of God.
But he grew old, and sickness came on, and death hovered near, and the “swellings of Jordan” were just ahead, all calculating to awaken the gravest fears in a soul not anchored on the immutable truth of God.
The writer often visited him, and was particularly struck with the fact that, notwithstanding the man’s belief in the doctrine of Universalism; there was no peace of soul, no rest of heart, no knowledge of the Saviour, no feeling of being at home with God; no joyful anticipation of the future. There was but a step between him and death, and yet with years of profession that all would be saved, he could not at this crucial moment extract one drop of comfort, or one moment of peace, from his doctrine. Alas it was a most fatal delusion! and it failed him just at the moment when he needed it the most. During a visit, when the poor man seemed like one befogged, unable to see or grasp anything, the writer said to him, “Well, Mr.―, tell me, what do you think of Universalism now?”
The poor man slowly replied, “Mr.―, it is a good religion to live by, but a very poor one to die by.”
The dying man was in his answer partly right, and partly wrong; for what will not enable one to face the realities of death and eternity in peace cannot be “a good religion to live by.” A fatal delusion, though it makes great promises, and gives great assurances, as Universalism does, is not at all likely to give, in the hour of death, that rest of soul so much needed.
A false religion, the lullaby of Satan, and the opiate of hell, was what wrecked this poor soul and has done the same for thousands besides.
Does not the Son of God say, “Except ye be converted, and become as a little child, ye shall in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven”? (Matt.18:3.) If a man dies unconverted, as thousands do, then it is clear that he does not enter the kingdom.
Does not the Son of God say, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”? (John 3:33Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3).) Then it is clear that if a man dies, and is not born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Does not the Son of God say, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”? (Luke 13:33I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3).) If a man therefore dies unrepentant, he is lost forever.
Does not the Son of God say of the religious opposers of the truth, “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell”? (Matt. 23:3333Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Matthew 23:33).) If a man dies morally like a serpent, and a viper, what absurd folly to suppose that he can “escape the damnation of hell”!
Beloved reader, it is not a delusion we need, however pleasingly dressed up it may be, but the pure truth of God. Mark what the Saviour says in John 5:28: “The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, AND SHALL COME FORTH; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
The twentieth of Revelation will give us further light: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them... and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead (i.e., the wicked dead) lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection.”
In vs. 12 we have when the rest of the dead rise, that is, those who have died in their sins, and have not had part in the glorious first resurrection: “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.... AND WHOSOEVER WAS NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE” (vers. 12-15).
Beloved reader, if unsaved, flee from all the fatal delusions of the nineteenth century; believe the Word of God; it will never fail you; it will stand you in good stead in the hour of death; and why? because it tells you of the only way of escape from “eternal judgment.” It tells you of God’s great love, of the gift of His blessed Son, of his precious sacrifice for sin upon the cross, and of His blood which cleanseth from ALL sin. It says, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)). It repeats again and again, “He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life” (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)).
“O Heavenly Father, grant us all
The new-born babe’s simplicity!
From us the doubtful mind remove;
We boast a God that cannot lie!
Taught to repose, through love divine,
On Truth itself, on Truth divine.”
E. A.