WE have read of someone who said that the only word he remembered of a sermon he had heard was the word ETERNITY. This word he could never shake off from his mind; it was a distress to him, until he knew that he was saved, and had assurance from the infallible word of truth that he would be forever in glory with the Lord Jesus. And marvelous it is that many more are not equally arrested by the telling, solemn word ETERNITY. It may be that the ear is dull of hearing, because the word is so often brought before them. Still, however men may treat the word, it is certain that every one who reads these pages will be either a partaker of “eternal glory” with God and the Lamb, or be in “eternal fire” with the devil and his angels. Men may reason about it, and try all their powers to endeavor to turn and twist these divine statements, nevertheless the facts remain the same. The, word of God endures forever. The counsels of God are unaltered. And it is the attentive consideration of these realities that arouses the conscience, and leads the sin-convicted soul to cry out, “What must I do to be saved?” The possibility of persons being consigned to that place “where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched,” was abundantly taught by the sinner-loving Saviour. He faithfully warned the careless. He touchingly appealed to their consciences as to whether it would not be “better to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.” (Mark 9:43-4843And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:43‑48).) He knew the awful eternity that awaits the unbelieving. He saw how diligently men were cultivating present gratification and gain, at the sacrifice of eternal blessings and the loss of their own souls. He, therefore, on another occasion, faithfully declared, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” How incalculably weighty, then, is the subject of ETERNITY, and how small the most momentous matters of time are when contrasted with it!
But whither are we bound? To which of these termini are we hastening? Are we at this moment treading the broad road which leads to everlasting destruction? Or have we discovered the mistake, repented, and turned to God through Jesus, who was crucified for sinners, and thus entered by the strait gate into the narrow road which leadeth unto life? Which is it? Are we venturing our hopes as to ETERNITY on our works, feelings, self-advancement, or other forms of building “upon the sand”? Or have we so entirely renounced self in every form as totally unfit for God, and so wholly accepted the Son of God, who was crucified for sinners, as the only foundation, the alone ground of salvation and way of peace? If the latter, your hopes are built securely on that rock from which nothing shall ever dislodge you. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:1111For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11).) And whoever believeth on Him shall not be confounded. (1 Peter 2:66Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. (1 Peter 2:6).)
But many are indifferent. They neither ask themselves, nor will they permit others to ask them the question, “Where will you spend eternity?” But it must, sooner or later, be answered. The momentous subject must be realized, either in everlasting misery or in everlasting happiness. Then why not face it now? Why not?
“Where will you spend eternity?
Say not, I cannot tell;
The question means but good to thee,
And will be answered still.
To shun the light, or shut the sight,
The cup of wrath may fill;
ETERNITY where wilt thou spend?
Don’t say, I cannot tell;
The life thou lewdest now will end
In HEAVEN or in HELL.” Which?
No words can possibly convey the importance of the subject. It needs no argument. It is a simple question for the conscience before God. To be in hell-fire, lifting up the eyes in torments, and longing for a drop of water to cool the parched tongue of one tormented in that flame, is the Saviour’s own description of the misery of a lost soul. This, dear reader, you know. Then is it not worth a serious thought, a moment’s solemn consideration, a quiet calculation, according to God’s word, whether you will be there forever or not? Is it possible you can thus refuse to listen to the voice of the Son of God? Or can you think lightly of the apostle’s question, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?”
Be, then, like a wise man, who builds his house upon the rock. Be a wise virgin, and take oil in the vessel with the lamp; and so rest in the faithfulness of God to His own word, that, like Timothy, through the Scriptures, you may be “wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.”
God saw us, because of our sins, justly exposed to condemnation, to eternal misery, and His love moved in deepest compassion toward us. He provided a Saviour, who made peace by the blood of His cross— “He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Thus God, instead of condemning us, has, in deepest love to us, condemned our sin in His own holy, well-beloved Son, that, by His death, we might be reconciled to God, by His blood be cleansed from sin, and now stand, by faith in Him, righteous and accepted before God. This God gives to every one that believeth. The gospel is sent to proclaim this, and God is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish. He saith, “Be it known unto you, men and brethren, that through this man (the Lord Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38, 3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39).) Well, then, might the dear apostle exclaim, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?”
“ETERNITY! Eternity!
How long art thou, eternity?
As long as God is God, so long
Endure the pain of hell and wrong;
So long the joys of heaven remain.
O lasting joy! O lasting pain!
Ponder, O man, ETERNITY!”