A colporteur was returning homeward one evening through the heart of a large oriental city. Suddenly he was accosted by a tall, fine-looking young Turk, with the words, "I'll tell your fortune.”
Our friend was so taken aback that for the moment he did not reply. The man explained: "I am a fortuneteller; I can tell you what will happen in the future.”
"But how am I to know that you tell the truth?" "Oh, I have books. I tell by astrology.”
"Well, I would like to ask you a question first, so as to test whether you can really tell the truth or not. If you can tell my fortune truly, you certainly can tell your own. Where will you be in a hundred years?”
The Turk looked greatly annoyed, and replied: "Oh, I don't know that! But you let me look at your hand, and I will tell your fortune for you.”
"But," replied the colporteur, "I also am a fortuneteller. I also use books; and if you will tell me one thing I will tell your fortune for you.”
"What do you want me to tell you?”
"Do you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son?”
"No! He was not God's Son.”
"Now," replied our friend, taking a New Testament from his bag, "I will tell your fortune. My Book tells me, 'He 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.' This is your fortune: Now you have the wrath of the living, true God ever abiding on you; and if you continue as you are, you will surely spend eternity in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. There is just one way of escape: 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.'”
A long talk ensued on the side of the street, and the fortuneteller asked, "May I have one of your: books?" The request was gladly granted.
The next question was, "Where do you live? When may I come and see you?”
The following day he and a friend came and had a long talk with the Christian, and departed with a copy of the Bible. What the result may be God alone knows.
Let me ask you, reader, have you ever thought about your fortune, your eternal fortune? You need not remain in doubt as to that. Thank God we have a Book that leaves no room for uncertainty in these matters. Where will you be in a hundred years? Aye, where will you be tomorrow?
What could be more brief, more pointed, more precious, and yet more awful, than those solemn words: "He 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 3:3636He 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).