A YOUNG man, suddenly awakes out of a dreadful dream, and rushes to see where his parents are; in madness he searches for them―they are gone!
A young woman is suddenly aroused by something, she knows not what; she runs to find her mother―she is gone!
A husband finds out, on rising, that his wife is absent; he rouses all in the house to search for her; her clothes are undisturbed―she is gone!
The train is dashing furiously along the rails with its living freight. Where are the driver and fireman? Gone!
A steamship is plowing the waters in mid-ocean; ―the captain and some of the crew have suddenly disappeared; a search is made for them―they are gone!
Numbers are missing from the factories, both masters and employees. No one knows why they are absent―they are gone!
The papers are teeming with advertisements for missing friends. Rewards are offered; search parties are instituted―they are gone
Three young men, in search of their friends, meet in the street. One remarks that he believes the resurrection has taken place, and that all the Christians are “caught up” (1 Thess. 4:17).
“You don’t say so,” reply the others.
“I do; I am afraid it is too true. Let us go and see if some others are at home, and if they are we may yet be safe.”
They go; but, to their horror and dismay, these friends, too, are all gone!
“Oh, I am dreadfully afraid it is too true, and that we are left behind to perish in our sins! Do you know,” says the first, “I had intended someday to decide for Christ, but I always thought some great prophetical event was to take place before His coming, ―that the world was to be converted, or the Jews would go back to Palestine, ―and I used to think when these things began to happen it would be time enough to turn religious. True, my father used to say that there was not a line of prophecy to be fulfilled before the Lord took all His people away, and that when they went no one would see them go; but I never believed him, and now I find all he said to be terribly true.”
“Well,” replied the second, “to tell you the truth, I never paid any attention to that kind of thing. I called all who were Christians, and who believed in the Bible, fools and lunatics―in fact, I would not walk on the same side of the street with one if I could help it. If any dared to speak to me about being saved, I literally scoffed at them, and told them to shut up. If I am lost, I cannot help it now; all I can say is, it is my own fault.”
“The whole lot in my house are gone,” remarked the third. “When I got up this morning I saw no one about. I looked everywhere for them, and could only wonder what had become of them. Now you solve the mystery for me. Well! well! I never thought it would come to this. When I saw them, all going off to their meeting, I used to think what a lot of fools they were. They often spoke to me about salvation. I took it all in, of course. I used to let them talk till they were tired, then I would inwardly laugh at it, and make fun of them. If I ever came across one of these religious fellows, I always managed to give him a wide berth, and was always ready, with others, to call him a fool. I now find I am the fool. What can we do?”
Nothing. The die is eternally cast. The summer of life is ended, and the mighty harvest of opportunities and privileges gone forever-forever!
Dear reader, this is only at present a terrible picture, but it will be a true picture of thousands who have heard the Gospel and refused it.
Think for, one moment! not a single prophecy has to be fulfilled before the Lord takes all His people away, ― that is, those who have believed in Him as their Saviour. The Lord may come at any moment, ―solemn fact! He is waiting till the last soul is brought into His Church, and how soon that will be none knows. It may be the last soul has been gathered in, and that now, this moment, He is about to come again and receive His people to Himself (John 14:3). “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:52). How soon? In a moment. When? Perhaps the next.
Are you ready, dear reader? If not, you are in a dreadful position, ―exposed to being left behind. Remember that when the Lord takes His people out of this world, the door of mercy is closed, salvation is gone; and all left behind, who have heard the Gospel, will be lost (2 Thess. 1:8). The Lord says, Now, not tomorrow; for this very moment―not the next―Mercy’s door may be closed.
The Lord still mercifully cries, “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” There is nothing to do but simply to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, as having suffered for your sins. The Lord help you to believe this ere He comes, which may be even while you are reading this. Indecision is terrible in so great a matter as salvation, because its consequences are eternal.
To you, my dear reader, I would, in all affection, say: ―
“Haste, traveler, haste, the night comes on,
And many a shining hour is gone;
The storm is gathering in the west,
And thou art far from home and rest.
Haste, traveler, haste!”