To the believer, the blessed hope of the Lord's coming is most heart-gladdening and cheering. To the sad, it is full of comfort. They look forward to that moment of supreme delight when the eye at last shall see Him whom the heart has loved so long.
But to the unconverted, the coming of the Lord is a fearful prospect. Oh, how dreadful to be one of those who are not "Christ's at His coming"!
SEPARATION! Fathers, mothers, caught up to meet Him; but where are the children? Brother saved! Sister lost! Workmen at the same bench: one changed in a moment, the other left in his sins. Too late then to cry, "Lord, Lord; open to us!”
An old gentleman, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, was waiting and watching for His coming. He often invited a large company of Christian friends to stay at his house. They spent the evening reading the Word together; and at these times the servants were usually present.
One evening the subject had been, "The coining of the Lord." The company were all converted persons except a stable boy called John. When the reading was over, before retiring for the night, the old gentleman said: "John, the Lord is coming; and we who belong to Him shall be caught up to meet Him when He comes. You, John, will be the only one left here. Then you will have the horses, the carriages, the house,—all will be yours. In the presence of all here tonight, I give it to you if the Lord comes! With the exception of yourself, we shall all go to be with Him. Goodnight, John.”
John went to his room, but not to sleep. This legacy so troubled him that he did not even take off his clothes for the night. The long hours seemed to move so slowly! John's mind was deeply disturbed; and as morning at length came on and the clock struck five, he could stand it no longer. He crept to his master's door. Rap. Rap.
"Who's there?”
"It's John, sir.”
"What is it, John?”
"Please, sir, I don't want the horses! I don't want the carriages or the other things!”
"Then what do you want?”
"Please, sir, I want to go too!”
Horses and carriages, a mansion with all it contains, and all the wealth belonging to its owner, would be poor compensation for the loss of a share in this blessed hope.
Reader, ponder! Are you Christ's now? May the Lord make you truly anxious until you are. With this paper in your hands, look to Jesus. Seek Him. Hear His word: "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.”
Time is short. The coming of the Lord draws nigh. The world is waxing old. Men are throwing off all restraint, steeling their consciences, and hardening their hearts. Judgment comes on apace, darkness is settling down on this scene. Mercy cries, Haste, flee for thy life. Jesus shows His wounded hands and side, and says, "Come." Safety is found in Him alone. Don't you "want to go too?”