Inscriptions on Milan Cathedral.

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 7
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ABOVE the triple doorway of Milan Cathedral are engraven three inscriptions. The first, which is under a wreath of roses, is as follows: "ALL THAT WHICH PLEASES IS BUT FOR A MOMENT." How important it is to remember this. And yet multitudes of persons are living for time, and not for eternity. Their whole life is a life of self-pleasing. "What shall I eat?" "What shall I drink?" "How can I amuse myself?" are the all-important questions with them. They don't like to be reminded of eternal things, and shun the society of those who long for their soul's salvation. The things which are seen are temporal, and will soon pass away. Time is the season of sowing, and the harvest is reaped in Eternity. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Gal. 6:77Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)), is a divine principle. "Eat, drink, and be merry," is the language of many, oblivious to, or forgetful of, the fact, that the day of reckoning is coming when "God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil" (Eccles. 12:1414For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14)). Over the second inscription is a sculptured cross, and beneath it are the words: "ALL THAT WHICH TROUBLES US IS BUT FOR A MOMENT." This is blessedly true of all real Christians. "Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Phil. 1:2929For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (Philippians 1:29)). All the troubles, trials, and sufferings that Christians have are on earth. The unsaved have their heaven on earth, and "born again" people have all the "hell" they will ever have down here. "Saved already" persons can adopt the language of the Apostle Paul: "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen" (2 Cor. 4:17, 1817For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17‑18)). Those who reject or neglect the salvation of God have troubles and grief here, and dying unsaved will be overwhelmed in anguish, remorse, and despair.
The third inscription underneath the center arch in the main aisle is this: "THAT ONLY IS IMPORTANT WHICH IS ETERNAL." How true is this! "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," is the command of the Lord Jesus. Many, alas look upon eternal concerns as secondary. How to "get on" in the world, how to "make money," how to climb the social ladder, are in their estimation questions of paramount importance. When urged to prepare for eternity, they declare that "there is a time and place for everything," and assert that "religion should be kept in its own place." The "time" with them is an hour on Sunday, and the "place" is their church or chapel. "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)). Permit me to ask the reader in all earnestness and tenderness if he has had the great question of his soul's salvation settled, by accepting of Christ as his Savior and Lord? If not, whatever treasure you may have on earth, you are poor for eternity. What a dreadful thought, to be a "successful" business man on earth and a bankrupt for eternity! "What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:3636For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36)). Why" lose "your soul when it might be, saved as you read these lines?" The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost “(Luke 19:1919And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. (Luke 19:19)). Allow the Lord Jesus to save you from everlasting destruction. Accept him as your Savior and Lord by believing on Him, and you will be assured concerning "that which is eternal."
A. M.