MAHOGANY trees of an immense size grow in the tropical forests. Huge logs sawn from them are dragged by mules or horses to the nearest stream, pushed into the water, and left to drift along with the current. After a journey of many days or even weeks, they arrive at the mouth of the river, where they are stopped by a “boom,” or strong chain stretched from one bank of the river to the other.
Hundreds of logs are there, brought by the upland tributaries of the river from the great forests. Every log is examined by the owners’ agents, and is claimed according to the mark it bears. Logs that have drifted downstream in company with one another for many days, are now separated, and go to different destinations.
This is like something which will take place among people. Two, perhaps, are drifting down life’s stream in contact with one another. At school they were in the same classes, and played the same games. They have been associated in college, in business or professional life, and have been much together.
A time is coming, however, when, like the mahogany logs at the “boom,” they will be separated forever: one of them has trusted in Christ, and has been marked, or sealed, as belonging to Him, by the Holy Spirit. The other one has never come to the Saviour, but still belongs to the world.
When Jesus comes, this final separation will take place. Those marked, or sealed by His Spirit, will be taken to heaven., Those not thus marked, will be left in their sins, and will be condemned in the great Judgment Day.
Do not forget the lesson of the mahogany logs. Put your whole trust in the Saviour of sinners, who wants to be your Saviour. Then when you reach the end of your life’s journey, or He comes in the clouds, He will claim you as His own!
ML 02/26/1933