In Germany there lived a countess of the House of Hanover. She was a noted unbeliever, especially opposed to the teaching of resurrection and eternal life. This descendant of royalty died when about thirty years old.
Before she passed away she gave written orders that her grave should be covered with a solid granite slab, that around it should be fitted square blocks of stone, and that the corners should be fastened to each other and to the granite slab by heavy iron clamps. Upon the granite covering she ordered this inscription to be placed:
"THIS BURIAL PLACE, PURCHASED FOR ALL ETERNITY, MUST NEVER BE OPENED."
All that human power could do to seal that grave was done.
Years later a little birch tree seed, long hidden in the earth, sprouted! As the root grew and strengthened, the green shoot sought the light. It found its way between the side stone and the upper slab and grew there.
Slowly and steadily it swelled with life and forced its way upward until the iron clamps were torn apart. The granite lid gradually lifted and is now resting upon the trunk of the birch tree, which is large and flourishing.
Man will be just as impotent in resisting the power of God in resurrection as he now is in trying to escape His decree of death.
One Man was here—only one—who had the power of death in His own hands: Jesus, the Sop of God. He alone could say of His life: "No man taketh it from Me.... I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again." John 10:1818No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (John 10:18).
Who else can use language like that? Who, among the mightiest of earth's monarchs, can dispute God's right to say to him, "This night thy soul shall be required of thee"? And when once that decree has gone forth, who can reverse the sentence?
Do you still deny God? Are you determined to hold fast to your unbelief? In the solemn day of your own death it will be too late for you to seek the light. For you it will be the blackness of darkness forever.
I plead with you to turn to Him now in faith while it is TODAY. Then with all His own who have believed in the Son, the Lord Jesus, the Christ of God, you will find rest for your soul, and the blessing of being able to say:
"Our times are in Thy hand,
Father, we wish them there;
Our life, our soul, our all, we leave
Entirely to Thy care."