I WITNESSED last night a fire; nothing very serious perhaps, only the destruction of a four-story building, and of much contained therein, but of no lives.
I have seen far greater fires, and been thrilled by many an “alarm of fire.” These are common things; but as I watched the progress of last night’s fire, and saw the cruel power of these elements when beyond control, I confess to certain serious reflections.
Someone standing beside me made the remark, as we saw the gradual progress of the flames, and the sore destruction, which followed: “You see
A PICTURE OF MAN’S WORLD
in this work of devastation.”
Very true words, thought I. Here is a large house, strongly and compactly built, and containing a large assortment of perishable goods, attacked by an instrument of unrelenting destruction, and bound to yield since adequate relief was unobtainable.
Fire, thought I―fire is the predicted end of man’s busy world. It was once water, and bad enough; but next time it is to be fire!
What more awful than fire?
What an end!
I am not speaking of the “fire that shall never be put out,” or its dreaded “Lake,” nor of the smoke of a torment that shall ascend forever and ever, or its eternal punishment; but I refer to the end of this little planet on which we live today. It is, mark, “reserved unto fire,” when “the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (Please read attentively 2 Peter 3:7-107But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:7‑10)).
Such is the predicted doom of this great but very small world; and the prediction will be literally fulfilled. God has declared it.
Now, I don’t wish to take your attention from that fiery doom. I desire to
FIX IT IN YOUR MEMORY INDELIBLY.
You may say that it will not occur in your day, and that therefore you may go on with your busy life, and take your chance for the future. After you the heavens may fall for all that you care.
Very well, but you have your own future to face―your own death, your own judgment, and your own eternity. You personally have to meet the God against whom you have sinned, and to give account to Him. You cannot escape this!
How awful to meet Him in judgment when there shall be no possibility of remission. How well to meet Him now in grace when pardon is so free and salvation so suitable.
But apart from your own case, there is that of the world beside, and I want you, my reader, to contemplate the predetermined end of the world. It shall be by fire.
A variety of events will happen ere the end is reached. The Lord will come to take all His own to be forever with Himself in the Father’s house. A course of judgments on earth will prepare His millennial reign. A thousand years of absolute and perfect monarchy shall dissipate all rebellion and anarchy against His scepter; this gives place to a brief outburst of Satanic energy, then the judgment of the Great White Throne, and the End. A new heaven and a new earth shall follow, and therein righteousness shall dwell: but
THE END OF THE OLD WORLD
shall be by fire.
The prospect is serious. Would that men would awaken from their mad dream of an earthly Elysium― a “will-o’-the-wisp,” and view things as they should be viewed. Thank God, some do so; some took warning before the flood of waters, and some pay heed to the judgment by fire, and wise they are.
Look at these hills and dales. They are “reserved unto fire.”
Look at these fields and forests. They are “reserved unto fire.”
Look at these cities and plains. They are “reserved unto fire.”
Look at these deserts and oceans. They ware “reserved unto fire.”‘
Look at the heavens and earth which now are.
They are “reserved unto fire.” Fire! Fire!! Fire!!!
No waste of water will suffice to extinguish that fire. The hand of God will’ light the torch which shall consume the world for its wickedness.
Oh, earth, earth, what a day of terror lies before thee―the day of God!
J. W. S.