Many years ago there lived in Greece a ruler named Archias. A very selfish man, he lived only for pleasure and cared little or nothing for the needs of his people. Many hated him, and at last some plotted together to kill him.
Archias knew nothing of the plot, but a friend in Athens heard of it. Immediately, he wrote a letter to the king warning him of his danger and pointing out a way to escape. Urgently the vital message was sent on its way.
Archias was busy holding a great feast when the messenger arrived, but since he came all the way from Athens with an important letter, he was admitted at once into the presence of the king.
Last Chance
“My lord,” he said, “your friend earnestly begs you to read his message at once as it speaks of serious things.” Archias, merry with wine, bent on pleasure, was in no mood to read the letter then. Never guessing what it contained, he laughingly cast it aside, exclaiming as he did so, “Serious things tomorrow!” Then he returned to his pleasure.
Poor man. His tomorrow never came. No further warning was given. His evening’s pleasure came to a sad and abrupt end. At the height of the feast, those who had plotted against the king rushed forward and killed him.
Perhaps you are enjoying good health and looking forward to an evening of fun and pleasure. Thinking about your soul is too serious for you to consider just now, and like Archias, you say, “Serious things tomorrow!”
But stop! Tomorrow may never come. This may be your last night on earth. What if God should say to you as He said to a prosperous farmer long ago, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee” (Luke 12:2020But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (Luke 12:20))?
A Crucial Warning
You may not like such serious thoughts, but Satan, the enemy of your soul, is trying to persuade you to put down this tract and forget its warning. Meanwhile, God is sending you a warning of coming judgment and at the same time pointing out a way to escape.
That way is through Christ crucified on the cross for you. In those three hours of darkness He bore the judgment of God against sin—a judgment that you and I deserved. He died; He rose again; He is seated now at God’s right hand in heaven. Through Him God now offers a free pardon to all who will believe. The pardon states:
Won’t you pay attention to this warning message and come to Christ for safety? Or will you, like Archias, throw it away, saying, “Serious things tomorrow”?
No More Chances
You will have plenty of time for serious thoughts—and for nothing else—when you find yourself without a Savior, without a friend and without a hope in the darkness of a lost eternity.