The Balloon

IT is a strange and uncommon sight to see a balloon sailing; through the sky; so we need not wonder at the farmers stopping their work to gaze at it as it glides along as fast as the wind can carry it, passing in and out of the clouds.
A stranger thing than that will one day take place in the clouds, a thing that has never taken place before, and will never take place again. All who believe in the Lord Jesus will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and then they shall be forever with the Lord. (1 Thess. 4:15-1815For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18).) The unbelievers will be left behind, but they will not be standing gazing as these farmers are doing, for it will all take place in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, (1 Cor. 15:51-5851Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑58)) so it will be done before they notice. They may miss the Christians, and if they were religious, they will cry, “Lord, Lord open to us,” but only to be reminded of that word “I know you not.” (Matt. 25:1-131Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1‑13).)
I would like to ask you, dear reader, Where will you be when the Lord descends from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God? Will you be among those who will be caught up, or will you be among those who will be left behind for judgment? You need not be among the latter, for all that is required of you is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One that God has sent to die for the sinner, to enter into the awful results of sin—death and separation from God. But if you will not believe that He is the One God has sent for you, you must bear the awful results yourself for your sins. Dear reader, if you have not yet believed in the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, I beseech of you to do so now. He may come at any moment and if you are not His when He comes, you will not get the opportunity to be saved after that, for the Scripture says, “GOD SHALL SEND THEM STRONG DELUSION, THAT THEY SHOULD BELIEVE A LIE: THAT THEY ALL MIGHT BE DAMNED WHO BELIEVED NOT THE TRUTH.” 2 Thess. 2:11, 1211And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:11‑12). If you are still an unbeliever after reading these lines you will be without excuse in that day.
Oh, come to Jesus, sinner, come,
Secure a place in heaven,
That blessed home is filling fast, F
or you a place is given.
Oh, come, and don’t delay!
Oh, come, and don’t delay!!
For mercy’s day will soon be past,
Oh, come, acid don’t delay!!!
Oh, sad if thou should’st be too late,
Arise and come to Him,
A loving Saviour you will meet,
And cleanse you from your sin.
His blood can wash the vilest clean,
Oh, come, confess thy sin;
A full salvation, vast and free,
Through Christ the Lamb once slain.
Just as thou art with sin defiled,
Wait not to be improved,
He only, can your load relieve,
Oh, haste be not deceived.
The Spirit and the bride say come,
O, sinner, ‘tis for thee;
A Saviour and a home above
To thee is offered free.
Messages of God’s Love 7/19/1908