Luke 13:25
The train stood by the platform, being rapidly filled by those who were desirous of making the journey. Their tickets were examined, as, one by one, they passed through the open door leading to the platform. Rapidly fly the moments, until the hands of the clock show the appointed starting time. The bell rings, and the man in charge of the door cries aloud, "Any more for B—?" None of the many within the sound of his voice avail themselves of the "Last Call", and the door is shut. The train has not started. It is not even filled. But the door is shut.
Suddenly, an old man pushes forward with all his might, wishing to obtain a seat in the train. There is plenty of room for him; and those already seated who see him at the barriers are moved with compassion towards him. But they cannot help him. The door is shut. The old man thrusts his head over that door and sees the train in which he might have been start without him.
The last look of that sad, disappointed face we shall not soon forget. He is closed out! He has missed it. As we looked back at that sad, sad face, the thought rushed upon us What must it be to be closed out of Heaven for all eternity?
"There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out” (Luke 23:28). May the door be shut for you? You thrust out? You? You? Leave everyone else aside for a moment, and think about yourself. You? You say, "I hope not." But what is the ground of your hope? If you are to be saved you must pass in before the door is shut. You must pass in by Jesus, the Way.
Take warning, O sinner. You have no time to lose. That poor man never meant to lose his train. He perhaps said to himself, "Time enough." The door had been standing open, but he did not enter in. And now HE CANNOT. Whom can he blame but himself? Perhaps some acquaintance detained him on the way until he was late! But yet he has allowed himself to be detained, and he should blame no other. Perhaps his luggage kept him back. The result is the same—he is closed out! Procrastination, acquaintances, luggage, all may have had a part in closing him out. But the great fact is—he is closed out, and he never meant to be!
And of the multitudes moaning in Hell today, not one of them meant to be there. The Devil whispered, "Time enough." Yonder is a man in Hell. Once upon a time he was troubled about his soul. He knew that he was not fit to meet God—that he needed to be converted. "Time enough" lulled him to sleep, until at last he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, now to experience what "Time enough" means. Reader, do you believe it? That now, as you read this paper, there are souls irrevocably lost in Hell?
"Strong language," you say. "Awfully so,” we reply. But awful facts call for awful words.
That they are "tormented?" Yes. That they weep and wail and gnash their teeth?
Yes. And if you die without being saved, you must help to swell the river of tears.
"Escape for thy life." If you don't hurry you may be eternally damned.
See the hand that was pierced, beckoning you to the Father's house. Hear the voice that now rings out in triumphant tones, "He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.” John 6:47.
Weary, heavy laden sinner,
I have waited very long,
Willing not that thou should'st perish,
Calling thee to Heaven's throng.
Rest I'll give thee, weary sinner,
Bending 'neath a heavy load
Turn and look to Me, thy Savior,
I will bear thee all the road.
Wherefore wilt thou choose perdition?
Why not take the life I give?
I am waiting to receive thee,
Why not look to Me and live?