WATCHING a piece of wood in the fire the other night falling to ashes, piece by piece, I thought, “How like this world, and all that is in it!” It is all “passing away;” and one day this earth, and all the works that are therein, shall be burned up. What of the men and women then living on the earth? Will they be consumed in that awful conflagration? No―terribly solemn thought―they will be left for judgment. Oh, unconverted reader, may these words ring in your ears till they drive you to Jesus, the Friend of sinners, who, though He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich, so that you may be taken when He comes to meet His saints in the air, and take them to be forever with Him, long before that awful day; and they will ere then be enjoying uninterrupted communion with their Redeemer and Lord. And immediately after the destruction of this earth (by fire) the condemnation of the dead will take place, according to their works. Oh, my reader, what would become of you, were you judged according to your works? Unhesitatingly I say, “The lake of fire would be your doom;” and there, through a never-ending eternity, will you be left to bewail your folly in not giving heed, to the gospel message, heard by you while here, perhaps repeatedly.
These are no fevered imaginations, but awful realities― “realities,” because we can trace them all out in the unerring word of God; and “awful,” because of their terrible solemnity for those unprepared for that judgment-day.
Oh, let me entreat you, whoever you are, who read this paper, not to rest until you have found Jesus to be your Saviour, and enjoyed the peace which He gives to all those believing in Him.
T. E. L.