“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:28-3028Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luke 17:28‑30)).
These words from God should immediately electrify the mind and heart, because of the imminent judgment to fall on Christendom. Never before has there been prosperity in the western earth as there is today. This warning cries with special voice to the nations of the west under Christian profession.
Twilight
Sodom, like the west today, was surrounded with every blessing—a garden that the Lord planted. Flowers with their perfume were perpetual. They had abundance of food, the land being fertile bore large harvests. The luscious grass on the hills were provender for cattle, sheep and goats. In their idleness they indulged in every wicked pleasure, without restraint.
As we look at Sodom, is it not like looking at our day in a mirror? They, increased with goods, left God out of their lives. Today, spiritual lethargy has engulfed the Christian profession. Worldly pleasure is taking the place of Christian devotion to God and His claims. Christian civilization—Christendom—has fallen under the power and deceit of Satan who has inspired the world to change what was holy and good in its pristine day into a wicked source of pleasure.
Men, even believers, do not trust God, but put their trust in the institutions of men. The unequal yoke between believer and unbeliever is commonplace.
“Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit” (Jer. 17:5-85Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. 6For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. 8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:5‑8)).
The Church in Ruins
Today, Christendom is a great Babylon of confusion as to ecclesiastical and spiritual profession—confusion as to the doctrine of the Church. Although there is confusion, God remains faithful, and the Holy Spirit by the Scriptures would guide each believer into all truth. We need to be willing and diligent (John 16:1313Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13)).
In spite of general failure in every dispensation, God has always maintained a witness to Himself. There have been, and there are today, individuals with hearts burning for the truth, holding on to the light even unto death by persecution.
The Church periods represented in Revelation 2 by the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna and Pergamos have run their course. The periods represented by Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea will go on to nearly the end with one exception—Sardis continues into the final judgment (Rev. 3:33Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (Revelation 3:3); Rev.16:16-18). Sardis (Protestantism) has a name to live (profession) but is dead (Rev. 3:11And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (Revelation 3:1)).
Early in the last century, God restored to the Church the truth of the one body, the mystery of Christ and the Church, and the hope of the Lord’s coming for the Church. By the work of the Holy Spirit many were led to the one table—the Lord’s table—where partaking of the one loaf expresses the truth of the one body on earth. Will you be at the Lord’s table when Jesus comes? He has only one.
Those whom the Lord addresses in Philadelphia may have but a little strength (a little power), yet the Lord has given to such to know God’s mind concerning Christ and the Church, the truth which completes the Word of God.
The body of Christ is now being added to within the kingdom of heaven during the King’s absence. Denominationalism is not authorized by God; it is a denial of the truth of the one body and opposes in practice what Christ has formed.
Man’s system of education is geared to teach wickedness, to violate the principles of a true Christian profession. And the government which carries the title “In God we trust” allows murder and violates the principles of industry, which are being replaced with government subsidies. Such governments tend to take on the character of an absolute monarchy, which Scripture tells us is coming at the end (Rev. 17:8,168The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Revelation 17:8)
16And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:16)).
The modesty that once characterized women is turned into license, especially in dress. The man no longer lifts up holy hands. Habits and companions keep many from eternal blessing (Matt. 22:1-61And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. (Matthew 22:1‑6)).
Churches have largely changed from spiritual pursuits to political and humanitarian avocation, instead of teaching the only remedy for the evils of the day. Those who profess the higher truths are falling away to a mere profession—they did not love the truth (2 Thess. 2:1010And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:10)).
Sodomites have entered the ministry. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Eccl. 8:1111Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (Ecclesiastes 8:11)).
“Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange [other] flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering [undergoing] the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 77Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)).
The city of Sodom and her people were gone when Paul’s epistle to the Romans was written. The warning of Romans is for Christendom. Because the Sodomites gave themselves over to fornication, God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves.
“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. [God never gives man up, until he gives God up.] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. [The disease AIDS gives present warning that God is not mocked.] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient [unseemly things]; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness... who, knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Rom. 1:26-3226For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:26‑32)).
Christ’s Ministry—the First Appeal
When the Lord was on earth, ministering the truth of eternal salvation, there was Little or no response. Whole cities, where His ministry was often heard, refused to believe.
“And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained unto this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee” (Matt. 11:23-2423And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. (Matthew 11:23‑24)).
Never did man receive a more blessed testimony than when Jesus ministered salvation by grace. Many had rendered testimony before, but this was the Saviour, the Son of God in person. Capernaum was exalted to heaven as they heard day after day the message of love. Those who rejected the message and the person who gave it will be brought down to hell.
“And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:47-4847And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:47‑48)).
Dear soul, “repliest [thou] against God?” Awake while it is still today. Jesus may come today.
“He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal” (John 12:2525He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. (John 12:25)). To hate your life is to put Christ first at all cost. “If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:2626If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)). We must not have an object dearer to our hearts than Christ—it would be idolatry.
Laodicea—the Last Appeal
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth” (Rev. 3:14-1614And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:14‑16)).
Christ is the true “Amen” who always been faithful. He leads us into the creation of God beyond all of the failure—a creation where all things are of God.
When so much has been done for us, to be lukewarm (pretension) is hardly right. Christ wants us to respond to His love. The assembly has fallen from its first love and is neither hot nor cold. This is nauseous to Christ and He will spew it out of His mouth. It is the cold profession that is spewed out of His mouth, not the true believer.
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” is to be rich in learning and intellectualism. The spread of the outward knowledge of God without the working of love in the heart will hasten on the crisis. It is self-complacency. Nature allowed in the Church excludes divine things.
“And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” One who is wretched or miserable is one who has never been humbled in religious things and tries to walk without the power of the Holy Spirit. Self-will produces wretchedness.
“Miserable” is the permanent condition of soul unless repentance comes in. “Blind” is to have the eyes covered with self-importance in speaking of truths to others without walking in them oneself. “Naked” is one who has not been covered from his moral shame. There has not been repentance. Another has said, “The confession and forsaking of sin is the ground of all true morality.”
“I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich.” Gold is the intrinsic righteousness of God’s nature. If we are believers, we have the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
“And white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” Covering is needed for the shame of sin; that covering is the practical, public manifestation of holiness before others.
“And anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Eyesalve is an unction from the Holy One. Without it one will not see anything properly—not even the need of divine righteousness. Man is not called upon to do something, but to repent. It is a higher thing to suffer for Christ than to do service.
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” This is not an invitation to be saved, but an invitation to each in the assembly. To individuals with an opened heart, He says, “I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” The appeal is to the individual, for “conscience must be individual or God cannot be master.”
Personal affection is called for. Should it not be so with the bride of Christ. There is a special reward to the overcomer, but in Laodicea in their low state, the reward for the overcomer is not like it was for Ephesus—the tree of life in the paradise of God. There will still be the door with those within and those without. All scriptural order is maintained, but in extreme weakness and by few.
When Revelation 4 begins, there is no longer an assembly of God on earth. This we believe is after the rapture.
The Morning Breaks With Judgment
In Sodom things continued as always until the moment that Lot went out of Sodom—a picture of the believer raptured before the awful judgment upon Christendom falls in all its fury. It will be far worse than the judgment upon Sodom. It will not be merely fire and brimstone falling from heaven, but the armies of heaven descending upon the western earth. It will include those who have been martyred or persecuted for Christ’s sake, riding upon white horses, with the Son of man in the lead.
“And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations; and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev. 19:13-1613And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:13‑16)).
Could anything be more solemn than the sight described, especially for the masses of professing believers left behind when Jesus comes to take His Church home? Why were they left behind? Because they did not have the truth? No, because they did not love the truth, evidenced by not walking in it (2 Thess. 2:1010And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:10)).
The beast and the false prophet will be cast alive into hell, then the armies of His enemies will be slain. Following this, the sword will go out to all of Christendom so that the entire western earth will be destroyed. What a picture the Word gives of the western nations with their armies slain and with hoards of soldiers of Media and Persia descending upon millions and millions of defenseless people to slay them with the sword.
Russia will be in control of Media and Persia at that time and will send them to do this awful work. The great Assyrian—Russia will say, “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: and my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped” (Isa. 10:13-1413For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: 14And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped. (Isaiah 10:13‑14)).
Armageddon Consider the following description of the final end of Christendom, those who have had the most light—much more light than Sodom. They have had the message of salvation through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, which Sodom did not have. Also, like Sodom, their spirits will undergo the judgment of eternal fire (Jude 77Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)).
“The burden of the desert of the sea.
“As whirlwinds in the South pass through, so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land. A grievous vision is declared unto me: the treacherous dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, Elam [Persia]! besiege, Media [Babylon, or that which Babylon caused]! All the sighing thereof have I made to cease. Therefore are my loins filled with pain; anguish hath taken hold upon me, as the anguish of a woman in travail: I am bowed down [at the report, dismayed at the sight]. My heart panteth, horror affrighteth me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into trembling unto me.
“Prepare the table, appoint the watch; eat, drink: arise, ye princes, anoint the shield.
“For thus hath the Lord said unto me: Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. And he saw chariots [a cavalcade], horsemen by pairs, a chariot with [cavalry on] asses, a chariot with [cavalry on] camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed. And he cried as a lion, Lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights. And behold, there cometh a chariot of men; horsemen by pairs. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground. 0 my threshing, and the corn of my floor! What I have heard of Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you” (Isa. 21:1-101The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land. 2A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. 3Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it. 4My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me. 5Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield. 6For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. 7And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed: 8And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights: 9And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground. 10O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you. (Isaiah 21:1‑10) JND).
Hell—the Lake of Fire
A lake is a figure that suggests confinement; it receives what comes in, but has no exit. A lake of fire is judgment from which there is no escape.
The rich man in the eternal confinement of hell gives us a picture of one who had everything during his life—making good cheer in splendor every day. But he was ungodly, he left God out.
“The rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence” Luke 16:22-2622And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. (Luke 16:22‑26). (See also Prov. 1:24-3324Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: 30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 32For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 33But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. (Proverbs 1:24‑33); Isa. 66:3-43He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. 4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. (Isaiah 66:3‑4).)
Let us be reminded that we are living in serious days. May we search our hearts as to our state of soul in view of our destiny.
Dear friend, are you sure that in your heart you have believed in Jesus as your Saviour? Is He precious to you each day? Do His things come first in your life, or does He have to fit into your plans? Are you looking each day for the Saviour?
“Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:22-2322Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22‑23)).
Abraham and the Life of Faith
Abraham’s life gives the believer a pattern for walking by faith. Abraham was given no commands or rebukes as to his everyday walk through this world. Communion took care of everything. He lived in the presence of God with a tent and an altar. Without communion, dear believer, your life will be a complete ruin. We are dependent creatures. We are not sufficient for ourselves.
Abraham had nothing in this world, yet he was promised the entire land of Israel (Gen. 13:1515For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. (Genesis 13:15)). He had faith and hope, and God was his reward.
Abraham did not do right when he lied and spoke of his wife as his sister to the king of Egypt. But God did not rebuke him. Later he met Abimelech and told him that his wife was his sister. This too was wrong. Upon discovering the truth, Abimelech rebuked Abraham. Abraham learned the lesson without a direct rebuke from God (Gen. 20:99Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. (Genesis 20:9)).
Is this the kind of life you wish to live, a life of constant communion with your ways corrected by the circumstances God allows and not by rebuke? Does your love go out to Christ because He first loved you? Perhaps you are still without Christ, without hope? When the Lord comes for His own, will you be there? Or will you be among the masses who received not the love of the truth?
Have you counted the cost of being consigned forever where you would have nothing but your conscience and your memory, which will constantly bring your entire life before you. Your faculty for memory will be perfect then. This is to go into hell, “into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their [your] worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:43-4443And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:43‑44)).
How awful for you if you discover that it is too late to be saved—forever lost, with no one to comfort you as you lay among the eternal flames of God’s wrath—the most awful that man ever has or ever will see or know. Is this what you want? Be sure you make this decision now before it is forever too late. God is not asking for perfection, only for your heart.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation [judgment]; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)).
We trust that these thoughts have served to awaken not only the reader but also the writer. May God bless His Word to our souls in order that our hearts may be watching and waiting till Jesus comes for us to take us to His own home.
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