The Time Is Short

From: Echoes of Grace: 1972

• 1 min. read • grade level: 7

THESE QUAINT lines are found on an old clock in a village square.

Time's on the wing, how swift he speeds his way,
Hastening to sink in one eternal day.
Pause, passing traveler, what thy destiny,
When death unveils a vast eternity?
Live then to Christ; in Christ eternal gain;
No Christ, no hope, but everlasting pain.

They speak a word of warning to all who are unsaved.

"The time is short." 1 Cor. 7:29²⁹But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; (1 Corinthians 7:29).

"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and bath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are... depart from Me all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Luke 13:24-28²⁴Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ²⁵When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: ²⁶Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. ²⁷But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. ²⁸There 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 13:24‑28).

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

John 3:14, 15¹⁴And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: ¹⁵That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14‑15)

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