Extract from an Address.
NOTHING can be more solemn than what Scripture teaches concerning eternal union and eternal separation, in connection with the Lord’s coming. This blessed hope is associated with the most uniting idea in Scripture. In this present life we see the Lord’s dear children separated, rent asunder, and torn, and often manifesting little interest, little sympathy; seldom, perhaps, giving themselves to prayer for one another. There is now little putting of arms round each other’s necks, little embracing of one another, little of the tender-heartedness which characterized the saints of old. But all this will be changed at the Lord’s coming. All those who are Christ’s―however separated now―will be then drawn together to meet the Lord in the air. Then we shall live as we ought to live, and love as we ought to love. Whatever we do now imperfectly, we shall then do well-pleasing in His sight. However ignorant now, we shall know even as we are known then. We shall be perfectly joined together. How blessed!
But connected with this truth of saints being united, there is also a most alarming certainty of separation, in relation to the coming of the Lord Jesus. Those who are caught up and brought into the sphere of eternal blessing are limited to those who are Christ’s. The Scripture is very decisive. It does not include all those who are religious; it does not say those who have been regular in going to church or chapel; no, it does not say any such thing. It says, “they that are Christ’s at His coming;” whoever or wherever they may be. Many who may hold high once here, and be considered most religious and devout people, if they be not Christ’s, their nakedness will be made manifest, their foul state will be laid bare, every mask will be removed, and it will be made known that he who was not with Christ has been really against Him. It will then be found, perhaps, that there were no such enemies of Christ as mere empty professors. We sometimes feel as if drawing near to the close of working on earth; but of all things our earnest desire is, that God would keep us from making mere professors― sowing tares; for it is most distinctly the work of Satan. I know there are many who think that they ought to make people tares first, and that then they will more easily be turned into wheat. I cannot see that in Scripture; I see that sowing tares is there declared to be the work of the wicked one. What we should desire to live for is, that Christ may be magnified, His saints blessed, and souls brought to the Saviour, that He. may be glorified. Therefore, if there be a person here who has not received the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, I beseech him now to bow down to Him, and own Him as his Saviour and his Master.
These are the true marks of a real Christian: ―he owns Christ as his Saviour, and also as his Master. “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” is the language of the soul that has received Christ as his Saviour. Therefore, as the time must come when you will be either forever with Christ, or forever banished from His presence, I pray you, listen to this truth. When Jesus comes, as I have said, it will be connected with either eternal union in glory, or eternal separation. In that moment, the wife who believes will be forever taken from the husband who believes not, or the believing husband from the unbelieving wife. I entreat you now, while it is the accepted time and the day of salvation, to solemnly think of these things, in the presence of God. I earnestly beseech you, as poor, lost, guilty, perishing sinners, who can do nothing in the flesh to please God―who have a nature that is not subject to God, and never can be―I entreat you to come, just as you are, to the blessed Lord Jesus Christ, ―that blessed, risen Saviour, in the glory, who still says, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.” But, oh, if you still reject Him, remember, if He comes tonight, you will be left behind to perish with the wicked. I entreat you, while God is preaching peace by Jesus Christ, that you refuse not―that you turn not away from this blessed, sinner-loving Jesus, at God’s right hand, who delighteth in mercy, and who is able to save to the uttermost, and who still says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” May God bless you, dear friends, so that you may escape the coming wrath, and not be among that unhappy number who will knock when it is too late; who will believe only after the door is shut; and who will hear the Lord’s voice, filling them with unutterable anguish and despair, saying, “Depart from Me:” “I never knew you.”
Those of you who are in Christ, who love and honor His dear Name, but who have not hitherto been looking for His coming, may the light of God’s revealed truth so shine into your souls, that you may begin from this moment to cry, “Come, Lord Jesus;” because He says, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am there ye may be also.”