THESE were the words of a man to whom I was speaking about his soul’s salvation twelve months ago in the market-place of the town of B―.
“That is what you say,” I replied, “but God has said, ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts.’ You say when you are dead you are done with; now listen to what God says in His word:― ‘It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,’ (Heb. 9:27); and again, We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10.); and again, ‘As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.’” (Rom. 14:11, 12.)
Reader, have you given in your account to God? God is holy, and you are unclean. God is righteous and you are guilty. Will you meet Him now in your sins and guilt, or are you waiting for the judgment-day? That day, when it comes, will be a day of terror and wrath. God and the sinner will then meet, but in judgment. In that day the lake of fire will be unveiled, and everyone who has despised and neglected this great salvation will be cast into it. O Christless soul, beware! that awful doom may not be far distant.
God “now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30, 31.)
How many there are who, like the man of whom I have spoken, think that when they are dead they are done with, who are speeding down the broad road that leadeth to destruction, blinded by their unbelief, deceived by the devil, as to a matter which concerns their eternal welfare! Oh, my reader, I solemnly warn you of these tremendous realities―sin, death, and judgment. J. S.N.