A short time ago I overheard a conversation between two young men. The subject was death. In view of the intense solemnity of such a subject, I was shocked at the light and careless way in which they discussed it.
"I don't worry about death," said the one. "What does it matter whether I live a month more or less? I would rather die at once than spend a month in sickness.”
"You have overlooked one thing," I remarked. "What is that?" said he.
"Once to die, but after this the judgment," I replied.
"But I don't believe in anything after death.”
"That may be; but refusal to believe in anything after death doesn't in the smallest degree alter the fact that when you die you must meet a holy God in judgment. God said it! If you are wise you will believe it; furthermore, you will not rest until you are ready for it.”
How many there are who, like this young man, are speeding down the broad road to hell, blinded by their unbelief, and deceived by the devil as to a matter which concerns their soul's eternal welfare! Oh, my reader, I do solemnly warn you of these three tremendous realities-death, judgment and hell! I heed not your assertions of unbelief. God loves your soul, and your immortal soul's salvation is at stake.
Fleeting time is taking you with rapid strides to the first appointment-death. You may soon reach the grave. But remember, "The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth." John 5:2828Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, (John 5:28).
Whose voice is this; my reader? The voice of the Son of man to whom has been given authority to execute judgment (John 5:2727And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. (John 5:27)). It is the voice of Him who has been lifted up upon the cross, "that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:1515That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15).
Ah, yes! All those eyes sealed in death, who are slumbering amid the dark caverns of the tomb, shall hear His voice, and shall come forth, they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. Listen to these terribly solemn words: "I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Rev. 20:1212And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:12). Reader, will you form part of this ghastly throng? See them as they start from their graves—their unbelief forever gone, as they find themselves before the great white throne, and hear their awful doom pronounced: for "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
But listen still: the voice that then will speak in righteous judgment, now speaks to you in tenderest love and grace. Hear His own words, and may the Spirit of God apply them to you this moment in soul-saving power: "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 [or 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).