As the rivers increase in size and importance with their increase in length, so do the events in the history of this world. Year by year finds them increasingly full of interest. Everything is heading up. Things are assuming new and strange forms. Many feel that significant, foreboding events are at hand.
Why is this? It is, we believe, because the greatest of all events now facing men is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this world. He has been here before. We have all heard of the perfect, sinless life of love and goodness He led here on earth--a life never before lived or known among men. We also know how men rewarded Him for it, how they crucified Him, hanging Him between two criminals. We have learned, too, how He came forth triumphant in resurrection three days later, and ascended back to heaven, from where He had come.
Before going back, however, He left testimony about His return in its two aspects. First the Lord Himself will descend from heaven to rapture every true believer to the clouds of glory, to meet Him and be with Him forever. Then Christ will return to the earth itself, a return no more in suffering and shame as before, but now in power, judgment, and glory, and accompanied by the hosts of heaven.
It is that great event which is now facing the world. The world has continued to be His enemy, though He has given it about two thousand years to repent of its deeds toward Him. It has shed the blood of His servants, despised His true followers, and denied all His claims. Now, even those who profess His Name are in multitudes turning traitors to Him--Judas-like kissing Him for the sake of money--and, like the world, putting Him to shame.
The end of His patience is at hand. He is about to return. Reader, are you on His side or the world's side? Are you washed from your sins by His blood or trampling upon it and sealing your doom?
These words may seem like idle tales to you. The wonderful patience of God may embolden and harden your heart, but you might as well try to stop the course of time as to avoid meeting the return of Jesus. If you are not a believer in Him, you will be left behind to face the terrible judgments of God upon this Christ-rejecting world. "The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from ... the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Revelation 6:15-17).
Thus great and small, rich and poor, weak and powerful--all who have not bowed their knees to Jesus the Saviour now will bow them to Jesus the Judge at the final Great White Throne judgment. "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:11-15).
Oh, reader, love must plead with you once more. Are you ready for the greatest of all events--the coming of Christ? Are you a friend, a lover, a worshipper of Jesus? Have you seen your need of Him and trusted in Him, who died for your sins, as your Saviour? If not, now is your opportunity. Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation. Tomorrow is the day of judgment.
--P.J.L.
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on Him" (John 3:36).
