Here are some miners’ huts, built hurriedly many years ago. We have all heard stories of landslides in mines, with their sad endings of many lives lost, but rarely do we ever hear of a message left that softens the sorrow of it.
Sometime ago a number of miners were busy working in one of the deep passages, when suddenly a landslide came rushing onto them. They were immediately cut off from all help or any possibility of getting back to the mine’s entrance.
Several of these miners were Christians and knew the Lord as their Saviour. Without a doubt, they began to take advantage of the few moments left that separated them from eternity, to plead with their comrades. Indeed, they left the written proof that they had not died without hope.
When the rescuers were finally able to reach them, they had all been dead a long time, but they found a board beside them. There they had traced these words, more eloquent than any speecs, “All ready for heaven.”
What had happened in the pit, far from others, when the moments of these victims were numbered, God alone knows! In His grace He allowed these poor workers to leave a little testimony. It was at the same time, the confession of their decision for eternity, and also a striking warning for the boys and girls who read these words, “All ready for heaven.”
Dear young friend, time flies. Be sure that you also are ready for heaven. “For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:1414Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:14).
You cannot be sure that you will have an opportunity at the last, as these men did, but God offers you salvation NOW. This may be your last opportunity. If you wish to be ready for heaven, you must be saved in God’s way. It is useless to trust in your own works or in your church. God’s Word plainly declares that we are all sinners, lost sinners, and if we would enter heaven, we must have our sins blotted out. Since God is holy He must punish sin, but in His great love He sent His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to settle the question of sin. Now He has died as the Sin-bearer, risen again and is seated at the right hand of God in heaven from whence He offers a full and free pardon to “whosoever will.”
ML 03/25/1956