A rich young man once visited a mine, and a miner was given him as a guide so that he could see through it. The deeper they went down into the mine, the hotter it became. At last they were both bathed in perspiration.
“O,” cried the young man with a curse, “it is terribly hot here. I would like to know how far it is from here to hell.” “I cannot tell you the exact distance,” said the miner, “but if the rope of the shaft in which we are traveling breaks, then you will be there in one minute!”
This unexpected answer became the means, in the goodness of God, of that young man being saved. He saw that judgment was before him, and ne turned to God in repentance and received Christ as His Saviour.
Perhaps you, dear reader, have spoken lightly about hell. It has become a common thing today to hear people joke about it, as this young man did. But we warn you that hell is a solemn reality, and those who now find themselves in that awful place have put aside their laughing and joking forever, for there is only “weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth” to be heard there.
You may have heard it said, and even preached, that there is no hell, but God says there is, and He knows. Do not be deceived by the modern false prophets who are prophesying “smooth things” to please their hearers. God warns you in love because He does not want you to go to that place of eternal torment. He has provided a Saviour for you — the very Saviour you need. His blood can wash away all your sin, and His Word will remove all fear of coming judgment if you will come to Him — the blessed Lord Jesus Christ — today, and be saved.
Do not go on blindly laughing about hell, nor trying to forget or deny it, but accept Christ as your Saviour now, and you will be saved from hell and saved for heaven, this very moment. Your portion will then be “everlasting life” instead of “everlasting punishment.”
“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; 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).
ML 08/25/1953