The government of Canada once made an offer of amnesty to all illegal aliens. Over one million dollars was spent to invite one and all to come forward and apply for legal permission to remain in the country. It was a sixty-day, last chance, “all-is-forgiven” offer, and about fifty thousand came forward to accept it. Around four thousand applied at the eleventh hour.
One man came just 15 minutes before the deadline. “Now I’m free. I’m happy. I don’t have to hide!” he exclaimed.
HE CAME IN TIME!
Years ago when there had been a rebellion in northern Scotland, King William III made a proclamation that all who came and took the oath of allegiance by December 31 should be pardoned.
The proud chief of one clan decided to return with the rest of the rebels, but resolved that he would be the very last one to take the oath. So he delayed his journey until December 29—just two days before the offer expired.
A snowstorm came up; his travel was slower than he had expected, and before he arrived to take the oath and receive the pardon, the time was past. While others were set free, the clan leader was miserably put to death.
HE CAME TOO LATE!
He started too late and arrived too late. In the same way many people today are in danger of losing forever the amnesty of the gospel. Many are going to be forever too late.
Remember the fatal mistake that the clan leader made! Come to Christ now.
“Now is the
accepted time . . .
now is the day of salvation.”
2 Corinthians 6:2