When we hear of catastrophes, earthquakes, floods, airplane crashes-disasters of all kinds-we are shocked at the loss of so many human lives. But the greatest tragedy is for someone to die who could have been saved!
The judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah was terrible. Suddenly all the inhabitants were destroyed by fire and brimstone falling from heaven. Lot warned his family, but “he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.” And they died, although they could have been saved.
How desperately the people must have fought to save their lives! But Jesus said long after, “The flood came, and took them all away.”
Was that the greatest tragedy? No, what was worse was the fact that they had had the opportunity of salvation before their eyes for one hundred and twenty years, but they let the Lord Himself close the door of the ark without ever having used it.
We must see this clearly. According to the law of the Bible, “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:1010As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10)). But God, in His great love with which He has loved us, sent His Son-Jesus Christ-and accomplished the greatest thing in the history of mankind. He brought forth salvation when He shed His blood for your sins and mine on Calvary’s cross. Not only did He die, but He also rose from the dead for our justification.
Now you can avoid the greatest tragedy. For almost 2000 years God has caused the gospel of Jesus Christ to be preached throughout the world. The appeal is going out even to this day: “We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:2020Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)).
The commission of the church of Jesus Christ on earth will soon reach its conclusion. The events which are taking place before our eyes fulfill so precisely the prophetic word that even the simple cannot fail to see that we are living in the last times.
The question now is, Have you accepted God’s offer of mercy? Have you received the Lord Jesus, who shed His blood for your sins, as your own personal Savior? Are you saved for eternity? Perhaps you will say, “No,” or, “I don’t know.” Then you are in danger of the greatest tragedy.
What is that? You will be eternally lost wood such tragedy and come to Jesus this very day. The Bible says in Isa. 55:66Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: (Isaiah 55:6), “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.”
If there is darkness in your heart, if you are tormented by the thought of your past failures and sins, if your conscience is sin-burdened, you are being offered in Jesus Christ full forgiveness and a glorious salvation. Jesus said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
If you are reading this and know that this means you, then go down on your knees now and call on God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Tell Him in truth and repentance, “Yes, Lord Jesus, I accept you as my Savior and Redeemer.” You will avert the greatest tragedy in your life, namely, to be lost forever when you could have been eternally saved.
Of those in Noah’s day, it is said that they “knew not.” Of those in Lot’s time, the Bible says, “He seemed as one that mocked.”
What do you say?