No one in the least degree familiar with the teaching of the Holy Scriptures can have the smallest doubt of one thing, and that is that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming again. That He is coming again to judge the world, none but an avowed infidel will deny, and every creed in Christendom acknowledges.
It seems to be so far away in the dim future—that multitudes of people are content to run the risk of being unprepared for that solemn and awful event, in the vague hope that somewhere between this and the hour of death they may be made fit to stand the terrible ordeal.
Before the Lord Jesus will appear to judge the world He will come to take His people to heaven. It is not our purpose in this paper to enter into the Scripture proof of this latter remark—it has been so frequently and abundantly done elsewhere—but we would state the fact again with all the emphasis of firm conviction.
Ever since the gracious Lord of the harvest sent us forth to preach the glad tidings of salvation in this world of perishing sinners, it has been our happy privilege to sound abroad the midnight cry, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!” Yes, we have known this truth, held it as a doctrine, and preached it as an all-important part of that whole counsel of God which no servant of Christ should ever shun to declare. We have preached it, moreover, as an event which might at any moment take place, but we never before realized so vividly as we do now that the Lord indeed draweth very nigh.
We do not attempt to fix dates. All these vain and presumptuous speculations we leave to others. “Of that day and hour knoweth no man” is the clear utterance of the Word of God. But, for all that, we believe that His coming is very rapidly drawing nigh.
Everything points to this, whether in the church or in the world; and we feel compelled once more to sound the alarm and to urge upon all our readers the immense importance, nay, the imperative necessity of being ready. “They that were ready,” and they only, “went in,” and “the door was shut.”
Reader, are you ready?
If not, came at once as a poor, lost and guilty sinner to the Lord Jesus Christ; trust Him for salvation, own your need of cleansing in His precious blood, and accept on the spot the forgiveness which God is now offering to every one who believes in His Son.
The world will not come to an end when the Lord Jesus comes into the clouds to take His people to heaven (1 Thess. 4). No, no, every child of God, whether dead or alive, will be “caught up... to meet the Lord in the air,” but the world will continue its course, and many things of the most solemn import will take place on the earth after the removal of the church.
But will the world see the saints being “caught up”? This is a question often asked, and we believe that the Scriptures imply that none shall see it actually taking place. Will it not be in the twinkling of an eye?
But of this we feel sure, that the world will soon become aware of the fact that the church is gone. People will be missing in every direction.
Panics there have been from time to time in the history of this world. When epidemics have swept a country and hurried thousands into a premature grave, Men have been seized with alarm. But the day following the coming of the Lord we can easily believe that the most awful panic that has ever been known will take possession of those that are left behind.
Let the reader for one moment consider. Steamers, will be crossing the ocean; on board, many of those we are personally acquainted with, in some instances Christian captains and officers, and in others Christian seamen and firemen. Imagine the alarm when it becomes known, as it would in an instant of time, that all these were missing from their posts, some of the passengers, too, along with them! Again, we are acquainted with not a few converted engineers. There goes an express train; when in one moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the engineer is “caught up” from his post, and the train speeds on to its destruction!
But these are isolated cases. Think what must be the despair that will seize hold of the human breast when news of similar disasters will come from every direction and quick as electricity can convey the intelligence, from every quarter of the earth, the tidings come pouring in that men, women, and children are missing, and that not in twos or threes, but in multitudes!
The world will, so to speak, reel to and fro with fright, terrified crowds will probably rush to the churches and chapels and cry for mercy to the One whose mercy they had so long slighted and despised. Business of every kind will for the moment be suspended and everything be at a standstill.
“Afterward,” yes, afterward, mark this solemn word! “Afterward, came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.” After those that were ready had gone in; after the door was shut; “afterward,” when it was too late! O, that terrible word “afterward.”
Reader, let it not be in your case that you will come “afterward,” when the door is shut. Come now while it is open, and while the blessed Saviour invites you and stands ready to bless and receive you.