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Gospel Brochure, Ivory, Large Print, 14-Point Type
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Designed by the elite in marine engineering, built by the best in the business, and crewed by the cream of the White Star Line, this new ship incorporates the very latest advances in science and technology and features every modern convenience to ensure you the ultimate in comfort and safety.
Welcome aboard. Thank you for sailing with us.
Enjoy your voyage.
Edward J. Smith, Captain
What you see on the front of this brochure is a simulation of a Boarding Pass for the Titanic. For many, the original was a genuine ticket to death.
It has now been about 100 years since the passengers and crew of the famous and ill-fated Titanic set out from Southampton, England—bound for New York, USA—with very high expectations. For a few days, all went well. Then, disaster! The ship struck an iceberg in the dead of night and sank in less than three hours—and more than two-thirds of the 2224 people who had been aboard went down with the ship.
The welcome message on the Boarding Pass is not historical, but it might well have been. It expresses the unjustified optimism and misplaced trust which many had in the Titanic and which has both characterized and disappointed so many people for thousands of years.
They make elaborate plans. They set out with great expectations—only to meet with disappointment, or worse. How many of the Titanic passengers would have abandoned the ship before it sailed had they known what you know—that the ship was doomed? But, they didn’t know. They believed what they had read and had heard. And, had they heard otherwise, would they have believed it?
Now, friend, please hear this:
This world is a doomed ship—just as certainly as the Titanic!
Men have tried their best and done their worst. Many today are desperately occupied with trying to improve a world which they recognize is in very bad shape and getting worse. Scientists, politicians and religious leaders abound with suggestions, and many around us are making frantic efforts to plug the holes and to paint the ship. Others are just as desperately pursuing passing pleasures—apparently indifferent to current conditions and to coming catastrophe. All are doomed.
By sin:
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. … Destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace they have not known. … All have sinned and, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:10-12, 16-17, 23.
Because of sin, this world, and everybody in it, faces judgment:
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at: but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because He hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He raised Him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31.
The Titanic did not have adequate lifeboats and there was no help at hand when the ship went down. But, because Jesus died and rose again, there is hope, and immediate help:
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” “Christ died for our sins … and rose again.” Romans 5:8, 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Just as the radio-operators on the Titanic sent out an SOS (Save Our Souls) call for help, so you, my friend, may call upon God for salvation:
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13
Those who trusted the Titanic and its promoters were disappointed. Many of them were doomed. The Lord Jesus Christ cannot fail and will never disappoint you. He is worthy of your trust. Today.
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” John 14:6
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
(This article is one of a series of Gospel Brochures and is also available as a full-color Gospel Tract, BTP #2136)