Dear Reader,
Are you aware that today is the day of salvation, and that there is an acceptable time? If you have not yet given your life to Christ it is important that you do. Each individual has been given this one lifetime to prepare for the heavenly kingdom. Yes! The God of our salvation has given you and I this amazing opportunity in this very life to repent and to ensure that after this present life, there will be an ever joyful, peaceful home in Heaven for you. The scriptures say: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9. Yet so many are not seizing this moment, not wanting to relinquish their grasp on pleasure seeking, on gaiety—so many, so many are gone or going to a Christless grave.
Oh dear one, do not be a spiritual statistic, where countless human beings who did not grasp the opportunity now have a case pending at the bar of God where judgment is, or will be, final. There, indelibly chronicled beside each name will be the words: “weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” What a terrible thing it will be to be outside forever; worse yet, to suffer the punishment of hell in the lake of fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. Today, you are oblivious to this fact but when it is all said and done, when the gaiety is over, it will be too late. Says the preacher, “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” Ecclesiastes: 11:9. No less a serious message to the professors of Christianity, where the judgment of God first begins: Cautions Peter, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17
Below is a stark parable, a fitting symbol used by Christ in His effort to unfold the importance of developing character, mete for the kingdom—before one passes from this life—a grave lesson.
We read: “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
“And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from thence.
“Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Luke 16:19–31
Clearly there is indeed no repentance in the grave. While many use this to denote that one goes to Hell immediately after they pass from this life. The Bible does not support this and Christ’s parabolic use of it was to open to view an object lesson on building for eternity. To be sure, it is only after the great white throne judgment will men and women be cast into outer darkness for ever. The question is, what side of the gulf will you be on? It merits ponder—more than that it merits making your calling and election sure.
Let us momentarily look at this illustration! One went to paradise and the other to perdition. The question is: In life, did they both have the same opportunity? Yes, they both had the same opportunity in their sphere. Each case was being tested for the works done in their bodies, whether good or bad—unwittingly a record was being kept. The God of heaven who is no respecter of persons deals with us according to the standard of His Law. The rich man was not there because he was rich; he knew of God’s all-encompassing goodness but he willed to serve himself—he failed to fulfil his duty to his fellowman, thus failing to obey God’s commandment of love.
How is your standing? There is a true story of a woman who had a dream. She dreamt that she was at the entrance of heaven. She was told that she could not enter because she did not love. She was sent back with these words. “Go back and learn how to love.”
Oh, dear friend, God is not a dictator; having given us the tools, He leaves us to live our lives, to make choices. He often lays opportunities in our paths, often speaks to our consciences. He sent us His good word. We have the signs and wonders, the miracles of Christ. He leads often providentially—yea, what else can He do? He gives us yet a will—we can therefore will to serve Him or will to serve Him not; of which the outcome is determined by decisions made in the life. Today, the question begs to be asked: Are you using this opportunity in this acceptable time? Do you realize that your benevolence to God and to man is what will determine where you will spend eternity? Why? It is because love is the fulfilling of the law. Finally, do you know that a record is being chronicled of your life as well? You may wonder that your case is a far cry from that of the rich man; but, what is being written by the recording angel of your case?
The focus in the parable was on the rich man’s final outcome—an expressive object lesson! Sadly, no advocate was there to plead his case, a dismal outlook—a bar of no appeal—dismissed! “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink. . . . Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not unto Me. . . . and these shall go away into everlasting punishment” (Matthew 25:41–42, 45–46), to suffer in torment of unyielding agony—never to have another opportunity; never to see your loved ones who are saved; never to have pleasures forever more in the eternal kingdom—a sad end. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27. Says the scriptures in a certain place: “Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into Thy righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.” Psalms 69:27–28
To be sure, none has ever returned and cautioned; none can repent for their loved one, and even worse yet, no amount of money, as many are told to do, can get one out of what is so-called purgatory, says the word of God. “Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD. . . . They shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, they only shall be delivered themselves.” Ezekiel 14:14, 18. Saddened, many a loved one know they have no power to wrench their loved one out, as death, who is never satisfied, takes another soul into its clasp. Says the scriptures: “So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. . . . His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.” Job 14:12, 21
In the case of those who die in the present truth—while their loved ones and friends gather they know that that individual has sealed his fate, whether for weal or for woe, and prayer is no longer warranted. After the last song, they close the hymnal and leave—only eternity will tell. The individual now lost to memory; lost to even know that their loved ones came. “The living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing,” says the word of God, “there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10
We can safely say no one is cast out into outer darkness without having first been pointed to the way, the truth, and the life. The fact that he cried, “Father Abraham,” gives a clear indication that he was not a heathen. How about you? Have you heard the word preached to you over and over and you shrug it off? Continuing in a life of sin? Have you, from time to time, heard the Spirit speaking to you, and you shut Him out? Oh, to realize that this is a serious matter. Ponder. Where will you spend eternity? God is not mocked.
Yet this God of love wishes that no one should perish but that all should come to repentance. His question continues to resound “Why will you die? He concludes: “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth…wherefore turn yourselves and live ye.” Ezekiel 18:31-32
He is a God of mercy—when Moses asked Him to show him His glory, declared: “I will make all My goodness pass before thee. . . . The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” Exodus 33:19; 34:6
Will you accept this invitation today to make your calling and election sure? Will you? He has done all He can. He has given His only son that “whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. This is the acceptable time—now, take advantage of it while you are alive and able. Says the word of God in another book of the Bible: “Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee.” Isaiah 49:8
On the other hand, if you die in the LORD you are called “Blessed”. Says the inspired John the Revelator: “Blessed are the dead which die in the LORD. . . . Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13. Their graves are marked by the angel and when that day comes, he, along with the living redeemed will hear that trumpet-tone call and will arise to meet their LORD in the air; whereas the wicked, after they arise to see the Redeemer, will again be put down until that great white throne judgment.
Dear Reader, truly the door of mercy is still open; none know how soon this door will close. Will you take heed? “To day if ye will hear His voice, Harden not your heart.” Psalm 95:7–8. The door of mercy, as it were, the window of opportunity is closing fast—like in Noah’s day, there came a time when the door of the ark closed—the acceptable time past. Points the scriptures from a prophet view: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jeremiah 8:20
Am I fear-mongering? Not at all! You only need to look at the narrative again. In this object lesson if the rich man had an opportunity he would grab it. On realizing that he no longer had the opportunity, he wished someone would tell his relatives that, whatever you do, stay away from this place. He was essentially saying they need to mend their ways while they are able. Read this again! Here:
“Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Luke 16:24–31
Today God’s word is with us. No other word will be furnished; no stronger signal will be given. It still has effect. Thus saith the word of God: “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?” Hebrews 2:1–4
Friend, today there is one being, and one being only, that can save you! Jesus Christ. He died the death for you. He who had no sin became sin for us. He paid sin’s wages—the second death. It was so bad that, “God suffered with His Son. . . . Could mortals have viewed the amazement of the angelic host as in silent grief they watched the Father separating His beams of light, love, and glory from His beloved Son, they would better understand how offensive in His sight is sin. “ –The Desire of Ages, p. 693
Affirms the word of God: “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him”. 2 Corinthians 5:21. Truly, He who knew no sin became sin for us. He got what we deserved, now He is offering to us what He deserved. He knows, though, that there is an acceptable time. At the beginning of His earthly mission He cried: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed Me to preach good tidings to the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives. . . . and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18–19
Oh that God is love. He demonstrated it on the cross. The death of His only begotten Son brings eternal life. You only need to say: “Lord have mercy upon me a sinner.” Call upon Him in this acceptable time, in this day of salvation, while mercy lingers, while the Holy Spirit still pleads. What do you have to do? “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38), affirms the word of God. In the case of those who once received Him and were baptized, return to the Lord and He will abundantly pardon.
Rose Powell