Eternity – The Dying Man

MY DEAR FRIEND, I want to say a word to you. You are on a journey, and every breath you draw, whether walking, sleeping, attending to your business, pleasure-seeking, or whatever you may be about— every breath you draw is but one step nearer the end of your journey— Eternity . Then let me ask you, with a real concern for your soul, Where will you spend Eternity? Oh do not forget that eternity is before you! In the early morn, in the glowing noontide, in the calm evening, in the dark night, Eternity is before you! Oh, my dear friend, if you have never thought of this before, think of it now— Eternity! Eternity! Eternity!!

A farmer had been prospered, and had been able in the meridian of his life to lay by a competency, and so he made arrangements to move into a neighboring city with his family, and enjoy his substance. But just as he had completed his arrangements, God, whom he had left out of his plans, spoke to him. A fever laid hold of the poor man, and nothing could be done. His physicians gave him up, and then he was brought face to face with eternity. During the last three days of his life, he lay tossing on his bed, and there was only one word escaped his lips, and that was Eternity! And so he passed away. But oh that the echo from that deathbed might arouse thee! Oh, sinner, listen to that word, Eternity! Eternity! Eternity!!! Again I ask you, Where will you spend eternity?

But I have another word for you: That poor man on his death-bed found out that though he had left God out of his life, still the time came when he had to do with God. You have to do with God! You are trying to hide yourself from God, but you cannot do it. You will find out, like Hagar, that God is the Living and Seeing God. And be sure of this: Your Sin Will Find You Out —if not now, in eternity! If you do not get in the light of God's presence now, you must then. Oh, poor soul, do not put off salvation—do not delay. God! Eternity! Your Sins! Poor sinner, what will you do?

Now listen to the glad tidings of God, against whom you have sinned—“God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Oh, what blessed news! God loved, God gave. He saw you in your ruin. You had no love for Him. You had nothing but your sins, and so He loved and He gave, and now all that God asks you to do is to own your ruin, own your need, and to receive the gift He offers. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” He, God's Son, has finished the work of salvation, and now you can be saved by receiving the work mfinished by another. My dear friend, this is God's salvation. Will you take it? —J.J.S.

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