1. When the World's on Fire

   Harold Brenneman

   Telechaje

FRIENDS, let us face the facts! This world is heading for a terrible day. God has forewarned us and provided a way of escape. If we make the mistake of not being ready, it will be our own fault.

“The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).

Such unheard of, untold fury will be hurled out of Heaven as to make men cry for rocks and mountains to fall on them to hide them. John describes the vision of that day as God gave it: “And, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black … and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, … and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Revelation 6:12-17).

Oh, friend—who shall be able to stand?

There’s no hiding place in that day of awful and terrible uncovering of sin. There is only one place of safety for that day: Jesus Christ. There is only one covering for sin: blood; and only one blood that can atone for our sins: the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.

When your house is on fire you flee to safety, but where will you flee when the world’s on fire? You could lay plans from now on for a million years and never be able to prepare yourself for that awful time.

Why will men be such fools as to attempt their own salvation? And all the more so when God has provided salvation free to all men? Will you increase His wrath upon you by turning away His offer of mercy and pardon? Will you try to improve upon the wisdom of God Almighty? He who made you, spirit, soul, and body—does He not know you far better than psychiatrist, philosopher, or you yourself? Is the Almighty’s verdict about man, sin, and judgment unreliable?

Friend, be sane enough to face the facts. Terrible indeed is the thought of our guilt before God and our just condemnation which already hangs over every responsible creature. But all the more glorious is the Good News of a way out! Indeed, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Listen to the Good News of salvation: God has declared pardon for us guilty sinners because Jesus Christ gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. He is our Saviour. His blood was shed as witness that He gave His life a ransom for us. He is even now at the right hand of God as our lawyer, our advocate.

But there will be no lawyer on the Judgment Day! Christ will then be the Judge, judging righteously. Neither angels, men, nor devil will accuse Him of unjust judgment. Will the Judge of all the earth find your name in the book of life? Will you be standing with the redeemed who “washed their robes … white in the blood of the Lamb”? Or, will you hear: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels”?

Oh, what fool would not accept pardon in view of such dire consequences! Come to the Saviour now while He is your lawyer; in the Day of Judgment it will be too late. “Repent and believe.” Throw in your old life, your old self; surrender to God’s verdict; own your guilt, accept God’s pardon, rejoice in His mercy, receive your Saviour, let the Holy Spirit live in you. Then you will look forward with joy and not with dread to meeting God.

— Harold Brenneman, adapted

Christian Light Publications, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Phone (540) 434-0768.

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English

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Harold Brenneman

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Christian Light Publications

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