We have no time to lose. We know not how
soon our probation may close. Eternity stretches before us. The
curtain is about to be lifted. Christ is soon to come. The angels
of God are seeking to attract us from ourselves and from earthly
things. Let them not labor in vain.
When Jesus rises up in the most holy place,
lays off His mediatorial robes, and clothes Himself with the
garments of vengeance, the mandate will go forth: "He that
is unjust, let him be unjust still: . . . and he that is righteous,
let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy
still. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me,
to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation
22:11, 12.
A storm is coming, relentless in its fury.
Are we prepared to meet it?
We need not say: The perils of the last
days are soon to come upon us. Already they have come. We need
now the sword of the Lord to cut to the very soul and marrow
of fleshly lusts, appetites, and passions.
Minds that have been given up to loose thought
need to change. "Girding up the loins of your mind, be sober
and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought
unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as children of obedience,
not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the
time of your ignorance: but like as He who called you is holy,
be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it
is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy." I Peter 1:13-16,
A. R. V. The thoughts must be centered upon God. Now is the time
to put forth earnest effort to overcome the natural tendencies
of the carnal heart.
Our efforts, our self-denial, our perseverance,
must be proportionate to the infinite value of the object of
which we are in pursuit. Only by overcoming as Christ overcame
shall we win the crown of life.