the Fourth Week after Easter
Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
Little children, it is the last time. 1 John 2:18. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Hebrews 10:37. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2
Thus the apostles think and speak of the coming of the Lord. They never considered themselves safe, but watched day and night and kept themselves ever ready to receive Him. If "the last time" commenced over eighteen hundred years ago, how can much of it be left? Who can count on the fraction of a second? How, according to the admonition in 2 Peter 3:11-15, we ought to be diligent in holy conversation and godliness, to wait and long for the coming of the day of God! How earnestly we ought to strive to be found blameless of Him if He were to come to-morrow! The Savior Himself warns us in Luke 21:34-36. All this ought in our day to be well considered: for we are nearer to this "day," which will surely come, by eighteen hundred years, than the first Christians who even then hoped to live that day and daily prepared themselves for it. Alas! who knows how near the terrible judgments that are to precede that day, may be to us? No one believes it before it falls upon men as a ’’snare," and as ’’a thief in the night." Ye children of light, do not sleep! Awake! ye daughters and ye brides of the Lamb, the Bridegroom is at hand: He is at the door. We are not safe a single hour. He may swiftly and suddenly come upon us. Blessed is he who shall then be awake, who together with the bride shall long for His coming and meet Him with the shout, "Come, Lord Jesus! " Examine yourself daily to see if you will be able confidently to cry thus if you will be able to stand in His presence. He has eyes like flames of fire, eyes that will detect and bring to light all dishonesty and every unfaithfulness, no matter how well hidden in the heart. Do not hesitate in clearing out of your hearts everything that is not pleasing to His eye.
Lord Jesus Christ, do not delay,
O hasten our salvation!
We often tremble on our way.
In fear of tribulation.
Then hear us when we cry to Thee;
Come mighty Judge, come, make us free
From every evil. Amen!
