1291. Striking Contrasts

Striking Contrasts

Exo_11:1-10

Some Were Sheltered, Some Were Not (Exo_12:13).

Some Believed, Some Believed Not (Act_19:18-19).

Some Received, Some Received Not (Joh_1:10-12).

Some Confessed, Some Confessed Not (Mat_10:32-33).

Some Left All, and Some Left Not (Mat_19:29-30).

Some Pitched toward Sodom, Some Pitched Not (Gen_13:11).

Some Fell in the Wilderness, and Some Fell Not (1Co_10:5).

We frequently hear messages setting forth the separations which must take place in the times to come.

1. The separation at the Rapture. "One shall be taken, and the other left;" one shall be raised and another shall not be raised. This is a vital truth, because there are two resurrections and only those in Christ will have part in the first. There is but one rapture, and it is partial; only those among the living who are in Christ will be caught up. The unredeemed will all be left behind.

2. The separation at the Bema. This is a separation based upon the works of saints. Some receive rewards, and some do not. Some have an abundant entrance, and some are saved so as by fire. There certainly is a distinction here, for the Lord will reward everyone "according as his work shall be."

3. The separation at the judgment of nations. Those nations which were good to His brethren and were therefore good to Him, shall enter into life; those which received not His brethren and therefore received not Him shall go away unto everlasting punishment, This is a distinction that is very vital. It will come to pass when the Lord comes in the glory of the Father, with His holy angels.

4. The separation at the Great White Throne. At that time, those whose names are not in the Book of Life shall be judged according to the records contained in the books, and shall be cast into the lake of fire; but those who are in Christ shall enter in, through the gates, into the city.

Yes, there are great separations lying ahead, but these separations are all based upon present life contrasts. It is the purpose of this lesson to discover, not the differences which lie beyond, but the differences which are so prominently before us in our every-day walk and life.

We see people going along the street, dwelling in the same home, riding upon the same street-car, working in the same store, and yet there is as much difference between them as there is between night and day.

Elijah realized this difference, for he stood one day and he cried: "How long halt ye between two opinions?" (1Ki_18:21). Let us seek, in this message, to draw the lines taut, and may everyone who hears place themselves on one side or on the other of each striking contrast.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR