166. AMO 4:12. THE SOLEMN REQUISITION

Amo_4:12. The Solemn Requisition

"Prepare to meet thy God."’97Amo_4:12.

Introduction.’97Men live without God’97throw off his fear’97set at naught his au-thority’97do not observe his works, nor mark his judgments’97live and act as if there were no God. This exceedingly foolish’97a sign of infatuation’97must produce dreadful consequences.

Let us consider the text in the light of a friendly warning and admonition.

I. A certain and inevitable Interview must take place between God and every Man.

Notice,

1. He often meets men by signal instances of his providential visitations.

Gehazi; Uzziah; Nebuchadnezzar; Herod, &c.

2. He will assuredly meet you in death.

Death is God’s officer. Cannot be evaded, bribed, or resisted. Here he has met all men from the beginning of time, in a great variety of forms and circumstances. Pharaoh, with his chariots, &c. Belshazzar, at the banquet, &c.

3. He will also certainly meet you in judgment.

"After death, the judgment." "Every eye shall see him." Every human being be there. Not one shall be wanting. All be judged, and receive according as their works shall be. How great this meeting! How solemn! How momentous! Observe

II. To render these Meetings safe, Preparation is indispensable.

1. The preparation of true repentance.

Consideration, conviction, contrition, confession, change of mind, change of life; Luk_13:3; Act_3:19; Act_27:30.

2. The preparation of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ the only refuge from the wrath to come. No pardon, or peace, or acceptance, but by and through faith in his blood. "He that believeth shall be saved," &c.; Mar_16:15, Mar_16:16.

3. The preparation of holiness is necessary Soul must be "born again." "Created anew unto good works." "All old things must pass away, and all things become new." Joh_3:5; 1Pe_1:15; Heb_12:14.

4. Diligent and persevering obedience to God is necessary.

"Be diligent," &c. "Be thou faithful," &c. Mat_25:23; Mat_10:22; 1Co_15:58.

Then let us,

III. Urge the Subject upon the Attention of all Men

1. God addresses all men.

Of all ranks and degrees of mankind He speaks to all and to each of the vast family of man. Pro_1:20.

2. All men are deeply concerned in it.

His accountable creatures. Must appear, &c. None too high; nor yet are any too low. Then,

3. Let all men obey the solemn sum mons.

Immediately’97earnestly. For, behold, death is at hand! the Judge is at the door! eternity is near! Then, "prepare to meet thy God." The disobedient and impenitent cannot escape; but will be destroyed by the brightness of his appearing.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS