p. 142 | THE JUDGMENT by E. A. Duke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 27, 1869

THE JUDGMENT.

By E. A. Duke

AND is it indeed a fact that we are living in the time of the Judgment, when each individual case of the righteous dead is being brought up, and decided for eternity? And have we all a suit pending in Heaven, very soon to be brought in review before the great tribunal bar of God? And are these the last notes of warning which we hear sounding from the watchmen on the walls of Zion? These are, indeed, startling facts. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Oh! solemn thought! And how will the case stand with you and me, my brother, my sister? Shall we be weighed in the balance and found wanting, or shall we stand the searching test, and hear the joyful sound, Well done? Oh! may Heaven grant that the latter may be the case.

An incident occurred a few years ago in the vicinity of Wellsville, near where I reside, which made an impression upon my mind that never will be erased while I live. A faithful and beloved brother was there preaching the word, and trying to present the truth before the people, and his overtaxed strength gave way, and he was prostrated upon a bed of sickness, and the tent with which he was traveling was left in the care of others. In a few days, as he grew worse, he requested the prayers of the church; and when asked what they should pray for, his answer was, Not that I may recover and resume my labors among you, but that I may not come up to the Judgment deceived. How often I have thought of this, and thought of the many who, perhaps, are honest in heart, and are striving, to a certain extent, to overcome, have an anxious desire to be saved, a hope of eternal life, an expectation of gaining Heaven; and yet, after all this, fail, and come up to the Judgment deceived. Oh! what anguish will rend such hearts. Of all classes on earth, I think this one will be most to be pitied.

God forbid that you or I, dear reader, should be found among that disappointed company. Shall we bear this in mind, and now, while the day lasts, and while we have time and opportunity, make sure work for eternity? Or shall we, who have endeavored to keep God’s holy law, and have acted a part in presenting this last message before a dying world, be found sleeping when Jesus leaves the most holy place? This will be a silent work, yet it will soon be accomplished, nevertheless. And shall we fail of our object because of slothfulness?

Oh! think of these things, and let us be aroused by the faithful warnings of the servants of God, come out of this deathlike stupor which Satan has thrown over us, and go to work in sober earnest to remove the rubbish from the door of our hearts, let Jesus in to sup with us and we with him, and be willing to receive the truth in all its different branches, and be faithful in all things, watching unto prayer, and keeping all our words, and thoughts, and acts, that we may not come up to the Judgment deceived. E. A. DUKE.