The Final Disappointment.
By Smith Sharp
“MANY will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7:22, 23. It is very evident that our Lord addresses this language to a professing people. It is to a people that claim that they have even prophesied and cast out devils in the name of the Lord. It seems to me that here will be experienced the saddest disappointment that has ever been experienced since our world began. Adam and Eve must have felt bitter pangs of remorse when they were driven from Eden and forbidden access to the tree of life; but it was nothing in comparison to that which will be felt by that individual that comes up feeling sure of everlasting life and finds the gates of the city forever closed. As he realizes that repentance is now an impossible thing, inexpressible anguish will take possession of the mind. As Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are seen inside the city of God, the thought that will give the greatest anguish is that we might have been in there with them. Yes; it might have been ours to walk the gold-paved streets of the New Jerusalem, to talk with Adam, and hear from his lips the story of the creation of the world and of the glories of Eden. But now all is lost. Great as will be the bodily suffering of the finally lost, it will be but a small part in comparison with that occasioned by the great disappointment of many professing Christians. What could give greater anguish than to come up in full expectation of eternal life, to see the city of God in all its splendor, and perhaps start to enter the pearly gates, only to hear the angels that keep vigil there inform us that none but the complete overcomers ever enter there. And oh! how sad the thought that perhaps many that read these lines will know from experience what that anguish is. Dear brothers and sisters, thank God, probation still lasts; and there is still a chance to secure that which will be a sufficient passport through the gates into the city, and enable us to be among that company that stand on the sea of glass. How glorious to be among that company! The crown of everlasting life decks the immortal brow, and Jesus says, I behold the travail of my soul and am satisfied. It is possible to be there, and we shall find, in that day, that giving this world and all its glory and honor, yes, and sacrificing everything and thus gaining eternal life, will be to secure it cheap enough. Let us be there. SMITH SHARP.