The Day of the Lord Will Come as a Snare.
By John Matteson
How thoughtless and unconcerned men pass along to the Judgment. As sheep are led away to the slaughter, so men are led by their corrupt passions, and the deceitfulness of the world, until the righteous judgments of God will come upon them like a lightning flash, and they, burning in great heat, will gnaw their tongues for pain, and blaspheme the God of Heaven. Rev. 16: 9–11. “For when they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall not escape.” Peace and safety is now preached everywhere. Only a few urge upon the people the nearness of that great and awful day, which like a sword in a brittle thread hangs over our heads. Blessed is he who walks with the children of light, and does not sleep as others; who is watchful and sober, putting on the whole armor of God. Blessed is the servant who shall be found giving meat in due season to the household. Matt. 24. “Be ye therefore ready also; for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12: 40. “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting [to feed so as to oppress the stomach. Webster.] and drunkenness, [indulging in stimulating drinks which injure and destroy the nervous system,] and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21: 34–36. Wickedness and sin are increasing in the world as the end draws near. Evil men and seducers wax worse and worse. Perilous times are upon us. Men have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. A little close observation is sufficient to discover to us the fearful, corrupt condition of society. And yet mistaken guides continue to preach of peace and a happy time on earth before the appearing of our Saviour. How terribly they will be aroused from their slumber and deceitful dreams when the mighty voice of the trump of God shall wax louder and louder. Oh! that some may be persuaded, and hearken to the last solemn warning before it is too late. As it was in the days of Noe and Lot, so it shall also be in the days of the Son of Man. “They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” In the days of Lot “they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.” Luke 17: 26–29. Their great sin was not that they ate, drank, married wives, bought, sold, planted, builded. It is no sin to do any of these things if done in the fear of God. But they went to a great excess; and they cared for nothing else. The statement is not that they did eat, drink, plant, build, &c., fearing God, giving thanks to him, and glorifying their Maker. There is a fearful blank there. They cared not at all for God. They walked as the majority of men walk now, who are enemies of the cross of Christ. “Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” They did not “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness;” but forgot their Maker, and despised his truth and commandments. Thus it is exactly in our days. There is a form of godliness without the power. Iniquity is abounding. The love of many has waxed cold. Therefore the day of the Lord is at hand. “The Judge stands before the door.” The perils of the last days are upon us. Lukewarmness and stupor settle down upon God’s people like a thick, unwholesome vapor. Lord, save, or we perish. The Jews in the days of Christ flattered themselves with the approach of a peaceful and happy time. But this did not stay the fearful judgments of God which had been predicted by the prophets. And when they thought that tribulation was farthest off, it came right upon them. Famine, sword, fire, and destruction, fell upon them like devouring eagles on a putrid carcass. And their children are still scattered throughout the earth, to be a constant sign that the word of the Lord cannot fail. So likewise there are also now scoffers in the last days, who say, “Where is the promise of his coming?” But they are themselves a sign of the times, and must soon howl and weep for the miseries that shall come upon them. “Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.” Joel 1: 15. “For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matt. 16: 27. Dear reader, Jesus still intercedes in the heavenly temple for all who come unto him. No humble heart will he refuse admittance. He takes delight in a penitent soul. “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Ps. 34: 18. “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Ps. 51: 17. Come to the dear Saviour now, before he approaches with vengeance. Live for the glory of Heaven. Suffer not everlasting destruction from his presence. “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit; for why will ye die?”