WHO SHALL BE ABLE TO STAND?
By J. E. Evans
To be ready for the Saviour's return should be the first work of all who desire a home in the mansions he has gone to prepare. To all such the second coming of Christ will be a joyous event. They will say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him; . . . we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” But to all who are not prepared that day will come “as a thief in the night;” and in consternation they will exclaim, “Mountains and rocks fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?” This question should be considered now. Time and opportunity are now being given, and all may accept the gracious offer of pardon and righteousness. The call is being given, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.” By audible voices and the silent voices of nature the wonderful mercy and works of God are shown. “Have they not all heard?” Perhaps you, dear reader, have studied to answer the above question. What shall the answer be? We are sometimes led to think that this or that person will be able to stand; but as for me? Such thoughts are not of heavenly origin. God would have his children confident. Their confidence will not be born of presumption, but of a living faith. The way of faith is revealed in the Scriptures, and he who studies them with a heart reaching out after God will soon become acquainted with the power by which he will be enabled to stand. If we “look for him,” we should also look for those things which are to make us “like him.” For “the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.” Therefore, “let every man take heed how he buildeth.” “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor. 10:12. “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?” Mal. 3:2. “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” Ps. 24:4. “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. . . . He that sweareth to his own hurt, and8changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” Psalm 15. “And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; add to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. . . . For if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1: 5-11. “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock.” Matt. 7: 24, 25.