"BEHOLD, THE JUDGE STANDETH BEFORE THE DOOR."
By T.
"BEHOLD, the Judge standeth before the door." Such are the thrilling words of the apostle James in the ninth verse of the fifth chapter of his epistle. And the most sublime thought that could come to the mind of a mortal is the certain fact that the Judge of all the earth is even now standing at the door. The judgment day has been spoken of in all past ages as being an event that will be reached a long way in the future. But this can no longer be truthfully said. "The Judge standeth before the door." The judgment day is right at hand. It is a blessedly solemn thought. We still have a little more probationary time, and this time should be regarded by every one as more precious than gold-dust or diamonds; for while the Judge is still standing before the door, we have the opportunity of making whatever preparation is still lacking in order to have our cases favorably presented at court. And then, while the preparation of our own cases is going on, we have a work to do for others. There are many who do not know that the great judgment day is right at hand. They do not know that "the Judge standeth before the door." All such are to be told of the solemn realities of this great truth, and exhorted to prepare to meet their God. And the earnestness of our own preparations should be a constant stimulus to every one around us. And surely every one who really believes that the Judge of all the universe has arisen to judge the people of this planet can not be otherwise than intensely in earnest in this work of preparing for that great and final day of judgment. Do you ask how we know so positively that the judgment of every son and daughter of Adam is at hand? The answer is clear and easy. Every one of the prophecies points to the fact, plainly, clearly, and truly, that the last days are here, and that the judgment day is right upon us. All of the dangers, the perplexities, and the evils that have filled the stoutest hearts of this day with apprehensions of foreboding calamities have been faithfully predicted by inspired apostle and prophet. And so definitely accurate are the fulfilments of every one of these prophecies that we know that "the Judge standeth before the door." And not only do we know that the great event of the ages is right at hand, but you are convinced of it yourself if you will only take the time to consider it. God has filled the world with the evidence of it by sending His Spirit to every heart. And as you see the calamities that are crowding upon the earth, that faithful Spirit of God is there to whisper in your ear the meaning of all these things. We do not ask you if you have heard the whispering of the divine Spirit. But are you heeding Him? Are you allowing Him to prepare you to meet your God at the searching bar of divine justice? There can be no quibbling nor resorting to technicalities in that court of final resort. Every one must meet the record of his life just as he has lived it. The exact truth will then be caused to stand out clearly. "Behold, the Judge standeth before the door." Yes, He is even now standing before your door, and very soon your whole life is to come before Him in review and your eternal destiny will be forever fixed. Are you ready for the grand and solemn assize? T.