THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS HEAVEN.
By Uriah Smith
WE have the warnings of the Word of God that faith will be scarce upon the earth in the last days of this dispensation. Looking down to our own time, through all the experiences of His people, our Lord exclaimed, “When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” Every scheme which Satan can invent is now being used to destroy faith in the hearts of men. Nevertheless, living, working faith in the hearts of loyal children of God will be a reality right up to the time of our Lord’s appearance in the clouds of heaven. Of the company which stands triumphant at that time the prophet says: “Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” We may know definitely that if we are engaged in the work of weakening faith in the Word of God, in the plan of salvation, in God’s justice and goodness, we shall not stand with that company which triumphs with the triumph of Christ. The Word of our God is sure and steadfast, and the triumph of His purpose is sure. There is no necessity for doubtings; there is no restfulness therein. On the other hand, there is a blessed stability about the experience of the true Christian. It is because there is a solid foundation to the Christian life. It is built upon the Rock Christ Jesus, which no storms of doubt or fear, no waves of opposition, can hope to overthrow. Having that, we have the blessed peace which comes of settled conviction, assurance, faith. It was never God’s design for man that he should be continually harassed by doubt—or ever so harassed. The admonition of our Saviour is, “Neither be ye of doubtful mind.” The assurance which the Father desires we should have is beautifully expressed in that wonderful twenty-third psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. . . . . Yea, tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me.” It is also well expressed by the prophet Isaiah: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee.” Isa. 26:3. But with the ungodly it is not so. Doubt and perplexity are their continued portion, and perfect trust and confidence they never know. The reward of belief is a bulwark of eternal strength. It is a divine shield which the arrows of the enemy can never pierce. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Prov. 18:10. “Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Prov. 29:25. There is no occasion for doubt here. He who holds the universe in His hand, who made it and all that in it is, has made Himself surety for every promise that His Word contains. It is more substantial than the mighty hills; for they are but the creation of His hands. At His word they come into being; at His word they consume; but His promise is established upon His very character, and so can not fail. He who has faith in that fact has in his possession the key that will unlock heaven. He who trusts in that stability can never be moved; he who is surrounded by that bulwark can never be overthrown; he who carries that shield can never be pierced by the fiery darts of the wicked one; and he who has this hope in Him “purifieth himself even as He is pure.” How much better, more satisfying, is the condition of such a one than that of the doubting, vacillating soul who refuses to be in harmony with God and His ways and works. “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it can not rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God; to the wicked.” Isa. 57:20, 21. Nowhere in the Word of God is there any promise to the doubter; therefore we can not afford to be of a “doubtful mind.” The purchase price of peace, assurance, hope, and trust is perfect faith in Christ. That is the key which unlocks heaven and makes its treasures ours.