Can you grasp the devastating sorrow of being rejected by Jesus Christ in sight of the Heavenly City? In this drama that Jesus told, careless souls miss heaven at the very door.They actually see the great saints of the Bible entering the kingdom with breathtaking fanfare. Shouts and Praises fill the air with an unspeakable glory. The singing and music is like a symphony from another world. This event is in the outskirts of Heavenly Jerusalem, the Father’s Home Place.
The Son of God made it plain that this company of religious people were convinced of their worth to enter into the City. It was evident that Christ had to bar the gate because they were so sure of themselves. Is it possible that this crowd would try to rush Jesus Christ to bolt their way past Him? This is the perfect picture of multitudes that argue their preparation but show no proof of being sold out to Jesus Christ. It is an accepted fact that most well-known Godly Pastors and Evangelist believe at least 90% of the church world have no evidence of a transformed life. The Judgment Seat of Christ is going to be a day of much sadness.
If anyone had told this drama but Jesus Christ we would have doubted its revelation. This event will occur in sight of that magnificent city. The rejected souls are at the very door into Eternal Life. They are religious to a fault and have a powerful argument of their acquaintance with Christ. They know His powerful message and have seen His miracles. They had been so close to Him that they could not believe He did not recognize them. They were deeply religious but had certainly never been “Born Again.” Our Church World is full of this very crowd of unspiritual souls.
Jesus had been asked a powerful question because His message of salvation was so stark and clear. “Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved?” (St. Luke 13:23) His answer was to tell this drama that would unfold in that awesome day of accountability .“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” (St. Luke 13:24) No one can doubt that this is the large majority of our church world who will turn you off in a minute if you try to share the “Real Gospel” with them. They know too much and have been religious too long to believe that they are lost.
Religion without a sin-killing experience is the great deceiver of all ages. Watch this drama as it unfolds. Remember it is the Son of God telling this prophecy. “When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:” (St. Luke 13:25) At this point of End Times development Heaven and Hell will be in great contrast. There will be no doubting what missing the welcome into this gleaming city of perfect beauty means to each soul. It’s no longer a debate, it’s either Heaven or the Lake of Fire.
To believe that men can be so deceived as to argue with the Divine King of Kings seems impossible. Jesus tells us what they will proclaim to Him. “Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.” (St. Luke 13:26) They had taken communion and believed that His Graces covered their souls. They had known the influence of His Word of God and they understood His Divine nature. It’s awesome to watch this unfold.
These are eternal souls that were grandmothers and grandfathers, mothers and fathers and sons and daughters. They had been given great opportunity to follow Christ. They knew the truth but chose a lesser path. “But He shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.” (St. Luke 13:27) The arguments are over as truth settles in and the sheer terror of the consequence becomes real. They are not in the Lake of Fire and the Second Death is yet to occur, but they go into hysteria. “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.” (Luke 13:28)To be turned away from the Glory of our Lord’s Presence is enough, but to be turned over to eternal damnation is sheer terror
They actually see the City in it’s grandeur. The great gardens and mansions of our world do not hold a light. This crowd sees the glory of Christ’s Kingdom and hears the rejoicing and singing inside the great walls of His Grand Estate. To know there is no hope and that eternity in the Lake Of Fire is before them causes them to be beyond despair. We live in a world that refuses to consider this possibility. The attitude with most unconverted souls and many church people is, “I’ll take my chance.” It will soon be too late to wake up.
The great Truths of the Bible will occur exactly as they have been written. The Biblical standards of purity and righteousness will be His measuring tool. Excuses for not living by the Words of God are everywhere. There are enough excuses for all that are careless to adopt for their own. The Lord Jesus Christ knew there would be a multitude of ways of Satan’s devices right in the midst of His Church. He gave this great drama we have seen as His warning of failure and the consequence.
In the same Book of Luke, Jesus is quoted again. The Bible is a repetitious Book because we are a hard-headed self willed people. “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, 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.” (St. Luke 21:34-36)
For His Blood-washed saints, one glimpse into His Eternal City where joy is unfolding and every sacrifice (if you can call those things you put aside sacrifices) will be forever forgotten. The Father awaits the grand day of the Kingdom of our Christ becoming the Kingdom of our Father. “Joy unspeakable and full of glory” is right down the road for the Saints that have chosen Him over the world.
Joseph R. Chambers