ETERNITY
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”– 2 Cor. 4:18
Understanding that death isn’t the end, William Penn, a 17th cent American politician, said, “For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity.”
For more than 35 years Arthur Stace chalked the word “Eternity” on the pavements of Sydney an estimated half a million times. He was converted to Christianity on the night of 6 August 1930, after hearing an inspirational sermon by Rev. R. B. S. Hammond at St. Barnabas Church, Broadway. Two years later, on 14 November 1932, Arthur was further inspired by the preaching of Evangelist John G. Ridley on “The echoes of Eternity” from Isaiah 57:15: “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits Eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” John Ridley’s words, “Eternity, Eternity, I wish that I could sound or shout that word to everyone in the streets of Sydney. You’ve got to meet it. Where will you spend Eternity?” would prove crucial in Stace’s decision to tell others about his faith.
In an interview, Arthur Stace said, “Eternity went ringing through my brain and suddenly I began crying and felt a powerful call from the Lord to write Eternity.” Even though he was illiterate and could hardly write his own name legibly, the word Eternity, “came out smoothly, in a beautiful copperplate script. I couldn’t understand it, and I still can’t.”
Alexander Smith, a 19th century Scottish poet, caught a glimpse of something outside of the visible world when he wrote, “Eternity doth wear upon her face the veil of time. They only see the veil, and thus they know not what they stand so near!”
What about you my friend? Do you realize that you are living on the edge of eternity and what you do now echoes in eternity? You need to see beyond your bucket list. Your exit into eternity is the termination of the temporary, and that will be a WOW! moment unlike any other. It is then we will begin to live with the results of what we are at the time of death. There will be no second chances. As Randy Alcorn wrote, “A moment after a man dies he knows exactly how he should have lived”. Let us then spend our days living in the light of eternity, laying up treasures in heaven. You will be glad you did!–HDS
Note: Members of Lakeway B. C. Since this is the subject of my message this morning I urge you to read this again before the service begins.–HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
