What fears and terrors will possess their souls, when they find they can no longer avoid God's presence, and must at length meet Him face to face ? Oh ! that men were wise, and would consider their latter end ! Oh ! that they would rememher that there is a resurrection and a judgment, and that there is such a thing as the wrath of the Lamb !
Let us notice in the next place, the words of comfort which the angel addressed to the friends of Christ. We read that he said, " Fear not ye : for I know that ye seek Jesus, that was crucified."
These words were sj^oken with a deep meaning. They were meant to cheer the hearts of believers in every age, in the prospect of the resurrection. They were intended to remind us, that true Christians have no cause for alarm, whatever may come on the world. The Lord shall appear in the clouds of heaven, and the earth be burned up. The graves shall give up the dead that are in them, and the last day come. The judgment shall be set, and the books shall be opened. The angels shall sift the wheat from the chaff, and divide between the good fish and the bad. — But in all this there is nothing that need make believ- ers afraid. Clothed in the righteousness of Christ, they shall be found without spot and blameless. Safe in the one true ark, they shall not be hurt when the flood of God's wrath breaks on the earth. Then shall the words of the Lord receive their complete fulfilment : " when these things begin to come to pass, lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.'' Then shall the wicked and unbelieving see how true was that word, "blessed are the people whose God is the Lord." (Psalm xxxiii. 12^