John Macduff Collection: MacDuff, John - The Footsteps of Jesus: 14 Life Everlasting—The Second Death

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John Macduff Collection: MacDuff, John - The Footsteps of Jesus: 14 Life Everlasting—The Second Death



TOPIC: MacDuff, John - The Footsteps of Jesus (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 14 Life Everlasting—The Second Death

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Life Everlasting—The Second Death

"You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore!" Psa_16:11.

"What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death." Rom_6:21.

Those who walk in the footsteps of Jesus in this world, have a prospect ineffably glorious awaiting them hereafter. They have now to pass, it may be, through much that is painful; but were those sufferings a thousand-fold greater than they are, they would not be worthy to be compared with that "eternal weight of glory" of which the apostle speaks. If the believer's condition were that of the most extreme distress and poverty; if not a single beam of light were to break in upon his gloomy dungeon; if not a single drop of consolation were mingled with his bitter cup; if he had to travel through this waste wilderness amid perpetual assaults and alarms, without a moment's rest or safety—yet the end to which his manifold tribulations conduct him, will make ample amends for all.

The end of the Christian's toils and trials is variously represented; but one of the most frequent and emphatic expressions which the inspired writers employ, is "everlasting life." To attempt to unfold the full signification of this phrase would be a fruitless effort. Brief as it is, it has depths of meaning which baffle all our powers of conception. But it is evident—taking a mere negative view of the subject—that in the state of being referred to, death will be a thing altogether unknown. This is dying world. Here death reigns, and that with a sway so absolute and universal, that nothing can resist or stand before him. The strength of man cannot—the whole of his energies are vain; death stamps a cruel mockery on them all. The art of man cannot—the physician himself is a dying creature, and death may seize him in his iron grasp, even while attempting to preserve the life of others. The varied conditions of man cannot—on the high and low alike he inflicts an equal humiliation. Here the mightiest conqueror is vanquished, and the proudest of monarchs finds himself a slave. The tenderest sympathies of man cannot. The husband would gladly live to protect his wife from the crude assaults of an evil world; the parent would not leave his children orphans in a region where the law of kindness is so feebly felt. Death's command, however, is given—and it must be obeyed. But there is a world where "there shall be no more death!"

But there is more than the exclusion of death embodied in the expression. In heaven there will be not merely life—but life of the highest kind. Every element of bliss will it embrace. There will be perfect knowledge, and perfect purity, and perfect peace, and perfect liberty, and perfect love; and all these combined will constitute perfect life! And if, with its glorious nature, we connect its boundless duration—unending ages, far from producing any symptoms of decrepitude and decay—but contributing to preserve and augment, as they roll their ceaseless rounds, the blooming freshness and vigor of perpetual youth and beauty—we shall then have some faint idea of the import of the apostle's words, when he said—"You have your fruit unto holiness, AND THE END EVERLASTING LIFE!"

In contrast with the final outcome of the Christian's career, we are reminded of the fearful termination of the course pursued by the ungodly. Many representations are given of sin—but they all point to one result—namely death. Is sin a way? It leads to death. Is it a work? Its wages is death. Is it a conception? It brings forth death. It is unprofitable in its nature here, and most fearful in its consequences hereafter, for "the end of those things is death!" Yes, thoughtless sinner, the things in which you indulge, and which you have been so often exhorted to abandon—their end is death! The end of gratifying your sinful passions—of loving this present evil world—of trifling with eternal realities—of rejecting the Savior, and despising the blessings of His grace—is death—a death which never dies!

But Jesus came to deliver us from the bitter pains of eternal death. And by believing in Him the vilest sinner may be saved. He is the resurrection and the life; and those who are made partakers of Him, however aggravated their offences, shall not die eternally.

"I have set before you life and death," was the language of Moses, when addressing the children of Israel. Reader, the same things are now set before you, and that in a far clearer light, and with much more solemn sanctions than they were set before the assembled tribes of old. And why are they set before you? It is that you may be led earnestly and diligently to seek the one; and that you may as earnestly and diligently endeavor to, shun the other.