You Are Invited To The Great Op

YOU ARE INVITED TO

THE GREAT OPEN-AIR MEETING

DON’T MISS IT!

F.G. Burkitt

1 Thess. 4:16, 17, “For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the AIR: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

There is soon, probably very soon, to be a great open-air meeting, far greater than any which has ever taken place. It will have many striking features, and will be entirely different from anything ever witnessed in this world. Let us look at some of these wonderful special qualifications.

1. THE PLACE OF MEETING. This is not on earth, nor in Heaven, but “IN THE AIR.”
2. WHO WILL BE PRESENT? Every Calvary Blood-bought redeemed Soul of every clime and race, including those in their graves as well as those alive on the earth at the time — not one will be missing. ALL will be clothed with raised or changed and glorified bodies suited for Heaven. ALL denominational differences will then be gone and done with forever. PRAISE GOD!
3. WHO WILL BE ABSENT? Every unsaved, unredeemed person. The legalist, the formalist, the person who depended on their “good deeds,” and “dead works,” instead of on CHRIST; as well as the unbeliever, the scoffer, the profligate – these, and ALL who are “without CHRIST,” will be absent.
4. THE CENTER OF ATTRACTION. Amidst the many wonderful circumstances of this glorious Meeting, one will far transcend all the others, namely this – it will be a Meeting specially appointed “TO MEET THE LORD” – JESUS CHRIST. Around the precious Person of our Saviour, crowned with His many crowns, will circle myriads of His Blood washed redeemed ones. What JOY to the Redeemer to be surrounded with the great throng of those who are the fruit of the “travail of His soul” when He “poured out His soul unto death!” And as they, too, gaze upon that face once so marred more than any man’s, but then radiant with glory, what bliss will fill every heart, and how perfect will be their place of acceptance with GOD!
5. THE TIME OF MEETING. Another very singular feature about this GREAT REUNION is this, not even one among the vast congregation knows when it is to take place. It may be in the morning, the afternoon, the evening, or during the silent hours of the night. It may be this year, this month, this week, or even TODAY. No one on earth knows. Everyone is understood to be CONSTANTLY in the “waiting ” and “watching” scriptural attitude, just as it were listening for the assembling CALL. No bell will be rung to gather the assembly; they will be summoned by the “Shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of GOD,” the LAST trump, – indeed the very LAST trump.

So effective and powerful will be the voice of Him Who CALLS, that “in the twinkling of an eye” every member will be found in his place at the GREAT MEETING IN THE AIR.

6. THE AFTER-MEETING. But, AH ! there is a solemn sadness about the aftermeeting. Listen to the sorrowful and calamitous words of the assembly outside the closed door, just like in Noah’s day, and the ark. “Lord, Lord, open to us.” These Christless professors take into their lips the word “Lord,” but was He THEIR Lord? Perhaps they had been baptized and confirmed, were church members, sang in the Choir, served on the Church Board, sat on the benches of a Meeting Room; but all the time they had NEVER been “born again.” JESUS Himself said this was a requisite. Recorded in John 3:3-7 “JESUS answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the Kingdom of GOD.” “Marvel not that I said unto thee, “YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.” What does the Lord say in answer to their call? “Verily I say unto you, I know you NOT.” It doesn’t pay to play Church, and be a hypocrite. There was no link of FAITH between the Soul and CHRIST, and NOW they are shut out — FOREVER!

7. TIME IS PASSING RAPIDLY, – ACT NOW! How quickly time passes! Listen to the clock there in your room, how quickly it ticks out the seconds! EVERY tick tells of the rapid flight of time and the near approach of ETERNITY. “THE COMING OF THE LORD DRAWETH NIGH.” But, THANK GOD, the MASTER of the house has NOT yet risen up and “SHUT THE DOOR.” CHRIST is the ONLY SAVIOR and the ALL SUFFICIENT Savior. His precious BLOOD, shed upon the CROSS, cleanses from ALL sin. The Redemption price has been paid, the work has been done. Its cleansing power and efficacy is ALL YOURS the moment YOU really REPENT and BELIEVE. Mark 1:15 . . . . “Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” My dear Reader, are YOU READY if CHRIST were to COME tonight? If NOT, NOW is the time for decision; not next month, nor next week, – but NOW. 2 Cor. 6:2 ” . . . Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.”

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Gal. 6:7.

Deut. 30:19 “I call Heaven and earth to record this day against YOU, that I have set before YOU life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both THOU and thy seed may live.”

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