Rev. 10:4-7 And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.

Between the loss of my Father-in-law last year, the recent conference on End Of Life matters, getting my own will written and reading through Revelation afresh, I find my mind repeatedly going back to consider how fleeting and fragile life is – and especially, that we do not know how much time humanity has left before God’s judgments are finally meted out – let alone what that means personally.

Now such considerations need not take on a morbid tone in the least, if one has been reconciled to God the Father through Jesus wondrous atonement. But as Jesus repeatedly emphasizes in Matt. 24 – “concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” The “end” will come. But “at an hour you do not expect.” For which reason I plead with you today to come to Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. To abandon the battle with Him over who has the right of supremacy over your life and goods. To repent of your sin of rebellion against Him, and the other sins which issue from that rebellion. And to cry out for the mercy which is found only in the One who died on the Cross at Calvary.

At a similar season of life many years ago, I penned a poem based loosely on the text above and Matt. 24:36-44. A few years ago, my daughter Sarah had it printed from framing. I look at it as I sit here today – and pray it may serve to urge you to Christ as you consider where you are, and the uncertainty of what, if any, time we have left.

Again the voice, as oft before

Came clearly through the night.

Again it shook me to the bone.

Again my heart took flight.

The urgency and righteousness,

The power and the might;

The clarion voice rang loud and clear,

This matter did indict –

THERE IS NO TIME.

Too long you’ve lived among the World,

Too long you’ve slept in day.

And so the voice came once again,

With no mistake to say –

Stir up yourselves! Stir up yourselves!

Stir up yourselves – today!

Sleep no more, t’will soon be here,

That great and awful day

THERE IS NO TIME

My trembling lips began to speak,

‘Tis they O Lord not I,

I see each mote, there is no beam

At lodge within my eye.

I pray and tithe, attend your House,

I’ve spoken not the lie.

You surely can’t mean me!

Then came the dread reply

THERE IS NO TIME

But Lord, I’m sure there’s many yet

To bring within the fold.

Surely no contempt for man

Your righteous heart can hold.

I plead their case before you now

If I may be so bold.

The voice returned, with mercy gone.

Stark. Unreal. Cold.

THERE IS NO TIME

“You O man”, I heard him say,

“I hear the words you speak.”

“Attempts to justify yourself,

Though you’re naked, cold and weak.

Look now to Christ, for He alone

Can save you – if you seek.

My judgment I will not withhold,

For year nor month nor week.”

THERE IS NO TIME

“My prophets, they have oft declared

This day. But you’ve not heard.

There, read the Scriptures in your hand,

Tis written in My Word.

There’s no more time for playing Church.

With truth your loins now gird.”

Again the voice grew urgent.

This time, I finally heard.

THERE IS NO TIME

Christian, sinner, all alike,

I bid you hear it too.

Flee to Jesus Christ the Lord

For nothing else will do.

His terror fast, is coming now.

The sky He’ll soon burst through.

And all will stand before His throne,

Heathen. Christian. Jew.

THERE IS NO TIME

Put away the foolish things.

Flesh, put fast away.

For all but Jesus’ preciousness

His light will burn away.

Oh do it now my brethren!

With emergency I pray.

There’s little time allotted us,

Hear it now – today!

THERE IS NO T