The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 391

The European Union in Prophecy
and searching scrutiny as if there were not another being upon the earth. Everyone
must be tested and found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.
Solemn are the scenes connected with the closing work of the atonement.
Momentous are the interests involved therein. The judgment is now passing in the
sanctuary above. For many years this work has been in progress. Soon--none know
how soon--it will pass to the cases of the living. In the awful presence of God our lives
are to come up in review. At this time above all others it behooves every soul to heed
the Saviour's admonition: "Watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." Mark
13:33. "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt
not know what hour I will come upon thee." Revelation 3:3.
When the work of the investigative judgment closes, the destiny of all will have
been decided for life or death. Probation is ended a short time before the appearing of
the Lord in the clouds of heaven. Christ in the Revelation, looking forward to that
time, declares: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let
him be filthy still: and he that is righteous let him be righteous still: and he that is
holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to
give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:11, 12.
The righteous and the wicked will still be living upon the earth in their mortal
state--men will be planting and building, eating and drinking, all unconscious that
the final, irrevocable decision has been pronounced in the sanctuary above. Before the
Flood, after Noah entered the ark, God shut him in and shut the ungodly out; but for
seven days the people, knowing not that their doom was fixed, continued their careless,
pleasure-loving life and mocked the warnings of impending judgment. "So," says the
Saviour, "shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:39. Silently,
unnoticed as the midnight thief, will come the decisive hour which marks the fixing
of every man's destiny, the final withdrawal of mercy's offer to guilty men.
"Watch ye therefore: . . . lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping." Mark 13:35,
36. Perilous is the condition of those who, growing weary of their watch, turn to the
attractions of the world. While the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain,
while the pleasure lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion is
arranging her adornments--it may be in that hour the Judge of all the earth will
390