WHAT A UNIQUE WORD! It is seldom seen or read in our everyday literature - yet how profound and awesome. It is a word that describes the infinite, the eternal. It seems to float in space, unloosed from that which is terrestrial and linked to that which is celestial. The Puritans used to say, "Time ends with the letter 'E' and that's where ETERNITY begins!" If you look past the world, you put your head up into ETERNITY. Like outer space, ETERNITY is limitless - never ending! Webster defines it as "an endless or immeasurable time." Even in the Holy Scriptures, the word is unique, for it is only found once.

"For thus saith the high and lofty One that
inhabiteth ETERNITY, whose name is Holy; I
dwell in the high and holy place" (Isaiah 57:15).

What solemn grandeur we have here! God is introducing Himself! Notice, He is "high (lofty) and exalted." The highest station in heaven is His, and in relation to His vast creation, He is unrivaled in supremacy! No creature, king or arch-angel can claim equality with Him. Our conception of the ETERNITY and greatness of our God is feeble indeed. Man's time on earth is short - God is eternal. The psalmist said, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God" (Psalm 90:2). As such, He inhabits ETERNITY

WHAT ARE WE?

As we think of ourselves in the light of God's eternal greatness, what are we? We owe our very existence to God; our very breath is in His hand (Daniel 5:23). When Job considered God he cried, "I have heard of Thee... Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5,6).

Since all of us are born unclean (Job 14:4) and all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23), have you ever considered how we can meet God in such a condition? If you have never given it a thought, let me beg of you to do so, for He is a God "with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13). That simply means we must meet Him after death - in ETERNITY. The warning goes out, "Prepare to meet thy God" (Amos 4:12). To meet Him in your sins will mean eternal punishment in fire (Revelation 20:15). To meet Him prepared will mean heaven as your home for eternity.

AN OLD QUESTION

Many have asked, "How can I prepare?" False teachers will tell you to do the best you can. However, God says it is "not by works of righteousness" (Titus 3:5). Others say, "Worry about it later," but how can you afford to have this attitude seeing life is so uncertain? We know not what a day may bring forth (Proverbs 27:1). No my friend, "now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Corinthians 6:2). The Scriptures contain an ancient question, "How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?" (Job 25:4). God has the answer!

GOD MANIFEST IN FLESH

Over nineteen-hundred years ago a miracle took place - God became incarnate! That is, He who was from everlasting clothed Himself with sinless humanity. Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), God the Son came to earth and dwelt among men. "God was manifest in the flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16). "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). Joseph was told by the angel, "Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). "Jesus" means, "Salvation of the Lord." John explained, "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Thus Christ positioned Himself to be our Redeemer. All sin is against God, thus infinite, consequently, finite man does not have the capability to put his sins away. No sacrifice on his part can avail! A greater sacrifice was needed - and this provision was found in God the Son. On Calvary, Christ procured eternal salvation through the shedding of His precious blood (Hebrews 5:9; 9:12). "Christ died for the ungodly" - "Christ died for us" (Romans 5:6,8). Having paid the price for our salvation, this same Jesus, through resurrection, has gone back to heaven from whence He came (Acts 1:11), and now He lives there in the power of an endless life!

Today the Saviour beckons you to come and to put your trust in Him for the forgiveness of sins. I trust you see your need, for relying on the sacrifice of Christ, accomplished on the cross is the only way you can prepare to meet God. "He that believeth on Him is not condemned" (John 3:18). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). Remember, what you do with Christ Jesus the Lord will determine whether you'll be in heaven or hell - for ETERNITY!

ETERNITY, time soon will end,
Its fleeting moments pass away:
O sinner, say, where wilt thou spend
Eternity's unchanging day?
Shall thou the hopeless horror see
Of hell for all eternity?

ETERNITY! but Jesus died
Yes, Jesus died on Calvary;
Behold him thorn-crowned, crucified
The spotless One made sin for thee,
O, sinner, haste! for refuge flee -
He saves, and for eternity!