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 after-
meeting. 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."
---------------
Reprint permission was granted to Computers for Christ #22 for the expressed
purpose of posting this tract in electronic form. Please DO NOT modify this
file nor distribute hard copies of this file.
Printed copies for distribution are available from the Gospel Tract Society
for a donation.
The Gospel Tract Society is supported by our contributions. Please help them
continue their work by sending them a contribution today.
The Gospel Tract Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 1118
Independence, MO 64061
