December 1

"And they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." — John 5:29.

As there is a contrast between the righteous and the wicked in their present condition, so there is in their future state. The grave to the believer is a bed of roses, on which he sleeps till he is awakened at the last day; but to the unbeliever it is a dark prison, in which he is confined till summoned to appear before the judgment-seat of Christ. Let us view

THE RESURRECTION OF THE WICKED. Observe

Their sinful character. "They that have done evil." This applies to all the unregenerate: their heart is evil, their thoughts and imaginations, desires, words, and pursuits, are evil. Does not that man do evil who despises the Son of God, neglects the great salvation, prefers the welfare of the body to the concerns of the soul?

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Their awful punishment. "The resurrection of damnation." This punishment is dreadful, and consists in the separation of body and soul from God, the tremendous weight of his wrath and curse, and the gnawing worm of a guilty conscience. It is deserved. "The wages of sin is death:" this is the second death, where hell is the sepulchre, and there is no resurrection. It is unavoidable. God's righteous authority is despised, and his justice is provoked; and if we are not interested in the atonement of Christ, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, but a certain looking-for of judgment and fiery indignation. It is eternal. When as many millions of ages have passed away as there are sands on the seashore, stars in the heavens, drops in the ocean, or atoms in the globe, the misery of the lost shall not be one moment nearer to its end. Let me remember that I am now warned to flee from the wrath to come, and escape for my life to Jesus, the ransom and surety of lost sinners.