State of Man at Death.

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"It is appointed unto men once to die—and after that to face judgment!" Hebrews 9:27

As the tree falls—so it lies. And where death strikes us down—there God awards either mercy or misery.

I may compare the state of man at death to the Israelites and Egyptians at the Red Sea: if I go into the sea as an Israelite, my landing shall be in glory, and my rejoicing in triumph; for I shall see all my enemies dead upon the shore! But if I go in as an Egyptian—if I am on this side the cloud, on this side the covenant, and yet go in hardened among the troops of Pharaoh—then justice shall return in its full strength, and inundation of judgment shall overflow my soul forever!

Or, I may compare it to the sleep of the ten bridesmaids, of whom it is said, "They slumbered and slept." Now, if I lie down with the wise bridesmaids, I shall go in with the bridegroom to the marriage feast. But if I sleep with the foolish bridesmaids, without oil in my lamp, without grace in my soul—then I have closed the gates of mercy upon my soul forever!

Therefore I see that this life is the time in which I must do my work—and then I must be judged according to my works—on that solemn day. I am not certain how soon I shall fall into this sleep; therefore, Lord, grant that I may live every day in Your sight—as I desire to appear the last day in Your presence!