The Last train

 

     Their faces are pressed against the shut windows.  A look of shock and terror fills their eyes.  They  have received  the ruling of the judge, they have been found guilty and are condemned.  They wait as others are loaded into the waiting cars, each one looking out of the window upon those who are free, those who have been pardoned.  They stare, looking for some hope, someone to help them escape an indescribable eternal punishment.

You are standing there looking from outside, staring at the tear-stained faces of those whose final journey is about to begin. A journey from which there is no return. A journey that ends in everlasting torment.  You look, and there in the window, you see a familiar face; a family member, a friend, a workmate, a classmate.  They are weeping uncontrollably, tears flowing down their cheeks, dripping from their chin.  With shock and shame you read their lips through the closed window, "Why didn't you tell me?  You knew! You knew!! Why didn't you tell me?"

You drop your head to your chest, tears fill your eyes. Words escape you as you try to find something to say, but nothing can express your shame.

     Suddenly, with a shudder and a groan, the wheels of the train begin to move.  The shouts of horror from those inside the train raise to a deafening roar.  Their screams will haunt you forever.  They are begging for another chance, for anther opportunity.  In horror they look for a reprieve, but not one can help.

You run along side the slow moving train shouting, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" but the train does not stop.  It runs faster and faster down the one way track.  You fall to your knees, your legs no long able to hold you upright.  Your body is shaking uncontrollably.  Your eyes are flooded with tears. Your heart is breaking.  You are screaming, "I'm sorry", I'm sorry" but there is no one to hear.

And then you awaken.  It was just a nightmare. You sit up in bed, your body wet from perspiration, your breath shallow and your heart racing from the horror of the dream.  But what if.................

     What if, for just a moment, before we enter into the glories of heaven and God wipes all tears from our eyes, we are allowed to see those who are on their way to an eternity without  God.  What if you could see them one last time before they were sent to eternal punishment?  What would they say to you if they could see you out of the window of  the train to hell?  How would it feel to see your loved ones, your neighbors, someone you know from work, any familiar face on that one way trip?

"Behold, now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation."  May God help us to be a willing witness.