There is such a concept as the point of no return. It is the moment when it is no longer possible to change, correct, or prevent something. All that remains is to go all the way and see what will happen next.
Much has been said and written about Love. God calls everyone and waits for each person to make a decision so that the Lord may act according to that person’s choice. When a man proposes marriage and starting a family to his beloved, his further actions are determined solely by the woman’s decision. Yes or no. ‘Yes’ sounds brief and clear, while a refusal may be presented as a postponement for a long time or as a lengthy answer whose meaning is that she needs to think and decide. Of course, time is given for reflection and prayer, but if there is no decision, that too is an answer—a negative answer. But if the bride has chosen another man and started a family with him, then it is no longer possible to change anything.
What will happen to me if, after hearing the voice of Christ, Who desires to enter my life and have a special relationship with me, I delay my answer?
Let us consider how events may unfold.
By and large, nothing will change. I will continue to pray, study the Bible, and attend meetings. In time, my problems and difficulties will be resolved. God will not stop answering my prayers and protecting me. But day after day, I will see routine in every area of my life. I will develop a desire for something greater, but only for something that will allow me not to stand out from the crowd.
Stories of other people’s experiences and victories will gladden and inspire me, but they too will become routine because they will change nothing in my life. I am so accustomed to this course of events. I know nothing else, I cannot change anything, and I do not want to.
But life goes on, different times come, and the prophecies about the end of earth’s history are fulfilled. Yet I cannot understand where I am in all these events. But when I look at my fellow believers and see that they are the same as I am, I calm down and continue living. It is true that some reformers in the church are very annoying with their revelations. They are constantly calling people to something and pointing something out. They simply cannot live quietly. They also keep talking about some special Love that can be received. When I see their deeds, then I will listen. Yet even the actions of these people no longer impress me, because that is their experience, while things are not so simple for me. Meanwhile, time is flying swiftly.
And now the approach of the end is already very clearly visible; images and symbols have become reality. I now understand that the forces of evil have entered the final battle and will not turn back. I see what the image and mark of the beast are and how people receive them. I realize what God wants from me and cry out for help, but I experience nothing. With my mind I understand the need for change, but my heart is far from it. I have become accustomed to living and believing, and it has become a habit, and now it is difficult to correct anything. I am traveling along my own rails, and I cannot change anything. Whatever I attempt, everything returns to my usual habits. And there is no peace in my heart.
All those whom I considered fanatics have scattered and gone into the world or started their own movements, but some of them who remained in the church amaze me with the purity of their speech and lives and with their clarity of mind. They are different—true Christians—and in character they greatly remind me of Jesus. I turn to them with questions about what I should do, but they look at me sadly and say that they cannot help me in any way, that it is already very late, that I have missed something extremely important, and now it is irretrievably gone. I ask them to teach me Love—how to receive it and how to put it into practice—but they point to the Seller, being unable to give me anything themselves.
I cry out to Heaven, but there is no answer and no peace; anxiety and despair dwell in my heart. I pray to Jesus, but in response I get the impression that He does not know me. In search of a comforting word from God, I travel to every possible meeting and visit various channels on the internet, yet I do not find what I need so much. I fall into despair and begin to search earnestly for comfort, but there is none. I remember all the opportunities that were presented to me before and see that I missed something very important, but I do not know how to bring it back. I weep, fear, and pray, but the anxiety does not leave. What will happen next? I understand what lies ahead, and I tremble even more. I begin to look for those who are to blame, and I find them. And in my indignation against these people, I find temporary comfort. How could they, having so much light, keep it from me?! I see that I am beginning to lose control of myself because I so badly want to punish the guilty. I look around and understand that I am not the only one like this, that everything in the world has changed. Everyone seems to have gone mad. They look for the guilty and punish them. It is true that those special people from the church have disappeared somewhere; apparently, they have finally moved away from the cities. I heard that some of them were imprisoned for extremism. It serves them right. Death all around has become commonplace and is no longer frightening. Food is more difficult to obtain now, but for the time being I am surviving on my reserves. I made it through another day, and that is good enough. And God, in Whom I believed so firmly, has abandoned me, but that is all right; I can manage without Him. I have seen worse than this. Somehow we will break through. Emptiness. But anxiety can be numbed with alcohol or with something stronger. Why did I attend church for so long? What has it brought me to? It would have been better if I had known nothing and lived peacefully. Everyone around me is sick and dying. And some kind of sores have appeared on me as well.
And then something indescribable happened. I see Him—the One in Whom I believed, to Whom I prayed. He is approaching on the clouds, and so many angels are with Him. They are drawing closer and closer. What a glorious sight! Jesus did not deceive us; He has come! My mind becomes clear. Suddenly I remember everything—everything I knew about Him. I remember His gentle voice, His offer to become my Friend, and His instructions. I cannot remain standing and fall to my knees, gazing upon the King of Kings. Our eyes meet, my mind is illuminated, and I understand that I am lost forever, for all Eternity, and that nothing can ever be restored. I made my choice, and I am lost forever. And I agree with this sentence. In the eyes of Jesus I find no condemnation, and that gaze makes me want to hide. Oh, if only a rock would fall upon me and crush me! I hear the Voice: ‘Awake, you who sleep in darkness!!!’
Cries of joy sound all around. The earth opens, and people in bright garments come out of it and fly upward. I recognize many of them and am astonished. They seemed so strange during their lives, but they proved to be overcomers. I look, and I can hardly believe it. I could have been with these people. I am terrified. What will happen to me? But I see the fiery gaze of Christ, lose consciousness, and see nothing more. I simply cease to live.
This is not the end the Lord desires to see. He longs to meet a joyful person who will cry out, ‘Hosanna!!! Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord!!!’ And now He has come to prepare each of us personally for this event.
How His soul longs to take everyone to Himself, to grant us Eternity, and always to look upon us with delight.
Love is that bond of emotional and spiritual attachment which forever joins my heart to Jesus, giving Him the right to be my Husband. By choosing Agape Love, I give Christ my consent to His proposal to be my Lord forever. And nothing will ever separate us or separate me from the Love of God.
Love is an open door for God in the home of my heart. It is the free access of His Spirit to every area of my life. It is joy and peace in every situation.
Love also has a point of no return, and it is called: ‘I choose Love.’
Homework 196
Was anything important revealed to you in this lesson? Do you believe that there are moments in people’s lives when irreversible processes begin? Is it possible to remain neutral while considering God’s proposals? What happens to those who do not give their consent to God’s counsels and appeals? Do you believe that Jesus addresses the world through His people as well? Where does the path toward the point of no return begin? How can we choose the right direction? Will a good God punish this world, for which He gave His Son, and especially those who bear His Name, even though they are disobedient? After all, He is Love! Please read Hebrews 10:26–29; Hebrews 6:4–6; 2 Peter 2:20–22; Genesis 6:5; Isaiah 1:3–6, 16–20; Revelation 22:11–12 in the light of our lesson.