Revelation 18:19; Desolate

Revelation 18:19 (KJV)  And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. 

How do the great men of the world ambitiously court the honours and pleasures of it? The merchants of the earth trade, and strive for the dear-bought treasures of it; whilst the price of Christ (alas! ever too low) falls every day lower and lower upon the exchanges of this world! I speak it as a sad truth, if there were not quicker a trade (as dead as they say it is) for the perishing treasures of the earth, than there is for Christ this day in this land, the exchange would quickly be shut up, and all the trading companies dissolved.

Rather, let us seek the knowledge of Christ while it is still day for a time of regret will certainly come to the drunken who pursue this world’s treasures. The knowledge of Christ is fundamental to the eternal happiness of souls. As we can perform no duty, enjoy no comfort, so neither can we be saved without it, John 17:3, “This is life eternal, to “know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thous hast “sent.” And, if it be life eternal to know Christ, then it is eternal damnation to be ignorant of Christ: as Christ is the door that opens heaven, so knowledge is key that opens Christ. [John Flavel, The Fountain of Life]

Let us therefore not suffer tragic loss in this earthly sojourn, as did these merchants during the Great Tribulation, rather, let us seek Christ and Him crucified that we may attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Amen.