Francis Bourdillon, 1873

A clergyman was visiting an old couple in a distant part of his parish. The wife was in poor health, and the old man had no work to do that day — so they were sitting together by the fire. The minister, after some conversation, opened the Bible at the seventh chapter of the book of Revelation, and read from the ninth verse, beginning, "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude," down to the end of the chapter. The old couple listened with great attention. When he had done, the minister turned to the old man and said, "That's a beautiful passage, Master Hill."

"Ay, sir, it is indeed."

"I hope you are looking that way with all your heart, and your wife too."

"I hope we are sir, I'm sure, both of us. It's time that we should."

"Tell me, what is it that you trust in to bring you to that happy place?"

The old man seemed a little confused by the question; but in a few moments he answered, "Well, sir, I must do as well as I can."

"And do you think that will save you?"

"I hope so, sir. I don't know as I can do any more."

"I'll tell you what, Mr. Hill," said the clergyman very solemnly, "you'll never get to Heaven in that way. That was not the way those happy people got there, of whom I have been reading. You'll never get there after that manner."

The old man looked as if he saw he had said something wrong, but knew not how to mend his answer; so the clergyman said, "Let me read part of it again," and once more he read as follows, "These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

"There is nothing there," continued he, "about having done as well as they could — they did not get there so."

"No, sir, no. I see it better now. They got there by the blood of the Lamb. It says they did."

"Yes, by the blood of the Lamb, the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. They had washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they were before the throne of God, safe and happy forever. They had lived on earth once, as we do, and had been sinners like us. But they had repented of their sins and gone to Christ for pardon. They had not looked to be saved by doing as well as they could, or by being no worse than others. They had felt themselves to be sinners, with no help and no hope in themselves, and had fled to Jesus to save them. They looked to be saved — because Jesus had died for them, and on that ground alone. Thus they were saved. Thus they got to Heaven. They never could have got there in any other way. Try and remember this; try, both of you, never to forget, from this time — that the way to Heaven is to wash your robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. That is, to go to Christ with all your hearts, seeking pardon through His blood. Treasure this up in your hearts. It is the happiest thing you can think of — that the way to Heaven is by the blood of Christ; that His blood has been shed for sinners, and that you have but to wash and be clean. It is freely offered to you, "without money and without price." In all your thoughts, in all your prayers, remember this. Cast away all notion of being saved by your own doings, and take Christ for your all in all. Now let us kneel down together."

And they knelt down, and the minister prayed that God would teach their hearts by His Spirit, and cause them all to see and know Christ, and bring them, through His precious blood, to be happy with Him forever. And so he departed.

It was plain that no gospel light had ever before shone into that old man's heart. He had never, up to that moment, heard the way of salvation. Yet he was constantly at church, as far as age and distance would allow; and seldom in that church was a sermon preached, in which salvation through Christ was not plainly set forth. He mind was dark, in the midst of light. It is to be feared there are many such — many who hear the gospel for years, and yet get no light as to the way of salvation — still dark, though living in the midst of light.

Reader, perhaps you are dark too. If so, look well at these blessed words, these words of God; and may they bring light to your soul: "These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God."

Here are some, you see, with God forever, safe and happy. How did they reach that blessed place? They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. They repented — they fled to Christ — they placed all their hope in His precious blood shed for sinners. That is the way for you — that is the way for me — that is the only way. Do not talk about doing your best or doing nobody any harm or doing this or not doing that. Do not trust to your church-going, or your chapel-going. All this will never, never, save you.

Trust simply in the blood of Jesus. Think it not enough to hear of it, or even to understand about it. Knowing the way will not take you to Heaven; you must walk in the way. Understanding about the blood of Christ will not save you; you must seek to be washed in it. Pray that you may know and feel this. Pray that the Holy Spirit may be given you, to teach you.

Come now with all your heart to Jesus Christ — that you may be made clean, forgiven, reconciled, and accepted in Him; and then see, oh see, what God has in store for you:

"Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Revelation 7:15-17).