What a ghastly, gripping
vision!
Too real for a nightmare.
The fact needs no
decision.
They are really stranded there.
Frightened people pressed to the fringe
Beside that lake of
fire.
Souls from searing heat do cringe.
Tears can't quench that
raging pyre.
I hear the grinding of their teeth;
The whimpering in their
cries.
Horror screaming from beneath;
Trembling; terror; haggard
eyes.
Do you not see your brother
there?
The LORD spoke from above.
One for whom you did declare
Close friendship?
Brotherly love?
Oh, Lord! Redeem him from that fate!
His
sins you said you'd bear.
Let not Satan close the gate.
Please,
Lord! Take him out of there!
The devil's tares all sin badly.
That lake's for them to
share.
Then did our Lord speak sadly,
It was you who led him there.
I, Lord? Into that frying pan?
I oft walked
in his shoes.
Then remember, if
you can,
If you gave him my good news.
When did you tell him of the great
Treasures that heaven
holds?
Did you tell him of this fate
That a life of sin unfolds?
Did you share my revelation:
How easy it would be
To gain
complete salvation?
To open his door to me?
Did you even once rebuke him,
So gently with my love,
To turn
him from the schism
To the way I told you of?
But him, Lord, I could not console
To
accept such from me.
I wanted to save his soul,
But approached it
cautiously.
Salvation's not yours to bestow.
For
that you cannot do.
Seeds of faith you were to sow:
The living
seeds I gave you.
So now your friend, with gasping breath
And terror in his
heart,
Faints before the second death.
Someone failed to do his
part.
Your friends and you belong to me.
All of you I cherish.
Now
confess me openly,
Lest more of mine should perish.
Wake up now! Grasp my Spirit sword!
Be faithful in your
deeds.
Ever am I the Living Word.
Go forth! Sow my loving
seeds.
