THE EMMAUS WALK PRESENTS:

"The Wonder of Wonders,"

Edwin Raymond Anderson--

American Tract Society, Oradell, N.J. 07649

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you

the gospel...how that Christ died

for our sins according to the scriptures;

and that he was buried, and that he

rose again the third day according to

the scriptures."--I Corinthians 15: 1, 3-4

No doubt you are familiar with the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Pyramids of Egypt, the greatest of which covers 13 acres with the original height of 481 feet. Over 2 million stone blocks went into it, each block about 40 cubic feet in size and 2 1/2 tons in weight.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, erected per order of Nebuchadnezzar to the honor of his wife. This consisted of five gardens set in the form of a square and rising to the height of about 75 feet.

The Statue of Jupiter, by Phideas; a huge figure of gold and ivory, erected at Olympias.

The Temple of Diana at Ephesus, built about 400 B.C. of exquisite Persian marble. The location of this temple was discovered by archeologists in 1869.

The Mausoleum of Halicarnasses, built by Queen Artemesia in 353 B.C. as a magnificent burial place in memory of her husband, Mausolus. Valuable bits of architecture and sculpture were located at the site by a British expedition in the 1800s.

The Colossus of Rhodes; an immense bronze statue representing Helios, the sun god. It is said to have stood in the Rhodes harbor entrance in such a manner that ships had to pass between the legs while entering. It was destroyed in an earthquake.

The Pharos; a lighthouse built by Ptolemy II (309-246 B.C.), on an island in the Bay of Alexandria, nearly 400 feet high and resting upon a 100 square foot base. An earthquake in the A.D. 1300s destroyed it.

Seven wonders, with what magnitude of accomplishment! And yet, in a very solemn sense, there is nothing of worthwhile wonder about any of them. For they are all of the past, without a single voice of significance for the hungering needs and longings of the hearts of men today. They are all old and silent, without answer to the pressures and perplexities which encompass us upon every hand.

There is another Wonder of the ancient world, far greater, far more important, than all those seven put together! Another Wonder which belongs to all time, and cries out with a clear voice of hope for all men, whatever be their station. This is the Wonder of Easter's Empty Tomb.

That empty tomb is the lone hope of humanity. Yet it is tragic that men think so lightly of it, and, for the greater part, wave it away as but a token of trivial religion. There may be the respectable nod in its direction at Eastertime, but it seems to have no meaning. Surely the Word of God is right with its diagnosis,

"the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Cor. 4:4)

There can be no greater blindness than turning away from the empty tomb, with its marvelous message more relevant and realistic than tomorrow's newspaper.

Because of sin many are yet in the tomb of condemnation,

"having no hope, and without God in the world," (Ephesians 2:12)

for in solemn truth,

"he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)

This empty tomb bespeaks the great proof of that guaranteed salvation so fully and freely offered by Him who died on Calvary and rose again at Easter, now living forevermore. What more could be required on His part? Even now He extends His "Easter invitation" to,

"Come, for all things are now ready." (Luke 14:17)

As it is written,

"His name shall be called Wonderful." (Isaiah 9:6)

And what a wonderful salvation He offers in grace, mercy, and limitless love! May this very moment be for you the blessed beginning of an "everlasting Easter."--E.R.A.

You may order this tract by writing to the American Tract Society, Oradell, N.J. 07649.

The Emmaus Walk Home Page


Format Only: (c) 2009, Butterfly Productions, All Rights Reserved