I have a fascination with trains. Trains were all-important in the building of our nation. Trains are still all-important to us today. If Jesus were physically among us now, he might tell us a parable about trains.
There were two trains: the Train of Righteousness and the Train of Unrighteousness. The two trains stand side by side on different tracks, headed in different directions. The Glory Train is destined for heaven; the Long Black Train is destined for Hell.
Two trains. The Glory Train is ablaze with dazzling light. The Long Black Train sits in somber silence. Both trains have their "agents" extolling the virtues of their excursions, giving compelling reasons why one should ride their train and selling tickets to potential buyers.
The agents of Christ are urging folks to get on board the Glory Train, saying, "You will enjoy the best life now and a much better life in Heaven. You will be given gifts of love and joy and peace and mercy and grace and hope. You will live forever in the city of Light - along with all the saints and angels!"
The agents of Satan are not to be outdone. "Ride the Black Train," they say, "and you will never be blinded by the light, and the light will never expose any of your dark thoughts or deeds to others. "Anything Christ can offer you, I will offer you a hundred times more. I will offer you Paradise II - a place where you can have anything you want anytime you want, a place where there are no rules; you live according to your own rules. Plus, you won't have to give up anything or change your lifestyle at all."
So, hundreds buy tickets for the Glory Train, while millions buy tickets for the Long Black Train. And both trains begin their journey, carrying their passengers to the destination of their choice.
Somewhere down the line in space and time, the two trains cross paths at a place called Judgment Junction. There, the Judge of all will check everyone's tickets, give everyone a chance to change trains, and send them on to their Final Destination. If you chose to ride the Glory Train, your destination will be heaven; if you chose the Black Train, your destination will be Hell.
At that, a million voices will shout in disbelief and dismay, "Hell?! Satan, you promised us Paradise -- you never said anything about Hell. You promised us that our every desire would be realized and our every wish would be granted."
And Satan just laughs. " I lied. After all, I am the ultimate conman! I conned you all good - and you fell for my lies. Welcome to Hell!"
Then, the millions turn to God. "Help! You're a God of love, and You wouldn't send us to Hell."
God replies, "No! I would never send any of my children to Hell. Time and again, I called your cell phone -- you never returned My calls. I sent you text messages, warning you of the dangers of riding the Devil's train --you ignored My warnings. I sent you a personal invitation to join Me in Heaven -- you rejected My invitations. Instead, you chose to continue riding the Devil's Train -- and now it's too late!"
And that is Hell!
A parable of two Trains. The Glory Train will take us to Heaven; the Long Black Train will take us to Hell. Choose today which train you will ride!
Dr. Don Kuehle is a retired United Methodist minister who lives in Jackson. Opinions are those of the author.
Religion on 09/15/2016