The room was so quiet

Several years ago, I was invited to speak at Yale University. Upon my arrival, I was warned that a group of demonstrators in the audience was ready to interrupt me. When I got on the podium, I saw some of these demonstrators holding placards.

My message that evening was entitled : "HELL : WHAT IT LIES AND WHO IS GOING" I preached exactly what Jesus said : "There will be tears and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13 : 50). While I was speaking, there was total silence in the auditorium and the atmosphere became convoluted. Afterwards, everyone got out of the auditorium in a stunned silence.

I will never forget this meeting. There was a real fear of God in this place, a reverential fear, even among the most resistant to the gospel. A well-known New York Times reporter covered the event and he later told me : "The room was so quiet that the sound of my pen seemed deafening."

As I walked into the hall, after the event, some protesters were still there, with their placards. When they saw me, they turned away. They had no explanation for the majesty and holiness of God they had just encountered.

I can tell you that these days of fear with God are long gone. Today, Satan has delivered a gospel of convenience. Today there are advertisements on New York buses that say : "There is no God - Have fun !" On the London buses, similar signs say : "There is no No God - Let's party !"

Why are these references to God still persisting over time ? This is because mankind has never been able to completely get rid of a fear about the consequences of sin. The world is harassed by the reality of the Last Judgment, from a time when it will be necessary to render accounts and a real hell. The Holy Spirit faithfully warned every generation, no matter how perverted it was. And He is still speaking right now !

David Wilkerson