The Escalators

It was terrifying and chaotic. The sense of urgency was so great, and yet I felt completely helpless. I could only watch as the scene unfolded. It was like a short clip from an action film or, while this came to me before the era of mass shootings, it could have been a scene from a mall where there was an active shooter. In this scene, in my mind’s eye, there were escalators everywhere—going up, going down . . . passing to the right, to the left—packed with people. There was sheer terror and panic in the air. Pandemonium. I was on an escalator that was moving along at a steady pace, slowly moving upwards. There were others with me on that escalator. And from that escalator, I could see other escalators—destined for other places—packed with people. So many people.

I knew that mine would lead to safety, but I was just as certain that the other escalators would lead the people to danger and destruction. And they knew it, too. They were desperate. Pushing and shoving, climbing over and trampling others in their desperate attempts to get off that escalator and onto mine. I saw people that I loved on those other escalators . . . slowly and inexorably moving towards danger and destruction. But there was nothing I could do about it. Nothing they could do about it. It was too late.

Ushering Others to the Ultimate Escalator

I don’t know if it was my mind’s way of processing things or God’s way of revealing this really important truth to me—perhaps it was both—but upon awakening, it was clear to me that this was like a Hollywood version of Matthew 7:13–14: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (NIV). A familiar scripture, one I knew well. But did I really know it? The Apostle John was given “the rest of the story,” and it is cryptically given to us in the book of Revelation. Cryptic, yet crystal clear. There is a day coming when time runs out. Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead. At that time, we had better be on the right "escalator"—the narrow road that leads to life. By then, it will be too late to change escalators.

But it is not too late now! We have been given time. God is a loving God and wishes that none would perish. But he has left us with a task. As believers, as his followers, we have been commissioned to help people find their way to the right escalator! We are to go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations. Do we somehow know that without really knowing that? Do we believe, or do we believe? How urgent is our sense of sharing the gospel? Are we equipping ourselves to do so? Do we sense an imminency that motivates us to move from complacency to action? I cling to the feeling I had on that escalator, and it moves me to “go, therefore.” No one knows the day of his return.  So, we’d better get moving!

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad

is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life,

and only a few find it.” 

Matthew 7:13–14 NIV

“Anyone whose name was not found written in the

book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” 

Revelation 20:15 NIV

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,

as some understand slowness.

Instead he is patient with you, not wanting

anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

“Therefore keep watch, because you

do not know the day or the hour.” 

Matthew 25:13 NIV