The Rope Ladder

A boat is sinking.

It is a steamboat that drew too near a rock outcropping where a lighthouse had been built high on a cliff and broke its hull against the sharp rocks at its base. The waves are slamming against the ship and the rocks making escape via the sea a certain death sentence. For all the passengers on board, staying on the ship, which is slowly being torn to pieces by the waves against the rocks, is merely a delayed death sentence.

Amazingly, very few passengers are alarmed by the situation. The ship's captain, either mad or delusional, has reassured them that all is well and to not fret. He tells them to find a comfortable place to sit and wait out the minor pause in the voyage. He even begins administering wine and cocktails to the passengers to reward them for their obedience to his orders. Very many are comforted in this way; while very few refuse to be deceived.

Just then, a shout comes from the direction of the lighthouse. Its keeper has noticed the wreck and has come to a ledge above the ship. In his hand is a rope ladder. He calls for the people to trust him, that he will anchor the ladder above and let it down for a way of escape but adds that they must hurry for he can see that the ship is rapidly breaking apart.

The sound of the waves are loud and few hear his instructions or look up to notice him. Those who do hear him begin to circulate the good news from person to person; however, many aboard the ship do not believe the report. Some say it would be nice if it were possible, but they could never climb a rope ladder held by a stranger. Others, seemingly hypnotized by the waves, do not seem to even hear the message. And a great many—most of the people on board—believe the delusional ship captain who says to do as he commands and remain on board for there is nothing amiss in the voyage.

Some gather to the rope ladder and, trusting the lighthouse keeper, climb its tall and narrow rungs high to the top of the cliff. There they find that the ladder was firmly tied off to a massive, immovable tree. The kindly lighthouse keeper rejoices for each person who reaches the top.

"Why are there so few?" he asks the rescued passengers. "Where are the others? Why haven't they come?"

In time the sound of a loud crack echoes up from the wreckage. The ship has finally split in two! Its contents spill into the thrashing waves and the cries of the many who stayed below can be heard. Too late they see the rope ladder resting where the ship once stood, and in desperation they call out, "Save us!" But the lighthouse keeper can make no reply through his tear-filled eyes.

"I gave you a way out but ye would not!" He speaks into the wind. "I could only save you from your sinking ship, not save you in your sinking ship."

Those who have eyes to see, let them see.

"The Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but...he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins. And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls" (Hela. 5:10 – 11).