Jerusalem: "A Burdensome Stone"

June 1990

"And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it."

How ironic that the "City of Peace" is the center of bitter world controversy! Not only is East Jerusalem contended between Israel and the Arab world, but world political and religious leaders also join in the fray. Christian leaders continue to ignore this warning of the Lord by the Prophet. What should be the "Christian attitude" now toward Jerusalem?

In March President Bush-an avowed born-again Christian-berated Israel for building Jewish "settlements" in East Jerusalem because, he claimed, the status of East Jerusalem is negotiable in Israeli-Arab peace talks. This statement was a startling change of U.S. policy-which many felt was the real reason for the collapse of Israel’s coalition government. Jerusalem’s Mayor Teddy Kollek, a solid moderate, observed that Bush’s comment resulted in an increase of violence in East Jerusalem.

In April when a group of Jewish families moved into the so-called Christian Quarter of Jerusalem, some Jewish leaders questioned the wisdom of the timing. But the media and church leaders whipped up world opinion into a hysteria. THE NEW YORK TIMES called the building sublet by these Jewish families an "occupied Greek Orthodox Church." The WASHINGTON POST spoke of it as "the Greek Orthodox Church complex." But the following quote from a letter President Chaim Herzog of Israel wrote to the U.S. Greek Orthodox Primate (JERUSALEM POST, May 26, 1990) clarifies the issues:

"I do not propose to go into the rights or wrongs of the action taken by those claiming a right to residence in the building, following the payment of a considerable amount of money. .. I am, however, very disturbed by the behavior of the Greek Orthodox Church on this issue. It is extremely alarming. .. to note the manner in which the neglected, abandoned, misused hospice, suddenly becomes a Holy Site.

"I must say that the sight of a priest in clerical garments standing on a ladder, ripping down a Star of David from a Jewish residence, cheered by an enraged mob, is a horrible reminder of what our people lived through in history. ...

"... the building was described as being a few meters away from the [Church of the] Holy Sepulchre. Any visitor to the site, with its enclosed streets, will confirm that this assertion is false." In an interview with Jordan television, Patriarch Disdoros, head of the Greek Orthodox patriarchate in Jerusalem, described Jerusalem as being "under conquest." During a visit to Greece he charged that this incident was part of an attempt by Israel to take over the Christian Quarter of Old Jerusalem.

Of course, the Vatican entered the controversy. THE NEW YORK TIMES reported that Pope John Paul II, in an audience which included senior officials from Arab countries and a representative of the PLO, "expressed ‘profound concern.’" Cardinal O’Connor, however, reflected the hysteria of the Roman Catholic church over the Jerusalem issue. In an article appearing in the CATHOLIC NEW YORK, he called the move "obscene" and the Israeli government’s role in the incident as "reprehensible." He characterized the move of 25 parents and 100 children and infants into the hospice as an invasion by armed men-part of "a conspiracy to grab land all over Israel currently occupied by Christians. ..[ and] a design to make it virtually impossible for Christians to function anywhere in the land."

To put this controversial incident in balanced perspective, it must be noted that Jews formerly lived in this area until they were violently expelled by Arab attack in 1936. In fact, it was during the same period of the British Mandate that the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem was drastically reduced. (Later the reduced segment of the Jewish Quarter-including its many Synagogues-was destroyed during the Jordanian occupation of 1948-1967.) Where was the Christian outcry then? Why is there Christian silence when Jews are abused? While the hospice is owned by the Greek Orthodox Church, the building was never used for religious purposes. Furthermore, the building was leased to an Arab and the ground floor was occupied by Moslem stores. Because the Christian Quarter is actually two-thirds Moslem, a Mosque nearby serves this active Moslem population. ...

As Christian and Moslem leaders gathered in the Greek Orthodox Patriarch’s offices, masked intifada youths began waving PLO flags chanting anti-Jewish slogans. The PLO flag was then placed at the top of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. (Who then actually desecrated a Christian holy site?)

Why are Catholics opposed to Jews living in the Christian Quarter yet are gladly living together with Arabs? Why is the Vatican so opposed to Israel possessing Old Jerusalem while insisting on Jerusalem’s internationalization?

When the world community was finally ready to grant Israel statehood in 1947, the specter of the Vatican loomed over the United Nations. Since Israel’s rebirth the Vatican has never recognized it as a nation. New York’s Cardinal Spellman, used all the powers of his office to keep Jerusalem out of Israeli control. Telegraphing the Papal nuncios (ambassadors) in South American countries, he demanded that they urge those governments to take an uncompromising stand at the U.N. for Jerusalem’s internationalization.

The Vatican’s apparent reason is that all three faiths will have free access to their holy places. However, from 1948 to 1967, Jordan desecrated Jewish holy places and destroyed synagogues while completely denying Jewish access to East Jerusalem. In all those years the Vatican never raised a cry for internationalization. Since acquiring Old Jerusalem in 1967, Israel has guaranteed and preserved for all (Christians and Moslems as well) free access to their respective holy places. Yet the Vatican is presently insisting on internationalization to provide a right that these three religions already enjoy. Obviously, a more fundamental reason for Vatican opposition to Israel’s possession of Old Jerusalem prevails.

The Roman Catholic Church maintains Israel’s right to be the Kingdom of God ended forever with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Roman Legion in 70 C.E. Growing to world prominence, the Roman Catholic Church claimed to be the rightful heir of the Kingdom of God with Rome as the "New Jerusalem." But this claim of Rome to be the "eternal city," was deflated when in 1967 Jerusalem, "the eternal city," became Israel’s capital.

Why does the Vatican act like a major world power-exchanging ambassadors with other nations, etc.? No other Christian church claims this prestige.

The only excuse the Vatican has to act as a world power is the claim that it is both the spiritual and temporal Kingdom of God, the "New Jerusalem." Israel’s repossession of the capital of its ancient kingdom is a galling challenge to Rome-a challenge which Rome seems compelled to remove. When Jerusalem is "internationalized," the Vatican plans to dominate its supervision and thereby cement its claim to be the Kingdom of God on earth. The Vatican will not rest until Jerusalem is wrested from Israel.

Other world powers, including the United States, insist that Jerusalem is "negotiable" in any Israeli-Arab peace talks. Jerusalem is not negotiable. Remember Zechariah’s prophecy-all who contend in the Jerusalem issue will be sorely hurt. National and religious leaders had better heed this warning.

Christian leaders who misrepresent Israel or Jews in issues such as this hospice rental incident may be betraying latent anti-Semitic attitudes ingrained in their organization. In any case, such leaders are certainly sowing seeds of bitter feelings of anti-Semitism. Christians should not be trapped by media hysteria, but should rationally consider the Scriptural and historical perspective

Jerusalem, indeed, will be internationalized! But it will belong to the Jew forever. People from all over the world will come to Jerusalem to worship, but it will be to enquire about the God of the Jews and to praise His holy Name.

"Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you." Zec 8:22, 23 (See also Isa 2:2,3; 60:10-12; 66:18-22)

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Isa 2:2,3

"Prepare War"

September 1990

"Proclaim this among the Gentiles, Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up"

The Iraqi conquest of Kuwait touched off worldwide troubles. The current crisis in the Middle East and its international implications provide the alert Christian with fertile ground for thought. Thank God that we can turn to His unerring word to guide us in the dark times. Truly "whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience (perseverance) and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Rom 15:4 We are confident in our Heavenly Father’s "sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." 2Pet 1:19

The "dark place" the Apostle Peter speaks of is this present world. Under the leadership of the prince of darkness (2Co 4:4) humanity finds itself shipwrecked on the reefs of tragedy. The Christian can rejoice regardless of this world’s tragedies because of "the hope that is within us." We have a hope of glory. We have a hope in Christ’s kingdom. We have a hope in the eventual blessing of all mankind. Our hope, as Brothers Paul and Peter testified, is taught by the Old Testament prophets. In them we find that our great God was fully aware of what the conditions would be in our troubled times. In them we see that our Heavenly Father is in complete control of world events-shaping them to their grand culmination in the peaceable kingdom on earth.

How is the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait a fulfillment of Bible prophecy? Consider Joel the third chapter concerning The Day of the LORD:

"Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:

"Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

"Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye nations, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.

"Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the nations round about.

"Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great.

"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision." (Joel 3:9-14)

The conditions of Joel’s prophecy are our headlines today. War preparations are supported with hundreds of billions of dollars that the community of nations devote to them. Especially interesting is the nature of war preparation. Joel 3:10 turns a very familiar text around and, in so doing, gives us greater insight regarding the Lord’s word. "They shall beat their swords into plowshares", but in Joel plowshares are made into swords and pruning hooks into spears.

The lesson is that sinful man will take the very tools that could make for peace and turn them into devices of destruction. Ample testimony of this fact is given in the use of nearly every "high-tech" development for military purposes. Nuclear energy provides for power to run cities and medical treatment to heal diseases. It is also fashioned into bombs that can vaporize a city and its inhabitants in one efficient flash of light.

Chemists bring forth from their test tubes miracle drugs that save lives, nutrients that induce fabulous agricultural production and, as well, poison gases that kill without conscience. Truly, our modern times are witnessing a profound fulfillment of Joel 3:10.

Why do men prepare so furiously for war? Why learn war at all? Invariably wars may be traced to one underlying cause. One group of people realize that another has more than they do and hence decide to "get their fair-share" by force. Whether that "fair-share" is money, food, oil, land or commerce, the problem comes down to one word-greed. Lust for wealth in some form or other has seduced many nations into war. Saddam Hussein lusted after Kuwaiti money and oil and therefore took it. That’s why he’s there now. President Bush saw the need to "protect the American life style." That is why American troops are awaiting war in the Middle East. Many other nations are represented there-each for self-interest.

The gathering together of the nations in the Persian Gulf is representative of a greater gathering on a much grander scale. That greater gathering together is spoken of in Joel 3:11,12,14. The nations of our time are being gathered together economically. No longer do economic leaders think in terms of national economy or even international economy. The current terminology is global economy.

Nations are scrambling for advantageous position in a global economy. Formerly communistic countries are shifting gears and converting to market economies. Why? To survive in global commerce. This drawing together of all nations has brought about a further fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. In Joel 3:10 the weak say "I am strong." Nations which in time past were mere nobodies on the international scene are now able to affect even superpowers. Iraq’s military exploits have resulted in severe economic tensions of a worldwide scope. Western nations slide into recession and stock markets plunge as a result of a weak one, Iraq, saying "I am strong." We, as Christians, feel much sympathy for the whole world and the problems that mankind faces. However, we rejoice that the process of establishing God’s Kingdom on earth goes grandly and surely onward. As a result of all nations being gathered together, the fulfillment of God’s word is occurring in our lifetime.

Besides allowing the weak to be strong, the LORD is accomplishing another purpose in the gathering together of the nations. Zeph 3 reveals that purpose to Bible students. "My determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD to serve him with one consent." (Zeph 3: 8,9) After the fire of God’s jealousy has done its work of destroying all the sinful and enslaving institutions of man, the people will learn a pure language. That language of love will enable all those who had not known or served the LORD to do so-after the fire is over.

Re 16 parallels Zeph 3 and explains further what the fire of God’s jealousy is. As does Zephaniah, so also Revelation shows us that God is gathering the nations (Re 16:14,16) to a great battle. God pours out "all my fierce anger" in Zephaniah and in Revelation he pours out the seven last plagues "for in them is the wrath of God completed" (Re 15:1) The seventh plague results in the battle of the great day of God Almighty-the great earthquake of Re 16:18.

In scripture, an earthquake symbolizes revolution. On the basis of the earthquake which toppled a tenth part of the city (Re 11:13), students of scripture predicted the French Revolution (and many of its effects) 150 years before it occurred. The lessons of prophecy fulfilled give us a firm basis for interpreting prophecy yet to come. The great revolution of Re 16 will open the door to the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth.

"Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven." (Heb 12:26,27) Once more will God shake the earth (society) and heaven (ecclesiastical rulers) and no more after that because it will not be necessary. "And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come." Hag 2:7 The true desire of all nations is peace, health, prosperity. That desire surely shall come because God has promised it.

In Satan’s kingdom men have beaten plowshares into swords and pruning hooks into spears (Joel 3:10), but the kingdom that the Lord Jesus Christ will reign over is quite different. Micah, the fourth chapter, describes the good King’s reign. In it all nations will walk in his paths and learn of his ways. Then shall they beat their weapons into the instruments of peace.

Peace will be possible then. Greed and the necessity for it will be abolished. We have an insight as to the economic nature of God’s kingdom in Mic 4:4. "They shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid." Apparently, each person in that kingdom will be economically independent. Never again will they need to fear for their next meal, their wages or land. None shall make them afraid and for this reason "neither shall they learn war any more." Mic 4:3

That time will be beautiful. God’s kingdom will be a blessing to all. In the meantime while we groan and travail with war and its suffering, there is a paradoxical blessing in it. Of God’s kingdom, the Psalmist says "He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Ps 46:9,10 God will cause wars to cease unto the ends of the earth. Therefore we, as Christians, can rejoice. We rejoice because as long as there is war in this world, that is a testimony to us that this world, AS IT NOW IS, is not God’s kingdom. His reign of peace and righteousness and beauty and justice is coming soon. Then shall the world be still and know that he is God.

Bible prophecy is vital to us. It provides us a sure sense of direction. It gives us great hope. It gives us great comfort. The 656 page book "The Battle of Armageddon" presents 14 topical studies. These incisively examine the scriptures relating to that great battle which will both destroy Satan’s kingdom and establish Christ’s Kingdom. If you already have a copy of "The Battle of Armageddon", look up the preceding scriptures in the index and read the studied commentary on them. May the Lord bless you and comfort you as he is also doing with us.

Ghosts: Friends or Demons?

October 1990

Are the dead really dead?

What possesses a skeptical, educated Western society to hanker after ghosts and spirits?

The same kids who grew up on "Casper the Friendly Ghost" now identify with "Sam" (Patrick Swayze), the hero yuppie ghost. A celebrity like Shirley MacLaine has elevated the pursuit of connecting with the spirits of the dead from side-door parlors to a very sophisticated level. The going rate for any respectable "channeler" runs in the thousands of dollars.

Why are people so anxious to communicate with the spirit world of the dead? First of all, one would naturally long to communicate with a deceased loved one for many reasons... In the ad lines of the recent movie, "Always," now available in video cassette, "They couldn’t hear him. They couldn’t see him. But he was there when they needed him. Even after he was gone." But is a human longing a basis for a legitimate hope for reaching the dead? Another reason for expecting to communicate would be because most people have only a vague understanding of what death really means.

Only truth really satisfies-and comforts. The origin of death traces back to the Garden of Eden... the first man... and sin. God linked Adam’s continuance of life on earth on simple obedience. However, "In the day that thou eatest of the tree, thou shalt surely die." Satan, using the serpent, contradicted this stipulation, saying, "Thou shalt not surely die." When Adam did sin and did die, Satan-being the "father of lies" that he is-perpetuated his lie in every generation and to every people: "You don’t really die. You only seem to die. You are more alive than ever when you die!" The Egyptians believed it. Socrates and Plato taught it. And, unfortunately, many Christians adopted it.

Just how dead are the dead? And is there any precious hope for any life after death? When God created Adam, "Man became a living soul." Ge 2:7 After God had infused the "breath of life" in the body He prepared, Adam himself was "made a living soul." But sinning plunged the soul itself into death. Eze 18:4 The breath of life is not the soul. The breath of life is the life energy from God which causes a body to live. Take away this life spirit and the soul dies. True, Adam "died spiritually" in that his fellowship was cut off immediately in that first 24-hour day. But Adam also immediately began physically to die ("Dying thou shalt die"). And he did die literally within God’s 1,000-year day. 1Pe 3:8

But even as God pronounced the grim death sentence on Adam, a ray of hope pierced this judgment. "The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head..." A fatal blow would fall on the great tempter, Satan. Later this "seed" was identified as the "seed of Abraham." Ge 22:17 Christians are heirs to this promise as part of the seed which will bless all families of the earth. Gal 3:29 They are with Christ, the "firstfruits of them that have slept." 1Co 15:20 Then, during Christ’s presence ("parousia," Greek), his 1,000-year reign with the church, all the families of the earth will be the "afterfruits" in the resurrection of the dead.

So the legitimate hope for reaching the dead will be in the resurrection in the "last day." Joh 11:24 If man possessed an immortal soul, he would not need a resurrection. To say mortal man is inherently immortal in some way is to disregard our need for Jesus Christ who is our life and resurrection!

Communications with the Dead?

If then, it is impossible for the dead to communicate, what accounts for the apparent communication with the dead? Aside from frauds, too many convincing experiences suggesting extra-human contact have occurred.

The Bible verifies the existence of positive spirit beings called angels. But they have their counterpart. The Mosaic Law soundly rejects any meddling with spiritism. De 18:10,11 The four Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life have no less than forty-two references to negative spirit beings, fallen angels, called "demons." Where did these demons come from?

The account of Genesis 6 reveals that certain angels violated God’s law of keeping their own spirit nature separate from man’s human nature. These angels who "left their own habitation," (Jude 6, 1Pet 3:20) took wives of the women of earth. Although not destroyed in the flood, they were constrained in a condition where they could not return to heaven, nor could they materialize any more on earth. This state, called "tartaroo" (Greek, see Footnote), was to be endured until the Judgment Day.

In the meantime, these fallen angels or demons have been limited to working through willing human channels. They have operated through the bodies of these, instead of bodies of their own. Such "mediums," or human channels were in the past known as "fetishes," "shaman," "wizards," "witches," "necromancers," "medicine men." In dark seances they endeavored to gain control of people’s minds and bodies. Not able to materialize in bodies of their own making, they tried to possess the bodies and minds of others. When this happens a fate as terrible as drug addiction occurs. The individual enters a slavery to demons. They have misrepresented God. They have misrepresented God’s plan. They have misrepresented the dead. By claiming to be the dead speaking, they have promulgated Satan’s lie in Eden,

"Thou shalt not surely die."

The record shows that the restraints that have been placed upon the fallen angels have a time limit-"unto the judgment of the great day." As we now see about us the evidences of the climactic events of the "Day of the Lord," it should not surprise any that the chains of restraint on those evil spirits are gradually being loosened. The upsurge of activity of the fallen angels in the form of newly acceptable channeling sessions, devil worship, and spiritist inspired movies and music is part of the result of the relaxing of the "chains" of restraint. There is no question that Satan and his legions are more energetic than ever to do all the mischief they can.

Despite the clear warnings of Scripture regarding the occult, many Christians subject themselves and their families to be entertained by demon inspired themes. Much seems so harmless. Kindergarten children are taught, as part of a rigorous school curriculum, the friendly side of ghosts and witches. A proper understanding of the seriousness of the negative spirit world demands a healthy distance.

While speaking of the Lord’s return, the Apostle Paul (2Thess 2:8-12) says that although the Lord will consume Satan with the "brightness of his presence" (epiphania of his parousia), Satan will very energetically work deceptions "with all power and signs and lying wonders. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness." So strong a delusion will it be that if it were possible it would deceive even the true saints of God-those who would "believe a lie," because they receive not the "love of the truth."

Demons are by no means our friends. But yes, we will see our friends and loved ones again-in the resurrection. Then too, know ye not that the saints "shall judge the angels?" Perhaps some of the fallen angels will have learned their lesson and conformed to God’s will. But those who used their greater liberty to wreck havoc on man will be destroyed in the second death. Re 20:10

Fotenote: Tartaroo-The Word tartaroo, used by Peter, very closely resembles tartarus, a word used in Grecian mythology as the name for a dark abyss or prison. But tartaroo seems to refer more to an act than to a place. The fall of the angles who sinned was from honor and dignity, into dishonor and condemnation, and the thought seems to be-"God spared not the angels who sinned, but degraded them, and delivered them into chains of darkness."

The Christian is admonished to especially put on the "whole armour of God" in the "evil day" that we live in today. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Eph 6:11-13

Is the U.N. Anti-Israel?

November 1990

Dear Christian Friend,

Once again Israel made headlines, even temporarily pushing the Iraqi crisis from front stage at the U.N. As Christians, we are deeply grieved by all the suffering and shedding of blood in the Middle East. No doubt there have been wrongs on all sides (Jer 3:11). Permanent peace will only come to the Middle East when the principles of Christ, the Prince of Peace, motivate all human actions and transactions (Isa 2:2-4).

The new State of Israel has been a miracle of history in fulfillment of Bible prophecy (Jer 30:3,9,10,18). It is the work of the Lord, but an unfortunate pattern has developed. The Arab nations, the United Nations and now the United States are all opposing Israel. Jer 31:16 has a warning for all such: - "... and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey."

Rocks large enough to kill rained down on 3000 Jewish worshipers and Israel was condemned for defending its most sacred place of worship, the Western Wall. Was excessive force used?

In 1987 Saudi Arabia slaughtered over 400 Iranian Pilgrims at the Moslem’s most holy site in Mecca. Of course, then it was open hunting season on Iranians; just as it was open season on Jews during WWII. Allied powers then knew of the holocaust but refused to bomb out the railroad tracks leading to the death camps. And boatloads of Jews, like the St. Louis, were denied entry to the U.S. and sent back to their doom in Europe. Unfortunately, 1989 and 1990 continue to be open season on Jews. Anti-Semitic acts are on the rise to an alarming degree throughout the world. Israel bashing by news media and world powers is a popular pastime.

A Double Standard

Where violence is concerned, neither Israel or any other nation is above scrutiny; but the persistency of the outcry against Israel by the international community is suspect.

When the Arab Legion defied the U.N. and seized East Jerusalem in 1948, Jordan desecrated Jewish holy sites and banned Jews from the city. The world powers remained silent. In 1970 Jordan massacred 20,000 refugees when it expelled the P.L.O. out of its borders. In 1982 Syria destroyed the Moslem Brotherhood stronghold in the city of Hama. Nearly 19,000 were slaughtered. There was no cry of outrage by the international community about either carnage.

In 1985-86 the Amal Arab forces waged total war against the P.L.O. camps in Lebanon. The world viewed the limited television reports with indifference but now cry with outrage at Israel’s handling of the Intifada. In the past year of the Intifada, about 50% of Palestinians killed were killed by fellow Palestinians. Intifada terror squads enforce Palestinian cooperation with the Intifada; a fact you don’t hear about in the news media. A month ago, the Syrians killed 200 Christian Arab prisoners in Lebanon (US News & World Report, November 12, 1990). Where was the outcry?

The United States helped Iraq defeat Iran, then courted the friendship of Saddam Hussein while he slaughtered thousands of Kurds. But when Iraq invaded Kuwait, the U.S. turned on Hussein. Why? The source of U.S. oil was at stake. Unfortunately, it is often oil power and not moral power that motivates the U.N. Since most world powers are dependent on Arab oil, the 21 Arab nations exert a dominant influence on U.N. policies.

Facts Of History

At the breaking up of the Turkish Empire by the Allies at the end of WWI, both Arabs and Jews requested independent states. The world powers were generous in the extreme to the Arabs by granting them 21 independent Arab states, covering over 5,250,000 square miles. The Jews asked for only 3 percent of this vast territory and finally received less than half of 1 percent.

In 1922 the League of Nations recognized the legal, moral and historic right of the Jewish people to a national home in Palestine, including Jerusalem. Since then, vast oil reserves were discovered in Arab lands. If the Jews had a right to Jerusalem in 1922, that right is valid today. But the nations are compromising Israel’s rights for their own oil interests. Consequently, the U.S. administration and the U.N. define East Jerusalem as "occupied territory." This is why Israel refuses to cooperate with the U.N. Resolution. No part of Jerusalem is "occupied territory." Jerusalem-indivisible-belongs to Israel.

The nations of the world would do well to heed the Biblical warning of Zec 12:3 -"In that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut to pieces."

Historic Rights

During the height of the Arab Empire’s rule over the land of Israel, the Arab geographer Muqaddasi wrote in 985 A.D. about Jerusalem: "Everywhere the Christians and the Jews have the upper hand, and the mosque is void of either congregation or assembly of learned men." (KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMES, page 167) The first recorded population census of Jerusalem was made in 1845 A.D. by Dr. Schultze, the Prussian Consul. He recorded a Jewish majority of 7,120 compared to an Arab minority of 5,000. From that year onward, the Jewish majority in Jerusalem increased.

Although there was a separate Jewish quarter in Jerusalem during the 1800s and early 1900s, the Jews, Arabs and Christians lived throughout the Old City until the Arab persecutions of 1929 and 1936. Then the Jews fled to the Jewish quarter or outside the wall. In fact, a large section of what is now referred to as the Moslem Quarter and Christian Quarter was called Hebron Square because so many Jews were situated there. In both the Moslem and Christian Quarters, there are many homes that evince a mezzuzah was removed from the front door post. Plaques written in Hebrew with dates going back to the 1800s have been found inside buildings, thus establishing their Jewish identity.

During the final phase of the "time of trouble" prophesied by Jesus (Mt 24:21), all nations will be gathered against Jerusalem (Zec 14:2; Eze 38-39). Then God will fight for Israel as he did in the days of old (Zec 14:3). Christ will reveal himself to Israel and there will be great repentance and mourning throughout the land of Israel (Zec 12:9-14). Those that have the faith at that time will share in Jerusalem becoming the capital of Christ’s Kingdom (Zec 8:22,23; Isa 60:10-12; 66:18-22).

Send for your free copy of the essay RESTORATION OF ISRAEL. Written in 1890, it gives remarkable insights about Israel today.

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." Isa 2:2,3

Countdown to ArmageddonùThen What?

March 1991

"And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them, to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Re 16:16, 14

The Communist Bloc collapsedùand the cold war has seemingly ended. But the euphoria of peace was soon eclipsed by the Iraqi War. The greatest array of armed forces since World War IIùrepresenting a coalition of 28 nationsùgathered together in the Middle East. What did this gathering portend?

Megiddo was the great battleground of Palestine, on which were fought many of the famous battles of Old Testament history. John in his symbolic book of Revelation represents the final battle between right and wrong, truth and error, as the Battle of Armageddon. Is this a symbolic battle? What significance is there in the literal gathering of the nations in such close proximity to the Mound of Megiddo?

Many expected a ground war scenario of chemical and nuclear warfare in which Iraq would "scud" Israel with chemical warheads. Israel would retaliate with nuclear bombs. The Arab nations would unite against Israel. Israel would soundly defeat her Arab foes and acquire more land. With Israel then dwelling in the peace posture suggested by Eze 38:8, the stage would be set for the battle of battlesùthe invasion of Israel by "Gog of Magog [Russia]" and the allied armies of Eze 38-39.

Russia Bears Watching

Whatever follows the Iraqi War, the Russian "bear" is up to its old tricks. Indications are that the makings for "Cold War" have broken out on another front. The alliance between the Communist Party conservatives and the army is thriving and gaining power as the bloody suppression of the Baltic Republics testified. Censorship is tightening. Domestic opponents of the regime are accused of treason in language all too reminiscent of the "bad old days." Red Army troops patrolling the streets of major cities are tightening control. Political liberals and advocates of economic reform are being dismissed. These ominous events appear to be the echoes of Shevardnadzes’ warning of "a coming dictator."

In foreign affairs, Russia is hedging on its troop withdrawal from Poland and East Germany. On the "Hot War" front, Russian military advisors are still in Iraq. A Soviet ship was caught with weapon parts destined for Iraq.

These alarming developments have been countered by the withholding of promised aid by the Western powers. The peace and arms control summit meeting was postponed.

The Countdown

The break in the Communist Bloc between Russia and her former satellites was a necessary prophetic shift. Poland, East Germany, Hungary, etc., will become a part of the "European Community" while Papacy attempts to revive the old "Holy Roman Empire" (Re 17:13-14; 13:14-17). [See NEW YORK TIMES, April 22, 1990, observations on this subject.]

The Battle of Armageddon will climax when the masses rise up and overthrow the soon-to-be-attempted church-state folly of Europe (Re 16:13-19).

Meanwhile, in the continuing "confederacy" of Psalms 83, Russia apparently will be a force among the Arab nations. Eze 38:4-8 indicates that Russia’s specific intention will then "turn" south to "Persia" (Iran), "Togarmah" (Turkey) and to "Libya" and "Ethiopia" (or Cush, parts of Africa) for an invasion "against the mountains of Israel."

The Mustering for Battle on the Home Fronts

Concurrent with the gathering of armies, an unprecedented "time of trouble" (Da 12:1) is mustering in the United States and around the whole world. Up to 15 million people die of starvation annually. There are 30 million refugees and 100 million homeless. Each day 40,000 babies die of starvation in Third world countries while Americans spend over $900 million yearly feeding dogs and cats.

Pollution: Solid wastes, radio active and toxic chemical wastes are contaminating our rivers, lakes and oceans. Air pollutants from car exhaust and industry are killers. Deaths from respiratory diseases doubles every five years. Skin cancer caused by the depleted ozone layer is rapidly increasing. Acid rain is destroying our forests, which in turn is producing "global warming." This "greenhouse effect" could melt polar ice caps causing oceans to rise and wipe out hundreds of thousands of miles of densely populated coastal lands (affecting 2 billion people). Also, it would dramatically increase temperature variations. This would trigger life-threatening droughts and heat waves turning "breadbasket farmland" (like our Midwest) into barren desert. Severe food shortages would result.

Economic Chaos: The U.S. entered the 1990’s with a staggering debt of $663.7 billion and a perilous foreign trade imbalance. The S&L Associations waver on the verge of complete collapse. Even the commercial banks are in serious trouble. Insurance companies are failing while 1,300 companies claim bankruptcy per week. Accentuating all of these problems, add a recession, which is affecting not only businesses, but families.

One out of five Americans (44 million people) are living below the poverty line of $9,435 yearly income. A third of Americans are "shelter poor." After paying for housing, they have nothing left for other necessities. Three million homeless wander the streets. Poverty drives people to desperation.

AIDS: Ten million people throughout the world are infected with AIDS. By AD 2000, the total number will reach 20 million. More than 3,000 new cases of AIDS are reported in the U.S. every month. An estimated one million Americans are infected. AIDS FAX (Vol. III, No. 1) claims ten million. Its death toll in the U.S. has been 83,000. By 1992 the cost of AIDS medical bills is likely to be $7.5 billion. It is estimated that 20% of the hospitals in this country will financially fault and close by 2000 AD when the medical needs of AIDS patients will peak. Hospital beds will be filled with AIDS patients while people with regular medical needs stand in line to wait for a bed.

Armageddon: a Natural Consequence

Humankind has sown the seeds of sin and reaped "the time of trouble" which will finally knock them flat on their backs so that the only way man can look is up to God. Man’s extremity will become God’s opportunity.

God’s side in the coming Battle of Armageddon is the side of the people. The frustrated, disillusioned massesùconscious of their weakness as compared with the establishmentùwill rise up in desperation. Normally the majority of the poor and middle class have no sympathy with anarchy but seek change by legislation or other peaceful methods.

On the other hand, wobbly governments will cling to some sort of stability offered by Christian churches and try to maintain the "status quo." The unlikely coalition between church and state in this very secular time will be a last-resort effort to preserve this old order of selfishness and greed. With this Battle erupts an "earthquake"ùa shaking and rising up from beneath the crust of established society (Re 16:18).

The Final Battle

The final battle between Right and Wrong, Truth and Error, will occur in the Middle East. What is left of the weakened governments of earth will focus their fury against Israel, "when Gog shall come against the land of Israel" (Eze 38:16). The result of this Battle is stated clearly: "Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord" (Eze 38:23).

After Armageddon: God’s Kingdom

Because Jesus died as "a ransom for all," all will have an opportunity to learn of God’s love in His Kingdom. God’s Kingdom will satisfy all the legitimate longings of humankind. Think of the parched drought belt of Africa where millions have starved to death. The climatic conditions of the Kingdom will cause all the earth to bring forth in abundance. (Isa 35:1,7)

There will be no unemployment, fear of automation, inflation, depression or other economic problem. The Kingdom will assure equality and justice to all. The Psalmist said, "He [God] will defend the cause of the poor, deliver the needy and crush the oppressor." (Ps 72:4; Isa 9:7)

Our history is one of bloody war, but in God’s Kingdom, "They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." (Isa 2:4) Neither will there be any more crime and violence. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain [kingdom], for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (Isa 11:9)

There will be no pollution or sickness, no crippling diseases. The blind will see; the deaf hear, and the crippled walk. Even the dead will be restored to life. (Isa 33:4; 35:5; Hos 13:14)

Yes, the nations are mustering internally and internationally for Armageddon, but true Christians need not despair. They know by faith in the "sure word of prophecy" that Armageddon’s chastening is the gateway into the Kingdom of God on earth.

Seed of Worldly Church!

April 1991

"An enemy hath done this."

In few words Jesus painted a broad panorama of Christian history. The parable of the wheat and tares, found in Matthew 13, describes the course of Christianity from the beginning, to its culmination in a harvest. The householder of the parable sowed good seed in his field. The anticipated fruitage was corrupted by the householder’s enemy. The enemy over sowed the wheat field with tare seed (false wheat) while the householder’s menservants slept. When the blade was spring up and brought forth fruit, the act of vandalization was manifest. The true wheat was choked in the midst of the imitation wheat.

The menservants asked if they should weed out the tares. The householder said, "Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them into bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." Mt 13:24-30

The Parable Explained

This lesson greatly interested the disciples and so they asked Jesus to explain it. What a great benefit to us that he did! The householder represented Jesus. The fieldùthe Christian world with its fruitages. The good fruit represented Christ’s true followers, his faithful disciples. Tares, which outwardly look like wheat, were imitations planted by the enemyùSatan.

The tares were not to be weeded out until the harvest. The harvest would take place in the end of this world or age (Greek-aion). Jesus’ work at the end of the Christian Age is as Chief Reaper. He will order his angels (messengers in the Greek), his disciples, to harvest the wheat in his second advent just as he did in the first. Lk 10:1-3; Joh 4:35,36

Two Seeds

The two fruitages are the result of two different kinds of seed. Wheat, the true Christian, springs forth from the Word of God. This is taught in the parable of the sower. "The seed is the word of God...they which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it and bring forth fruit with patience." Lk 8:11,15 The apostles carried forth the ministry of Christ, preaching the word of life, sowing seeds of the kingdom. The Father "begat us with the word of truth". Jas 1:18 "In Christ Jesus have I begotten you through the gospel," said the Apostle Paul. 1Co 4:15

A sinister turn in church history occurred when the apostles fell asleep in death (compare Mt 13:25). In their absence Satan sought to corrupt the church. His weapon was error. Just as truth produces a true Christian, so error produces an imitation. Satan’s work of corrupting God’s truth in Christ began even during the apostles’ time. "Every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and thus is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now is already in the world." 1Joh 4:3

That anti-christian spirit spread throughout the Christian world sowing tares. Satan hoped to choke the spiritual life out of God’s wheat by surrounding them with tares. One of Satan’s principal instruments to sow bad seed were the Neo-Platonist Christians. These were philosopher Christians who sought to apply scientific methods in understanding scripture. Their methods were derived from Plato, a great manùalso a pagan.

The unfortunate result of bending scripture to fit human philosophy was the creation of bad seed and its fruitùnominal Christians. Human science did no favor to the church of God. How sad that the apostolic admonition was not heeded, "Avoid profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some (believers) professing have erred concerning the faith." 1Ti 6:20,21

A False Seed Close up

One such false seed was the Grecian philosophy of eternal torment for the wicked. Neo-Platonic concepts of the afterlife corrupted the simple truth of the Bible Hell. The New Testament Hades and the Old Testament Sheol no longer were perceived as the death state. They were instead transformed into a place of eternal conscious torment. (Space does not here permit an adequately thorough discussion of death and hell. We encourage you to order the booklet "Where Are The Dead?" offered at the end of this letter. The scriptures on these subjects are fully discussed in the booklet.)

The threat of such enormous and eternal suffering was (and still is) held over the heads of unbelievers. They converted to Christ under pressure. Thus many people, who would not otherwise bother being burdened with Christ’s name, have made a profession of faith.

God’s Purpose in Christianity

Conversion through coercion is not God’s purpose in Christianity. "True worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." Joh 4:23,24 In other words, God wants our hearts to yield in willing love to Him and His truth. Many unwilling converts, motivated by fear, have feigned obedience to Him. That is how a tare is created.

The purpose of Christianity is to call out a people for God’s name. Those called out are God’s elect. The elected ones, found faithful in this life, will serve in the office of priests and kings. Their ministry will be to the remainder of humanityùthose not called and willingly converted during the Christian Era. See Ac 15:14-17 and Re 5:10.

The confusion brought about by doctrines of fear have clouded over many important Christian doctrines. The doctrine of election, that God now calls a few to belief, is made horrible by trying to fit it in with Satan’s doctrine of eternal conscious torment. The great twists of mind, heart and conscience needed to grasp Satan’s teachings on hell bear an empty fruit at best. At worst, those twists bear a fruitage of hate, injustice and selfishness.

Hell in National News

"The Rekindling of Hell" was the featured cover article of U.S. News and World Report for March 25, 1991. "Record numbers of Americans now believe in a nether world and in a wide variety of after death punishments," it claimed. According to a Gallop survey done in November 1990, three out of five Americans now believe in hell. However, views of what constitute hell sharply differ.

Some try to understand hell philosophically and, through human wisdom, invent the hell of their choice. Others fall back on creeds of human invention and hold forth the hell of tradition. Some are returning to the Scriptures to study them anew. The Scriptures are shedding light on hell. "Such highly regarded theologians as Clark H. Pinnock, theology professor at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario; John R.W. Stott, president of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, and Philip E. Hughes, a noted Anglican clergyman and author, contend that rather than suffering endlessly, those who ultimately reject God will simply be put out of existence in the ‘consuming fire’ of hell."

"Those who subscribe to this viewùcalled ‘annihilationism’ùpoint to New Testament passages that speak of ‘eternal destruction’ and ‘the second death’ for those who know not God and to the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel’s declaration that ‘the soul that sins shall die.’"( U.S. News and World Report, March 25, 1991, p. 63).

These men are to be commended for looking back to scriptures to understand what the Biblical hell is. Hughes interestingly observes "that the traditional belief in unending punishment is linked to the erroneous belief in the ‘innate immortality’ of the soulùa belief, he says, that is based more on Plato than on the Bible."

On the other hand, traditionalists "argue that annihilationism takes some of the punch out of Gospel preaching. ‘To tell the unrepentant that the worst fate that could befall them is extinction,’ says Harold O.J. Brown, a theology professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, ‘makes continuing in sin seem less risky.’" And that is the very point of the parable of the wheat and tares. Wheat, the true Christian, rejoice to leave sin behind. They love righteousness and hate iniquity. They are not coerced by terror, but by love and the beauty of God’s Word.

Tares may look back longingly at "the good old days" of sin or may yet practice their old sins after coming to Christ. A popular phrase on T-shirts and bumper stickers today is "How much can I get away with and still get to heaven?" That is not the spirit that a true follower of Christ will have. "Love rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." 1Co 13:6

Forewarned is Forearmed

Our hope for all God’s people is that they will be led on to full Christian fruitage by God’s Word. We pray that His people will stand firmly for the truth even against the majority public opinion or entrenched human creeds. Remember that the tares in the parable are the overwhelming majority. Let us all, by the grace of God, receive the Word of God into good and honest hearts, bringing forth good fruit with patience.

"The Only Begotten God"

May 1991

John 1:28

What does John mean? Who is God? Of all the varieties of Christian beliefs, one centuries’ old belief claims to stand beyond the reach of logic.

It also claims to be separate from Scriptural interpretation. It also maintains it should not be judged because of the decisions and reverses of councils in church history. That doctrine is the belief that Jesus is God and the Holy Spirit is God, and these three are mysteriously one, co-equal, co-eternal.

Although the Holy Spirit is not mentioned, Joh 1:1 is called upon to establish the trinity, "The Word (Logos) was with God, and the Word was God." But the common translation contains a contradiction, for how can the Word both be God and with God at the same time? Aside from logic, this contradiction is not supported by the Greek text: "the Word was with God, and a god was the Word." (EMPHATIC DIAGLOTT, INTERLINEAR)

Contrary to some popular beliefs of his day, Apostle John was expressing the thought that Jesus had a pre-human existence as "a mighty one" ("a god"). The Everlasting God Himself had no beginning. "He is from everlasting to everlasting." But "in the beginning,"ùthe Word’s beginningùthe Logos was with God as the "only begotten God." (Vs. 18) The common version hides the correct translation by rendering "only begotten Son." But the Greek shows "only begotten theos" ("God"). Jesus in his pre-human existence, indeed, was "a mighty one" who received life (was "begotten") from the Father. Tertulian writing in the second century said, "There was a time when the Son did not exist." THE EARLY CHRISTIAN FATHERS. P.21

Jesus, A Son

John’s account of the Gospel is full of allusions to Jesus’ relationship to God as really a Son. Jesus acknowledged his Father as greater and whose will Jesus continually sought to do. Jesus was not God himself, but the obedient "only begotten Son," sent of God (1Joh 4:9):

"I go unto the Father, for my Father is greater than I" "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me" (Joh 14:28; 5:30)

Direct scriptural statements like these show us God is greater than Jesus and that Jesus was not God, but obedient to God who sent him. John also compares the Christian’s relationship to God as being the same as Jesus’ relationship to God:

"Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou has given me, that they may be one as we are" "As the Father hath sent me, even so send I you" "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." (Joh 17:11, 22; 20:21,17)

Just think! We are called to be part of this intimate oneness of God and His Son. Certainly, we are not part of a trinity too.

When Jesus claimed he was the Son, "The Jews sought the more to kill him, because he said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God" (Joh 5:18, 19). Jesus, first of all, never claimed to be God, but God’s Son and that was enough to infuriate the Jewish leaders of his day. They never assumed he was claiming to be God, but "similar" (Strong’s Concordance 2470 for "equal") to God as His Son. The Pharisees never said Jesus was "equal" to God. The translators did! In fact, Jesus disclaimed his own authority and rank saying, "The Son can do nothing of himselfà"

The Scribes and Pharisees could not appreciate Jesus’ prehuman existence when Jesus proclaimed he existed before Abraham. They took up stones to cast at him when he said, "Before Abraham was, I am" (Joh 8:57-59). Jesus was saying "I am" as the subject and verb of an ordinary sentence meaning simply that from before Abraham’s time until the present he had had a continuous existence. To make "I am" a title in this sentenceùas appears in Exodus 3:14 referring to God as the "I Am"ùis not possible. In any case, the word "Jehovah" does not really mean "I am" but "He Who Becometh," as J. B. Rotherham (a recognized Protestant authority) explains in his translation of the Bible. The popular rulers of the day could not tolerate Jesus’ claim that he existed before and was sent by God his Father in Heaven.

God’s Mind

The Holy Spirit was also sent of God. The Holy Spirit was not God Himself. The "Spirit of God," the "Spirit of Liberty," the "Spirit of Understanding" and the "Spirit of Love" are a few of the scriptural terms used to describe the one mind, the disposition or influence of God. These are not titles of one or more Gods, any more than the opposite termsùthe "Spirit of Bondage," the "Spirit of Fear" and the "Spirit of Antichrist"ùare names of one or more devils.

The Holy Spirit is the power that energizes the true Christian in the service of the Lord (Ro 8:11). Although Jesus had the Holy Spirit "not by measure" (Joh 3:34), we have impediments to the full working of the Holy Spirit in ourselves. So we are encouraged to be "filled with the Holy Spirit"ùnot a person, but the influence of God’s mind working in us instead of the "spirit of the world." "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." (1Co 2:11-16).

The Holy Spirit of God is vastly powerful, but its work in our hearts is a delicate operation, subject to our willingness to be led by it. Therefore, we are exhorted by Paul that we "quench not the Spirit," the influence of God in our hearts. (1Th. 5:19) It is not God that we are not to quench. Could God Himself be quenched? Rather, the influence or new mind of the one true God in our hearts should not be killed, but allowed to dwell in us richly.

A Mystery

Those who hold the trinity dear concede that the doctrine is out of the realm of logic to explain how a person could be sent of God and be God Himself. .. how Jesus could pray to God and be praying to Himself at the same time. .. and have Jesus say his Father is greater and yet be equal, etc. The scripture, they say, that says God and Jesus are oneùin the same way as Christians are to be oneùdoes not simply mean that at all. This is called the "mystery" of the trinity.

But what does the New Testament say about "mysteries" and Christian understanding? Nowhere is the term "mystery" attached to the unexplainable doctrine of the trinity. Rather, what is a mystery to outsiders, the Christian knows: "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given" (Mt 13:11). Paul asked prayers for help in preaching "that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel" (Eph. 6:19). What a profound privilege to be given the responsibility of understanding the mysteries of God: "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began" (Ro 16:25).

Our faith is reasonable and we accept scriptural language, unless symbolic, at face value. When questioned on our faith, we should be able "to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1Pe 3:15).

The History

If the trinity is not reasonable, logical nor taught in the Bible, where did it begin? Then what is the source of this doctrine? After the twelve apostles died, a gradual falling away from the original faith occurred. Great numbers of Pagans entered the Church, bringing with them Pagan ideas. The trinity is one of many Pagan concepts which corrupted Christian doctrine during the early centuries of the Christian Era. [Originating in Babylon, the "trinity concept" spread throughout the ancient world and became a prominent feature of the Egyptian, Persian, Grecian, Roman, Japanese and Indian mythologies.]

During the early years of the fourth century, a heated controversy raged between the Arians and the Trinitarians, led by Athanasius. The Arians maintained that Jesus is a created being, pre-existent, though having a beginning in time, a son in the normal sense of the word and subordinate to the Father. The Athanasian party argued that the Son is fully God, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father.

Fearing that religious dissension might disrupt the political unity of the Empire, the Emperor Constantine summoned a general council of bishops to settle the dispute. The Council of Nicea in 325 AD chose the teachings of Athanasius and formulated the Nicene Creed. Arius was excommunicated and banished with the other bishops who resisted the decision of the majority. The decision was reversed ten years later in 335 AD But the basic trinitarian position was finally forged at the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD The question, rather than settled by the Scriptures and sound reasoning by spiritual men, was settled by those who had more political power and the means to physically enforce a decision by use of arms.

Therefore, the tradition of the doctrine of the trinity is not validated by church history that would give one confidence to believe a doctrine, which is not reasonable or scriptural. Jesus was a mighty God, begotten, created of Jehovah, truly the Son of God.

Why are you a Christian?

June 1991

2Co 5:14, 15

Some become a Christian just to escape eternal judgment. But God saves us and forgives our sins "for His name’s Sake"(ps 25:11; 106:8). Then there are those who become Christians in order to gain health and prosperity, believing that faith in a "secret kingdom" and its power will grant their reward. How sad! The height of Christian concern should not be "what can God do for me" but rather "what can I do to glorify God." Remember the words of Psa 31:3ù"for thy name’s sake lead me and guide me."

Self-centered vs. Christ-centered Christians

Evidently the church at Corinth included many self-centered Christians. Paul had to chide them in 1Co 4:8-14.

"You are already filled, you have already become rich, you reign as kings without us; and I would that you indeed had become kings so that we also might reign with you... We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak but you are strong, you are distinguished, but we are despised. To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even unto now. I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children." (NAS)

The Apostle Paul expressed the essence of the Christ-centered life in 2Ti 2:11,12, "It is a faithful saying: if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him." The Apostle Peter said, "Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you" (1Pe 4:12). In Mt 10, Jesus enumerates the trials, hardships and persecutions that his faithful followers would suffer; then he says, "But he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

The Secret Kingdom???

The time in which the Kingdom of God shall "rule from the rivers to the ends of the earth" is, of course, future. Yet, at Jesus’ first advent it was declared, "The Kingdom of God is at hand" (Mk 1:15). Some use Lk 17:21, "The Kingdom of God is within you" as proof of the secret kingdom concept. However, the Greek text literally means, "The King is in your midst." Since the faithful followers of Jesus are to reign with him (Re 20:4,6), Jesus also called them the "Kingdom of heaven" (Mt 13). Mt 11:12 shows that "the Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence." Jesus and his church are to be the kings (Re 20:6) in God’s future Kingdom. The sufferings of the Christian walk are the training grounds for reigning in this future Kingdom (He 5:8,9; 2Ti 2:11,12).

Unknown to the world, Christ-centered Christians are now being trained for their future work of reigning with Christ in his Kingdom. They are not using prayer selfishly for physical and material prosperity. Like the Apostles, they pray for strength to endure privation knowing "that the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried in the fire" (1Pe 1:7). By bitter experiences they are developing Christ-like love. "Love your enemies, bless them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you." Mt 5:44

The Purpose of the Kingdom

Most Christians have overlooked the main purpose of the Kingdom. Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists, born-again Christians, Mormons, etc., believe that all who do not accept Christ and/or the Gospel before "The Great Tribulation" is over are lost eternally.

How sad that Christians try to give God’s love a narrowness that He will not own. God has not been trying to convert the world. In Mk 4:11,12, Jesus showed that he purposely hid the Gospel from many "lest at any time they should be converted and their sins should be forgiven." Joh 1:9 speaks of Jesus as the "Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Yet millions died before the time of Christ never hearing the only "name (Jesus Christ) under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Ac 4:12). Despite all the missionary efforts since the time of Christ, other millions died not hearing the message of salvation. God is not trying to convert the world during the Christian Age. He is only selecting a little flock (Lk 12:32).

Ac 15:14-17 shows that "God for the first time did visit the Gentiles to take out of (not convert) them a people for his name (Christ-centered Christians, His Church)... After this I will return (second advent) and build again the tabernacle of David (Christ’s Kingdom)... that the remainder of men might seek after the Lord." Jesus said in Joh 5:28,29, "The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life (to reign with Christùre 20:6); and they that have done evil (the vast majority of mankind), unto the resurrection of krisis" (Greek for judgment or trial). Christ and his church will enlighten the "remainder of men" in the Kingdomùtheir crisis or probation, "for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isa 11:9).

This is the great "restitution" (restoration) project foretold by all the Old Testament prophets (Ac 3:19-21). This restoration of the willing of "the remainder of men" (Ac 15:17; Re 22:17) to mental, moral and physical perfection of life that was lost in Eden will not be completed until the end of the 1000-year Kingdom of Christ. For this reason Re 20:5 states, "The rest of the dead* ("the remainder of men" of Ac 15:17) lived not again until the 1000 years were finished." All not mentally, morally and physically perfect are dead in God’s sight. Thus Jesus said, "Let the dead bury their dead" (Mt 8:22). It will require the balance of the 1000 years to bring the willing up the highway of holiness (Isa 35:8) to perfect human life.

*Some ancient manuscripts do not contain the words "the rest of the dead."

The School of Christ

How do Christians develop the love, justice, sympathy, understanding, etc., to qualify for a share with Christ as kings, priests (blessers), judges (Re 20:6; 1Co 6:2) in His Kingdom? Christ-centered Christians learn Christ-like love through their sufferings and privations (1Pe 1:7; 2Pe 1:5,6; 1Co 13:5,6). In that way, they will know just how to help "the remainder of men" in their trial time for eternal life. If you are a Christ-centered Christian, you might be interested in the following ad:

WANTED: PECULIAR PEOPLE for Unusual Position

Not necessarily wise or noble, successful or socially accepted. Physical infirmities and heavy personal burdens can be an asset. The training for this position requires a commitment of all your time, all your effort for the rest of your life. Your instructor will insist upon absolute obedience while causing you to lose friends, reputation and personal fortune. These will be replaced by friends not of your choosing, reputation not esteemed by society and personal fortune not negotiable.

Your success or failure will be measured by how carefully you follow the instruction manualùa book which the greatest minds in the world cannot understand and have dismissed as "foolishness." Your course will inspire many hatreds, for which you will be obliged to offer a sacrificing love in return; and the more of this love you master, the more of its servant you will become. Wages offered during the training period consist of a few promisesùconsidered by most as highly doubtful of fulfillment.

Anyone who faithfully completes this course is guaranteed a position as an administrator in the Kingdom of Christ which by Divine intervention will shortly bless all the families of the earth. For further details, send for this free bookletùWHY ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN?

Russia! The Nations! What Next?

September 1991

The eyes of the world are on the Soviet Union. Unquestionably, the events occurring there in the past few weeks are immensely significant. World leaders and the media are watching these events hoping to decipher their impact on mankind. We are blessed, as God’s children, to have His word of truth. The Scriptures have opened our eyes to the real significance and impact of current events.

The Scriptural Context of Today’s Events

The prophetic time context of today’s events is that of The Day of the LORD. "The day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come." "It is the day of the LORD’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion." Isa 63:4; 34:8 Thus the prophet Isaiah refers to that period which Da 12:1 describes as "a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation"; of which Mal 4:1 says, "Behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be as stubble."

This is the day of the LORD wherein Jas 5:1-6 says the rich men shall weep and howl for the miseries that shall come upon them; the day which Joel 2:2 describes as a day of clouds and thick darkness; of which Amos 5:20 says is "darkness and not light, even very dark and no brightness in it."

Our Lord Jesus refers to this day in Mt 24:21,22 as a time of "great tribulation" so ruinous in its character that, if it were not cut short, no flesh would survive its ravages. But he will cut it short and flesh will be saved after the tribulation. Then he will turn to them and teach them a pure language that they may call on the LORD. Zeph 3:9

Nations JudgedùNot Individuals

"Therefore wait ye upon me saith the LORD, until the day that I rose up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth (social order) shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy." Zeph 3:8

That the dark and gloomy day thus described by the prophets is a day of judgment upon mankind socially and nationallyùa day of national recompensesùis clear from many scriptures. But, while noting these, we must bear in mind the difference between national judgment and individual judgment. While the nations are composed of individuals (who are largely responsible for the course their nation takes and who do suffer greatly in the consequences of that course) the judgment of the world as individuals is distinct from its judgment as nations.

The Apostle Peter says that Jesus Christ will be raised up as a prophet to the world after his second coming. Then during the times of restitution, when the Millenial Kingdom will bring earth’s restoration, those individuals who "will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people." Ac 3:20-23

Chief Cause of National Judgment

The day of vengeance stands naturally related to the benevolent object of its divine permission. That objective is the overthrow of the entire present order of things in preparation for the permanent establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth, under Christ, the Prince of Peace.

The prophet Isa 63:1-6 viewing the present time saw a mighty conqueror clothed with authority and power riding forth victoriously over his enemies, with whose blood his garment is stained. "Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength?"

Edom is the name given Esau after he sold his birthright to Jacob. Edom is an appropriate symbol of a group in this age who similarly sold their birthright; and that too for a reward as meager as the mess of pottage which influenced Esau. That reward has been respect of men, comfort and earthly power in the present time to the compromise of future rewards from God.

Edom is frequently used by the prophets in reference to the present so called Christian world or Christendom. By allying herself with the kings of earth, to prematurely establish Christ’s Kingdom, the Church unfortunately played the harlot. The result of this illicit union was the "Holy" Roman Empire. The ensuing centuries of her reign were filled with ignorance, corruption and bloodshed on a massive scale. Far from being the light that lightens the Gentiles Isa 42:6,7) we refer to that period of history as The Dark Ages.

The prophet Daniel gives a vision of five universal empires. Four are of this present evil world. The fifth is God’s Kingdom in Christ. These empires rule earth uninterruptedly. Each succeeding kingdom is present before it overthrows its predecessor. In the seventh chapter of Daniel we see the rise of the "Man of Sin." 2Thess 2:3, 8, 20 This man, the "little horn" of verses 8 and 20, speaks great things, changes times and seasons and persecutes the true saints of the most high.

Notice that the little horn, the "Man of Sin," is obviously not the fifth universal empireùwhich is the true Kingdom of Christ. It is, however, part of the fourth, the dreadful (Roman) beast. Da 7:19,20 God is judging the nations now, but with particular emphasis on those that have claimed to be His kingdom. They have been weighed in the balances and found wanting. This great sin of nations will thus receive national punishment.

Russia and the Baltic States

The prophet Amos gives us a very exciting view of the past eighty or so years in a remarkably encapsulated form. "Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! To what end is it for you? The day of the LORD is darkness and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him." Amos 5:18,19

Those that prematurely desired the day of the LORD, thinking to establish themselves in power, will find a bitter fruitage awaits their actions. In our time we have borne witness to the empire of the lionùthe universally recognized symbol of Great Britain. During the height of colonialism the sun never set on the British Empire. After World War I the British sun began to set. As men began to flee that colonial arrangement the bear met them.

All recognize the bear as Russia’s national symbol. Truly, with the demise of the British Empire, the rise of communism out of Russia began. Now we see communism’s collapse. The Soviet Union is dissolving. One by one the member states of the USSR have proclaimed their independence. One by one they are fleeing into the house. Nationalism is scripturally represented by a house. The various republics are fleeing into their houses of nationalistic pride. As they lean on the walls, as they put their trust in the strength of a nation, they are bitten by a serpent. That old serpent, Satan, will deceive the nations.

What will the deception be? Will it be the uniting again of church and state? Will the nations succumb to creating another counterfeit kingdom of Christ? We must watch and pray lest we also be deceived.

Our Responsibility

We are espoused to Christ as pure and holy virgins of faith. We lament the fall of the early church into fornication (Re 17:12) with the kings of the earth. Yes, the Church will reign with Jesus over all the earth, but it will be by God’s powerùnot the power of earthly strength. The hope of our faith, to be joined with Christ and bless all the families of earth, will soon come to pass. Let us keep our faith and our patience in this hour of temptation. (Re 3:10) May we, by God’s grace, stand strong in the promises of His word and His Divine principlesùthey are His keeping power.

We encourage you to read "The Battle of Armageddon" a powerful 656 page treatise on the passing of this world and the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth.

Who will be God’s Judges?

October 1991

"The Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son." "The saints shall judge the world... we shall judge angels!"

Spotlighting the attention of the press and the public for the past several months is the choosing of the right person to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. The selection has heartened some and divided and dismayed others. The appointed candidate, his character, his background, his values, his philosophy and even his loyalties to Constitution or "natural law" have been rehearsed, questioned and mulled over before confirmation to that respected position.

Simply said, the people of the United States, their Congressional representatives and their "watch dog" media have serious concerns about who will now sit in judgment over them and decide on issues for the next thirty some years.

By contrast to the recent hearings in this confirmation process and its media attention, a process of confirmation of "associate judges" is going on that the nation and even the world knows little or nothing about. More remarkable, this selection has been in progress for almost 2,000 years.

From the Gospel according to Joh 5:22,23, it is clear God’s supreme choice is His Son: "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son, that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which sent him." While God does not ask us to pass approval on his appointment, we are asked to join God in honoring His Son!

God’s Supreme Judges

But, Jesus will not judge alone. God has determined to have other judges with Jesus. Who will they be? "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world. Know ye not that we shall judge angels?" 1Co 6:2,3

Who are these associate judges who will seemingly have so much power? How can any be trusted to "judge the world," let alone angels? The Apostle Paul himself says he does not even have the capability of judging himself, "Yea, I judge not mine own self." He chides the brethren for judging each other, "Why dost thou judge thy brother?" (Ro 14:10)

Christians for centuries have shamefully judged other Christians. The Papacy through the years has judged and persecuted Protestants. In our own country Protestants have persecuted Catholics. Where has God’s hand been?

Back when Israel was an infant nation in the land of Israel, God "raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge." (Jud 2:18) There was no king. This system prevailed for longer than U.S. American historyù450 years. The people prospered with their judges. One of their greatest judges was Samuel. However, his sons, who were also judges, abused their authority. Instead of waiting for another appointment of a judge after Samuel, the people in their frustration chose another system. They wanted a king just like all the other nations around them. The new kings over Israel were a mixed blessing.

The question remains, how will the Church whom Paul is addressing, judge the world and angels? Where will these judges come from? What will be their background? Will they have weaknesses? What will be their "record"? Their qualifications? On what Law will their decisions be based? Then, just what will be their responsibilities?

"Brothers, you see God’s way of calling you. There are few among you who are wise as the world counts wisdom; there are few who are influential; there are few of aristocratic birth." (1Co 1:26) Even Jesus, "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor." (2Co 8:9) The background of God’s judges is evidently humble. Why is this so? God wants sympathetic judges to represent Him, ones who understand because they have plumbed the depths of human experience. These first-hand experiences with the needs and frustrations of life will make them sympathetic when finally reaching a position of judicial authority. They will not forget.

However, simply being poor and exposed to trials "common to man" (1Co 10:13) will not automatically qualify a person to be a good judge. The Christian who is being prepared to "judge the world" in God’s Kingdom is sensitive. He is sensitive because through his life’s ordeals he or she has not become bitter or vengeful. These overcoming Christians will be qualified judges because they have fought against their own fallen conditions. They have learned compassion and are effective in their sympathy because they understand human nature.

Will Christians who are to be judges with Christ have a perfect record? If "perfect record" means no mistakes, No! There will be dark corners in their lives, seeming inconsistencies. But in those dark corners and inconsistencies, the struggle against sin will be obvious. There may be failures, but there will be no hypocrisy.

Natural LawùHigher Law

By what Law will these overcoming Christians judge in the future? Will it be their own lawùor interpretation of God’s Law?

One of the recent concerns aired during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings has been the question of "natural law." The position taken by many has been that a judge should be responsive to the U.S. Constitution and not to his own conception of a higher "natural law." In American judicial history, "natural law" has been cited to justify decisions. "Natural Law" was cited to affirm that slaves confiscated from a pirate ship should be freedùwhile in another case "natural law" was cited to affirm that a slave, as property, should be returned to his owner! No wonder Senators were concerned about the nominee’s comments about "natural law." We should not be surprised that men not governed by God’s Laws would be nervous about someone’s interpretation of "higher laws."

God’s judges will understand His Laws. Their interpretation and application of those Laws will be consistent with God’s wisdom, justice, love and power. God’s judges will be nurtured on his Law while they walked the earth. "O, how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me I have sworn and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments." (Ps 119:97,102,106)

Just what is God’s Law? Jesus summarizes the whole Law, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, mind, soul and strength and thy neighbor as thyself." But that Law has been the farthest from man’s experience. How to apply it? How to enforce it?

Sensitive Judgment

How sensitive is God to the suffering of humanity? He is described as the God of the widows, the fatherless, the needy and poor. (Ps 68:5; 72:4) Yet the widows, the fatherless, the needy and poor have suffered long centuries with barely any justice at all. Indeed, the whole groaning creation waits "for the manifestation of the sons of God." (Ro 8:19,22) They are waiting for God’s judges.

They will share authority under Jesus, who is God’s "Holy arm." "Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad before the LORD for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth. His right hand and his holy arm hath gotten him the victory for he cometh to judge the earth with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity." (Psa 96-98) This time has not come yet. Valiant have been the attempts of man to dispense justice and judgment. Sad has been the success.

How will this righteous judgment be established in the earth? Each man deserves dignity and just rights. "Out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (Isa 2:3) God’s judges in heaven will have their visible representatives on earth. Addressing Israel, God says, "And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross and take away all thy tin: And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The City of Righteousness, the faithful city." (Isa 1:25,26)

These judges will be Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the worthies of old. They are fathers of faith to the Christian. But they will be children of the Church in the Kingdom: "Instead of thy [the kings daughter’s] fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth." (Ps 45:12-16)

Finally, one of the closing promises of Jesus to his followers will be fulfilled. The Church will be able to render equitable judgment to the groaning creation crying for justice. "Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father has appointed unto me, that ye may sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Lk 22:28-30) Then no citizen of the Kingdom need fear an unfair decision when God’s judges represent Him.

"And I saw thrones, and they that sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." Re 20:4

Manna for the Christian

November 1991

"What is it?"

Israel in the wilderness of Sinai what a striking picture! Egypt behind them. Canaan before them, and the sand of the desert around them. The wilderness afforded not one blade of grass for the Israel of God. Manna: The "bread from heaven" alone was their portion. "Manna" literally means, "what is it?" What was "manna"? How essential was it?

Israel in the wilderness was a graphic illustration of Christians in this wilderness world. They have nothing here. Their life being heavenly can only be sustained by spiritual things. Though "in the world, they are not of it" for Christ has chosen them out of it. Christ can only sustain the new life in the believer. "As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me." Christ is the "bread from heaven "

The manna was so pure and delicate that it could not remain for long in contact with the earth. Manna fell with the dew (Nu 11:9) and had to be gathered before the sun was up. Each Israelite, therefore, had to rise early and seek his daily portion. So it is with the people of God now. The heavenly manna many be gathered fresh every morning. We must feed upon Christ our primary object. We must seek him "early" before other things have had time to take possession of our hearts. Many of us fail in this sorting out of priorities. We give Christ a secondary place, and the consequence is we are left feeble and barren.

Another lesson: With the exception of the Sabbath, the manna would corrupt if an Israelite gathered more than his daily portion. Manna could not be hoarded up for the days ahead. There is a danger of the Christian’s intellect outstripping his heart. Paul tells us that "knowledge puffeth up but love buildeth up." We should always remember that Christianity is more than a system of doctrines. Christian theory must become a living realityùa personal, practical, powerful force, revealing itself in all the circumstances of life shedding its influence over the entire character and imparting its love to every relationship which one may be called of God to fill.

From Nu 11 we learn that Israel grew tired of the manna and longed for the "fleshpots of Egypt." But they seemed to have forgotten the lash of the taskmaster and the toil of the brick kilns.

Unfortunately, this longing for the world can happen to the Christian. When "first love" declines when Christ ceases to be our satisfying portion when the Word of God and prayer lose their thrill and become heavy, dull and mechanical then the eye wanders back to the world and the heart follows the eye. We forget, at such moments, what the world was to us when we were in it and of it. We forget what toil and slavery, what misery and degradation we found in the service of sin and Satan and think only of the gratification and ease, the freedom from those exercises, conflicts and anxieties which attend the wilderness path of God’s people.

Some allow the world to determine for them what they will do and what they will be. They conform to the influences about themùthey can rise no higher because they have looked no higher. All too often this is the only goal parents want for their childrenùjust a good job and financial well-being. In this pursuit countless people are trampling upon others while they try to claw their way to a "mythical" financial top. How much of the human spirit is being trounced and how many are left wounded and discouraged from the modern oppression of human competition! Are you committed to never-ending toil, to uncomforted mourning, to a meaningless succession of nights and days consumed with just eating, drinking and breathing? Is this what you are seeking?

What Seek Ye?

Jesus once asked one of the most searching of questions: "What seek ye?" (Joh 1:38) Is it pleasure you are seeking, the desire to be entertained, to have others take care of your mind, to let them fill it with what they wantùonly to sense inwardly you are shriveling in mind and heart? Most people would not like to think this is true of themselves, but their actions demonstrate this is indeed what they are seeking. But "What seek ye?"

For those seeking faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection and brotherly affection with love, the place to find it is in God and Christ Jesus His Son (2Pe 1:5-11). Here is where our search will begin and end. If we seek these things of God, we must do so with a fixed purpose and determination. The world is not going to assist us here. We must feed on things of the Spirit of God. Like the Israelites who gathered manna (Ex 16) every day to sustain them, so we must seek to feed upon the Word of the Lord.

Heroes of Faith

Daily, consistent devotion to God has characterized the outstanding men and women of the Bible. Out of their devotion a rich life of faith resulted and out of their faith, the result was evident in their actions. Heb 11 presents the record of their faith.

-ABEL offered a sacrifice "which pleased God." (Heb 11:4)

-ENOCH had such great faith he could be said to "walk with God." (Ge 5:22; Heb 11:5)

-"By faith ABRAHAM obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive an as inheritance; and he went out not knowing where he was to go." Abraham believed God, which is considerably different than believing in God. He believed not only for himself, but his faith grew to the point where he was willing to offer his own son in sacrifice at God’s request. God acknowledged his faith saying, "For now I know that you fear [reverence] God." (Ge 22:12)

-"MOSES" refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward." Heb 11:26

The list could go on telling of the devotion of these heroes of faith Both their great and small acts of faith were embedded in a daily walk with God, a daily fellowship with their God.

The Christian must daily gather his "manna." Morning devotions are a must for every Christian. To help you gather the "bread from heaven" early each morning, we recommend the daily devotional entitled, Daily Heavenly Manna. Of the numerous daily devotionals available, many Christians have found this companion to be the most complete and balanced diet for morning meditation.

Goat Helps Save World

January 1992

The headlines in the daily news are very troubling. The collapse of the Soviet Union has resulted in the outbreak of civil wars. More unrest looms in the future. In the West concern is generated by the vast stockpile of Soviet nuclear weapons. Who really is or will be in control of "the button?" The plight of the common people of the former USSR does not leave us unmoved. Our hearts are troubled by the forecasts of riots and impending starvation.

Domestic crises face us in this country also. Lingering economic recession has resulted in massive layoffs. The list of corporations going bankrupt, restructuring or cutting work forces grows daily. Tens of thousands of jobs have been lost. Tens of thousands of families are undergoing severe hardship. Recent surveys show that the mood of the country about its economic future is darker than at any time since the Great Depression.

Drug and alcohol abuse are claiming increasing numbers of lives. The spread of AIDS is mushroomingùwith no sure hope of a cure in sight. The environment is staggering under the weight of decades of reckless abuse. Forests are steadily being gouged off the face of the earth. The ozone layer, which protects us from the sun’s harmful rays, is being destroyed.

In these stormy times great leaders are needed to guide the nations to security. Ironically, just when the need is so great, many leaders are now being judged incompetent or ineffective. Others are caught in scandal. But there is one leader, soon to be revealed to the world, who is more than capable of solving all of Earth’s ills. Jesus Christ who in his times will show who is the King of those who reign as kings and Lord of those who rule as lords. (1Ti 6:14,15, NAS margin)

The government of the world will at long last be upon the shoulders of Jesus (Isa 9:6) and his associates. Those who have suffered with him in the present time are the ones who will be kings and lords with him at his appearing. 2Ti 2:11,12; 3:12 (NAS)

The Sufferings Foretold

Jesus said, "Moses wrote of me" (Joh 5:46). After his death and resurrection he spoke to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and then to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself."lk 24:26,27

Moses wrote prophetically of Jesus in the Tabernacle worship services. There, in the drama of the Day of Atonement sacrifices, a type or picture of Christ’s sufferings was portrayed. The blood of a bullock and a goat was used to make atonement for the sins of the people. (This "the Lord’s goat" should not be confused with the "scapegoat" which was not sacrificed as was the bullock.)

The blood of the bullock was taken into the Most Holy of the Tabernacle first. It opened the way for the blood of the Lord’s goat which would follow. Then, after the blood of the goat was offered, the fat of the bullock and goat were burnedùa sweet savour. The carcasses of those animals were burned outside the camp. This gave off a pungent and highly objectionable odor to the Israelites.

The bullock obviously represented our Lord Jesus. Why was a goat also offered? Who did the Lord’s goat represent? The Apostle Paul helps to clarify these questions in the book of Hebrews.

"We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach." Heb 13:10-13 The Apostle shows that we (who are serving in the antitype of the Tabernacle) can partake of the spiritual altar. Those who served in the type could not partake of the true altar while offering typical sacrifices. The bodies of the typical sacrifices were burned outside the camp. The stench of their burning was a reproach unto these dwelling in the camp of Israel. Paul reveals that Jesus fulfilled the Day of Atonement sacrificeùbearing the reproach. "The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me." Ro 15:3 Paul also teaches that we bear the reproach with Jesus. "Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp bearing his reproach." Heb 13:13

The Lord’s Goat Typifies the Church

Christ’s brethren, the true Church, bear the same reproach that he bore in fulfillment of the type. Therefore, we are represented in the picture of the offering of the bullock and goat. Our role was pictured by the Lord’s goat and Jesus’ role by the bullock.

Many scriptures are brought to a full clarity when we perceive the role of the Church in the sin offering picture. Referring to his life of sacrifice and impending crucifixion Jesus said "The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" Joh 18:11 Christ’s followers drink of that same cupùthe cup of sharing in his sufferings. "Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of." Mk 10:39 "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion (the participation) in the blood of Christ?" 1Co 10:16

The stench of the burning bodies of bulls and goats pictures how the world (which knoweth us not) views our life of sacrifice. "We are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved and in them that perish. To the one we are a savour of death unto death, and to the other a savour of life unto life." 2Co 1:15,16

Hard sayings are opened up and made plain. "Fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake." Co 1:24 Jesus’ sacrifice as the bullock was perfectùcomplete. What then was behind or lacking in the afflictions of Christ? It was the fulfilling of the goat picture by Jesus’ body members. "For as we have many members in one body, ...so we, being many (individual members) are one body in Christ. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." Ro 12:4,5; 1Co 12:27 We thus are to be heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him; that we may be also glorified together. Ro 8:17

The Goat Helps Jesus Save the World

All the present troubles that plague mankind will be thoroughly corrected by the rule of Christ. Jesus the head and the church as his body will rule with strict justice and tender mercy. God will make his covenant with mankind through them just as he made a covenant for the blessing of Israel. After the bullock and goat were completely offered the people were blessed. After Jesus and his body members are completely offered the blessings of God will be bestowed upon the remainder of men.

2Co 6 is thrilling from this perspective. "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." vs. 2 Commonly the emphasis on this scripture is that now is THE accepted time, now is THE day of salvation. Looking at the original Greek, the word "the" is not found. The proper rendering should be "now is an accepted time, now is a day of salvation." Now is the accepted time to call a few to a spiritual reward. The rest of mankind will have their day of salvation during Christ’s earthly Kingdom. Isaiah confirms both the proper language and thought of 2Co 6:2.

"Thus saith the LORD, in an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages." Isa 49:8 The apostle’s application of this scripture to us proves that we, Christ’s followers, are given to establish a covenant of the people.

As the goat shared with the bullock in renewing the Covenant of Israelùso we share with Jesus in establishing the covenant of blessing for the world (Isa 49:8). By working with Jesus we will help establish the earth. By assisting Jesus in the conquest of sin those heritages desolated by death will be re-inherited. Thus it is that a lowly "goat," by God’s grace, helps save the world.

When Grace Is Not Grace

February 1992

Eph 1: 6, 7

If not for God’s infinite, inscrutable grace, where would we be? We would be nowhere. We would be nothing. Nowhere. Nothing.

Christianity begins with an admission, an admission of undoneness. This undoneness is called sin. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God..." (Ro 3:23) This frank admission is the beginning of real wisdom and progress.

Humanist theories may propose that manùby just one more peace conference, one more breakthrough in scienceùcan pull himself up. Evolutionists mayùvery unscientificallyùhypothesize that man is getting "better" now than at any time in the past. New Agers may dream-with old Eastern thought-that man is on the dawn of a better day-if only we can do just a little better ourselves.

But the Christian is free to admit that we are at the mercy of God’s plan of grace. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Being justified freely by his [God’s] grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Ro 3:23, 24)

How then could anyone think of adding anything to God’s grace? Would there be anything a Christian canùor mustùdo beyond being justified simply by faith because of the grace of God? The Apostle Paul says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not by works lest any man should boast." On the other hand, in another place Paul does say, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling." And, of course, the Apostle James says, "Faith without works is dead." (Jas 2:20) Are these scriptures contradictory to clear teaching that we are saved by God’s grace by faith in Jesus Christ? Not at all.

Faith, Works and Salvation

Most of the Apostles’ arguments seemingly against "works" are taken from the context of keeping legalisms of the Law of Moses, the Law Covenant. The Apostles dealt extensively in this area, showing how once justified by faith, we cannot please God by works of the Law. Needless to say, one could not be justified before God in the first place by works of the Lawùinstead of faith in Jesus.

What does it mean to be "saved by faith"? Furthermore, how are we to understand "salvation"?

First, one is saved from the condemnation, which rests heavily, and squarely on all Adam’s posterity, "As in Adam all die." (1Co 15:22) There is nothing anyone can do to save himself from this predicament of sin and its consequence of death. "Our righteousness is as filthy rags" Only God’s merciful grace alone can provide a recovery from this no-way-out situation.

Paul adds a further dimension to "salvation" when talking to the Church at Rome, "For now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed (Ro 13:11). If a Christian had salvation when he first believed, how could salvation be said to be "nearer" at any point after that time? Also, Jesus himself taught, "He that endureth to the end shall be saved" (Mt 10:22). Paul too warns, "Ye are saved if ye keep in memory what I have preached to you, unless ye have believed in vain" (1Co 15:2).

It is evident that after a Christian receives justification by faith, he or she must "show his faith by his works" (Jas 2:18). Justification is not eternal life. Salvation from condemnation is one thing. And salvation to life is another. The Christian must grow in Christ-like character and serve God with his whole heart, mind, soul and strength. Once we become "branches" in the true vine of Christ, we must bear fruit. If a branch does not bear fruits of spiritual development, it is "cut off." Joh 15:1-8

The Justified Must Bear Fruit

Where then is God’s grace? God’s graceùthrough Jesusùenables the Christian to grow and mature. "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (Joh 15:5). A Christian must do his part after he is freely justified by God. To expect grace to continue without growth is to "receive the grace of God in vain" (2Co 6:1). One must not presume on the grace of God. Grace received without responsible living is grace received in vain.

What kind of fruitage must a Christian bear? Peter says we are to add to our faith, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and finally love. How necessary is fruitbearing? "If ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2Pe 1:3-11).

God’s grace does not stop with justification; but God’s grace enables the Christian to grow. "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (2Co 9:8). Christians must do their part.

Too many Christians feel all they need to do is acknowledge Jesus died for them and they are guaranteed passage to heavenùregardless of what they do or fail to do. In Christianity Today, January 14, 1991, p. 28, David F. Wells says, speaking of evangelistic revivals, "They prove hollow, and when a mere 10 percent of the professed converts in a crusade are still faithful after a year, evangelists and pastors pronounce it a great success. What happens to the substantial number of people who ‘decide’ for Christ but find their decision was apparently empty of spiritual reality?" Has the 90 percent "received the grace of God in vain"? Or perhaps they never accepted grace in the first place. In any case, if they have not born fruit, they could not be abiding in the grace of God.

Some of the same Christians who believe expecting "works" on a Christian’s part is demeaning God’s graceùalso believe countless billions will be lost forever because they do not accept God’s grace now. Consider this question: Which of these two views is demeaning to God’s graceùwe can do nothing now or God can do nothing later?

The Gospel of the Grace of God

What did Paul mean when he so eloquently referred to the "Gospel of the grace of God" (Ac 20:24)? Paul himself identified the "gospel" as given to Abraham, "In thee shall all nations be blessed" (Gal 3:8). He goes on to explain, "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds as of many; but as of one. And to thy seed, which is Christ" (Ga 3:16). Is the "seed" from Abraham only Jesus Christ? Paul does not leave us to wonder. "Ye are all one in Christ. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Ga 3:28, 29). Which promise?

"By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore...and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed" (Ge 22:17, 18).

Does the "gospel of the grace of God" teach that the Christian church, the seed of Abraham, would alone be blessed? No! The gospel is this: In Abraham’s seed all nations would be blessed. Truly, the "seed" would be blessed by being a blesser to the nations. "So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham" (Ga 3:9). Abraham will be blessed because he will be a blesser! If we are to be blessed "with Abraham," not specifically by him, we are to share the same type of blessing he does. The Christian Church will be the bride of the "king" and Abraham will be among the "princes of all the earth" (Ps 45:14,16). Abraham and his "seed" together will be blessersùof the nations.

The gospel of God’s love and grace has been "preached [virtually] in all the world for a witness unto all nations." (Mt 24:14) Are we to believe that if the nations have had the gospel "preached" to them, the promise to Abraham is fulfilled? A "witness" does not mean a conversion of the world. The gospel was sent out to "take out of them [the Gentile nations] a people for his name" (Ac 15:14). Is this preaching alone all there is to the blessing of the nations? Certainly it could not be so. Although the gospel has been printed in every language of the earth, precious few of earth’s billions have really been able to hear or believe.

God’s Grace to the Nations

Might the promise to Abraham so long ago, then, have been an overstatement? Or is the promised blessing thisùthe future "healing of the nations" (Re 22:2)? For the Christian who has been blessed by believing the gospel, the promise may seem to be fulfilled. But not so for the vast majority of people blinded by Satan.

[Satan]"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." (2Co 4:4) Thus the gospel has not been understoodùif even heard at all by the manyùbut it will be in "due time" (1Ti 2:4-6).

The only opportunity for believing the gospel will come when Jesus binds Satan a thousand years "that he should deceive the nations no more" (Re 20:2,3). Christ’s thousand-year Kingdom is when God’s grace will bless the nations.

"And in this mountain [Kingdom on earth] shall the Lord of hosts destroy the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God we have waited for him, and he will save us we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation" (Isa 25:6-9).

To say God’s grace will only save a few now while Satan is the "god of this world"ùis not grace at all. To say God’s grace does not require that a Christian must grow and show his faith by his worksùis not grace at all. But God’s grace does enable the faith justified Christian to grow. And God’s grace has planned blessings for all others as wellùblessings that "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1Co 2:9).

This grace is grace.

The Holy Alliance

March 1992

Ronald Reagan entered the office of President in January 1981 on a crusade against the Communist Empireùor as he characterized itù"that evil empire." Pope John Paul II had an implacable hatred of Communism. These two crusaders met for the first time on June 7, 1982, in the Vatican Library.

The February 24, 1992, issue of TIME under the article, "The Holy Alliance," details the incredible story of their meeting and agreement to undertake a clandestine campaign to hasten the dissolution of the Communist empire. The following are some quotations:

%"One of his earliest goals as President, Reagan says, was to recognize the Vatican as a state ‘and make them an ally’" [emphasis added].

%"Both the Pope and the President were convinced that Poland could be broken out of the Soviet orbit if the Vatican and the U.S. committed their resources to destabilizing the Polish government and keeping the outlawed Solidarity movement alive after the declaration of martial law in 1981."

%"A free non-communist Poland, they were convinced, would be a dagger to the heart of the Soviet empire; and if Poland became democratic, other East European states would follow."

%" the objective was akin to creating a Christian Democratic majority in Poland with the church and the overwhelmingly Catholic membership of Solidarity as the dominant political force in a post-communist Poland."

%"Both sides agreed that the Soviets must become the focus of an international campaign of [Economic] isolation and the withholding of Western and Japanese technology from Moscow."

%"The key Administration players were all devout Roman Catholics’ CIA Chief William Casey, Allen, Haig, [Vernon] Walters, William Wilson, Reagan’s first ambassador to the Vatican. They regarded the US-Vatican relationship as a holy alliance: the Moral force of the Pope and the teaching of their church combined with their fierce anti-communism"

%Archbishop Pio Lashi said: "It was a very complex situation But I told Vernon, ‘Listen to the Holy Father [Pope]. We have 2,000 years’ experience at this.’"

%"Step by reluctant step, the Soviets and the Communist government of Poland bowed to the moral, economic and political pressure imposed by the Pope and the President."

We can appreciate the idealism of Reagan and the Pope to rid the world of that "evil empire." Aside from the issue of how involved a Christian should be in the governments of this world, we want to probe the prophetic implications of this incredible drama. Therefore, we will be discussing prophetic organizationsùand not making value judgments of individuals.

Quotations 1 and 7 (above) from the TIME article are revealing. In Quotation 1 Reagan refers to the Vatican as a "STATE." The Roman Catholic Church claims to be a civil government in addition to being a Christian Church. Why? It claims to be God’s Kingdom on earth. As such, it claims the right to civil power and consequently actually functions as a world powerùexchanging ambassadors with other nations, etc. What’s wrong with claiming to be both the spiritual and civil Kingdom of God?

Who is the Virgin?

The faithful church is spoken of as a chaste "virgin" engaged to the Lord, eagerly awaiting the return of her heavenly bridegroom (2Co 11:2; Mt 25:1-13). After the Lord’s return, the marriage takes place and only then does the bride (faithful church) and the bridegroom (Jesus Christ) set up the Kingdom of God on earth (Re 19:7; 21:1-5; 22:17). Conversely, Re 17:1-5 symbolically describes a woman who is called "the mother of harlots" because she "committed fornication" with "the kings of the earth." This fornication is symbolic of a scripturally unlawful union with the governments of the world. This woman is not symbolic of individual Christians, but of a religious organization that did not wait for the bridegroom’s return and the marriage. Rather, she broke her vows of engagement to Christ by uniting with the kings (governments) of the world to set up the counterfeit Kingdom of God before the Bridegroom’s return. This is spiritual harlotry in God’s sight. And if there is a "mother of harlots," there are also daughters.

Who is the Harlot?

Quotation 7 refers to the Vatican’s experience of 2,000 years influencing and manipulating governments. Two thousand years is a bit presumptuous. It was not until 533 AD that the Bishop of Rome was recognized by the Emperor Justinian as the head or Pope of the Church of the Roman Empire. After 539 AD the Pope of Rome exercised temporal power over Rome and its environs. In 744 AD Emperor Charlemagne made the Pope ruler of much of Italy. In 800 AD Papacy was officially recognized as the Kingdom of God when Charlemagne had Pope Leo III crown him Emperor of the Western Empire and/or Holy Roman Empire. For centuries this Papal counterfeit Kingdom of God held the masses in chains of superstition and crowned and uncrowned kings and emperors.

Luther and other reformers identified the Papacy as the "little horn of Daniel 7 & 8 and the antichrist beast of Revelation 13."[1] The civil power of Papacy was relatively unchallenged until Napoleon downgraded the Papacy in 1799. Later in the 1870’s with the unification of Italy, Victor Emmanuel liberated the Papal States leaving the Pope Vatican City. Then the Marxist philosophy of Communism eclipsed Papacy’s influence after 1917.

In the Reagan-Pope John Paul battle against communism, Papacy might look like "Mr. Clean" compared to Communism. But look at another scenario recorded in Paul I. Murphy’s book, La Popessa. In Munich in 1919 Adolf Hitler’s nationalism was born. Archbishop Pacelli, later to become Pope Pius XII, already lived in fear of atheistic communism because of its professed aim to annihilate Catholicism. He presented Hitler with a large amount of Church money to "help his small, struggling band of anti-communists. ‘Go quell the devil’s works,’ Pacelli told Hitler."[2]

In 1933 Pope Pius XI signed a concordat with Hitler. "It ordered the Holy See’s clergy to swear fealty to Hitler and the Third Reich. It further ordered that prayers be said publicly for the Fuhrer and Germany by Catholic bishops and priests. The Church, in effect, pledged never to oppose Hitler’s dictatorship." A similar pact, the Lateran Treaty, was signed with Mussolini. The Papacy considered the Nazis and Fascists as their best defense against communism.[3]

In German Catholics and Hitler’s Wars, by Gordan Zahn, the author, a Catholic sociologist and professor of sociology at Loyola University, explains that almost all German Catholics completely supported Hitler’s wars of raw aggression and ruthless conquest because of formal direction given by Catholic Church leaders and the Catholic press. [4]

In late 1942 the Vatican learned of the Holocaust but chose to remain silent so as not to offend Hitler.[5] Again we can sympathize with the good intentions of individuals. But Re 17:1-5 shows a church system that continued to unite with the governments of Europe and calls it harlotry.

There is a current demand that the Vatican open its files on its post-war activities to probe whether the "escaping Nazis ‘had many protectors in the Vatican,’ where prelates hope they would be useful allies in the coming fight against communism."[6]

A Secret Agenda

With the collapse of Communism, seemingly the crusade of Reagan and Pope Paul was accomplished. But the Vatican had a secret agenda unknown to Reagan. The fall of "that evil empire" was only the beginning of this agenda.

Pope John Paul II revealed the Vatican’s complete agenda in a statement on April 21, 1990, "A united Europe is no longer a dream. It is not utopian memory from the middle ages [emphasis added]. The events that we are witnessing show that this goal can be reached."[7]

The Pope wants to revive the Holy Roman Empire of the Middle Ages when no one dared question the Papacy’s claim to be the Kingdom of God on earth. That glorious hour of Papal Rome was written in lood. Historians call it the Dark Ages.

A controversial book, The Keys of this BloodùPope John Paul II Versus Russia and the West for Control of the New World Order was written by Dr. Malachi Martin, a Vatican insider, friend and advisor to Pope John Paul. Martin, a priest who writes from a Catholic perspective, credits the Pope for coining the phrase, "New World Order"ù before President Bush.

Whose New World Order?

"John Paul had taken on not merely a national regime but an international system of government. He had opened the first effective challenge to the political order of the Soviet satellite system and of the Soviet Union itself. Just as he said he would in his earliest speeches after his papal election, he had indeed called for the beginnings of ‘a New Order’ in Central Europe and in the international, political and economic order enlaced with it."

Martin predicted first the fall of Gorbachev then President Bush, after which Pope John Paul would bring in a united Europe.

"John Paul’s goal is a geopolitical structure for the society of nations designed and maintained according to the ethical plans and doctrinal outlines of Christianity as taught and propagated by the Roman pontiff as the vicar of Christ. There can be no compromise with the dialectal materialism of that ‘East’ or with the capitalist materialism of that ‘West.’

We are living in prophetic times. Europe will be ruled by a short duration church-state system just before the returned Christ fully destroys man’s perverted "New World Order (a revised old Holy Roman Empire)" and replaces it with God’s truly New World Order, the Kingdom of God on earth.

ENDNOTES

1. Lutheran World, September, 1960, pp. 128-129.

2. Paul I. Murphy, La Popessa, Warner Books (N.Y. 1980), p. 52

3. Murphy, p.198.

4. German Catholics and Hitler’s Wars by Gordon Zahn, Sheed and WardùNew York, 1962, p.56.

5. Murphy, pp. 193-202.

6. Star Ledger, February 21, 1992.

7. New York Times, April 23, 1990.

A Chaste Virgin

April 1992

2Co 11:2

The current divorce rate is more than one in three. Sensuality prevails despite the deadly risk of sexually transmitted diseases (recent reports are that 1 in 250 Americans are HIV carriers). Homosexuality is militantly promoted as an "alternate lifestyle." For the Bible believing Christian, this is a sad commentary on the world’s condition. Today the saying is often true that "as goes the world so goes the church." Indeed, some churches are now making theological adjustments to compensate for the needs of their worldly-wise membership.

The Roman Catholic "mother church" has greatly modified its standards in recent years. "Since Vatican Council II, the traditional grounds for obtaining an annulment ùin effect, a declaration that one or more of the requirements of a sacramental marriage was missing in the first placeùhave been more liberally interpreted. In 1990, Catholic marriage tribunals in the United States accepted 45,000 petitions for annulment. Nearly 37,000 were granted. Since 1983, however, the church no longer excommunicates divorced and remarried Catholics, which may be why only 10 percent now bother to seek annulments." (Newsweek, March 30, 1992 p.60)

These are staggering statistics. Fully 82% of all annulments applied for were granted. Also, if 45,000 annulments represents only 10% of those needing one, a half million American Catholics are divorcing annually with the church’s tacit consent!

A recent Associated Press release detailed the intent of several mainline Protestant churches to modify their position on sexual morality. Why are they modifying their position? They want to remain relevant. Today’s society, which they serve, is rapidly changing. Traditional values are constantly being challenged. If these churches don’t "keep up with the times" their support would wither away. If their popular support dies; their organizations would also die. A large segment of today’s church membership is involved in adultery, fornication or homosexual relations. These, however, some Protestant churches would pardon. The modern theological concept by which pardon could be given is called Justice Love.

Justice Love, in brief, is defined as a sense of mutual caring and commitment between partners. It can exist whether the partners are married or not. Extramarital, premarital and homosexual relations would be permitted so long as Justice Love was present. The Protestant church leaders advancing this viewpoint believe "justice love" is the real object of Jesus teachings. They consider the physical acts committed in these relationships of little eternal consequence. They feel that the love behind them is what God wants for humanity. Instead of being transformed by the faith of Christ; these churches are conforming the faith of Christ to this world’s standards. Ro 12:1,2

Legitimate Questions

We cannot agree to their sophistry. We affirm that love is the greatest of God’s gifts to mankind. Love, however, does not contradict other teachings of God’s Word.

Jesus said, "Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." Mt 19:9 The council of Apostles and elders in Jerusalem (Ac 15:4-29) admonished the brethren of Christ to abstain from fornication. "Be not deceived," said Paul, "neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God."( 1Co 6:9-10) Paul is obviously not excluding those who formerly practiced those things. He goes on to say "And such were some of you." ( 1Co 6:11)

We legitimately ask, have the standards of discipleship changed? Are those who practice Scripturally prohibited sexual acts better people than those who practiced them in the days of Jesus and the Apostles? Are today’s sinners more deserving of God’s grace than those of ages past? The answer to all three questions is no. The Word of God has not changed in regard either to standards of discipleship or God’s perception of the fallen human race. "Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever." Ps 119:160

A Worldly Church

A popular phrase is "I’m too bad for heaven and too good for hell." Many now involved in Scripturally unauthorized sexual relationships are otherwise very good people; perhaps better than we are in some respects. They may be noble-minded co-workers, neighbors or even family members. Surely these are too good to be doomed to an eternity of ceaseless suffering! Yet, according to God’s Word, such shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven. 1Co 6:9-10

Failing to see that the Scriptures teach two salvations (for Christians now and the remainder of mankind in Christ’s kingdom) has resulted in a theological disaster. To save as many as possible the worldly masses, the tares of Matthew 13, have been squeezed into the church. To fit the masses in, the standards of discipleship were reduced to the lowest possible common denominator. The narrow way and straight gate of the high calling in Christ Jesus have been trampled by trying to fit the whole world into it. Mt 7:13,14 The masses who practice immorality will not inherit the kingdom of heavenùthat reward is reserved for Christ’s "little flock." Lk 12:32 But Jesus has other sheep beside his little flock. He has those who will be his at his coming (Greek "presence"). These will be blessed in Christ’s earthly kingdom. Joh 10:16; 1Co 15:23; Mt 25:34

The Biblical standards of Christian discipleship are very high. Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said by them of old time ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery:’ But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Mt 5:27,28 Far beyond merely avoiding fleshly acts of immorality, the true Christian is to avoid spiritual adultery. In other wordsùto avoid illicit union with the spirit of the world. 1Co 2:12

The Apostle James said, "You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?" (Jas 4:4 NAS) James called the brethren (male and female) "adulteresses." Why? They were courting the carnal values of this world. They were in grave danger of committing spiritual adultery, of leaving their first loveùJesus the Bridegroom.

The woman described in Re 17 represents a false church. Her main characteristic is that of being an adulteress. She is guilty of committing fornication with the kings of the earth. She "sold out" to the kings of the earth in order to be relevant to this world. The result was unfaithfulness to her espoused husbandùthe Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of waiting to reign with King Jesus at his appearing and kingdom; the false church of Re 17 united with the kings of the earth.

That adulterous alliance brings temporal power now! They have reigned as kings without us. (see 1Co 4:8) The urge to wield temporal power in this present life has been a great test for the church. Changing Biblical standards of morality to oblige worldly values is a test now. The hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world (Re 3:10) will also try the faith of Christ’s brethren.

The Chaste Bride

Will we remain chaste, or become adulteresses? Will we look to the world for our standards or will we choose the narrow way? Will we bravely go forward in the old paths against the strong contradiction of sin? By God’s graceùwe will remain spiritually chaste.

"I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." (2Co 11:2) The pure and simple faith that Paul had imparted to the Corinthian church, and to us by his epistles, can only be maintained by holding fast the doctrines as they were originally taught. "For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully." 2Co 11:4 NAS

Bearing the tests of moral and doctrinal purity magnify the beauty of Christ’s brideùhis true church. How lovely she looks to him as she stands in faithful obedience to his teachings. Relevance to the world and its subsequent approval will be meaningless to the true Christian. All who are Christ’s will look to him for guidance. All who are Christ’s will seek his approval.

The Gospel of Health

May 1992

Lk 6:19

When Jesus walked the face of this sin-sick and groaning earthùwith great compassion he healed many who were sick. By God’s power, he also miraculously fed thousandsùon more than one occasion. He even raised the deadùthree of them.

Did Jesus succeed in establishing Judea and Samaria as an oasis of health and freedom from hunger in the earth? The hungry he fed, no doubt, hungered again and the sick once healed, no doubt, in most cases, fell sick again and Lazarus, in the end, died again. Did Jesus lack enough of God’s power to accomplish real success?

Healing and Faith

When Jesus healed the woman, who was seriously sick for twelve years, he said, "Thy faith hath made thee whole" (Mt 9:22). When Jarius’ daughter died, Jesus said, "Believe only, and she shall be made whole" (Lk 8:50). Did lack of belief and faith alone stand in the way of Jesus healing everybody? Why did Jesus tell Jarius and his wife, "Tell no man what was done" (Lk 9:56)? To the healed leper, why did Jesus say, "See thou tell no man" (Mt 8:4)?

Although Jesus performed thirty-six miracles during his ministry, physical healing was incidental to his main mission. Although on some occasions Jesus may have healed "all" in a particular crowd, he certainly did not heal all in the land of Israel.

At the Pool of Bethseda, there were a multitude of sick, but Jesus only healed the one "invalid" man (Joh 5:1-9). There is no record that this man had more faith in the Lord than had the others. On the contrary, the context shows that he had no faithùthat he did not even know who Jesus was and did not learn until afterward who had helped him! Did Jesus then call the others to step up to be healed? He quietly slipped away anonymously in the multitude. Why?

Jesus did not wish to over-stimulate the popular support of the people by these miracles of healing. But with tender yearning, Jesus desired to heal the hardness of heart of his Jewish brethren which causes spiritual "blindness," but they would not be healed (Joh 12:37-40). "But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him." In reality, the physical miracles were merely a means to an endùspiritual healing!

Jesus’ main purpose on earth was to preach the Gospel and die on the cross as a "ransom for all." The miracles were designed to serve as a testimony to his messiah-ship and as a token illustration of what his Kingdomùwhen establishedùwould actually do for all people.

Healing and the Early Church

In the Apostles’ day, gifts of the spiritùincluding healingùwere given to establish the earth church in its infancy. But Paul pointed to the more superior ("best") giftsùthe fruits of the spirit of love (1Co 12:28-31; 13). Speaking in the first person as representing the growing church, Paul said, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things." The gifts of tongues (foreign languages) and healing (physical) were as "toys" of childhood in comparison to the fruits of the spirit belonging to the mature Church of later years. Just like tongues, healing was a "sign" to unbelievers, not to believers (1Co 14:22).*

Paul’s dearest spiritual son, Timothy, was frequently very sick. Did the Apostle lay hands on him and heal him? Surely Timothy had sufficient faith. No, Paul suggested Timothy "use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities."

The great Apostle Paul himself asked the Lord three times if he could be relieved of his great handicap of bad eyesight (Gal 4:14,15). Surely the Lord could have blessed this sincere request so that Paul’s ministry in the gospel would not be hampered. But Paul was denied this request. Instead, the Lord told him, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2Co 12:7-9). Paul saw clearly the reason for suffering: "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me." He gloried in his infirmities. He saw God’s power in a way he could never have experienced if he had been physically healed.

No one likes pain and suffering. Naturally, we appreciate and long for physical health for ourselves and our loved ones. God can and does overrule in some cases to give remarkable health and strength for labor in His service. The Christian way, though, is a walk of sacrifice, not of bodily preservation and prosperity. Spiritually minded Christians know the purpose of suffering and desire spiritual healing and growth. In Jas 5:14, the Apostle encourages those who are spiritually "sick" (Gk., asthaneo, "without strength, weak") to go to spiritual leaders for prayer. Unresolved sins cause spiritual sickness. Or these sick may simply go to other Christians and confess their sins "that they might be forgiven him" (Jas 5:15). Who that has experienced healing of the soul has not realized it of more value than the healing of any earthly disease?

* Related to the subject of healing, tongues speaking is another popular phenomenon of our day. For an in-depth treatment of the subject, send for the booklet offered with the coupon.

Healing in Our Day

Many today claim to be healers in Christ’s name. Many even claim to be healed. How do we account for this phenomenon?

There are several possible explanations: Medical science today has demonstrated a very vital link between a positive mental attitude and good health. The body naturally has wonderful immunity and recuperative powers. From THE HEALING BRAIN, Dr. Ornstein says, "The brain communicates with and controls the body through this continuous flow of chemical messages. In this sense each nerve cell and the brain itself, is like an internal pharmacy dispensing a stream of powerful drugs to influence and control moods, thoughts and bodily functions."

Many who present themselves to healers believe so intently that they can find relief and recovery, that they actually do by their own positive attitudeùif even temporarily.

Another explanation is a sad one. A lot of fraud exists. Investigative reporting has recently uncovered some of the sensationally "successful" healersùboth on and off television. In a recent ABC broadcast by "Primetime Live," Diane Sawyer identified several frauds perpetrated by popular evangelical faith healers.

The third explanation lies in the possibility of the fact that people are so desperate to be healed that they would be glad to be healed even if they were assured the cures were performed by Satan himself. Satan and his fellow fallen angels, in fact, do transform themselves into "angel[s] of light" and "ministers of righteousness" (2Co 11:14). Especially in these "last days" can we expect such increased activity. The time of Jesus return is marked by "the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders" (2Th 2:9).

Jesus intimated this very turn of events: When accused by the Pharisees that he was casting out devils and healing by the power of Satan, Jesus replied, "Can Satan cast out Satan unless his house be divided?" (Lk 11:15) He not only silenced their logic, but gave us a prophecy. In the future when Satan’s house of fallen angels would be "divided," Satan would actually revert to healings and miracles. Satan has had considerable power over death, including disease. When he does do good and blessesùas an angel of lightùhis purpose is to delude Christians and counterfeit God’s plan. Such apparent healings detract from real spiritual healings and growth for Christians. They are also Satan’s pseudo attempt to rival the incoming blessings of God’s Kingdom.

Therefore, regarding episodes of healing that cannot be explained by natural healing or by fraud, the power, alas, is attributable to Satan and his crumbling house. In these last days before God’s Kingdom, Satan’s house is to be divided before it falls.

The Gospel to Abraham

Who can blame a poor groaning creation for desiring that the sorrow, sighing and tears of sickness and death be alleviated? All have received a heritage of sin and the penalty of sin laid upon father Adamù"dying thou shalt die"ùwhich has made us all heirs of suffering as well as death. Fortunately, the Kingdom for which we pray, "Thy Kingdom come," is very close.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more Pain"(re 21:1-4).

The time for permanent, universal healingùspiritual and physicalùis when the "river of water of life" flows from the "throne of God" in Christ’s Kingdom.

"And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life which bare twelve manner of fruits and the leaves of the tree [grove] were for the healing of the nations." (Re 22:1,2)

When this "New Jerusalem," God’s Kingdom, comes to earth, then all peopleùnot just a fewùwill have an opportunity to be healed of their spiritual, mental and physical sicknesses. Then the "eyes of the blind will be [literally] opened and the ears of the deaf shall be [physically] unstopped" (Isa 35:1, 5).

The Gospel originally preached to Abraham was that "In thee shall all nations be blessed" (Ga 3:8) How are all to be blessed? This Gospel of the Kingdom given to Abraham and confirmed by Jesus actually embraces all in the Gospel of Healing and Health.

Christians Must Remeber the Holocaust!

June 1992

A Plea from Christians

Jews all over the world commemorated YOM HASHOAH, Holocaust Remembrance Day, on April 30th. But do Christians remember that insane night of death camps, gas chambers, crematoriums, smokestacks belching the horrible stench of burnt flesh...that sadistic night during which 6 million Jews were slaughtered?

The word "holocaust" primarily denotes a sacrificial offering that is wholly consumed by fire. Monstrously evil men contrived that diabolical Nazi ideologyùthe destruction of the Jewish people is a necessary sacrifice to solve the economic ills of Germany and Europe. This Jewish massacre was unprecedented in numbers and purpose. Though many other people were tragically affected, the Nazi "solution" was aimed at exterminating a particular family of man...a single bloodline, a single gene pool. It was genocide.

Holocaust Revisionism

Why are many Christians uncomfortable that the Jewish community keeps insisting that we remember something that happened fifty years ago? Some Gentiles are so disconcerted that they are driven to rewrite history denying the holocaust ever happened. But their "revisionist facts" are exploded as fast as they are manufactured. Perhaps their own latent anti-Semitism motivates them to forget or deny the Holocaust. After all, who were the actors in that nefarious drama?

Who informed on their Jewish neighbors? Who charged into Jewish homes...knocked on false walls...dragged out terrified families? Who pulled the beards of old men...violated young Jewish women...demeaned poor bewildered souls in every conceivable way and herded them into cattle cars? Who stripped innocent crowds of their clothes and their dignity forced them naked into mass shower rooms and turned on the gas as pandemonium filled the rooms? Who ordered bodies to be stacked in huge pyres like cords of wood? Who fired the furnaces? Who were these predators of human life? For the most part they were professed Christians who celebrated Christmas, Good Friday and Easter. On Sunday they worshipped in cathedrals and churches. But during the week, they engaged in one of the most heinous crimes ever perpetrated against humanity. Christians must not forget the Holocaustùbecause Christians were there too.

The Holocaust is an indictment of so-called Christian Europe. Both Catholic and Protestant sociologists observed that the Nazi extermination of six million Jews was impossible without the active cooperation of the public. The suppressed Gentile anti-Semitism surfaced in that atmosphere of self-preservation. Although some Christians objected, thousands of professed Christians turned informant or cooperated in a thousand indirect or silent ways.

The Holocaust could have been stopped. Hitler could have been halted. Hitler would have been paralyzed if Catholics and Protestants refused to cooperate with the Nazis. Bible Students in Germany did refuse and suffered the consequences. Being a small minority, they ended up in prison or were put to death themselves.

Roots of Anti-Semitism

"We must never forget," observed Christianity Today (March 9, 1992), "that anti-Semitism had its roots in the theology and practice of the Christian church, from the writings of the early Church Fathers [100-350 C.E.] through the Inquisition, even in the comments of Martin Luther." The Church Fathers taught that as "Christ killers," the Jews must be kept in degradation as living witness to the truth of Christianity. Also the Land of Israel, they felt, should be rendered a desert and the Jews forbidden to go to Jerusalem. This was confirmed by Saint Thomas Aquinas, the most authoritative thinker of the Roman Church. As a consequence, popes, cardinals, bishops and priests who initiated anti-Semitic acts saw themselves as carrying out Christian teaching.

Hitler told German Bishop Berning and Monsignor Steinman that he was merely going to do to the Jews "what the Church had done for 1,500 years." Hitler also took great satisfaction in quoting Martin Luther’s vicious anti-Semitic statements.

Swiss Catholics Admit Guilt of the Church

Timed to coincide with the 500th anniversary of the expulsion of Jews from Spain (April, 1992), the Swiss Catholics issued a nine-page declaration that said in part, "Through misguided preaching and catechisms, the church contributed to the creation of the climate that allowed the murderers of the Nazi regime to carry out their crimes against the Jews."

Where was the Indignation of Our Christian Civilization?

By 1942 leaders of the Christian West were well aware of the Holocaust. The Vatican was counting on the Nazis to defeat atheistic Communism, therefore, made no public outcry (La Popessa, Paul I. Murphy). The Protestant Churches were little better. Thank goodness, individual Christians did speak out. But where was the International Committee of the Red Cross that was supposedly investigating the Nazi concentration camps? Following a six-year study of 350,000 Red Cross documents, Swiss Professor Jean Claude Favez wrote in his book, Silent Witness, "The ICRC knew what was happening, that is quite clear. It did not dare confront the Germans." The ICRC in a statement to the Jerusalem Post (August 31, 1988) admitted that it could have saved more Jews from the Nazis.

The delayed condemnation and action of the British and U.S. governments was feeble indeed (The Abandonment of the Jews, David S. Wyman). Jews were being brought to death camps by train. The U.S. refused to target any railroad tracks leading to the death camps while carrying out bombing missions on nearby areas.

For several years U.S. newspapers hid the facts of the Holocaust by burying them in small vague articles in the back of the paper (Beyond Belief, the American Press and the Coming of the Holocaust, 1933- 1945, Deborah Lipstadt).

After promising in 1917 to provide a national homeland for the Jews in Palestine, Britain in 1939 shut the doors of Palestine to Jewish immigration. Jewish refugees jammed on dilapidated ships were turned back to the death camps of Europe or perished at sea.

The American Public

In 1938 four polls showed that up to 85% of the American public was opposed to increased immigration quotas which would have allowed Jewish refugees to escape Nazi Germany. On May 13, 1939, a refugee ship, The St. Louis, sailed from Europe with 937 Jewsùdestination Cuba. Arriving there, they were refused entry. For 36 days The St. Louis sailed to every port in the free world including the United States. No room was made for the Jews either in the United States or anywhere else in the free world. The ship was ordered back to Germany and the weary cargo to their doom in the death camps. The U.S. "Closed Door Policy" to the Jews remained essentially the same for the duration of WW II.

After WW II

As incredible as it might sound, Nazi war criminal hunters and U.S. government officials claim that Vatican and International Red Cross representatives aided Nazis with documentsùenabling them to escape to South America. Why? They hoped they would be useful in the future battle against Communism. (Department of State, Office of American Republic Affairs, July 14, 1947, Subject: "Illegal Emigration Movements in and Through Italy." The New York Times, Jan. 26, 1986, "Vatican Is Reported to Have Furnished Aid to Fleeing Nazis")

While immigration restrictions were keeping Jewish Holocaust survivors out of the U.S., Nazi war criminals were given entry in exchange for information on Communist activity in Eastern Europe (Nazi War Criminals in America: Facts and Action, Charles R. Allen: The News Tribune, May 13, 1987; The New York Times, Jan. 26, 1984). A Department of Justice 1983 report stated that Klause Barbie, Nazi war criminal, had been employed and protected by the U.S. intelligence agency.

Anti-Semitism Today

The annual "Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents" in the U.S. for 1991 revealed an 11% increase over 1990. The nature of these incidents, furthermore, were more vicious than in the past. Anti-Semitism is increasing worldwide and is at its highest level since World War II.

Unfortunately, religious bigotry is the worst bigotry of all. Until the Christian churches modify their theology that makes the Jew an object of disdain and until they recognize that the Jewish people have a glorious Divine destiny separate and distinct from the Christian Church, anti-Semitism will continue to plague this nation.

The Bible Students’ answer to "Holocaust Revisionists" is personal experience. Nine-tenths of our Bible Students in Germany were wiped out by the Nazis. The Holocaust did happen.

Bible Students urge our fellow Christians to remember that "he that toucheth you [Israel] toucheth the apple of his (The Almighty’s) eye" (Zec 2:8). How can we as Christians forget God’s unconditional promise to Abraham, "I will make of thee a great nation...And I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee, and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed" (Ge 12:2,3). To learn about Bible prophesy being fulfilled in Israel and our responsibility as Christians, read the online booklet: The Time to Favor Zion is Come.

The Source of True Promotion!

September 1992

The American public is in the throes of another election year. From the Presidency to local offices, candidates are doing "whatever it takes" to get into office. With the insurmountable problems facing leaders today, we are glad that some are still willing to take the responsibility of public office. This world desperately needs good leadership. Sadly though, the tactics of successful political campaigns call for tough assaults on the character and competence of the opposition.

The Presidential conventions provided a national forum for what the Scriptures declare to be evil speaking, malice, strife and anger. How sad this is! Representatives of both political parties claimed to be stalwart Christians, yet used "the works of the flesh" to accomplish their goals. (see Ga 5:19-21) It is unseemly for a professed disciple of Christ to use such tactics for political success. Those who would provide "Christian leadership" for our country must not do so at the expense of Christian principles.

At the Democratic convention Mr. Clinton, lifting a phrase from the Bible, promised to provide "a new covenant" for the American people. The declaration of this noble goal was followed by repeated assaults on the competency and character of the Bush administration. The Republican convention took an even more strident toneùslandering the democratic candidate and his family while quoting scriptures and calling for a "Holy War." Similarly across the country political campaigns are getting uglier with each passing election.

Christian people, concerned about the decline of morality in our time, feel that they must grasp the reigns of power and restore order. Some feel compelled to save our country by making it a "Christian nation." The drive to subdue the world for Christ is not a new idea. By war or Inquisition, "Christian" leaders have tried for centuries to do this. Their lack of success is copiously noted in volumes of bloody history.

Christians Not To Rule Now

Sad to say, professed Christians have labored under a thorough delusion respecting God’s plan for mankind. They once claimed that Christ set up his Church in Kingdom power at the first advent. They also claimed that the Church has since been reigning on earth as his representative. Western civilization referred to itself as "Christendom"ùan abbreviated form of "Christ’s Kingdom." On the strength of this delusion so-called heretics, the "heathen" and the Jewish people have been persecuted to death as opponents of Christ’s Kingdom. However, using the "ends to justify the means" cannot win the world for Christ. Inquisition tactics of torture, murder or confiscation of property are totally at odds with the principles of Christ’s true Kingdom!

The belief that Christ’s disciples would make this world his Kingdom contradicts Jesus’ words. "Jesus answered and said, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews, but now is my kingdom not from hence." Joh 18:36 If the world would be won for Christ, the "god" of this present evil world (the real leader) must be conquered. That leader is Satan! He will be bound during the thousand year Kingdom of Christ, that he may deceive the nations no more. 2Co 4:4; Re 20:2,3 Meantime, Christ’s true followers must walk as he walked and not carelessly ignore his commands.

Christ’s Disciples Must Bear Fruit

If potential leaders want to benefit from proclaiming their relationship with him, they should bear the fruits of that union. Jesus left us a beautiful lesson about this before his crucifixion. This lesson was to help believers grow in their faith until Jesus’ return. He would seek his fruitage (faithful believers) at the harvest of the Christian age. "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." Joh 15:5-8

Notice that it is by bearing fruit that we shall be his disciples. What fruits did our Master expect us to bear? "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts [the works of the flesh]. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Ga 5:22-25. These are the elemental characteristics of any who would be faithful disciples.

Christ’s followers have little chance of gaining the world’s submission while in their present humble condition. It is unlikely that the world, by popular vote, will accept the rulership of Christ. "And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered." Mal 3:15 Should the Christian use wrath or brute force to conquer the proud, wicked or tempters? Will we do evil that good may come? No! Not by any means! Walking against the course of this present evil world brings forth the fruits of the spirit!

"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Ro 12:21 Faithful Christians must be tried and developed through faithful obedience to Christ. They must wait until he [Christ] shall reign to subdue all his enemies.

Deliverance To Come Soon

Rather than seeking to fight this world on its terms the Scriptures admonish us to "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Ps 37:7-11

Proper Christian Weapons

God’s way of bringing the world into submission to Christ is not through the strength of the flesh or carnality. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2Co 10:3-5

The weapons of our spiritual warfare are to give us the victory over personal sinùwhat the Scriptures call, "the old man." Eph 4:22-24 Rather than using worldly-wise leaders to take this world by force, "God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are." 1Co 1:27-28

The things that now are, this present evil world, will be "brought to nought" by something that doesn’t exist yet! That "something" will be the completed body of Christùa body that has many members. The disciples of Christ who are victorious in overcoming will receive the crown of life. Those who suffer with him in the present time will reign with him in his future kingdom. "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." Yes, it is God who will do the work of conquering this unrighteous world and subduing it in righteousness. He will do this great work through the agent He has chosenùthe glorified Christ, Jesus the Head and the church his body. 1Co 12:12; Jas 1:12; Ro 8:17; Re 20:4,6; Ro 16:20

The Present Reality

We would love to help the world out of its present sin-sick condition now! But we also realize that this will be accomplished in God’s chosen way and time. Therefore, do not expect world leaders to be recognized as high profile Christians. The scripture is still true that "the world knoweth us not, because it knew him (Jesus Christ) not." 1Joh 3:1 The true body of Christ is a mystery to the world and its princes. "We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." 1Co 1:7,8

The world still does not recognize those who are diligently following Christ. The world and its leadership still do not recognize his humble servants. They are still generally considered to be foolish, weak or base.

Not To Be Deluded

The idea that Christ has already set up his kingdom through the established churches is a false doctrine. This false doctrine deluded many during the heyday of Christendom’s power. The Scriptures symbolically refer to this delusion as drunkenness. All the nations of Christendom were drunk with the wine of this false doctrine. Re 17:2 Christians gave assent to the power of the church, while thoughtlessly praying, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

The prophetic Word of God shows us that we may expect this deluding doctrine to become a force in the world again. Our prayer is that Christ’s followers will not be deceived by that "strong delusion." 2Th 2:11 May we all resist the offer of power and glory in this present world. May we resist the use of carnal weaponsùthe "works of the flesh"ùto accomplish the works of God. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Ga 6:7-9

Our desire is that all who profess Christ will give diligence to make their calling and election sure. 2Pe 1:10 Jesus and his bride (the true church), as the elect of God, will rule over the earth. Then there truly will be a "new world order" that today’s leaders can only dream of. God’s election will result in blessings for all under the reign of His Christ.

"...the Poor Ye have with You Always"

October 1992

"There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment and poured it on his head but when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? For she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always." Mt 26:7-11

"Always" has been a long time for the poor to be poor. Was Jesus being insensitive to the poor? Was he who came to save the poor concerned about his own comfort above the poor? What did Jesus mean? The recent Census Bureau announcement revealed a sobering fact about the poor: In the USA the ranks of the poor have reached 35.7 million the highest percent since 1964. The number of the world’s poor is also escalating beyond all proportions.

Who are the Poor? Why are they Poor?

The homeless: five to six p.m. is the guiltiest hour of the day in big cities across the country. That is when most working people walk to parking lots, bus stops, or subway stations, heading home. That is when those without homes thrust out their hands in hope of getting quarters or dollar bills before heading back to their shelters or make-shift beds. That is when most of the better-off avoid eye contact with these most visible poor. A recent USA Today headline stated, "For Homeless, Streets are Meaner: Public Fed Up, Frustrated."

The refugees: In the eastern German town of Hoyerswerder, youths chanting nationalist slogans attack an apartment complex filled with refugees. Neo-Nazis break into a refugee home and club an Albanian youth to death. Since German reunification in the fall of 1990, there have been over 2,000 such attacks on foreigners. England’s streets see racial attacks on Indian people, while Haitian refugees are turned back from attempts at immigration by the country which says, "Give me your tired, your poor." The war-torn: In Somalia the "poor man’s war" has left it in the grip of starvation. The UN is trying to find a way to save more than a million helpless people from staring to death.

The diseased: The devastating impact of AIDS will slam hardest the poor countries that can least afford it because their economies are already so small and their living standards so low. The virus hurts stricken countries by forcing them to divert precious capital from investment to health care. By the year 2000 those expected to have HIV will be 40%.

What Has God Done About the Poor?

Under the Old Testament Law, the poor were to be provided for: "And thou shalt not gather every grape of thy vineyard, thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God." (Le 19:10) "And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat." (Ex 23:10,11) "Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land." (De 15:11)

The Scriptures say, God loves and hears the poor: "For the Lord heareth the poor." (Ps 69:33) "For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth: the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence and precious shall their blood be in his sight." (Ps 72:12-14) "Who is like unto the Lord our God. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy." (Ps 113:5-7)

But the poor are still poor. When will God raise them "out of the dust"?

When Jesus Walked on this Earth, He Loved the Poor

Jesus read in the temple: "He hath sent me to preach the gospel to the poor." (Lk 4:18) Jesus taught: "Sell that thou hast and give to the poor." (Mt 19:21) The ones not rich in this world’s goods are most often those who are poor in spirit. The first beatitude Jesus taught was, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven." (Mt 5:3) Jesus praised the poor widow who gave all that she had, only a mere two mites.

But Jesus did not help all the poor of Israel. He mostly healed those who came near to hear the Gospel. Did he lack the power to help the rest?

What is Now Being Done for the Poor?

A lot, but with frustration. Many noble efforts have been thwarted by man’s selfishness. A 200-ton delivery of U.N. food was hijacked in Mogadishu. "The shooting starts at the exit gate and continues along the way and at the distribution centers" says a worker from the relief agency CARE. The International Committee of the Red Cross has delivered more than 80,000 tons of food to Somalia, but they warn food they are bringing must be more than doubled and they themselves don’t have the capacity. Preoccupation with the nationalist’s crises in what was formerly Yugoslavia is blamed for the West’s failure to act on the needs in Africa.

The Churches are Doing a Social Work Too

The churches are involved in helping the poor on many levels. One Protestant radio program solicited volunteers for the recent Florida hurricane victims: "We need volunteers who know house construction! Fax us your offer to come down and help. Here’s the Fax number." The Catholic Church runs a boarding school in Illinois for children who have been variously exploited. Many are street kids, runaways and throwaways, with considerable experience in the most degrading facts of life.

What is the motivation behind the Christian churches, which are trying to help the poor on an organized, concerted basis?

A good part, no doubt, is due to love of fellow man and a noble desire to help. But the other part, no doubt, is a sense of urgency to save souls feeling now is "the only day of salvation." But what about those miserably overdosed drug addicts who slipped through our fingers or the thousands who died in Somalia who never heard of the Name of Jesus or those Moslems who died on the frozen mountains of Iraq. Is God’s arm short?

Did Jesus do a Social Work?

Jesus did not engage in a work of uplifting the downtrodden, sick and hungry. Why? What prevented him from taking on that task? Apparently, he had the power. What stopped him? Truly, he had compassion upon them because when he saw the multitudes who had come to hear him, he healed them of all their diseases. So what stopped him from going further?

When Satan tempted Jesus, "If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine" (Lk 4:7). Evidently when Jesus was offered the kingdoms of this world by the tempter, he understood that Satan wanted him to divert his attention from God’s plan. The Devil wanted Jesus to cooperate and take his new directions. "Worship" is not the thought of bowing down, but of service to follow Satan’s plan. Compromise with the Adversary meant establishing a kingdom without Jesus’ having to suffer and die i.e., without the cross. Satan himself did not want a poor sick race. He thought he could make a deal with Jesus to skip the dying on the cross and set up the Kingdom of blessings immediately.

Did Jesus succumb to this temptation? No he did not. Jesus realized that any immediate worldwide program for blessing the poor dying race of Adam would only be temporary, partial and in the end frustrating. By taking the long hard course, was Jesus disinterested in humanity? Of course not! He was soon to give his life fully for the lives of all. Was he shirking the responsibility to help the poor and needy? Not at all!

His commission was to reach the "poor in spirit" with the Gospel to take out from men a "people for his name." Afterwards "the residue of men" would be blessed in the Kingdom (Ac 15:14-17). That is also why Jesus did not ask his disciples to systematically go through the countryside helping, healing and feeding all the poor. Jesus knew that the time for blessing the world’s poor was near but not yet. In the Kingdom, he would not just heal temporarily. He would not only feed a few for a short time. He would not only up lift the spirit of the poor for a day or week or month, but he would feed, heal and comfort the poor with the everlasting blessings of the Kingdom for which he taught us to pray.

"Sell All that thou Hast and Give to the Poor"

But still what did Jesus mean when he said, "Sell all" (Mt 19:21) That young man he spoke with took him literally and went away sad. We understand that Jesus was asking him to give up all as a sacrifice. He was advised not so much about the care of the poor as about full surrender of his earthly possessions and full submission to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

The lesson for us is that the young man was asked to understand the "spirit of sacrifice," the "spirit of consecration." Jesus was not discussing what to do for the poor, but being ready to relinquish his great possessions even as Jesus did. "Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye though his poverty might be rich" (2Co 8:9). To "inherit the Kingdom" one must use his possessions for glory of the Lord. He could no longer cling to them.

Overcoming Materialism

We too cling to our possessions as if we could "take them with us." Jesus told his disciples that he had "no where to lay his head." Jesus had given up his earthly home for the sake of the Gospel. His example was to do those things which would "lay up treasure in heaven," not on earth.

The end-time church is particularly tested with the temptation of materialism and spiritual poverty. "Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked" (Re 3:17). Many Christians are sucked into the frenzy to acquire material possessions. After all, we live in a society, which makes its living by the sale of material things. So we are bombarded by temptations to see, want, desire and buy.

What is the solution to materialism and spiritual poverty? "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich" in spiritual things! (Re 3:18) By "seeking first the Kingdom of Heaven" in all of our choices each day, our hunger for spiritual things increase. Material things lose their taste. We see through them. They are fragile. We must only use our possessions as a means to an end of serving God, not self.

What Poor are we Responsible for Now?

When Jesus scolded the others for chiding Mary’s loving gesture, he said, "For ye have the poor always with you, but me ye have not always." He knew that literally there would be no time for anointing his own body for burial after he died on the cross. But he was also thinking of his body members needing loving attention and care.

James says (Jas 2:15-17) that we should help our "destitute" brother or sister and thus demonstrate our faith by these works. Paul collected money for the "poor saints which are in Jerusalem" who were in straits from famine and persecution (1Co 16:1-3; Ro 15:25,26). By distributing "to the necessity of saints" (Ro 12:13) we are bestowing of our means on Jesus.

The Poor will Be Always, but not Forever.

When Jesus said "the poor you have with you always," we might still wonder, did he really meant always forever? We think not. Elsewhere, when Jesus was comforting his disciples he promised, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." We rather think that it is in this sense of until the end of the age that the poor will remain poor. The promised "kingdom of God" will raise the "poor out of the dust" because there will be no politics in distribution. "Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper." (Ps 72:11, 12) There will be no homeless, no refugees, no hungry, no war-torn because the causes of poorness will be removed. "For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever" (Ps 9:18).

We believe that the poor will be with us always, but "always" is not forever.

If you would like to know more about this Kingdom which is coming soon, read the online book THE DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES. We will be happy to communicate with you and hopefully answer questions you might have. Please write us. And, do not stop praying for the Kingdom! It is the complete answer on the poor.

The Wonders of God

November 1992

How quickly the seasons go by! As the warm days of summer wane into autumn, we reflect upon the greatness of creation’s architectùour Heavenly Father. Our spiritual minds perceive and our spiritual hearts receive great lessons from nature. Surely the character of our Creator is stamped indelibly upon all His works.

Ponder the season of harvest and be blessed by its testimony to God’s love. Through the miracle of seed and its fruitage, He provides abundantly for our nourishment. Notice the deepening richness of the autumn sky’s blue. This blue, a symbol of faithfulness, reminds us that the killing cold of winter will surely be followed by the new blooming life of spring. Indeed, the swiftness with which the seasons roll by impresses the brevity of sin blighted human life upon our minds. At the same time we grow in appreciation of our human life upon our minds. At the same time we grow in appreciation of our God’s eternally enduring Being. He truly is "the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity." (Isa 57:15) The Psalmist has well said, "My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. But thou, O LORD, shalt endure forever; and thy remembrance to all generations." Psa 102:12,13

The lesson of our God’s enduring Being, His enduring love, faithfulness, and mercy, greatly strengthen our faith. We, who depend on Him for the issues of life, have a different perspective from the world in general. Surely He "hath raised us up together, and made us to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. " See Eph 2:1-6.

From our spiritual point of view we feel, as the Apostle Paul felt, that "the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2Co 4:18) Realizing this we "henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind." (See Eph 4:17-24) That is, our lives focus on spiritual growthùlaying up for ourselves treasure in heaven. (Mt 6:19-21) The Christian mind resists the lure of the world’s transitory fashions and fads.

Fashion and fad fuel popular culture and then swiftly burn out. Popular culture’s appetite for things new and different is insatiable. What a contrast this is to the Christian’s spirit of "tell me the old, old story!" Popular culture’s superficial nature often causes the loss of important lessons that may be realized by those who seek the enduring eternal things. One example of this is to be found in the Great Pyramid of Egypt.

A decade ago popular culture fixed much attention on that enduring stone monument. Wild speculations were brought forth. "It was a landing base for extra terrestrials!" "It sharpens razor blades!" "It preserves fruit!" However much truth may have existed in any of these statements, they missed the real lesson of the Great Pyramid. Popular culture had satisfied itself for a season upon the Great Pyramid and then moved on.

In sheer mass, the Great Pyramid dwarfs all other buildings in the world. Its ninety million cubic feet of solid rock weigh 6,840,000 tons. That is enough stone to build a sidewalk 3 inches thick, and 2 feet wide, around the world. The number and weight of the Great Pyramid’s stones would be comparable to a pile of 3 million automobiles. The Great Pyramid is as tall as a 40-story building, and the circuit of its base is over 1/2 mile. Clearly, whoever built the Great Pyramid wanted it to remain!

The Great Pyramid is the most unusual building in the world. The scientific knowledge of its builders is startlingùand as an engineering feat it is unmatched. The solutions to many scientific and mathematical problems were monumentalized in the Great Pyramid forty-one centuries ago. Could the Pyramid builders have been four thousand years ahead of their time? Or did God Himself instruct them in the secrets of the Universe?

We read in Isa 19:19-20,

"In that day shall there be an altar unto the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt."

This scripture has caused many Christians to consider carefully the lessons that the Pyramid has to teach.

It is located in the exact center of the land surface of the earthùcalculated by its Builder over 3,000 years before Columbus discovered America. Though built over 4,000 years ago, its measurements indicate the circumference of the earth, the distance from the equator to either pole, the sun’s distance from the earth, the length of the solar year, the length of the precessional cycles, the value of pi, etc. The Great Pyramid witnesses, not by hieroglyphics or drawings, but symbolically by it location, construction and measurements. It is a symbolic (not sacrificial) altar, and a storehouse of historic, prophetic and scientific truths, in perfect accord with, and a corroborative witness of, the Bible and its Divine Plan of the Ages.

Just as we have traced God’s plan for mankind through the Scriptures, so may we trace it in the Pyramid. Its architectural features portray the Divine Plan of the Ages in a dynamic way.

For over forty centuries the seasons of man have whirled by this altar to the LORD. In that time few have seen the blessed confirmation of the plan of God that is to be found there. Foreknown to God are all His works, and the testimony in stone given by the Great Pyramid confirms this fact. Portrayed in stone is mankind’s catastrophic fall into sin, sickness, and death. There, too, we see the grand designs of our Heavenly Father in the Great Flood, the works of the Jewish Law Age, and the Christian era of faith. Salvation, first of Christians to be spiritual sons of God and secondly, to the remainder of humanity as natural sons, is taught in the Pyramid’s passages.

For those who love God and are inspired by the grand vision of His Plan of the Ages, the new videotape program, "The Great Pyramid" will be a faith building refreshment. We invite you to order your copy of this exciting presentation and see that the Great Pyramid truly is an altar, a pillar, for a sign and a witness unto the LORD our enduring God.

"His name shall endure forever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen." Ps 72:17-19

"I Will Come Again"

February 1993

Reissued for May of 1999

When this age-abiding promise was first uttered by Jesus to his Apostles, it did not make sense. To the then "natural minded" men who followed Jesus, they assumed that Jesus’ next logical move would be to take charge as a King, throw off the yoke of Roman bondage, exalt the Jews and bless the world. Why should he leave now? There was work to be done here. When Jesus spoke of his death and strangely of his leaving, the idea simply did not fit into their expectations. But as they wended their way along the path to Gethsemane, Jesus had assured them, "if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again." Joh 14:3

Dazed, these words made little impression on his little band. But forty days later on Mount Olivet, huddled together in amazement with eyes turned heavenward, straining to catch the last glimpse of their ascending Lord, this promise came alive, "I will come again!" Yes, their beloved Master would return. The Apostles wove that glorious theme into the fabric of their ministry and their very lives.

Christ’s Second Coming is the most frequently discussed doctrine in the New Testament over one third of its writings deal with this momentous event! As Christians our hearts thrill at the hope of being united with the returned Lord Jesus, our heavenly Bridegroom, seeing him as he is, living with him and experiencing his love forevermore and the reality of reigning with him (Re 20:5) in a kingdom that extends to the ends of the earth, bringing "peace like a river and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream." Isa 66:12

Long have faithful Christians prayed with the Apostle John, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Long centuries passed during which, seemingly, nothing happened. But our day is suddenly charged with an atmosphere of great expectancy.

However, in order to appreciate the reasonableness of the Bible’s prophetic teaching on this deeply interesting subject, it is necessary that we have clear views of both the object of our Lord’s second coming, and of the manner in which he will be revealed.

The Manner and Objective of the Second Advent

As we have observed, the object of his coming is to reconcile "whosoever will" (Re 22:17) of the world to God, by a process of ruling, teaching and disciplining. This is called judging and blessing. The manner of our Lord’s coming and appearing is of paramount importance, as the student of prophecy strives to determine what manner of time the Holy Spirit does signify for the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth.

The Bible Student must hold clearly in mind the object, while studying the manner, of our Lord’s return and both of these, when studying the time. This is needful to offset erroneous views, already preoccupying many minds, based on false ideas of the object and manner of our Lord’s coming.

Grasp and hold in mind as firmly as possible the fact that God’s plan is one harmonious whole, which is being wrought through Christ. Hold in mind that the work of the second advent stands related to the work of the first as effect to cause: That is, that the great work of Restitution at the second advent follows the work of Redemption accomplished at the first advent as a logical sequence according to God’s divine plan.

Therefore, the Lord’s return is the dawn of hope for the world, the time for bestowing the blessings secured by the redemption. The Gospel Age has been merely a parenthesis, during which the Bride of Christ is selected, to be associated with her Lord in the great work of restitution, which he comes to accomplish.

Signs of His Coming

Few would question that we are living in an era of human history, which is without precedent. Most Bible-believing Christians feel we are living in the very time the Bible says Christ is to return. There is a surge of interest in prophecyùa revival of interest in the second advent. Many speak of the imminent coming of Christ.

Their expectations are based on our Lord’s Great Prophecy recorded in Mt 24, Mk 13, Lk 17, 21. Many believe that the nearness of Christ’s return is indicated by such signs as the following: Israel restored (Mt 24:32; Jer 16:13-18); knowledge and travel increased (Dan 12:4); evils exposed as never before (Lk 12:2; 1Co 4:5); infidelity rampant from university to pulpit (Lk 18:8; 2Ti 4:1-4); men seeking pleasure, morality rotting (2Ti 3:1-5, 13); strikes, walkouts (Jas 5:1-4); racial strife, riots (Zeph 1:7-9); juvenile delinquency (2Ti 3:2); wars and war preparations intensified (Joel 3:9-11); men crying fearfully for peace (1Th 5:3; Lk 21:26); trouble everywhere (Mt 24:21,22).

Coming or Presence

Let us take a closer look at our Master’s words and see what these signs really prove. "And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming [Greek, parousia], and of the end of the world?" Mt 24:3

The Greek word here translated "coming" is parousia. It really means "presence." Therefore, if parousia means "presence," then the fulfillment of the signs given by our Lord in His prophecy would not mean that he is coming soon, but that he is already secretly presentùas "a thief in the night." Remember, the Scriptures teach that Christ’s initial return would be a thief-like, secret presence before "every eye shall see him." (See 1Th 5:2; 2Pe 3:10 ; Re 16:15)

Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible, Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words, Young’s Analytical Concordance, and many other standard works in fundamentalist and evangelical bookstores confirm this definition of "presence."

The Bible Definition

However, we are not confined to dictionary definitions. The Lord has graciously provided His people a Scriptural definition for the Greek word parousia thus leaving us in no doubt as to its true meaning.

Parousia occurs in Mt 24:37 where it is mistranslated "coming." The following chart compares its parallel citation in Lk 17:26 and, in so doing, the Bible provides its own definition for parousia.

Mt 24:37 Lk 17:26

But as the days = As it was in the days

of Noah were, of Noah,

so shall also the = so shall it be

parousia of the in the days of the

Son of man be. Son of man.

The phrase "parousia of the Son of man" in Mt 24:37 means the same as the phrase "in the days of the Son of man" in Lk 17:26. The "days of the Son of man" in Lk 17:26 refers to the time that Christ is present, just as the "days of Noah" refers to the time when Noah was present among his wicked generation. Therefore, parousia in Mt 24:37 should be translated "presence of the Son of man" instead of "coming of the Son of man."

The Scriptural definition of parousia is further confirmed by the Apostle Paul’s use of it. The thought of "presence" is plainly shown by the contrast with "absence" in Php 2:12. "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence [Greek, parousia] only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

While no doctrine is mentioned more frequently in the New Testament than Christ’s second advent, few doctrines have been as greatly fragmented into such diversified concepts. Much of the beauty of this doctrine has been wrested from the grasp of God’s people. All secular Greek dictionaries define parousia, "presence." Most Bible dictionaries likewise define parousia, "presence." Most current fundamentalist and evangelical writings on the second advent usually begin by correctly defining parousia, "presence." Then something strange happens. Somehow the word "coming" replaces "presence." Incorrect theology requires parousia to be translated "coming," but Scriptural harmony requires that it be translated "presence."

The Main Point

If, as we have seen, parousia means "presence," then all the signs that our Lord gave us in Mt 24, Mk 13 and Lk 17, 21 do not indicate his imminent coming-they indicate his secret thief-like presence. We see those signs being fulfilled all around us.

The Scriptures show that the first stage of our Lord’s parousia, presence, will be secret. "The day of the Lord will arrive [will be here, Greek, hekoùsee Strong’s, Young’s or Vine’s] as a thief." (2Pe 3:10, Rotherham) A thief enters a house quietly, doing a secret work. Consequently, the first works of our returned Lord are during a secret presence. The world will, at first, be unaware that Christ has returned. "But ye brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake [implies a period of overlapping] you as a thief." 1Th 5:4

Later, his presence will be made manifest to all. The Scriptures use another Greek word, apokalupsis, to describe this revealment to all. "The Lord Jesus shall be REVEALED [apokalupsis] from heaven in flaming fire taking vengeance." 2Th 1:7-8 It is in reference to this revealment to all, that Scriptures like Re 1:7 apply; "He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him." Christians, who are not overcharged with the cares of this life, will experience the joys of discerning the signs of his secret presence (Lk 21:34-36), before they are "caught up together" with him.

When Does the "Parousia" Begin?

A number of Christian writers are publishing works which propose the date of Christ’s return. The fulfillment of the "signs" which our Lord gave us indicate that we should be looking for his secret presence now. Space does not permit a complete discussion of Bible time prophecy nor a harmonization of seemingly conflicting scriptures [such as "every eye shall see him"] regarding the second advent. We encourage you to read the online book The Time Is At Hand which contains detailed studies of the time prophecies pointing to our Lord’s return. You can also write to obtain a hardcover copy of this book. Also read the online booklet, I Will Come Again.

The Shout for Freedom and Rights

March 1993

Le 25: 13, 14

Serbians, Croatians, and Bosnians are embroiled in a struggle, which ranks with the most bitter this world has seen. Even the control of inches of land has brought out the deepest of hatreds that could be expressed by one group of people against another.

In another part of the world, Somalia, warlords of clans are fighting incessantly for chunks of land and power.

At home in America, it is twenty-eight years since the major civil rights legislation of the Sixties was passed. It is thirty years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke the famous "I have a dream" speech at Washington’s Lincoln Memorial. He quoted from scripture:

"Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." (Isa 40:4,5)

It is now 130 years since the Emancipation Proclamation started the process of freeing people owned by people in America. And it is 217 years since the Declaration of Independence asserted that all men are "created equal." Yet, all people have not been able to share in the "dream." While civil rights laws are difficult to legislateùlegislating attitudes is impossible.

What do these struggles throughout the world have in common? The resounding theme rising from every continent of the earth today is the cry for freedom from oppression and abuse. The echoing cry reverberates for the inherent rights of every man, woman, childùborn and unborn, even for the whale, the owl and the tree. They represent the oppressed crying for their rights. But who hears?

God’s Laws of Restitution

When it comes to human rights and dignity, there is a set of laws which God legislated for ancient Israel almost 3,500 years ago. These laws are the Laws of the Jubilee. They are the most unique set of laws the world has ever known. Not only did they provide for equity in the distribution of land, but they even provided for leveling out inequalities that might arise between people.

Moses’ law provided for a restitution every fiftieth year-the Jubilee year. This law prevented the accumulation of property, for whatever reason, in the hands of a few. (Le 25:9,13-23,27-30) If a man became involved in debt, he might be obliged to sell a part ùor even all of his propertyùand then, with his family, go into servitude. But God made a bountiful provision for the unfortunate. He arranged that such adverse circumstances might not continue forever, but that all their accountsùcredits and debtsùmust be reckoned only to the Jubilee Year. At that time allùland and peopleùmust be freed from old misfortunes to make a fresh start for the next cycle of fifty years.

The system did not work perfectly, but it helped. Equality could not be legislated back then either. But what was important was that this Jubilee system served as a model of a greater reality when all people would have equal rights and fair distribution of properties and privileges. Paul calls the features of the Jewish Law "a faint outline of the good things to come" (Heb 10:1, Good News Bible). Jesus also explained, "Remember that as long as heaven and earth last, not the least point nor the smallest detail of the law will be done away withùuntil all its teachings come true" (Mt 5:18, GNB).

What does the Jubilee Law teach? It teaches that equal property rights and equal rights of personal liberty will some day be reinstated. Because of sin, man has lost his right to life. He is a slave to death. Because of sin, he has lost equality as far as his property rights. Through the centuries of man’s history the few have oppressed the many by taking away their rights and dignity. How long will this continue? When will the Jubilee’s "teachings come true"? After all, Jesus died almost two thousand years ago.

When is this time of Restoration?

It is the purpose of Jesus Christ’s second advent to restore everything lost in Adam.

"And he [God] shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." Ac 3:20, 21

"Restitution" is indeed the object of his return! What does "restitution" mean? [The same word was translated "restore" earlier in the Book of Ac 1:6 when the disciples were asking about restoring the nation of Israel to its former status.] "Restitution" literally means "to reconstitute in health, home and organization" (Strong’s Concordance 605, 600). Since it is the "times" (plural) of restitution, this implies various stages in a process of restoration. Since it is the "times of restitution of ALL things," this also implies a very comprehensive restoration process.

How did "all the holy prophets" talk about the "times of restitution"? They did not mention the word "restitution" in spite of the fact that the Apostle Peter says they all "spoke" about it. But the prophets of the entire Old Testament, in fact, pointed to this time of restoring everything man lost in Adam-his home, his health and his life rights. Moses, also a prophet, verbalized this time of restoring in the Law. On Mt. Sinai, he received the Jubilee law too from God Himself. This time of restoration is the Kingdom of God in the hands of the Christ Messiah. This Jubilee for the world is not a year but a thousand years longùit is the Kingdom of Christ so long prayed for by Christians. For the world of mankind this will mean a release from the bondage of the tomb and all the misery leading to it.

How Did the Jubilee System Work?

When the fiftieth year came around in Israel, could one imagine that everyone was happy to give back the lands to the rightful owners? Was it a joyful occasion to release their bond servants? No, rather, there must have been considerable resistance to this equalizing process. On the other hand, might it be imagined that those demanding their lands back might be asking for perhaps a little more than their due?

Legislation is one thing. Human nature another. No doubt, the Jubilee year was a clamorous, agonizing period of time. No doubt, disputes needed in many cases to be brought to courts of law. Counter claims, no doubt, complicated the real issues. The entire year must have been required to arrive at any state of equality for all of Israel.

Regarding the time for the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth in the hands of the returned Lord Jesus, the prophets spoke extensively about a time of trouble. The era of blessing and restoring of rights and life will have its inauguration in a heated social struggle and violent political strife. The cry for Jubilee rights against inequalities and oppression have already ascended to a crescendo in these last days. The Book of James speaks of a particular cry concerning a particular kind of oppressionùthat is, the oppression of the laborer by the rich.

"And now, you rich people, listen to me! Weep and wail over the miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches have rotted away, and your clothes has been eaten by moths. You have piled up riches in these last days. You have not paid any wages to the men who work in your fields. Listen to their complaints! The cries of those who gather in your crops have reached the ears of God, the Lord Almighty. Your life here on earth has been full of luxury and pleasure. Be patient, then my brothers until the Lord comes." Jas 5:1-6 (GNB)

Labor unions emerging at the end of the nineteenth century did much to address the needs of the common laborer. But these unions have their limitations and have brought with them their own abuses and are not the answer by any means.

The yoke of colonialismùand more recently communismùthroughout the world has been broken off the necks of oppressed peoples. Each little ethnic subgroup is demanding its right to a place under the sun and its own separate identity. The minorities within each country are no longer quiet, but are rising up to demand both their just and fancied rights.

As might be expected, there are excesses. There are imagined rights as well as legitimate rights. While no human has a right to oppress another human being, the time of change has seen nations which claim to be "Christian" taking affirmative action for the fancied rights of homosexuals.

The clashing cries for the rights of the unborn verses the rights of the woman over her own body ("Pro Life" and "Pro Choice") are a very heated controversy. So important are these claims that they have continually become presidential campaign issues. Where does the Christian stand on these issues? Our sympathies lie, of course, with the whole groaning creation crying for just rights and justice. But the Christian was not asked to throw his or her efforts into social reform, improved legislation or political issues. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world, else would my servants fight." (Joh 18:36) The Christian really cannot condone the methods advocated and employed to right some of these wrongs. Often they are inappropriate or violent. But far from being disinterested in these issues, the Christian longs for the time that these injustices will be fully and fairly addressed in God’s Kingdom.

What we see today is the beginning of the Jubilee cry. THE TIME IS AT HAND states that the Jubilee "will open with sweeping reforms, with recognition of rights, liberties and possessions long lost sight of; but the work of completely restoring (to the obedient) all that was originally lost will require all of that age of restitutionùa thousand years." (p. 179)

Then truly the "dream" of all mankind will be realized. All will be given an equal opportunity to find eternal life and happiness in Christ’s Kingdom. The "valleys" of the oppressed will be elevated and the formidable "mountains" of the oppressors will be made low in this kingdom. (Isa 40:4,5)

You may already have a copy of the book THE TIME IS AT HAND. If so, or if you recently requested one, please read the chapter on "Earth’s Great Jubilee," which treats precise lines of scriptural reasoning on the exact timing of the Jubilee system. Also available is an article, "The Jubilee of Restoration," which we will be happy to send you for your study of this important subject in greater detail.

The Golden Thread of Salvation Proves the Bible is Inspired

April 1993

If you read 66 different books, written by over 40 different authors with no contradiction between them, you could only conclude there was collusion between the different authors or one person was supervising them all. But what if these 40 authors lived over a period of 1600 years and there was still no contradiction between them. Impossible! Unless, a miracle happened.

There were 66 books written by over 40 different authors, whose lives did span 1600 years and their writings on diversified subjects didn’t contradict each other. Collusion was impossible. But a miracle happened. One person supervised their writings. That one person was God. This collection of 66 different books is usually printed in one volume entitled THE HOLY BIBLE, which is divided into two major sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament.

How do we know these 66 books are harmonious? How do we know the Bible is the inspired Word of God? There are many ways of proving the internal harmony of our 66 books of Scripture, but tracking the promised "seed" of salvation is doubly inspiring. It is the golden or Divine thread that weaves through the whole Bible, binding it together in its glorious promise of eternal life.

The first three chapters of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, describes the creation of Adam in the "image of God" dwelling in an Edenic paradise, with the assurance of this eternal home if they obeyed the laws of God. Disobedience would be penalized by death. "Dying thou shalt die." (Ge 2:17) The laws of God are necessary for the eternal well being of the human race. Satan tempted our first parents. They disobeyed and were banished from Eden. As a result of Adam’s fall into sin and death, the whole race is "born in sin and shapen in iniquity." By one man’s (Adam’s) offense all became sinners and were condemned to death. (Ro 5:16-19)

The last three chapters of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, prophesies that mankind will be restored to life in an Edenic paradise, which will be his eternal home, while Satan is destroyed. All the books of the Bible in between describe the process of redemption and reconciliation by which man and his earthly paradise are restored.

Who is the Seed?

The golden thread of the promised "seed" of salvation begins in Ge 3:15 when Adam fell from God’s favor of life. God promised that the "seed" or descendant of Eve would bruise the serpent’s head (representative of Satan, 2Co 11:3). A blow to the head can be fatal. Here was a glimmer of hope. If Satan is destroyed then man’s lot would be improved. But who is this "seed" or descendant of Eve that would accomplish this? Ge 22:17-18 reveals that the "seed" would come through the lineage of Abraham and it would consist of two classes. Abraham’s "seed" would be "as the stars of heaven" (a heavenly class) and as "the sand upon the seashore" (an earthly class). Now the glimmer of hope becomes bright. "And in thy (Abraham’s) seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed."

In Ge 26:1-4, when God repeats the promise of the "seed" to Isaac, God only likens it to the "stars of heaven" (a heavenly class) with no reference to the sands of the seashore. Again God promises that the "seed" or descendant of Isaac would bless "all the nations of the earth." Then, at the death of Isaac, the lineage of the "seed" of promise that was to bless "all the families of the earth" was narrowed to Jacob. In Ge 28:13-14 Jacob’s "seed" or descendants was likened to the "dust of the earth" which like "sand of the seashore" symbolizes an earthly class. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. The promised "seed" would be Israelitish.

The Isaac or Heavenly Seed

Now skipping over to the New Testament, Paul finally identifies the promised "seed" or descendant that is to bless "all the nations of the earth." In Ga 3:16 it states, "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. And to thy seed (singular), which is Christ." Yes, Jesus Christ is the "seed" or descendant of Eve, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel) that is to bless "all the nations of earth." But Paul expanding on his lesson of 1Co 12:12 that the body of Christ is composed of many members yet is one body, makes a startling statement in Ga 3:27-29. "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."

All those in Christ are Abraham’s "seed" and heirs of the promise. But remember the promise was not that the "seed" would receive the blessing but that the "seed" would do the blessing, that is, bless "all the nations of the earth." Remember Ge 26:4, Isaac symbolized the "stars of heaven" or heavenly phase of Abraham’s "seed." In Ga 4 Paul shows that Isaac pictured Jesus and his church, the Christ, head and body.

Similarly, in Ro 4:13-14, Paul teaches that through righteousness (justification) by faith Christians become the seed of Abraham who are the heirs of the world. The world thus inherited will be blessed by the church in Christ’s kingdom. Re 20:4

Remember Ge 3:15. The "seed" of the woman was to destroy Satan and He 2:15 informs us that Jesus will destroy the devil who brought the whole human race under the power of death. Now comes the conclusive proof that faithful Christians (spiritual Israel) are part of the "seed" of the woman. In Ro 16:20 Paul states that "the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." Although the second advent of Christ and his kingdom, when all of this would be accomplished, was nearly 2000 years future, yet from God’s perspective of time it would occur "shortly."

The Jacob (Israel) or Earthly Seed

Remember Genesis 28:14 shows that Jacob (Israel) pictured the earthly seed. The nation of Israel will play an important role in God’s kingdom (Zec 8:20-23; Isa 2:2-4; Eze 16:55-63) when human-kind are restored to perfect life in a worldwide Edenic paradise. Thus Ro 4:17 reveals that when God said to Abraham (Ge 17:5) "I have (past tense) made thee a father of many nations," He in His foreknowledge could speak of it as an accomplished fact. That is because God even then intended to resurrect the dead to fulfill His promise to Abraham.

Just as the sand of the seashore is innumerable, so the literal Hebrew of Ge 22:18 reveals that all the nations of the earth will become a part of the earthly "seed" as they come into the Israelitish Kingdom of God (Zec 8:20-22). Ge 22:18 "In becoming that ‘seed’ shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves." Thus Re 20:8 refers to all the nations at the end of the 1000 year Kingdom as the sand of the sea. Those who overcome the test of the Little Season will receive the blessings of eternity. Re 21:4-7

The golden thread of the "seed" of promise begins in Ge 3. It weaves through all the books of the Bible and its glorious fulfillment is prophesied 65 books later in the third chapter from the end of the last book of the Bible (Revelation) which was written 1600 years after Genesis. Yes, the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, 66 books are transformed into one harmonious book. No other book gives such a reasonable explanation for the permission of evil. No other book gives man such a wonderful hope.

"No Way Out"

July 1993

Lk 21: 25, 26

In plain television view of the Bosnian killings, the Christian West has a dilemma. Both military intervention and milder economic sanctions promise terrible consequences. Allowing the violence repeats the shameful do-nothing failures of World War II.

On June 28, 1914, the spark that ignited the Great War was lit by a Serbian anarchist in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Later, to fix things the so-called "peace of Versailles" provided for an amalgamation of Southern Slavic peoplesùSlovenians, Croats, Bosnians, Montenegrins, Macedonians and Serbs. This threw Ottomans and Hapsburgs togetherùa mix of Catholics, Orthodox and Moslem.

During World War II, Croatians cooperated with the Nazis against their Serbian neighbors. Post war Communists held all these factions in check. Now with the Communist suppression broken, strong latent nationalism has erupted as "ethnic cleansing" producing new large-scale rapes and murders.

In desperation to keep some semblance of "world peace," the nations are gathering in such alliances as the United Nations. But the "peace-keeping" forces have no peace to keep. Committing forces means the risk of getting caught in an inescapable "black hole" conflict. What to do? There are no simple choices. There seems to be no way out. No human way out.

Who Said There was ‘No Way Out’?

When Jesus talked about the nations reaching a point of "no way out," he was actually answering a question (Lk 21:7).

His apostles were asking about the destruction of their temple which they associated with the end of their age and mistakenly with Jesus’ return. In order not to discourage them about the long time that would pass before he would returnùlong after the destruction of their temple, he simply described many events that would have to take place before he would return. In this way he prepared them (as well as later Christians) for the long wait. After vividly portraying this period of waiting, he concluded by encouraging them, "In your patience possess ye your souls" (Lk 21:8-19).

Then Jesus addressed their specific question about Jerusalem and the temple (Lk 21:20-24). The Great Teacher realized his disciples would not be able to comprehend that while the collapse of the temple and Jerusalem was imminent, their destruction would also portray the destruction of an anti-Christ system at the end of the age. But Jesus encouraged a way for Christians to flee Jerusalem. "When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains...." Many Jewish Christians did escape Jerusalem in an extraordinary but temporary lull while Titus laid siege to Jerusalem 67-70 A. D. Prophetically, Jesus was also suggesting a way of escape for Christians from the false Christian system at the end of the age. Then they do not flee to literal mountains, but to Christ’s kingdom (see also Mt 24:15-19). Christians have a way out by faith.

A Nation with a Separate Destiny

Even in such an awful prophecy about literal Jerusalem being destroyed and people being scattered, Jesus explained that Jerusalem would be "trodden down" only until "the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (Mt 24:24). Not only would there come a time when Jerusalem would cease to be under Gentile domination, but that Israel as a nation would "shoot forth" (revive) as the "fig tree" (Mt 24:29,31). Israel’s restoration would be a sign that "summer is nigh," that the Kingdom is being established (Mt 24:32-33).

The "times of the Gentiles" did expire with World War I. The church-state ruling houses of Europe were broken. One of the few positive results of World War I was the Balfour Declaration (1917) which gave support to the creation of a Jewish State. But the regathering and restoration of Israel have been arduous and painful. Still it would appear that Israelùwith enemies without and conflict withinùalso has "no way out."

But the Scriptures are clear that though Israel would experience difficulties in the end times, it would not be destroyed as a nation. The other nations of the world, however, would come to their national end in great tribulation. "For I am with thee [Israel], saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee..." (Jer 30:11).

In fact, while anarchy will pull the nations down, armed forces from those nations, intent on destroying Jerusalem, will actually be destroyed themselves because God will fight for Israel. "Then shall the LORD go forth and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle" (Zec 14:1-3).

The ironic twist is that the peoples of those same nations which were destroyed will later come back to worship the Lord in Jerusalem (Zec 14:16). When the "mountain," the Kingdom of God is fully set up, "all nations shall flow unto it." They will come to Jerusalem to seek the God of Israel and learn of God’s ways (Isa 2:1-4).

"The Powers of Heaven Shall be Shaken"

Jesus pointed out that when he would return at the end of the age, the nations of earth would not only find themselves in such a "no-way-out" predicament, but that the very heavens would shake (Lk 21:26). How would the heavens "shake"?

When Jesus spoke of the "fig tree," "the sun," "the moon," "the stars" and his coming on a "cloud," it is important to understand that he was speaking in figurative language. That was his method (Mt 13:13-17). The "heavens" represent the religious element of this world order as opposed to the "earth," the secular element. At the same time that the secular world is in troubleùso too is the religious, Christianity.

The religious world is "shaken" of public confidence. The religious element no longer offers the stability and security it did in the past. The Gospel light of the "sun" appears darkened and obscured. The reflective light ("moon") of the Old Testament is no longer considered a guiding light by many. Both the true Gospel and false gospels have fallen into disrepute. In ancient maritime navigation, stars told the captains of ships where they were and where to go. "Stars" are teachers. Today true Christian teachers are fallen from honor. False Christian leaders also are continually being exposed and viewed with disdain.

Notwithstanding the illusion that Christians will soon convert this nation or other nations of the world, Christianity is being "shaken." The most rapidly growing religion in the world is Islam.

Pseudo Christs Offering a Way

In the parallel account of Jesus’ prophecy found in Mt 24, there are two distinct references to false [pseudo] Christs. Not only would false claims be made throughout the Gospel Age (Mt 24:5), but at the end of the age (Mt 24:24), many would also make such preposterous claims. Many false Christ’s have rallied a small following for a short period of timeùwhile the rest of the world would look on in appalled amazement. A most recent false Christ, cultist David Koresh, while adhering to the traditional Christian beliefs of the trinity and hell fire, added a few deranged claims of his own.

However, there have also been anti-Christs [not against Christ but attempting to take the place of Christùa counterfeit Christ]. Great church systems have claimed holy authority and have used their power through the might of kings and leaders to control both believer and unbeliever alike. The damage they have done in the name of Christ is horrifying. Such has been the recent triangle of maniacal behavior in the BalkansùSerbian Orthodox against Croatian Catholic against Bosnian Moslem. It is very odd that while Jesus said, "My Kingdom is not of this world else would my servants fight for it," the followers of mainline Christian churches see no conflict and have regularly taken up arms to kill and be killed, much the same as the "Davidians" and other "cults."

"Men’s hearts failing them for fear"

The "sea and the waves roaring" (Mt 24:25) represent the restless, clamorous masses of humanity. The breakdown of the Communist monolith has spawned new-nation states in response to long dormant nationalist aspirations. Despite the excitement and satisfaction of nationalist desires, such as the unification of Germany, frustrations are frightening. Economic inequity in Germany has caused recent labor disputes and ethnic hostilities against immigrants. Tens of thousands of dissatisfied eastern Europeans trek west in search of a better life. They too will be welcomed with hostility.

Thus while Jesus predicted there would come a time when the nations would have "no way out," the "powers of heaven shall be shaken" also. The result: "Men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Lk 21:26). It is not on a literal "cloud" that Jesus returns. When "he cometh with clouds," they are the clouds of trouble (Re 1:7). Eventually the world of mankind will "see"ùperceiveùthat behind the trouble in the world is Christ setting up his Kingdom of righteousness.

"Rejoice when you see"

True Christians are asked by Jesus to not despair when they see the trouble in the world, but to look up in faith and rejoice. But Christians do not "look up" if they are "overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness and cares of this life" (Lk 21:34-36). If they are too involved in worldly priorities, they will be too busy to search the Scriptures and notice the significance of world conditions. The "day" is here and many are "unawares." Christians are to "watch" when "these things begin to come to pass."

The "way out" is the Kingdom. Faithful, watching Christians with Jesus will be there to help the peoples of the nations into that Kingdom (Re 21:24).

There is Hope

October 1993

The carefree days of summer and vacation time are behind us. Somehow, we hoped that by Labor Day the U. S. economy would be jump-started, that the horrors and evils of Bosnia would be behind us and our soldiers would be out of Somalia. Instead, massive layoffs by major corporations continue to stagnate the economy, the stark horrors of Bosnia remain and our soldiers continue in the quagmire of Somalia with 400 more troops ordered in- not out.

Actually, if we review the events of the last two months, there seems to be little to give us much hope. Yet the extreme severity of the problems is the one thing that gives real hope. Dan 12:1-2 and Hag 2:7 reveal that just before God’s Kingdom, when "the desire of all nations shall come," conditions on earth would mark us in "a time of trouble (or "shaking of the earth") such as never was since there was a nation." The noted historian, Arnold Toynbee, designated our era as "an unprecedented time of troubles." The events of this not so lackadaisical summer confirm that the "time of trouble" of Dan 12:1 is upon us.

Our Economy Will Yet Collapse

(Eze 7:19; Zeph 1:18)

Unprecedented floods in the Midwest and the scorched earth drought in the farmlands of the Southeast resulted in crop destruction that will haunt our frayed economy. Flood recovery will cost over 20 billion dollars while we are still strapped with paying off Hurricane Andrew. Massive layoffs continue. How many more disasters can our crisis ridden economy absorb?

Unprecedented Crime, Violence, Hate-in "the Last Days"

(2Ti 3:1-3)

In July, the Report To The Governor On The Disturbances In Crown Heights revealed that there were three days of uncontrolled violence against Jews simply because they were Jews. The only disagreement is who was responsible for not taking steps to quell the violence immediately. Acts of anti-Semitism are at an all-time high throughout the world. Will the "hunters" rise again (Jer 16:16)? There is an alarming increase in skinheads and violent murders of members of all minorities by skinheads (Time, August 9, 1993).

The abortion battle has reached a new high in violence. It has been bloody. Now it is deadly. Doctors who perform abortions have been shot or murdered. Those who pulled the trigger are considered heroes by some.

Violent car-jackings have instilled a fear of driving in some parts of the nation. (Time, August 16, 1993). And what about our youth, the flower of any nation? "They’re armed, dangerous and live next door. From inner cities to quiet suburbs, America’s youth have developed a fatal attraction to firearms" (Time, August 2, 1993). In addition to gang killings and crime, the latest craze of youth is drive-by shootingsùaiming mostly at cars and houses. Thus far this year, New York City has experienced an average of 28 deaths a month from random shootings. But even quiet towns like Omaha, NE and Lexington, KY are being shot up by young punks.

Immorality Marks Us in "the Last Days"

(2Ti 3:1-5)

Thanks to the new morality, sexual activity of teens is on the increase. The National Center For Disease Control and Prevention reported that 7 out of 10 high school seniors are sexually active (Newark Star Ledger, August 22, 1993). More than a million teenagers become pregnant each year. Most alarming is the increase in pregnancy among girls 10 to 14 years old. HIV (AIDS virus) infections continue to spiral at an astronomical rate. The greatest increase is now among heterosexual relations. Our society is so pleasure driven that the simple Biblical solution to these sex oriented problems, premarital abstinence, is considered impractical.

July Fourth Fireworks

Fortunately Americans just missed the greatest July 4th fireworks explosion in history. It was sheer luck, not FBI or police prowess, which the UN, Holland and Lincoln Tunnels, etc. were not blown up the week of July Fourth. Only because a member of the terrorist gang turned informant were we spared. This doesn’t bode well for the U. S. in the future. Terrorist acts are extremely difficult to prevent. Egypt can well attest to that. Islamic fundamentalists are determined to overthrow President Mubarak and they just may succeed. To the South, Sudan has become the haven, training ground and launching pad for the Islamic fundamentalist militants. Meanwhile, in Southern Sudan, the Islamic Government has been waging a campaign of genocide against black Christians that would make Bosnia look like a picnic. Two million have been killed since 1989 (Jewish Press, August 27, 1993). Where is the news media?

Europe is No Better

Europe is in the throes of its severest recession since the "great depression" of the 1930s. Ethnic hatred and violence in Germany and elsewhere has become so common place that it doesn’t make headlines anymore. And then there is Bosnia, the shame of every Western leader. Joel 3:9-10 speaking of the end time, predicted that "weak" nations will say, "I am strong." Despite President Clinton’s threats, the little Serb army in Bosnia has defied the UN and bullied its forces all over the countryside. The peace treaty that is being brokered by the UN appears to be a sell-out to ethnic cleansing and violence.

Also, the breakup of the Communist Empire and nations into smaller ethnic nations is a remarkable fulfillment of Amos 5:18-19. The end-time would find mankind fleeing from a "lion" (British Empire) only to meet the (Russian) "bear." With the fall of Russian Communism each segment is going into its "house" of ethnic nationalism. First we saw the dividing of the Soviet Union into ethnic republics, then Czechoslovakia divided into two republics. Now the former Yugoslavia is splintering into ethnic nations. This threatens a domino effect of further ethnic splintering in the former Soviet Republics.

Pope’s Trip to Denver

The most significant event of the summer was not the Pope’s trip to Denver, as colorful a media event as it was, but President Clinton’s anxiousness to travel from Washington to Denver to welcome the Pope as he stepped off the plane. Then he had a private meeting with him. Would Clinton do the same for the head of any other church? No. But all heads of State are eager to meet with Pope John Paul II (Time, August 23, 1993). Why? Because he is not just the head of a church, the Vatican is the capital of a church-state government, the Papal State. For centuries the Papal State has claimed to be the Kingdom of God on earth. Remember when Popes crowned and uncrowned kings? Historians refer to that era as the "Dark Ages."

The Pope has 1.5 billion followers worldwide. They might differ with him on abortion, birth control, celibacy of the priesthood, but they revere him as the head of the Papal State. Through his priesthood he has an intelligence gathering network that is the envy of every government. It reaches down into almost every town and villa over much of the globe. Nations are anxious to exchange ambassadors with the Vatican. John Paul II plays power politics with a skill that awes world leaders. John Paul and former President Reagan successfully plotted the downfall of the Communist Empire (Time, February 24, 1992). His ultimate political agenda is revealed in the following statement he made April 21, 1990.

"A united Europe is no longer a dream. It is not utopian memory from the Middle Ages [emphasis added]. The events that we are witnessing show that this goal can be reached." The Pope wants to revive the Holy Roman Empire of the Middle Ages.

The Scriptures (Re 13, 17, 19) indicate just such a church-state union will result in the final downfall of our civilization. But there is hopeùfor upon these ruins God will set up His Kingdom that will rule from the rivers to the end of the earth. Man’s extremity will be God’s opportunity. Da 2:44; Zeph 3:8-9; Ps 46:6-10

The newly updated booklet "What Is This World Coming To?" shows that today’s headlines were prophesied over 2,000 years ago in the Bible. The booklet "Church Union and Anti-Christ" focuses on the "man of sin," "Anti-Christ," and "false prophet" prophecies. Together they will give you a guide through the thrilling prophetic times in which we are living.

Health and Well Being for All

November 1993

Recent headlines present the Bible-believing Christian with a wealth of points to ponder. The declining economy of Western nations, wearisome civil war in Bosnia and prospects of peace in the Middle East are just a few current events leading to the fulfillment of prophecy. But two seemingly unrelated news items especially caught our attention. One is the National Health Reform bill and the other, an insidious insight into hell.

National Health Insurance

President Clinton’s idealism and enthusiasm are nurturing the work of national health reform. Though we do not agree with all of Mr. Clinton’s positions, we do appreciate the fact that he has thrown himself so energetically into serving the needs of the people he leads. For his personal sacrifices of time and energyùhe has our respect. The basic idea of health reform, medical care for all Americans, is an excellent one. The majority of Americans feel that health care for all is humane and just.

Daily, the need for national health care is becoming more painfully obvious. Too often common people are faced with the uncommon experience of losing health insurance. Businesses large and small are reeling from the current economic crunch. In order to cope they are either laying off thousands of workers or reducing, even canceling, the health benefits employees formerly took for granted. Every day wrenching news stories of uninsured families stricken with a catastrophic illness and medical bills amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars reach our earsùand hearts. The burdens of such debts have driven many to despair.

Such suffering arouses tender concern in most people, and should definitely touch the hearts of God’s people. The benevolent spirit manifested in the health reform plan is heart warming. The human race needs comfort. Remove the gloss of television’s entertaining fantasies and the short-lived comforts of materialistic pursuits and a basic truth is revealed. That truth is that the human race has groaned and travailed in pain together throughout history and, truly continues to suffer today. Wars, disease, crime, drugs, old age, poverty, physical abuse, prejudice, loneliness and many other woes have not left a single person on this planet unaffected. This fact leads us to appreciate every just effort to alleviate human suffering in life’s brief season.

Yet, while some are calculating the means to comfort this short life, others have calculated the probability of eternal conscious torture for most Americansùand for the world! What a contrast!

Headlines Cause Heated Response

The New York Times (Monday September 20, 1993) reported that Southern Baptists are receiving intense criticism for a report published on the front page of Alabama’s The Birmingham News. That report was a county-by-county breakdown of who was bound for eternal salvation or eternal damnation. The Southern Baptists have calculated that 46.1 percent (1.86 million) of Alabama’s citizens are bound for an eternity of hell’s unimaginable horrors. Intense furor rose in Alabama.

National figures were also calculated by the Southern Baptists but, presently, are not going to be made available. We don’t wonder at this. If 46.1 percent of a Bible-belt state’s population is probably "unsaved," many more may be considered "unsaved" in the other states. The national numbers of those the Southern Baptists believe will be eternally lost would raise a tremendous controversy.

An Emotional Issue

Merely mentioning hell raises intense emotions. Perhaps it is fear that, for the most part, causes many to respond so frenetically. But, "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." And "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." 2Ti 1:7; 1Joh 4:18 In full love and trust we come to the Lord through His Word. A topical study of hell and other related subjects (immortality in particular) gives us a Biblical concept of hell dramatically different from the concept taught through the dark ages.

Sources of Thought

Reading any objectively written history of Christianity will reveal the source for much of what we once considered the teachings of Scripture. That source of thought was primarily focused through one manùSt. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo. Augustine was a brilliant man who ardently admired the doctrines of Plato (the noted Greek philosopher) and the Neoplatonists. Their ideas of good and evil, of the "immortal soul" and of eternal punishment greatly appealed to Augustine’s fertile mind. However, Augustine also fell in love with the Bible and its story of God’s Anointed OneùJesus Christ. It was unfortunate that he did not choose one or the other. Augustine’s genius was able to fuse the simple faith of the Bible with the philosophical ramblings of the Greeks.

The pagan Greeks viewed the cross of Christ as foolishness. Despite their great philosophical "wisdom" they did not know God! (see 1Co 1:21-23) Yet, when the foundations of orthodoxy in Christian doctrine were established, Augustine embraced the teachings of pagan Greeks as the guidelines. Confusion has reigned ever since. Despite Luther’s bold declaration against the immortality of the soul (point 27 of the 95 Theses), the other Reformation leaders embraced Augustine’s Grecian philosophy. Luther’s Biblical truth on the "soul" was lost to and in the Protestant Reformation. This sort of theology became the intellectual weapon of church scholars by which they ruled the ignorant massesùin fear. Today we are able to read the Bible in simple faith, trusting that the words actually mean what they say.

Scriptures On "Immortal Soul"

There are no Scriptures using the phrase "immortal soul." We must turn to Plato if we want information on that. The Bible teaches that immortality is conditional. That is, if we want it, we may obtain it on certain conditions. We must be Jesus’ disciples. Immortality will be given "to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life." "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." Ro 2:7; 1Co 15:53

Those who do not seek for immortality continue under the sentence of death pronounced upon Adam. The death sentence is the wrath of God. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." Eze 18:4; Ro 1:18

Those who die go to sheolùthe Hebrew word translated hell, grave and pit in our Bible. A concise definition of sheol is framed by this scripture, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave [sheol], whither thou goest." Ec 9:10

The point is that if human beings really are dead they know nothing. They feel nothing. They do nothing. The "unsaved" (another word we don’t find in the common version of the Bible) do not experience eternal conscious torture. They experience deathùthe cessation of existence. Even many of Christ’s disciples would experience the condition of death. Paul, speaking of brethren who had seen Jesus after his resurrection, noted that "He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep." 1Co 15:6

When would they be raised from the dead? At the second advent of Christ. "For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever." 1Th 4:15-17 (NRSV)

HeavenùBy Invitation Only

The call to become one of Christ’s body members is not being extended to everyone. The scriptures speak of God’s invitation to the heavenly spiritual reward as "the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Php 3:14 The invitation is selective. God’s saints are noted in the book of Revelation as being "called, and chosen, and faithful." Re 17:14 We thank our God, "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." 2Ti 1:9

The Destiny of the Majority

While the scriptures clearly teach the present election of comparatively few, this does not imply that the rest of the groaning creation has been cast off by an uncaring God. Those who do not go to heaven as members of the body of Christ will not suffer eternal agony. Neither will they pass out of existence eternallyùdoomed or forgotten by God. It is Satan who desires mankind to believe that God would condemn a living creature to an eternity of suffering, without hope of ever being freed, for whatever sins they committed during their threescore and ten years on earth.

Mankind will experience a call to God’s kingdom on earth when Christ reigns over it. "And the Spirit [Jesus] and the bride [his church] say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Re 22:17

God’s grace to the few who are called with this holy calling is wonderful. In speaking of this grace, Paul gives us a clue as to the purpose of the call. "We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)" 2Co 6:1-2 The Greek language reads "now is an accepted time, behold, now is a day of salvation." The Christian era is not the only day of salvation nor the only acceptable time. Proof of this is supplied by the scriptures themselves.

Paul quoted Isa 49:8-10 "Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them."

Those that Paul urges to receive the grace of God not in vain are Christians. These are given, by God, "for a covenant of the people." That covenant will provide the rest of mankind an opportunity to be freed from the prison-house of death. It will lead the willing and obedient to the waters of life eternal as human beings. If we are faithful to our Lord we shall reign with him. The privilege of helping to deliver the groaning creation from the bondage of sin and death will be oursùas kings and priests over the earth. That is the purpose of our heavenly calling. (What a marvelous solution to the question of universal health care!) What a great vindication of the righteous character of our God. Ro 8:16-21

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." Re 21:3-5

For a detailed study of the scriptures on hell and immortality send for the 105 page booklet, "Where Are The Dead?"

Arab-Israeli Peace???

December 1993

Despite the euphoria over the Israeli-P.L.O. peace accord, the road to actual peace between Israel and the Arabs is full of difficulties. Bible-believing Christians view this startling development with great prophetic interest. Those who have a short prophetic time frame expect a peace that will prophetically position Israel in the setting of Eze 38:11 - dwelling "at rest," "without walls and having neither bars nor gates." Then Gog and his associates would invade Israel resulting in the destruction of our world order (Eze 38-39). We, however, are inclined to believe that other prophetic events have to develop in Israel, Europe, and the United States before the drama of Eze 38-39 can unfold. Therefore, whether or not peace is attained, this peace process will set in motion a series of events that will precipitate another Arab-Israeli war.

Regardless of our prophetic view, Christian attitudes toward Israel and its land are all important. Sometimes attitudes contradict. For example, some Christians who believe God used the Holocaust to punish the Jewish people for not having the faith to return to their promised land, feel it is now right for Israel to give up land which they claim the Jews were punished for not having the faith to occupy in the first place.

Whose Land?

This raises the questionùwhose land are the world powers pressuring Israel to give to the Arabs? During the period of the prophetic development of Israel, before God’s Kingdom is set up in Jerusalem, God refers to the land as "His land." Eze 38:16; Isa 11:11. Joel 3:1-2 reveals that one of the reasons the Lord punishes the nations is first they scattered His people Israel among the nations and then they "parted (partitioned) My land." In 1917 Britain declared the Jews had a right to a National Home in Palestine. The League of Nations in 1921 gave Britain a mandate to implement this Jewish State on both sides of the Jordan River. In 1922 at the urging of Britain, three-quarters of Palestineùall of Palestine east of the Jordan River was given to the Arabs and is now known as the nation of Jordan. In 1947 the UN reneged further on the world’s promise of a Jewish State in Palestine by partitioning the remaining one-quarter of Palestine into a Jewish State and an Arab State. Despite the Arab boast to push the Jews in the sea, in the ‘67 War Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza and now had one-quarter of the land promised to them in 1917 and 1921. Ever since, the World powers have been pressuring Israel to give up the West Bank and Gaza and now, seemingly, they have succeeded. The LORD is angry with the nations for these efforts to partition His land to appease the oil rich Arab nations.

Expanding Borders

The Rabin-Arafat agreement is at variance with Mic 7:11 (NAS, NIV) which identifies our time as "the day for extending your (Israel’s) boundaries." This peace agreement actually shrinks Israel’s boundaries, consequently it will not last. There is only one nation on earth that has its boundaries decreed in the Bible. That nation is Israel. Ge 15:18-21 declares that Israel’s ultimate boundaries are from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates River. These boundaries will be fully attained in God’s Kingdom after the "time of trouble" or "great tribulation" which terminates our world or age (Dan 12:1; Mt 24:3, 21-22; Zeph 3:8,9). We will content ourselves here with identifying the minimum territory Israel will occupy before the "time of trouble" is over, and incidentally deal with the immigration of Russian Jews to the extent that that immigration is tied into the "land issue" scriptures.

Ps 83 deals with the Israeli-Arab conflict. It contains a prayer for the defeat of the Arab nations. The following scriptures reveal how this defeat is accomplished.

After Mic 7:11 speaks of our day as "the day for extending your (Israel’s) boundaries," Mic 7:13-17 describe the "time of trouble." For example, Mic 7:13, "And the earth (symbolic of the social order) will become desolate because of her inhabitants. On account of the fruit of their deeds." Mic 7:14, sandwiched in this "time of trouble" setting, speaks of the Lord feeding (Hebrew "ruling," Strong’s 7462) over Israel in a territory that includes Bashan (the Golan Heights-De 3:3,4; Nu 21:23-25; Jos 21:27) and Gilead. Gilead is a part of the East Bank of the Jordan River. The current peace process in the Middle East is negotiating the status of the Golan Heights and the West Bank. What man proposes, God disposes. If Israel is forced to compromise land for peace, Mic 7 indicates that Israel will again acquire the Golan Heights, and not only the West Bank, but the East Bank as well, before the time of trouble is over.

Zec 10:10,11, speaks of an immigration of Jews from Assyria and Egypt that is so large that it will fill the land of Gilead and Lebanon. Jos 13:5,6, reveals that at least southern Lebanon belongs to Israel by divine right. Israel already occupies a buffer zone in southern Lebanon. An immigration from Assyria and Egypt will be so numerically great that it will fill the land of Gilead (East Bank) and southern Lebanon.

Literal Assyria is Iraq. There are fewer than a thousand Jews in Iraq and Egypt. This is hardly enough to fulfill Zec 10:10. Mic 5:5-7 is an example that "Assyria" is symbolic in other prophecies concerning Israel. Here Assyria invades Israel just before Israel becomes a blesser nation (Mic 5:7), and "Assyria" is repelled. This is evidently a parallel account of Gog’s invasion recorded in Eze 38-39. It is generally agreed that Gog and some of his associates mentioned in Eze 38:3-7 refers to Russia and at least some of the republics of the former Soviet Unionùincluding the Moslem republics. Therefore, the massive immigration from Assyria may be a reference to the current wave of Jews from Russia and the CIS (former Soviet Union) republics. Symbolic "Egypt" is the Christian world. There are over 5 million Jews in the United States alone.

Eze 20:32-38 identifies Israel’s ancient exodus from Egypt as a picture of the exodus of Jews from all nations back to Israel at the end of the Gospel age. In this picture Israel had to cross a "sea" and a "river" in order to enter the promised land. The sea and the river (Hebrew word here does not mean the Euphrates but merely a river) in Zec 10:11 seem to be symbolic of removing the obstacles that prohibited the Jews from leaving the former Soviet Union. That obstacle was Communism. With its removal the massive exodus began. Nearly a half-million have immigrated to Israel.

Peace, Peace When There Is No Peace

Isa 11:14-16 also speaks of the smiting of a sea and a river (again in Hebrew not the Euphrates) in connection with a large immigration of Jews from Assyria to Israel. Isa 11:13 parallels Jer 3:18 the "house of Judah" and the "house of Israel" become one in Diaspora and return "together" to the Promised Land. Isa 11:14 shows any peace agreement will explode in a two-front war on Israel’s southwest and eastern borders. "They (Israel) shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west (Gaza strip on the southwest Mediterranean coast where the Palestinians now reside)." The Hebrew literally means a flying attack from behind. The picture becomes even more vivid as the Hebrew for "shoulders" in Nu 34:11 refers to a maritime coastù"the side (shoulder) of the sea." Any Palestinian state or self-rule on the Gaza Strip will be short lived. Eventually, Israel by missiles or planes will circle out into the Mediterranean and attack the Palestinians from behind. Then the war shifts to the eastern front and Isa 11:13 (NAS) continuesù"they (Israel) will plunder the sons of the east. They will possess Edom and Moab. And the sons of Ammon will be subject to them."

These Old Testament nations occupied territories that are now within the Arab nation of Jordan on the East Bank of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. A war in which Israel defeats Jordan and occupies p