Volume 3

April 2013

E-Herald of the Coming Kingdom

The time has come, and the Kingdom of God is near. Change the way you think and act, and believe the Good News. Mark 1:15 GW

In This Issue:
Mark of the Beast 3/4s Three Ways of Teaching Virtue Witnessing Does Work Worth the Effort And More..
DEDICATED TO SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS OF GODS COMING KINGDOM TO BE ESTABLISHED WHEN CHRIST RETURNS

Contents
Editorial
Page 3

Mark of the Beast

Page 5

3/4s
Wally Winner
Page 7

Three Ways of Teaching Virtue

Cheryl Ross
Page 10

Witnessing Does Work

Ray Comfort
Page 11

The Fundamental Principle

Kent Ross
Page 13

Pine Woods Bible Class

W. H. Wilson
Page 16

Prayer for the Persecuted

Page 20

Its Worth the Effort

Wally Winner
Page 21

Miscellaneous Study Notes

Page 24

Page 2

Editors Note
Co-Editors: Kent H. Ross Wally Winner

Restoration vs. Reformation These are terms that have recently been discussed in another venue. Should our understanding of faith be a "reformation" of our faith as we have experienced it, or should it be a search to "restore" the faith as we discover it in the Bible. The answer may well be BOTH. Ultimately, it would seem wise to restore the New Testament faith. It was an amazing time, as told us in the book of Acts. The story of God actually having a Son, allowing Him to die, and then astoundingly to raise Him from the dead, spread like a wildfire across the world. The growth of the church then seemed exponential as it leaped from city to city, from city to the countryside all across the Mediterranean world. But those early, euphoric years were too soon supplanted by compromise of doctrine and ecclesiastical concerns and what had been a wonderful, dynamic movement of faith lost that initial momentum and purity of spirit. In time Islam developed to over-run part of the world where Christianity had first spread., especially over north Africa, but also much of the middle east. In Europe the church great into monolithic Roman church, which came to dominate even emperors, forcing their obedience through acts of penance or threatening them with the loss of eternity. It was in that scenario in 1517, that Martin Luther began what we today call the Reformation as he posted the famed 95 theses on the church door in Wittenberg. It was his attempt to call for his Roman church fellows to get rid of an accumulation of practices not found in and based upon Scripture itself. Previous attempts to reform that church had met with resounding defeat. The reformations he envisioned were nowhere near as far-reaching as the results. People, opened by the Renaissance movement and recovery of ancient learning, moved beyond the initial attempts to reform the church, into a desire to "restore" what had once been. That story was to be found amongst those called the Radical Reformation. Those of that movement were "radical," some in ecclesiastical practices, and some in theological understands. It is among some of this latter groups that we find our earliest roots. This fall, I'll be teaching a class on this at Atlanta Bible College following the trail of faith heading toward our day. But the "reformation" sought to recover and "restore" what had been so lost.

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Defensive Playing in Football Football has been a part of my life since boyhood. Paul Giel, an All-American at the University of Minnesota was an early hero. Even today, though my heart regularly breaks each fall as the Gophers succumb to year another foe. But football has had a tenet that if a team, be it even the Gophers on rare occasion, once they might build a lead, were to be warned of becoming guilty of merely playing "defense." That was a strategy that indicated a team should no longer initiate bold offensive moves, but be content and do their best to prevent the other team from scoring against them. This all too often proved in ineffective and failed strategy. The church, including our church, seems to be playing that game, and as in football, it is too often resulting in losses. Now teams must play vigorous defensive, but it cannot lie back on offense, but needs to initiate bold offensive moves, in addition to/ the defense. Too often churches, in this day and age, seems unable to answer the offense that seems arrayed against our work. We've seemingly pulled back from an assertive, aggressive evangelism that boldly confronts the enemies of the Lord's work. Instead of retreating behind our church walls, we need to march boldly to the fray. When there is talk of restoration, it takes us back to the days when those early Christians were said to be turning their world upside down. A few are beginning to take the initiative, but that shouldn't, and perhaps can't come from our College and Conference, but needs to be experienced in our local churches. As local churches, local pastors, local congregations begin to confidently move into our world with a bold message that is truly "radical," then God will give the increase as he did in those early years. NCD at CWS Christian Worker's Seminar beings next week down in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the 40th Annual Gathering to renew our vision and to rejoice together with people from around the country. We'll be there, as will my co-editor Wally Winner. Maybe you, even at this late date, can come and join us. There is a plethora of opportunities to learn and grow in faith. One course of study will be exposure to NCD, the instrument our Conference is teaching and promoting. Gary Burnham will be leading sessions on this, if you're unfamiliar with it, and several of our churches are implementing it in their local church. We commend it to you to consider in and for your church. You may want to look at the Registration form on the back pages of this issue. Just $5, or $10 Per Month Perhaps more, but even that. I refer to the constant needs of our College and Conference for general funds. I'm no longer directly associated with our College, but still try to support it. When I mention the $5 or $10, to some who have never considered such, I think of how casually I have been willing to spend that much when my wife and I go/ out to eat. $10 seldom covers it, and it often is higher, even on occasion, much higher. If one would take the cost o/f one meal each week and send it to our college and conference, what a help it would be. Thank goodness for faithful ones, who have through the years, ensured the continued operation of our college.

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What Will Be The Technology Behind The Mark Of The Beast?

On Sunday, at the Future Congress 2 Conference in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, I was interviewed by host Brian Thomas of Blessings to Israel Ministries on the Rapture Ready Radio Network before a live studio audience. During the 45-minute interview we discussed how the technology that we have today is proof positive that we are living in the end times and so can be expecting the soon return of Jesus Christ. Sign of the Mark Nathan Jones: The next sign of technology that points to the soon return of Jesus is the development of the technologies that will play into the Mark of the Beast. People are oh so worried about this sign concerning the Mark of the Beast. What is the Mark? The Mark of the Beast can be found mentioned in Revelation 13:16-17 and occurs during the coming 7-year Tribulation. During that time, the False Prophet will forces everyone small and great, rich and poor, free and slave - to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead so that no one can buy or sell unless they have taken the Mark. The Mark the passage tells us is the name and number of the Beast - the coming one world ruler referred to in the Bible as the Antichrist. When the Antichrist takes over the world during the Tribulation, near the mid-point, the False Prophet who is the Antichrist's right-hand man will institute a system for buying and selling. This economic system is a one-world economy. That means that those who accept the Mark during that time will have to have the Antichrist's name or number placed on their right hand or on their forehead. People have long wanted to know what exactly is the technology behind the Mark of the Beast. How can one man control world commerce? Well, anybody who does banking nowadays knows that the money isn't even real anymore. Money today is pretty much electronic numbers floating around computer systems. So, to control it, you'd need a computer system, a network, and an Internet to connect it all together. Now, whether the Mark is a tattoo or not, obviously John said that he could see it on the right hand or on the forehead. That's "on," not "in." That means that when people proclaim, "Oh, the RIFD chip is going to be the Mark of the Beast," if you can't see it under the skin, then how could the chip be the Mark of the Beast? As the Bible makes clear, the Mark has got to be something visible. It's got to be the number or name of the Antichrist and be readable. Magnetic ink that is human safe has been invented, so maybe the Mark has financial access information encoded in the ink which is visible on the skin. Merchants then would scan the head or the hand, so all the financial processes would be electronic. I've got to say that encoded data is a wonderful idea, for I hate having to carry around a wallet because credit cards can be stolen. Again, for a one-world economic system, what's primarily needed is a computer network, e-commerce, and the Internet. The RIFD chip could play into the Mark, maybe underneath the Mark, but I don't know. Page 5

However the technology plays out, we have the infrastructure today to make it happen. As a matter of fact, when a country today wants to go to war against another or a particular person, they just freeze their assets right in the bank. All of their enemy's money is cut off. So, to control the world's people, the Antichrist and False Prophet will use their ability to keep people from buying and selling who are without the Mark of the Beast. Remember the Mark is a loyalty mark to the Antichrist. People will take it to show that they are loyal to him and to particularly his master, Satan. Those who don't take it the Bible says will be killed by the Antichrist. Because of their refusal to declare loyalty to this Beast, many Tribulation Saints will be slaughtered at that time. I say Tribulation Saints because these believers are Tribulation-era Christians. They are not the Church, for the Church will have already been raptured. The Tribulation Saints will die en mass or are starved because they won't be able to buy or sell. Brian Thomas: When you say that the Mark is a visible mark located on the hand or the forehead, that made my mind go back to some images, or renditions I guess you could say, of the Mark from back in 1980's when the barcode came out. I saw pictures of someone who had a barcode across their forehead. So, really, it may not be farfetched. It may not be barcodes, as we won't be here to know the actual technology, but the Mark will definitely be something that can be seen in some way. You were also saying that we should not be afraid of technologies like barcode readers, because they are not the means of technology that could be the Mark of the Beast, but possibly the foundation by which the Antichrist could implement his system. So, I guess you could say, the Antichrist will hijack some form of today's technology and use that to implement his Beast financial system? Nathan Jones: Definitely! I've run into a lot of people who are scared about unwittingly taking the Mark of the Beast and as a result being sentenced to Hell. When one willingly takes the Mark of the Beast, according to Revelation, there is no chance for salvation, for you have declared your loyalty to Satan and so you are going to Hell for it. So, people worry, "Oh, no, what if I take the Chip?" Or "What if we have to go to medical codes where there's a barcode?" They are really scared about this kind of technology, buy they don't have to be. Now, a lot of folks who believe that the Rapture happens during or after the Tribulation, they worry about taking the Mark. They worry about who the Antichrist will be. They worry about taking the Mark because they feel that they will live during that time. Christians today do not have to worry about accidentally taking the Mark of the Beast, though. There are so many verses in the Bible, say like Revelation 3:10, that assures us that God will not pour out His wrath on His Bride the Church and that we will be raptured before the Tribulation begins. Since the Antichrist doesn't even implement his global economic system until about 3 1/2 years into the Tribulation, then there is no reason why any Christian today should have any fear whatsoever of taking the Mark of the Beast. When the time to take the Mark happens, it's not going to be a, "Whoops! I accidentally took it." No, the Mark is a loyalty mark. It's a declaration of faith in the Antichrist and Satan. Those people who take it willingly know what they are doing. After 3 1/2 years of Tribulation, and especially after the Gog-Magog Battle, the world knows that God exists. They know who they are declaring their allegiance to. So, no one will accidentally take the Mark now and even during the Tribulation. It's just not accidental.

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Mark 3:1-14 records the healing of a man

with the withered hand. It was likely a paralysis issue of pinched nerves/cut off blood flow. Luke the Physician tells us it was his right hand. (ancient medical writers always stated whether the right or left was affected). The right hand is the hand of fellowship, so this man is weak and out of fellowship with God, as are all men! Sin so paralyzes us that we are not able to do much for Christ, until His pierced hands touch our withered hands... Although the Pharisees could quibble over our Lord's healing on the Sabbath, they had no qualms of conscience in plotting to kill on the same day

Three "Fourths"
By Wally Winner

STAND FORTH
And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. (Mark 3:6) We have to be honest about where we stand as individuals. We must be honest about ourselves. We must take our stand, and be honest about it at work, at home, on vacation, at church! A good witness will take the stand. This man had to make a decision among many who were criticizers of Christ. They were looking on to see whether he would stand up or not. Perhaps this man had been in their number for some time. Regardless, the pressure was on him, and taking the stand wasnt easy! When You Make A Commitment To Follow The Lord, Many Will Be Watching Youand if you dont commit, many ARE watching you! Jesus wanted the man to stand forth. He wanted the man to identify with Him. And if youve made a decision for Christ, He will know youre serious when you take your stand! I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, No turning back, No turning back. Tho no one join me, still I will followNo turning back, No turning back The world behind me, the cross before me No turning back, No turning back Is that your commitment? Will you stand forth in the name of Christ? The crippled man doesnt yet know what Jesus is going to do with him. There has been no announcement made as to Jesus healing him. And when you take your stand, you dont know in advance what will happen, but by faith we can know it will be something good.

STRETCH FORTH
And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. (Mark 3:5) Once you take your stand, expect God to start to stretch you a little, sometimes a lot! Romans 8:29, For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son Ever have a teacher ask you to hold out your hand to get smacked? What did she use? A ruler? A strap? Page 7

Teens play this game where they extend both palm out over the other persons palmsis there a name for that slapping game? Either way, its not easy to extend yourself out into the open. Its not easy to make yourself vulnerable! And this man no doubt was self conscious and probably tried to hide his hand from view, not stretch it forth! It may have been painful to let someone touch it. This is what Christ did on the crossHe opened Himself up to be crucifiedHe made Himself vulnerable and risked the pain for the inevitable gain! We must take our stand, and then open ourselves up and let God do spiritual-surgery on us, making adjustments like a heavenly chiropractor! When you stretch forth your hand, you are stepping out in obedient faith. Put your small child on top of your car, and then say, Jump, daddy will catch you. Your child believes you will catch him. He knows that you will not intentionally let him fall to the ground and injure himself. Thats faith. The stretching forth for that child is to jump. And the child of God who takes his stand will sometimes be required to take a leap of faith!

SEND FORTH
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, (Mark 3:14). Following Him In Service, Sharing what we have with others! This Third Stage Does Not Come Until Stages 1 and 2 Are Complete. that they should be with him We cannot be sent forth until weve spent some time with Christ! My impatience has sometimes questioned why God hasnt allowed us to fill up this place by nowbut this verse answers that question. Hes been working on us, to take our stand, to be stretched, to be prepared for this day. And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. (Luke 5:1-7). On shore, standing on solid ground, then push out a little, be stretched, then launch out into the deep! Eventually God calls us to step out of the boat and be a water walker!! Ezekiel 47 tells us to first step into the water, just ankle deepthen wade out a little bit deeper, knee depththen to the waist, and finally, with the chin held high just above the surface, and your tippie toes straining to touch bottom, youre swept away in the current of Gods grace, sent forth to serve others, sending forth and sharing with others! First you were standing, then you were stretched, and now sent! God has been working on meHes been working on uspreparing us so well be ready for big things to comeand now, I believe that the day has come for us to launch out!

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Benjamin Franklins Thirteen Virtues

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

in his own words (1726)

TEMPERANCE SILENCE ORDER RESOLUTION FRUGALITY INDUSTRY SINCERITY JUSTICE MODERATION CLEANLINESS TRANQUILITY CHASTITY HUMILITY

Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself, avoid trifling conversation. Let all things have their places, each part of your business its time. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; in other words, waste nothing. Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly. Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty. Avoid extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. Rarely use sexual pleasure but for health or offspring, never to the injury of your own or anothers peace or reputation. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Like Ben, concentrate on practicing a different virtue each week for 13 weeks. Then start over.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableif anything is excellent or praiseworthythink about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

SUCCESSFUL LIVING
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 DRIVE MOTIVATION COMMUNICATION SKILLS POISE ENERGY DETERMINATION CONFIDENCE RELIABILITY HONESTY/ INTEGRITY PRIDE DEDICATION ANALYTICAL Skills LISTENING Skills EFFICIENCY

in modern words (2013)

A desire to get things done. Goal-oriented. Enthusiasm and a willingness to ask questions, accept added challenges and to do that little bit extra on every job. The ability to talk and to write effectively to people at all levels. Someone who does not get rattled, wears a smile, is confident without selfimportance, and gets along with others. Is a team player. Someone who always gives that extra effort in the little things as well as important matters. Someone who does not back off when a problem or situation gets tough. Friendly, honest, and open to all. Not intimidated by others, nor overly familiar. Not braggadocio. Following up on yourself, not relying on anyone else to ensure the job is well done. Taking responsibility for your actions, both good and bad. Pride in a job well done. Paying attention to the details. Whatever it takes in time and effort to see a project through to completion Weighing the pros and cons. Considering the short-term and long-term benefits against possible outcomes. Listening and understanding, as opposed to waiting your turn to speak. Good stewardship. Always keeping an eye open for wasting time, effort, resources, and money.

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THREE WAYS OF TEACHING VIRTUE

By Cheryl Ross
We teach by HABIT We teach by PRECEPT We teach by EXAMPLE BY HABIT if you want children to learn about work, you have them work. If you want them to know responsibility, you hold them responsible. And you start as early as possible. This is harder to do than to say. Example: Good dog training. Correct, rebuke and encouragewith great patience and careful instruction. (II Timothy 4:2) BY PRECEPT Rules of courteous behavior, the Ten Commandments, and the principles of democracy we can explain and talk about. But talk is cheap, because head knowledge does not necessarily affect our behavior. It can reinforce behavior, it provides words for the heart, and we become what we think. It helps us express our dog training. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have . . . with all gentleness and respect. (I Peter 3:15) BY EXAMPLE Children must be in the presence of adults who take right and wrong seriously. Saying one thing and doing another creates conflict. We need to be in the presence of adults who model our desired change or desired quality. What if I dont have a good father figure in my home for my children? What if I dont want to be like either of my own parents? William Bennett writes about an interesting statistic. (He was a former Secretary of Education under President Reagan and compiled The Book of Virtues and the Moral Values book of short stories illustrating these admirable traits.) Countless studies and common sense tell us that if you want to raise happy and successful children, the best formula is a loving, two-parent family. His statistics revealed that children whose father died in the line of duty such as a police officer or a soldier and then grew up without the presence of that parent were indistinguishable from children who grew up in fully intact two-parent families. Which illustrates the power of unseen, immaterial things. Holding up the picture of the missing parent, treating him or her as a hero, and encouraging the child to be like them was a guiding substitute for the real thing. Does this sound like anything we have available to us today in the Word? Moral examples can exist in the memory of any of the marvelous heroes in the long history of humankind -- the Founding Fathers of our nation, the founding fathers of our faith of our very salvation. The historian Tacitus wrote. The task of history is to hold out for reprobation every evil word and deed, and to hold out for praise every great and noble deed. To teach teenagers chastity and moral values, do we just deny any sexual content in books or movies into the home? Or do we watch some classic movies together and discuss and talk about them together? How else can we share values? Precept alone is not enough. Teenagers need to keep talking to parents about things that happen at school. We need to trade values, bend them, and shape them to make them our own. We dont have to be the perfect example. Jesus is. We need to review stories together, provide good precepts and encourage good habits. And above all we need to teach by example! Page 10

Witnessing "Does" Work

By Ray Comfort
Don't let the negative stereotypes of evangelism prevent you from this vital work.

I read an article recently which asked the question Does witnessing really work? The authors conclusion was that it didnt, and he came to that conclusion after he watched a Christian in a wrinkled suit sharing his faith, in a way the author believed lacked grace. He said, This used-car salesman technique of spiritual solicitation rarely works. Granted, there are many who certainly lack gracesign-carriers, hate groups, etc.who give Christianity a bad name. But to abandon the cause of biblical evangelism because of a few bad witnesses is like firefighters giving up the fight and letting people burn in a building because a few bad firefighters arent doing their job. The Apostle Paul rejoiced even when evil men preached the gospelwhen they did so insincerely, hoping to add affliction to my bonds (see Philippians 1:15-18). This is because the quality is in the seed, and not in the seeds sower. However, I dont rejoice when I see much of modern evangelism. This is because those who tell people to just ask Jesus into

their heart because He will make things better are not preaching the gospel. The gospel is the good news that Jesus suffered and died on the cross and rose again on the third day. He did this to save us from the wrath of Gods Law and from a very real Lake of Hellfire, and to proclaim God's Kingdom. But such hard biblical truths dont go down too well in a blasphemous and sin-loving world. So they leave out the essentials of sin, righteousness and judgment. They water down the medicine to make it palatable, but in doing so they remove its curative properties. The modern message has no biblical basis, produces false converts, and defuses evangelism of any real urgency. There are no words to describe the tragedy of the modern gospel. Not only has such misguided evangelism filled America with bitter backsliders, but it has also packed the Church (in pew and in pulpit) with false converts. Many of our pulpiteers have become nothing more than motivational speakers, rather than Sons of Thunder who boldly preach the righteousness of God. Feeble preachers have reproduced after their own kind, created a feeble Church, and this has destroyed our ability Page 11

to be salt and light. Instead of being a moral lighthouse for the nation, we have become irrelevant in the eyes of the world. Our nation is rotten to the core with sin, and it has found itself in gross darkness with no light, and I believe it all traces itself back to the unbiblical and insipid give your heart to Jesus message (I have expounded this with statistical evidence in a book entitled, God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life, which can be freely read and downloaded on freeWonderfulBook.com). Author/evangelist Bill Fay (Share Jesus Without Fear) said, While reading this book my heart went into atrial fibrillation; its that good! After I finished it, I couldn't sleep. There's nothing like it. It is truly from God." When I became a Christian more than 40 years ago, I was horrified that any human being could end up in the Hell of the Lake of Fire. So I grabbed a soapbox, put it in the heart of our city of 350,000 people and preached the gospel. I did that almost every day for 12 years. If anyone could have been considered a fanatic in those days it was me. Today, Im much worse. I still regularly open-air preach, and I still share my faith one-to-one with whoever will listen. I do it because Im still horrified that anyone could go to that Lake of Fire. How could I not be? If I didnt, I would be like a firefighter who let people burn. Our evangelistic zeal will be in direct proportion to the depth of our love. Charles Spurgeon called those who fail to verbally warn of the reality of the Lake of Fire murderers. He said, Have you no wish for others to be saved, then you are not saved yourself, be sure of that.

In the article, the author who watched the man in the wrinkled suit said, Evangelism takes time. It has to be lived, demonstrated, proven. I respectfully disagree. Evangelism isnt getting a decision for Jesus after living out some wonderful plan. Its simply planting the seed of the gospel. We plant, others water, and some reap. Jesus spoke to the woman at the well about her adultery. What He said only took a few minutes. It didnt have to be lived in front of her. It didnt have to be demonstrated or proven. He also spoke to the woman caught in adultery, the rich young ruler, and many others. Paul spoke using words to the Athens. He used words because it was necessary. Scripture asks, How will they hear without a preacher? The answer is that they wont hear if we dont use words. My heart breaks when I hear professing Christians demeaning evangelism. Emergency vehicles demand access because human lives are at stake. Evangelism demands the same priority, for the same reason. Reaching out to the lost isnt given the priority it should have, because the reality of Hell has been forgotten by many, and preachers who talk about everything but the reality of Hell, are likeable betrayers of the gospel. May God help us to bring the Church back to biblical evangelism and raise up a generation of faithful men and women who will fear God enough to say with the Apostle Paul, Wherefore knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.

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The Fundamental Principle

By Kent Ross
Introduction: In our two previous articles, Paul in chapter twelve revealed principles, namely that: 1) Spiritual Gifts are from God and are for our good. To deny that is to refuse to believe the Bible. Paul, too, insists we ought not be ignorant of these truths. Choosing to remain ignorant, or unlearned, leaves us unprepared to serve as we have been designed by our God. We will not know, nor understand the role we've been privileged to fulfill as part of Christ's Body. 2) The Lord decides and gives to each the gift or talent for which He designed us, Note Ephesians 2:8-10: "8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." This is not our decision, though we can desire particular gifts, but the ultimate decision is the Lord's. 3) When individual parts of the Body do not fully exercise and use their particular gifts, the Body of Christ is ineffective as each part weakens the overall success of the entire Body. Now Paul feels the need to explain how this is to be avoided. Perhaps even before determining what our gifts may be, we need first to understand the basic principle of agape love. Bible Learning: Having taught them about Spiritual Gifts, not wanting them to remain unlearned (12:1), he now moves into the teaching that further clarifies and tempers the excesses that were evident and apparently disrupting the church there. The way most of our Bibles have been divided into chapters and verses sometimes confuses our transitions for where these divisions were originally intended is not clearly shown in any original manuscripts from which they worked, but are an attempt by translators to help us understand more clearly. They have made some unfortunate choices. This may be one of those places. It appears that the very last part of 1st Corinthians 12:31b best continues into the subject Paul is addressing as we continue on into our study of chapter 13. Misuse of gifts with the churchs lack of understanding led to some gifts being rated as more important, and consequently those with these gifts were often felt to have been highly favored by the Lord, to have received this or that particular gift. As we left our study last month, in chapter 12, Paul posited that there are different gifts. Earlier, he had explained that all of them come from the same source. He further, by his use of the rhetorical statement, shows that not all Christians are given the same Gifts or Talents, and thus will not be expected to do the same ministries in the church. They did not understand this, and thus were preening when they thought some of them had seemingly superior gifts. Paul says such when he explains that there is an undergirding principle that shows such pride as being wrong.

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It is this matter of love. This is often called the love chapter, for the superiority of love supersedes and ought to be the guiding principle for use of these Spiritual Gifts, or Talents. Love for one another must be the first thing between Christian brothers and sisters of the faith. Earlier (in chapter 7) Paul felt he needed to explain love between men and women, even between husbands and wives. The gifts are a wondrous blessing from God and He decides which gift we ought to have for the most successful functioning of the Body. But the transition in 12:31 can best read that we ought to want to do our best for the Lord and desire the greater gifts, there is another way that makes the issue of specific gifts as less important than this. In chapter twelves metaphorical usage each body part (the arms, the eyes, the lungs, etc.) all have their tasks in the full functioning of the Body, but without this greater way the Body would not function successfully. We might liken what Paul goes on to explain (13) to the blood in a human body. Each part of the Body could not function without the blood which supplies each part with its strength and life. If the flow of blood to the body parts is disrupted, the entire body is also disrupted. Bible Application: vv. 1-3 Paul compares the importance of this love to some of the various gifts. Without this love for one another and for the Lord, our gifts fail. He first addresses the issue of tongues, but also presents us with a question that still intrigues us. Is he contrasting the tongues, or languages of mankind, with another tongue, or language, used by angels? It seems clear that the tongues which first appear to us in Acts 2, were human languages, but this reference to tongues of angels is at best obscure. The instances of angels speaking throughout the Bible always seem to be in language which is clear in how it is recorded. It is difficult to make more of this phrase tongues of angels but it is curious at best. Some critics of tongues in the church insist they cannot be valid as they are not known languages, but those who support the possibility and validity of tongues use this passage to explain why tongues may not be recognized, because they insist it is an angelic language. Most critics of tongues in the church point to its divisive nature in many instances, and while that is true in many instances, it is not always true. Paul later, in our next two articles, comes back to this issue. Additionally, he also addresses the further gifts of prophecy, perhaps wisdom and also then, knowledge, adding a reference to the gift of faith (not faith that all Christians have, but extraordinary faith as a gift, one that can move mountains), Then he also adds two other spiritual gifts, those of what has been termed voluntary poverty (such as shown by Mother Teresa), and then the spiritual gift termed martyrdom. Even these extraordinary callings, without love are meaningless, and count nothing. You can see what stress Paul is placing on the basic, foundational principle of love for one another. vv. 4-7 Paul stays with his contention that Christian love solves the problems that can be created by misunderstanding these gifts or talents from God 1) The gifts or talents we have are determined by God, not by us wanting the more spectacular gifts; those seemingly more important gifts. 2) As they are determined by God, we cannot take pride in having this or that gift or talent; 3) When Christian have and express the kind of love described here, the jealousy and competition that may occur is greatly lessened; and 4) Each Christian delights in playing her or his part in the service of Christ.

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vv. 8-12 Here is a portion of Scripture that has been interpreted in two differing ways. Some see this as evidence that these gifts will cease to be a part of the Church as it developed, and indeed the appearance of some gifts seemingly become rarer, even in the Book of Acts. This position is called Cessationism, indicating an understanding that these ceased. Usually it is thought that they ceased with the completion of the canon of the New Testament, or with the passing of the last Apostle. The difficulty with that position is not that tongues may have disappeared, but prophecy, as it is usually understood in the New Testament, has not, though prophecy is not foretelling, as much as forth-telling. To hear preaching on the second coming of Christ certainly is prophetic, as we are called to watch for the signs of the times. Also, it is clear that knowledge is still with us. It is not done away. However seem think this knowledge may be something extraordinary, beyond knowing educationally It seems to be Pauls intention to make clear that though talents or gifts may not be fully apparent in each church, the more important and fundamental principle must be understood that it is Christian love that must be pre-eminent in the Church. If a church is filled with love, love for one another, then the issues Paul is addressing regarding the abuse of gifts, tends to disappear or at least be minimized. vv. 13 He concludes this part of his teaching by stressing the pre-eminence of Christian love. While faith and hope must be a part of our character and that of our church, it is charity, or love that must be the pre-eminent characteristic for the Church, and for each member in it and of it. Life Response: While we love the beauty, even the magnificence of this Scripture, and it is one that is often, and appropriately used in our wedding ceremonies, that is not why Paul put it here for us. Taking it from its context does not allow an appreciation of its importance within the entire teaching of spiritual giftedness in these three chapters (1st Corinthians 12,13,14). Gifts and talents misused can cause division and confusion in a church. Some Christians would use their gift/talent, which may be apparent to all, to make themselves of more importance than others whose gifts are less evident. The way this danger is minimized is having the realization that love is what binds together all the parts of the Body to make it work as God intended it to work. Love is essential to the successful functioning of the Body of Christ. We know that, but it must be apparent in how we treat one another. Questions for Your Personal Consideration 1. Why do we rate some peoples talents as more worth-while than perhaps others? 2. Have you seen or experienced people who seem loving, yet arent? How did you discern that? 3. Which characteristics of love (vv. 4-7) seem hardest for you to exhibit? Which one(s) have been easiest? 4. Paul says Love never fails, but that seems an ideal. Why do so many marriages fail if love never fails? What can go wrong? 5. Since Paul states that that the greatest of the three, faith, hope and love, is love, how do we go about helping people around us increase their love for others? How do we do that in ourselves?

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The Pine Woods Bible Class

By W. H. Wilson

LESSON II He Raiseth Up.

Teacher. Good evening, I am pleased to meet with you again, after one weeks absence. I trust that our study tonight will be as profitable as it was last week. What lesson have you chosen? Ella. Well, Carrie and myself were conversing about the contention of the Disciples, as to which should be the greatest in the Kingdom of God. We thought the subject of Future Exaltation would be an excellent topic for tonight. Teacher. Is that the title which you have chosen? Ella. No. The title we have selected is: He Raiseth Up. Teacher. Upon what Scripture do you base this lesson? Carrie. Ella and myself both thought that 1 Sam. ii. 8, would be a good starting point. Teacher. Please read it? A. It reads as follows: He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dung*hill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory. Q. What do the words, He raiseth up, signify? A. A great exaltation. Q. How great an exaltation? A. That must be measured as to how great was their previous low estate. Q. Could there be a much lower estate than that mentioned in the text? A. Hardly. It is about the lowest estate a person could reach, to become a beggar from the dunghill. Q. Do princes choose such people for their associates? A. They do not. Q. Is it at all probable that a beggar from the dunghill would be permitted by, men to ascend a throne, and rule over them as a king? A. It is not at all probable. Q. Then how are we to understand this language? A, It is to be seen in the language, "He raiseth up. Q. Will God set a man among princes and give him a throne of glory, simply because he happened to be a beggar taken from the dunghill? A. No, he will not. Q. Please explain? Page 16

A. Man has regard for the flesh, and an exalted position, but God has not. If the beggar from the dunghill has complied with the conditions of sonship, has a pure heart, has the root of Christianity in him, he is sure to be set among princes, and made to inherit the throne of glory. Q. Will self-exaltation answer? Lucy. I should say that it will not. Q. Why not?

A. We read in Matt. xxiii. 12: Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased.

Q. "What is the surest way to a lasting exaltation? A. "He that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Q. How does God regard the proud and self-exalted? A. "God resisteth the proud." Q. If God resists the proud, how will he regard the humble? A. And giveth grace to the humble. Q. What will be the wisest thing to do then? A. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God." Q. For what reason?' A. That he may exalt you in due time. 1 Pet. v. 5, 6. Q. What will the exaltation in "due time consist of? A. To set them among' princes. Q. Anything else? A. Yes. Q. What is it? A. And to make them inherit the throne of glory. Q. From how low an estate can such a great exaltation come? A. The poor out of the dust, the beggar from the dunghill. Teacher. Oh, dear children of God, do you find your frail bark tempest-tossed, rocked to and fro upon the adverse billows of a stormy life? Do you find your fears great and strength small, when a dark storm-cloud overcasts your sky? If you find the contest fierce and strong and you feel faint and weary in your efforts to stem the tide, take courage and remember that He raiseth up. Peace be unto you, my brethren, is the sweet benediction of the Prince of Peace. Should a dark cloud cast a shade over your life and the turbulent roaring of the sea of adversity alarm you, then place trust in him who can calm the troubled waters, be still and let your confidence center in him who raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory." Now dont you think that it will be so helpful and encouraging to us all, to let our minds dwell more constantly upon these blessed things? Bessie. I do. Let us bear in memory that God will not slight "the poor out of the dust, or even the beggar from dunghill who have complied with the conditions of sonship, and whose life is in harmony with the Divine purpose. They maybe of very "low estate" now, but they have a "high calling," which the proud and exalted of this life can never attain unto. They are called to be the associates of princes," which will far out rank the princes of this world and beside all this, they will be made to "inherit the throne of glory. Q. I sometimes fear that many who profess to be of "the called according to his purpose, do not from the heart, fully believe what they profess to, because if they did, they would care less for the things that perish, and think about, and labor more for the eternal, don't you? Lud. It does real seem so. I was thinking somewhat along this line last night. I was all alone, Carrie and the children having gone out to make a call on brother and sister Smith. I Page 17

thought that if such people really appreciated the greatness of the "prize of the high calling, they would be willing to make much greater sacrifices for it. I fell into meditation about ''the eternal weight of glory, and the magnificence of the throne of glory. It was a calm still night. I wheeled my chair around, and looked out of the window, and just then, the moon peered out from behind a fleecy cloud, and illuminated the landscape with glory. As I viewed this beautiful sight, my heart was lifted up in adoration of the great Creator, who has thus so beautifully adorned the work of his hands. And yet, this magnificence shall be confounded, and even the sun, the glorious orb of the day, will hide its face in shame, when the throne of glory shall be established in Mount Zion; for then, he whose personal glory out ranks the sun, shall reign in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before his ancients gloriously. And all those who would share in this throne of glory, will have to reach it along the pathway of humility. Q. Who raiseth up, or exalts? A. We must never forget that it is the Lord. Q. Whom does he raise up? A. Why him that overcometh. Q. If you are only an overcomer, it is of little consequence to him as to how low your position among men has previously been, does it? A. Why no. He will make you to inherit the throne of glory, just the same. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne. The heart that can conceive of the glory and appreciate the honor, conveyed in the above promise, will certainly thrill with joy and expand with love toward him who would thus bless an overcomer, even though he may simply be the poor out of the dust, or the beggar from the dunghill. Of such, it will never be said: Uneasy the head that wears the crown, because they will have nothing to fear, for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Q. What throne and kingdom is it that is promised overcomers? A. That which God has promised to Jesus. The kingdom over which King David, reigned. Q. Over what nation did he reign as King? A. The people of Israel. Q. What Scripture proof have you that Jesus was promised the same throne and kingdom? A. In the angels message to Mary, his mother, as found in Luke i. 30-33. Q. Please read it? A. And the angel said unto her, fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and he shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Lucy. I want to ask, has not the throne and kingdom of David come to an end? How can Jesus occupy endlessly that which has no existence? Albert. The throne and kingdom of David is only in suspension for a given time. Lucy. What Scripture evidence have you to sustain the idea of suspension? A. I will read a selection from Ezek. xxi. 25-27. Thou profane and wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, thus saith the Lord God: remove the diadem, take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is: and I will give it him. Lucy. Oh, yes; I see, now, it was only overturned until a lowly one should come, who would have a right to this overturned throne and kingdom of David; and I know that lowly one is Jesus, because God promised it to him. But I want to ask, did Jesus disciples expect the kingdom to restored back to Israel? Page 18

A. Certainly they did; note their enquiry in Acts i. 6: When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? Q. And will this throne of David, be the throne of glory, that we have been talking about? A. It will. Q. Well, I want to ask if there is anything being done, at the present time, towards the reorganization of this Kingdom of Israel? A. There is. Q. Wont you please tell us what is being done? A. I will. You will doubtless realize that when the Commonwealth of Israel is reorganized, the Lord will need a large body of assistants to help him in the administration of the affairs of the kingdom. These assistants are now being selected. Q. And do tell us who they are? A. They are the ones mentioned in the Scripture lesson: He raiseth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory. But we must remember that no one can ever inherit the throne of glory, unless they shall first become citizens of the Commonwealth of Israel. No alien will receive any recognition whatever. Q. Where do you find Scripture authority for your statements? A. I refer you to Eph. Ii 11, 12: Remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh,that at that time ye were without Christ, ---on account of ---being ALIENS from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. Q. How can a person become a citizen of the Commonwealth of Israel? A. No one can be a citizen of the United States, unless he shall first cease to be an alien, by renouncing his allegiance to his native country. And even so, no one can become a citizen of the Commonwealth of Israel, unless he shall first renounce his relationship as a Gentile in the flesh. We cannot at the same time, be both an Israelite and a Gentile. Q. When this change is effected, then we cease to be an alien or foreigner, do we not? A. Why yes. See Eph. ii. 19: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God. Q. What is the law governing citizenship? A. The law by which an alien can be made a citizen and an heir to the throne of glory, is given in the third chapter of Galatians. Q. To whom was the plan originally revealed? A. To Abraham and his seed. Q. See Gal. iii. 16: 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. Q. How can Gentiles come into the Abrahamic stock and heirship? A. See Gal. iii. 27-29: As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on ChristAnd if ye be Christs then are ye Abrahams seed and heirs according to the promise. Q. Before a person can be received into the Abrahamic family, should not such an one understand and believe a system of truth known as the Faith of Abraham? A. Most assuredly. That is an important part of the naturalization service. See Rom. iv. 12: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham. As to what is the faith of our father Abraham, we will consider at some other time, as it is now time to adjourn the class.

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Prayers For the Persecuted Church

Nigerian Town's Christians Paralyzed after Suspected Islamic Extremist Killings Christian Shot Dead near Kismayo Somalia Suspected Islamic extremists kill father of four Our Nightmare is Not Over! The wife of imprisoned US pastor, Saeed Abedini, speaks out Captive In Iran Memoir Tells True Story Of Two Iranian Women Imprisoned, Sentenced To Death, Miraculously Freed: Sixteen Die in Weekend Attacks on Mourners in Nigeria's Plateau and Kaduna States Tanzanian Attacks against Christians Leave Believers Wary over Future Egyptian Christian Immigrants Murdered, Beheaded in NJ More Arrests in Libya after Detention of Foreign Christians Pakistan: Blasphemy Accusation Triggers Burning Of As Many As 100 Homes in Christian Neighborhood in Lahore Six Children Killed in Slaughter of Families in Plateau State

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It's Worth the Effort

By Wally Winner

A recurring theme in my preaching is that you must take responsibility for your life. You are responsible for you. The Bible emphasizes this truth again and again. The Bible emphasizes also another truth: You have a responsibility to others, as well. When you have the ability or the power or the opportunity to step in and help someone out, you have a responsibility to do it. Paul talked about this very thing in the sixth chapter of Galatians. In verse five he says, "For every man shall bear his own burden." And in verse 2 he says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." And in verse 10 he says, "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." [from the KJV] What's he saying? He's saying, "Take care of yourself, first of all. And when you can do so, take care of others." We see a good example of this in Mark 2. Actually, you see it a lot in the gospels. Have you noticed how many times people come to Jesus on behalf of someone else -- because their daughter, their son, their brother, their friend, even their mother-in-law needed to be healed. It's true there are many examples where people came to Jesus on behalf of themselves, but we also see many, many examples where people come to Jesus on behalf

of someone else. If you want to see God's power at work, this is a good place to start. Praying for others, help others, take action on behalf of others ... and you'll begin to see what God can do in people's lives. Three things this story teaches about how we, as a church and as individual Christians, can better take care of others. First of all... 1. We must be aware of those who are lost in the crowd. Do you see what was happening in this story? Jesus was preaching in a house, and the place was packed. Some of them were there to learn about how to grow closer to God. Some were there out of curiosity, because they had heard about the miracles Jesus had performed. And some were there out of suspicion, because they thought he might be a false prophet. And some were there looking for a chance to stir things up. So Jesus was preaching to a standing room only crowd. There was no chance for anyone else to get in. And here was this man, this paralyzed man, in need of ministry, and no one was aware of him. Everyone had their own reasons for being there, and they didn't notice this man in the back of the crowd, laying on a mat, desperately in need of Jesus' healing touch. This is how church is sometimes. There are often those in the crowd whom no one notices. Page 21

Everyone comes to church for their own reasons -- because it makes them feel good, because they like the music, because they get to see their friends, because they learn something, because the preaching is the best they've ever heard (can I get a witness?) -people come to church for their own reasons ... it's often the case that in their midst, there are some who are tragically overlooked. I'm not trying to scold anyone or make anyone feel guilty. I am, however, encouraging you to take a look around. There are people who come to church with a heavy heart or a troubled soul. Maybe you can do something about it. Too many times we come to church thinking only of what we want to get out of it. We need to be aware of what we can do for others. We need to notice those who might be feeling overlooked or left out. That's what these four men did. They could have been like the rest of the crowd, but they weren't. They could have said, "Let's go hear this great new teacher; let's see what he has to say." They could have squeezed into the room and moved through the crowd until they found a spot where they could see and hear all that was going on ... and I'm sure it would have been a blessing for them to hear Jesus teach. But these four men didn't do that, because they weren't like the rest of the crowd. And they weren't willing to let their friend be overlooked. This brings us to the second thing I want you to see. 2. We must be willing to do whatever it takes. The Bible says...(v. 3-4) Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the This may appear to be an outrageous thing to do, but it wasn't quite as destructive as it sounds. Houses in the first century Palestine had flat roofs. They were often used as a place to go for rest and relaxation, so houses had

ladders leading to the roof. The roof itself consisted of wooden cross beams, overlaid with a cover of reeds, branches and dried mud. It didn't require a jackhammer to break through. A roof could be opened without a great deal of trouble, and could be repaired without a great deal of expense. This is not to minimize the extra effort extended by this man's friends. They truly did go the extra mile to bring him to Jesus, above and beyond the call of duty. And they personally had nothing to gain from it. In fact, they just created more work for themselves, because they probably had to come back the next day and fix the roof they had torn apart. But, to them, it was worth it, because their friend was worth it. Have you ever noticed how easily some people give up on the idea of helping others? And how quickly they can find an excuse not to try? It's amazing how easily we're deterred from doing good. We make excuses like, "My hands are tied," or "I'm so busy," or "There's nothing I can do," ... but what we're really saying is, "You're not that important to me. You're not worth the extra effort. You're not worth the inconvenience." I'm telling you today that there are people in your life who are worth the inconvenience. There are people in your life who need the extra effort from you, because if they don't get it from you, they won't get it from anyone. Here's the third thing I want you to see. 3. We must make it a group effort. One man alone couldn't have helped this paralyzed man. Not even two men could have done it. Climbing a ladder to the roof of the house while carrying a man stretched out on a mat would have been physically impossible. If there had only been two friends there, they might have been tempted to give up and go home. But there were four of them, a team, working together, and together they found a way to solve the problem. They didn't let the crowded room stop them from doing something for their friend. Page 22

Do you know what this story teaches us? It teaches us that four of a kind beats a full house. Seriously. Here's what I mean: You can't solve the world's problems on your own. You can't even solve one person's problems on your own. Take my word for it; I've tried. When you're working alone, you can get real discouraged, real fast. But when you've got a few people working with you, the challenges don't seem quite so challenging. Mark uses a phrase here that I love. He said, "When Jesus saw their faith." Take notice of the word "their." They were working together as a team. Do you team stands for? Together Everyone Achieves More. Here's a challenge for each organized unit in the church -- every class, every ministry, every fellowship, even every clique of friends: Start looking for opportunities to serve others as a team. Most groups are already doing this, and doing it well. But every group needs to get on board. Every group needs to get involved in projects in which they can make a life-changing difference for others. It helps for every individual to remember this. You want to do good, but you can't climb the ladder onto the roof balancing the mat of your helpless friend with one just hand. It takes a team. When you work with a team, not only do you accomplish more, but you're also a lot less likely to give up in frustration. So the first step in making a difference in the lives of others is to ask someone to join you in making a difference. In the case of these four men in today's story. Imagine if one of them had second thoughts and said, "Do you know what? This is too much trouble. Let's go home." The other would have been likely to speak up. "Not so fast there, buddy. No one's going anywhere. Let's see this thing through." That's the benefit of working with a team. CONCLUSION Let's develop a whatever it takes attitude. Let's make our eyes open and that we are aware of those around us, those who maybe can't see Jesus for the crowd, who have no way of finding him on their own. Let's work together, as brothers and sisters, as a family, as a team, to bring others to Jesus. We need to do it for one simple reason. They're worth the extra effort

NINTH ANNUAL Church of God

September 19-21, 2013 Hosted at and by the North Hills Church of God 2950 Moorefield Road Springfield, OH 45502
COG History Committee Jan Stilson , Arlen Rankin, Greg Demmitt, David Krogh Kent Ross, Coordinator

Annual Church of God General Conference July 10-12 Guthrie Grove Church of God, Pelzer, SC 296699

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Miscellaneous Bible Notes

Anthony F. Buzzard We have given Matt 24 a good work over. I would like to suggest ways of achieving a simple solution. Dan 12:11, to which Jesus refers, does NOT say "from the taking away of the sacrifice UNTIL the A of D". That is just false to the text and alters the prophecy. Daniel wrote "from the taking away of the sacrifice and the placing of the A of D there will be 1290 day [until the end of the last phase about which Daniel had asked "how long will it last"?]. Secondly, there is no way of splitting up Matt 24 into sections (s ) some supposed to refer to AD 70 and other(s) to the end of the age. It is one seamless story and it answers the question about the Parousia (second coming) which did not happen in AD 70! Read Jesus' answer and you find one narrative here about the end of the age. Do not be misled by a popular idea that "generation" means 40 or 80 years. It means the present evil society until the Second Coming. If Jesus had meant 40 years he would be a false prophet because he promise "all these things" within the generation ( actually, the present evil system). Russ Rankin "Contemporary to John, the woman which [he] saw is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth. (17:18). Rome was that great city in Johns day. But the woman did not begin her reign as described to John until 536 A.D. when Justinian (the Eastern Roman Emperor) was crowned by the Pope as the first Holy Roman Emperor, the first of seven "kings/kingdoms" known to history as The Holy Roman Empire. Beginning with Justinian, there were 7 kings/kingdoms who sixth "one of the seven") tried a second time to continue the Popes failing power over Europe. "Revelation 13 described this system as having received a "deadly wound" which was "healed." After Austria ended her support, the Popes had no power in Europe's affairs. By the Lateran Treaty of 1929, Benito Mussolini revived the Papal power, establishing Vatican City as a separate and sovereign state ruled soley by the Pope. Today, the Vatican sits with other nations in the United Nations, one of the many "kings" of Daniel 2:41-44a. Pope Benedict is one of a succession of popes who wield influence over many people and in many nations' governments. His resignation is only a step to continuing the power and influence of the "beast whose deadly wound was healed" (13:12c) who was the" woman...arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with the gold and precious stones and pearls" and now awaits the time of the "ten kings, who have received no kingdom as of yet...." (17:12-14).

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"Pope Bendict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger) previously held the position of "Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith" and maintains the doctrine of Trinitarian monotheism. From the beginning, [the Church] has expressed in this way what she regards as the truly definitive mark of our Christianity: faith in the triune God. . . [The Church's] proper orientation is not to our hopes, our fears, or our wishes, but to God, to his majesty and his power. . .We must, therefore, learn anew to take God as our starting point when we seek to understand the Christian existence. This existence is belief in his love and faith that he is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. - From The God of Jesus Christ by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) The apostle John warned God's people against teachings which promote a Jesus who did not come into existence a human (flesh) being: "Beloved believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Hereby know we the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God; and every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is the spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.... Hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." (1 John 4:1-6). Jesus came "in flesh," that is, a man (Romans 1:1-4; Luke 1:30-35; Galatians 4:4). Jesus did not come incarnate, that is, into flesh or assuming a human body. By understanding this truth versus this error, John tells us, ""this is of the Antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now is already in the world" (1 John 4:3). Gods call to His people is in Revelation 18:4, Come out of her My people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues. Ray Downen on Baptism What is bad is if a person is convinced that the ONLY purpose of baptism is to become a member of a congregation of Christians. To honor God is a worthy purpose. We should not have the same goal as Jesus did in being baptized! We should not teach others to have that goal. In teaching about baptism, we simply speak of the fact that Jesus commands that those who turn to Him for salvation are to be baptized by immersion in water. If the person understands that Jesus commands baptism, the person need not be concerned with any other purpose for the act or for its consequences, for that's God's part. And God surely will DO as

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Jesus promises for those who are baptized. We are helped by seeing what earlier teachers said on the subject! ~~ from MIT Chaplain, Robert Randolph Jon Levinson spoke here last evening; he is on the faculty at the Divinity School at Harvard in Jewish Studies. His topic was on the Abrahamic Faiths and why the notion that they share Abraham is fallacious. In a broad and thoughtful lecture he made the point that Islam could be thought of as a "restoration movement for Abraham", i.e. they wanted to leap back over both Christianity and Judaism to restore the real Abraham, not the Abraham thought by Jews to have honored the commandments before they were given or the Abraham of the Christians who in like manner was counted righteous when he had no reason to be. Anthony F. Buzzard On the Matt 24 discussion, I think we need to hold on to some basics. Dan 12:11 gives a single point of time for "the taking away of the sacrifice and the setting up of the abomination....." This is one starting point, not two! 11:31 is the same "they will do away with the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination" This is one event. The sacrifice is removed and the A of D put in its place." This is Jesus' key to the end of the age in Matt 24:15. Mark 13:14 makes it a person or image of a person (he, the masculine ad sensum participle in Mark 13:14). Dan 9:26b has the all important HIS end, showing the end of the wicked person. His end, the end of the final King of the North is echoed in Dan 11:45 (his end).
John Hicks I thought this was a particularly interesting synopsis of important themes in preaching, which included "new earth and the new heavens." This is "orthodox" preaching, according to Campbell. It contrasts with the "orthodox" preaching found among others that focused on non-biblical terminology and ideas (particularly the orthodoxy of the creeds). These are biblical themes for (Alexander) Campbell. "There is the earnest preaching of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come; the development of the guilt of man, the grace of God, the love of Christ, the mystery of the Cross, sin pardoning mercy, adoption into the family of God, with the unction of the hope of the resurrection to everlasting life, of the new earth and the new heavens, &c., &c. These are the soul-stirring, the soul-subduing, the soul-transforming themes of the gospel of the grace of God." Alexander Campbell

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