Current Events Fulfilling Prophecy

VOL. 61, NO. 1
JANUARY, 1973
The Berean
Christadelphian
A monthly magazine devoted wholly to the exposition and defense
of the Faith once for all delivered to the Saints, with the object
of helping to make ready a People prepared for the coming of the
Lord. Opposed to the unscriptural teaching of the papal
and protestant churches of the world.
Edited and Published by:
G. A. Gibson, 1501 Woodbine, Ap. 1616, Toronto, Ont. M4C 4H1, Can.
"They received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched
the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Therefore many believed"—Acts 17:11
CONTENTS
ECCLESIAL NEWS: Mason
Inside Front Cover
Bible Questions
Inside Front Cover
EDITORIAL: Contending for the Faith
1
BABYLON IS FALLEN! (Bro. Thomas)
<
3
SECOND VOYAGE TO AUSTRALIA (Bro. Roberts) Part 25
9
"Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged" (R.R.)
14
JUDAS AND JESUS (Part 2)
15
What Was Christ "Purified" From? (R.R.)
21
IN THE IMAGE OF GOD MADE HE HIM
22
CURRENT WORLD EVENTS FULFILLING PROPHECY
26
December Answers
Inside Back Cover
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CHRIST IS COMING SOON AND WILL REIGN ON EARTH
l n 8 d e Front
Ecclesial News
MASON, Tex. 76856—Christadelphian Hall, Hwy. 386—Mem. 11 a m ; Class 2 pm.
Bro. W. Edwards, Ranch Rte., Harper, Tex. 78631; Ph. (512) 864-3064.
OUR Labor Day meeting in September was well attended by a good
representation from all of the Texas ecclesias. Our bro. Don Newcomer of
the Houston ecclesia gave the word of exhortation at the Memorial service.
The words of Truth brought to our hearing were very strengthening and
upbuilding. We are very thankful to our Heavenly Father for the work and
labor put forth by our brethren. May we have the wisdom to hold fast faithfully until the return of Christ.
We are sorry to report the falling asleep of our bro. J.E. (Ellie) Eastman.
He had reached the good age of 88 years, and had been quite active
throughout his lifetime. He was laid to rest in the Wagram cemetery near his
home, on Dec. 22, 1972, to await the return of the Master. We will greatly
miss the association of our brother in the Truth. He leaves his sorrowing
sister-wife Kate, who is presently in the Anna Lee Rest Home in Mason,
Texas.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
—bro. Bill Edwards
Bible Questions
Identify the BOOK (5 books are omitted)
^. Elements melt with fervent heat.XWhatsoever things are true.
Χ Ο Lord, revive Thy work! j/. Balaam & Balak. p. Thorn in the flesh.
#. Receive him not into your house.^f Gourd & worm.JS. Queen of Sheba.
X Let no man judge you in meat or drink. Uf. Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah.
if. Go forth to him without the camp. 12. Dare any of you go to law?
\i. All serve Lord with one consent. 14. Diotrophes loveth preeminence.
j£. Lord God will do nothing. 16. Comfort one another with these words.
Vf. Chosen to salvation thru belief of the Truth. ϊέ. Rose of Sharon.
yi. Having food & raiment, be therewith content. 2 ^ Thus saith Cyrus.
21. Hating garment spotted by flesh, jj* Fall of Jericho. 23. Amraphel.
jjrf. Mene, Mene. X Law of leper, ^tf. Ο foolish..
yf. Let patience have her perfect work. 2& I will shake all nations.
29. All things work together for good. 30. There is no fear in love.
31". Delilah. 32. Bare our sins in his own body. #J. Revolt of Absolom.
,34*. Demas hath forsaken me. 3*£ Messenger of Covenant. ?6.3 score & 10.
'&f. I left thee in Crete .^38.2 mountains of brass. 39". Paul the aged.
#f. The unity of the Spirit. 41. Saviors on Mt. Zion.iSC Song of Moses.
$&. Avenge blood of J e z r e e l ^ . Marriage in Cana. 45; Man of sorrows.
Jtf. Multitudes, multitudes! ftf. Mother of Harlots. 4ff. Virtuous woman.
4ff. Valley of dry bones, ψί. Jesus in Egypt. j>i. Vanity of vanities.
0. Josiah. 53! Rich man & Lazarus. 54. Boaz. 5£. Zipporah. J56T. Haman.
ψί. Sanballatv5*. James killed.^. Bildad. JB6C Baruch.^. Goliath.
(Write correct question number beside name of each book)
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Exo.r:v
^1 Kgs. \i
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Hos. 3
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Mic. 10
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EDITORIAL
Contending for the Faith
"Behold, ye fast for strife and contention, and to smite with
the fist of wickedness. Ye fast not this day so as to
make your voice to be heard on high"—Isa. 58:4
AT Mt. Sinai, the people of Israel, under the guidance of Moses,
became established as a nation, and received a system of religion
designed to govern the individual lives of the people, and eventually
to lead them to Christ.
The latter days of Israel's commonwealth heralded the arrival of
the Messiah, but only a remnant had sufficient faith to recognize the
days in which they lived. The rest drew nigh to God with their mouth
and honored Him with their lips, but their heart was far from Him.
However, the Gospel, in all its fulness, was preached to Israel, but
in their blind attachment to Moses and the prophets, they failed to
observe the fulfilment of the Law in Jesus. Therefore, said Paul—
"It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been
spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves
unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles/'—Acts 13:46.
Thus, the way of salvation was opened to the Gentiles, and now, as
far as can be determined, we find ourselves in the latter days of the
Gentiles. As we mentioned, there was a faithful group to welcome
Jesus at his first appearing, so there is a faithful group who are now
watching and waiting for his second appearing. But even so this
group is waiting patiently, the question of Jesus comes to our minds:
"When the Son of man cometh, shall he find the Faith on the earth?"
If Jesus is to find the Faith when he comes, it will depend upon the
action of the small group as to whether they are giving heed to the
warning issued to them by Jesus and the apostles. Paul warns—
"That in the last days perilous times shall come. '"—2 Tim. 3:1.
All we have to do today is to look around us, and we will discover
that the words of Paul are accurately descriptive of the age in which
we are living. One of the ever-impending dangers by which we are
surrounded is that we can easily become involved and partake of
some of the forms of godlessness with which the world is steeped
without being conscious of it.
In our endeavor to maintain what we consider to be sound
teaching, we may become over-zealous, and develop a condition
similar to Israel, of whom Paul said—
"For they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For
they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to
establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves
unto the righteousness of God."—Rom. 10:2-3.
1973 Berean
1
It is possible that in our zeal to establish our own righteousness,
we may form a strong opinion based upon what we may conclude is
a logical deduction. But there is great danger in forcing upon the
Brotherhood an issue that is based upon what we may think is a
logical deduction, instead of depending upon the direct Word of God.
Ο that one might come from God in these closing days, and call
the Household together and remind them, as the prophet did Israel:
"I desire MERCY, and not sacrifice; and the KNOWLEDGE OF
GOD more than burnt offerings"—Hos. 0:6.
Another prophet brings a message from God to Israel that is included in those things written for our instruction—
"He hath showed thee, Ο man, what is good; and what doth the
Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with thy God"(Mic. 6:8).
Apparently some have read this verse too quickly, for a teaching
is being spread abroad in which we are asked to show no mercy to
certain ones who transgress one of God's laws. Is it possible that
they have not read the 8th chapter of John? Here is recorded the
case of a woman guilty of adultery, and the leaders of the people
bring her to Jesus, and remind him that under the Law of Moses she
should be stoned to death: but what do you say? The answer of Jesus
should make every one of us stop and think, not once, not twice, but
a thousand times. Here it is in v. 7 —
"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.*'
From what is being circulated in the Brotherhood, it would appear
that there are some who think they have no sin, for they are trying to
legislate for the whole Body by passing resolutions much of which is
not supported by the direct Word of God. True, they are quoting
Scripture in some cases, but it is being misquoted.
Let us digress a moment, and ask a question. Who taught us the
Truth of the Gospel? If we are honest, we must admit that brother
John Thomas was our teacher and we learned the Truth from his
writings in Elpis Israel and Eureka. Then came brother Roberts
who simplified the work in Christendom Astray. For myself, who
learned the Truth from these two servants of the most High God in
1918, I thank God for my teachers.
But a new generation has come upon the scene, and young
brethren are trying to tell us that we do not require the writings of
brethren Thomas and Roberts; all we require is the Bible.
It is presumption to say that we do not need ALL the help that God
has mercifully provided. The record of our pioneer brethren is
complete. Their teachings have stood the test of time, the
Christadelphian Body owes its present existence to the fact that
these two brethren brought the Truth to light in these last days. It
might have been done by others, but it wasn't. They were the means
God used. Let us ponder these things deeply, and not be wise in our
OWn COnceitS.—Editor.
1973 Berean
2
Babylon Is Fallen!
"And another (second) angel followed, saying, Fallen, fallen hath
Babylon, the Great City, because she hath made all nations
drink of the wine of the raging of her
fornication"—Rev 14:8
BY BROTHER JOHN THOMAS
I HAVE styled this Angel the "Second" because the one that
succeeds it is called "a Third." The First Angel (which must, of
course, precede the 2nd) is the messengerhood engaged in "drawing
the bow/' or sounding the Good News of the Aion in mid-heaven (vs.
6-7), after the manifestation of the Son of Deity on Mt. Zion (vs. 1-5).
The 2nd Angel is constituted of the party of action by which the
Roman Question can alone be solved. The purpose of their mission is
the overthrow of Babylon, whose fall is proclaimed in the indefinite
tense, which declares the event without specifying the exact time.
This, however, is certain: the Roman Babylon will not fall until the
proclamation in mid-heaven shall have been announced, saying—
"Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins,
and that ye receive not of her plagues.
"For her sins have reached until the heaven, and the Deity
remembers her iniquities" (Rev. 18:5).
The people here addressed are the Jews in Rome, and the 10s of
1000s in the Kingdom of the Beast, who, if they remain in her, are
warned that they will be treated as the enemies of the Great
Shepherd of the Sheep. The initiation of the 2nd Angel judgment is
synchronous with the 7th Vial, in the outpouring of which (Rev. 16:
19)—
"Great Babylon comes into remembrance before the Deity, to give
unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. *'
The effect of this is the fall from which she never recovers, and
which is proclaimed by the 2nd Angel.
I have said that the 2nd Angelhood is constituted of the party of
action. This party solves all questions beyond the ability of human
governments to settle. It consists of the Spirit in cooperation with
the Saints, who in Rev. 18:8 is styled "the Lord God," or Yahweh
Elohim; in v. 20, the "Heaven," or "Holy Apostles and Prophets;"
and in vs. 4, 6, 7, "My People."
1973 Berean 3
The Saints (to whom judgment is given under the whole heaven)
in command of Judah and their allies, are the constituents of the
Second Angel Power.
It is their mission to give torment and sorrow to Babylon in a
double proportion to the cruelties she has inflicted upon them, and
not withdraw their hand till they have destroyed her from the earth.
The Babylon whose fall is proclaimed by the Second Angel is the
City consisting of Ten Parts, or Kingdoms (Rev. 11:13), whose
Queen, as yet unwidowed, is the Mother of Harlots enthroned in
Rome (Rev. 17:5, 18).
This ch. 14:8 (which we are now considering) is the first place
where the name "Babylon*' occurs in the Apocalypse; but, as we
have seen, not the first place where it is alluded to. In Rev. 11:8 it is
"styled spiritually Sodom and Egypt,'9 because its wickedness is
equal to theirs, and the judgments decreed against it are as terrible
and disastrous.
She is as Sodom, for her fornication is raging. And as Egypt, for
she had made all nations to drink of its wine. Hence the plagues of
the Second Angel in all the fierceness of the wrath of God.
The initiation of the Second Angel tormentation of the worshipers
of the Beast and his Image is the inauguration of the Day of
Revenges, when Yahweh whets His glittering sword, and His hand
takes hold of judgment. It is the opening of the Hour of Judgment
upon the rebellious goats, in which Yahweh, the Man of War, will
render vengeance to His enemies, and reward them that hate Him.
Some idea may be formed of this vengeful recompense from Deut.
32:42, in which He saith—
"I will make Mine arrows drunk with blood, and My sword shall
devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives,
from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy."
This will be (Dan. 12:1)—
"A time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation to
that same time."
—the antitype of the great Pentecostian Day of Atonement, in which
the trumpet of the Jubilee shall sound (Lev. 25:9).
The Second and Third Angels of Rev. 14 are the executors of the
" judgment written" in this *'Great Day of God Almighty" (Rev.
16:14)—a day in which an offering shall be made by fire to Yahweh
unto the total and complete consumption of the apocalyptic Beasts,
which, as the sin of the political world, shall be destroyed by fire and
sword.
The whole burnt offering of these Beasts is a grand condemnation
in the flesh of the Sin-Powers.
They are to be put to death by being slain with Yahweh's sword,
and tormented with fire and brimstone in the burning lake, in the
presence of the holy angels, or messengers, and in the presence of
the Lamb, who kill and offer the sacrifice to the Eternal Power of
the universe (Rev. 14:10; 19:20-21).
But this "day of vengeance" in which the Great Shepherd (who
is a Priest on his throne—Zee. 6:13) punishes the Goats, is also the
"Year of His Redeemed" (Isa. 63:4).
1973 Berean 4
He is Redeemer of the two classes of mankind. These are: first,
his "brethren" whom he has taken out from the nations for his
Name (Acts 15:14); and secondly, the "many nations" who shall be
joined to him as his people (Zee. 2:11).
Of this second class are the 12 Tribes of the House of Jacob. The
nation of Israel is to be the First-born, or chief son, of the national
family, being the beloved nation for the fathers' sake (Rom. 11:28).
The first class (the Saints) are redeemed from the earth, and
stand with the Lamb on Mt. Zion, and follow him in all his wars and
enterprises ' whithersoever he goeth.' The redemption of the second
class (the nations) is the work of the Eternal Power through Christ
and his Brethren. He "saves the tents of Judah first," and
strengthens Judah's house (Zee. 12:7; 10:7); and then saves the
house of Joseph, or the 10 Tribes of the Kingdom of Ephraim.
This salvation or redemption of Jacob is developed in the Jubilee,
when "the Great Trumpet is blown" against the Goats; and all
Israelites are invited to "return every man to his possession."
The day of the Second and Third Angels is a "time of trouble" to
all nations—to Israel as well as the rest. But there is this difference
with respect to them, expressed in the declaration to Daniel that—
"At that time THY PEOPLE shall be delivered, every one that
shall be found written in the Book" (12:1).
Daniel was an Israelite AND a Saint. Hence HIS people are
Israelites and Saints, both of which classes are delivered in the
"time of the end"—
"When Yahweh shall have washed away the filth of the daughters
of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst
thereof by the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning" (Is. 4:4).
It is the day in which the captivity of Israel and Judah is to be
brought again to their own land, consequent upon the breaking of
the yoke of the House of Esau from off their neck, that foreigners
may no more serve themselves of them; but that they serve Yahweh
their Elohim, and David their King, whom the Eternal Power hath
already raised up for them in raising up the crucified "King of the
Jews" from the dead.
But this great national redemption is only arrived at through a
terribly severe refining process. It is styled in Joel 2:11—
"The Day of Yahweh, great and very terrible; and who can abide it?"
The Goat-nations will be unable to abide it; and all the dross of
Jacob will be consumed. All the rebels will be purged out of the
great army of resurrected dry bones—now scattered and "very
dry" in all the countries of their dispersion where they are
politically entombed—but in the time of the Second and Third
Angels, passing under the rod of discipline in the Wilderness* of the
peoples (Eze. 20:33-38; 37:1-14).
^
r
'
1973 Berean
Malachi asks the same question as Joel (3:1-4)—
"Who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when
5
he (the Messenger of the Covenant) appeareth?
"For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap. And he shall sit
as a refiner and purifier of silver;
"And he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and
silver, that they may offer unto Yahweh an offering in righteousness.
"Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto
Yahweh, as in the days of old, and as informer years."
This Day, so great and very terrible, is the "Hour of His
Judgment" proclaimed by the First Angel in midheaven (Rev. 14:67). The judgments or plagues inflicted are styled "torment with fire
and brimstone," and those who are tormented—
"Them who worship the Beast and his Image, and
receiveth the sign of his name."
whosoever
They are the plagues which cause Babylon the Great City to fall.
She falls because of her wickedness in church and state, and her
sanguinary and merciless oppression of the Saints and Witnesses of
Jesus, and of all the Jews and others she has slain upon the earth
(Rev. 17:6; 18:24).
Jeremiah, contemplating the terribleness of these "latter days,"
says (30:7-11)—
"Alas, for that Day is great, so that none is like it! It is even the
time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.
"For it shall come to pass in that Day, saith Yahweh Tz'vaoth, that
I will break his yoke (the yoke of Esau's house) from off thy neck, and
will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of
Jacob.
"But they shall serve Yahweh their Elohim, and David their King
whom I will raise up unto them.
"Therefore fear thou not, Ο My servant Jacob, saith Yahweh.
Neither be dismayed, Ο Israel. For lo, I will save thee from afar, and
thy seed from the land of their captivity.
"And Jacob shall return and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none
shall make him afraid. For I am with thee, saith Yahweh, 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.
"But I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee
altogether unpunished.**
1973 Berean
6
Nations are political organizations of men. To make a "full end"
of such is to dissolve and abolish all national bodies founded and
built up by the violence and craftiness of the wicked.
A FULL END IS TO BE MADE OF ALL THE NATIONS
WHITHER YAHWEH HAS SCATTERED THE JEWS.
This declaration is fatal to the independence and political
existence of the United States, as well as that of all nationalities.
The Second and Third Angels (which are identical with the Rainbowed Angel of Rev. 10), in the great and terrible Day of
Atonement, execute this divine purpose of reducing mankind to a
common and universal brotherhood, and of subjecting them to the
imperial and regal sovereignty of Jesus and his Brethren.
The Israelitish Nationality, however, is not destroyed. In this Day
of Judgment, Israelites are "corrected in measure," and the
rebellious among them destroyed. But a remnant will survive the
refining process of this terrible Day, and its constituents will every
man return to his possessions in the land of the Holy One of Israel.
Therefore, for the sake of His Name (Jer. 30:16-17,24)—
"All they that devour Jacob shall be devoured; and all his adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity (13:10). And they
that spoil him shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon him will I give
for a prey.
"For I will restore health unto Jacob, and I will heal him of his
wounds; because they call Zion an outcast, saying, This is Zion
whom no man seeketh after.
"IN THE LATTER DAYS ISRAEL SHALL CONSIDER IT."
Now, the Lamb-Power, as the Man of War, Yahweh, will do all
this after the example of Joshua in his war upon the Canaanites,
which illustrates the manner in which Yahweh "fought in the day of
battle" (Zee. 14:3).
Christ Jesus, the King of the Jews, with the 144,000, as the commanders of the armies of Israel, are "the Holy Angels" and "the
Lamb" in whose presence the worshipers of the Beast and his
Image are tormented in the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
As the Prophet "like unto Moses," he will serve these as the great
lawgiver served Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of
Bashan, whose story is narrated in Deut. 3 & 4. When he opens his
eyes upon the house of Judah (Zee. 12:6)—
"He will make the governors of Judah (the Saints) like a hearth of
fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf. And they shall
devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left'*
Judah will then be the sword, and the bow, in the hand of the
Lamb. And the house of Joseph (the 10 Tribes of the old Ephraim
kingdom) will be his arrow which shall go forth as the lightning.
When this bow is drawn, its arrows will be "sharp in the heart of the
King's enemies" (Ps. 45:5), as it is written—
"Today do I declare that I will render double for thee, when I have
bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and RAISED UP thy
sons, Ο Zion, against thy sons, Ο Greece (the goats), and made thee
(the Lamb-Power in Zion) as the sword of a mighty man.
"And Yahweh shall be seen over them, and his arrow (Ephraim)
shall go forth as the lightning. And Adonai Yahweh shall blow with a
trumpet, and shall go forth with whirlwinds of the south.
"And Yahweh their Elohim shall save them in that Day as the flock
of His people, for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an
Ensign upon His land" (Zee. 9:12-16).
"And they shall be as mighty men who tread down their enemies in
the mire of the streets in the battle..
1973 Berean 7
"And they shall fight because Yahweh is with them; and they shall
be as though I had not cast them off..
"And they of Ephraim shall be as a mighty man. Yea, their
children shall see it and be glad..
"And I will hiss for them and gather them. And I will sow them
among the people, and they shall remember Me in far countries. And
they shall live with their children, and turn again.
"And I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and
gather them out of Assyria.
"And I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon, and
room shall not be found for them" (Zee. 10:5-10).
Thus, on returning home from their dispersion after they "stand
upon their feet as a great army" (Eze. 37:10), they will have to fight
their way through all the countries of the house of Esau. In this
Jubilee return, under the Second and Third Angels—
"The House of Jacob shall be a fire, and the House of Joseph a
flame, and the House of Esau for stubble. And they shall kindle in
them, and devour them.
"And there shall not be any remaining of the House of Esau.
"For Saviors shall come up on Mt. Zion (the Lamb with the 144,000)
to judge the Mt. of Esau.
"And the Kingdom shall be Yahweh's" (Obad. 18-21).
In this way, Babylon and the Goat-Nations are (Rev. 14:10)—
"Made to drink of the wine of the wrath of Deity, prepared without
mixture in the cup of His indignation.'*
Esau will have had the dominion over Jacob long enough, and the
time will now have arrived to prove to mankind that—
"There is a God thatjudgeth in the earth" (Ps. 58:11)
Esau has lived by his sword, but not righteously. He crucified the
King of Israel, persecuted and killed his brethren, corrupted the
Faith, trod under foot the Holy City 42 months, and poured out the
blood of Jacob like water upon the ground. But they who war against
Zion and her sons—
"Shall be as nothing, as a thing of nought." (Isa. 41:11).
Therefore (vs. 14-16)—
"Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel. I will help thee,
saith Yahweh, and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel.
"Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having
teeth. Thou shalt thresh the mountains (or empires) and beat them
small, and shall make the hills (or smaller states) as chaff.
"Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the
whirlwind shall scatter them.
"And thou shalt rejoice in Yahweh, and shalt glory in the Holy One
of Israel."
THIS HAS NEVER COME TO PASS SINCE IT WAS RECORDED
BY THE PROPHET. For hitherto Jacob has been under the heel of
Esau, whose metallic image stands unbroken upon its feet of iron
and miry clay.
1973 Berean β
The work of the Second and Third Angels is to grind to powder the
various metals of which it is composed, and to do the work so effectually that no place be found for the things they represent (Dan.
2:35).
Second Voyage to Australia
BY BROTHER ROBERT ROBERTS
"He took the cup and gave it to them, saying, This is my blood
of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the
remission of sins"—Matthew 26:28
PART TWENTY-FIVE
JUNE 28, 1898: A MEETING AT WELLINGTON
ON the evening of our arrival at Wellington, there was a meeting
in the brethren's meeting room to which we walked after tea. No
arrangement had been made for public lecture for the reason before
hinted at. This was a semi-private meeting of the brethren and
sisters to which some friends had been invited. Bro. Lesueur was
prevented from coming, and I had to conduct the meeting myself.
After preliminary exercises, I called attention to the account of a
special private meeting in the house of Cornelius, held over 1,800
years ago in Caesarea (Acts 10). The object of it, as defined in the
narrative, was "to hear words whereby the company might be
saved" (11:14). Though not now assembled in the same express
manner, our assembly had to do with the same object. The "words"
then spoken were still in force and had the same power to save
where they were received and obeyed. I called their attention to
Paul's statement that these words were not of human origin or
appointment, but were uttered and authorized by the Holy Spirit
(Gal. 1:11-12). I indicated the evidence in our possession that Paul's
statement was true, and then proceeded to show what the words in
question were. In other words—What is the Truth? What is the
Gospel?
ALL MEN SINNERS: CANNOT BE SAVED WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION
At the close of my remarks, some questions were put by a lady,
the wife of a retired Indian official, who, I afterwards discovered
was a sister—a Mrs. Baernacki (pronounced Baernadski). I supposed she was a hostile critic. She wanted my opinion as to how
certain people stood with regard to prospects of salvation, who,
while receiving Christ in a general way, were ignorant of the gospel
of the Kingdom, and disobedient to his commandments.
I said that my duty was to show what the Scripture taught, and not
to express opinions about persons. God's proposal to men was, that
He would save them if they would believe the Gospel, and obey the
command delivered. Our wisdom lay in judging ourselves by this
proposal, and leaving to Him the decision of the case of those who
were outside of it, from whatever cause.
1973 Berean 9
In this attitude, we were certainly bound to contend that men
ignorant of or disobedient to the Gospel could not be saved. Men by
nature and practice were already condemned as sinners. They
could not be saved unless they were justified from their sins. God
had made known by Christ and the apostles that this justification
was only to be obtained in the knowledge, belief and obedience of the
Truth—of which baptism was only the initial step.
It was a mistake for us to try to bend the institutions of God to the
ideas of men. The only safety for ourselves and others lay in frank
and absolute submission to what was revealed.
THE TRUTH DENIED: A CLEAR STAND HADTO BE MADE
The number of the brethren in Wellington has been reduced
through the objection of some to adopt a basis of faith—that is a
formulated statement of the principles recognized as essential to be
in fellowship. The statement proposed was the Birmingham
statement. To this there was a determined opposition in the spirit of
the man who said "If it comes from Birmingham, that is a reason
why we should have nothing to do with it."
This attitude is not intelligible on spiritual grounds. There are
carnal reasons that fully account for it. True men are only anxious
to secure the Truth. If Birmingham is a help they are not ashamed
to have it. Where would even our objecting friend have been, if
Birmingham had done nothing?
But in truth, it is not the origin of the "statement" that is
altogether the ground of the objection; it is the character of it. The
objectors do not consent to all that is in it. As one frankly said—
"There are some things there that ought not to be."
Think of some objecting to the restoration of natural Israel! The
time is come to take strong and uncompromising ground. If men
object to the Truth, they ought not to pass current as brethren. And
if the adoption of a statement of the faith will put an end to a false
situation, the sooner it is adopted the better. This is the mind of the
brethren in Wellington and elsewhere.
The adoption of a scriptural statement of faith, whether of Birmingham origin or elsewhere, will be the beginning of a sounder and
healthier state of things, than has for some time prevailed in New
Zealand. As for Birmingham, suppose the Birmingham statement is
a statement that the Lord approves, where will ye be in His
presence who place yourselves in opposition to an endeavor to
secure a standing ground for the Truth, in the day of its weakness
and unpopularity?
1973 Berean 10
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29: WELLINGTON TO NAPIER FOR A WEEK
We sailed next day in the Mararoa for Napier. The night was dark
and stormy, but in the morning we arrived at our destination in
sunshine. Bro.Troup and his wife were awaiting us and conveyed us
to their picturesquely situated home, on the end of a high spur
overlooking the sea, surrounded by hills and long distance views.
We had a hearty reception from their two interesting children,
whose interest in the Truth shows what can be done by parental care
and instruction.
Here we spent a very enjoyable week, marred only by this plague
of division, which is the only fruit that factionist writers and
speakers have to show for their industry. There is no cure for it
except in the individual application to the Word in daily study and
affectionate submission and prayer. Some will yield this and some
will have only man and not God before their eyes, and consequently
strife will continue till the last, till the Lord supplies the conditions
of eternal and joyful calm by choosing the men that are godly for
Himself, and massing them in a glorified community in which there
will be no flaw.
CHRIST'S DEATH WAS APPOINTED BY GOD AS A SACRIFICE
Two well-attended lectures were delivered to the public and two
interviews took place, to bring re-union if possible. That no result
was produced I cannot say. But there was no such restoration of
peace, as sometimes follows such efforts. Divisions from personal
causes are easier to end than those which spring from heresy.
The heresy in this case was certainly of the most serious
character, namely, to reduce the death of Christ to a merely human
occurrence, and to exclude God from its cause and appointment and
significance. This heresy seems to be the result of well-meant
inability to comprehend how an event may be—at the same timeboth human and divine. The stumblers see the wicked part performed by the Jews and Romans, and they cannot see how the
wicked impulses of both Jews and Romans were used as instruments to bring about a sacrifice that the righteousness of God
required in the salvation of men.
The inability in this case is the more singular since this duality of
character is expressly alleged in this particular matter—
"Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of
Israel, were gathered together for to do whatsoever THY hand and
THY counsel determined before to be done" (Acts 4:27-28).
"Him, being delivered by the DETERMINATE COUNSEL and
foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have
crucified and slain'* (Acts 2:23).
GOD USES THE WICKED FOR HIS OWN PURPOSES
It is part of a truth exhibited throughout the entire course of the
Scripture: that God—without interfering with the free volition of
wickedness—uses it in carrying out His Own ends with His people,
when such instrumentality is necessary.
1973 Berean 11
Did Joseph's brethren sell him, in jealous hatred, into the hands of
the Egyptians? It was that God might "send a man before them,"
and lay the foundation of good (Psa. 105:17; Gen. 45:5-8; 50:20).
When Israel turned away from God, did Israel's enemies get the
upper hand? It was because—
"The anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and He delivered
them into the hands of spoilers» so that they could not any longer stand
before their enemies'1 (Jdg. 2:11-14)
Did David suffer from the wickedness of Amnon, the ambition of
Absolom, the malice of Shimei? It was the Lord Who raised up evil
against him out of his own house because he had despised the Lord
in taking the wife of Uriah the Hittite (2 Sam. 12:10-11).
Did God use the blood-thirsty Assyrian as a weapon of punishment
against Israel?—
"He (the Assyrian) meaneth not so: it is in his heart merely to destroy"
THE TESTIMONY IS CLEAR AND PLENTIFUL
There is really no end to the illustrations of this principle in the
Bible—that God, in the ways of His providence, to accomplish His
purposes, uses men who have no idea of those purposes, but are bent
only on their own evil aims for which they are justly punishable.
The inability to see it in the death of Christ is worse than
ignorance; it is unbelief of express testimony; and as such cannot
be tolerated in the fellowship of the brethren. Christ said that no
man took his life from him (Jn. 10:17-18). It was his own act, that he
might give his life a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28), give it to God,
not to man—for he "offered himself without spot to God" (Heb.
9:14). Not by the blood of bulls and goats, but "by his own blood he
obtained eternal redemption" (Heb. 9:12). Hence his words at the
table concerning the cup—
"This cup is the New Covenant in my blood, shed for the remission
of the sins of many" (Matt 26:28).
Hence also the symbolic statement that the redeemed have
washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb
(Rev. 8:14). Hence also the strong statement that Jesus crucified
(while to the Jews a stumbling block, and to Greeks foolishness) is—
"To us who are saved, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of
God" (1 Cor. 1:23-24).
"Wherefore I determined to know nothing among you but Jesus
Christ and him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2).
These things lie at the root of the Gospel. It is through faith in the
shed blood of Christ, as the appointment of God's righteousness,
that we are saved (Rom. 3:25; 5:9). It is not therefore possible that
the brethren can give place to glosses and manipulations of
Scripture that would reduce the sacrifice of Christ to a mere human
tragedy. I have no hesitation in avowing my conviction that those
who present themselves with such a doctrine to Christ at his
coming, will meet the fate of Nadab and Abihu, who offered strange
fire before the Lord (Lev. 10:2).
1973 Berean 12
THURS., JULY 7: LEAVING NAPIER: HOP^S OF RETURN
We left Napier on Thursday morning, July 7,'by the s.s. Waihora.
Bro. Craig said he would not be able to see us off; but he came, also
bre. Troup, Martin, and some others. Bro. Craig said he was
thoroughly satisfied with the way the arrangements for the tour had
worked out. Another time he hoped our stay would be longer. I
thought it possible we might return again in 2 years—if the Lord
remains away. If so, I might arrange to spend 6 months instead of 2
months in the country. But there might be great changes by then.
FRI., JULY 8: WELLINGTON, AT BRO. & SIS. LESUEUR'S
We arrived at Wellington next day, entering the beautiful roadstead about 9 o'clock. Knowing our way to Dulce Domum, we
proceeded there without guidance. In the evening, at bro. Lesueur's
house, we were pleased to meet bro. Tanfield, of Auckland, for the
first time. We had heard of him, and found him much more than we
had heard. He had obeyed the Truth some 12 months previously. He
is the principal in the firm of Tanfield and Potter, chinaware importers, Auckland.
He held a prominent position in the Wesleyan body for a number
of years, but latterly had begun to lose interest in all religion from
the insincerity of its professors, and the inconsistency of its doctrines. Christendom Astray was placed in his hands some years ago.
His intelligence enabled him to appreciate the argument, and it was
an unspeakable joy to him to have the Scriptures cleared of the
mountains of fog through which he used to survey them, and to see
them in brightness and beauty. He travels a good deal, and we saw
him several times in other parts of the country.
1973 Berean 13
SUN., JULY 10: MEMORIAL AND LECTURE AT WELLINGTON
On Sunday we met with the brethren and sisters at the breaking of
bread in their meeting room. In the evening I lectured in the same
place to an attentive audience on the general bearing of the Gospel
message, and on the strong foundation on which it stands in the
historic sense.
MON., JULY 11: WELLINGTON TO PALMERSTON BY TRAIN
We left Wellington next day for Wanganui. Our journey was by rail,
and lay through the wild and beautiful scenery on the west coast by
the sea-shore. We did not go straight to Wanganui, but broke the
journey at Palmerston, for the sake of making it easier for sis.
Roberts. There are only 2 trains a day, and to have done the journey
in one day would have required us to be stirring at 5 o'clock—which
would not have mattered so much if we had not been 4 miles from
the station, and living with friends from whom we could not have
stolen away unobserved, with the quantity of personal impedimenta
which a prospective absence of 12 months from home involves.
We were not aware of the presence of brethren at Palmerston. It
was not, however, altogether to our surprise that we were greeted at
the platform on our arrival. At Napier we had met bro. Taylor, who
is superintendent of the rolling stock on the line. He enquired of our
plans, and when we told him of our purpose to stay a night in
Palmerston, he said there were one or two brethren there and he
would inform them. It was, therefore, not unexpected when bro.
Grey introduced himself on the platform. He saw us to our hotel
close to the Railway Station, where, afterwards, we were called on
by bro. & sis. Harvey.
TUES., JULY 12: WITH BRO. SCOTT AT PALMERSTON
Next morning we saw bro. Scott, a railway employee who had just
been shifted from Napier to Palmerston. Palmerston is a railway
junction, at which a considerable town of perhaps 4,000 to 5,000
inhabitants has sprung up. We spent a pleasant few hours there.
199
"Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged'
"Let a man examine HIMSELF"—! Corinthians 11:28
IT is certainly true that no man ought to speak of a brother's faults behind
his back until he have spoken to himself alone, and afterwards with others.
But even then, you must be quite sure that the fault is of a kind that would
warrant you in withdrawing if he do not submit. If there is any doubt on this
head, be silent, and leave the Lord to judge at his coming. We generally find
men unwilling to leave things to the Lord. They act as though they had no
faith in the Lord's coming, and as if Paul had never written—
"Judge nothing before the time, till the Lord come who will make
manifest the counsels of the heart" (1 Cor, 4:5).
—that is, the secret motives which no man can know, and which require to be
known before a correct estimate of his action is possible.
It would be wrong for us to judge in personal cases. It is possible to say
what ought and what ought not to be done, as a matter of duty for all men;
but when it comes to a question whether these are or are not done by particular men, we enter a forbidden field. We must not judge; we must not
condemn. We must leave the Lord to do that at his coming (1 Cor. 4:5).
We can, of course, withdraw from a brother who walks disobediently and
defends it; but even this we must not do till we have seen him a few times
and given him every opportunity of justifying himself.
If men were more busy judging THEMSELVES, which they are COMMANDED to do, they would not have so much propensity for judging others,
which they are forbidden to do.—Bro. Roberts, 1898, p. 388-9.
______-_--__-—-——-.
1973 Berean
14
INWARD PEACE THOUGH OUTWARD TURMOIL
The Truth can give peace, and in this peace it can preserve a man amid all
the troubles and turmoils of life. Not that he will never know trouble. A
righteous man cannot be in this present evil world without knowing trouble:
but there is a trouble that is OUTSIDE and a trouble that is INSIDE—as
regards causes.
Christ's troubles were great, but they were all outside: inside, peace was
his experience: "My peace" as he called it. So it will be with his brethren.
They may know trouble among men, but in their own hearts towards God,
peace reigns.
But even this peace is a thing of conditions; and it is the conditions we have
to watch. When have we the greatest peace? Is it not when we see the most
clearly and believe the most heartily the things declared to us by the Truth?
It is the vivid sense of those "things" that imparts peace.—Bro. Roberts.
Judas and Jesus
"The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father,
full of Grace and Truth"—John 1:14
PART TWO
\
WE now turn to consider the victim of base and meditated
treachery, to the "man Christ Jesus/' of whom Peter said—
"He did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.
"Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again: when he suffered he
threatened not, but committed his cause to Him that judgeth
righteously" (1 Pt. 2:22-23).
In John 1:14, Jesus is introduced to us in this manner—
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld
his glory, the glory of the only Begotten of the Father, full of Grace
and Truth."
This appraisal of John's was endorsed by the Father when Jesus
was immersed in the Jordan—
"This is My beloved Son, in whom lam well pleased."
Again, at his transfiguration, we hear the same Voice—
"This is My beloved Son. Hear him."
Speaking of him in Acts 10:38, Peter said—
"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with
power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with him."
Throughout all of his ministry, he exhibited humility in all its
beauty. Paul speaks of it in Ph. 2:7-8 in this manner—
"He made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and
became obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross."
The crowning example of his humility was demonstrated on the
night he instituted the Memorial we share together each first day of
the week. John tells us that—
"Jesus rose from supper, and laid aside his garments, and took a
towel and girded himself. After that he poured water into a basin, and
began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel
wherewith he was girded" (Jn. 13:4-5).
Here was the Son of God, the future King of all the earth, completely humbling himself in a manifestation of what he had said in
M t . 11:28-30—
1973 Berean
15
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for lam meek
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
Foolish, fleshly pride is at the root of a large proportion of all
human thought and activity. Much of our effort and struggle and
labor is to satisfy and gratify our pride. And it is all so meaningless
and unsatisfying! It brings no peace or contentment, but only further struggle and concern. The only sensible, satisfying way of life
is complete lowliness, emptying out all the foolish pride of the flesh.
In the capacity of doing good and helping others, it mattered not to
Jesus whether those who were suffering were rich or poor, Jew or
Gentile; his healing power was granted freely, though he emphasized the fact that his primary mission was to the—
"Lost sheep of the house of Israel" (ML 15:24).
He heals the servant of a Roman centurion, and restores the
withered hand of an unknown man. Then Matthew says—
"Jesus withdrew himself, and a great multitude followed him, and
he healed them all" (12:15).
His compassion for the people was so great that on one occasion
he fed 5000, and on another 4000, the latter in the Gentile area of
Decapolis. The power by which this was done he explained when he
sal
t<The
Fatner
wno
dwelleth in me, He doeth the works."
We follow him down to Jericho, where a blind man appeals to him
for help. Jesus said (Mark 10:51)—
He answered—
"What do you wish?"
"Lord, that I might receive my sight!"
Immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus.
The sympathy Jesus had for others was shown in Bethany at the
home of Martha and Mary after the death of their brother Lazarus.
When he beheld others weeping sadly, he was so affected that he
also wept, though he knew that in a very short time Lazarus would
be raised, and weeping would be turned to joy.
Another outstanding case was at his betrayal, when the servant of
a high priest lost his ear. Here was Jesus surrounded by a vicious,
hostile mob attempting to seize him. But at that very moment he
heals one of his attackers! What a lesson in self-control, and in
returning good for evil!
Teaching one day in a synagog, he saw a woman who had been
bowed together for 18 years. Without waiting for her to ask, he
called her to him and said—
"Woman, thou art 1 loosed from thine infirmity."
Immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
We now see him in a certain village, met by 10 lepers who said—
"Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"
Jesus did not ask any questions, but merely said—
1973 Berean 16
"Go show yourselves unto the priests."
The Law of Moses required this. As they went, they were cleansed.
We now find him in Jerusalem beside a pool, and in front of him is
a man crippled for 38 years. "Wilt thou be made whole?" asked
Jesus. Without waiting for a complete answer, he said to the man—
"Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was
made whole, and took up his bed, and walked."
In Matthew 4:23 we are told that—
"Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogs, and
preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all manner of
sickness and all manner of disease among the people."
The reason Jesus gives for the things he did for others was—
The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister,
and to give his life a ransom for many."
This word "minister" means "be an attendant, wait upon, serve."
In Mk. 5:1-20 is recorded one of the great miracles of healing on a
raving madman. Again he was in Gentile territory, and we note the
presence of a great herd of swine, which the Jews did not keep.
Jesus entered into conversation with the man, and so great was his
pity and compassion that he healed him, and left him joyful,
clothed, and in his right mind, praising God.
Another example of his deep compassion was in the city of Nain
where a dead man, the only son of his mother, was being carried to
the grave. Jesus stopped and spoke to her, saying, "Do not weep."
And then he touched the bier, and told the man to arise—
"And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered
him to his mother.rr
A rare case of healing was that of the woman who had
hemorrhages for 12 years, who said—
"If I may but touch his clothes, I shall be whole."
So she touched his garment in simple faith, and was made whole
at once. Jesus realized that power had gone out of him, so he asked
who touched him. The woman came to him, and told him what had
happened. Jesus said to her—
"Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. Go in peace, and be
whole of thy plague."
This has been but a brief cross-section of the work of the greatest
man in history, of whom Nicodemus said—
"We know that thou art a teacher come from God, for no man can
do these miracles that thou doest except God be with him."
Later on, when Jesus was addressing the Jews at the Feast of the
Dedication, he said (Jn. 10:37-38)—
"If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do,
though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and
believe, that the Father is in me, and I in Him."
17
1973 Berean
The works to which Jesus referred were those of the message he
sent to John the Baptist, who was then in prison (Lk. 7:22)—
"Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard:
how the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf
hear, the dead are raised, and to the poor the Gospel is preached/'
It would be impossible for us to describe the greatness of Christ,
so we turn to the opening words of Hebrews—
"God, having anciently spoken, in many portions and by various
methods, to the fathers by the prophets,
"In the last of these days spoke to us by a Son, whom He appointed
heir of all things, on account of whom also He constituted the ages:
"Who, being an effulgence of His glory, and an exact impress of His
substance, and making manifest all things by the Word of His power,
having made a purification for sins, sat down at the right hand of the
Majesty in high places,
"Having become as much superior to angels as he has inherited a
more excellent Name than they*' (Diag.).
If God had not spoken, we would not be in the position of hope and
joy that we are. We would be "without hope," like the outside world
of darkness, and would be wandering in the path that leads to
death—a death from which there would be no awakening. Therefore
we bow our heads to express our heartfelt thanksgiving and sincere
appreciation for the Word of Truth that brings us together as loving
companions on the Way of Life. And that Word, says John—
"Was made flesh, and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory, the
glory as of the only Begotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth."
This is the man to whom we have become related by our belief of
and obedience to the Gospel, and we are now—
"Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:29).
And it is the same man with whom Judas was associated for 3V2
years, preaching the Gospel, healing the sick, cleansing lepers, and
raising the dead. But he was only a pretender, and finally betrayed
his Master into the hands of a mob for the paltry sum of $15.00, an
action that soon brought about his swift and ignominious death.
This is a sharp lesson for us. Judas joined in with all the other
apostles in preaching the Kingdom of God. Outwardly he was just
like the rest, so much so that they did not suspect him, even when
told there was a traitor among them. This shows that it is possible
for us to go about giving lectures, and making a great show before
the people of the world, and outwardly conforming to all the appearances—and, at the same time, not at all be living a life in
harmony with the Truth. This fact was emphasized by Jesus in his
great address from the Mount (Mt. 7:22-23)—
"Many (not a few, but MANY) will say to me in that day,
"Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy Name? And in thy
Name cast out devils? And in thy Name done many wonderful works?"
Surely such would have reason to think that they were an accepted part of the Body! But Jesus continues—
"And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from
me, ye that work iniquity."
1973 Berean 18
The identity is not outward, in great works and appearances, but
inward—in the character and in the heart: in the vital outcome of
the inner battle with the flesh and with the diabolos. Here is the
crucial battlefield. Paul comprehended this clearly, for he said—
"I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest by any
means—when I have preached to others--! myself should be a
castaway** (1 Cr. 9:27).
Let us stop and think for a moment, and ask ourselves if it is
possible for any of us to be in the position of Judas: outwardly a
disciple, inwardly a traitor. We cannot betray Jesus in the same
manner he did, but there are many ways in which we CAN betray
him. One vital one is this: WHAT WE DO TO OUR BRETHREN
AND SISTERS, WE DO TO CHRIST HIMSELF. He said (and some
day soon these words may rise before us in letters of fire)—
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my
brethren, ye have done it unto me.'*
—the LEAST. Those who appear to us to be least important, least
active, least deeply rooted. These are the ones we are most likely to
be careless and thoughtless about, in our own assumed greater zeal
and faith. This is something to be kept foremost in our minds when
we have any problems relating to our brethren and sisters. Would
we dare to think of, speak about, or treat Christ the way we do some
of our brethren and sisters? That is exactly what we ARE doing.
Peter (1 Pt. 5:1-4) speaks to the "elders/' Now the word elders
means the older or senior brethren. A greater responsibility lies on
them. He tells them to "feed the flock of God"—that is, the members of the ecclesia. And they are to do it "willingly" and of a
"ready mind." There must be loving eagerness in the work—
"Neither as being lords (not domineering, or assuming a fictitious
self-importance) . . but being EXAMPLES.**
Not so much TELLING them what to do as SHOWING them what
to do. Now, you elders (and I am one also), let us face the facts.
ARE we 'feeding the flock* with an example? And if so, WHAT are
we feeding them?—the sincere milk of the Word, or some concoction
Of our own? Does the food we are feeding them cause them to—
"Grow in GRACE, and in the KNOWLEDGE of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ?*'
Does it digest well, and cause them to be kind to one another, to be
tender-hearted, to walk in love, and to think continually and
cheerfully on the—
1973 Berean 19
"Things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report?'*
If it does, then we are doing that which is well-pleasing to our
heavenly Father, and our work will bear the fruit of the Spirit.
But if we are not being faithful in our duty, but are feeding them
the dry and worthless husks of controversy and dissension and
criticism and crotchet and private interpretation, then we are
betraying the Lord Jesus and, like Judas, are only fleshly-minded
pretenders. It is a serious thought. Peter continues (1 Pt. 5:5)—
"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all
of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility.."
—(why does he say that?)—
". ./or God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble/'
This command of Peter's is essential to the well-being of the individual members, and of the ecclesia as a whole. Therefore let the
younger brethren ask themselves this question—
"Am I subject to my seniors, or am 1 allowing myself to adopt the
proud, self-assertive and rebellious spirit of the young in the natural,
animal world around me?"
If we are inclined to be rebellious against the appointments of
God, and to want to have our own wilful way, it will be well for us to
remember what Samuel, by the Spirit, said to King Saul—
"Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft;
iniquity and idolatry" (1 Sm 15:23).
and stubbornness is as
But there is a qualification attached to the matter of being subject
to the elders, and that is stated by Paul in 1 Tm. 5:17—
"Let the elders who preside well be esteemed worthy of double
honor, especially those who TOIL in word and teaching" (Diag.).
The first characteristic of true saintship is zeal and TOIL for the
things of God, and not zeal for having our own way. Without any
hesitation, let us have the wisdom to cheerfully obey the advice of
Paul to Titus to keep away from—
"Strifes of words, foolish questions, and contentions that are unprofitable and vain."
They are not only unprofitable and vain, but the agitation of them
results in the development of the thing God especially hates: sowing
discord among brethren.
Paul further tells Titus that a bishop (that is, an elder, an
arranging brother) must be blameless as the steward of God,
holding fast the faithful Word as he has been taught.
The Truth is the most serious, demanding, responsible business
that a man can put his hand to.
The humblest brother of Christ has a greater responsibility, a
more important, meaningful position, than the president of the
greatest government or the biggest corporation in the world. Their
activities and decisions are tinkertoys compared to the work of the
Truth, for their work is but for the passing moment, soon to be all
swept away into forgotten oblivion, while all the work of the Truth is
for eternity.
1973 Berean
20
Being a Christadelphian—a Brother of Christ—is not just being a
member of an ecclesia. It is a complete, fulltime, wholly-devoted
way of life based upon zealous faith and obedience, which in turn is
based upon love: love of God, love of Christ, and love of the
brethren. What IS "love"? John says—
'This is love, that we walk after his
commandments/'
This is based on Jesus' own words—
"Ifye love me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS" (Jn. 14:15).
And he makes it more emphatic by making this the real, living,
crucial test of love (Jn. 14:23)—
"If a man love me, he WILL keep my words."
There is no use mouthing fine sentiments about "love" if we do not
assiduously set ourselves to learn and fulfil every commandment he
has given us, constantly studying the Word for guidance and constantly searching ourselves by it.
Let us then, as we face the future, be firmly determined to walk
in a manner that will prove to all who call themselves
Christadelphians, yea, and to all the world, that we ARE truly
"Brethren in Christ" in heart and soul, and not just surface
pretenders as Judas was. The pattern set before us is in Eph.5:19—
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord:
"Submitting one to another in the fear of God."
These words are not just pious platitudes intended to please the
ear. They are serious, divinely-inspired COMMANDS of God
through Paul, expressing the apex of the ideal ecclesial life—the
pure, joyful, spiritual life as God intends it; yea, REQUIRES it.
If we agree with Paul (and who dares disagree?), then we can
sing with the understanding, and break forth into joy when we sing
the inspired words of our Hymn 4—
"Behold how good a thing it is, and how becoming well,
Together such as brethren are, in unity to dwell!"
—G.A.G.
WHAT WAS CHRIST "PURIFIED*' FROM?
Under apostolic guidance, we see Christ in the bullock, in the furniture,
in the veil, in the high priest—in brief, in all these Mosaic "patterns" which
Paul says were "a shadow of things to come" (Heb. 8:5; 9:23; 10:1; 3:5). All
were both atoning and atoned for (Lev. 16:33).
There is no counterpart to this if Christ is kept out of his own sacrifice.
He cannot be so kept out, if place is given to all the testimony—an express
part of which is that as the sum-total of the things signified by these patterns, he was "purified" with a better sacrifice than bulls and goats—namely,
his own sacrifice (Heb. 9:23. 12).
If he was "purified," there was something to be purified from. What
was it? Look at his hereditary death-taint, as the son of Adam, through
whom death entered the world by sin—and there is no difficulty.
As the anti-typical bullock without the camp, Jesus was a sin-offering—
an offering to be burnt, consumed—to be which he had to be the very nature
cursed by sin, that "the body of sin might be destroyed" (Rom. 6:6).—
Bro. Roberts, 1897.
"Christendom Astray," a 462-pg. book outlining and scripturally proving
all basic Bible doctrines involved in the Gospel of salvation, which has
helped thousands find the Way of Life, will be gladly sent free and without
obligation. Write: G. V. Growcott, 12954 St. Marys, Detroit, Mich. 48227.
Anything printed in the Berean may be reprinted freely by anyone in
any form. No permission is needed; no credit is required Reprint in
whole or in part, and the more widely the better!
1973B e r e a
21
In the Image of God Made He Him
"With him (Moses) will I speak mouth to mouth, even
apparently, and not in dark speeches, and the
similitude of the Lord shall he behold"
—Numbers 12:8
THE TRUTH FULLY DISCOVERED
IT is our conception and conviction that the Truth in all its
essential elements was formulated from Scripture by brethren Thomas
and Roberts. We regard the matter of the scripturally-revealed Person
of the Father as one of these elements. We do not regard these
brethren as inspired authorities, but we do consider them faithful
and dependable expounders of basic scriptural truth.
Christadelphians have for 100 years embraced what they believe
to be the "Faith once delivered to the saints." Regarding the element
of scriptural truth as to what is revealed concerning the personal
form of the Father, it is our conviction from Scripture that the
Chnstadelphian belief—as in all other basic points—is sound and true.
The suggestion that God has no form, or that His form, if any,
is different from that manifested in the angels, and man, and the
present glorious eternal spirit body of Jesus, and that the simple
record of man's creation in the image of God must be interpreted
symbolically—these views are not new in the world but have been
fully considered in Christadelphian literature and study in the past,
and have been rejected as error.
In the words of bro. Roberts (Chdn. 1896, p. 348), "Our mind
is that the Truth has been found in its original simplicity and purity
and completeness, and that the only enlightened business in hand
is to preach and contend for and apply this."
THE TEACHING OF BRETHREN THOMAS AND ROBERTS
WE shall first show what bre.
Thomas and Roberts and the
w h o l e Christadelphian b o d y
from their day to the present
have believed to be the scriptural truth on this matter—one
of the foundation truths upon
which the whole structure of
revelation and the ultimate purpose of God is founded. These
references are abbreviated. The
intention is not to give the reasoning in full (which can be
looked up), but to briefly illustrate the consistent conviction
throughout.
Then we shall show, by a few
quotations from the "orthodox"
writers of Christendom, that
the idea that God has no form
is one of their doctrines by
which they oppose the scriptural truth of bodily salvation—
the redemption of the body.
Then we shall give what we
consider to be positive scriptural proof that the Christadelphian viewpoint on the matter
is the true one, followed by a
consideration of the passages
put forward to prove differently.
1973 Berean 22
QUOTATIONS FROM THE TRUTH'S STANDARD WORKS
Elpis Israel, p. 38-9: "The import of the phrase 'in the image,
after the likeness' is suggested by the testimony that 'Adam begat
a son in his own likeness, after his image, and called his name
Seth.' In this respect, Seth stands related to Adam, as Adam did
to the Elohim . . Would anyone be at a loss to know the meaning
of Seth's being in the image of his father? The very same thing
is meant by Adam being in the image of the Elohim . . The resemblance therefore of Adam to the Elohim as their image was
of bodily form . . In shape, Seth was like Adam, Adam like the
Elohim, and the Elohim the image of the invisible Increate, the
great and glorious Archetype of the intelligent universe."
*
*
*
Eureka, vol. I, p. 95-6: "Incorruptible and living substance, then,
is the Body of the Deity; and as the glorified Jesus is the Image of
the Invisible Theos/ He must have 'parts* . . He has form and
parts, as well as body, and is the great Archetype, or divine Original, after which all the Elohim, or immortal intelligences, of His
universe are modeled and made . .
"Now these suggestions are sustained by 'the likeness of the
glory of Jehovah' which appeared to Ezekiel. 'Above the firmament/
says this prophet, 'that was over the heads of the four living ones,
was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone;
and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it . . This was the appearance of the
likeness of the glory of Yahweh'—eh. 1:26-8."
*
*
*
Phanerosis, p. 28-9: "Paul says in Heb. 1:2-3 that the Son is the
'charakter' (Greek meaning 'graving') of His 'hypostasis' (substance) . . S'eth was the image of Adam, and Adam the image of
the Elohim (Gen. 1:26; 5:3) . . Adam the First was image of Elohim,
and this was in relation to bodily form . . Body and form were the
hypostasis (substance) of Adam and Seth . . Where 'image
(charakter—graving) is predicated of hypostasis' (substance), that
hypostasis must have both body and form. The Father-Spirit . . is
a bodily form."
*
*
•
Ways of Providence, p. 12-16: "Man is stated by James to be
'made after the similitude of God/ even the Father — see context
(James 3:9). Paul also says he is 'the image and glory of God* (1
Cor. 11-7). Christ, formed in fashion as a man, is said to be 'the
image of God* (2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15); and 'the express image of
His person' (Heb. 1:3); which gives force to Jehovah's description
of him as 'the man that is My fellow' (Zech. 13:7).
"From this results the conviction that the Father is not only
glorious substance, even spirit substance, but that this substance
has the human form in its perfection. The Father's person is, in
fact, the prototype of all intelligent being. Of Moses it was said,
as indicative of the privilege which he alone enjoyed in his day,
'the similtude of the Lord shall he behold' (Num. 12:8). TPhat this
referred to the angelic manifestation of Jehovah is unquestionable,
but still the fact remains that the similitude he beheld was the
similitude of Jehovah.
"The God revealed to us in the Bible is a Creator, a Father,
and a Person; universal in His presence and power, but still a
located and glorious Person . . Our simple duty is to accept implicitly what is revealed . . The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
is a personal Father, yet not a man, though we faintly borrow our
image from Him."
^
^
^
1973 Berean 23
Bible Finger Posts, old #29, new #19 (Written by bro. Roberts,
still distributed): "Concerning the Eternal Father, the teaching of
the Scriptures is very clear . . That He is light and life incorporate
in glorious form and substance, even the form which the human
form faintly reflects/'
*
*
*
Instructor, p. 10: "The Bible reveals that man is a living soul
or creature, originally made of the dust of the ground, in the
image of God."
*
*
*
Visible Hand of God, p. 18: "He (man) is the similitude of the
divine form . . a special and noble creature formed for the glory
of God."
*
*
*
Christadelphian Answers, p. 1: "The doctrine that God is "without body or parts' is utterly opposed to what is told us in the
Scriptures of Truth, from which we learn that He is of human
form—Exo. 33:23, Heb. 1:3, Jam. 3:9)."
*
*
•
Christendom Astray, p. 118: "The Scriptures plainly teach that
the Father is a tangible person . . We will not say that the Being
with Whom he (Moses) had this intercourse was actually THE
ETERNAL ONE, because it is evident from what Stephen and Paul
teach that it was an angelic manifestation . . Yet it is affirmed
that to Moses it was a similitude of Jehovah (Num. 12:8). It was
therefore a manifestation of the Deity."
*
*
*
Christadelphian Treasury, p. 4: "We learn from the Bible that
the Deity it reveals has both body and parts."
*
*
*
Christadelphian 1889, p. 104: "We cannot pretend to measure
God or even adequately compare Him to any mere human standard.
The glory of the incorruptible so far transcends the glory of the
corruptible that it is impossible to institute anything beyond the
very faintest comparison (Rom. 1:23, Isa. 40:18). Still there are
some comparisons that are directly expressed in the Scriptures, and
some others that are involved.
"First, with regard to the numberless variety of creatures that
God made, it is said of man alone that he was made in the image
of God (Gen. 1:26-7; 5:1; 9-6). This is confirmed by what is again
recorded in the New Testament (1 Cor. 11:7; Acts 17:28-9).
"Made like the angels at first with respect to form and faculty
(but for the present 'a little lower' than they with regard to nature
and function), we are destined at the last — subject to Christ's
approval — to become their equals in nature, life, function, power
and glory. Like the 'third heaven/ it is the stage in the process
of ascension from the earthy to the heavenly, and from the natural
to the spiritual (1 Cor. 15:46-9).
"First, being 'born of flesh' (John 3:6), we are descendants of
him of whom it is recorded that he 'was the S'on of God' (Luke
3:38), and for which reason, as Paul says, 'We are also His offspring.' In this we have the raw material of God's purpose — God's
image in living clay.
"Next to this, in being 'born of water' we become sons of God
upon the still higher principle of being born again of the incorruptible seed, or the word of the kingdom of God sown in the
heart (1 Pet. 2:23, Matt. 13:19). It is of this result that John says,
'Now are we the sons of God.'
1973 Berean 24
"This in due time (in the case of the faithful) will be followed
by what Christ calls being 'born of the Spirit' (John 3:5-7) . . a man
thenceforward Is Spirit* . . he has entered upon the last degree
of qualification that introduces a man to eternal incorporation into
the perfected immortal family of God (Rev. 21:7; Luke 20:36) . .
Christ is both the example and the guarantee of its final attainment . . This accomplished, the likeness of the 'children of light*
to the 'Father of Lights' may be accounted complete.
"When the pure in heart see God (Matt. 5-8; Heb. 12:14), they
will not look upon a mere shapeless concretion of power or aggregation of nature's forces, but upon the glorious, personal Archtype of the universe, of whose person Christ is already the 'express
image,' the very impress of His substance, and the effulgence of
His glory (Heb. 1:3, Rev. Ver.)."
*
*
*
Christadelphian 1892, p. 132: "God has form, and His form
is the human form . . we need not go nearer than this."
*
*
*
Christadelphian 1892, p. 169: "The Divine form —the form of
man, who is 'made after the similitude of God,' even the Father
(James 3:9). This is the form of the angels, who are also spoken
of as 'the sons of God' (Job 3#:7). Their designation as sons would
point to a Father-form, even He Who 'dwells in light* . . With this
in view, we can join in David's word with fulness of meaning: 'To
Thee lift I mine eyes, 0 Thou that dwellest in the heavens'; and
in the prayer that the Lord taught his disciples, 'Our Father Who
art in heaven'."
*
*
*
Christadelphian 1892, p. 2634: "He is the Eternal, Increate,
Inevitable Archtype after which He molded the corporeal form of
all His children . . It is not a matter upon which to speculate, for
to do so is both irreverent and presumptuous . . We can approach
no nearer than the Spirit has permitted in Exo. 24:10-1; 33:18-23;
1 Tim. 6:15-6, and the various symbols of His glory . .
"In discountenancing any speculative inquiry into the character
of His Form, of His Person, of His Substantial Being, I do most
heartily agree . . It is not a matter to be dealt with lightly or too
familiarly; but with awe, reverence, and a worshipful silence, as
becometh His children, begotten in the anointed Jesus, who is or
bears His express image."
THE FALSE VIEWS OF CHRISTENDOM
BASED UPON THE IMMORTAL SOUL
Adam Clarke Commentary, vol. 1, p. 38: "Gen. 1:26 — What is
said here refers to his soul—this was made in the image of God
. . God was now producing a spirit; it was created after the image
of God, and that image, Saint Paul tells us, consisted in righteousness, true holiness and knowledge, Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10."
*
*
*
Interntl. Bible Ency., p. 1264: "It lies in the nature of the case
that the 'image' does not consist in bodily form; it can only reside
in spiritual qualities."
*
*
•
Westminster Diet, of the Bible, p. 10: "He (Adam) was made
in the image of God. Paul describes the similarity as consisting in
knowledge, righteousness and true holiness."
*
*
•
JFB Commentary, vol. I, p. 8: "In what did this image consist?
Not in the erect form of man . . but in the moral dispositions of
his soul, commonly called original righteousness." 1973 Berean 26
The a b o v e quotations illustrate the general way in which
these verses are interpreted by
Christendom. Some however—
recognizing, and more honestly
facing, the force of the words
in the original—seek a way of
fitting them in with the orthodox conception of God and the
soul, as follows—
Companion Bible, p. 4: "Refers only to outward form, not to
attributes. Our image/ that is, of Elohim, the Second Person, who
had taken the creature form in order to create."
*
•
*
Abington Commentary, p. 221: "A further hint of a lower theological position has been seen by some in the repeated phrase In
our image,' which is thought to point to a time when men believed
that God had a material frame like that which man possesses."
(Continued next month, if the Lord will)
Current Events Fulfilling Prophecy
"He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the
earth. They grope in the dark without light, He maketh
them stagger like a drunken man"—Job 12:24-25
A COMMON FELLOWSHIP. We have received a very interesting and
significant "Certificate" from a brother in England. It is a common form
being used by all the major churches in Britain (Church of England,
Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, etc.) to certify
what they call "Baptism." It says, "The following Churches have agreed
that a certificate in this form is evidence of Christian Baptism, and will be
accepted by them all as evidence of the validity of each other's baptism."
NOTE: This is surely a climactic step in the path of "ecumenism," or—
more properly, "Back-to-Rome-ism."
By this free intercommunion, these
Churches have to all intents & purposes become one with Rome. They may
for convenience & from custom keep their own sub-titles, but with intercommunion they have essentially become one. And because (like the nations
of Europe & Russia) one among them is so much stronger, & better
organized, & more rigidly disciplined, & more historically rooted, than the
others—it is in effect a full return to Rome. Rome claims, by its age &
preeminence, to be the original, central, foundation Mother-Church. The
others, by accepting her fellowship, must concede to her claims.
POISONING THE SEAS. Oceans have long been main depository for
man's waste. Amount of garbage dumped into sea is reaching saturation
point. Spread of technology has resulted in dangerous upsurge in amount of
highly toxic material. Many closed seas, as Mediterranean & Baltic, so
befouled by oil, radioactive wastes, pesticides & other foul residue, that fish
are disappearing. Main danger to sealife & human health is long-lasting or
highly poisonous wastes. Worst offender is oil. Each gallon spilled depletes
oxygen in 400,000 gallons of sea water, decimating all fish life in the area.
More dangerous to human are poisonous metals, as mercury & cadmium.
Both concentrate in fish, & can be fatal to humans who eat the fish. Before
death, mercury literally drives its victims mad; cadmium destroys kidneys
& bones. Among other extremely toxic wastes are radioactive liquids from
reactors, & gases used in chemical & biological war research. (Nwk 11:27)
NOTE; For 6000 yrs. man has lived on the earth, & the earth has supported
him. Now in our day his vastly increased numbers, & his blind, aggressive
"progress" to cater to his lusts & pleasures, are rapidly destroying the lifesustaining properties of the planet. But God will shorten the days; sweep
away the vast majority of evil flesh; refurbish the earth in cleanliness,
beauty & glory; & establish His pure divine Kingdom.
1973 Berean 26
SAUDI ARABIA-U.S. DEAL? Saudi Arabia far more important to West
than Egypt, Syria or even Libya, for it sits on top of world's greatest source
of oil. Tho producing since '38, it still holds known reserves of at least 150
billion barrels. Recent discoveries may double that. Production now 6
million barrels a day, with 20 million a day planned in a few years. Saudi
Arabia's oil minister recently proposed a major increase in Saudi Arabian
investments in US in return for guaranteed oil imports. He said, "You are
biggest market; we are biggest supplier. We have a mutual interest." US
welcomed idea; seems a likely bet before long. (Nwk. 11:27)
NOTE: "Sheba & Dedan" always point us to Arabia. It is deeply
significant, therefore, that (1) Saudi Arabia has the biggest oil reserves, &
(2) is closely allied with US & Britain.
POPE RESTORING AUTHORITY. When Vatican II opened doors to
modern scholarship, Catholic theologians were quick to seize opportunities.
In few short years, they were questioning everything in Church's teachings
from sex ethics to papal infallibility. Era of such unfettered speculation
seems ending. Vatican's decision: diversity allowed in forms of expression,
but not in basic belief. Pope has made it clear only he & bishops have power
to "tell the people what God asks them to believe." Time is on Rome's s i d e people get tired of being told something new every day. (Tm 11:13)
NOTE: The Man of Sin has a vital role to play in uniting & stirring up the
world against Christ when he returns from heaven, whom the Pope will
denounce as the long-heralded Jewish Antichrist. The Pope must therefore
set his house in order. In religion, the masses want pomp & authority.
STRUGGLE TO CONTROL AFGHANISTAN. Strategically located between Russia, China, Pakistan & Iran, an unstable Afghanistan has meant
trouble in Central Asia for 2300 years. Today Russia fears emergence of a
China-dominated Afghanistan would give China an opening into Mideast.
China fears that a Russia-dominated Afghanistan would strengthen wall of
containment Russia is trying to build around China. US is intensely interested in keeping it out of orbit of both. US has given $1/2-billion aid since
'52; Russia has given $1 billion.
Govt. is inefficient & corrupt; it's one of world's least-developed nations.
As result of Govt. inertia, 200,000 (a conservative estimate) may die of
starvation this winter. Afghanistan so deeply in debt that only massive
refinancing of its obligations can avert bankruptcy.
Nearly V2 the children die before age 1; nearly V2 the rest before age 12.
Afghanistan contains virtually every disease known to medical science. All
water is contaminated. Life expectancy is 39 years. (USN11:6)
RACE TROUBLE IN ARMED FORCES. Race violence now troubling
Navy spotlights a deep-rooted problem. It's causing growing concern as US
switches to all-volunteer military. A greater potential for unrest if, as expected, volunteer army results in a bigger ratio of Blacks. Rioting, triggered
by race conflict, aboard carrier Kitty Hawk off Vietnam. Black-White battle
on Navy ship Hassayampa in Philippines. Refusal of 100 Blacks to return to
duty on carrier Constellation at San Diego. Breakdown of discipline in US
Navy. Race tension is boiling issue. On some US bases, animosity so high it's
unsafe for a soldier to walk alone at night. In July, '70, in N. Carolina, a
White Marine beaten to death by Blacks. Last Dec. 30 & Jan. 1, racial
brawling at Iwakuna, Japan: 15 Marines injured. (USN 11:27)
NOTE: In the present evil world of the sword, where "might makes
right," a nation's power & safety & very existence depends upon its armed
forces (or those of a strong ally). The race conflict, & the modern false
religion of "permissiveness"—worshipping
the God of Lust & "selfexpression"—bodes evil for the vital armed forces of US in its coming time
of greatest peril & need.
27
1973 B erean
RISE IN CRIME & TERROR. Terrorism & wanton brutality cutting ever
more deeply into lives of people & nations. Terror now a common event in
common places.. . leaving a trail of death & desolation. Trail is widening
over much of world by assassination, skyjack, riot, random murder.
Fashionable explanations are "childhood deprivation," "social injustice,"
alienation," & "inescapable inheritance of instinct of violence from
prehistoric times." Going far beyond attempts to excuse or explain it, the
"New Left" now celebrates violence as a positive virtue: say it promotes
"manhood" of oppressed peoples. Experiments in making common cause
with criminals are developing, as in efforts to politicize Black convicts.
Violence today less & less embarrassed by limits imposed by centuries of
lawfulness. By means of hijackings, kidnapings, explosions & fires of recent
years, they're announcing their determination to shake & destroy
civilization. They may well succeed. In today's "global village," desperate
persons move with ease & speed undreamed of by killers in past. As world
air travel grows spectacularly—from 46 million passengers in '52 to 325
million in 72—killers find it easier to move undetected. Rising availability of
weapons, many the residue of recent wars. In decade or 2, criminals may be
armed with nuclear devices. Violent acts growing in number & ferocity. In
Britain violent crime up 16 pet. in '72; murder up 30 pet. Many of the crimes
were motiveless.
US leads almost all other nations in violent crime. From '66 to '71 crime up
90 pet. Police killed: 57 in '69; 100 in '70; 125 in '71. Some big U.S. cities are in
state of virtual siege. Old notions of self-restraint, once thought necessary to
make life tolerable, are in serious trouble in US.
World's shaken by upheavals of all kinds—politics, cultures, economies,
communications—offering new openings for terror & destruction. Vanishing
is stability of values & authority in this world & next. Emerging is free-form
attitude toward human relationships. Ideal of "self-fulfilment" in the new
culture is freeing people from rules, institutions, & the past. An age of
"harmony & understanding" was promised as restraints loosened, but what
has come is a rising flow of violence & disorder, in real life & on screen.
Movies make ever more daring forays into depiction of blood-splattered
horror. On TV, Viet War is shown with no holds barred—along with riots &
other forms of mayhem. People have seen death so many times on TV that
now it is nothing for them to kill & hijack. Linked closely to spread of
desensitization to violence is undercurrent—even among law-abiding—of
hostility to authority. Courts in US & elsewhere are accommodating
themselves to concept of "guiltless" aggressor. Real answer to problem of
violence must come from within family, & way we raise our children. If that
is so, violence will be around as a critical problem for a long time. Fewer
young people are anchored to religious belief. (USN11:13)
NOTE: Every crime statistic, horrible as it is, is another faith-building
testimony to divine Truth, both as to the basic evil of human nature, & the
nearness of the end of human rule on earth. Man truly has always been evil,
but in these last days the earth is to be "FILLED with violence." The vile
modern doctrine of "permissiveness"—to encourage & indulge the lust of
the flesh to its wildest excesses & aggressions, instead of to discipline it with
the principles of decency & holiness—is filling the earth with a race of selfish
& destructive beasts. And modern "progress" is creating weapons &
facilities for violence undreamed of in earlier ages. TV has played a large
role in the development of this evil state. The justice of God causes man to
destroy himself with his own stupidities. But a new day is coming for those
few who desire it, & prepare themselves for it with all their heart.
._____-—_^_—_----__---_-___.
1973 B e r e a n
28
CHINA'S AGED LEADERS. Mao is 78, Chou 74. These 2 have somehow
kept China together. Once they go, then what? All restraint will be gone. No
reconciliation between factions will be possible without Mao or Chou. Expect
bloody purges, even a massacre. All China will be in turmoil. (USN 10:23)
LATIN AMERICAN ARMS RACE. Latin America turning more & more
to Europe instead of US for war equipment. Since '67, Europe has sold over
$1.6 billions of sophisticated weapons to eager S. American countries.
"Against whom are we arming ourselves? " pleads one Colombian. "We're
building armies that are meaningless in international terms, but
devastating to internal lives of our countries."
Thruout Latin America, burden of meeting payments on foreign debts has
been a contributing factor in preventing many countries from breaking out
of abject poverty, yet arms race goes on. (Nwk. 10:16)
NOTE: 25 yrs. ago, after WWII, US influence & prestige was supreme in S.
America. Its united supporting votes could always be counted on in the UN,
where US was always in the great majority, & Russia in the tiny minority.
But what a tremendous change has occurred! And well may Latin America
say, "Against whom are we arming?" Most countries there are, like Russia,
under military dictatorships, maintaining their power by the gun. The arms
are against their own people.
TYRANNY IN UGANDA. 10 yrs. after independence, Uganda quivers
under rule of Gen. Amin, a military despot who has terrorized & silenced
country's best-educated citizens, murdered & mutilated army officers, &
dashed hope» for orderly progress & cooperation in E. Africa.
Amin is visible symbol of a common tendency—not limited to Africa—to
seek solutions by military dictatorships & law of the gun.
He was once widely regarded as Uganda's savior. When he overthrew
socialistic Obote 21 months ago, rapturous crowds danced in streets.
At first, no one seemed more pleased with Amin than Britain & Israel. The
2 nations had trained him as a soldier, & they gave him economic and
military aid, including an Israeli jet flown by British pilots for his own use.
Amin is a devout Moslem. He gradually turned against Israel. Last month
he issued a eulogy to Hitler's massacre of Jews to emphasize his anti-Zionist
fervor. (Nwk 10:16)
NOTE: Britain & Israel trained & supported Amin, & now he has turned
against them. The nations are powerless in their shady schemings. All is in
the hands of God. He sets up & puts down whomsoever He will, often, as He
sayst 'exalting basest of men,' as suits His purpose of punishing wickedness.
NEW KIND OF CRIME. New kind of international thievery: nominally
respectable dealers in US & Europe hire gangs of thieves & killers abroad to
get ancient works of art. Looters & their sponsors use every device &
strategem known: diplomatic intrigue, bribery, & violence when necessary.
Result is sharp rise in corruption Few officials willing to turn down bribes
that can exceed their annual salary. Corrupt officials represent just one cog
in huge machine engaged in archeological destruction & looting. Archeologists foresee eventual destruction of all records of past. (Nwk. 10:16)
NOTE: Under the modern God-less doctrine of "permissiveness," crime &
plunder are respectable. The only law is the law of lust. We shall inevitably
see more of this spirit in the marketplace. Nothing is sacred. Desire is the
only determinant of action.
THE COMMON MARKET. Little unity. The 9 leaders look back
nervously to voters at home. One candidate, Norway, has already opted
out. Not one of remaining 9 leaders can be sure their voters may not want out.
The closer British get to membership, the less they appear to like it. Latest
polls show only 31 pet. in favor—a record low. (USN 10:23)
NOTE: Surely there must be a change of direction here. Something must
bring Britain back to her proper position. Her politicians forced her into
the Mkt. over the objections and reluctance of her people, but she has no
place in the Catholic Europe Beast which must make common cause with the
Russian Gog.
1973 Berean 29
EARLY JEWISH OPPOSITION TO ZIONISM. Jewish opposition to
Zionism was as formidable an obstacle as anti-Semitism & Arab resistance
to formation of Jewish state. In optimistic early decades of 19th century
emancipation, the total assimilation of Jews into Europe seemed likely.
There was widespread Christian conversion of leading families. Baptism
was entrance ticket to European civilization. One prominent Jew said at that
time, "A Jew who prefers a non-existent state & nation (Israel) to Germany
should be put under police protection, because he's obviously insane."
Most Jews continued to believe that, in spite of periodic resurgences of
anti-Semitism, assimilation could proceed.
Theodor Herzl ''almost singlehandedly" transformed Zionism from a
mood into a political movement. In organizing first Zionist World Congress,
he immediately found he could get no support from rich Jews such as
Rothschilds. "Why stir up trouble?" sums up the reluctance of Munich
Jewish community to sponsor the first Congress.
It took Nazism, murder of 6 million Jews, & total Arab rejection, to
galvanize Zionism into an aggressive force. (Nwk. 10:16)
NOTE: The appointed time came in God's prophetic purpose for the Land
to be rebuilt, & the Nation to be reborn. But how many comfortable &
prosperous Jews would have turned their hearts & steps toward the barren
sands of Palestine, without the Catholic pogroms of Poland & Russia, & the
Nazi gas chambers of the monster Hitler?
"EVOLUTION" CONFUSION. Students of evolution agree on little beyond
fact that a recognizable man equipped with a large brain & standing erect,
appeared on earth about a million years ago. Now even that benchmark of
human ancestry in doubt. (Nwk 11:20)
NOTE: Truly students of evolution are "agreed on little" beyond the fact
that they must reject the reality & authority & Word of God, & manufacture
some theory—however impossible & absurd—to account for all the endless
marvels & beauties & intricacies of God's Creation, on the basis of dead,
blind, mechanical chance. How pitiful!—when the comforting glories of
God's love cry out from every aspect & detail of His marvelous handiwork!
Blind Evolution, for all its pomposities, has never explained, or even attempted to explain, the phenomenon of BEAUTY, & beauty is the hallmark
of all God's work, from the tiny flower to the sunset: "He hath made
everything beautiful in his time."
US vs. EUROPE. Unless some way is found to head off a full-fledged USEurope trade war, the former allies may find themselves in bitter rivalry for
world energy resources. Economic difficulties could lead to political confrontation. Nixon may go down in history as man responsible for US &
Europe breaking their bonds & going own ways. (Nwk 11:27)
NOTE: A wonderful sign. This must be. US's stupidity & arrogance, &
Europe's greed & resentment, must cause a falling out, & a turning of
Europe to Russia. God will send an "evil spirit" between them when the
proper time comes. _ _ _ _ _ _ „ _ _ _ _ m m m m m m
ARAB OIL VICTORY. The decades-old Arab dream of gaining control
over the vast pools of oil beneath Mideast deserts now realized. New oil deal
calls for 51 pet. Arab ownership by early '80's.
With Arabs now clearly holding upper hand, both availability & price of oil
is more than ever under their control. (Tm. 10:16)
NOTE: From the point of view of the West's interests & vulnerability,
these agreements are far more ominous than they appear on the surface. Let
us not forget the Suez Canal, once the proud "life-line" of the mighty British
Empire—history's greatest dominion, on which the "Sun never set." Rusty
hulks now clog the Canal's stagnant, silting channels. The noose is
tightening. Arab control inevitably means, in the end, Russian control.
Prophecy & history are rapidly converging for the final act on the human
stage of strutting little puppets.
1973 Berean 30
DEEPENING CRISIS IN RUSSIA. Worst crisis in decade, & impact is
deepening. Worst crop failure since '63; series of foreign-policy setbacks;
shortage of consumer goods; growing internal ideological dissent. Russia
being forced to turn to US for help: already has bought billion dollars' worth
of grain, & still more will be required.
A year of incredibly bad weather: last winter very cold with little snow
cover, the summer hottest & driest for a century, then rains fell in torrents
just when least wanted—in middle of fall harvest. Vegetable supply,
chronically short at best, even smaller than ever.
Russia has 40 million persons working in agriculture, compared to Zlk
million in US. (USN 10:16)
NOTE: Russia is geared for world conquest, not for the well-being of her
people. In the instruments of aggression she is frighteningly efficient, but in
caring for her masses she is callous and bumbling. And surely the hand of
God can be seen in her recent weather—worst in 100 years. She must come
hat in hand to US for food, but it will whet her determination for world
control. Only US stands in the way, & US is a faltering giant, bogged in its
own pleasure-seeking and greed.
PHILIPPINES AT CROSSROADS. Marcos declared martial law and
seized one-man control on Sep. 22. Philippines faces possible economic
collapse, a military takeover, or a Communist armed revolt. If Marcos fails,
anything could happen.
The overwhelming majority of the 40 million Filipinos live barely above
subsistence levels, with yrly. per capita income of under $200. A few "first
families" have cornered a large chunk of national income.
Country has to import rice & fish, tho it has fertile farmland and is
surrounded by ocean. Under V2 population has safe drinking water; only 1
family in 5 has electricity.
Resurgence of Communist guerrilla movement. Communist cells
multiplying rapidly. Next few months will be critical. (USN 10:16)
NOTE: Again & again we are impressed with bro. Thomas' deep understanding of men & nature, based on Scripture. He had short shrift for the
charade of "democracy," tho in his day it was greatly in vogue as the "wave
of the future" to free man from poverty & oppression.
PILGRIM IN POLAND. At least 150,000 pilgrims went to Auschwitz extermination camp last week to honor a Franciscan friar named Kolbe, one of
the 4 million murdered there by Nazis.
The principal celebrant at Auscnwitz was Cardinal Krol, Archbishop of
Philadelphia, whose father came from Poland. When he arrived at his
father's home town he was greeted by horsemen in 17th century uniforms of
Polish cavalry, & a brass band welcome amidst cheering throngs.
In 1966, when Poland celebrated its 1000th anniversary of Christianity,
both Krol & Pope were denied permission to visit Poland. Krol's welcome
now is just one sign of thaw between Poland's Govt. & Church. (Tm 10:30)
NEW US ASIAN OUTPOST. Naval installation in Thailand could become
US's "Singapore." US has spent $40 million to convert Sattahip into a deepwater port. Warships operating from here would be in a position to quickly
counter Russia's determined bid to expand its power in this region.
Russian naval ships are appearing in rapidly increasing numbers in Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. (USN 10:23)
NOTE: In so many ways the young US lion has taken over the position and
destiny of the decrepit old British lion. The picture is fulfilling, but how
differently from what we expected! This strengthens our faith, and sharpens our caution against presumption. We are not prophets. We can only
laboriously glean the prophecies for guidance, to the extent God deigns to
open them to us.
1973 Berean 31
RUSSIA-CHINA TENSION becoming more acute, more dangerous.
Russia has over million troops, nuclear weapons, missiles, most modern
arms on Chinese border. So has China. Build-up continues. National rivalry
between 2 imperial giants. China sees Soviet troops in Mongolia, never a
Russian possession; sees Russia holding 400,000 sq. mis. that was Chinese
before 1858. Now China fears Russian designs on Manchuria, home of 75
million Chinese. Russia sees China reaching for Mongolia, almost empty &
rich in pastoral land; sees China threatening the whole of Soviet Far East
with an expanding horde of people. Danger remains, and grows. (USN11:27)
NOTE: Very interestingly the pattern develops, as God balances one
nation against another. It was a pact between arch-enemies Hitler & Stalin
that inaugurated WWII. China's 2 dictators, Mao & Chou, are both very old.
Big changes due.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
U.S. BECOMING "HAVE-NOT" IN RAW MATERIALS. Blessed in
beginning with wealth of natural resources, US now leaning more & more on
other countries
for vital raw materials. By '85, US may have to depend on
imports for Yk its raw materials, including iron, aluminum, chromium,
manganese, nickel, tungsten & tin. US uses 30 pet. of world's mineral output.
Since '40, US has used $260 billion of materials—about equal to amount used
by entire world in all history up to '40. In '47, US supplied 40 pet. of world's
key minerals: now it depends on other countries for 22 of the 74 minerals
essential for a modern industrial society. (USN 12:4)
NOTE: The wanton plundering & depletion of the Earth's divinelyprovided riches is a sign both that man's evil rule is reaching an end, & that
US's position of world power is very precarious.
"EUROPE SECURITY CONFERENCE" opened last week in Finland.
May be most significant conference since WW II. Russia, who proposed it,
bills it as a triumph of Soviet diplomacy. They want it to ratify present
Europe borders, solidifying their hold on Central & E. Europe. They seek,
too, a more relaxed atmosphere in Europe so they can put pressure on US to
withdraw, leaving Russia dominant military power in Europe. (Tm 12:4).
NOTE: US fought this "Conference" for a long time, knowing the West had
nothing to gain & everything to lose by it. It is a big step forward to Russia's
domination of Europe. Russia is an iron-bound dictatorship, rigidly controlled for aggressive national interests. The Western nations are divided &
floundering "democracies" with every individual seeking his own selfish &
greedy ends. The final outcome therefore is inevitable.
HUMAN EVIL. The Ik tribe of north Uganda are all extreme example of
human nastiness. It would be an insult to animals to call their habits
bestiality. The Ik teach us that our much vaunted "human values" are not
inherent in humanity at all. Creation of a game reserve a generation ago
penned them in mountains, & forced them to farming. They were afflicted by
drought, hunger, isolation, technical inadequacy, disease. Healthy men &
women, given food in plenty, will gorge till they vomit rather than share
even with their infants. If a man's wife falls by trailside, he'll leave her to
die, then grumble if someone else robs the body first. The old, weak, or blind
will be tripped, pushed over, & at last ignored as dead tho still alive. The Ik
way of life is contagious. They have power to perpetuate their survival
system. A theologian would recognize the source of the trouble—the Iks
manifest the reality of evil. (Tm 11:20)
NOTE: The significance of this is that it is the direction that today's vile
"permissiveness" & "self-expression" philosophies are leading mankind.
Today's "wisdom" is not to discipline & subdue the flesh & build a character
well-pleasing to God, but to "do your thing," regardless of anyone else's
rights or welfare. An evil generation of Amorites is filling the earth, to be
destroyed at the hands of a new and greater Joshua.
Financially, the Berean is covered thru the May issue.
1973 Berean
32
PLIGHT OF POOR COUNTRIES IS GRIM. "Have-nots" lag while
"Haves" get richer. Widening gap between world's rich & poor nations.
Foreseen are political upheavals, troubles for foreign investors,
deterioration of trade.
In poor nations, children under 5 account for over 60 pet. of deaths: main
cause is malnutrition: 2/3 of survivors stunted physically or mentally.
In 70, 25 pet. of labor force in poor countries was wholly or partially
unemployed; by *80 it will be 30 pet. There are 800 million illiterates in world
today—100 million more than in '50.
Brazil shows a typical trend: share of national income received by poorest
40 pet. dropped from 10 pet. in '60 to 8 pet. in 70, while share of richest 5 pet.
of people grew from 29 pet. of the national income to 38 pet.
In India, 200 million—40 pet. of population—live below poverty level, the
point at which serious malnutrition begins. (USN 10:16)
NOTE: How dreadful are the dark places of the earth! We happen to live in
lands of insulated voluptuousness & greedy abundance, but more of mankind
scratches out a joyless, sickly existence in grinding labor & poverty. There is
much fine talk of "charity," but it is a poor veneer over inner selfishness; &
furthermore, the magnitude of the task is far too great for man to cope with.
Russia thinks if she can control the world she will correct all this in her Godless Millennium, but she must beg her own food from the hated capitalists.
MOZAMBIQUE GUERRILLAS. A nasty guerrilla conflict, simmering in
SE Africa for 8 yrs., in dangerous new phase. Primary target is massive
$450-million Cabora Bassa Dam on the Zambezi River which will dwarf
Egypt's Aswan Dam. This insurgency threatens interests of White-ruled
Rhodesia & S. Africa, raising spector of escalating conflict that could engulf
southern Africa. (Nwk 11:27)
NOTE: The Tower of Babel again. Race against race. People against
people. Nation against nation. Man dreams of "peace," but only an evil, selfserving peace to indulge his lusts & pleasures. But God will not permit it. He
must punish them for their disobedience & wickedness by turning them
against each other.
WHY MAN CAN NEVER BRING PEACE OR JUSTICE. Escorted by 200
police, the little band of frightened Black & Puerto Rican 7th-graders last
wk. walked slowly from bus to school door. "You ain't people, you're
animals!" shouted someone in crowd of 1500 jeering, egg-throwing Whites
massed behind police barricades. "Go back to the zoo." Thus integration
came to Canarsie in Brooklyn. "These children will never be welcome
here," vowed president of Parents' Assn. White parents organized a boycott
that shut down the neighborhood's 8 schools, idling 9500 young people—many
of whom spilled out on streets & threatened one another with bats & chains.
Police escorted black children into school,but it was nearly empty.(Tmll:13)
NOTE: The Tower of Babel set the pattern, & man's vileness has perpetuated it ever since. God sent strife & division among men because of their
pride & wickedness, & that strife & division will continue as long as man is
proud & wicked.
mm__a_^___mmm__m__m___^
TENSE SITUATION IN MOROCCO. US has a large stake: has given $700
million to Morocco since '47. Important communications base at Kenitra
links US forces in Mediterranean with US mainland.
There have been 2 bloody efforts by the military to overthrow king Hassan,
the last by his most trusted adviser. "Have-nots" form overwhelming bulk
of population, & there's vast force of restless unemployed. (USN 10:30)
MOST SIGNIFICANT ELECTION IN POST-WAR GERMANY. Brandt
resoundingly re-elected, confirming his position as most powerful man in
W. Europe. (Tm 12:4)
THE OIL SQUEEZE. US oil output stagnating. Big supplies are in Africa &
Mideast. US will be increasing its imports from there by $1 billion a year,
perhaps twice that as prices rise. By '80, US may be importing $20 billion
annually in oil. Where is that kind of money coming from? And do we want to
make ourselves so heavily dependent on countries of doubtful stability &
uncertain ability to defend themselves? Europe & Japan in even worse fix
than US. By '80, accumulated oil-earned assets of Arabs will be $100 billion,
growing at $20 billion a year. By shifting it around, they could play havoc
with international monetary system. And US could be denied a vital
resource, not only by supplier countries, but by any power capable of interfering with channels of supply. (Nwk 12:11)
NOTE: Clearly the vast, wasteful, lust-&-pleasure oriented US economy is
headed for a crisis. So large a proportion of the national economy is devoted
to the satisfying of greed & the production of rubbish! The huge & growing
US world trade deficit is already keeping the world's money structure in
constant & increasing turmoil. Now US is to pour out more & more spiraling
billions to buy oil to feed its follies.
ANOTHER WAR ROUND IN MIDEAST? In long run, another war
inevitable. Russia is sensitive to charges in Arab world that they've become
soft on Israel & a poor ally. They want to do something to counter thisv
Goal of Palestinians is to raise level of hostility between Arabs & Israel so
no settlement possible. Palestinians fear Egypt & Jordan are only interested
in getting their own lost lands, & after that would drop Palestine cause.
Basic positions of Arabs & Israel are irreconcilable. Israel convinced it's
vital for their national security to hold lands captured during '67 War. Arabs
feel it's essential to their national honor to get them back. Both really mean
it; something has got to give. (USN 10:23)
NOTE:' Truly, war IS inevitable. And this time it could well be the final
one. How wonderfully the age-old prophecies are fulfilling! "I will gather all
nations against Jerusalem to battle." Israel must be isolated & alone, with
only an enfeebled Tarshish as her friend. All things are moving beautifully
that way.
RUSSIAN FOOD CRISIS. In Moscow, basic foods in ominously short
supply. Potatoes have vanished from govt. stores; are 50 cents lb. in 'free'
markets. Shortages outside Moscow even more severe.
Worst food shortage since '63, as recently admitted. Such admissions are
rare. Shortages of feed have forced slaughter of precious livestock herds
that are insufficient in best of times.
Currency sorely needed to buy Western industrial equipment is going for
food. In 72, food purchases from West exceeded value of all Russian imports
of Western technology during previous 5 years. (Tm 10:30)
December Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
John left—Perga
Baalzebub—Ekron
Place—Casiphia
First love—Ephesus
Stone Paul—Lystra
Uriah died—Rabbah
Terah died—Haran
On foot to—Assos
Righteyes-Jabeshgilead
Satan seat—Pergamos
Omri built—Samaria
Jacob well—Sychar
Village called—Emmaus
Tell not in—Gath
Sing as harlot—Tyre
Blind Zedekiah—Riblah
17. Joseph, Elisha—Dothan
33. Taught men—Succoth
18. Deliver up—Keilah
34. Joshua burned—Hazor
19. 2nd city taken—Ai
35. Jezebel—Thyatira
20. Nathanael home—Cana
36. Saul capital—Gibeah
21. Trophimus sick—Miletus 37. Shorn head—Cenchrea
22. Lord roar—Zion
38. Strength—Philadelphia
23. Pharpar,Abana-Damascus39. Pleased not—Cabul
24. Lord make room-Rehoboth 40. Philip found—Azotus
25. Vineyards of—Engedi
41. Desert—Gaza
26. WoundAhab-Ramothgilead 42. Kill 85 priests—Nob
27. Work Wilily—Gibeon
43. Friends home—Bethany
28. Wilderness—Τadmor
44. Avenge blood—Jezreel
29. Mede palace—Achmetha 45. In Sicily—Syracuse
30. Spies—Kadeshbarne?
46. Fetch compass-Rhegium
31. Dyed garments—Bozrah
47. Macedonia man—Troas
32. Treasure city—Pithom
48. N. of Tyre—Sidon
$3.50 per yr. (only for those who desire to pay)
Printed in U.S.A.
VOL. 61, NO. 2
FEBRUARY, 1973
The Berean
Christadelphian
A monthly magazine devoted wholly to the exposition and defense
of the Faith once for all delivered to the Saints, with the object
of helping to make ready a People prepared for the coming of the
Lord. Opposed to the unscriptural teaching of the papal
and protestant churches of the world.
Edited u*d Published liw
G. A. Gibson, 1501 Woodbine, Ap. 1616, Toronto, Ont. M4C 4H1, Can.
"They received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched
the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Therefore many believed"—Acts 17:11
CONTENTS
ECCLESIAL NEWS: Baltimore, Hamilton,
Houston, Lampasas, Whangarei
Inside Front Cover
EDITORIAL: Our Relation to the Ecclesia
33
Fraternal Gatherings
35
January Answers
35
THE WORK OF THE THIRD ANGEL (Bro. Thomas)
36
SECOND VOYAGE TO AUSTRALIA (Bro. Roberts) Part 26
40
IN THE IMAGE OF GOD MADE HE HIM (Part 2)
46
PRAISE THE LORD, Ο MY SOULI
51
CURRENT WORLD EVENTS FULFILLING PROPHECY
58
Bible Questions
Back Cover
We «re anxious to send Hie Berean FREE to any desiring if
that way. Please do not hesitate to request if. If you
know of any who might like it, please send us their names.
CHRIST IS COMING SOON AND WILL REIGN ON EARTH
Ecclesial News
BALTIMORE, Maryland—Memorial 10:30am—Bro. Russell Frisbie,3*17 Forest Hill
Road, Baltimore 21207. Phone (301) 944-3170.
WE are sorry to ώ ν έ to report that bro. George W. Falkinburg and sis.
Mary E. Falkinburg are no longer in fellowship with us.
We are also sorry to report that sis. Patricia D. Clatterbuck is no longer
with us, having given up the Truth. Your brother in Christ,-Russell C.Frisbie
HAMILTON, Ont.—Sherwood Rm., Wentworth Arms Hotel, Main & Hughson Sts—
Memorial 11 am—Bro. R.F. Philip, 799 Cranston Court, Burlington, Ontario. Phone
(416) 639-1750»
GREETINGS and Love to all of like precious Faith who call upon Him in
Mercy and Truth.
It is with sadness we report the falling asleep in Christ of sister Jenny
Fotheringham. Sister Jenny died in her 75th year. She devoted her life to the
service of the Lord, and exhibited her faith and trust in God in that she was
not afraid to remark that she was ready when the time came if she fell asleep
before the coming of the Lord. So being dead, the history of her life speaks to
us as an example of faith, trust, patience and hope.
We will miss the association and fellowship of our sister, but carry on and
also fight the good fight of faith, knowing that if found faithful we shall experience the joy of meeting in the Kingdom all who have died in the Lord.
May our Lord quickly come. With our united love in the Truth,
,^-..,,-^.-.*^.-.^.^^^
—bro. R.F. Philip
HOUSTON, Tex, .77012—Christadelphian Hall, M0t Junius St.—Sun. Sen. 10 a m ;
Breaking of Bread 11 am; ΕI pis Israel Class Wed. 7 pm; Revelation Study Sun 7 pm
(except 3rd Sun. Public Lecture).—Bro. John Packer, 210 E. Third St., Deer Park, Tex.
77536, phone (713) 479-4292.
WITH great joy we announce that ALTON STUCHLIK, after giving a good
confession of the Faith on Oct. 27, passed through the waters of baptism on
the 28th. We pray that his new walk in life may be found acceptable in the
day of the Lord.
Also, we are happy to announce that sis. Sharon Scott has returned to
Houston after living in Oklahoma City; and bro. & sis. Charles Banta Jr.
have returned to Houston after living in Lampasas. Bro. & sis. Lonnie
Carroll have moved to Lampasas. Bro. & sis. Roy Johnson have moved to
Richardson, Texas.
We regret that bro. M.E. Wilhoit has returned to a former group.
We have had the following visitors in recent months: bre. & sis. Pat
Cassidy, Jack Stanaland, Russell Frisbie, Lonnie Carroll, Nick Mammone,
Frank Pyne, Braden Edwards, Fred Higham Jr., George Booker, and Roy
Johnson; brethren Ronnie Wolfe, Andrew Marshall, G. Growcott, and
Wesley Booker; and sisters Ruby Wolfe, Kay Wolfe, Ouida Landers,
Margaret Sommerville and Hattie Wolfe.
We appreciate the labor of love of all brethren who assisted us in speaking
appointments.
—bro. John Packer
LAMPASAS, Texas—Christadelphian Hall, Ave. I East—S.S. 10am; Memorial 11 am;
Sunday Class 7 pm; Wed. Class 7 pm—Bro. Ross Wolff, 1802 Rumley Rd., Lampasas
76550. Phone (512) 556-5249.
GREETINGS of love to the brethren and sisters in Christ Jesus.
It is with deep sorrow we report the death of our beloved sister Jessie
Hatcher. Yet we sorrow not as those who have no hope, believing her sleep of
death will be for only a short time, for she will hear the words—
"The Master has come, and calleth for thee."
(Continued on Inside Back Cover)
Our Relation to the Ecfclesia
"These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to
behave themselves in the House of God, which is the
Church (Ecclesia) of the living God, the pillar
and ground of the Truth"—1 Tim. 3:14-15
IT will be noted that in setting out the above words of Paul, we
have inserted the word "ecclesia" after the word "church." We will
let brother John Thomas explain the reason—
"Ecclesia, then, is a word compounded of EK, "out of", and
KLESIS, "a call or invitation/* Hence an EKKLESIS is "an invitation to come out"; and the assembly of people convened in consequence of their acceptance of the invitation is an ecclesia. This is the
etymology of the word, which is also in agreement with its scriptural
constitution" (Eur. 1:120).
In his letters, the apostle Paul has much to say about the Ecclesia.
Here are three examples. First—
"That you may know how men ought to behave in the House of God,
which is the Ecclesia of the living Godt the pillar and ground of the
Truth."
Therefore, the Ecclesia is not a man-made organization, where
each member can do as he pleases. Paul likens it to the human body
where all parts must work in unison. As soon as the parts of the body
cease to co-operate, the result is that disease sets in. If there is
nothing done to stop the disease, it will become chronic, and the
final result is death.
Such, also, is the Ecclesia. The only way in which it can remain in
good health is by the willing co-operation of all its members. If it
becomes departmental, it is headed for serious trouble. It is not only
essential that all members must unite in the operation of the Ecclesia, but it is absolutely necessary for the members to give FIRST
PLACE to the Ecclesia and its wellbeing.
Another striking illustration of the Ecclesia is given by Paul—
"For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry,
ye are God's building"—1 Cor. 3:9.
What a lofty and honorable calling! "Laborers together with
God." Do we fully realize what that means? If we are working with
God, it is certainly essential that we carry out His instructions. It is
just impossible for us to set up our own standards. One of the stern
lessons that the Law teaches us is that we must follow the course set
before us, for the penalty of disobedience is severe. The case of
Nadab and Abihu stands out in bold relief, and should burn in our
minds so deeply that we would never forget the lesson their
disobedience teaches us.
1973 Berean ss
But Paul goes further, and says we are God's Building. In what
way can we be God's Building? We believe that Paul answers our
question in these'words—
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but
fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the Household of God.
"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
"In whom all the Building fitly framed together groweth unto an
holy Temple in the Lord."—Eph. 2:19-21.
There is another point that we must not overlook regarding God's
Building. Paul reminds us of it by saying—
"Let every man TAKE HEED how he buildeth thereupon."
"A minister of the Sanctuary, and of the true Tabernacle, which the
Lord pitched, and not man"—Heb. 8:1-2.
In other words, let us be extremely careful during our building
operations that we follow the divine specifications, and not make
any alterations in the plans as our work proceeds.
The third example of Paul's reference to the Ecclesia is one of
beauty in which he uses a highly elevated form of expression—
"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have
such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the
Majesty in the heavens;
When Moses by the instruction of the Spirit pitched the man-made
Tabernacle, it was set up in the wilderness of Sinai. But when the
Lord pitched the true Tabernacle in the first century, the setting
was vastly different. However it was also in a wilderness of
unlightened men and women, described by Paul in Eph. 2:12—
"That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the
commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of
promise, having no hope, and without God in the world"
The Ecclesia is made up of men and women who have come out of
that hopeless state by their belief and obedience of the Gospel, and
have determined to walk in newness of life, and henceforth they
should not serve sin. Having been baptized into Christ, he has
become their Master, and they are expected to serve him. Here is
the way Jesus puts it—
"He that hath my commandments, and KEEPETH them, HE it is
ihat loveth me."
There is much misunderstanding on the part of some who try to
keep the Lord's commandments strictly on the basis of their
technical interpretation of the letter of the law, the manner in which
the priests, scribes and Pharisees operated. But Jesus put them to
the test when—to trap him—they brought a woman to him, taken in
adultery, for which the law prescribed death. The way Jesus handled this case should make every one of us sit up and take particular
notice. His answer was—
1973 Berean 34
"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."
The teaching of Jesus on the matter of sin, mercy and forgiveness
is so clear it just seems impossible for any of us to fail to comprehend it. Therefore, we conclude this month's message with the
parable of the Pharisee and the publican. Luke says Jesus spoke
this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were
righteous, and despised others—
'Two men went up into the Temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and
the other a publican.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with
himself, God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in
the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as
his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be
merciful to me a sinner.
"I tell you (says Jesus), this man went down to his house justified
rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be
abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted"—Lk. 18:9-14
In all our operations of an ecclesia, there are many things on
which we must pass judgment. But before we take any action, let us
begin with ourselves: for if we judged ourselves as eagerly as we
judge others, what wonderful, loving, spiritual communities our
ecclesias would be!
—Editor
Fraternal Gatherings
If the Lord Will
LAM PAS AS, TEXAS: FRIDAY to SUNDAY, JUNE 8 to 10
Bro. Ross Wolfe, 1802 Rumley Rd., Lampasas, Tex. 76550; (512) 556-5249
Η YE, TEXAS: SUNDAY to SUNDAY, JULY 29 to AUGUST 5
Bro. C. Banta, 815 Boston, Deer Park, Tex. 77536; phone (713) 479-2568
January Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
Elements melt—2 Pet.
Things true—Phlp.
Revive work—Hab.
Balaam—Num.
Thorn in flesh—2 Cor.
Receive not—2 John
Gourd/ worm—Jonah
Queen Sheba—1 Kgs.
Judge in meat—Col.
Bethlehem—Micah
Without camp—Heb.
Dare go law—1 Cor.
All serve Lord—Zeph.
Diotrophes—3 John
Lord do nothing—Amos
Comfort—1 Thess.
Belief of Truth—2 Ths.
Rose Sharon—Song
Food, raiment—1 Tim.
Saith Cyrus—Ezra
Hate garment—Jude
22. Fall Jericho—Josh.
23. Amraphel—Gen.
24. Mene, Mene—Dan.
25. Law of leper—Lev.
26. Ο foolish—Gal.
27. Patience—James
28. Shake nations—Hag.
29. All work good—Rom.
30. No fear in love—1 Jn.
31. Delilah—Jdg.
32. Bare sins—1 Pet.
33. Absalom—2 Sam.
34. Demas forsake—2 Tm.
35. Msngr. of Cvnt.—Mai.
36. 3-score-10—Psalms
37. Left in Crete—Tit.
38. Brass mtns.—Zech.
39. Paul aged—Phlm.
Spirit—Eph.
40. Unity/ Spirit41. Saviors Zion—Obad.
42. Song Moses—Deut.
43. Blood Jezreel—Hos.
44. Cana marriage—Jn.
45. Man sorrows—Isa.
46. Multitudes!—Joel
47. Mother Harlots—Rev.
48. Virtuous woman—Prv.
49. Valley bones—Eze.
50. Jesus in Egypt—Mt.
51. Vanity—Eccl.
52. Josiah—2 Kgs.
53. Rich man—Luke
54. Boaz—Ruth
55. Zipporah—Exo.
56. Haman—Esther
57. Sanballat—Neh.
58. Kill James—Acts
59. Bildad—Job
60. Baruch—Jer.
61. Goliath—1 Sam.
CORRECTION IN OCTOBER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
An alert sister has called attention to an error. In Oct. List 2, and in Oct.
Answers No. 37 (Nov. issue), "Ahaziah" is wrong. It should be "Jehoram"
as husband of Athaliah. Please correct your copies so they will not be
misleading to any later readers.
1973 Berean 35
The Work of the Third Angel
BY BROTHER JOHN THOMAS
"And a Third Angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If anyone
worship the Beast and his Image, and receive a Sign upon his forehead, and
upon his hand; he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of the Deity which
hath been prepared without mixture in the cup of His indignation. And he
shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the Holy
Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.
"And the smoke of their torment ascendeth until the aeons of the aeons: and
they have no respite day and night, who worship the Beast and his Image,
and whosoever receiveth the Sign of his name"—Rv. 14:9-11.
"AND a 3rd Angel followed them": that is, the 2 Angels treated of
in vs. 6-8. His following them indicates that Babylon, the Great City,
has fallen BEFORE the 3rd Angel Power proceeds to finish the
plagues of the last stage of the "Hour of Judgment.''
In other words, the terrible overthrow predicted in Rev. 18 will be
complete. Rome will be where Sodom and Gomorrah are, and for a
like reason—because of the filthy conversation and unlawful deeds
of the spirituals of wickedness in the heavenlies, who are reserved
unto a Day of Judgment to be punished (2 Pt. 2:6-9).
There will then be no "Name of Blasphemy" or Papal Dynasty
enthroned upon the 7 Heads, or mountains. Popes, cardinals,
bishops, priests and deacons; St. Peter's, basilicas, churches and
monastic "dens of foul spirits and all unclean and hateful birds";
with all the "dainty and goodly things lusted after" by the beastly
soul of the Drunken Harlot of the earth—all these abominations will
have departed, and, "as a great millstone cast into the sea," will
have subsided into the volcanic abyss, to "be found no more at all."
This glorious and complete destruction of the temporal and
spiritual Papal Power will have been consummated by the 2nd
Angel which proclaims the fall of Babylon. But something more is
necessary than the destruction of the Papacy to the complete
enlightening of the earth with the glory of the Angel who descends
out of the heaven having great power (Rev. 18:1).
There still remains the "kings of the earth who have committed
fornication and lived deliriously with her," and the "merchants of
the earth" who trade in the dainty and goodly things peculiar to the
bazaars dedicated by them to guardian saints, and which they call
"churches."
These kings and priests survive the Sodom overthrow of the
"Eternal City." They still occupy their position "afar off" in the 10
Streets of the Great City; for AFTER Rome has been "utterly
burned with fire" by the power of the Lord God Who judgeth her,
they are said to stand afar off for fear of her torment, and to bewail
and lament for her—
1973 Berean 3β
"Alas, alas," (they exclaim), "thatgreat city Babylon, that mighty
city! For in one Hour is thy judgment come!" (Rv. 18:4-19).
But the lamentations of her ecclesiastics are the most mournful
and grievous, because the fall of the Papacy by the power of the
Lamb ruins their imposture and thievery throughout the world—
'The merchants (or great men) of the earth, by whose sorceries all
the nations are deceived, shall weep and mourn over her; for no man
buyeth their merchandise any more" (Rev. 18:11, 23).
This class of trafficers in the bodies and souls of men (and the
sympathizers with the Papacy and the "Eternal City" are not the
only class of traffickers in such wares) in the text under consideration, are the men—
". . who worship the Beast and his Image, and receive a Sign in
their forehead, or upon their hand" (Rev. 14:9) . .
—termed in v. 11 the "Sign of his name."
The calamity which befalls their "holy city" evidently fails to
transfer their love and worship to the Lamb Power, or Stone of her
destruction. They "weep and mourn over her," because her fall
ruins their vested interests. Their mourning is not so much their
love of the city and its body ecclesiastic, as of themselves.
"Brother," said one priest to another, "what a profitable thing
this fable of Jesus Christ has been to us!" This is the spirit of the
craft—they weep and mourn, not because they discover that the
Catholic superstition is a bald and wicked humbug, but because they
can no longer utilize it to their own aggrandisement in wealth and
power
"ρΟΓ
n o
n
mQ
buyeth THEIR merchandise and more."
That is the secret of their grief!
A common danger cements the union of the kings and princes of
the late Babylon's dominion. The Drunken Harlot priesthood, the
8th Head of the scarlet-colored Beast, and the 10 Horns—
"Have one mind, and give their power and strength unto the Beast."
—in aid of the common cause. The 8th Head is the Dictator of the
confederacy, styled in Rev. 20:2—
'The Dragon, that Old Serpent, which is the Devil and Satan."
The Harlot Priesthood is the False Prophet of the situation, that
works miracles before the Beast, and deceives them that had
received the Sign of the Beast, and them that worshiped his Image
before it was destroyed by the 2nd Angel judgments (Rev. 19:20).
When "Christian" nations go to war, the clergy are always there
to prophesy success, and to assure the combatants that the "God of
battles," who gives the victory, is on their side. True to their calling
and character, they will be the chaplains of the military establishments of the Beast in the field, and praying to their "God of battles," and prophesying victory from their "sacred desks" and
"altars" over the Israelitish Antichrist!
1973 Berean 37
As usual, they deceive the governments and all who trust them. By
their prophesyings they deceive the worshipers of the Beast, and
harden their hearts for the capture and destruction to be inflicted on
them by the 3rd Angel-power.
The Beast and kings of the goat-nations determine to make war
against the King of the Jews, and to meet his forces in the field. It is
not likely that they will attribute the recent overthrow of the
"Eternal City" to power exerted by his will. They will no doubt
consider it accidental, and but another phenomenon to be added to
the overthrow of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
The terrible catastrophe only inflames their wrath, and causes
them to "make war upon the Lamb." The Napoleons, the Victor
Emanuels, the Francis Josephs, and the Alexanders, of the day,
gather together their armies like swarms of bees, intending to
scatter his troops with the whirlwind of their host (Hab. 3:14)—
"They came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing is as
to devour the poor secretly'* (Hab. 3:14).
They will think to take him by surprise. But the Eternal Father is
on his side; there will therefore be to him no cause of fear. Let the
reader study Psa. 118, which treats of "the Stone which the builders
refused," and he will find the nature of the situation under the 3rd
Angel manifestation—
"All nations compassed me about like bees."
But, as he enquires in v. 6—
"What can man do unto me?*'
These armies will rush like the rushing of mighty waters, but "the
Lamb shall overcome them" (Rev. 17:14).
"They shall be quenched as the fire of thorns; for by the NAME OF
YAHWEH will I destroy them" (Psa. 118:12).
By this Name they are (Isa. 17:13)—
"Rebuked, and chased as the chaff of the mountains before the
wind, and like thistledown before the whirlwind."
By this Name—the "King of kings and Lord of lords"—the Ten
Horns are overcome. They are conquered by the Lamb with 7 Horns
and 7 Eyes, because he is the King almighty, and "they that are with
him are called, and chosen, and faithful." Such disaster as this,
saith the prophet (Isa. 17:14)—
"Is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us"
Thus, in "the Great Day of God Almighty," by the invincible
troops of the King of Israel, is the Beast and the False Prophet polity
'' taken and cast alive into a Lake of Fire.''
1973 Berean 38
This 3rd Angel judgment (which, like the 2nd, belongs to the
plagues of the 7th Vial) slays Daniel's 4th Beast, destroys its body
politic, and gives him to the burning flame (Dan. 7:11). By this
process the Latin Catholic superstition is eradicated from the
kingdoms of Western Europe, which by conquest "become the
kingdoms of Yahweh and of His Christ" (Rev. 11:15).
The 3rd Angel judgments, however, are not expended with this
result. Their smoke continues to ascend "eis aionas aionon"—to
cycles of cycles"—or courses of time which constitutes what is
commonly styled "the Millennium," because it is a period of 1000
years duration.
The smoke of 3rd Angel "torment" continues to ascend to the
establishment of "the economy of the fulness of times" (Eph. 1:10),
by which time there will be no more Latin and Greek Catholics,
Protestants and Moslems to be subdued. This will be a glorious and
blessed consummation of the "War of the Great Day of God
Almighty," in which Israel will have done valiantly (Num. 24:18),
chasing their enemies who fall before them by the sword—5 chasing
100; and 100 of them putting 10,000 to flight (Lev. 26:8).
The purpose of the 2nd and 3rd Angel-judgments is 4-f o l d First, to avenge the blood of the saints and witnesses of Jesus shed
by the spiritual and temporal rulers of the Greco-Latin nations;
Secondly, to render vengeance to the rebellious who refuse to obey
the Gospel announced in the First Angel-proclamation;
Thirdly, to develop the mercy decreed for Yahweh's Land and the
Twelve Tribes of Israel; and
Fourthly, that all adversaries being subdued, the surviving
population of the earth may rejoice as the reconciled people of the
Holy One of Israel, in whom, and in his father Abraham, all the
families of the earth are blessed.
This 4-fold purpose is indicated in Deut. 32 in the words—
"To me belongeth vengeance and recompense. Yahweh shall judge
His people, and repent Himself for His servants, when He seeth that
their power is gone.
"See now that I, even I am He (the Promised Seed), and that there
are none of elohim with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I
heal; neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
"For I lift up my hand to the heavens (Rev. 10:5-6) and say, I am
the Living One of the Olahm (or Millennium).
"If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on
judgment, I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and 1 will reward
them that hate me.
"I will make mine arrows (the 10 Tribes) drunk with blood, and my
sword (Judah) shall devour flesh with the blood of the slain, and of
the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy."
Therefore (v. 43)—
"0 YE NATIONS, HIS PEOPLE, cause ye to rejoice; for He will
avenge the blood of His servants, and will render vengeance to His
adversaries, and will be merciful to His Land and to His People."
When these judgments of the 2nd and 3rd Angels are all
exhausted, and the smoke of them consequently ceases to ascend,
mankind will then come to know that—
"There is none like the AIL OF YESHURUN (the Strength of
Israel) riding the heavens in thy help, and with His majesty the
clouds.
1973 Berean 39
"The Elohim of the East (elohai kedem: Rev. 16:12) a Refuge, and
underneath the Powers of Olahm (the Lamb with the 144,000).
"He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee, and shall say,
Destroy! Then Israel shall dwell in safety alone.
"The fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine: also
his heavens shall drop down dew" (Deut. 33:26-28).
Then it may be truly said (v. 29)—
"Happy art thou, Ο Israel! Who is like unto thee, Ο people saved by
Yahweh, the Shield of thy help, and who is the Sword of thine
exaltation! Also thine enemies shall be proved liars to thee, and thou
shalt tread upon their high places."
The "smoke" (Rev. 14:11) which ascends, is the symbol of the
glory and power of Deity in burning operation against the
worshipers of the Beast. In Rev. 15:8 it is styled—
"Smoke from the glory of Deity, and from His power."
In this place, the "temple" is said to be "filled with" this smoke.
The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple (Rev. 21:22).
The smoke is, therefore, His wrath; and while it flames (Rev.
15:8)
«<No o n e is a bf e t 0 enter into tne Nave."
—for the Nave is the Most Holy Heavenly State, in which the
nations hang the trumpet in the hall, and practise war no more.
Second Voyage to Australia
BY BROTHER ROBERT ROBERTS
"Blessed are they that DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they
may have right to the Tree of Life, and enter in
through the gates into the City"—Rev. 22:14
PART TWENTY-SIX
TUES., JULY 12, 1898: FROM PALMERSTON TO WANGANUI
NEXT morning we left for Wanganui—about 3 hours' distance.
We changed carriages at Aramoho—within 3 miles of Wanganui. On
the platform we were met by bro. Taylor, who conveyed us to
Wanganui. It seems strange at first sight that an important town
like Wanganui should be left off the main line, and be accessible
only by a branch. It is due to the situation of the town at the mouth of
a river on the sea, and to the conformation of the land which would
have required a costly bridge to put Whanganui on the main line.
At Wanganui, we were met by sis. Dexter, bro. Mackay, sis.
Comrie, and, I think, one or two others. An ''expressman'' took our
things, and sis. Dexter drove us in her "trap" to the house, about a
mile out on the other side of the river. This they have acquired since
my last visit. Here a cow, and a horse, and 5 acres impose the kind
of activity that, in such fresh air, brings health—of which the whole
family are reaping the benefit. We were soon at home in such genial
Surroundings.
1 9 7 3 Berean 40
In the evening a number of brethren and sisters came together to
tea. After tea, bro. Dexter took the chair, and guided things into
profitable shape by the aid of a program which he had prepared.
Several profitable addresses were delivered, intermixed with the
singing of hymns.
WED., JULY 13: THE WORK OF THE SALVATION ARMY, ETC.
Next night (July 13), a similar meeting was held at bro. Taylor's,
with this difference, that several enquiring strangers were present,
and the occasion was turned into a kind of a Bible Class, at which
bro. Tanfield propounded several questions for their benefit. The
questions principally related to the position of such movements as
the Salvation Army, the George Midler Orphanage, the life of Mr.
Gladstone, etc.—whether or not they might have some relation to
the work of God in the earth.
I replied that God had various classes of servants in the work of
preparing the earth, as a final habitation of glory. This was proved
by the case of Cyrus, who was styled Yahweh's "anointed," though,
as Yahweh said by Isaiah (45:1-4)- «Thou ^st not known Me."
So also was Nebuchadnezzar styled 'My servant' (Jr. 27:6). And so
the Assyrian—
"I will send him against an hypocritical nation . . howbeit he
meaneth not so" (Isa. 10:6-7).
The earth was being prepared by various agencies, as an
inheritance for Christ and the saints. When Christ was on the earth,
it was a forest-covered abode of barbarism, for Greek and Roman
civilizations were only barbarisms, when judged by the light of the
divine law. Since that time the earth had been cleared, and *'subdued" in a physical sense. Also in the sense of intellectual and moral
sensibility, great changes had been effected in the populations.
At the present moment we were verging on a new age which,
though it would be inaugurated by judgment, probably required, for
the proper operation of that judgment, the predisposing influences
associated with the movement to which reference had been made.
The Salvation Army was doing gutter-clearing work; other agencies
were ameliorating the natural harshness of the carnal mind. But
we need not be careful to assign the place or assess the value of such
agencies. We could not do it accurately, and we might make
dangerous m i s t a k e s -
(<The Lord
seeth
not as man
seeth,,
Our aim should be to ascertain the Lord's will, as bearing upon
OURSELVES, and leave all outside questions to His settlement.
The danger was that in trying to see a divine work in that which is
merely human but regulated divinely, we might weaken the
obligation of that which is undoubtedly divine—namely, the Gospel
and institutions of Christ, as apostolically revealed. The great
question was— t,What must w e do to be saved?»
1973 Berean 41
The question was not likely to be helped by the study of
movements among men—however striking. We must never forget
that, as regards eternal life, nothing is acceptable to God but God's
Own requirements. Jesus had informed us that "in that day" many
would vainly come to him claiming favorable consideration on the
ground that they had preached in his name, and done many wonderful works.
FRI.-SUN., JULY 15-17: T W O LECTURES IN THE THEATRE
On Friday there was a lecture in the theatre, at which there was a
fair audience; and again on Sunday evening at the same place.
Lengthy notices appeared in the papers, supplied by bro.Mackay.
MON., JULY 18: TO HAWERA: THE JENKINS: A LECTURE
We took leave of the brethren with regret on Monday, July 18, and
went forward to Hawera, where it had been arranged one lecture
should be given. Bro. & sis. Jenkins have been for some years
located in this place—a township of considerable size and importance (population perhaps 4,000 or 5,000).
They have been known as inscrutable people, whose inscrutability, it was thought, was probably due to mental
derangement, instead (as the fact is) of mental arrangement. They
were desirous that their true position should be exhibited to their
neighbors, in connection with an invitation to such neighbors to
share such a blessed position, for—
"Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have
right to the Tree of Life, and enter in through the gates into the City."
The subject chosen was: "The Clergy All Wrong About the
Gospel, Both as to Its Nature and Indispensability to Salvation."
The place was the theatre. The audience was large. The chair was
occupied by bro. Jenkins. I had a close hearing for an hour-and-ahalf, after which a preacher rose and repudiated the allegations that
had been made. He did nothing more than assert, and you cannot
answer assertions except by counter-assertions—in which there is
no profit.
The only attempt at argument was the citation of 1 Cor. 15:1-3, in
proof of the death of Christ being the Gospel.
I pointed out, in reply, that the death of Christ was only part of the
Gospel, that it must first be known who Christ was, before his death
could be understood, and that no man could know what it was to be
the Christ or Anointed, who did not know the things concerning the
Kingdom of God in which the Christship had its essence.
The interruption caused a little stir. I said that it was impossible
that the question could be properly argued in a few minutes at the
close of a lecture, but that if the gentleman was desirous of a proper
argument, I should not be unwilling, on another occasion, to meet
him in a properly organized debate.
1973 Berean 42
It seems, from what bro. Jenkins afterwards reported, that a very
favorable impression was produced. He reports a call for literature,
and says he could profitably use what spare literature brethren may
have beside them. "Mr. Jenkins, furniture-maker, Hawera,
Tarranaki, N.Z.," will find him.
TUES.-THURS., JULY 19-21: TO STRATFORD: SIS. BAERNACKI
Next day we went forward to Stratford, under the shadow of Mt.
Egmont, 20 miles distant, accompanied by bro. Nash, who had come
from Stratford; and also by sis. Jenkins and her children, who intended spending the time there during our presence.
Stratford is the place where the ecclesia, for several years,
consisted of 3 sisters only, meeting regularly in the house of sis.
Blair. They have now been reinforced by 3 brethren, and one or two
additional sisters—namely, bro. Nash and his wife; bro. Gold, from
Hastings; a bro. Steward and his wife; and lastly, by a sis. Baernacki (pronounced Baernatzki—Polish 'c* having the sound of *tz').
The case of the last has special features of interest. She is the
(Scotch) wife of a Polish refugee, who fled to England, from
political trouble, 40 years ago. Her husband obtained a high position
in the Indian Civil Service, and, after a lengthened service in India,
was pensioned off, and came to live in N.Z.
Mrs. Baernacki was always of an enquiring turn of mind in
religious matters. Her position in India brought the clergy about a
good deal, and in her position as hostess, she used to put questions to
them, which they could not ignore. She now says that, without exception, they were unable to deal with her questions, and confessed
their own ignorance, and pooh-poohed the matter as of no importance. They all told her not to trouble herself.
She told them it
was extraordinary that they should tell her to take no trouble about
matters that were of the very first importance, unless they were all
hypocrites in professing to be the servants of God.
1973 Berean 43
She got no satisfaction till she came to New Zealand, where she
was brought into contact with the brethren at Wellington, through
her son. She now finds great satisfaction in the perfect understanding of the Scriptures that the Truth has brought her.
If she could have the company of her husband and sons in the
matter, her joy would be full. Perhaps God will grant this great
favor. I had some conversations with them. Their difficulties are
those created by false systems of religion. Mr. Baernacki said the
clergy told him he must have faith. But how was he to get faith?
GET THE FACTS, THEN FAITH WILL COME
I told him to get FACTS, and faith would soon come, for faith was
the confidence produced by facts. The case for revelation rested in
facts that could not be disposed of. A man might be ignorant of the
facts, and therefore unaffected by them. But the facts were there,
and—when known—produced their effect by the inevitable law of
conviction.
While at Stratford, we were accommodated at a private boarding
house, in the absence of convenience among the brethren. This
arrangement worked very well. It tends to health, and efficiency of
work, to be at perfect ease privately, and under no necessity to talk
at meals. The brethren sometimes do not understand (and cannot
without experience understand) that the incessant consumption of
nervous energy, in speaking and writing, renders it necessary that
the domestic intervals should be in perfect repose, so far as talk is
concerned. It is the very highest kindness they can bestow, to leave
us alone at such times. They cannot think so perhaps, but it is true.
Of course, it is nothing but the weakness of this mortal nature, but
facts are facts.
The Stratford brethren acted on this principle in providing us
apartments in the house of a stranger. They conferred a great
benefit, for which we were duly grateful. We know it cannot always
be as we would wish, and when it so happens we resign ourselves.
But as Paul says, "If thou mayest be free, use it rather"; so we do.
2 LECTURES & A TEA MEETING: "ONLY BELI EVE"—BUT WHAT?
There were 2 lectures and a tea meeting during our stay at
Stratford. The lectures were well attended. Bro. Gold presided, and
bro. Nash read the Scriptures. There was a little interruption the
second night, by a Plymouth Brother, who contended, at the close,
that it was enough to simply believe in the Lord Jesus, as Paul told
the Philippian jailor.
I asked him if Paul did not mean, Believe the Truth concerning
the Lord Jesus?
He answered that Paul said nothing about believing the Truth
concerning the Lord Jesus—it was, believe in him.
But how, said I, could a man believe in the Lord Jesus, who did not
know who the Lord Jesus was?
He thought that was quibbling.
Nay, my friend, said I, be reasonable. Would you not say that a
man must believe in the Lord's crucifixion? Yet Paul said nothing
about that just then. Must he not believe in the Lord's resurrection,
about which Paul said nothing just then, though he said elsewhere
that a man must with his heart believe that God raised Christ from
the dead, in order to be saved (Rom. 10:9).
1973 Berean 44
Our friend did not like the squeeze of reason, so he walked out of
the meeting, muttering that it was all a pack of lies, and that he
should afterwards show it.
FRI., JULY 22: TO NEW PLYMOUTH: THE BURDENS OF TRAVEL
We left Stratford for New Plymouth on Friday, July 22. At New
Plymouth we were to catch the steamer for Auckland, sailing at 9:35
p.m. The proper train to catch the steamer was several hours after
the train we selected. There was advantage in the proper train,
inasmuch as it would give us more time at Stratford, and run us
right down to the steamboat side at the break-water, whereas other
trains stopped short at New Plymouth proper, landing us 3 miles
away from the waterside.
But "per contra," we should arrive in the dark in a bustling
crowd, and it would not be easy to look after our things. We
preferred to have time and deliberation and quietness, as most
people do when they get to the declining side of life. So we took the 3
o'clock train, in which we found there were disadvantages.
It was not only that we had to hire a special conveyance for the 3
miles down to the break-water, but when we got there, we found the
cab could only get as far as the shore end of the pier, and we had to
carry, and have carried, our things along the whole length of the
break-water in the dark, in the teeth of high winds and rain, amidst
waggons and intersected railway tracks, before we could get to the
steamer. It was a stiff half-hour's work. I first saw sis. Roberts on
board, and then returned with a steward to the heap of things, which
in 2 journeys we carried on board.
Once there, it was bliss, with no friends to talk and kindle up to.
(Poor human weakness. It will be different on the happy morn. The
multitude of the redeemed will not want to get away from one
another then).
At 9:35 ρ .m. the rest of the passengers came bundling aboard, and
the steamer instantly sailed out into the darkness and tempest.
SAT., JULY23: BYSHIPTO AUCKLAND: WITH THE TANFIELDS
We had a rough night, but it was soon gone, and at 10 o'clock next
morning we were sailing in the sunshine into the quiet sheet of
water, that forms the land-locked harbor of Onehunga (pronounced
Oney-hung-ha), the port for Auckland on the west side. Mooring at
the wharf, we were soon among friends. Bro. Tanfield was there,
and sisters Walker and Leitch, and I think one or two others. The
train for Auckland (about 8 miles distant) came alongside, and
whisked us away to the beautiful city, which vies with Sydney and
Hobart, as having the most beautiful harbor in the colonies.
We were to be bro. Tanfield's guests, who lives on the Devonport
side of the harbor, so we had to get into a steam ferryboat for a sail
of about 2V2 miles, which was done in 15 or 20 minutes. Landed on
the other side, we were soon under bro. Tanfield's godly roof, where
we made the pleasant acquaintance of his wife, who is also in the
Faith, and the intelligent and hearty abettor of all her husband's
ways in the Truth. We were also pleased to become acquainted with
their large and interesting family, of whom there is hope that they
also will embrace the hope of Israel.
erean 45
1973 B
SUN., JULY 24: MEETINGS AT AUCKLAND
Next day (Sunday), we crossed in the morning to the breaking of
bread, and remained over for the day, under sis. Walker's lively
roof. In the evening there was a lecture on 'The Resurrection of
Christ/' There was a large audience, in spite of the driving rain.
The meeting was near a large new chapel that has been built by
the Conditional Immortalists—a somewhat numerous body of
people, who have discarded the grosser features of sectarian
darkness, but who refuse submission to the claims of the Truth in
the fulness of its harmonious doctrines, and practical obligations.
They considered the Truth "narrow"—which Jesus said it was.
They prefer liberty and numbers. This is convenient for the time,
but "What will ye do in the end thereof?" They are tainted with
partial inspiration. This will rot them away to nothing at last.
The Truth has had many difficulties to encounter in Auckland, but
there is every appearance of better times in store. Bro & sis. Tanfield are great acquisitions, and there are buddings of fruit in other
directions.
In the Image of God Made He Him
"Men are made after the similitude of God"—James 3:9
"Man is the image and glory of God"—1 Cor, 11:7
PART TWO
THE LITERAL FOUNDATION OF SCRIPTURE
THERE is undoubtedly much
more to the general subject of
the 'image of God' than just
bodily form. The whole Bible is
built on this plan—
"First that which is natural, afterwards that which
is spiritual."
The solid literal foundation
in each case is firmly laid, and
then the beauties of type, lesson
or symbol are developed from
it. But Christendom sweeps
away the literal basis entirely
and gives everything a "spiritual" interpretation.
There is jnuch in the Bible
about Israel, Jerusalem, temple,
city, etc., that is figurative and
spiritual. Christendom uses this
to break down the literal foundation upon which these spiritual truths are built. To them,
there is nothing literal in all
the promises about Israel, Jeru-
salem, the land, etc. All, however obviously factual and literal, must be "spiritualized."
The word "body" is another
excellent example of this treatment. Unquestionably there is
much secondary or figurative
use of this word, but it is all
based on the solid literal foundation. When we read that he
"shall change our vile body
(soma) that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body
(soma)" we know that it is
strictly literal—the basic foundation of our hope of eternal
life through glorification of the
literal body.
And when we read "For the
edifying of the body (soma) of
Christ," and "We are members
of his body (soma)," while we
fully understand this does not
mean a literal physical body,
still we do not feel compelled
1973 Berean
46
to set the one against the other
and conclude that the literal
meaning must be false.
The real, simple, literal frameivork of the Bible is our anchor.
Certain statements are demon-
strably literal. We need all of
the literal scriptural foundation
to combat the immaterial soul
theories of Christendom, which
merely brushes aside all literal
statements that do not fit its
views.
ACCEPTING JUST WHAT GOD HAS SAID
WHAT then is the literal
foundation that we are given
concerning man being made in
the image of God? It is not a
matter of what we think it
should mean, or of developing
an idea that we feel to be "conceivable." ANY conception of
God is "inconceivable."
It is just as difficult, yea,
more difficult, to conceive of
Him without a body than with
one—just as difficult and more
so to conceive of Him with any
other form than one like our
own.
It is just as impossible for us
to adequately conceive of space
as endless as it is to think of it.
with an end (for what is beyond?). Our minds are not constructed to grasp these things,
and to speculate is folly.
We must—as carefully as we
can—try to determine just what
God has told us, and hold firmly to that. That is our salvation.
Exactly what He has told us—
thereby we may, in His mercy,
save ourselves from the pitfalls
that have befallen all who have
permitted their minds to speculate and wander from the narrow beam of directly revealed
truth.
When we have established the
literal foundation, and fixed it
immovably in our minds, then
we can profitably examine the
secondary meanings and lessons that are developed from it
in Scripture.
As regards the soul, hell,
death, satan, Israel, Jerusalem,
temple, land, city, h e a v e n ,
earth, etc., the Old Testament
lays the solid foundation of literal reality. Upon this established reality the New Testament builds. C h r i s t e n d o m
throws the Old away—the book
of definitions—and is therefore
free to make what it likes of
the New.
1973 Berean
TSELEM
THE word "image" in question in Gen. 1:26-7 is tselem in
the original Hebrew. This word
occurs 34 times. Of these 34
occurrences—
In 4 places it is used in connection with the making of man
in God's image—Gen. 1:26, 27;
9:6.
In 27 places it is obvious and
inescapable f r o m the direct
context that the meaning is
actual, literal form, shape and
appearance.
In the 3 remaining places the
meaning is not fixed by the context. (One of these 3 concerns
Seth being in the "image" of
Adam—we believe the simple,
natural meaning is obvious but
not absolutely conclusive.)
The f o l l o w i n g are all the
o c c u r r e n c e s of this word
tselem—
The four references to the 'image of God'—
Gen. 1:26—"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after
our likeness."
Gen. 1:27 (twice)—"So God created man in his own image, in
the image of God created he him."
Gen. 9:6—"For in the image of God made he man."
47
The 27 times where the meaning is clear and unmistakable —
Num. 33:52—"Destroy all their molten images."
1 Sam. 6:5—"Ye shall make images of your emerods and images
of your mice."
1 Sam. 6:11—"The images of their emerods."
2 Kings 11:18—"And his images broke they in pieces."
2 Chron. 23:17—"And brake his images in pieces."
Eze. 7:20—"They made the images of their abominations and
their detestible things."
Eze. 16:17—"Madest to thyself images of men."
Eze. 23:14—"Images of the Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion."
Amos 5:26—"Moloch and Chiun your images."
Daniel, chaps. 2 & 3—Sixteen occurrences 'the great image/
the image's head,' 'smote the image upon his feet,' 'an image of
χ old.' 'the golden image.'
Dan. 3:19—"And the form (tselem) of his visage was changed"
the visible appearance.
The 3 remaining times where the meaning is not definitely fixed by
the context —
Gen. 5:3—"Adam begat a son in his own likeness, after his
image."
Psa. 39-6—"Man walketh in a vain show (tselem)." Some translate this, "Although every man walketh in the image (of God),
yet . . ."
Psa. 73-20—"O Lord, when Thou wakest, Thou shalt despise
their image."
In every place w h e r e the
This last is illustrated by
meaning of this word tselem is
many passages, such as these:
fixed by the context, it inescapIsa. 41:23 (God speaking to
ably refers to literal form.
the idols) — "Show the things
SO WHEN GOD USES THIS
that are to come hereafter, that
WORD AND SAYS THAT MAN
we may know that ye are gods
IS MADE IN HIS IMAGE, WE
. . Behold, ye are of nothing,
BELIEVE THERE CANNOT
and your work of nought. An
BE ANY DOUBT AS TO WHAT
abomination is he that chooseth
HE MEANS US TO UNDERyou."
STAND BY IT.
Jer. 2:28 — "Where are the
To suggest that this word as
gods that thou hast made thee?
used here means something enLet them arise, if they can save
tirely different from its real
thee."
meaning and the way it is used
Eze. 6:4-7 — "Your images
everywhere else is surely unshall be broken . . and ye shall
reasonable and w r ο η g, and
know that I am the Lord."
would open a way whereby all
* * *
the literal framework of the
So we see that in 27 cases
Bible could be nullified.
'tselem' conclusively means a
For any who will treat the
literal, visible, outward form.
Scriptures fairly and loithout
and in the remaining three
previous bias, really seeking the
cases where the meaning canmeaning intended. Gen. 1:26 can
not be proven from the context,
convey but one simple, clear
this same meaning is the simmeaning.
1973 Berean 48
plest and most reasonable one
Free from theological specuto infer.
lotion about immortal souls and
the body not being the real man,
this is the conclusion all sound
brethren have come to in the
past as they have read this
revelation from God.
WHOLE SUBSEQUENT PICTURE CONFIRMS THIS
THE whole subsequent picture as given in the Scriptures
clearly confirms and agrees
with this fitting and beautiful
and inspiring and ennobling
literal foundation of our kinship with the Father—"In the
image of God created He man."
This is necessitated by the revealed fact that—for those who
are faithful—this mortal body
is to be changed to glorious
eternal spirit substance "even
like unto Christ's glorious body"
which is so described after his
resurrection. (Christendom has
lost this anchor of reality -—
bodies are quite incidental to
their creed.)
Jesus Christ—a g l o r i o u s
spiritual body—now sits at the
right hand of God, his Father.
To that divine family we hope
to be eternally joined, each with
his body changed to glorious,
incorruptible
spirit substance,
sons of our Father in heaven.
This conception of God as the
Father and glorious Archetype
of all His children is woven
throughout the Bible. It lies at
the root of, and gives meaning
to, all the "manifestations of
God" right down to that greatest and fullest manifestation—
" a Son."
1973 Berean
49
TEMUNAH
same word as used in Deut.
IN Num. 12:8 God says—
4:12, "Ye heard the voice . . .
"With him (Moses) will ί
but SAW no similitude." (This
speak mouth to mouth . . .
latter verse has been used in
and the similitude of the Lord
the arguments for the views we
(Heb: Yahweh) shall he be
are combatting.)
hold."
This word occurs ten times
This word "similitude" is
in all, as follows:—
temunah a n d is e x a c t l y the
Num. 12:8—"The similitude of the Lord (Yahweh) shall he
behold."
Exod. 20:4—"Thou shalt not make any graven image or any
likeness of anything.'*
Deut. 4:15—"Ye saw no manner of similitude."
Deut. 4:16—"The similitude of any figure, the likeness of male
or female."
Deut. 4:23—"Graven image, or the likeness of any thing" (Same
in verse 25).
Deut. 5:3—"Graven image, or the likeness of any thing."
Job 4:16—"An image was before mine eyes."
Psa. 17:15—"I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall
be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness" (RV: 'with beholding
Thy form.')
It will be observed that in
in the other two places (Num.
every occurrence but the first
12:8 and Psa. 17:15) where the
and the last, the context leaves
similitude of God is referred to,
no possible doubt that actual,
we have any license to give it
outward, visible form or shap r
a different meaning? To arbiis meant. Eight times out of ten
trarily say that temunah does
not mean visible form in these
the context positively fixes the
2 places in question, when it unmeaning. On w h a t possible
deniably does everywhere e3se,
ground can it be claimed that
is utterly unreasonable.
How can God teach us any
thing, if we are going to treat
words like this? Here again He
is using a word to teach us
something about Himself, and
in every other place in Scripture where He uses that word
He so arranges the context as
to make the meaning inescapable—literal form. He says of
Moses, "The similitude of Yahweh shall he BEHOLD," and a
fulfilment of this promise is described in detail in language
that can leave no doubt as to
its literal meaning—Exo. 33:2023.
ALL REVELATIONS OF GOD POINT JUST ONE WAY
ALL that is revealed on this
subject tends in one direction.
All the 'similitudes of Yahweh'
that have been manifested have
been of just one form. Surely
God is leading our minds to but
one conception. Bearing in mind
the clear meaning of Gen. 1:26,
this consistent presentation all
through Scripture is irresistible
in its import.
As bro. Thomas points out
(Eur. I, p.95-6), "The appearance of the likeness of the glory
of Yahweh*' (Eze. 1:28) which
was "the likeness as the appearance of a MAN" (v.26) is another link in this chain of the
manifestation of the similitude
of Yahweh.
And what else can we reasonably make of Exo. 33:20-23—
"And He (Yahweh, v.17)
said. Thou canst not see My
Face, for there shall not man
see Me and live . . . thou shalt
see My back parts: but My
face shall not be seen."
Surely no words could be
plainer or more specific than
this, if we will accept them in
their simple meaning. Again we
have Exo. 24:10-11—
"And they saw the God of
Israel and there was under
His feet as it were a paved
work of sapphire stone."
All this fits perfectly on
the foundation of Gen. 1:26-7
that God patterned His children
after His own form; which form
—in the faithful—will be perpetuated in the incorruptible
spirit nature like to the glorious
body of Jesus Christ.
We do not desire to analyze
or speculate upon these statements. We do not know how or
to what degree either Moses or
the elders or Israel or Ezekiel
saw God. We do not believe it is
a profitable subject for analysis
or speculation.
We simply desire to extract
from these passages the one
basic revelation in them—the
simple confirmation they give
us concerning the revealed form
of God. God has chosen, in His
wisdom in laying the foundation
of our knowledge, to reveal this.
If He had not, it would be utter
presumption to discuss it or
theorize upon it. But He has
been graciously pleased to make
certain revelations, and this
point we are considering is part
of the knowledge concerning
Himself and ourselves that He
desires us to receive and live
by-"Your BODY is the temple
of the Holy Spirit:'
Ye are shaped for a noble
and exalted destiny—as glorious
SONS of God!
This revealed truth helps to
guard us against the nebulous
vaporizings ο f trinitarianism
and immortal-soulism. It is just
the opposite from what the wisdom of the world has decided
that God should and must be.
For the pitifully limited natural
human mind to formulate conceptions of what is or is not
"fitting" as regards the Nature
and Person of God is the sheerest folly. Wisdom will simply
accept what God has revealed.
1 COR. 11:7and JAMES 3:9
1973 Berean
1 Cor. 11:7—"Man is the image and glory of God."
50
James 3:9—"Men, which are made after the similitude of God."
These both clearly refer to
discernment.
Gen. 1:26-7, and speak of a natTo say that it means "dominural condition applying to all
ion" is very strained, for both
men indiscriminately. It is clear
Genesis and James describe
from the first reference that it
mankind as "created," "made,"
is something the man alone has
in the image of God, clearly rein the primary sense and NOT
ferring to some inherent factor
THE WOMAN.
of the actual thing made, part of
To say that it means "spiritual
the actual making or forming,
discernment" is obviously un- and not something externally
sound because Paul and James
bestowed upon him, as dominspeak of it as something still
ion. This "dominion" interpretaapplying to all men in their
tion also, of couse, ignores the
day. And by this line of argumeaning of image in Gen. 1:26
ment, I Cor. 11-7 would indias we have shown it to be.
cate that sisters had no spiritual (Continued next month, if the Lord wlfl)
Praise the Lord, Ο My Soul!
"While I live will I praise the Lord: I will singpraises unto
my God while I have any being!"—Psalm 146:2
PSALMS 146 TO 150
THE Psalms is one of the most beautiful and majestic books of all
Scripture. These words cover every aspect of the Truth—from the
highest conception of Yahweh as Creator and Sustainer of all—to
prophecy—to things of Christ—to the great plan of man's redemption ; and to illustrate that perfect faith, confidence and oneness that
man can attain with God.
The Hebrew name of the book of Psalms is Tehillim, meaning
Praise. This is the basic theme of the whole book. We are exhorted
over and over again to praise God. Psa. 147:1—
"Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for
it is pleasant; and praise is comely."
Psa. 95:2-3—"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,
and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.
"For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."
P s a l m 50:23 gives us the personal application—
1973 Berean
si
"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me: and to him that ordereth his
conversation aright will I show the Salvation of God."
To praise God is to glorify Him. Praise should come from the
innermost part of our being, and not just from the lips. God's whole
plan and purpose in Creation is that ultimately His Name might be
glorified. The final completion will come when—
"The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord."
We all often speak and pray about God's glory filling the earth.
This is what we all SAY we look and long for. If this IS our innermost
desire, then our walk and conduct in the Truth will show it. We will
glorify God in every way, in all circumstances. We will read and
study and learn more of His glorious truths. Our every action, our
whole lives, will be dedicated to glorifying God. Anyone who is not
doing all they can from the heart, will not be "shown the Salvation
of God" in the form of eternal life.
It is not enough to just KNOW God's will. Today, with so many
books available on the Truth, it could easily be conceived that
knowledge is the principal thing. But it is not. The will of God not
only must be known, but DONE. It must be engraved on the mind,
and issue from the heart in deep longing for God and His ways. Thru
this means, we will find our highest joy in obedience. David said—
"I delight to do Thy will, Ο my God, yea, Thy Law is within my heart/'
This is the only way and true basis of obedience. It is the only way
we can keep the commands of God. If our heart and mind are
blended in conformity with God's will, our delight will be in doing
His service. The words of inspiration pondered in the heart, will be
as a stream flowing from the fountain of life. As David says (Ps.36:9):
"With Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light we shall see light.'*
There are many beautiful thoughts and exhortations that can be
extracted from the Psalms if we allow ourselves to see and use
them. The words were written and recorded that we might profit
from them and become obedient to God's ways, purified and
beautified in our lives and characters. Obedience is the best
sacrifice we can offer in our hope for mercy.
"Behold the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them
that hope in His mercy."
By fearing or reverencing Him, David says, God will look down
upon us and extend His mercy. This is the only course we can follow
if we wish His mercy to rest upon us. The natural mind will not tell
us this, and if we heed it, we will wander out of the way of understanding. By heeding things spiritual and developing the
spiritual mind, we will not wander. This book of praise, if we lovingly
obey its words, will be a light before our eyes. It can truly be said
that everyone will find in the Psalms words that will suit every
occasion in their walk to the Kingdom.
The last 5 Psalms are truly Psalms of Praise to God. Each begins:
"PRAISE YE THE LORD"
—and ends the same way. The Psalmist is deeply moved to praise
God in thankfulness for all things. He is determined, while he lives,
to constantly praise the Creator and extol His Name—
1973 Berean 52
"Praise ye the Lord! Praise the Lord, Ο my soul!"
"While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God
while I have any being" (Psa. 146:1-2).
As the Psalmist says, our lifetime is the time we are given to
praise and serve God. We often sing this in Hymn 142—"Life is the
time to serve the Lord." For in death there is no opportunity (v.4)—
"His breath goeth forth; he returneth to his earth: in that very day
his thoughts perish."
Do we remember this as we arise to face each new day? We
should give thanks for the new opportunity to serve God and praise
Him. We should begin the day with prayer, seeking forgiveness for
all our past sins, with earnest determination to use the day before us
in obedience and service to God. This is the purpose of each new
day, why it is provided. As we use it rightly, it will help us both now
and in the day of judgment.
V.3—"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in
whom there is no help" (margin—salvation).
It is a shortcoming today that people are more and more placing
confidence in their own personal aspirations. But we, as children of
God, must not do so, for we have all sinned and come short of the
glory of God. No human scheme by us, no matter how marvelous it
may seem, will ever help us to attain salvation.
We must place our trust and faith in God alone. God only knows all
our needs, and He is the only One who can provide, if we ask in faith.
Our faith must be in the One God of Jacob, our hope for deliverance
in Him. The more we draw to Him in prayer and reading of His
Word, the more help we receive in the renewal of inner strength, joy
and peace.
V.5—"Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose
hope is in the Lord his God,
"Which made heaven and earth, the sea and all that therein is:
which keepeth truth for ever."
The Psalmist gives the reason why we must not trust in man: he
soon dieth. And he contrasts that with why we should trust in God:
God created the heavens, the earth, the sea and everything in it. If
He has such great power to create and sustain all the universe,
surely we can trust His promise that His Word will not fail, His
Truth will endure forever.
Let us think upon this. Perhaps we should consider more the
unsearchable wisdom and power of Him that hath—
".. stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth."
Astronomers tell us from their observations—
wn Berean 53
"The moon revolves around our earth; the earth,with its associate planets,
revolves around the sun.
"All the infinite host of heaven is grouped into clusters and systems that
revolve, orbit within orbit, and world around world, until a firmament of
millions of suns is balanced by another as great, and all go sweeping
together around some mightier center.
"And so suns, whose light has been millions of years in reaching us, are all
rushing as though driven by hurricanes of infinite power around some
mysterious center."
The vast heavens above us go beyond our mortal comprehension.
Yet we read in Psalm 147:4-5—
"He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.
"Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite."
This introduces the beautiful thought of the Psalmist (Ps. 8:3-4) —
"When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the
stars, which Thou hast ordained;
"What is man that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou
visitest him?"
In consideration of such immense greatness and power, it is only
fitting that we praise Him. He has called us to be a part of His great
purpose of filling the earth with His glory.
The number of stars is used in Scripture to typify a countless
number, like the sand of the sea. The stronger the telescope man
invents, the more stars he can see—and still there is no end. The sun
itself is a star. Being close to the earth, it acts as its source of light
and heat.
Spiritually, stars represent individuals given immortality—
"As one star differeth from another in glory,
so is the resurrection of the dead."
And Daniel was told (12:3)—
"Many that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake . . They that be wise
shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to
righteousness as the stars forever and ever."
At the Creation, the angels are spoken of as "morning stars"
singing together as, at the bidding of God, they brought light and life
to a dead earth. Morning stars are those whose rising heralds the
dawn. Jesus is THE bright and morning Star, the Sun, the ruler of
the heavens.
Ps. 147:8—"Who covereth the heaven with clouds.. "
Clouds, in their natural state, are a dense concentration of water
droplets suspended in air. They oftentimes hold thousands of tons of
moisture necessary for watering the.earth. If clouds are lacking in
any area, then there is no rain, and all things wither. We see that
this is so from many dry climates where the earth is a desert. There
must be clouds and rain for life. Elihu asked Job (37:16)—
"Dost thou know the balancing of the clouds? The wondrous works of Him
Who is perfect in knowledge?"
We should ask ourselves this same question, and draw from it
spiritual thoughts. Clouds are used in a spiritual sense as the
medium of God's manifestation and operations. At the transfiguration of Jesus (the manifestation of the glory of his kingdom)
a bright cloud overshadowed.
1973 Berean 54
When he was taken into heaven a cloud received him.
It is promised he will come "in the clouds of heaven." These
clouds are the clouds of saints—the cloud of immortal ones, drawn
up by the Sun of Righteousness, changed into Spirit nature, ready to
pour out the judgments of God.
When we let our minds dwell upon God's Creation and its spiritual
significance as revealed, we find much promise and beauty in God's
presence manifested in the clouds. Continuing Ps. 147:8—
" . . who prepareth rain for the earth."
As God blesses the earth with rain, so He blesses us with His Word:
"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven . . watereth the
earth and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower
and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be** (Is. 55:10).
And Deut. 32:1-2—
"Give ear, Ο ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, Ο earth the words of
My mouth.
"My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as
the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass. **
The rain from heaven is the Word of God, the Water of Life. Just
as the rain makes the grass to grow, so God's Word brings forth
fruit. It is recorded that God showers the rain on the just and the
unjust. All have it, but only a few really know its benefit. It is a
necessity to life, for without it all things would wither and die. So it
is with us, in relation to God's words. They are as a shower and we
have the opportunity of drinking heavily from them. Psa. 147:9-10—
"He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
"He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: He taketh not
pleasure in the legs of a man.*'
The whole animal creation is seen and cared for by God. Not a
sparrow falls to the ground without Him knowing it. It is God that
gives all creatures strength. Therefore God is not pleased that men
should be proud and boastful of their physical power. He delights not
in the horse's proud and haughty way (in that he is powerful), or in
the pride of man because of human strength.God is pleased when
man acknowledges that all he is and has, is from God, and thus
holds his Creator and Provider in fear and reverence. Psa. 147:16—
"He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.**
Again, these verses emphasize God's power and control of the
elements. Having considered rain, clouds and stars, let us now
consider briefly the snow. Snow affords much evidence of God's love
of beauty and order. Each flake is perfectly made, and there are
never two exactly alike. God teaches Job by asking— 1973 Berean 55
"Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?*'
There is comfort and peace in thinking on these things. Our God is
great and glorious. Goodness, beauty and joy are the eternal pattern
of all His works. All things that mar that beauty and joy are but
passing shadows that will be swept away when their brief purpose is
accomplished.
Snow represents purity and the pure whiteness of those who would
be in harmony with God. Each snowflake is a separate and individual and beautifully intricate design: yet altogether they are
one glorious, pure, white unity. So are the Redeemed: each one a
beautiful individual character of marvelous design, but all are part
of a vast, shining, Sun-lit, holy unity in God.
Psalm 148:1-6 speaks further of God's creation: the heavens, the
stars, the clouds, etc. Then in v. 7 is the command—
"Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons and all deeps:"
As we read in Psa. 146:6—
".. the sea and all that therein is."
After looking at God's wonders in the heavens above, our attention is turned to the earth, to the deep places, and to the sea and
all that is therein. So in Psa. 95:4-5—
"In His hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the
hills is His also.
The sea is His and He made it, and His hands
formed the dry land."
Why should the "deep places" of the earth be mentioned more
than the flat or wide open places? There seems to be a reason. If
there is any time when we are able to feel our own absolute insignificance, it is when we have to do with the deep places of the
earth. Standing on a cliff, or on mountain edges, looking over the
mighty crags into the depths below, where ships and great rocks are
like small specks, we powerfully feel how great is He and how entirely and implicitly we are in His Hand.
So also with the strength of the hills. Psalm 148:9 calls on the
mountains and all hills for praise. The great mountains overwhelm
us with God's stupendous power. His greatness is unsearchable. It is
staggering to our poor capacities. We can but recognize it, and yield
the feeble attribute of praise and thankfulness.
1973 Berean se
To many, thoughts as these are called weak and "soft." True this
may be, but it is the way we must be. Softness is the opposite to
hardness, and hardness is the quality we are divinely warned
against. It is natural to be self-assertive and hard-hearted, but it is
wrong in God's sight. May we further develop within ourselves a
softer and gentler and more loving attitude. Psa. 148:8—
"Fire, and hail; snow, and vapors; stormy wind fulfilling His Word."
Fire and hail represent the righteous judgments of God against
the unrighteous and disobedient. It is good we remember both the
goodness and severity of God. God is love, but He is also a con-
suming fire to the wicked. We cannot presume upon His mercy and
go our way. We must strive always to be obedient and to seek
forgiveness of our shortcomings after we have tried our hardest to
obey. For after we have done all, we are still unprofitable servants
and must seek the Father's mercy and love.
"Stormy wind, FULFILLING HIS WORD."
The same word is used in Scripture for both "wind" and "spirit."
All is of God. The wind both literal and spiritual plays an important
part in fulfilling God's will and accomplishing His purpose. As the
wind is in the natural heavens, so is the Spirit in the spiritual
heavens. The wind is a mighty, unseen power of God, ranging from
the gentle, refreshing breeze to the terrible, destructive hurricane
and tornado.
The basic power behind natural wind is the sun: so the power
behind the Spirit is God. God is the Center, Source and Basis of all.
Ps. 149:1-3—
"Praise ye the Lord! Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise
in the congregation of saints.
"Let Israel rejoice in Him that made him; let the children of Zion
be joyful in their King.
"Let them praise His Name in the dance: let them sing praises unto
Him with the timbrel and harp.'*
David here invites the Children of Israel to rejoice as he reigns
over God's Kingdom in Jerusalem. But it has a higher application to
the Messiah of whom it is written—
"My praise shall be to thee in the great congregation.**
The world has not yet seen this great sight when Christ gives the
signal for an outburst of praise such as never heard on earth.
Psa. 149:4—"For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people: He will
beautify the meek with salvation.**
God is pleased with the meek, those poor in spirit, who in their
lifetime gave glory to Him. In the acknowledgement of God's
greatness, we are humbled, made meek. There is no room for pride
of the flesh. Meekness is patience, calm, gentle, humble; not
aggressive or self-assertive. It is cheerfully putting up with wrong
and present disadvantages for the sake of eternal good. Meekness is
self-control. It is crucifying the lusts of the flesh and learning the
spirit of Christ (who was meek and lowly of heart).
1973 Berean 57
Psa. 149:5-9—"Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing
aloud upon their beds!
"Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged
sword in their hand.
"To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon
the people;
"To bind their kings with chains, their nobles with fetters of iron;
"To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all
His saints. Praise ye the Lord!"
The honor of saints is to execute judgments on the nations. They
will go against the Russian Gog and the Roman Harlot, putting
down all wickedness and setting up God's Kingdom in Jerusalem
with Christ as their King. With such promises, with such a glorious
hope, such a high calling, let us "Praise the Lord!"
Psalm 150 is summed up in verse &—
"Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord."
Wisdom calls our attention to the lessons found in the Tehillim. We
are shown the unescapable conclusion that hope, joy and praise are
appropriate among the company of saints—God's Elect. Therefore
let us, as described in Psalm 147:7—
"Sing praises WITH UNDERSTANDING."
This is the whole spirit of the Psalms. The Psalms speak certainly
upon every phase of the divine purpose and human welfare. They
turn every aspect into praise and glorification of God. To worship in
holiness and to praise with understanding is the highest destiny and
joy we can attain to. We have the supreme example, at the heart of
many psalms, in the one we are to remember this morning, Christ
"In the volume of the book it is written of me,
I DELIGHT TO DO THY WILL, Ο GOD!"
May we faithfully remember these words, and may we ever delight
ourselves in doing God's will.
—D.C.
Current Events Fulfilling Prophecy
"Out of the heartproceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, blasphemies"—Matt. 15:19
HOW THE MORMONS GROW. With 16,000 young missionaries at work
around world, Mormon Church one of most aggressively evangelistic in
world. All young men & women expected to put in 2 yrs. as missionaries at
own expense. Church has grown from 1 million to 3 million in 12 years.
Mormons spent $18 million on welfare in 7 1 ; $8 million was raised by
monthly fast days in which price of missed meals is given to poor. Welfare
recipients must work in Mormon welfare industries if able-bodied.
Blacks of African ancestry cannot enter "priesthood," the full-fledged
membership to which all other adult Mormon males are entitled. US Blacks
have been assured they'll some day be given right to be Mormon priests.
Prophet Harold Lee, the "Revelator" (head of Church) could theoretically
receive word from God any time. (Tm 10:23)
1973 Berean 58
NOTE: There are"great and humbling lessons to be learned from the
diligence of the children of this world. How does OUR zeal and labor for the
REAL, glorious, divine Truth compare with the dedication these people give
to promoting their teachings? Do we expect any reward if we do less? God
reasonably demands ALL our heart, mind, and strength in His service—
making everything else utterly unimportant and secondary. Anything less is
belittling the greatness of His love and promised blessing to the faithful.
KING OF NORTH MOVING INTO POSITION. Since its ouster from
Egypt, Russia placing its bets elsewhere in Mideast. They've just mounted a
spectacular 5-day, 2000-ton airlift of military supplies to Syria, & are giving
greater attention to Iraq.
For first time, Russia recently lined up 4-square behind Palestine
guerrillas. In past fews weeks, guerrilla leaders have been in Moscow, &
Russia has let it be known they're giving them arms.
Russia's complex Mideast policy part of even larger geopolitical strategy.
Moscow's original move into Egypt was to secure a strategic foothold in
Mediterranean & outflank NATO on Europe's south front. The plan has been
eminently successful. Russia has compelled world to recognize realities of
her global power status.
Now she's moving into new policy phase. Having established themselves
in Mediterranean, they're putting pressure on Turkey & expanding their role
in oil-rich Persian Gulf.
Sadat's hasty expulsion may work to Moscow's advantage. They still have
naval facilities in Egyptian ports, & now run less risk in being dragged by
Egypt into confrontation with US. Egypt has become a relatively minor
factor to them. (Nwk 10:23)
NOTE: It is interesting that an apparent setback to Russia may actually
be to her advantage. Certainly its effect is to bring her much more into line
with where she belongs. Syria is the ancient "King of the North/' where
Russia must be to fulfil that role in the latter days. And Iraq is the ancient
Assyria, the fierce enemy and destroyer of God's People of whom Russia is
the latterday counterpart. "This man—the Bethlehem-born Mighty One—
shall be the peace when the Assyrian shall come into our land" (Mic. 5:2-5).
WORLD'S BIGGEST BUSINESS DEAL-now being discussed by US &
Russia: plan to bring 3 to 4 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day from
Russia to US. Up to $10 billion involved. Pipe 56" in diameter would be laid
across 4000 miles of most inhospitable country in world to Russian harbors,
where it would be liquified at 259 degrees below zero. Then 35 huge
refrigerated tankers would bring it to US. Cost of tankers alone would be
over $4 billion. (USN 11:6)
NOTE: Can US be so utterly stupid as to put itself at the mercy of a power
that is dedicated to destroying it and ruling the world alone ? But big money
is to be made, and US must have the gas to support its decadent life-style of
lust and luxury. If Russia can get control of Mideast oil, and also get US
dependent on her for gas, what can stop her?
US STREET CRIME. A million Americans physically attacked this year.
Thru '60s, violent crime rose from 1600 per million inhabitants per year, to
4,000; murder rose 70 pet.; rape 113 pet.; robbery 212 pet. Crime up 30 pet.
since Nixon took office. Big change is in degree of viciousness.
Police tend not even to record crime they have little or no chance of
solving. Even more misleading is fact that many—perhaps most—crimes
never reported to police. Odds against catching a burglar 50 to 1. (Tm 10:23)
NOTE: We do not rejoice in the ever-growing prevalence of evil and
violence, but we do exceedingly rejoice in this evidence that these present
days are the terrible, long-foretold "Last Days" of evil human rule on earth.
AMERICA'S ORIGINAL OWNERS. Average income of US Indian families
is Vz US average. Majority of Indians exist on substandard incomes & in
squalid conditions. Some are reduced to near-starvation diets. (USN 11:20)
NOTE: These people were here first. They had their own culture & way of
life. But "progress" & the white man's plundering has swept them into a
miserable corner of neglect & broken agreements. Clearly, under human
rule, might makes right.
1973 Berean 59
ARAB OIL POWER. The major oil companies, after 9 months of talks,
have agreed to terms on which 5 Persian Gulf states will become part
owners of the oil operations. The Arab producers get 20 pet. ownership
immediately, rising to 51 pet. by 1980. Settlement underlines recent historic
shift of power from companies to Arabs. (Nwk 10:16)
NOTE: How marvelous, & interesting, & unexpected—the way the details
of the final picture are developing! Arab oil and Jewish "holy places" are
more & more irresistibly focusing the attention & schemings of the world
powers on the Mideast. By controlling Arab oil, Russia could quickly
strangle US & the West. The promise of Jerusalem & its "treasures" will
bring the Pope α-running by Russia's side.
DICTATORSHIP IN S. KOREA. Last wk. Pres. Park proclaimed martial
law; dissolved National Assembly; banned all political activity; closed
universities; imposed tight press censorship.
Move came as embarrassing surprise to Washington, which in past 2 yrs.
has watched Cambodia, S. Vietnam, Thailand & Philippines—once known as
"Free Asia "—shed last vestiges of democracy.US gives Park $240 million yr.
It's an odd turn of events in a land where 20 yrs. ago 34,000 Americans died
in "defense of Free World" (Tm 10:30)
NOTE: All our lifetime we have seen people being asked to die for
"freedom" and "democracy"—ever since WW I, which was hailed as the
"war to end all wars and make the world safe for democracy." But clearly
"democracy" under any human rule is a sham—weak, corrupt, and inefficient. The only political reality and possibility is the selfish national
strivings of the Sin-Powers of the earth, and one generation's "enemy" is the
next generation's "ally."
RUSSIA TOUGHER ON JEWS. Russia still charging emigrants as much
as $64,000 to leave Russia. Harassment of Jews on upswing. Climate of
public opinion being created in which physical attacks will be acceptable.
Specter has been raised again of deporting Jews to Birobidzhan, the
desolate territory in Siberia along Chinese border that 38 years ago was
officially set aside as "Jewish Autonomous Region." Grim days lie ahead for
beleaguered Jews of Russia. (Nwk 10:30)
NOTE: The latter-day Assyrian is filling up his cup of wickedness and
malice against God's people. Nations who have oppressed Israel have each
in their turn been desolated and destroyed. Russia's turn will come.
RESCUE MISSIONS. Shivering men, shoulders hunched against the chill,
standing in line at a rescue-mission door. Picture hardly seems to belong to
an affluent society. But it is a contemporary reality, as 450 rescue missions
in N. America can testify. The rescue mission is very much alive. They
served 14 million meals last year. Mission's love goes to a segment of
humanity we like to ignore. Startling drop in average age of derelicts—from
upper 50s a decade ago to lower 30s today. Rising number of drifting young
with no place to sleep. Far from being out-dated, rescue mission of 70s will
be jammed to doorsills. (Tm 11:20)
NOTE: A sobering picture, & a provocation to deep thought. The eternal
realities of life are not lust & greed & pleasure & entertainment, but kindness
& service & true love. Often the children of the world are wiser & kinder in
these things than the supposed "children of light," smug & self-centered in
their "righteousness." It is so easy to separate "religion" from goodness.
HISTORY'S COSTLIEST CAMPAIGN. Record total of $400 million poured
out for 1972 US elections. (USN 11:13)
1973 Berean 60
NOTE: How can there possibly be justice & true "democracy" under such
conditions? And this is the best alternative that can be offered to the iron
shackles of Communism! Man is in a sad way, trying to rule himself.
WORLDWIDE TURMOIL HITS CHURCHES. An era of religious turmoil
& rebellion. Interest of young in institutional churches declining. Attendance
falling. Less than 15 pet of Anglicans in Britain attend any given Sunday.
Last yr. France's ''Protestant Federation" called capitalism & its
ideology "unacceptable", and urged Christians to take "bold reforms or
revolutionary opposition." In W. Germany, young pastors — 10 in one State
alone — are joining Communist Party.
Within the past yr., majority of Spanish Catholic hierarchy has denounced
Spain's political & social injustice, & called for end to traditional ties of
Church & State. In a Church poll, 48 pet. of priests favored Socialism.
Several yrs. ago Castro said "US shouldn't worry about Russians in S.
America; they should worry about the Catholic revolutionaries." Today his
prophecy is coming true in vast area beset by illiteracy, political corruption, & wide gap between poor & rich. In many places, priests, ministers &
bishops are speaking out against capitalism. Many churchmen endorse
socialism. Some say violent revolution is inevitable.
In Buenos Aires, a Methodist said: 'At our seminary here, Che Guevara is
more of a hero than Christ.' Not long ago, 400 priests & bishops from Latin
American nations met in Chile to form "Christians for Socialism." They
endorsed alliance with Marxists to achieve socialism, & called for
"revolutionary action by the proletariat & a strategy to take over power."
Africa has over 100 million Christians, & they're increasing over 5 pet. yr.
— double the population growth. Continuation of this trend would mean that
by end of century Christians will outnumber Moslems in Africa, & "Third
World" Christians of Asia, Africa & S. America would outnumber those in
US & Europe.
Church leaders foresee turmoil in Christianity, with rebels trying to push
Church into an expanded world role, colliding in the process with authority
both spiritual & temporal. (USN 12:11)
NOTE: This trend of the church masses away from democracy and
capitalism toward communism and revolution is very significant, and—
prophetically speaking—very encouraging. The Churches must go back to
Rome (as they rapidly ARE going), and Rome and Russia must join in a
world wide campaign to establish a manmade millennium.
NEW INTERNATIONAL TERROR. Exploding parcels suddenly turned
up in Arab mailboxes last week, only month after similar wave of deadly
letter-bombs had been sent from Amsterdam to Israelis around world. So
went the continuing underground war between Arabs & Israel.
The war is played most dangerously in Europe, where agents of all sides
can move about with relative freedom. Israelis stationed overseas have
come to feel like front-line combatants. Embassies & consulates have been
converted into fortresses.
Blind terror demeans both sides & gains neither any advantage in their
long & painful war, but once it has begun, terror becomes increasingly
difficult to contain. (Tm 11:6)
NOTE: "Evil shall go forth from nation to nation" (Jer. 25:32). How evil is
natural man, who in his hatred will destroy indiscriminately! And all nations
are guilty of this. Remember Hiroshima—man, woman and child alike:
100,000 destroyed; 100,000 more condemned to every horrible degree of
maiming, disfigurement and painful, lingering, hopeless living death.
GARBAGE. National throwaway continues unchecked: 71 billion cans, 38
billion bottles, 7 million autos, 35 million tons of paper—in all over 5 billion
tons of garbage—piled up last yr. alone. Pile is growing twice as fast as gross
national product. (Nwk 12:25)
NOTE: What an age!— when all things, both physical and moral, are
building up to a dead-end of utter corruption. How man has abused and
polluted the beautiful earth!
1973 Berean 61
DICTATORSHIP IN ZAMBIA. When Zambia gained independence from
Britain 8 yrs. ago, it was said to have 2 specific advantages over its neighbors: rich copper mines & idealistic leader Kaunda.Both now look tarnished.
Kaunda has just taken the drastic step of abolishing all opposition parties.
In recent months, he has treated his political opponents with increasing
severity. Over 100 opposition leaders, including his own former Vice
President and boyhood friend, have been jailed without trial. Kaunda has
changed from mild-mannered man who led Zambia to freedom. (Tm 11:6)
NOTE: One more once-promising new nation discards "democracy" for
repression and power-hungry dictatorship. Men in high position succumb
almost inevitably to the lust of power. Natural man is not fit to rule either
himself or others.
U.S. SLIPPING IN ASIA. The Thais, edging away from "togetherness"
with U.S., are actively seeking closer contacts with China. Continued U.S.
use of Thai bases may depend on China's attitude. U.S. is deeply distrusted
in India, has little influence in Pakistan, suffers continual & officiallyinspired anti-USism in Bangladesh.
Russia's close ties with India worry U.S. For yrs., Russia has been India's
main ally, major arms supplier & biggest market. New agreement just
signed will make even closer economic ties. U.S. does not want to see India's
520 million completely under domination of Russia.
In Bangladesh, a drift toward political chaos is evident at same time
Russia is consolidating its position there. Australia no longer can be
regarded as an automatic U.S. ally. (USN 11:27)
NOTE: The world scene is changing quickly and, while there are zigzags,
the general broad trend is all in the right direction as prophetically foretold.
A weakened, decadent Tarshish, defending Israel, must be confronted by a
united Roman-Russian world.
RUSSIA OFFERS "ONE-WAY DOOR." Russia already has Western
agreement that E. Europe will be run by Communists. They have already
made it clear, by what they did to Czechs in '68, that they will decide what
does & what does not constitute a Communist govt.
There has been no corresponding acceptance by Russia that W. Europe
will be run by non-Communists. There can't be, since West's political
systems allow Communists to come to power if they win enough votes. That
is why "acceptance of political realities in Europe," as Russians like to call
it, means accepting a one-way door. (USN 12:11)
NOTE : Clearly things are moving Russia's way, and time is on her side.
Communism is becoming more and more respectable, and less and less
feared. It is now a major political power in France and Italy, key nations of
the Catholic Beast. People choose to forget its dictatorships & repressions,
Czechoslovakias and Hungarys. And the terrible desolation and destruction and horrors of Vietnam make them wonder if there's much to choose.
PARK TIGHTENS HOLD ON KOREA. Park last wk. moved to make
himself permanent dictator, after dissolving National Assembly. (Tm 11:6)
"TOTAL WAR." Terrorism is developing into a form of total war — the
kind of war in which there is no distinction between combatants & noncombatants: all are on the firing line. Modern methods of terror affect
many people's lives & gnaw at the system of communications that binds
countries together. Modern society is wide open to fanatics with bombs or
poisons — perhaps one day with germs & atomic devices. (USN 12:11)
NOTE; This is the direct result of modern man's "wisdom" and
"enlightenment" in rejecting the wholesome restraints of divine authority,
and instead glorifying the lusts and selfishness and natural animal thinkings
of the flesh as the supreme goal of life.
1973 Berean 62
LIVING WITH CRIME, USA. Crime's grip on US today is both a reality &
a state of mind. Fear's chilling effects have become a grim part of daily life
for millions in & around US cities. Fear of crime is escalating into a fortress
mentality. Fear itself is helping to create the conditions that permit crime to
fester-deserted streets, atmosphere of suspicion, no confidence in police.
Americans have good reasons to be afraid. No one is safe. Recent street
crime victims include many well-known public figures. Today's thief is far
more prone than in past to assault & kill. The nightmare continues despite
what is probably the most costly and comprehensive assault ever launched
against crime. Unfortunately, results are debatable.
A frightening 11 pet. rise in suburban crime last year. Less than 1 / 3 of all
crimes ever reported. A prosecutor recently asked a jury how many had
been involved in a mugging or burglary: 8 of the 12 raised their hands.
Especially disturbing is an upsurge of crime & violence in schools. During
one recent 16-day period, at least 14 NY City teachers were robbed or
assaulted inside their schools. Colleges are same. Once-tranquil Harvard
Square is now scene of 30 thefts & half-dozen assaults monthly. Students &
faculty find it dangerous to linger too long in library or office.
Fortress America is paying high price for its security. Barred windows,
identification checks in schools & apts., police helicopters hovering with
glaring searchlights—these are hardly the makings of an open society.
And growing mental toll is perhaps even more damaging: suspicion of
every strange face, withdrawal into "defensible space," shriveling of social
contacts. It's only natural that Americans should turn to bolstered police &
stronger locks to fight fear & criminals. But danger is that in end they'll have
put themselves in prison. (Nwk. 12:18)
NOTE. What a sad picture of civilization's dismal failure. Such is the peak
of men's proud accomplishments. Such is the sad state of the richest, most
prosperous, most powerful, and supposedly most "advanced" nation on
earth. But it's EXACTLY as must be in the last days before man's evil rule is
abolished forever by the Kingdom of God, governing the earth in
righteousness from Jerusalem.
"LYING WONDERS" & "CHRIST MASS." St. Nicholas, who was a 4th
century bishop in Asia Minor, came to town last week in Flushing, NY.
Relics of the saint—fragments of his skull & a vial of oily substance said to
have oozed from his skull—were formally enshrined in St. Nicholas Greek
Orthodox Church in Flushing. A gift from Roman Catholic Church to Greek
Orthodox Church, the relics were sent from cathedral in Bari, Italy.
Legends of his good works, combined with local folklore, eventually
produced the St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) of European tradition. (Tm 12:18).
NOTE. 1. Observe first the abominable and benighted superstition, in
modern 1972—not medieval 1072. 2. Note it was a fraternal gift fromGreek
Orthodox superstition to Roman Catholic superstition: they are drawing
closer. 3. Above all, could ANYONE who has any real perception of the Truth
of God in its depth and beauty have anything to do with the Catholic Christ
Mass superstition?
RISING THREAT OF WIDESPREAD HUNGER. People increasing faster
than crops. World food production suddenly shrunk close to point of global
crisis. Food production in many poor countries did not improve enough this
year even to keep pace with population rise, let alone to improve substandard diets. (USN 12:11)
NOTE: The renewed specter of famine looms larger and larger over the
world. For a few years, there were hopes and boasts that the "green
revolution" of newly-developed "miracle" gains had reversed the trend, but
hope has dimmed and the shadow has returned. Yet, properly managed, and
without selfishness and greed, the earth could support much more than its
present population. What a failure is proud man!
1973 Berean 63
INHUMANITY IN AUSTRALIA. A report by an Australian: Australia's
aborginal citizens historically have been one of world's most oppressed &
ill-used minorities. We Australians are condemning a whole race of our
fellow citizens to short, brutish & miserable lives. Their plight is as
desperate as any in world. Black Australian babies dying by 100s, & most
who survive are forced to live in despair—men as drunks, women as
prostitutes. They're physically mistreated, deprived of human rights, &
cheated by a White majority whose attitude toward them is that of a vermin
exterminator to a rat plague.
We don't actually murder Blacks as we once did, but we go out of our way
to make them wish they'd never been born. We even tried outright genocide
in past stages of our history. In Tasmania we managed to shoot or poison
every Black man. We still had mass poisonings in the '30's, & at beginning of
WW II, aboriginal population (300,000 200 yrs ago) was down to 40,000.
Most of the grim statistics are known to Australians. The Australian
aborigine is most over-surveyed & under-cared-for person in world. Their
infant mortality rate is 10 times that of Whites. They suffer more from
leprosy than almost any other community known. Respiratory infections
and gastro-intestinal diseases are so prevalent that 4 / 5 of all children have
obvious abnormality.
We're producing a race of cripples—children who will never be able to live
normal lives. Aborigines are far likelier than Whites to wind up in jail for the
same crimes. Courts are viciously biased against Blacks. Twice as many
Blacks as Whites are jailed for drunkenness: Whites are more often let off
with just a fine.
Why has so little been done? Because we have learned to hide much of our
nastiness from view. If you are Black in Australia, you are likely to lead a
precarious existence in the Outback, or in city slums paying high rents for
crowded quarters.
Typical is a family of 6 who share a 9-room house with 58 other residents.
They pay $34 a week—xk their income—which should get them a nice flat in a
middle-class area, but Blacks are not allowed to live in such areas.
Recently Chicka Dixon, an aborigine leader who has spent over 11 yrs. in
jail for his activities, visited China to publicize their plight. "In China, for
first time," he says, "I felt like a man. You wouldn't understand what it was
like, not being a 'dirty Abo' after 44 years of it in Australia."
These are the people who owned the whole land for millenniums before
White man came. (Nwk 12:25)
NOTE: Australia is no exception. This is the normal treatment of weak,
divergent minorities all around the world. Many nations, even the most
"Christian" and "civilized," have the same shameful story of their
miserable second-rate citizens, from US to N. Ireland to India to Japan. And
often they are the land's original owners, victims of "progress" invading
them at the muzzle of a gun.
SPECTACULAR RISE OF COMMUNISTS in France. If revitalized
Socialists & Communists maintain their pace thru coming elections, they'll
be a dominant force in French politics. Stunning degree of support for Left
indicates more & more French voters have lost fear of "Red specter"—& are
now willing to accept Communist participation in govt.
If Left Bloc actually comes to power, it could provoke an economic crisis of
confidence in France & thruout Common Mkt, & shake Western Alliance at
time of crucial negotiations with Communist world. (Nwk 12:25)
NOTE: The growth of the power and respectableness of Communism in
France and Italy is surely one of the clearest signs of the trend of events in
Europe. In both W. and E. Europe, the process of mutual accommodation
between Communism and Catholicism moves on apace, and this is the
necessary foundation of the Rome-Russia alliance that is to lead Europe
against Christ.
1973 Berean 64
A VIRTUAL POGROM in progress against the 22,000 Jehovah's Witnesses
in the African nation of Malawi. Pres.-for-Life Banda, a staunch elder in the
Presbyterian Church, has become increasingly angered by the Witnesses'
unwillingness to join his ruling Congress Party, their refusal to take loyalty
oaths, & their exclusive claims to religious truth.
Congress Party in Sept. demanded Witnesses be expelled from their jobs
& property, & since then the mandate has been carried out with fervor:
homes burnt, many killed. Many have fled to a crowded refugee camp in
Zambia, where several die daily, mostly children. (Tm 12:18)
NOTE. Religious persecution is far from dead in this self-styled enlightened
age, and those who have suffered oppression themselves seem quick to
oppress others when they rise to power. The "Witnesses" here represent
independent religious thought, and that is anathema to both Communism
and Catholicism. Dictators dare not tolerate any freedom or divergence.
STUMBLING BRITAIN. One of worst inflation rates in Europe. Fall of
pound's value to alltime low. 22 million workdays lost by strikes in first 9
mos. of '72. Strikes & inflation have curbed exports & made pound world's
sickest currency. (Tm 11:20)
ECCLES1AL NEWS (Continued from Inside Front Cover)
Her faithful and regular attendance at meeting from a distance of 35 miles
is an example to us all. On Feb. 26 she was laid to rest. Bro. Fred Higham
spoke words of Truth before a large assembly.
We rejoice to have bro. & sis. Jimmie Summerville and bro. & sis. David
Carrol from Houston as members of this ecclesia.
We regret that bro. & sis. Charles Banta Jr. have returned to Houston.
Bro. Andrew Marshall is out of the hospital and attending the meetings.
His great love, zeal and enthusiasm for the Truth is a spiritual lift for us.
We are again having a public lecture once every month, but it seems those
about us are not interested in the Truth.
The Lord willing, we plan to have a meeting in Lampasas on June 8,9 & 10.
We extend an invitation to the brethren and sisters to be with us on this occasion to build one another up in our most holy Faith. The meetings are
scheduled for Friday at 8 pm; Saturday at 11 am, 2 pm & 8 pm. And on
Sunday at our regular time: Sunday School at 10 am, and Memorial at 11 am.
Those who plan to come may contact bro. Ross Wolfe, 1802 Rumley Rd.,
Lampasas, Tex. 76550. Phone 512-556-5249.
May we each build characters that will stand at the last day. As we build
day by day, let us not spare in the use of Faith, Hope, and Love.
—bro. Ross Wolfe
WHANGAREI, New Zealand—ΥWCA Hall, Rust Ave.—Memorial 10:30 a m ; Lecture
7 pm—Bro. M.J. Griffin, PO Box 55, Whangarei.
LOVE and greetings to the Household of Faith scattered abroad.
The old year is quickly drawing to its close—a year that has witnessed the
fulfilling of many of the prophetic signs that the "Times of the Gentiles"
have almost run their course. Let us remember, as we witness a spirit of
new-found optimism in the world that envisages a time of peace ahead, that
Christ said—
"As a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the
whole earth."
The great warning to us is to "WATCH AND BE SOBER," that that day
should not overtake us as a thief.
We recently had the pleasure of the company of our bro. & sis. Ray Hodges
from Western Australia, who were with us for nearly 3 weeks in October.
Such visits to our small and isolated ecclesia are a source of joy and encouragement to all.
As we enter the new year, may we press forward to the mark of our high
calling in Christ Jesus with renewed energy and zeal, praying that it may
bring the long-looked-for return of our Lord—and above all, that we may be
found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.
RECEIVED LATER:—
Our many brethren and sisters scattered abroad are continually in our
thoughts and prayers in these last difficult days, as we witness the pattern of
events presaging the return of our Lord taking form and shape in the world
around us. The current negotiations in Vietnam are, to the world, a hopeful
augury of peace and prosperity in the years ahead, but to us they are
perhaps but the lifting of one of the restraints that God has placed on the
development of the Middle East crisis, for—
"There is NO PEACE, saith the Lord, unto the wicked," and . .
"The whole world lieth in wickedness."
Whatever the nature of day-to-day events, we know that the world is
moving steadily and irrevocably to that "Day of the Lord" portrayed by
Zechariah. May we ponder deeply on these things while it is called today.
We are happy to report that, after a full examination, we welcomed into
fellowship on Jan. 28, bro. BRIAN RILEY, who had previously been a
member of another group.
With love in the Truth to all, from Whangarei,
—bro. M. J. Griffin
Bible Questions
"Who is wise, and he shall understand these things?"—Hos. 14:9
HOMES AND NATIONALITIES
Write number of each name in List 1 beside home or nationality in List 2.
LIST ONE
l.Agag
11. Sihon
21. Oman
31. Talmai
41. Potiphar
2. Doeg
32. Nahash
12. Heber
42. Dionysius
22. Mesha
3. Ittai
33. Bildad
43. Barzillai
13. Titus
23. Elijah
34. Sargon
4. Gaius
24. Hushai
44. Sanballat
14. Hiram
5. Uriah
25. Zophar
35. Ahijah
45. Trophimus
15. Phebe
6. Jesse
46. Ebedmelech
36. Joseph
16. Abram
26. Darius
7. Cyrus
37. Abishag
47. Belshazzar
17. Hobab
27. Geshem
38. Eliphaz
8. Micah
48. Ahithophel
18. Simon
28. Gideon
9. Nabal
49. Aristarchus
39. Eliezer
19. Elihu
29. Naaman
10. Nahum
50. Chedorlaomer
40. Sopater
20. Haman
30. Pilate
Mede
Roman
Amorite
Edomite
Greek
Syrian
Kenite
Persian
Archite
Of Elam
Arabian
Agagite
Of Tyre
Shuhite
Tishbite
Hebrew
Buzite
Gittite
Hittite
Moabite
LIST TWO
Of Derbe
Egyptian
Temanite
Ammonite
Gilonite
Ephesian
Assyrian
Jebusite
Of Berea
Cyrenean
$3.50 per yr. (only for those who desire to pay)
Horonite
Ethiopian
Abiezrite
Carmelite
Amalekite
Elkoshite
Of Geshur
Shilonite
Midianite
Gileadite
Areopagite
Naamathite
Morasthite
Shunammite
Babylonian
Macedonian
Of Damascus
Of Cenchrea
Of Arimathea
Bethlehemite
Printed in U.S.A.
VOL 61, NO. 3
MARCH, 1973
The Berean
Christadelphian
A monthly magazine devoted wholly to the exposition and defense
of the Faith once for all delivered to the Saints, with the object
of helping to make ready a People prepared for the coming of the
Lord. Opposed to the unscriptural teaching of the papal
and protestant churches of the world.
G. A. Gibson, 1501 Woodbine, Ap. 1616, Toronto, Ont. M4C 4H1, Can.
"They received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched
the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Therefore many believed9'—-Acts 17:11
CONTENTS
ECCLESIAL NEWS: Baltimore, Canton, Miami
Inside Front Cover
EDITORIAL: According to the Pattern Shown Thee
65
REAPING THE EARTH'S HARVEST (Bro. Thomas)
67
SECOND VOYAGE TO AUSTRALIA (Bros. Roberts) Part 27
71
TRIBULATION WORKETH PATIENCE (Acts 16)
78
Fraternal Gatherings: Lampasas, Hye
85
IN THE IMAGE OF GOD MADE HE HIM (Part 3)
86
CURRENT WORLD EVENTS FULFILLING PROPHECY
92
Bible Questions and February Answers
Back Cover
We are anxious to send Hie Berean FREE to any desiring if
that way. Please do not hesitate to request it. If you
know of any who might like it, please send us their names.
CHRIST IS COMING SOON AND WILL REIGN ON EARTH
Ecclesial News
BALTIMORE, Maryland—Memorial 10:30 a.m.—Bro. Russell Frisbit, 3417 Forest Hill
Road, Baltimore 21207. Phone (301) H4-3I70.
We are happy to announce that SANDRA LEE BOWERS was examined
and immersed on February 17, 1973.
On March 19, bro. Wesley R. Frisbie and sis. Sandra Lee Bowers were
united in marriage. We pray that they may be a help to each other in their
walk in the Truth.
—Your brother in Christ, Russell C. Frisbie
CANTON, Ohio—YMCA, 205 Second St. NW—Sun. Sen. 10 a m ; Memorial Service 11
a m ; Bible Class Tues. in homes—Bro. Braden T. Edwards, 6060 Homeworth Rd.,
Homeworth, Ohio 44634; phone (216) 586-4411.
LOVING Greetings in Christ Jesus.
This past year we were blessed with the following visitors, who have been
a pleasure and a comfort to us in these trying times: brethren and sisters
Paul Neely, Cedell Caldwell, Fred Higham Jr., Charles Banta Sr., Nicholas
Mammone; and sisters Grace Frisbie, Eva Banta, Carolyn Thompson.
We deeply appreciated and enjoyed the labors of the brethren who gave
comforting and instructive words of exhortation to help us on the pathway to
the Kingdom.
We invite any who can to visit us, that we may share together the joys of
companionship in the Truth, and be mutually strengthened and upbuilt. With
much love in the bonds of the Truth, your brother,
—Braden Edwards
M I A M I , Florida 33155—3428 SW 65th Avenue; phone (30S) 6*7-7W·—Mem. 10:30 a m ;
S.S. 11:30 a m ; Class Wed. 7:30 pm—Bro. Thomas S. Lumley (same address).
GREETINGS to all in the bonds of Love and Truth.
It is with deep sorrow we report the falling asleep in Christ Jesus of sister
Emma Lumley on Feb. 18,1973. Sis. Lumley was immersed into the Saving
Name on Oct. 26,1926, in Worcester, Mass. She now awaits the call of Christ
to resurrection, being confident and steadfast in the Faith through all the
trials we must endure.
We wish to thank all in the Brotherhood for their letters of love and encouragement during our sister's prolonged illness. We feel a great sense of
loss with the absence of our beloved sister, wife, and mother. But we sorrow
not as others who have no hope, and we take comfort from the fact that the
night is far spent, and the Lord will soon appear. May we all be found one in
Christ Jesus.
Since our last ecclesial news we have had the pleasure of the association
and fellowship of the following visitors: bro. Bob & sis. Rose Philip
(Burlington. Ont.), bro. Victor & sis. Ruth Gilbert (Buffalo, N.Y.), bro. Pat
& sis. Marie Cassidy (Lampasas, Tex.), bro. Herb & sis. Jean Ricketson,
bro. Arthur & sis. Nellie Coye, and sis. Patricia Coye (Boston, Mass.), and
bro. Bob. Martin (London, Ont.). We were comforted by the word of
exhortation by bro. Ricketson and bro. Gilbert. Your brother in Christ Jesus,
—Thomas Lumley
Please notify us promptly of address changes.
If the Berean is received unwanted, please mark the envelope,
"Refused, return to sender," and drop it in a mailbox.
Some of the sweetest words of Christ were delivered in the immediate prospect of arrest and death (John 14, 15, 16, 17): and some of Paul's sweetest
epistles were written when he was suffering bonds and imprisonment (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. 2nd Timothy).—Christadelphian, 1884.
"We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good
works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in
them"—Eph. 2:10.
According to the Pattern Shown Thee
"And Moses did look upon all the work: and, behold, they had done
it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it:
and Moses blessed them"—Exodus 39:43
Among the things written for our instruction, there are none
more interesting and beneficial than those pertaining to the
Tabernacle which was constructed and set up in the vicinity of
Mount Sinai. While in the mount, Moses received the pattern, or
plans, and the detailed specifications, and the authority was
granted him to proceed at once.
Like many things of divine origin, the Tabernacle served a
two-fold purpose. Its immediate need was, of course, to form the
centre of Israel's national life, but it had a deeper significance as
Paul brings out so beautifully when he says (Heb. 9:9-10)—
"It was a figure for the time then present, in which were
offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him that
did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; which
stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal
ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation"
Such a structure, intended to serve so great a purpose, must of
necessity be constructed with meticulous and reverent care. Therefore it was not left to the discretion of Moses to build the sanctuary according to the dictates of his own conscience, but he was
". . admonished of God when he was about to make the Tabernacle; for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to
the pattern showed to thee in the mount''—Heb. 8:5.
When reading the 25th, 26th and 27th chapters of Exodus, we
cannot fail to observe the exacting and detailed specifications
both of the Tabernacle and its furniture. Nothing was left to
guess work. Moses was not even permitted to proceed with the
work of construction until God had taken special precautions to
ensure that it would be fabricated according to divine standards.
This was done by selecting Bezaleel, of the tribe of Judah, and
Aholiab, of the tribe of Dan.
1973 Berean 65
"They being filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner
of work, wrought with every wise hearted man, in whom the
Lord put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all
manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to
all that the Lord had commanded"—Ex. 35:35; 36:1.
In due time, the mandate was fulfilled, and the work completed—
". . according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the
children of Israel made all the work. And Moses did look upon
all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had
commanded, even so had they done it; and Moses blessed them.
Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the
glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle"—Ex. 39:42-43; 40-34.
Moses and his co-workers had been faithful in all things, with
the result that God's blessing rested upon the fruit of their labor.
Let us now go back to our quotation from Romans 15:4. The
reason we use the R.S.V. is because f(didaskaliai} is there rendered
"instruction" instead of "learning" as in the A.V. Learning is
knowledge acquired by systematic study, while instruction is a
more forceful expression, and signifies the act of furnishing with
authoritative direction, and that is just what the Bible does.
What then do we learn from the instruction given us with
regard to the construction of the Tabernacle? Well, there are
many things to observe and learn, but due to limited space we
will only be able to look at a few. However, it all depends
whether we are willing to learn. We can be like those mentioned
by Jesus, who—
". . seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do thev
understand"—Matt. 13:13.
or we can—
". . hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not"—Prov. 8:33.
If we are in the latter class, we will learn that as Moses followed the pattern set for him, so we must follow the pattern set
for us in the Scriptures. God is the Author of salvation, and if
we expect to find favor before Him, we must conform to His
requirements. If we say, "There is no harm in doing this or that/'
and go about to establish our own form of righteousness, we will
find out to our own bitter sorrow that we have been offering
"strange fire" that will bring the wrath of God upon us. Let us
be wise and follow the divine standards.
Another very plain and important lesson that comes to us is
the freewill basis upon which the materials were supplied. In
fact, that was the only manner in which they would be accepted:
"Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring Me an
offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye
shall take My offering"—Ex. 25:2.
Upon reflection, it will be noted that in God's dealings with
the human race, freewill has always been a dominant feature.
Although we live subject to the law of Christ, we are free to
exercise our voluntary will. To be a faithful servant, there must
be first, as Paul says, a willing mind. It would be of little use to
us if we kept God's commandments because we were afraid of
Him. The only effectual incentive to keep them is a faith that
works by love, and "This is love," says John, "that we walk after
his commandments."
An outstanding feature of the Tabernacle is the faithfulness
with which the specifications were observed. Moses says "they
had done the work as the Lord had commanded." And that is
exactly what we are expected to do. Suppose some of them had
said, "Why be so particular? Why make 50 loops in each curtain,
when 40 will do?" Another might have said, "Why make the
boards 10 cubits long, when they will be easier to handle if they
are only 6 cubits long?" However, if they had not shown care
and attention to detailed instructions, the result would have been
an imperfect Tabernacle, and such could not have served as a
symbol of the Mosaic example, and shadow of heavenly things.
The lesson is clear. In the erection of the Tabernacle, Moses
was a wise master builder. Paul uses this term with respect to
himself, when he says,
1973 Berean 66
"According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a
wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another
buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth
thereupon"—I Cor. 3:10.
We are builders, too. But how well do we build? Are we wise,
or foolish builders? Do we build upon the sand, or upon the rock?
And, finally, when shaping our materials that are to be used, do
we follow the pattern shown to us in the Scriptures of Truth, or
are we attempting to set our own standards by altering the specifications? No man can afford, nor has he any right, to trifle with
divine precepts, for we are admonished (Heb. 2:2-3)—
'Tor if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every
transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of
reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"
It is a fact to be faced, that both individuals and communities
rapidly decline in moral and spiritual qualities if the things
written for our instruction, and guidance, are not maintained as
the standard for our walk in the Truth. The pattern is essentially
high, but the reward is transcendingly great.
"Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is
discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are
right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble
in them"—Hos. 14:9 (RSV).
—Editor.
Reaping the Earth's Harvest
"And I looked, and behold a White Cloud, and upon the Cloud One sitting like
to a Son of Man, having upon his head a golden stephan,
and in his hand a sharp sickle.
"And another Angel came out of the Nave, vociferating with a loud voice to
him sitting upon the Cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap, because for thee
hath arrived the hour of reaping, for the harvest
of the earth hath been ripened.
"And he that is sitting upon the Cloud cast his sickle upon the earth, and the
earth was reaped"—Revelation 14:14-16.
BY BROTHER JOHN THOMAS
"AND I looked,"saith John. Previous to this his ears, not his eyes,
had been addressed. He had just been listening to the "Voice from
the Heaven/' and the comment of the Spirit upon it. Having finished
the writing of it in the book before him, he very naturally looked up,
and thereupon perceived that the scene had been changed.
When he last wrote the words, "I looked, and behold," he introduced us to a scene upon Mt. Zion, where the Lamb with the
144,000 are seen standing. This is a Pentecostal scene, and
exhibition of First Fruit. But, before Pentecost comes the Passover
in its fulfilment in the Kingdom of the Deity (Lk. 22:15-18). We had
not been informed whether the Lamb and the 144,000 had entered
Zion without a conflict, or as the result of a great disaster inflicted
upon the enemy.
1973 Berean 67
The reader will perceive a remarkable transition from the subject
treated of in the latter half of Rev. 13 to the beginning of 14. They are
altogether different and unconnected. The former treats of the
Name of the Beast, and the manner of its establishment in the
earth: the latter, of the Name of the Father, and what it effects after
its apocalypse.
But as to how it established itself in Zion, this 14th chapter has
hitherto afforded us no information. Before the Lamb can enter Zion
with the 144,000, it will be necessary for him to expel the enemy. He
comes to redeem Zion from the power of the foreigners, who have
"come in like a flood," and afflicted her with "desolation and
destruction, and the famine, and the sword." At this crisis of Zion's
history, coeval with "darkness covering the earth, and gross
darkness the people" Yahweh enquires thru the prophet (Is. 52:5)—
"What have I here, that My people is taken away for nought? They who
rule over them make them to howl, saith Yahweh, and My Name continually every day is blasphemed."
Joel 3:2—"They have scattered Israel among the nations, and they have
parted My Land.*'
And (Daniel 11:45)—
"The King of the North hath planted the tents of his entrenched camp
between the seas to the mountain of the glory of the Holy One."
Such are Zion's relations—domestic and foreign, social, civil, and
spiritual—at the crisis immediately preceding the appearance of
the Lamb and his company within her walls. Being assembled in the
Valley of Jehoshaphat, and having laid successful siege to
Jerusalem, the enemy rifle its houses, ravish its women, and send
half its population into captivity, many of whom they sell to the
Greeks for slaves at the vilest prices (Zech. 14:2; Joel 3:3).
This prostrates Jerusalem in the dust, and fastens bands around
the neck of the captive daughter of Zion. The uncircumcised and the
unclean, then in possession of Tyre and Zidon, and the coasts of
Palestine, are in high feather over their success. This will truly be
the day of Jacob's trouble, in which there will be none to help, nor
any to uphold (Isa. 63:3; Jer. 30:7).
But Zion's extremity is her Redeemer's opportunity—
"When" (saith Moses) "He seeth that their power is gone, He will repent
Himself for His servants" (Deut. 32:36).
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1973 Bereart
68
And, saith Joel (2:18-19)—
"He will then be jealous for His land, and pity His people, who shall no
more be made a reproach among the nations."
"The Harvest of the Earth"—according to Joel, and John's Angel
that comes out of the Nave (Rev. 14:15)—hath been ripened: "for
their wickedness is great." The Harvest is composed of vast
multitudes of ripened wickedness in the plain, or valley, of
judgment, unconsciously awaiting a terrible overthrow. Joel in
vision saw them all assembled there, as expressed in the words:
"Multitudes, multitudes (hamonim, hamonim) in the Valley of
Judgment, for the Day of Yahweh is near in the Valley of Judgment"
These hamonim are the hamon-gog of Eze. 39:11—the Multitude
of Gog, which is buried in the valley of the judgment executed, and
gives name to an adjacent city called Hamonah, that is, Multitude.
This and the preceding chapter of Ezekiel (38 & 39) are parallel with
Joel 3, and with John's vision of the reaping.
The prophet is indignant at their wickedness (Joel 3:13). He does
not pray for their conversion, nor for their salvation, but for their
sudden and complete overthrow, in the words (Joel 3:11)—
"Thither cause to come down with violence Thy Mighty Ones, Ο Yahweh!"
Nor will JoePs prayer be in vain, for, referring to the same crisis,
Zechariah says (14:5)—
"Yahweh Elohim shall come in, and all the Saints with Thee."
This "coming in" to Jerusalem will be with violence, and a
terrific outpouring of wrath upon the multitude in arms. In the
words of Eze. 38:18-22—
"Adonai Yahweh saith, My fury shall come up in My face, for in My
jealousy and in the fire of My wrath have I spoken:
"Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel..
and all the men that are upon the face of the land shall shake AT MY
PRESENCE.
"And the mountains shall be thrown down, and the towers shall fall, and
every wall shall fall to the ground.
"And I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,
saith Adonai Yahweh: every man's sword shall be against his brother.
"And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood. And I will
rain upon him and upon his bands and upon the many people that are with
him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone."
Thus Yahweh goes forth and fights against these multitudes "AS
IN THE DAYS OF OLD" (Zech. 14:3).
Such is the Harvest of the Earth, and its reaping. John looked, and
beheld it in symbol. He saw a "white cloud" (Rev. 14:14)—a cloud of
Mighty Ones habited in fine linen, which represents the
righteousness of them that are clothed with it (Rev. 19:8, 14). A
"cloud" indicates a multitude; and such a cloud, when looked upon
in reference to its intrinsic excellence, would look "white" to the eye
of faith. "All the Saints with Yahweh Elohim" are "Yahweh's
Mighty Ones," numerically represented by 144,000. These are the
"white cloud," or Cherub, upon which the Spirit rides (Psa. 18:10).
or, in the language of the Apocalypse (14:14)—
"Upon which One like to a Son of Man is sitting."
Here the Spirit sits upon the White Cloud, while in Rev. 10:1, he is
'clothed with a Cloud/ This 10th chapter is introductory to the 14th.
The Ancient of Days must descend from heaven before He can be
"clothed with a Cloud," or ride upon a Cloud of Saints now sleeping
in the dust. Hence the scene beheld represents events SUBSEQUENT to the descent of Christ Jesus and the resurrection and
immortalization of the 144,000; and BEFORE they obtain possession
of the Holy City. This is the epoch of the vision, and synchronizes
with the concluding period of the Sixth Vial, and coeval with the
gathering of the kings of the earth and their armies (Rv. 16:16)—
"Into the place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon*'
The "One like the Son of Man" sits upon the Cloud—
"Having upon his head a golden STEPHANOS/'
—rendered "crown," but not a diadem. This indicates that he is the
Generalissimo of the Cloud of Mighty Ones, but not yet in possession
of David's diadem, which was removed from David's House when
Zedekiah, the profane wicked prince of Israel, was abased by
Nebuchadnezzar (Eze. 21:26)
The "stephan" indicates that he is going to compete for a prize
which he has not as yet acquired. If he had been seen with a
"diadem" upon his head, it would have implied that he was the
ruling monarch of one kingdom at least, or that such was his
destiny. On the contrary, the scene before us exhibits him in the
outset of his military career, whose course will be that of a strong
man to run and win a race (Ps. 19:5).
The prize set before him is not one, but "MANY diadems" (Rev.
19:12). And these he acquires by—
"The energy whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself."
He transfers the diadem from the Ten Horns to his own head,
when their kingdoms have become his by right of conquest. He is
then seen sitting no longer on a Cloud, but "upon a throne set in the
heaven"—the throne of his father David, which Yahweh Elohim
hath given him(Rv. 4:2; Lk. 1:31-33).
The "sharp sickle" in his hand (Rv. 14:14) is symbolical of his
power to reap down the multitudes which have assembled in the
valley or plain of their destruction. The sword called for throughout
the mountains of Israel, their mutual slaughter, the pestilence,
overflowing rain of hailstones, fire and brimstone, the panic and
blindness of the horses, and the madness of their riders (Zech. 12:4;
14:12-15)—all illustrate the sharp sickle cast upon the earth for its
reaping at the appointed hour.
1973 Berean 70
"And the earth was reaped" (Rev. 14:16).
The "Little Horn of the Goat," the King of Fierce Countenance, is
broken without hand; the Image of Nebuchadnezzar is smitten by
the Stone; the Gog Multitude is prostrate upon the mountains of
Israel; the King of the North hath come to his end without anyone to
help him; and Judah is delivered from the Assyrian by the
Bethlehem-born Ruler of Israel whose goings forth are from of old,
from everlasting (Mic. 5:2-7; Dan. 11:45; 8:9,23,25; 2:34).
This Confederacy against the East is shivered to pieces as a
potter's vessel, and Jerusalem is delivered. From henceforth she
will be no more trodden under foot of the Gentiles; nor will the
uncircumcised and the unclean be permitted to enter. Zion hath now
put on her strength, and Jerusalem her beautiful garments. She is
no longer rebellious against her King, but blesses him as her
Redeemer who has come in the Name of Yahweh. She had thrown
open wide her gates, that the King of Glory, Yahweh Tz'vaoth,
strong and mighty in battle, might enter in.
Standing with his feet upon the Mt. of Olives, he beholds the
Passover fulfilled in the Kingdom—the Assyrian is slain, Zion is
redeemed, and the Lamb with the 144,000 stand on her Holy Mount—
"Henceforth Jerusalem shall be holy, and no strangers shall pass
through her any more** (Joel 3:17).
Second Voyage to Australia
BY BROTHER ROBERT ROBERTS
'To the Law and to the Testimony: if they speak not according to
this Word, it is because there is no light in them"—-Is. 8:20
PART TWENTY-SEVEN
TUES.,JULY26: AQUICKTRIPTO NGARUAWAHIA: BRO. STARR
FINDING there was no other public appointment till Thursday, a
need having arisen for my running over to Melbourne before sailing
for England, I began to wonder whether we could not put
Ngaruawahia into the blank: days instead of waiting till next week,
and so getting away a week sooner. Ngaruawahia (which we tried to
remember by thinking of the "narrow way, eh ho!") is a small
township about 80 miles to the south of Auckland, reachable by
rail—where dwells an excellent family circle in the Truth by the
name of Starr. By telegraph we ascertained it would be possible to
hasten the lectures there by a week, so we started on Tuesday
morning and got there in 4 hours.
1973 Berean 71
Ngaruawahia is one of the quiet corners of the earth. Its leading
features are a river, a hill range, wooded to the summit on the west,
a railway bridge crossing the river, a few houses, and a wide
wooded plain to the east—a strange place for the Truth to have got
to. We stayed at the house of young bro. Starr—married a few
months previously to one of the daughters of bro. Connolly, of
Auckland. (By the way, they told me this marriage was the result of
my last visit to New Zealand. I was all unconscious. How could it be
if I knew nothing of it? A riddle that I dare say some may guess.)
A TRAGEDY IN THE CONNOLLY FAMILY: "LAY HOLD ON LIFE"
I found the family under the shadow of a great and recent grief. A
son of bro. Connolly had been killed by the falling of a tree in this
neighborhood. Bro. Connolly had taken up 300 acres of bush-land
near Ngaruawahia for his 2 sons, and they had been nearly 2 months
engaged clearing the timber, when this accident happened.
What made it specially sad was that the youth was interested in
the Truth, but had not made that submission which he had intended.
The other son was there during our stay, but had lost all heart in the
work in which they had been jointly engaged. Time will heal all
wounds. There may be a blessing in the evil, not at present visible.
The rest are quickened, at all events, in their resolution to "lay hold
upon eternal life."
2 LECTURES (TUES. & WED.): PRESBYTERIAN OBJECTIONS
There were 2 lectures—the one on "The Coming" and the other on
"The Kingdom of Christ"—held in the Public Hall of the place. Bro.
Starr Sr. presided. There was not a large audience judged by ordinary places, but considering the bad state of the weather (for it
rained and thundered heavily), and considering also that there had
been only one day's notice of the meetings, the attendance was
wonderful.
At the first meeting a Presbyterian preacher was present, and
could not restrain the antagonism stirred within him by what he
heard. He shouted a question in the midst of the lecture. I said it
would be time for questions at the close, but at the close he rose and
said I had proved nothing, I had refused to answer questions.
I could only say that I had advanced nothing without ample proof.
"Yes," said he, "to your own satisfaction."
"Well," said I, "whose satisfaction, other than my own, should I
speak to?"
I ought, he said,"to speak to other people's satisfaction also."
I said I had done so in thousands of cases, all over the world.
All this time he was moving out, and finally disappeared through
the door. It was supposed he would return in full panoply next day,
but he left the place by the midday train. It was said he was a
preacher belonging to Huntley, an adjacent town.
THURS., JULY 28,1898: RETURN TO AUCKLAND: A LECTURE
We left Ngaruawahia on Thursday morning, July 28, and returned
to Auckland in time for the evening lecture in the Odd fellows' Hall,
on "The Kingdom of Christ." The night was very tempestuous, but
there was a good audience.
1973 Berean 72
FRL, JULY 29: A MEETING AT BRO. TANFI ELD'S HOUSE
On the Friday night there was a private meeting at the house of
bro. Tanfield, at which I delivered an address, and answered
questions on the unscriptural state of things prevailing in the
denominations. A Mr. Wylde was present, who holds the Truth in
great part, but fraternizes with the Wesleyans and others, and was
disposed to advocate temporizing measures. I put some questions to
him, which he found a difficulty in answering.
SUN., JULY 31: AT AUCKLAND: A LETTERTO THE PAPER
On Sunday, July 31, we had our 2 last meetings in the midst of
storm—breaking of bread in the morning, and lecture at night at the
Masonic Hall. There were good attendances, and farewells with
regret. The brethren made an unexpected "love offering/' out of
"the abundance of their joy and deep poverty/' I told them in
thanking them through bro. Harrison, that it was some offset to the
bitter things that had to be borne in the service of the Truth.
During my presence in Auckland, there was a controversy in the
local press, on the widely interesting question, of whether and why
the popular church system was a failure. Perceiving an opening for
a voice, I penned the following contribution, which appeared in the
New Zealand Herald for Aug. 2, 1898—
"To the Editor, Sir—Perhaps you will allow a stranger passing through
your beautiful town to contribute a word to the controversy that has been
going on in your columns on the question of whether the Church is a failure.
"I perceive that one of the preachers admits the partial failure, and has
various suggestions as to the cause, and a word as to the remedy. The
remedy is more important than any explanation of the undoubted failure. He
thinks the cure lies in 'getting back to Christ's teaching and thought.'
'Truth/ saith he, 'must come.'
"In the abstract this is good. But how is this to be got at? How are we to get
back 'to Christ's teaching and thought?' If we had no official record of
Christ's teaching, it would be impossible to get back to it. But we have such a
record in the New Testament, which has been in the hands of believers in an
unbroken line of transmission since the first century.
"If the rank and file of the Churches would begin the regular and attentive
reading of the Bible, there would be some hope of getting back to the original
teaching of Christ, as many have already done.
"I say 'the Bible' advisedly, meaning the Old Testament as well as the
New, for the Old Testament was as much commended to the attention of the
people by Christ as his own commandments. If the people were to cultivate
the habit of reading the Bible for themselves, independently of
denominational bias, we should soon witness a revolution in popular
theology, for the Bible does not teach popular theology in any of its fundamental doctrines and principles. Popular theology is a conglomerate of
Platonic philosophy and ecclesiastical tradition, alias human speculation
and invention.
"The Bible promulgates divine revelation. It teaches the mortality of man,
the unity of God, and the bodily, terrestrial nature of the salvation that God
is now working out by Christ. Many of the preachers recognize this, but hold
back from its public avowal for fear of results.
1973 Berean 73
"I fear there is little likelihood of the people adopting the plan of Bible
study, if the views expressed by Mr. Badewell in your issue of Friday
prevail—as they do, and are likely to do, more and more from their
plausibility and palatability—that is, as regards the mass. A few will
doubtless always be found, whose knowledge of the Scriptures will never
allow them to consent to the suggestions that the Bible embodies 'the myths
of an eastern people,' and who will be prepared to maintain without reserve,
and in the full exercise of reason, that it is 'to be received and accepted as
God's inspired Word.' This view is not disposed of by the quotation from a
Jesuit father, not by the consensus of a whole hierarchy of clerical
erudition.
"When the Bible is UNDERSTOOD, the objections that weigh so readily
upon Mr. Badewell's class fall to the ground. The mere reading of it, in any
systematic manner, is enough to dispel the notion of superstitious or even a
human origin. The 'six days hypothesis,' the creation of light, and Adam and
Eve's advent in the garden of Eden, and all the other details supposed to be
so damaging, are all matters of exegetical detail and fall into harmony with
the general scheme of divine (and scientific) truth, when the Bible is allowed
to give us this scheme in a 'strictly literal interpretation,' carried out with
due regard to obvious figures of speech where they occur.
"The huge mistake that is driving the people into irreligion is the
assumption that clerical theology and Bible revelation are identical.
"The two things are as wide as the poles asunder. Many have found out
this to their joy, and if the discovery could only be extended to the public in
general, we should soon have a different attitude on the part of the New
Zealand public to the Book, to which even now they unconsciously owe so
much. I am, etcM Robert Roberts."
MON., AUG. 1: SAILING FROM AUCKLAND FOR SYDNEY
We left Auckland on Monday, August 1, in the s.s. Mararoa for
Sydney—1,000 miles over the stormy sea. Properly speaking, the
return voyage to England began on the day sis. Roberts and I left
Melbourne for New Zealand—which was May 26. The visit to New
Zealand was the first part of the return voyage so far as I was
concerned.
The expectation was that when we had gone through that long
straggling country, (nearly 1,000 miles from south to north, and 150
irregularly—from east to west) we should part at Auckland—sis.
Roberts going west to Sydney on her way to Melbourne, and I
eastwards, to San Francisco, on my way to Birmingham.
But when we got to Auckland, it became evident that it would be
expedient for me to revisit Melbourne before starting for England.
So, as recorded in the last chapter of notes, I sailed with sis. Roberts
in the Mararoa for Sydney, instead of the Moana for America.
A ROUGH VOYAGE: LABORS FOR THE TRUTH ON BOARD
The voyage (about 4 days) was a very rough one—the ocean
always seems stormy between Australia and New Zealand—sis.
Roberts was a little upset by the uncomfortable motion of the vessel,
coming on the back of the fatigue resulting from something like a 6
hours' levee among friends before starting (you see the steamer did
not sail for some hours after the advertised time—which caused
what is expressively called "hanging about")
1973 Berean 74
Notwithstanding the discomforts of sea-sickness, sis. Roberts did
good service for the Truth in her conversations with lady
passengers. One case was quite interesting. The lady had seen our
Auckland lectures advertised before starting, and had purposed
attending; but being unable herself to go, she had pressed upon a
grown-up son and daughter to do so. They attended, and brought her
back a glowing report of what they had heard. She was now surprised to find us on board the same vessel. Sis. Roberts afterwards
visited her in Sydney and arranged for her to have a copy of
Christendom Astray.
FRI.,AUG.5: ARRIVAL AT SYDNEY: REST AND RELIEF
We reached Sydney on Friday, August 5, early in the day—an hour
or two before our time, nearly too soon for 2 sharp friends who were
on the outlook, though with a scramble they were on the wharf as
soon as the steamer. Once in the hands of bro. Jackson and bro. Bell,
our anxieties for the time were at an end. We were packed off in a
literally packed conveyance to bro. Jackson's friendly house, 4
miles off at Marrickville, while our 2 brethren departed for the
duties of the day. The rest of a stable habitation was very acceptable after the turmoil of the sea.
It had been arranged that I should go forward to Melbourne,
leaving sis. Roberts at Sydney till my return to that port in 2 weeks
time to sail for San Francisco. She had not been to Sydney before,
and there was a mutual desire on the part of herself and the
brethren that she should embrace the opportunity of making the
acquaintance of the largest ecclesia in the colonies.
SUN.-MON., AUG. 7-8: MEETINGS AT SYDNEY: ON TO MELBOURNE
I stayed over the Sunday, meeting with the brethren, and addressing them, morning and evening, departing for Melbourne by
the Monday night's express. I had not known till the last moment
whether I should be going to Melbourne by sea or land, otherwise I
might have arranged to stay at Albury on the way. However I made
up for this on the way back.
The train had to go through Wagga Wagga, where bro. Payne
now lives, but at such an unseasonable hour (4 a.m. I think) that a
visit could not well be arranged. I had an interesting letter from him
afterwards, mentioning encouraging prospects for the Truth in his
new neighborhood, especially at a quiet place about 40 miles off—I
forget the name—where a company of men had come to a
knowledge of the Truth through reading Christendom Astray, and
had sent to know how they could be assisted in the obedience of the
Truth.
At Albury station, 7 o'clock, I saw sis. Frew and bro. Kaye for a
few minutes.
1973 Berean 75
Being a day before my time, and not wishing to arrive
prematurely at Melbourne, I stayed off at Benalla (my ticket admitting of this), and gave the day to writing in a temperance hotel.
WED., AUG. 10: ARRIVAL HOME: A LONELY COMPANY: 2 LECTURES
I arrived at Melbourne on Wednesday, August 10, and found all
well with our lonely little company at the Orient House, except that
another horse had died, and water was going short. I spent a
pleasant fortnight with them, attending the meetings, and lecturing
2 Sundays on "The Voice of God in History/' and "The Voice of God
in Prophecy."
THURS., AUG. 25: THE FINAL FAREWELL: LEAVING MELBOURNE
I bade them a reluctant adieu early on Thursday, August 25, and
took the train at Glenroy for Albury, where it had been arranged I
should lecture on my way to Sydney. The arrangement was made
under peculiar circumstances. For some considerable time, bro.
Dinsmore had been in the habit of inserting a weekly advertisement
in one of the local papers, setting forth some element of the Truth, in
a brief form, with proof-texts accompanying.
Nobody had a right to say a word against it. Still, the clergy did
not like it. They would have had no objections to bro. Dinsmore
advertising himself as the agent of Cockle's pills or Mother Siegel's
syrup, but to have the Scripture-supported Truth held up weekly
before the eyes of the community was not at all soothing to
their feelings.
At last, a rocket was fired off by a Roman Catholic priest in the
shape of a letter denouncing the heretical stuff, and the paper that
could lend itself as a medium for it. This brought out a cordial
response from an Episcopalian clergyman, who warmly seconded
his Roman Catholic brother's protest.
Then came a letter on the other side, putting in a plea for liberty
and fair play, and suggesting, if I remember rightly, that the
clerical objectors should take the British way of dealing with heresy
by arguing it down instead of fulminating a condemnation which
nobody in these days of freedom could be expected to take any
notice of.
This commenced a newspaper war which did not go to a great
length. It ended in the clericals trying to "boycott" the paper. They
publicly declared their intention to induce their people to cease
taking a paper that lent itself to diffusion of such rank infidelity—as
if a paper could be held responsible for the things said be advertisers. No doubt some would be intimidated for a time, but in the
end, the stream would resume its natural course.
1973 Berean 76
It was suggested that the state of mind caused by this newspaper
breeze would be favorable for obtaining the public ear for the
hearing of the Truth. So it was arranged that I should deliver one
lecture—the circumstances not favoring more.
FRI.,AUG.26: ALECTURE AT ALBURY: ON TOSYDNEY
I arrived at mid-day on the Friday, rested at the house of bro.
Dinsmore in the afternoon, and in the evening delivered the lecture.
There was a large audience for Albury, and a very attentive
hearing, and at the close, a great number of questions were put. The
meeting was considered as interesting and successful as such a
hurried effort allowed. Two hours after the lecture, I took the night
express for Sydney, where I arrived next day about 11 o'clock.
SAT., AUG. 27: A DAY AT MANLY WITH SIS. ROBERTS
After a certain amount of writing I spent a very enjoyable day
with sis. Roberts at Manly, a seaside resort at the lower side of the
harbor, just outside "the heads." We could not help some degree of
sadness at the prospect of separating so soon for so long a time.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 28
Next day (Sunday), we had a profitable day with the brethren,
morning and evening. The lecture was on "The Meaning of God's
Dealings with Mankind Past and Future."
MON., AUG. 29: SAILING FROM SYDNEY FOR NEWZEALAND
On Monday, having done the needful packing, we sent my part of
"the things" down to the s.s. Alameda, and then went for the few
last hours together. At 4 o'clock there was a good muster of brethren
and sisters at the wharf of the Union Steamship Co., at the foot of
Margaret Street. (Sis. Roberts was to sail next day in the coasting
steamboat for Melbourne.)
Having said farewell, the gangway was unshipped punctually at
4 o'clock, and the Alameda slowly left her moorings and was soon
moving down the harbor among those handkerchief wavings which
sadly mean so much more than can be expressed, a curious mixture
of reminiscences, friendship, sorrow, and hope. In less than half-anhour we were out on the great ocean, in a heavy swell, with the head
of the vessel pointed to New Zealand, 1000 miles away.
The night closed in darkness and roughness, and most of the
passengers were banished to their cabins by the distressing sensations caused by the heaving and rocking of the vessel. As I am
happily not affected in this way, I was able to commence at once to
pull up the arrears of writing into which I had fallen during the last
or mg . T H E D | F F E R E N C E S 0 N A N AMERICAN BOAT
The s.s. Alameda is an American boat, and therefore differing
in several respects from those in which I have been accustomed to
travel. The differences I must say are all in favor of the American. I
cannot adduce more conclusive evidence than this, that whereas I
have invariably been put out of order in all previous sea voyages, in
this instance I preserved a proper equilibrium of health during the
entire 3V2 weeks or so I spent on board.
1973 Berean 77
The explanation lay partly in the fact stated by the head steward,
"We have no red tape here." In English ships there is a rigid
adherence to system from which one finds it difficult to depart in the
midst of a crowd of people, and if the food does not happen to be
suitable in every particular, you are helpless.
On board the Miowera, for example, the last time I crossed the
Pacific, the etiquette was as high almost as at a nobleman's table.
The dishes came in regular courses. If you did not care for what was
offered, you let it pass. If you wanted something else you must wait,
and probably could not even have it by waiting.
On the Alameda there was system, of course (for nothing could be
done without system), but it was a flexible system that could be
adapted to everyone's particular needs. Many of the dishes were
placed on the table for you to help yourself; and as regards those not
on the table, but on the bill of fare, you could have anything you liked,
in any order. (By the way, they said "bill of fare" and not menu.
English people should certainly speak English. These lordly ways
are burdensome to plain men, and all true men are plain men—even
as the little children who Jesus prescribes as the ideal.)
Then the American officials are more sensible and humble and
cheery than their English confreres, who are liable to be austere
and stand-off.
Tribulation Worketh Patience
"I will show him how great things he must suffer
for my Name's sake"—Acts 9:16
IN Acts 16 and 17 we are again travelling with Paul. At the close of
ch. 15 he set out with Silas on the second of his three great journeys
of proclaiming the Gospel to the world. It was about 50 AD, 20 years
after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.
He suggested to Barnabas that they revisit the ecclesias they had
established in western Asia Minor on the first journey. From this
arose the dispute over taking Mark, who had left them and turned
back on the first journey. This disagreement between Paul and
Barnabas could not be settled so, after working together for over 15
years, they parted.
Paul and Barnabas had been close from the beginning. It was
Barnabas who introduced Paul to the brethren at Jerusalem, when
they were afraid of him. And it was Barnabas who got Paul to go to
Antioch to help him with the work there.
Both these men had the Holy Spirit in great measure. Of Barnabas
it is said he was "full of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 11:24). At the
beginning of the first journey, the Holy Spirit specifically selected
Barnabas and Paul (mentioning Barnabas first) to go forth together
to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 13:2).
1973 Berean 78
Yet still, they could not solve this point at issue between then, and
this divinely appointed team broke into two. There is much food for
profitable thought here, and much comfort for our present dark day.
Why did they not appeal to God, and why did not God settle it for
them by the direct guidance of the Spirit?
Doubtless they DID fervently appeal to God, and doubtless He
DID settle it, but not necessarily in the way we might desire or
expect. Of another trouble of another kind at another time, Paul
said it had worked out "to the furtherance of the Gospel" (Ph. 1:12).
So here. Two expeditions set out instead of one. Of Barnabas we do
not hear again, but this is no reflection on him, for the record is
concerned with Paul and we hear very little about any other at all.
Of Mark, Paul later speaks very highly more than once. In Col.
4:10-11, he was with Paul in his first imprisonment in Rome, and
Paul says he was a "comfort to him." And in 2 Tim. 4:11, at the very
end of Paul's life, again in prison in Rome, the one person he tells
Timothy to bring to him is Mark, and he speaks of him as
"profitable to him for the ministry."
Of these two Holy Spirit-filled men, Paul and Barnabas, which
was to blame? Which was wrong?
Not necessarily either. Nor is there any evidence that either
behaved in an unChristlike way. The word in Acts 15:39, translated
"contention," is more often used in a good sense than a bad one. It
denotes very strong feeling, but not necessarily wrong feeling. It is
the word translated "provoke" in—
"Provoke unto love and good works" (Heb. 10:24)
It is the word used for "stirred" in Acts 17:16 where Paul's heart
was compassionately and zealously stirred by the ignorance of the
Athenians' pitiful, intense worship of what they knew not.
There was very strong feeling on both sides of this disagreement,
each for his own unshakably determined course of action. Paul was
determined he would not take Mark on this trip. Barnabas was
determined he would not go without Mark. Both may have been
perfectly right in their judgment. We are not specifically told their
reasons, but they seem quite clear and both legitimate.
Paul would not take him because he had failed them on the first
trip. Paul's reason may have just as much out of love and consideration for Mark as Barnabas' was. The hardships of this
second trip were greater and more prolonged than those of the first.
We have only to think of the terrible beating with iron rods the
apostles suffered in Philippi, and the mob uproars and vicious
treatments at Thessalonica, Berea and Corinth. He would know
young Mark was not ready, and another failure could be disastrous
for both Mark and the expedition.
1973 Berean 79
Barnabas, on the other hand, would not go without his nephew
Mark. He too was probably right. Clearly Mark wanted to go.
Clearly therefore he regretted having abandoned them on the first
journey. Clearly he was anxious to redeem himself. To deny him the
opportunity might have destroyed him by remorse and disappointment.
So 2 expeditions would clearly be the answer, dividing the
proposed field of visiting the ecclesias they had established, one by
Barnabas and Mark to more familiar and less hazardous territory,
until Mark was more fully matured as a soldier of Christ.
There are many lessons for us, but what surely is the great one?
That even very outstanding apostles filled with the Holy Spirit may
sincerely and irreconcilably disagree. God does not always choose
to give all the answers to everything, for He is testing us to see how
we react to problems and difficulties.
If we always react with gentleness and kindness and fairness and
meekness and patience and brotherliness and love, all will at last be
well for us, and God will in His good time clear all the clouds away.
But if the flesh comes to the surface, and we react with harshness
and bitterness and rudeness and unkindness, and believe and
spread false reports about our brethren, then woe betide us, for our
just condemnation will be terrible indeed!
We shall never know all the answers to all problems. But if we do
not consistenly manifest the meek and loving spirit of Christ in all
our dealings with our brethren, and scrupulous truth and fairness
in what we say about them, then we might as well forget everything
and join the world, for we are the world's biggest hypocrites.
We cannot possibly be right if our spirit is wrong, for God will only
guide those of the right spirit. If we cannot control our own tongue
and temper, then that—and that alone—is our number one life-anddeath problem, and we had better worry about ourselves and forget
about condemning others.
So Paul starts out on Journey Two with Silas, a new companion.
This time they went by land across the mountains into eastern Asia
Minor, to Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, etc.
The first incident, beginning ch. 16, is the addition of Timothy to
the party. It is clear that a devoted young man, to take care of
the many details of traveling, would be a tremendous advantage in the work, and the loss of such, in the middle of the
journey, a great blow and handicap to them. Twelve years later,
Timothy is still especially noted for his youth, so at this time he
must have been very young indeed, most probably in his teens.
The first thing Paul does is to have him circumcised, though he
taught, to these very same ecclesias, in Gal. 5:2, that—
'7/ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing."
There are always those who are eagerly looking for "inconsistencies" to condemn in their brethren, and here indeed is a
perfect example—
1973 Berean so
"Paul! You said, 'If ye be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing.* But
here when faced with a problem yourself, you directly violate that principle,
just as an expediency to save yourself trouble with the Jews!"
We know there was no inconsistency. We know Paul's motives in
both cases were perfectly correct, and completely harmonious with
each other. We see the picture clearly. But how can you convince""
someone who is seeking for something to find fault with, and to use
to discredit someone?/The scriptural command is, over and over—
"JUDGE NOT, THAT YE BE NOT JUDGED."
With our puny little limited minds, it is impossible for us to judge
fairly, even if we should have all the facts. And we never have ALL
the facts.
This is not to say that there must not be a strong fellowship stand,
strongly adhered to. Otherwise we would all be still in the Catholic
Church. We must decide where the fellowship line is, and we must
faithfully adhere to it, very gently and kindly, but very firmly.
But we must never judge motives, or seek occasions of faultfinding, or believe and peddle hurtful rumors, or talk behind
peoples' backs, or speak of sins—either real or supposed—TO
ANYONE EXCEPT THE PERSON INVOLVED. In doing such, we
condemn ourselves. The stern penalties of the law of Christ are very
fearful against any of these fleshly abominations—
"AS YE JUDGE, SO SHALL YE BE JUDGED/'
Many do not seem to realize the terrible judgment in store for
those who accept Christ, and then violate his laws of brotherliness
and kindness.
So Paul circumcised Timothy, even though he said the circumcision would cut a man off from the salvation of Christ.
The next few verses (6-10) are very interesting. We remember
that these men—especially Paul—had the power of the Holy Spirit in
tremendous measure, that Spirit which Jesus said should "lead
them in all truth." In these verses, we are reminded of Abraham,
who, Paul says (Heb. 11:8)—
"Went out, not knowing whither he went"
God just said to him, "Leave home; start out; I'll tell you later
where you are going." We tend to get impatient. We tend to worry
about what is coming, and what to do about it. But—
"Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
God doesn't have to tell us what to do until the time comes to do it.
All we have to be concerned about are the problems of today. That is
the big lesson we find so hard to learn. We worry about so many
things that haven't happened, and never will happen. When shall we
ever learn that God knows what He is doing, and we can very safely
leave all the worrying to Him?
ν
1973 Berean si
But getting back to Acts 16:6. These men were filled with the
power of the Spirit, and they were out doing the Spirit's work. But
what do we find? They must stumble on their way by trial and error.
They made the circuit of the ecclesias, confirming the disciples.
Then they considered where to go next. Did the Spirit guide them?
Not at all, except negatively. They apparently first considered
going to Asia. This refers to the western end of Asia Minor, centered
around Ephesus. This would be the logical move on the basis of
Paul's pattern of moving gradually west by way of great cities.
But the Spirit just forbad them to go to Asia. So they headed north
for Bithynia, but again the Spirit said no. They had tried west and
north, and been barred, so they tried northwest, in between, and this
time they were permitted to proceed.
Why did God act like this? And why are we told about it? Surely to
teach us essential lessons. We have got to have patience, and we
have got to have faith, and we have got to have complete, calm,
unworried dependence. Answers will come, when they are needed.
So they finally by trial and error, reached the coast at Troas, at
the northwest tip of Asia Minor, opposite Europe. And still the
destination God had in mind for them has not been revealed. But
after they reached Troas, Paul had the vision of the man of
Macedonia, calling for help. Even then there was no direct instruction. How easy for God to have said at the very beginning—
"Don't waste your time trying this direction and that direction. Go
straight to Macedonia."
But God, in His Own good wisdom, did not choose to do it that way.
They still, by putting everything together, had to reach the conclusion that this appeared to be what God wanted them to do. And
this time they were right.
Surely this whole impressive train of events is to emphasize our
day-to-day dependence on the guidance of God. As soon as He tells
us too far ahead, as soon as we begin to confidently plan for the
future, as soon as problems seem to be clearing up and answers
seem to be coming, we begin to lose touch—to lose the urgent sense
of the need of daily guidance. Right away we relax. Our m i n d s released from pressure—turn to worldly things. We begin to build
sepulchres on high, as if this were our eternal resting place.
The next deeply instructive event is the beating and jailing of Paul
and Silas. Up to the time he wrote 2nd Corinthians (which was about
2 / 3 through his life in the Truth), Paul had been beaten 3 times with
iron rods by the Romans, and 5 times lashed with 40 stripes by the
Jews. The beating with iron rods was a terrible punishment, not
only at the time but in its long painful crippling effects afterward.
Often it broke bones and did great permanent injury.
Why did Paul have to suffer these things? Why did Christ have to
suffer as he did? Why is it—as Paul told the Lycaonian brethren
after his own stoning at Lystra—that (Acts 14:22)— 1973 Berean 82
"We must through MUCH tribulation enter the Kingdom of God.*'
Of Christ himself it is said (and it is one of the deepest statements
of Scripture), that (Heb. 5:8)—
"He LEARNED OBEDIENCE by the things that he suffered."
How could a perfect, sinless man "learn obedience"? From the
very beginning he was sinless: but he was untried, unexperienced,
undeveloped in character. He had not * Overcome." At the end he
was tried, and experienced, and established—having perfectly
overcome all trials and sufferings.
Suffering is the crucible in which character is purged and purified
and beautified, and then fired to indestructible permanence. In our
original, natural state, we are rotten, ugly, fleshly, animal
creatures. Some of us never get to be anything else but rotten, ugly,
fleshly, animal creatures all our lives, though we are given the
inestimable privilege and responsibility of living, like Judas, in the
presence of divine beauty.
Suffering takes many forms, and only God knows what each
suffers, and how much. Suffering does not NECESSARILY
beautify and purify. Sometimes it makes us even worse than our
original natural ugliness was. It is a matter of how we are exercised
by it. If we really believe God—and sadly there is much less REAL
belief than there appears to be on the surface—if we really believe
God, then we really believe that—
"All things work together for good to them that love God."
"All things"! If we haven't got that connection, we haven't got
ANYTHING. And if we have got it—how can we ever be unhappyhow can we ever be disappointed—how can we ever wish things to
be different than they are?
Truly we wish them to be different in the sense that we wish them
to be working in a certain direction of change and accomplishment.
But they ARE doing that! We KNOW they are, for—
"All things WORK TOGETHER for good—toward good—for them
that love God."
All we have to be concerned about is that we are among those that
truly "love" God—in the scriptural sense of complete and
unrestrained devotion and obedience. And this is indeed a tall order,
a lifetime effort, a fulltime project. It consists mainly of always
doing what God wants, and not doing what WE want—of always
acting in harmony with the beauty of the Spirit and not the ugliness
of the flesh. That's our main concern—our own character and
conduct, or we are just hypocrites.
But why should Paul need more suffering than anyone else? We
would think it was terrible if we were nearly beaten to death once,
but Paul experienced this at least 8 times, and never knew when it
Was COming again.
1973 Berean 83
It was not because he deserved or needed it more. There is
another aspect to suffering, another marvelous and beautiful
aspect. Jesus said of Paul at the very beginning—
"I will show him what great things he must suffer for my Name/'
Of Peter, Jesus spoke concerning the death whereby he should
glorify God. And of himself it is recorded—
"With his stripes we are healed."
How does suffering serve the Name of Christ, and glorify God, and
heal others? These are strange and wonderful divine things. There
is much we do not know, but there is also much we can dimly perceive, and somehow feel rather than actually comprehend.
Paul speaks of striving to participate in the fellowship of Christ's
sufferings, and there IS indeed a "fellowship of suffering" that is
far deeper and closer than any fellowship of mere joy could ever be.
If we are Christ-like and compassionate, and kind to one another, we
shall come through all problems more closely knit together in love,
for we shall have experienced the beautiful "fellowship of sufferings. "
The reaction to suffering is the key to its value. It is the beauty of
character born of bitter tribulation that makes all worthwhile. If
Paul had just endured these things stoically and courageously, it
would have been commendable, but it would have had no living
power. Many do that, and yet they are nameless and forgotten.
But let us consider the apostles' reaction. First, their clothes were
torn off and they were beaten severely with iron bars. The record
specifically says that "many stripes" were laid upon them—that is,
more than usual—especial severity. They would be in constant
severe pain for many days after; any movement would be agony.
Then they were thrown—literally thrown—into prison. The jailor,
being specially charged with their safety, in turn "throws" them
into the inner prison—the dungeon, and fastens their feet in stocks.
These stocks were an instrument of torture to create a position of
great diSCOmfort.
1973 Berean 84
All this time they would be wounded and bleeding, with their
wounds completely unattended to. But the main thing is, what was
their reaction to all this? All down through earth's dark history of
man's wickedness this has happened (and still happens) countless
times to countless millions. Natural man is a vile, jungle creature of
hatred and vindictiveness and backbiting and vicious falsehood.
"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God."
They were not putting on an act. This was the true, deep, spontaneous reaction of their hearts. These men were really IN the
Truth. They really knew what it was all about. Their minds were
thoroughly and inseparably in tune with God. They knew that all
was of God, and all was for some great eternal good, and that they
were a privileged part of that great purpose of at last filling the
earth with God's glory.
Let us not be sorry for them. Let us rather be sorry for ourselves
that in this day of ease and comfort and luxury and self-indulgence,
we are so pitifully out of touch with those glorious realities the
apostles' experienced. How many of us are really IN the Truth, as
they were?
They did not seek martyrdom. They fled from it whenever they
faithfully could. They did all they faithfully could to avoid it. But
when it came, they knew it was of God for some strange and glorious
purpose, and they rejoiced in tribulation, they "rejoiced that they
were considered worthy to suffer" for the great Name of Jesus.
One result was the conversion of the jailor—the one who just
previously had cruelly added to their misery by roughly throwing
them into the dungeon and putting their feet in stocks.
Was it worth it? Would we consider it worth it, if we could save a
soul from death? Here is the key to the whole matter. Here we can
test our hearts to see if we really are in the Truth and have any idea
what it is all about. To them it WAS worth it, worth all the suffering,
because they were driven by the mighty power of love for their
fellowman. They were not self-centered. They thought nothing of
themselves.
To what extent are we driven by that power? Is it a vital overwhelming force within us so that we are constantly seeking to do
good, and willing to suffer anything for it? Are we really IN the
Truth—God's glorious TRANSFORMING Truth—or do we just have
a religion? "Let a man examine himself," says Paul, as he turns our
hearts and minds to this great sacrifice for mankind, this supreme
manifestation of love—"Greater love hath no man than this"—
"Let a man examine HIMSELF/*
To examine ourselves is an ugly, stomach-turning task. Few
indeed are willing to face what they see, but those few are God's
eternal jewels.
—G.V.G.
Fraternal Gatherings
If the Lord Will
LAMPASAS, TEXAS: FRIDAY to SUNDAY, JUNE 8 to 10
Bro. Ross Wolfe, 1802 Rumley Rd., Lampasas, Tex. 76550; (512) 556-5249
HYE, TEXAS: SUNDAY to SUNDAY, JULY 29 to AUGUST 5
Bro. N. Mammone, 2200 W. No. Loop, Ap. 129, Austin, Tx. 78756; 512-453-1048
'One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I
may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold
the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple"—Psalm 27:4.
One thing. One thing is needful. Complication is unrest, but simplification is peace. One thing in life must stand in majestic isolation like the mountain of the Lord, and all other things must be
grouped in complete subjection at its base.
1973 Berean 85
In the Image of God Made He Him
"In heaven their angels do always behold the face of my
Father which is in heaven"—Matthew 18:10
PARTTMREE
THE SPIRITUAL CONFIRMS THE LITERAL
We do not find ANYWHERE
Truly, in the New Testament,
in Scripture that spintual lesthe "image of God" is also used
sons and applications disprove
in a much higher sense than
the actual, literal facts they are
external form, but rather than
patterned from.
destroying the simple literal
foundation, the spiritual appliPassages using this expression
cation is BUILT UPON and conor thought in a spiritual sense
firms it.
are:
2 Cor. 3:18—"We all, with open face beholding as in a glass
the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory
to glory" (Amer. Rev. Vers.: ". . . are being changed into his
likeness from one degree of glory to another.")
Col. 3:10—"Put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of Him that created him."
Eph. 4:24 (Amer. Rev. Vers.)—"Put on the new nature, created
after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
It will be clearly seen that
the "image of God" in these
passages is a likeness to Him in
mind and character. This is a
legitimate and scripturally supported spiritual application, pat-
terned on the natural, as many
spiritual teachings are. It is
quite clear and understandable
and—while based upon the literal meaning—there is no confusion or confliction with it.
CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN LITERAL AND SPIRITUAL
THERE is plainly a vast difference between the simple, literal "image of God" in which
man was made at the beginning
and all men have been made in
since, and the image referred to
in these passages which is a
matter of developed character,
tried faith, growing in knowledge, obedience learned through
things suffered, spiritual transformation of the mind, etc.
The natural image is bestowed
upon ALL from creation forward; the spiritual image is a
matter of lifelong effort and
gradual a t t a i n m e n t . THE
SCRIPTURES DO NOT CONFUSE THE TWO.
James 3:9 could not possibly
be referring to the same thing
as 2 Cor. 3:18. The first is natural, involuntary and universal;
the second is spiritual, voluntary
and individual. The first is applied to all men; the second
only to the faithful believers.
It is essential to PERCEIVE
THIS DISTINCTION, and not
mix these references together.
It is the meaning of the former—the natural, universal image—with which we are concerned. This meaning we believe
we have conclusively demonstrated by a thorough examination of what the original words
used by God really mean, and
the way they are consistently
used to fix that meaning beyond
question. Also by other Old
Testament foundation references
to the subject of the form of
God.
The abandonment of this essential truth will soon lead to
1973 Berean 86
a broad disintegration of the
scriptural picture concerning
the spiritual body, and a long
step toward the bodiless, immaterial, immortal soul conception.
The Scriptures nowhere give
any support to the theory that
the image of God in which man
was — and still is — made is
"dominion" or "spiritual dis-
cernment that Adam had but
Eve hadn't," etc. Nothing of this
kind is included in the simple,
natural meaning of the words
used. These are groundless and
unsupported suppositions, the
fallacy of which should be obvious by the fact that such a
wide range of meanings must be
given a simple term in order to
make it fit all references.
HEBREWS 1:3
Heb. 1:3—"His Son . . . the brightness of His glory, and the
express image of His Person."
This is the AV, and it seems
points out in Phanerosis, the
to represent the meaning of the
engraving of a substance points
original words as accurately as
strongly to a form, specially
any, unless "substance" (RV)
when it is tied in with such a
is a closer rendering than "pervisual aspect as "the brightness
son." We believe this verse to
of His glory."
be a strong support of the truth
However, as bro. Roberts menconcerning the form of God. It
tions (Chdn. 1892), the case
appeals to us in that way, but
does not rest on this verse. To
we do not insist upon this exact
those who feel the force of the
meaning here, because it is not
other testimony, this reference
absolutely literally conclusive.
adds strength, but they would
The "express image" is in the
not use this verse exclusively as
Greek charakter, literally "ena primary proof.
graving," and, as bro. Thomas
COLOSSI ANS 1:15
Col. 1:15—"His Son . . . who is the image of the invisible God."
"image" itself here is not conThe specific introduction of
clusive, for the Greek word
the word "invisible" surely directs our minds to the aspect of
(eikon) is used both literally
s i g h t and appearance. This
and figuratively in the New
seems inescapable. To us, thereTestament, though more often
fore, this verse is another clear
in the primary sense of an aclink in the chain. The word
tual, visible similitude.
SETH IN ADAM'S IMAGE, AS ADAM IN GOD'S
WE would like to direct attention to the exact parallel between Gen. 1:26—
"Let us make man in our
image (tselem), after our
likeness (demuth).
And Gen. 5:3—
"Adam begat a son in his
own likeness (demuth), after
his image (tselem)."
It will be noted that the
original words are identical.
Surely these identical expressions—used in similar relation
and so close together, and further tied together by Gen. 5:1—
must mean the same simple
thing. Surely it is highly forced
and unnatural to suggest that
we must interpret them in two
entirely different ways, according to our own ideas of what
they should mean.
REFERENCES TO BODILY PARTS
THERE is another aspect
which we do not present as absolutely conclusive in itself, but
1973 Berean
which to us adds great supplementary strength to the picture.
Beside the continual and natural
87
references to God as a person
a s we know such—"Father,"
"He," etc.—there are the many
allusions to Him that imply a
form similar to man's—His face,
His hands, etc.
It is argued that this is all
"symbolic" and that on this
basis, He must also have wings
(Psa. 17:8) and feathers (Psa.
91:4).
True, much is symbolic and
figurative. Many such expressions are used of men in other
than a literal sense, as to "hold
something in the hollow of one's
hand," or to "grind the faces
of the poor." But, on the foundation already given, we believe
the many places which refer
quite naturally and apparently
literally to God as an actual
person with a form like man's
carry great weight in presenting a consistent picture. It is
just what we would expect, on
the basis of Gen. 1:26.
We know "wings" are quite
obviously figurative, but we experience no more difficulty with
this than we do when we ourselves use the expression "take
someone under our wing." Such
clearly figurative expressions—
employed freely by men themselves—cannot be used as an excuse to brush aside all the natural and simple references to
God's face, hands, eyes, etc.,
without some very real evidence
that none of this is intended to
convey the idea that it quite naturally and simply does convey.
If God is very anxious and
concerned that we should NOT
get this impression, it is surely
strange that ALL the references
to Him, from Genesis to Revelation, when accepted in their
ordinary sense, so strongly lead
TO that impression, whatever
aspect of the subject we consider.
We are well aware that Christendom considers a literal sitting down in a literal Kingdom
of God to partake of literal food
with Christ as a gross and absured notion, but — believing
what God has said—we are quite
unmoved by an apostate Christendom's views, or the views of
the "wise" of the world. The
same applies to this question.
VERSES USED IN ATTEMPT TO DISPROVE THE TRUTH
There are some verses that are quoted in an effort to prove
that the form of man is not patterned after the form of God:
Deut. 4:15—"Ye saw no manner of similitude (temunah) on the
day that the Lord spoke to you."
and worship images. But of
Even on the face of it this
Moses—in whom there was no
does not in any way support the
such danger—God said, "The
above contention. It is a perfectsimilitude (temunah: s a m e
ly true statement of fact, and it
word) of Yahweh shall he beis emphasized to guard them
hold" (Nm. 12:8). And we are
against their very prevalent
given an instance of this happening (Exo. 33:20-23).
weakness of desiring to make
*
* *
Jer. 10:23—"It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."
The argument from this is
as if we said, "It is not in man
that laboreth to direct his labor
rather obscure and hard to dearight." Consider a very similar
fine. It lies in the suggestion
expression (Psa. 89:48)—
that the phrase "that walketh"
is given as a distinguishing
"What man is he that livcharacteristic of man, as coneth, and shall not see death?"
trasted with God. Surely the
Could this be used to prove
simple, reasonable meaning lies
that God has no life, simply on
in the connection between "that
the ground that man is spoken
walketh" and "his steps," just
Of as living?
1973 Berean
Eccl. 7:29—-"God hath made
sought out many inventions."
It is inferred that this verse
refers to the making of man
in God's image and man's subsequent decline from that image. Apart from the fact that
this suggestion contradicts the
clear meaning of "image" in
Gen. 1:26, we believe the clearest proof that this interpretation is impossible lies in the
distinction that Paul makes in
1 Cor. 11:7 between the man
and the woman as related to
the image of God—
"Man is the image and
man upright; but they have
glory of God: but the woman
is the glory of the man.
Both man and woman were
made "upright." Both were
"very good" before transgression. If we say that being made
"upright" was being made in
the image of God, then we deny
that the woman was made upright. If woman was not "upright" or "straight" when made,
then the statement that they
were "very good" would not
be true, and God would be
made the originator of sin.
Rom. 1:23—"They changed the glory of the uncorruptible God
into an image made like unto corruptible man."
We would like to call atten—they followed the tendencies
tion first to the fact that this
of their own lusts and desires,
in no way states or proves or
and created false gods, patterned after themselves.
indicates that man was not
made in the image (form) of
"They changed the truth of
God. This should be clearly
God into a lie, and worshipped
realized, for much has been
and served the creature more
made of this by inference.
than the Creator" (v. 25).
It is simply a perfectly true
That was the sin. The fact
statement of fact that — forthat—patterning idols after men
saking the true and pure wor—they would approximate the
ship of the Creator—they made
form of God, would be quite inand worshipped gods patterned
cidental. It was creatures, with
after vile and corruptible men.
all their vile passions and propensities, they were the patterns
WHETHER OR NOT MAN IS
and ideals they were copying
MADE IN THE FORM OF GOD
for their objects of degraded
DOES NOT AFFECT THE SIN
worship.
HERE SPOKEN OF.
Bro. Roberts, says, in answer
Forsaking the true God—putto exactly the same objection in
ting Him from their minds (v.28)
the 1892 Chdn., pg. 133—
"The allegation in Rom. 1:23 against the fools who had 'changed
the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man* has reference to nature rather than shape, as shown
by the emphasis on the terms of the contrast—'corruptible' and 'uncorruptible* in connection with 'glory.'
The mythology of the Greeks and the idolatries of the Canaanites may illustrate what is meant. They reduced the glowing fountain of Eternal Power to a mere creature like man with his weaknesses and passions."
Some have thought, on the
This is emphasized by the
basis of v. 18 ("Who hold the
following verse: "Wherefore
Truth"), that this first chapter
God gave them up to uncleanof Romans refers to believers
ness through the lusts of their
who have gone partly astray.
own hearts."
1973 Berean I
But the Rev. Vers. here has,
"Who hinder the Truth."
The original word is katecho,
and while it admittedly is and
may be translated "keep,
possess, hold fast," it is also
just as accurately rendered
"seize, stay, withhold, let, restrain."
Surely it will be quite evi-
dent from a careful reading of
this chapter that it is the whole
mass of the Gentiles that is
being spoken of, as chapter 2
speaks of the Jews. The whole
scope and frameword and plan
of the epistle demand this. Paul
says (3:9)—
"We have proved both Jews
and Gentiles that they are
ALL under sin."
John 5:37—"Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor
seen His shape/'
witness of me, ye have neiThis is interpreted to mean,
ther heard, etc . . ."
"nor seen anything of similar
shape." This is not sound interThe point at issue is WITpretation; it takes all the point
NESS, testimony, evidence.
and meaning out of the passage.
It is God's OWN authentic
The passage says, "Ye have not
voice or visible manifestation
seen His shape" (eidos—form,
that is in question as a matter
appearance). Consider the conof genuineness and witness.
text. Jesus says in the first half
Whether or not they had seen
of the same verse—
countless men fashioned after
His shape is entirely irrelevant.
"The Father hath borne
It will be noted that all the foregoing "proofs" are based on
inference. Not one of them actually says what they are used to try
to prove. This is true also of Psa. 73:20, which was considered earlier.
MALE AND FEMALE FORMS
passing with the essential and
AS a further objection, it is
lasting. Let us take a larger,
said that if we accept the nattruer view.
ural and literal sense of Gen.
To say that apart from sex1:26 we immediately introduce
ual differences there is no disthe question of sexual charactertinction between the male and
istics (because of the distincfemale forms is just not true.
tion of 1 Cor. 11:7). This is a
(This argument is put forward
train of thought—in relation to
in an attempt to show that 1
God—that we are very relucCor. 11:7 cannot refer to form,
tant to even consider, much less
because there the man is said
discuss. Jesus said (Mt. 22:29):
to be the image and glory of
"Ye do err, not knowing
God in distinction to the woman
the Scriptures . . .
who is but the glory of the man
"They which shall be acand not the "image of God.")
counted worthy to obtain that
Male and female are two disworld, and the resurrection
tinct forms. All general proporfrom the dead, neither marry
tions, and many important denor a»e given in marriage . .
tails, vary. Examine any book
"They are the children of
on figure drawing or anatomy.
God, being the children of
The facts of the case are just
the resurrection."
what we would expect to find
in the light of Paul's words in
But still they are real,
1 Cor. 11:7—similarity throughactual, perfect spiritual bodies,
out with just sufficient differwith head and limbs, etc. Let us
ence to create a clear distincnot be like the Sadducees who
tion between the two forms and
confused the incidental and
1973 Berean 90
to show that one is the original
creation and the other is a modified reflection of it.
This point, instead of weakening the case, when examined
beautifully strengthens and illustrates it. Mere sexual characteristics—a temporary provision for p r e s e n t necessities
(Luke 20:35)—need not, and
should not, enter into the consideration for a moment. Those
who accept the true scriptural
picture experience no difficulty
in this respect, and no desire
to presumptuously pry beyond
the limits of divine revelation,
or introduce unseemly aspects.
It is only the contrary view that
insists on raising this aspect.
ARE WE IMAGE-WORSHIPPERS?
IN support of this theory, it
is constantly and repeatedly
charged against the brethren
and sisters and Ghristadelphians
generally:
"If you have any knowledge
of God's form, you have created
an 'image in your mind.' You are
worshipping that, instead of worshipping God Himself, and you
are therefore an image-worshipper."
Surely it is obvious to any
reasonable person that this is
an utterly illogical confusion of
thought. It could just as reasonably be argued that if you have
any conception of God at all "in
your mind"—whether it be of
form, nature or attributes—
then you are worshipping something "in your own mind."
It is essential to have some
conception of God "in the
mind"—
"This is life eternal—that
they might know Thee, the
only true God . . ."
"We know what we worship."
This conception, to be
"worshipping in truth," must
consist of what God has been
pleased to reveal concerning
Himself—no more, no less. God
has revealed the fact that He
patterned man after His own
form, and its is pure nonsense
to say that by believing this one
becomes an image-worshipper.
We do not know what God
looks like, beyond the general
revelation that man's form is
patterned after God's. We do
not seek to know. We feel no
obligation or liberty to speculate on the matter at all. We
desire to learn as much as we
can about the vast store of
knowledge that God has revealed—not waste time in dangerous and profitless speculation
about what He has not.
But even if we had been
told exactly what God's appearance is, to say that this would
make us image-worshippers and
that we would immediately be
"worshipping an image in our
mind" is self-evidently absurd.
We know exactly what our
friends look like. When we love
them, does that make us imagelovers, just because we have a
picture of their form in our
mind? Are we loving them, or
an image in our mind? When
we write to them or send them
a message, are we addressing
them, or an image in our mind?
Surely the fallacy of the whole
thing is obvious!
The disciples knew exactly
what Christ looked like. They
were with him for years before, and 40 days after, his
glorification. They necessarily
had an exact picture in their
mind of his appearance. Were
they praying through an image
in their mind when they prayed through Jesus to the Father?
It is recorded (Heb. 1:6)—
"And again, when He bringeth in the first begotten into
the world, He saith, And let
all the angels of God worship
him."
Christ had a form which
1973 Berean 91
was intimately revealed to men
and to angels. Is this command
therefore 'image-worship"? Let
us learn to distinguish things
that differ and not make these
groundless charges of "imageworship" just because the
simple testimonies of God are
accepted in their natural and
obvious sense. We are not wiser
than God.
True believers worship God
Himself. They ascribe honor
a n d gi o r y to Jesus Christ whom
they know on infallible testim , o n y to be a real, tangible
spirit body in human form. To
Call this image-worship is a
meaningless confusion of words,
(Continued next month, if the Lord will)
Current Events Fulfilling Prophecy
"The corruption that is in the world through lust"—2 Pt. 1:4
MAINLINE CHURCHES IN TROUBLE. Even warm Christmas season
cannot hide fact that progressive, "Mainline" Protestant denominations are
in trouble. Unlike fundamentalist churches, they've suffered a decline in
membership & influence in recent years. Trendy philosophies — as "secular
theology" & "God is dead" fad — have sapped faith of liberals, while conservatives have hardened into social indifference.
Many young, meanwhile, are gorging themselves on lush diet of noninstitutional experience, ranging from yoga to "Jesus freak" phenomenon.
US Catholicism has fared no better.
A recent Harris poll shows only 30 pet. of Americans have "great confidence" in nation's religious leaders, down 10 pet. in 5 years. California'a
Episcopal Bishop Myers says, "People today want holy priests — gurus." To
his own image as a social activist, Myers has added a touch of the mystical,
including Zen & Sufi meditations. (Nwk 12:25).
NOTE: The Churches of the world are "in trouble/* and rightly so,
because they (claiming to have the key of knowledge) have cast aside the
pure and holy light of the inspired Word of God, and have run after every
foolish, flesh-pleasing modern theory to pander to the fickle masses. People
want gurus, so Episcopal "Bishop" Myers throws in "Zen and Sufi
meditations" to tickle their ears. And to obscure the Divine Word, the
Churches are busy foisting on the people a host of new very freely
paraphrased "versions" which completely obscure the Gospel of the
Kingdom, and lower the Scriptures to the human level.
SAUDI ARABIA has proposed a deal giving their oil a special place in US
market free of restrictions & duties in return for Arab investment in oil industry & guarantee of regular oil flow to US. US interested. (USN 10:16)
ALARMING COMEBACKS BY "CONQUERED" DISEASES. Measles,
long considered vanquished, increased every year from '68 to 71. Mumps
went up in '71 & again in '72. Hepatitis continues to baffle the doctors.
Venereal disease, once thought conquered, making frightening
comeback—2% million new cases a year—a new case every 12 to 15 seconds.
This curve is that of a classic epidemic of a disease out of control.
Influenza defies best brains in medical science: viruses causing it change
form quickly. Vaccine against one won't work against another.
Increased use of blood transfusions & mounting tide of drug abuse have
combined to increase serum hepatitis from 1500 cases in'65 to 10,000 in '72. A
drug user injecting himself with an unsterile needle is likely to get it. If he
sells his blood to support his habit, his infected blood will be transferred to an
innocent victim. This is a growing concern. (USN 12:25)
NOTE: The only way man can beat the curse is by OBEDIENCE to God,
this he will not do. So God rightly frustrates all his labors.
1973 Berean 92
FORGOTTEN UN. Almost unnoticed, UN's 27th session adjourned last
week, after 500 meetings, 1500 hours of debate, & 153 resolutions. US is increasingly at odds with General Assembly. This year it voted for only a few
resolutions. By comparison, some African states voted with majority 92 pet.
of time; Russia 60 pet.
UN resolutions make little difference, because the 97 nation majority of
small poor countries that pass them have no clout. These 97 nations pay only
14 pet. of UN costs, while US alone has always paid over 30 pet. of total.
UN is becoming irrelevant on matters of peace & security, & runs risk of
being converted into a sort of international institute of technology, or into an
ineffective chapter of International Red Cross.
A US proposal for a convention to curb skyjacking & terrorism never came
to a vote. Torture & repression of political dissidents by such countries as
Russia, Brazil & Greece are out-of-bounds because they are "internal
matters." The Assembly condemned White racism in S.Africa, but completely ignored Amin's plundering & expulsion of Uganda Asians. (Tm 1:1)
NOTE: Did the leaders of the world ever believe that this modern Tower of
Babel could ever be anything more than a mocking repetition of all man's
past high-promise failures to bring universal peace on human terms, without
righteousness? How sad is this hopeless reliance on ricketty human means,
and complete ignoring of the one, only way—obedience to God's Word!
RED OPPRESSION. While they court their new trading partners in West
with cordiality, East-bloc regimes are cracking down on their own societies
with uncommon force. Russia is leading way with a drive on personal
freedoms & intellectual life that is fast approaching Stalin-era dimensions.
Moscow has cut back on all sorts of civil & cultural liberties. Producers
must stage politically oriented works, mail censorship has been tightened;
library privileges are harder to obtain; it is a crime to use telephones
4
'against state interests"; citizens are limited to one trip abroad in 10 years.
The East bloc leaders' fearful approach to detente reflects the desperate
gamble they're taking. They decided on limited accommodation with West
because they hungered for access to Western capital & technology, to rescue
their economies to prevent serious social upheavals at home. (Tm 12:25).
NOTE: We may wonder why the nations of Europe cannot see the red light
in all these events, as the Russian shadow creeps inexorably over them. The
only explanation to much of the nations' conduct today is that God is making
them foolish to their own destruction, as He says He does.
ISRAEL SLIPPING IN AFRICA. Israel aid programs to Black African
nations undercut the Arab world. Now Arabs are fighting back with oil
money from Libya, Arabia & Kuwait, with pressure on African states that
contain Moslems. Uganda broke with Israel first: then Niger, Chad, Congo &
Mali did too, ousting Israel missions, welcoming Arab loans. (USN1:12)
NOTE: As Mideast oil becomes more vital, Arab wealth and influence will
be able to buy more and more world discrimination against Israel.
NEW RUSSIAN NUCLEAR SUB armed with an undersea-launched
missile with a 5000-mile range — almost double that of US Polaris &
Poseidon weapons. (A 5000-mile missile could reach any spot in US from
Barents Sea off Norway, or from waters around Kamchatka in Siberia).
These new subs will be able to stay on patrol for 70 days, as against 45-55
days for present subs. (Nwk 1:8)
NOTE: It is a giant chess-game, played in deadly earnest for world control. The giants—offensive and defensive—circle and watch each other
continually, making their devious moves, and sparring for position. When
Russia feels she has secured the advantage and US is sufficiently weakened
and obstructed, she will strike.
1973 Berean 93
IS END NEAR? Jews have recaptured Jerusalem. Soviet power threatens
Mideast. Nine nations now in Common Mkt. To growing 1000s of Christians,
these facts are portents of doom, a detailed scenario for the Apocalypse.
Most Christians have to deal somehow with the Second Coming of Christ
because tradition & Scripture seem so certain of it. Both the Apostles' &
Nicene Creeds attest to belief in a returning Christ who will judge living &
dead. There are mentions in all 4 Gospels. Old Testament abounds with
related prophecies in Isaiah, Daniel & Ezekiel.
Most important is the Revelation, that stunning piece of apocalyptic
biblical literature that has fascinated & frustrated interpreters for 19 centuries. It is Revelation that has given art & literature the most vivid images
of mankind's terrible last days: the Four Horsemen, the Scarlet Beast & the
Whore of Babylon, the monster Antichrist, and Christ's 1000-year reign.
In modern times, much of mainstream Protestant scholarship has virtually dismissed idea of a real Second Coming, preferring to view
apolcalyptic literature as a metaphor, a prefiguring of an eventual victory of
Christ's redemptive power over forces of evil.
Catholicism generally tends to accept ancient creedal statements at face
value, but in interpretation holds a multitude of views. (Tm 1:8)
NOTE: A remarkable admission and confirmation of the clear testimony
of Scripture as to Christ's return and reign, and of the pitiful convolutions
and contortions of the Churches who try to get rid of it, or to fit it into their
pagan, heaven-at-death superstitions.
POPE REVIVES THE DEVIL. Covering 2 of the 8 pages of Vatican's
newspaper one day last week was a special report by 7 theologians arguing
existence of Devil, & assuring the faithful of his continuing malevolence in
modern world. Indeed, Satan is so essential to entire body of Catholic belief,
one scholar warned, that if this "pillar" of faith is removed, "then certainly
other parts of the structure will collapse."
The articles were commissioned by Pope himself, in effort to underscore
his deepening conviction that Satan is very much at work these days, particularly in Catholic Church. Pope warned that "the smoke of Satan has
entered the temple of God through a fissure in the Church." He was
anxious to correct Catholic scholars who deny reality of Devil. (Nwk 1:1)
NOTE: He is correct: the whole structure of Catholicism would collapse
without the essential pillars of devil, hell, purgatory and torment.
APARTHEID MOVES NORTH. Harder times ahead for Rhodesia's
Blacks. Parliament recently adopted a series of harsh new measures
of S. African style apartheid on its 5 million subjugated Blacks. (Tm 1:1)
NOTE: This course of repression can only in the end result in terrible
violence. To preserve their own selfish interests and privileges, the Whites
have no other alternative. They took the land by force wherever they went,
they herded the natives into the poorest parts, they subdued and oppressed
them, and used them as cattle for their own aggrandisement. With this long,
bitter background, there is no turning back. But they are building a dreadful
bomb for the future. All this plays into Russia's hands, who waits her time.
MORAL CORRUPTION. More than half of all British women are pregnant
when they are married. (Tm 12:25)
NOTE: This is a terribly sad statistic, made especially so because in its
better days Britain was a place where decency and morality were honored
and respected, and life had some meaning other than Amoritish animalism.
With such disgusting Canaanite abominations and depravity in the supposedly ''better" parts of the earth, how much of this world's population will
be fit to be spared for the pure and holy Kingdom of Christ? No wonder God
must make terrible "desolations in the earth" (Psa. 46:8) before He can
begin to build anything clean and wholesome.
1973 Berean 94
RED IS RESPECTABLE. A "new look" has emerged in recent years
among Communist parties in many non-Communist nations of Europe, Asia,
& Latin America. Even Russians, sniffing winds of detente, have encouraged "united front" approach as only practical way for their foreign
comrades to gain a political foothold.
Today, the Communist parties in W. Europe, Asia & Latin America increasingly seek to project an image of themselves as patriotic,
democratically-inclined movements willing to work within conventional
parliamentary framework. As result, many have become part of the local
political establishment, & voters have begun to lose fear of "Red menace."
With over IV2 million members, the Italian Communist Party is by far the
world's largest non-ruling Communist Party. In last May's national election,
it captured over lA of vote, & elected 179 of the 630 Deputies. "New majority"
of Leftists, including Communists, is foreseeable.
With elections only 2 months off, polls show Socialist-Communist combine
in France well ahead of ruling Gaullists. With prize of power seemingly
within reach, new Communist slogan is: "We can be trusted."
In India, Communist Party received boost toward respectability with
signing of India-Russia Friendship Treaty in '71. Since then, India's Communists seem to be gradually merging with Mrs. Gandhi's Congress Party.
By plugging away at everyday issues in overcrowded, underserviced
Japan, the Communists astonished country by doubling their Parliament
strength to 38 seats (out of a total of 491) in November elections. In Tokyo &
Osaka, 1 in every 5 voters went Communist.
In Chile, the Communist Party has already attained a level of political
power that other Communists in the Free World can only dream of. It is the
best-disciplined & most relentlessly hard-working party in Chile. (Nwk 1:8)
NOTE: Surely there is much evil and corruption in the world and in all its
govts. and political institutions for the Communists to point out and belabor,
promising a manmade millennium if they are given power. And surely many
under present govts. have little to lose in giving Communism a chance to
alleviate their miseries. All is going Russia's way. Chile was a great
breakthrough—a Communist govt. getting to power by the ballot and
recently strengthened and confirmed by another national election.
FORCE "REDUCTIONS." Russians quietly beefing up forces in E.
Europe, so, if agreement reached on mutual reduction of East-West forces in
Europe, they can make cuts agreed to & still have same amount of power
they've had for years. (USN 1:1)
NOTE: "Mutual Force Reductions'* is another Russian-set trap that US is
blindly walking into. And there is very strong feeling in US itself to pull out
unilaterally and leave Europe to the mercy of Russia. Time favors Russia.
The cards are all hers. All she needs do is wait her time.
BEYOND THE CEASE-FIRE. Hanoi's fundamental objective is to rule all
of Indo-China, & even push beyond. Chances of keeping Hanoi in line—even
with lure of massive foreign aid—are virtually nil. Hanoi's ambitions are
causing increasing worry all way to Singapore.
In Cambodia, even optimists are convinced the Communists, already in
control of V2 the country, could take rest any time they chose.
Laos, too, presents a dismal picture. Communists occupy V2 the nation &
are positioning themselves for a further grab for power. (USN 1:8)
NOTE: US, having failed to stop the Communists in Indochina by force, is
trying to buy them off with promises of massive reconstruction aid. The
result can only be to build them up for renewed and greater aggression. We
well remember how successive attempts to buy off Hitler only added to his
strength and appetite for aggression. Hanoi's rulers, backed by Russia and
China, are unchangeably dedicated to enforcing Communist dictatorship
over all S.E. Asia.
1973 Berean 95
SOVIET AMBITIONS touch all parts of globe. After their ouster from
Egypt, they moved to build up influence in Syria & oil-rich Iraq. A new
Friendship Treaty with India gives Moscow foothold for Asian expansion.
But it is W. Europe where US-Soviet aims come into sharpest conflict.
Russia is trying to create a false sense of security in Europe—utilizing
conferences on security & armed forces reduction—in hopes of inducing US
to withdraw its troops, & encouraging indifference to W. Europe defense.
W. Europe enjoys best of 2 worlds at expense of US. Once weak & divided,
it's now economically powerful enough to challenge US in trade, yet it
remains largely dependent on US for military security. (USN 1:8)
NOTE: The prophetic picture is working out so amazingly that we tend to
take it for granted, and lose our sense of wonderment. But how wonderful
and reassuring that bro. Thomas, in his deep prophetic studies, could so
unerringly put his finger on then terribly backward Russia of his day as the
ambitious world Colossus of our day. With Vietnam defused, at least for the
present, W. Europe is the current focus of the US-Russia world struggle.
THE NEW"3 R's." US schools fast developing an ominous new set of 3
R's: rape, robbery & riot. For teachers & students alike, the issues are no
longer learning but survival. Nearly 1000 assaults on students & teachers in
'72 in Miami. Los Angeles confiscated guns from 40 students in one recent
month, & homecoming parade at L.A.'s Jefferson Hi ended with a shoot-out
in which 5 students—including homecoming princess—were wounded.
"Our whole society is based on violence, even within the family," says one
principal, "Then people expect youngsters to be above all this." In many
cities, the drug trade flourishes on corners near schools.
Bands of knife-wielding nonstudents roam school corridors with impunity,
shaking down 7-yr.-olds for their lunch money, & using the rest rooms for
sex assault. Desperate educators turning bldgs. into fortresses. (Nwk 1:15)
NOTE: "Our whole society is based on violence, even within the family."
Like Caiaphas, they blindly speak here afar deeper truth than they realize,
that encompasses the whole human race. The whole educational system is
partaking of the nature of these evil times, and is becoming a rat-warren of
vermin and corruption.
INDIA-US WARMUP? Relations between US & India taken sudden turn
for better. First hint of thaw came last month in exchange of unusually
warm telegrams between Mrs. Gandhi & Nixon. Last year's Friendship
Treaty with Russia made India's traditional "neutrality" highly suspect, &
placed India in Moscow's corner in its quarrel with China.
India has grown very uncomfortable by its identification with Moscow.
Mrs. Gandhi has become aware that India's options on an international scale
have been reduced rather than expanded. (Nwk 12:25)
NOTE: India is a big question mark. Bro Thomas (who has been so incredibly accurate) saw it as an essential part of the Tarshish Power. Many
things have changed since his day, but we believe India will be found on the
right side at the right time. The rapidly-shifting kaleidoscope of "friend*'
and "foe" in human politics should teach us not to draw conclusions from
day-to-day appearances. The basic trend, the overall picture, is the key.
BRITAIN JOINS MARKET. After decade of on-again, off-again talks & an
unseemly amount of cross-channel bickering, Britain will formally abandon
its traditional insularity & enter Common Mkt.
But even before first trumpet blasts are sounded, some sour notes have
crept in. On eve of the big event, polls showed 49 pet. of British still against
entry; only 37 pet. in favor. (Nwk 1:1)
NOTE: It is a measure of once proud and independent Britain's weakness
and extremity that she is forced into this distasteful & humiliating alliance.
But it cannot last.
1973 Berean 96
SOCIETY AT WAR. Friction today is the outstanding mark on our national
life. Group fights group. Race fights race. Creed fights creed. The poisoned
shafts of intolerance & distrust are carried to the inner recesses of everyday
life. Class wars have become commonplace in our times. They have infected
our politics as they have poisoned the minds of men who carry responsibilities in our economic life.
Hate has become intensified. The sullen thought of labor, of capital , of
management, of governmental officials—each nurturing the hurt of wounds
inflicted by others, each blaming the other as source of their frustration —
only serve to disintegrate rather to integrate the national spirit. (USN 1:1)
NOTE: "Whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not of
your lusts?" (Jam. 4:1). Such is the root of mankind: selfishness and hate.
"In my flesh dwelleth no good thing" (Rom. 7:18). And in these last days all
shame is being cast aside, all restraints and barriers being broken down.
INDIA'S CHANGE OF HEART. A yr. ago, US-India relations drifting from
bad to worse. Mrs. Gandhi had chosen to sign a 20-yr. "friendship" pact with
Russia. When India & Pakistan went to war, US aid to both was cut off. "Not
a bad thing," she said, declaring India now 'self-sufficient' in food.
A long drought cut into India's dreams of self-sufficiency. By Nov., Mrs.
Gandhi found it politic to send Nixon a warm message of congratulations on
his re-election. By that time India's food needs were known — also Russia's
shortages. So expect US-Indian relations to improve — fast. (USN 1:1)
NOTE: In spite of all its problems, in spite of all the obvious advantages &
attractions of stream-lined dictatorship over bumbling self-rule, India is a
democracy, and apparently the principle is well rooted. This is strange and
rare in a world that lives mainly under the lash and the gun of dictatorship.
It is by far the world's largest democracy—2}£ times the population of US.
General world trend is to dictatorship: 3/4 of world already under it.
OMINOUS CHANGES IN JAPAN. Possibility of stunning new realignments of military power in Far East. Japs casting sceptical eye on US-Jap
Security Treaty, & US's 180 bases in Japan. List of complaints against the
bases is formidable.
In last week's elections, Leftists scored surprising gains. Socialists gained
31 seats, & long-dormant Communist Party increased from 14 to 38, making
it 2nd-largest opposition party. Many voters plainly unhappy about results of
25 yrs. of conservative rule. Communists, having won over 20 seats, are now
eligible to participate in parliamentary steering committees. (Nwk 12:25)
NOTE: In its courting of former enemies Russia and China, US has
shamefully ignored and by-passed and embarrassed its faithful ally Japan.
It may be planting seeds for bitter fruits in the future. Japan today is infinitely more powerful that it was 30 years ago when it came very close to
seizing control of the entire Far East and West Pacific.
END OF YUGOSLAV EXPERIMENT? Yugoslavia's "Communism-witha-difference" is faltering. In 71, as inflation spiraled upward 15 pet, industries sank into red—unable to meet payrolls, fill orders, or attract vitally
needed capital from West.
So Belgrade had no choice but to rely more on Moscow than at any time
since it split with Stalin over 20 years ago. It is negotiating for $1.3 billion
Russian credits. Soviets, who have long been lecturing their satellites that
only true Communism is Russian Communism, are jubilant. (Tm 1:15)
NOTE: Yugoslavia has held out valiantly against Russian domination, but
its days of freedom appear to be numbered. Tito is very old, and the country
is badly splintered by deeply antagonistic nationalities. Its submission to
Moscow and return to the fold would give Russia the whole east Adriatic
coast for naval bases, many times multiplying its Mediterranean power.
Italy's position would become very precarious.
CROWDED SPACE. Since '58, US has launched 815 unmanned satellites—
115 civilian & 700 military-cost $27 billion: 337 still orbiting. (USN 12:18)
NOTE: Six times as many military as civilian.''Prepare war!"
Bible Questions
If we did not know any more about our daily job than we do
about the Word of God, how long would we hold our job?
Write number of each question in List 1 beside answer in List 2.
WHO...
LISTONE
1. Made havoc?
18. Fled into Egypt?
35. Under pomegranate tree?
2. Loved David?
19. King had leprosy? 36. Bound with 2 chains?
3. Hid 100 men?
20. Gershom's brother? 37. Life saved by animal?
4. Taught Paul?
21. Gershon's brother? 38. Taught men of Succoth?
5. Killed John?
22. Born at Alexandria? 39. King slew all brethren?
6. Judged Paul?
23. Famous for his ear? 40. Prated malicious words?
7. Killed James?
24. Child of the devil? 41. Father had bloody flux?
8. Killed babes?
25. King's chamberlain? 42. Mentions Job's patience?
9. Had vile sons? 26. Killed by Sharezer? 43. Called Paul pestilent?
10. Anna's father? 27. Tetrarch of Abilene? 44. Was injured when infant?
11. Born in Pontus? 28. Suffered in a dream? 45. Died on king's birthday?
12. Hid her nephew? 29. Was hewed in pieces? 46. Walked in house to & fro?
13. Drove the cart? 30. Slain at winepress? 47. Born day grandfather died?
14. Captured Debir? 31. Under fig tree?
48. Cared for none those things?
15. Shaved his head? 32. Under oak tree?
49. King of Judah died in Egypt?
16. WalkedwithGod? 33. Under palm tree? 50. Was mourned at
17. A leprous woman? 34. Under juniper tree?
Abelmizraim?
LIST TWO
Eli
Peter
Miriam
Publius
Tertullus
Job
James
Balaam
Othniel
Jehosheba
John
Hiram
Elymas
Blastus
Diotrephes
Saul
Aquila
Apollos
Malchus
Sennacherib
Mephibosheth
Noah
Uzziah
Phanuel
An angel
Ahio
Gideon
I c ha bod
Lysanias
Pilate's wife
Paul
Elisha
Jehoram
Jehoahaz
Herod Great
Herod Antipas
Zeeb
Merari
Eliezer
Jeroboam
Agag
Gallio
Obadiah
Gamaliel
Herod Agrippa I
Jacob
Elijah
Deborah
Nathanael
Herod Agrippa II
F e b r u a r y Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
\A
11
ir
Agag—Amalekite
Doeg—Edomite
Ittai—Gittite
Gaius of Derbe
Uriah—Hittite
Jesse—Bethlehemite
Cyrus—Persian
Micah—Morasthite
Nabal—Carmelite
Nahum—Elkoshite
Sihon—Amorite
Heber—Kenite
G
V}OSr ~~
i?k Τ γ β
m
B i i °£ κ
Ptjeoe—Cenchrea
Γβ>
If*
ί^™Ζί?ξ£
17
Χ
· Hobab—Midianite
HOMES AND NATIONALITIES
18. Simorv-Cyrenean
19. Elihu—Buzite
20. Haman —Agagite
21. Oman—Jebusite
22. Mesha—Moabite
23. Elijah—Τishbite
24. Hushai—Archite
25. Zophar—Naamathite
26. Darius—Mede
27. Geshem—Arabian
28. Gideon—Abiezrite
29. Naaman—Syrian
3°· Pilate—Roman
31. Talmai of Geshur
32. Νahash—Ammonite
33· Bildad—Shuhite
34. Sargon—Assyrian
$3.50 per yr. (only for those who desire to pay)
35. Ahijah—Shilonite
36. Joseph of Arimathea
37. Abishag—Shunammite
38. Eliphaz—Temanite
39. Eliezer of Damascus
40. Sopater of Berea
41. Potiphar—Egyptian
42. Dionysius—Areopagite
43. Barzillai—Gileadite
44. Sanballat—Horonite
45. Trophimus—Ephesian
46. Ebedmelech—Ethopian
47. Belshazzar—Babylonian
48. Ahithophel—Gilonite
49. Aristarchus—Macedonian
50. Chedorlaomer of Elam
.
Printed in U.S.A.
VOL. 61, NO.4
APRIL, 1973
The Berean
Christadelphian
A monthly magazine devoted wholly to the exposition and defense
of the Faith once for all delivered to the Saints, with the object
of helping to make ready a People prepared for the coming of the
Lord. Opposed to the unscriptural teaching of the papal
and protestant churches of the world.
Edited oiuf Published by:
G. A. Gibson, 1501 Woodbine, Ap. 1616, Toronto, Ont. M4C 4H1, Can.
"They received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched
the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Therefore many believed99—-Acts 17:11
CONTENTS
ECCLESIAL NEWS: Lenexa (Kans.)....
Inside Front Cover
Bible Questions and March Answers
Inside Front Cover
EDITORIAL: Love Not the World
97
THE WINEPRESS OF THE WRATH OF GOD ( Bro. Thomas).. 99
SECOND VOYAGE TO AUSTRALIA (Bro. Roberts) Part 28.
,103
IN THE IMAGE OF GOD MADE HE HIM (Part 4)
108
Fraternal Gatherings: Lampasas, Hye
113
GOD'S PURPOSE IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST (R.R.)
...114
THE BIBLE USE OF "SOUL" AND "SPIRIT"
.117
CURRENT WORLD EVENTS FULFILLING PROPHECY
.122
We ore anxious to tend the Berean FREE to any desiring it
that way. Pleas· do not hesitate to request it. If you
know of any who might like it, please send as their names.
CHRIST IS COMING SOON AND WILL REIGN ON EARTH
Ecclesial News
LEHEXA, Kansas
IT IS with sorrow we report the falling asleep in Christ of our brother
James Ross, on March 26. He was 93. He was buried beside his sister-wife
near their former farm in Nebraska.
Bro. & sis. Ross spent all of their married life in isolation on their farm in
Nebraska. The Truth was always uppermost in their minds, and they were
great lovers of the works of brethren Thomas and Roberts. They now lie
peacefully together, awaiting the Master's call.
Bible Questions
"Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellers"—Ps. 119:24
IDENTIFY THE OTHER NAME
Write number of each name in List 1 beside matching name in List 2.
LIST ONE — QUESTIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Luz
Mark
Saul
Esau
11.
12.
13.
14.
5. Sela
15.
6. Mary 16.
7. Peter 17.
8. Judas 18.
9. Herod 19.
10. James 20.
Simon
Jebus
Javan
Laish
Horeb
Israel
Benoni
Sirion
Uzziah
Thebes
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Didymus
Tabitha
Pontius
Sergius
Porcius
Azariah
Mishael
Matthew
Lebbeus
Eliakim
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41. Jerubbaal
Calvary
42. Mattaniah
Chittim
Memphis 43. Gennesaret
Palmyra 44. Kirjatharba
45. Belteshazzar
Jedidiah
Barjesus 46. Kirjathsepher
Barnabas 47. Jegarsahadutha
Barsabas 48. Tiglathpileser
Apollyon 49. Zaphnathpaaneah
Claudius 50. Hananiah
LIST TWO — ANSWERS
Zedekiah
Put
Jacob
Daniel
Hermon
Bethel
Meshach
Iscariot
Dan
Debir
Gideon
Galeed
Hebron
Zelotes
Abednego
John
Petra
Thomas
Paulus
Festus
Azariah
Boanerges
Paul
Sinai
Elymas
Dorcas
No-Amon
Benjamin
Magdalene
Edom
Joses
Tadmor
Justus
Agrippa
Golgotha
Jehoiakim
Levi
Joseph
Cyprus
Pilate
Solomon
Shadrach
Jerusalem
Noph
Cephas
Greece
Lysias
Abaddon
Thaddeus
Chinnereth
March Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Made havoc—Paul
Loved David—Hiram
Hid 100 men—Obadiah
Taught Paul—Gamaliel
Kill John-Herod Antipas
Judge Paul—Agrippa II
Kill James—Agrippa I
Kill babes-Herod Great
Had vile sons—Eli
Anna's father—Phanuel
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
n.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Born in Pontus—Aquila 21.
Hid nephew—Jehosheba 22.
Drove cart—Ah io
23.
Capture Debir—Othniel 24.
Shaved head—Job
25.
Walked with God—Noah 26.
Leprous woman—Miriam 27.
Fled to Egypt—Jeroboam 28.
King had leprosy-Uzziah 29.
Gershom brother—Eliezer 30.
Under fig tree—Nathanael
Under oak tree—Angel
Under palm tree—Deborah
Under juniper tree—Elijah
Under pomegranate tree—Saul
Bound with 2 chains—Peter
Life saved by animal—Balaam
Taught men of Succoth—Gideon
Slew all brethren—Jehoram
Malicious words—Diotrephes
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
Gershon brother—Merari
Born Alexandria—Apotlos
Famous for ear—Malchus
Child of devil—Elymas
Chamberlain—Blastus
Sharezer kill—Sennacherib
Tetrarch Abilene-Lysanias
Suffer dream—Pilate wife
Hewed in pieces—Agag
Slain at winepress—Zeeb
Father bloody flux—Publius
"Patience of Job"—James
Paul "pestilent"—Tertullus
Injured infant—Mephibosheth
Died king birthday—John
Walked to & fro—Elisha
Grandfather die—Ichabod
Cared none things—Gallio
King die Egypt—Jehoahaz
Mourned Abelmizraim—Jacob
If the Berean is received, unwanted, please mark the envelope,
"Refused, retUrriio"Mender," and drop it in a mailbox.
EDITORIAL
Love Not the World
"Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with
God? Whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of the
world is the enemy of God"—James 4:4.
The above words of James are in no way doubtful or uncertain
as to meaning; nor are they capable of being understood in either
two or more senses. They are positive and, therefore, explicitly
expressed. Some, however, might question the manner by which we
have expressed ourselves, and say that the statement of James is
ambiguous, and must remain so until we have clearly defined what
he means by the world. If we concede this to be reasonable, then it
will be our duty to investigate the question in order to determine
what the word signifies.
In the first place we will discover that "world" is used in more
than one sense, because it is translated from several Hebrew and
Greek words with various shades of meaning. Our purpose at this
time will be adequately served if we examine the three Greek
words most commonly used:
1. AION. This signifies an age, indefinite time, or dispensation, as
in Titus 2:12, "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and
worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in
this present world."
2. OIKOUMENE. This appears 14 times, and denotes the habitable
earth or land, as we read in Rev. 16:14, "Which go forth unto
the kings of the earth, and of the whole world."
3. KOSMOS. This means order or arrangement. In the majority
of texts, the word rendered "world" in the New Testament, is
Kosmos. It is found 167 times, and is the word used by James
in the quotation set forth above.
In Elpis Israel, bro. Thomas defines it as "that order of things
constituted upon the basis of sin in the flesh (Rom. 7:17), and
styled the 'kingdom of Satan/ as opposed to the kingdom of
God . . . Satan's kingdom is the kingdom of sin. It is a kingdom in which 'sin reigns in the mortal body/ and thus has
dominion over men."
1973 Berean 97
This definition is in complete harmony with the Scriptures of
Truth, for John is very emphatic in his instruction (1 John 2:15)—
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in
him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but
is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."
It should be carefully noted that John is writing to first century
Christians, a people who had come out of the world, and separated
themselves from its institutions. "Love not the world/' says John,
and he makes it clear that "the love of the world" is one thing,
and "the love of the Father" is another, with a sharp dividing line
between them. When a person crosses the line from the "love of
the world" to the "love of the Father" and becomes obedient
thereto, he is in the state described by Paul (2 Cor. 5:17)—
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old
things are passed away; behold, all things are become new"
From that time on, he is expected to, and MUST "walk in newness of life" or as Paul expresses it in another place,
4
'But you have not thus learned the Anointed One; if indeed
you heard him, and were taught by him, as the Truth is in
Jesus; to put off, according to the former course of life, that
old man, corrupted by deceitful desires; and to be renewed in
the spirit of your mind; and be you clothed with that new man.
who, according to God, has been formed in righteousness and
holiness of the Truth"—Eph. 4:20-24 (Diag.)
Thus he discovers that, being a new creature, he must confine
his friendships to those of "like precious faith," for his love is
bounded by the Truth. Although he must not cultivate amity with
those who know not God, he realizes that he is to do good unto all
men, as the opportunity arises. By this he is able to be courteous
to the people of the world, without joining affinity in their
schemes of pleasure or friendship. Some may look upon this as
being very "narrow" or obstinately and blindly devoted to one's
own belief. But that is an illusion due to lack of knowledge regarding the way of life. The teaching of Jesus is perfectly plain, and
requires no technical or scientific education to understand—
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and
broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there
be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow
is the way, which leadeth to life, and few there be that find it."
In this passage it will be noted that "strait" adds to "narrow"
the implication of closeness, or restriction, and that is characteristic of the obligations placed upon those who believe and obey
the gospel; and it was also a distinguishing feature of the Law of
Moses. After the 10 commandments were given, Moses said:
"Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord hath commanded
you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left."
Truly, the way of life is narrow and restricted, but it is founded
upon divine wisdom; while the way of death is wide, free and
easy, and voluptuous, and full of danger, as it lures its victims into
its net. Many are in danger of drifting into the way of death,
because they seem to think that they can retain their friendship
with the world as long as they profess to wholeheartedly subscribe
to, and adhere to, the doctrines as set forth in our Statement of
Faith. Should there be any of this mind, it would be well for
them to refresh their memory by reading the Statement again.
If they do, and are serious about their profession of faith, they will
stop and ponder well the substance of Clause 16, which reads,
"That the way to obtain this salvation is to believe the
Gospel they preached, and to take on the name and service of
Christ, by being thereupon immersed in water, and continuing
patiently in the observance of all things he has commanded,
NONE BEING RECOGNIZED AS HIS FRIENDS EXCEPT
THOSE WHO DO WHAT HE HAS COMMANDED."
This shows us plainly, that while it is indispensable to believe
the truth concerning the nature and sacrifice of Christ, there are
other doctrines that must be adhered to, or such belief is of no
value whatever. Doctrine means teaching, and there is much comprehended in apostolic teaching that many seem to overlook.
1973 Berean
98
John says "if we love the world, the love of the Father is not in
us," and James says "if we are friends of the world, we are enemies
of God." So, if we are devotees of this world's pleasures; are members of business men's clubs; accept the honors of this world by
way of academic titles, by which we are grouped with the great
men of the world; if we are members of cultural societies, or other
worldly organizations, what can we expect to receive at the judgment seat of Christ? Apostolic teaching gives us the answer.
What if the path that leads to life is narrow, and we are subject
to severe discipline? Is not the joy set before us glorious and beautiful, when the garment of praise will replace the spirit of heaviness? The day is not far distant when (Isa. 52:10)—
"The Lord will bare His holy arm in the eyes of all nations;
all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God."
Who would not, in view of such a glorious future, choose rather
to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the
fleeting pleasures of this present evil world? Now is the time to
decide whether we will be lovers of pleasure, more than lovers
of God, for—
"God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall
he also 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"—Gal. 6:7-8.
—EDITOR.
The Winepress of the Wrath of God
"And another Angel came out from the Nave, which is in the Heaven, he
having also a sharp sickle. And another Angel came out
from the Altar, having power over the fire.
"And he shouted with a great outcry to him having the sharp sickle,
saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and cut off the clusters
of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.
"And the Angel cast his sickle into the earth, and cut off the Vine of the Earth,
and cast it into the great Winepress of the wrath of God. And the
Winepress was trodden without the City"—Rev. 14:17-20.
BY BROTHER JOHN THOMAS
"AND another Angel came out of the Nave." This is the same
form of expression as in v. 15. The word "another" in v. 15 implies
that the One sitting upon the Cloud was an Angel, or MessengerPower, also. The Angel of v. 17 is, doubtless, identical with the
symbolic Son of Man. This is to be inferred from the fact that they
both have possession, or command, of a "sharp sickle." The power
of the sickle is vested in the Commander-in-Chief, who executesthru his officers & brigades-the behests of the Supreme Power.
In v. 17, the holder of the sickle is styled an "Angel"; and
"another" in relation to the One on the Cloud who reaps the harvest,
because the situation of the sickling executive is changed.
Thus, the symbolic Son of Man—
1973 B e r e a n
"
"Whose voice is as the sound of many waters" (Rv. 1:13Ί6).
—sickled the HARVEST for the purpose of "opening a door"
through which the Mighty Ones of the Spirit, the Elohim of Israel,
might enter in the heaven and set up a throne therein (Rv. 4:1-2). In
this work, or labor, they succeeded gloriously. They opened a door,
entered amid the acclamations of the people, planted themselves on
Mt. Zion, and established the throne of the Deity, before and around
which they circle in faultless myriads (Rv. 14:1,5).
But the OTHER Angel that sickles the VINE of the Earth comes
OUT of the Nave "which is in the heaven." The Angel-Power of the
Harvest and of the Vintage belongs to the Nave, or Temple, in Most
Holy manifestation. But between the Advent and the Harvest, it is
the Nave "which is NOT in the heaven''; while AFTER the Harvest
and before the Vintage, it is the Nave "which IS in the heaven," or
Air, where it will continue evermore.
The reaping of the Harvest of the Earth, which puts the Saints in
possession of the "City of the Great King," is only the beginning of
national judgment. It is the smiting of the Babylonian Image upon
its Russo-Gogian clayey feet by the Stone-Power. This shatters its
homogeneity as a political organization under one imperial ruler.
But though the continuity of its political elements is broken, the
dynasties represented by the gold and the silver, the brass, the iron
and the clay, do still exist; so that the work remaining for the
Mighty Ones of the Spirit is that of reducing the broken fragments of
the Image to the condition represented by the chaff of the summer
threshing floors, which the wind carries away into nonentity (Dn.
2:35). This is the work of the Vintage in its simplest illustration.
The Harvest (vs. 14-16) and the Vintage (vs. 17-20) of the earth are
still further distinguished in Daniel's vision of the 4 Beasts of the
Great Sea (Dn. 7). First, there is the slaying of the 4th Beast, a
process the beginning of which is the Harvest. Then there is the
destroying of his body in the burning flame, and the taking away of
the dominion of the other 3 Beasts—which consummates "the
Judgment written," and constitutes the Vintage of the Earth,
which the Angel Son of Man with the sharp sickle is to gather and
tread without the city.
But before this Angel issues forth from the heaven, the
proclamation of the Aionian Gospel is made through midheaven
(v. 7). It announces that the "Hour of the Judgment," or the time of
the treading of the winepress by the Angel, is come. 1973 Berean 100
When these causes and its result are manifested, it is found that
the political organization symbolized by "the Beast and the False
Prophet, the "Kings of the Earth," and the "Ten Horns" (making in
the aggregate the powers within and "without" the Great City
Babylon) refuse to comply with the demands. In evidence of this—
"The Beast and the Kings of the Earth and their armies gather together to
make war with the Lamb and them that are with him" (Rev. 19:19; 17:14).
Affairs having arrived at this crisis, the Deity determines to
exercise forbearance no longer. This decision is evinced by
"another Angel" coming out of the Temple from the Altar, having
power over fire (v. 18).
The Angel is said to come out u from the Altar." He issues thence
as the avenger of those whose blood had been poured out beneath it.
Hence, the Altar is symbolical of the apostles, prophets and saints,
and of all the slain upon the earth for the witness of Jesus and the
Word of the Deity (17:6; 18:20,24; 6:9,10; 20:4). All of these, accepted at the Tribunal, are constituents of the avenging minister.
They live again; and judgment being given to them, they have
"power over fire"; over that fire—
With which Babylon is utterly burned*' (18:8);
Into which the Beast and the False Prophet are cast alive (19:20);
With which the worshipers of the Beast & his Image are tormented;
Which is mingled with the Crystal Sea (15:2); and
The smoke of which ascendeth to the end of the "1600 furlongs" (14:20).
This is the "fire," or "wrath of the Deity poured out unmixed in
the cup of his indignation" at their command. Their tribulations,
sufferings, and down-treading have continued and accumulated for
ages and generations, so that the cry for vengeance in the day
when the Deity avenges His elect is truthfully represented as the
shout of a great outcry (Rv. 6:10). The cry of Abel's blood, though
faint as that of one man, was loud enough to reach the ear of Deity.
Hence the loudness of the cry proceeding from the Angel of the Altar
(14:18) is not because the Avenger is hard of hearing, but symbolic
of the multitudes to be avenged—
"A great multitude which no man can number" (Rev. 7:9);
"A great Cloud of witnesses . . of whom the world
is not worthy" (Heb. 12:2; 11:38).
But the Angelhood of the Altar, though possessing power over the
fire, does not apply it to judicial purposes of its own accord. It appeals to the Angel of the Sickle, the Head of which is Christ the Lord.
He being the Commander-in-Chief, all things await his mandate.
Hence the loud outcry must be understood, not as a command, but
as an entreaty, that he would now—
1973 Berean 101
"Thrust in his sharp sickle, & gather the clusters of the Vine of the Earth.**
Remembering their former sufferings in the flesh, which they
endured without retaliation, and seeing that the day of vengeance
has come and that they are now in power, they long to begin the
work of vindicating the Truth—which cost many of them their
lives—by overthrowing Babylon, destroying the Beast, and grinding
to powder the broken fragments of the Image, so that these evil and
accursed powers being abolished, they may enter upon—
"The Rest that remainethfor the People of God. **
—in which there is abundant peace so long as sun & moon endure.
"The Vine of the Earth" is a phrase representative of the civil,
military, and ecclesiastical constitution of what is called
"Christendom." The grapes of this Vine are the nations clustered
together into empires and kingdoms upon it. To "gather the
clusters" of the Vine is to cause the armies of the nations to
assemble together for war, so that they may be cut off and trodden
down. Wherever the trampling of them occurs, there is the
"winepress" into which they are cast—
"The great Winepress of the wrath of the Deity" (Rv. 14:19).
The great outcry shouted forth by the Angel of the Altar is
promptly responded to by the Angel of the Sickle, who puts his
forces into motion against the enemy. The sickle he handles in the
sanguinary Vintage of the Earth is the "Remnant of Jacob" who are
then—
"Among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the
beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep; who, if he go
through, both TREADETH DOWN and teareth in pieces, and none can
deliver.
"And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the nations, such as
they have not heard" (Mic. 5:8,15).
Such is the instrumentality of the Spirit in the down-treading of
the Winepress. Judah and Israel in their dispersion are handled by
the King of the Jews as his sword, bow, arrow, battle-axe, sickle,
fan, and so forth. "Behold," saith the Spirit (Isa. 41:15-16)—
"I will make thee a sharp new threshing instrument having teeth.
"Thou, worm Jacob, shall thresh the mountains (empires) and beat them
small, and shall make the hills (lesser states) as chaff.
"And thou shaltfan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the
whirlwind shall scatter them.
"And thoushalt rejoice in Yahweh, and glory in the Holy One of Israel"
THIS HAS NEVER COME TO PASS SINCE WRITTEN. It will,
however, assuredly be fulfilled when he who hath been Raised up—
"Shall come upon princes as upon mortar, and as the potter treadeth clay"
And in Psalm 44:4-5 they say—
"Thou art He, Ο Elohim my King: command thou deliverances for Jacob.
Through Thee will we push down our enemies: through Thy Name will we
TREAD THEM UNDER that rise up against us."
Then (Psalm 58:10-11)-
1973 B e r e a n
1 2
°
"The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance. He shall wash
his feet in the blood of the wicked, so that a man shall say:
"Verily there IS a reward for the righteous: verily there is Elohim judging
the earth!"
Jesus and his Brethren in command of the Twelve Tribes of Israel
are the sickle of the Spirit by which he cuts off the Vine of the Earth,
and treads its clusters in the great Winepress of divine wrath.
Behold them all in battle array in Rev. 19:11-16! There is the
Faithful and True One, the Commander of the forces, who "makes
war in righteousness/' There are his Brethren in arms, who are the
"called and chosen and faithful." And their hosts: the horses they
ride, and the sharp sword of their warfare.
These constitute the instrumentality symbolized in Rv. 14 by the
Angel of the Sickle who treads the Winepress. This is evident from
the fact that his mission is the same as theirs, which the reader may
see by comparing Rev. 14:19 with Rev. 19:15 where it is written—
"He treadeth the Winepress of the fierceness of Almighty God."
Thus (Malachi 4:2-3) those who—
"Go forth and grow up as calves of the stall" shall—
"TREAD DOWN the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles
of your feet in the day that I shall do, saith Yahweh Tz'vaoth."
Second Voyage to Australia
BY BROTHER ROBERT ROBERTS
"My soul, wait thou only upon God.. Surely men of low degree are
vanity, and men of high degree are a lie"—Psa. 62:5-9
PART TWENTY-EIGHT
WELCOME RELIEF FROM THE "TOFFS" AND "SWELLS"
ANOTHER circumstance that tended greatly to the comfort of the
voyage was that my cabin was on deck, with free admission to
air and light of heaven through door and window. Usually I have
been packed away down "in the sides of the ship" in some stuffy,
narrow, four-bedded chamber, sometimes without even a port-hole.
In this case, by the kindly offices of friends at headquarters (for bro.
Bell has a brother in the head office at Sydney), I had a cabin all to
myself as far as Honolulu.
Not only so, but it was well "aft" in the vessel—that is, towards
the stern end of the ship—which had the advantage of taking me
away from the society of the class variously designated as "toffs"
and "swells." This class are all pompous, with a solemnity or a
jerky buffoonery which makes their society burdensome.
I was among the steerage folks, though a saloon passenger. That
is, the steerage people, in the intervals of their meals, were given to
congregating and squatting on the deck outside the deck cabins,
where my quarters lay; so that when I walked on deck, I was among
them. I do not say they are much to be preferred to the other sort,
but I was at least more at my ease than when herding with the lordly
inanities of the saloon. I was eligible for their society if I liked, but I
was not obliged to be in it.
1973 Berean 103
It is another point in favor of American traveling that there is not
the hard and fast line between the classes that exists on board
British vessels. In theory, the Americans are all one class. In
practice, "birds of a feather" flock together. Still, it is not the awful
sacrilege that it is on board an English ship if one of the steerage
people should be found straying beyond limits. On an English ship,
there are boundaries and barriers. Here on the Alameda there is a
free run, though little intermixing. It is left pretty much to natural
gravitation and the occasional authority of the stewards.
All these circumstances tended to make the voyage comparatively enjoyable. There was rough weather most of the time,
which was unfavorable to free intercourse among the passengers,
or incident of any kind.
AUSTRALIA TO NEW ZEALAND: LIFE ON BOARD
life on board was pretty much the same thing from day to day.
My own time was filled in with great regularity. I had a certain
amount of work to get through which required sticking to. I had to
finish the November Christadelphian, write an analysis and index
for The Law of Moses, and get ready the Christadelphian for
December, besides writing letters at various points. After breakfast
and reading I devoted the morning to Christadelphian work, and the
evening to indexing and letters—afternoon to reading and rest.
At the beginning of the voyage, I had given a copy of Christendom
Astray to the purser (a real typical Yankee of the better sort, free,
humorous, well-informed, sensible and ready to talk with anybody,
yet with a certain amount of reserved official dignity). This book he
appeared to have shown to several of the passengers as a curiosity.
One of them was a young Englishman whom I had observed with
interest, a student on travel with a view to service in the Colonial
office. He went out of his way to get into conversation with me. This
was on the second day out from Sydney.
THE DOCTRINE OF A FUTURE LIFE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
He particularly wanted to know if there were plain recognitions of
a future life in the Old Testament. He fully recognized that the
doctrine of immortality was advanced in the New Testament, but
had his doubts with regard to the Old Testament.
I said if he meant the doctrine of the Greeks, which was also the
doctrine of the present day, namely, that man lived in death and
was in fact immortal by native constitution—his doubts were well
founded, not only with regard to the Old Testament, but to the New
Testament as well. The Bible doctrine of a future life was life by
resurrection invariably, and of this future life there were nearly as
many recognitions in the Old Testament as in the New. He was
surprised to hear this.
1973 Berean 104
I promised to make him out a list, and we were getting into the
subject when the dinner bell interrupted our conversation. I afterwards drew out a list of 140 references under the heading—
"Passages in the Old Testament in which either by figure, by implication, or by express statement, the doctrine of a future life is
taught." In going through this list it struck me that it would make a
good subject for a book some day if time permitted. I handed him
the list and received thanks, but heard no more of it.
FRI., SEP. 2: ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND: FRATERNAL VISITS
We reached Auckland, New Zealand, on Friday, Sept. 2. Here I
landed to post letters. While in the hall of the Post Office, a gentleman saluted me with surprise; I did not know him. "What! back
again! How nice it must be, going about the world like this!"
I replied that that was only one side of the subject. There was
another side. I would rather be at home. Traveling was all very well
for a few days. After that it ceased to be an enjoyment.
On returning to the ship I found bro. Tanfield and bro. Leitch had
separately called. In the afternoon, met bro. Gold on the wharf; he
had come up from Stratford to spend a few days in Auckland.
Auckland was his place of residence years ago; he now found it so
much changed as to be unrecognizable in many parts. We live in a
world of change, "So doomed to change are we," but "There is that
changeth not." In Christ we are linked with the eternal—a comfort
unspeakable when white hair and feeble health, as in bro. Gold's
case, tell of the inevitable decay of things mortal.
Afterwards, I went over the Devonport ferry and called on bro.
Tanfield. I had intended this call independently of his visit to the
ship, for the purpose of reporting, on behalf of sis. Roberts, the
result of a visit on her part to a daughter of sis. Tanfield's, in Sydney, whom sis. Tanfield was anxious to interest in the Truth. I was
able to present a favorable report. I spent a pleasant hour-and-ahalf with bro. & sis. Tanfield and family.
1973 Berean 105
They are all becoming interested. A lady in the church which they
had been in the habit of attending had given the girls a copy of
Clemance's "Christadelphianism Exposed," in the hope of weaning
them away from its further consideration. It was having the contrary effect. They were going carefully through the pamphlet at a
home Bible class, along with the answer in the "Vindication."
Afterwards, later in the evening, I went to see bro. Leitch, at
whose house I stayed the first time I was in Auckland, but in the
absence of arrangement—(which could not be made in the case of a
short and uncertain call at a seaport) he was from home.
SAT., SEP. 3: SAILING AGAIN: THE FINAL VISITS
Next day (the steamer not sailing till 2 o'clock), I called on bro. &
sis. Walker, and attempted to call on bro. Harrison at Mt. Eden
railway station, but had to relinquish the endeavor in consequence
of uncertainty as to the whereabouts, the heat of the day, the
steepness of the roads, and the danger of over-running the time. I
returned to the vessel for dinner. Bro. & sis. Connolly, in their heavy
bereavement, I would have called on if I had thought of it in time.
I obtained the newspapers for the 4 days that had elapsed since
our departure from Sydney. One never knows what may happen in
such times as we are living. There is nothing like the Truth for
making public life interesting, though on another side, it robs the
present world of much of the interest it has for its own children. I
found the British expedition for the capture of Khartoum was on the
point of making a final dash for that famous place, and so planting
England permanently in Egypt; and also that the Czar had made a
proposal to the governments for mutual disarmament—seriously
made, but not seriously received; how could it be?
A little before sailing time, bro. & sis. Leitch, and bro. & sis.
Walker, Jr., came to the steamer to see me off. As the wind was
blusterous and cold, and no satisfactory intercourse was possible in
a bustling throng of people coming and going, I persuaded them not
to wait the actual sailing of the boat. So we parted (regretfully) to
meet again another and better day, if God permit.
At 2 o'clock the steamboat moved out of the harbor—the
"beautiful harbor" of Auckland, but not so beautiful as Sydney,
though having a beauty all its own in another way. All parts of the
earth are beautiful enough, if the people were only wise and good—
which they will be some day.
AT SEA: ON THE WAY TO U.S.: AN INTERESTING 17-YEAR-OLD
For the first 2 days the sea was fairly smooth and life on board
fairly regular. At Auckland we had parted with one or two of the
more inane of our company, and had taken on board some fresh
passengers who were an element of interest. One of them was soon
prominent in the whole ship. There are people that you can no more
keep back than you can prevent cork from floating. Such was one of
the new passengers—a young man who was seated next to me at the
table, and of whom I saw a good deal.
He turned out to be a relative of Louis Stevenson, the popular
novel writer who recently died at the Samoan Islands. He was on his
way to the States, to which by birth he belonged, but from which he
had been absent the most of his life, spending 6 years in the Sandwich Islands, 6 months at the Samoan Islands, with Mr. Stevenson
aforesaid; 3 years (educationally) at Wellington, New Zealand,
from which he was now returning to his mother in San Francisco, and father in New York.
He was active, alert, well-informed, and courteous to every one.
He was at home with the captain and officers, and worked his way
into the deepest recesses of the vessel. He knew everything and
talked with everybody. He was much younger than he looked. You
took him for 25; he was only 17.
1973 Berean 106
While full of the confidence that distinguishes the Americans, he
had none of the American accent, or (shall I say) the American
swagger. (I would say it, only for the fear of hurting Americans who
have none of the swagger.) He was free of the vices that characterize the educated youth of most countries. He did not smoke:
detested the doctrine of "wild oats": and had, as the one ambition
he set before him in life, the purification of American politics.
I told him he was setting before him an impracticable enterprise,
and that the world was incurable, except in God's way. What was
that? This led to the Gospel of the Kingdom. He soon discovered
where I was, and he told me where he was—a Roman Catholic.
"Why, Mr. Roberts," he said, "we are natural enemies!"
I admitted it, and said I felt sure that when Christ came, he would
find he was on the wrong side.
He looked rather serious. "It is all a matter of opinion, isn't it?"
Yes, I replied, so far as our relation to the matter was concerned,
but there was an actual right and wrong in the matter, that could not
be altered by our opinions. There was such a thing as Truth,
whether we knew it or not. An earnest man would set himself to find
out what this was. If God had not spoken, we could not know; if He
had, it was not only a mistake, it was a crime to be indifferent. Many
such conversations we had.
WED., SEP. 7: ATTHE SAMOA Ν ISLANDS: A BRITISH OUTPOST
When we got up on Wednesday morning, Sept. 7 (after duplicating
Sunday, to square with our longitude), we found ourselves in smooth
water, close to the Samoan Islands. We were approaching the
harbor of Apia—the capital of the Islands (pronounced Ah-pee-a).
The town, seen from the sea, looked like a slender white streak, at
the foot of high green wooded hills behind.
When we came to anchor, we were not in much of a harbor, but in
a bay about half-a-mile from the shore. The only other shipping was
Her Majesty's gunboat Ringdove, moored to our left as we looked
ashore, and a Norwegian barque on the other side. There were small
boats and canoes in plenty, to take the passengers ashore if they
chose, at a shilling a head; or to supply them with fruit if they chose
to buy ("nothing for nothing in this world," except the supplies from
heaven, which come to the just and the unjust).
1973 eerean 107
There was just one other object that struck the eye of the visitor,
and that was a huge rusty wreck, well in-shore. This was the
dismantled and broken hull of the German warship that was blown
ashore by the hurricane that suddenly burst on the Samoan Islands
about 10 years ago. The same hurricane sank 2 American warships
on the same station, and would have sunk the Calliope, a British
gunboat, also, but for the alert seamanship of the captain, who got
up all his steam and made a way out in the teeth of the gale and got
clear away. The matter was reported in the papers at the time.
Neither the Germans nor the Americans have replaced their
destroyed ships; the British alone remain in possession.
ASHORE FOR A VISIT: MEETING A PHILISTINE: BUYING BREAD
As the steamer was to stay 6 hours, I went ashore to post letters
and see the place. It consists of one long street skirting the beach.
The houses are mostly of the Colonial type—wooden frame houses
with verandahs; but they are mixed with native huts.
I looked into one where 12 or 15 men and one woman were at work
making mats. The head of the company, who spoke a little English,
beckoned me to come in. I went in and sat down in the centre. I tried
to converse, but without much success. The headman's range of
English was very limited, my knowledge of the Samoan dialect, nil.
I asked him what he was in religion. He said, ''Nothing; I am a
Philistine." "Believe nothing?" said I. He gave a grunt. I replied we
must all go DOWN, indicating by an earth-dig. "Yes," he said.
"But," I said, "God would bring up again" (with a dig-up gesture).
The man shook his head. The other men were all attention with a
grin. I said I wished I could speak to them. They offered me a native
bludgeon—which I brought away as a memento.
The street might be a mile long; I went right to the end of it, and
then returned. A native boy joined me; and soon some others. The
boy (who spoke a smattering of English) was quite amusing in the
earnestness of his dramatic representation of the wreck of the ship.
I saw a seat under a tree in a well-kept enclosure, and went in to
sit down. They came with me, but were uneasy, and said they were
afraid of "the mishonary"—every syllable slowly pronounced. I
talked with them about school, and such other topics as our limited
vocabulary allowed. They were principally concerned about "kiki," which I discovered meant bread. They were delighted when I
took them into a shop and bought them some bread. At last, the hour
came for departure, at which they expressed sorrow.
In the Image of God Made He Him
PART FOUR
THE GLORIOUS BODY OF CHRIST OUR GROUND OF HOPE
The present, real, glorious spirit body of Jesus Christ is the
anchor and foundation of our hope and belief. If we allow these
various sure landmarks of revealed Truth to be tampered with and
nullified to fit private views, we shall soon find that we have no solid
body of Truth left at all.
The suggestion that Jesus
merely assumed a human form
when he appeared after his resurrection, and that he himself
—his real spiritual identitywas something different from
and independent of that body,
has no support in Scripture
and is a wide departure from
what is revealed.
"Behold my hands and my
feet, that it is I myself.
"Handle me and see, for a
spirit (such as they thought
they saw—v. 37) hath not
flesh and bones as ye see me
have" (Luke 24:39).
To say that Jesus just assumed a body for the occasion
1973 Berean
108
is to make a mockery of his
words here. It was the real,
bodily Jesus that died; the real
bodily Jesus that rose from the
dead, and was changed from a
mortal body to an immortal
body.
If we hold fast to the simple
record of the Scriptures, where
do we find these ideas about
an immortal, immaterial essence independent of a body?
That has no place in the scriptural record, and is not the
Jesus we know.
"Jesus showed HIMSELF
again to the disciples" (John
21:1).
If it was not the real "himself" they saw, but just a temporary body that the "himself"
was using, we can see the
f o u n d a t i o n s disintegrating
under such passages as "Dust
THOU art." We use this passage to prove that the living
body was the real Adam.
"Thou wilt not suffer Thine
Holy One to see corruption"
(Acts 2.27).
If the body that was raised
and glorified was not the real,
permanent Jesus, but only a
form he took for the occasion,
what happens to the resurrection of the body? It becomes
meaningless.
"We must all appear before
the judgment seat of Christ;
that everyone may receive
the things in body, according
to that he hath done, whether
good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10).
The good, as well as the
bad, receive their reward IN
BODY.
"The Lord Jesus Christ
shall change our vile BODY,
that it may be fashioned like
unto his glorious BODY"
(Phil. 3:21).
This is how the faithful attain to immortality—by having
their BODY made like Christ's,
their Elder Brother. To say that
he has no body, but assumes
a body on certain occasions,
is completely foreign to—and
destructive of — the scriptural
picture—
"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a natural
body; it is raised a spiritual body.
"There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body; and so
it is written: The first man Adam was made a living soul1 (a
natural body); the last Adam was made a quickening spirit (a
SPIRITUAL BODY).
"The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the
Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they that are earthy;
and as IS the heavenly (Christ), such are they that are heavenly.
"And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also
bear the IMAGE of the heavenly.
"For this corruptible must PUT ON incorruption, and this
mortal must PUT ON immortality'1 (1 Cor. 15:42-53).
The foregoing is the true
picture as we have always believed it. This plainly teaches:
(1) That Jesus Christ, the last
Adam, was made a SPIRITUAL
BODY—that is what he actually IS—his real identity—he
IS a spiritual body, not a bodiless essence that just assumes
a body as it desires. The Scriptures know nothing of such.
(2) That the faithful will be
made like he is by their mortal
BODY being changed to an immortal BODY. He is the firstfruits and example, the head,
the firstborn, the first among
many brethren.
It is a false and dangerous
specutotion, wholly unscriptural,
to say that the real Jesus is
1973 Berean
109
something different from his
body—
"This SAME JESUS, which
is taken up from you into
heaven, shall so come in like
manner as ye have seen HIM
go into heaven'* (Acts 1:11).
Of Stephen we read (Acts 7:55):
"He being full of the Holy
Spirit, looked up stedfastly
into heaven, and saw the glory
of God, and JESUS STANDing on the right hand of God"
And of Paul—
"Have I not seen Jesus
Christ our Lord? (1 Cor. 9:1).
"Last of all he was seen of
me also" (1 Cor. 15:8).
And it is specifically testified—
"This MAN, after he had
offered one sacrifice for sins
forever, SAT DOWN on the
right hand of God" (Heb.
10:12).
"If ye then be risen with
Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ
SITTETH on the right hand of
God." (Col. 3:1).
This is the way the Scriptures present the matter to us.
These are God's words. Simple
humility and wisdom will accept
what God says, and not try to
improve on it. Where do we
get any license to nullify and
deny these testimonies, and
presume that they do not mean
what they say? What floodgates
of uncertainty would be opened
by treating Scripture this way!
We are very much afraid of
these speculations concerning
Christ as a bodiless essence.
These assumptions (and others,
are afraid, as the future will unfold) arise from refusing to ac
cept the clear foundation God
lays in the beginning—
"In the image of God created He him."
This is the beginning of the
divine plan to create a family
for Himself for His glory and
pleasure, of which His only begotten Son was to be the Head
and Elder Brother.
We greatly prefer the safe and
solid and scriptural conclusions
of bre. Thomas and Roberts—
BROTHER THOMAS' VIEW
"Having affirmed that man stands related to two kinds of
BODY, the apostle gives us to understand that in the arrangements
of God the spiritual system of things is elaborated out of the
animal. In relation to human nature, two men are presented as its
TYPES in the TWO PHASES it is to assume. These Paul styles
'the First Adam' and 'the LAST ADAM', or 'the first man' and
'the second man.'
"The former he terms 'earthy/ because he came from the
ground and, goes thither again; and the latter, 'the Lord from
heaven,' because being 'known no more after the flesh/ he is
expected from heaven as the place of his final manifestation in
'the body of his glory.'
"Then, says John, 'we shall be like him.' If, therefore, we have
been successful in depicting the Lord as he IS NOW, while SEATED
AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD; namely, an incorruptible, honorable, powerful living person, SUBSTANTIAL AND TANGIBLE,
shining as the sun and able to eat and drink, and to display all
mental and other phenomena in perfection: if the reader be able
to comprehend such an 'IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD/ he
can understand what THEY ARE TO BE who are counted worthy
to inherit His kingdom.
"Therefore, says Paul, 'As we have borne the image of the
earthy, we shall also bear the IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY/ or
1973 Berean
110
'Lord from heaven.' This CORPOREAL change . . is an absolute
necessity before they can inherit the Kingdom of God. A man . .
must be 'changed into spirit,' put on incorruptibility and immortality of BODY." (Elpis Israel, p.44).
"The Bible has to do with things, not imaginations; with
BODIES, not phantasmata; with 'living souls' of every species;
with CORPOREAL beings of other worlds; and with incorruptible
and undying men" (Same, p.46).
AND BROTHER ROBERTS' VIEW
"The angels, in FORM AND FEATURE, resemble human beings. They eat and drink, and walk and talk, and deport themselves
in general like ourselves; but, unlike us, they are incorruptible,
deathless, perfect, and strong in the might with which God has
invested them for the execution of His purpose.
"In the angels we behold an exemplification of WHAT THE
SAINTS WILL BE after resurrection, for Jesus says:—
'They that shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world
and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are
given in marriage; neither can they die any more, for they
are equal unto the angels and are the children of God' (Luke
20:35-6).
"It is a state in which they will be real, SUBSTANTIAL, HUMANLIKE IN FORM, of flesh and bone, yet incorruptible, glorious,
powerful, and never-dying" (Christendom Astray, p.132).
"Paul points to Christ AS HE NOW IS as a specimen of the
spiritual body (1 Cor. 15:44-5). Here is an unmistakable clue to the
simple and glorious truth of the matter. The righteous are to be
MADE LIKE TO CHRIST.
"Now, concerning Christ, we have the plainest information on
this point. The BODY THAT WAS CRUCIFIED ON CALVARY was
the body that was put in Joseph's tomb, and that came out alive
on the morning of the third day. When Jesus appeared alive to his
disciples, it was an ACTUAL BODILY MAN that so appeared . .
Here was Jesus, after his resurrection, possessing flesh and bones.
"In 40 days, he visibly left the earth in the presence of his
disciples; and it was said to them by two angels, 'THIS SAME
JESUS, who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall so
come in like manner as ye have seen him go.'
"Consequently, Jesus at his return will be a REAL AND BODILY person, possessing flesh and bones; for HE IS SO NOW, AND
HAS BEEN EVER SINCE HE WENT AWAY. Paul saw him several
years after his departure to heaven. He is a living illustration of
what a spiritual body is . . as tangible as the bodies we now
possess, yea, more so" (Finger Post 31, 'What is a Spiritual Body?').
THE DANGEROUSNESS OF THE THEORY
ALL this is undermined by the
theory that actually the angels
and Christ are spiritual essences
independent of b o d i e s . The
scriptural picture of salvation is
eternal life manifested through
incorruptibility and perfection of
body, and Christ and the angels
are presented to us as examples.
Surely the dangerousness and
unsoundness of a theory is selfevident when it requires such a
complete revision of the scriptural picture, and such groundless assumptions that the real
facts of the case are quite different from the way the Bible
1973 Berean
111
invariably presents them to us!
The Bible always presents
angels and Jesus Christ to us as
real, actual, substantial bodies
in human form, Jesus the very
same body that was laid in the
tomb. The theory presented requires us to believe that from
beginning to end this is all one
big deceptive appearance—that
actually they are bodiless, immaterial identities, and that the
bodies that have been seen and
handled and presented as evidence of reality were just assumed for the occasion.
NO DESIRE TO PRY OR SPECULATE
THE revealed fact that we are
"made in the image of God"
does not enable or entitle us to
picture God, and none of us
desire to. We realize that this is
both dangerous and irreverent.
God's visible appearance is inconceivable. "Glory" is an inseparable element of His nature
and substance—
"The GLORY of the celestial
is one, and the glory of the
terrestrial is another . . . so
also the natural and spiritual
bodies" (1 Cor. 15:40-4).
"They changed the GLORY
of the uncorruptible God into
an image made like to corruptible man" (Rom. 1:23).
Jesus is now both "the
brightness of His GLORY, and
the express image of His person." Israel was denied any
visible manifestation, and the
reason strongly impressed upon
them — that they should be
fenced against the everpresent
danger of pictorializing God—
reducing the GLORY of the
great Majesty of the Heavens
to an image or picture.
THE VALUE OF WHAT HAS BEEN REVEALED
It has been revealed to us that
we are patterned after Him.
This is a great and gracious
revelation. We cannot presume
on it or beyond it, but we can
humbly accept it. It inspires us
with a sense of direct relationship to our Father in heaven. It
emphasizes and ennobles the
truth that our bodies are His
temple, and that they are a
vital and important part of His
purpose. This revelation points
FORWARD to the glorious communion of the divine family in
the eternal ages of the future.
It is fitting and beautiful.
It also entails upon mankind
great responsibility before Him.
Formed intimately as SONS,
bearing the DIVINE IMPRESS,
it is men's destiny and duty to
comport themselves as sons.
God could have made us any
shape, mere creatures for His
pleasure. But how inspiring and
ennobling and uplifting to learn
of the destiny He has planned
for us as eternal sons of His
glory! How much deeper and
richer and fuller has He made
the possibilities of our love for
and communion with Him by
this evidence of kinship! Picture
it otherwise, and the great excellence and fittingness of the
way His wisdom has planned it
will forcefully impress us.
This is the profitable avenue
of thought to follow. Not prying
backwards along the revelation,
and speculating concerning the
details of God's being, but advancing with it in the direction
of what it means as regards our
relationship to Him, and our
ultimate destiny.
Paul says to the Atheneans:—
"Forasmuch then as we are
the OFFSPRING OF GOD, we
ought not to think that the
Godhead is like unto gold, or
silver, or stone, graven by art
and man's device" (Acts 17).
Here again is a direct rela1973 Berean
112
tionship between God and man
implied, a relationship so strong
and direct that certain facts
concerning God are inferred on
the basis of it. Man is never
represented as a mere unrelated creation of God, as the
animals or the trees or the
planets, but always as His
CHILDREN.
THE BEAUTY AND NECESSITY OF THIS TRUTH
INASMUCH as God's own Son
Truly an 'Image of God"
was to be born as one of the
must not be made or worhuman race—i d e η t i c a 1 with
shipped—in the mind or anythem—a very real and close rewhere else. None of us have any
lationship between God and man
desire to do so. To attempt to is
is necessitated. And when we
to "change His celestial glory"
realize—as we do—that the presto terrestrial standards.
ent form of man is to be eterWe are simply concerned
nally perpetuated in glorious
with learning and believing
spirit-nature, we see the beauty
the necessary things that God
and necessity of the primary
desires us to believe—in the
revelation concerning the relaplain, simple way that God
tion of that form to God's.
desires us to believe them.
Just so much has been reWe cannot understand God's
vealed. Just sufficient to form
nature and being. We realize
the necessary foundation. At
the pitiful limitations of our inthis point we must stop, for we
tellects
in this matter. But we
are on holy ground. To attempt
CAN, in humble faith, believe
to peer further than is revealed,
what He tells us. He has chosen,
or to speculate concerning God
for
reasons of His own love and
or to pictorialize Him is the
wisdom, to tell us in the plainheight of presumption.
est of words that He has been
We all well realize this and
pleased—in the furtherance of
are heartily in accord with the
His own glorious purpose — to
necessity of caution in this refashion man after His own form.
spect. There is no subject where
"In heaven" said Jesus, "and e l i c a c y and discretion are
yels do always behold the face
more essential. We do not forget
of my Father."
the lesson of the fifty thousand
who were slain by God for havThis beautifully and simply
ing looked into the Ark, and the
sums up the understanding and
people said in awe and fear—
hope that God desires us to have
"Who is able to stand beconcerning Himself. May we
fore this holy Lord God?" (1
have the wisdom to accept it in
Sam. 6:19-20).
simple faith.
Fraternal Gatherings
If the Lord Will
LAMPASAS, TEXAS: FRIDAY to SUNDAY, JUNE 8 to 10
Bro. Ross Wolfe, 1802 Rumley Rd., Lampasas, Tex. 76550; (512) 556-5249
HYE, TEXAS: SUNDAY to SUNDAY, JULY 29 to AUGUST 5
Bro. N. Mammone, 2200 W. No. Loop, Ap. 129, Austin, Tx. 78756; 512-453-1048
"That ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all
wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of
the Lord unto ail pleasing, being fmitful in every good work, and
increasing in the knowledge of God; strenghtened with all might,
according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness"—Col. 1:9-11.
1 9 7 3 Berean 113
God's Purpose in the Death of Christ
"God, sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and
for sin, condemned sin in the flesh1"—Romans 8:3
BY BROTHER ROBERT ROBERTS
Nothing is more notorious than the fact of Christ's death by crucifixion in the reign of Tiberius. Not only is the fact circumstantially
related by the apostles who were eye-witnesses of the event, but
Tacitus, the Roman historian who flourished in the reign of Nero,
only 30 years after, records it in his annals, in connection with the
burning of Rome. A "Christian world," full of crosses today, is an
evidence of it.
What is the meaning of this strange event? For a strange event we
must account it, that, a man who went about doing good, and against
whom no possible charge of sin could be brought, should be executed
as if he were a felon.
As regards the motive of his executioners, there is no obscurity in
the tragedy. Jesus deeply wounded the pride of the ruling classes of
the Jewish nation, by his open denunciation of their evil ways. The
Romans, who garrisoned the country, were but their instruments in
executing a man whom they had no power themselves to destroy.
This is what we may call the human side of the event.
But there is a divine side to the event, as explicitly affirmed by
Christ when he said—
"No man taketh my life from me. I lay it down of myself. This
commandment I have received of my Father."
"I lay down my life for the sheep.'*
"The Son of man is come to give his life a ransom for many."
"I give my flesh for the life of the world."
It will be a profitable enquiry to ask: first, How an event can be
both human and divine at the same time? And second, Being divine
as well as human, what were the divine objects aimed at in the
sacrifice of the sinless son of God?
As regards the first point, the Bible is a continued illustration. The
divine and the human were blended notably in 3 leading instances
where there are hundreds—
Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brethren, says—
"It was not you that sent me hither, but God" (Gen. 45:8).
Israel—who were overpowered by natural enemies—are made by
the prophet Isaiah to enquire (42:24)—
"Who gave Jacob to the spoil, and Israel to the robbers?
"Did not the Lord, He against Whom we have sinned?"
Thirdly, God says by the same prophet that He would send Sennacherib against Israel, and adds—
"Howbeit he meaneth not so, but he saith, By my wisdom and the
strength of my hand I have done it" (Isa. 10:7-13).
1973 Berean 114
See also Dt. 32:26-27. It is easy to comprehend this duality of
operation, when we remember that man lives in God, and can be
controlled by Him without man being conscious of the operation, as
Solomon says—
"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, and he turneth it about
whithersoever He will."
And again—
"God ruleth in the kingdoms of men" (Dan, 4:17).
On the face of it Christ's death was wholly a human event; but by
the testimony of the apostles afterwards, as well as of Christ
beforehand, its divine side was its strongest side, so strong that the
human side would not have existed but for the divine aims in the
case (Acts 2:23)—
"Him being delivered by the determinate
counsel and
foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have
crucified and slain"
"To do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to
be done."(Acts 4:28).
The chief question is: What were the divine objects in so apparently cruel an arrangement? We have all been made familiar with
the popular view: That the death of Christ was a vicarious punishment of all the sins that men ever committed; and that all that men
have to do in order to get the benefit is to believe—*'only believe."
There are several difficulties and confusions in this—
1. The punishment of sin is supposed to be eternal torments in hell.
How could Jesus endure endless agony in a brief moment, and how
could he on earth suffer what belongs to hell only?
2. The sinning part of man is supposed to be the immortal soul. But
it was in Christ's mortal body that he made a sacrifice for the sins of
the world.
3. It was death that Jesus endured in the process of taking away the
sin of the world. But according to the popular theory he could not die.
4. On what principle of justice is it possible to understand a
righteous person being punished for a wicked person?
All these difficulties, inconsistencies, and obscurities disappear,
when we realize the Scripture testimony in the case. There are
various features to this testimony, and we must blend them all.
One is that the death of Christ was an arrangement of favor, for
granting salvation by the remission of sins.
Another feature is that justice was done, while favor was shown;
"that He (God) might be just," etc. (Rom. 3:25-26).
Another is that while salvation is offered through forgiveness for
Christ's sake, its attainment is contingent on individual obedience
and faithfulness, even to the extent of said individuals being judged
and rewarded "according to their works."
1973 Berean 115
All is intelligible when the mortal nature of man is recognized and
sin understood as the cause of the entrance of death into the world.
What we have to ask is, In view of the reign of death, in what way did
the death of Christ contribute towards its removal? On the surface
of things it would seem as if a living Christ would be more suitable to
the needs of dying man than a Christ given over to death.
We can only get at an answer by the testimony, and it is explicit.
We are not only told that it was by means of death in the flesh and
blood of the children that Christ was to destroy that having the
power of death (Heb. 2:14); but we are admitted into an insight into
the divine aims in the c a s e To condemn sin in the flesh (Rom. 8:3).
To declare the righteousness of God for the remission of sins.
That God might be just, while the justifier of him that believeth.
(Rom. 3:25-26).
As to the further question—how these things were accomplished
in the death of Christ—we cannot see it unless we recognize the
identity of his human nature with the nature that sinned in Eden,
and was sentenced to death because of sin. This identity is expressly
affirmed in the apostolic writing—
"Likeness of sinful flesh" (Rom. 8:3).
"Made sin for us" (2 Cor. 5:21).
"Flesh and blood—the same" (Heb. 2:14).
"Seed of David according to the flesh" (Rom. 1:3).
"Made in all things like his brethren" (Heb. 2:17).
"Came in the flesh" (1 Jn. 4:1-3).
If we consider him as a representative man, sharing with us the
very nature that has an inherited death from Eden, and the nature
that is in us the cause of sin, we may understand how his death was a
virtual repudiation of sinful human nature, and an assertion of the
supremacy of God, and the enforcement of His righteousness for our
recognition and identification in baptism, as the condition of a favor
that bends to us in kindness without the compromised authority of
righteousness.
But his death was the death of a righteous man, and therefore
resurrection could take place conformably with the righteousness of
God. The victory is Christ's alone, but he is empowered to share the
fruits of his victory with all those who, in humility and true
repentance, come unto God by him.
Forgiveness is none the less free forgiveness because Christ died.
Still it is forgiveness based on the enforcement of righteousness and
submission to this enforcement on the part of those forgiven. We are
forgiven "for Christ's sake," and thus "the blood of Jesus Christ
cleanseth us from all sin."
"Christ also loved the Ecclesia and gave himself for it; that he
might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the
Word, that he might present it to himself a glorious Ecclesia, not
having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be
holy and without blemish"—Eph. 5:25-27.
1973 B e r e a n
116
The Bible Use of 'Soul' and 'Spirit'
"That which befalleth the sons of man befalleth beasts: as the one
dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath (ruach—
spirit. All go to one place; all are of the dust, and all
turn to dust again"—Ecclesiastes 3:19-20
The Hebrew word nephesh is the original word in all places
where "soul" appears in the Authorized Version of the Old Testament.
Nephesh occurs 754 times. Of these, it is translated "soul·' 472
times.
It is translated the other 282 times by approximately 43 different
English words, including: life, creature, thing, breath, fish, her,
persons, any, man, men, one, yourselves, themselves, himself,
he, herself, beast, pleasure, lust, appetite, greedy, mind, heart, will,
hearty, desire, thyself, myself, him, his own, thee, ghost, the dead,
dead body, body, etc.
The basic meaning of nephesh is, as a verb, "to breathe, to
respire," and as a noun, "a breathing frame, the body which by
breathing is sustained in life," "a living creature," "a breathing
animal."
In all the 754 times it occurs, there is not one mention or hint
of immortality, but always the reverse.
Parkhurst (a believer in the "immortal soul") says in his Hebrew
Lexicon—
"As a noun, nephesh has been supposed to signify the spiritual part
of man, or what we commonly call his soul. I must for myself confess
that I can find no passage where it has undoubtedly this meaning.
"Gen. 33:16: 1 Kings 17:21-22; and Psa. 16:10, seem fairest for this
significance. But may not nephesh in the 2 former passages be most
properly rendered 'breath' and in the last 'a breathing or animal
frame'?"
Young's Analytical Concordance translates nephesh as "animal
soul."
The Latin equivalent for nephesh is anima from anemos—"air
or breath" (compare "animal").
The Greek equivalent is psuche. This is the word translated
"soul" in the New Testament. Young's Concordance also renders
this "animal soul." The derived adjective psuchikos is translated
"natural" in contrast to "spiritual" (1 Cor. 15:44)—
"There is a natural (psuchikos) body, and there is a spiritual body."
The natural (psuchikos) body is said to be corrupt, dishonorable
and weak (see vs. 42-42 of this 1 Cor. 15).
Nephesh is also used of the functions and characteristics which
distinguish an animal body, as: life, power, appetite, desire, vitality,
etc. For example—
L^ev. 17:10-12—"I will set my face against that soul (nephesh) that
eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people; for the life
(nephesh) of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon
the altar to make atonement for your souls (nephesh)" . . "No
soul (nephesh) of you shall eat blood."
Isa. 29:8—"It shall be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold,
he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul (nephesh) is empty; or as
when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh,
and, behold, he is faint, and his soul (nephesh) hath appetite."
Prov. 6:30—"Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his
soul (nephesh) when he is hungry."
117
1973 B e r e a n
Exo. 12:16—"No manner of work shall be done in them, save that
which which every man (nephesh) must eat."
The word nephesh is applied in the Bible indiscriminately to
both man and animals. It is used of animals 4 times BEFORE it is
used of man at all—
Gen. 1:20—"And God said, "Let the waters bring forth abundantly the
moving creature that hath life (nephesh)."
Gen. 1:21—"And God created great whales, and every living creature
(nephesh) that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly."
Gen. 1:24—"And God said, "Let the earth bring forth the living
creature (nephesh) after his kind, cattle, and creeping things."
Gen. 1:30—"And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the
air, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is
life (nephesh), I have given every green herb for meat."
In addition to these 4, it is applied to animals 6 times in the
next 9—
Gen. 2:19—"Whatsoever Adam called every living creature (nephesh)
that was the name thereof/'
Gen. 9:4—"But flesh with the life (nephesh) thereof, which is the
blood thereof, shall ye not eat."
Gen. 9:10—"Every living creature (nephesh) that, is with you, of the
fowl, of the cattle and of every beast of the earth with you."
Gen. 9:12—"Every living creature (nephesh) that is with you."
Gen. 9:15—"Every living creature (nephesh) of all flesh."
Gen. 9:16—"Every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth."
Beside the last 2 instances above, where it refers to both men
and animals without distinction, it is also used of both men and
animals together indiscriminately 5 times more—
Lev. 17:11—"The life (nephesh) is in the blood."
Lev. 17:14—"For it is the life (nephesh) of all flesh; the blood of it
is for the life (nephesh) thereof . . . for the life (nephesh) of all flesh
is the blood thereof."
Num. 31:28—"One soul (nephesh) of five hundred, both of the persons,
and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep."
In 32 places souls (nephesh) are spoken of as killed by man, as—
Josh. 10:28—"And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it
with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed,
them, and all the souls (nephesh) that were therein." See also vs. 30, 32,
35. 37, 38, 39.
Josh. 11:11—"And they smote all the souls (nephesh) that were therein wilih the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them."
Eze. 13:19—"And will ye pollute Me among My people . . . to slay the
souls (nephesh) that should not die, and to save the souls (nephesh)
alive that should not live?"
Deut. 27:25— "Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent
person (nephesh)."
1 Sam. 22:22—"I have occasioned the death of all the persons (nephesh)
of thy father's house."
Lev. 24:17-16—"He that killeth any man (smiteth the life—nephesh—
of a man) shall be put to death. He that killeth a beast (smiteth the
life—nephesh—of a beast) shall make it good; beast (nephesh) for beast
(nephesh).'*
Num. 31:19—"Whosoever hath killed any person (nephesh).'·
In 13 places souls (nephesh) are spoken of as being actually
DEAD. Examples—
Num. 5:2—"Whosoever is defiled by the dead (nephesh)."
Lev. 19:28—"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for dead
(nephesh)."
Lev. 21:1—"There shall none be defiled for the dead (nephesh) among
his people."
Lev. 21:11—"Neither shall he go in to any dead body (nephesh)."
Lev. 22:4—"Who so toucheth anything that is unclean by the dead
(nephesh)/·
118
1 9 7 3 Berean
Num. 6:11—"He that sinned by the dead (nephesh).'»
Num. 9:6—"Defiled by the dead body (nephesh) of a man."
Num. 9:7—"Defiled by the dead body (nephesh) of a man."
Num. 9:10—"Unclean by reason of a dead body (nephesh)."
Num. 6.-6—"He shall come at no dead body (nephesh)."
Num. 19:13—"Whosoever toucheth the dead body (nephesh) of any
man that is dead."
Hag. 2:13—"If one that is unclean by a dead body (nephesh) touch any
of these, shall it be unclean?"
In 13 more places souls (nephesh) are spoken of as going to the
grave—
Psa. 30:3—"Thou hast brought up my soul (nephesh) from the grave
(sheol)."
Psa. 89:48—"Shall he deliver his soul (nephesh) from the band of the
grave (sheol)?*'
Psa. 16:10—"Thou wilt not leave my soul (nephesh) in hell (sheol—same
as 'grave' above)."
Psa. 86:13—"Thou hast delivered my soul (nepheah) from the lowest hell
(marg: grave)."
Job 33:18—"He keepeth back his soul (nephesh) from the pit" (Also vs.
28 and 30).
The creation of a soul is described in Gen. 2:7—
"And itthe Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed
Into his nostrils the breath (neshamah) of life (chaiyim); and man became
a living soul (nephesh dial)."
In the above passage, a "living soul" (nephesh chai) is a body of
earth with the breath of life. A "dead soul" (nephesh muth—Num.
6:6) is a body of earth without the breath of life.
This same "breath of life" (neshamah chaiyim) that was breathed
into man was also possessed by the animals as shown by Gen.
7:21-22—
"And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of
cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing upon (the earth, and every
man: all in whose nostrils was the breath of life (breath of the spirit of
lives—neshamah ruach ohaiyim), of all that was in the dry land, died."
*
•
*
The word ruach appears 398 times in the Hebrew Old Testament.
Except for two cases (Job 26:4; Prov. 20:27), this is the word in
the original wherever the word "spirit" occurs in the Authorized
Version. *
Ruach is translated "spirit" 237 times. It is translated "breath"
28 times, and "wind" 99 times. The other 25 times it is translated
several ways, as "mnd, blast, air, tempest," etc.
This word primarily means "the action oi breathing of the air in
motion," and, more broadly, is used to signify "invisible power."
It is used the same way as neshamah to mean the breath of man,
the power of life, vitality. When a distinction is made between
"soul" and "spirit" they mean respectively "body" and "life,"
although in general use the secondary meanings overlap.
Examples of the use of ruach in connection with man are as
follows. These show that it is used to denote the mind, character,
energy, disposition, life—
Gen. 26:35—"Which were a grief of mind (spirit—ruach) unto Isaac and
to Rebekah."
Gen. 41:8—"And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit (ruach)
was troubled."
Exo. 6:9—'They hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit (ruach)."
Num. 5:30—'The spirit (ruach) of jealousy."
•"Familiar spirit" (Lev. 20:27; 1 Sam.
28:78; 1 Chr. 23:6; Isa. 29:4) is a
different word.
1
1Q
9 77 33 B
B ee rr ee aa n
n
1Ί
19
Ί
9
Oeut. 2:30—"The Lord thy God hardened his spirit (ruach), and made
nis heart obstinate."
Josh. 2:11—"Our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more
courage (spirit) in any man.'1
Judges 8:3—"Then their anger (ruach) was abated toward him."
1 Kings 10:5—"And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's
wisdom . . . there was no more spirit (ruach) in her."
1 Kings 21:5—"Why is thy spirit (ruach) so sad?"
Psa. 34:la—"Such as be of a contrite spirit (roach)."
Psa. 51:10—"Renew a right spirit (ruach) within me."
Prov. 15:1$—"By sorrow of heart the spirit (ruach) is broken."
Prov. 16:19—"A humble spirit (ruach)."
Prov. 16:10—"A haughty spirit (ruach)."
Eccl. 7:8—"The patient in spirit (ruach)."
Eccl. 7:8—"The proud in spirit (ruach)."
Eze. 11:5—"I know the things that come into your mind (ruach)."
Ruach is used of animals as well as of man, to indicate the breath
of l i f e Gen. 6:17—"I do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all
flesh, wherein is the breath (ruaoh) of life (chaiyim), from under heaven,
and everything that is in the earth shall die."
Gen. 7il4-<15—"They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle
after their kind and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth
after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort
And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein
is the breath (ruach) of life."
Gen. 7:22—"And all flesh died (that moved upon the earth, both of fowl,
and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon
the earth, and every man: all in whose nostrils was the breath (ruach) of
life, of all that was in the dry land, died."
The Bible expressly says that man and animals have the same
spirit (ruach)—
Eccl. 3:19—"For that which befalleth the son of MEN befalleth BEASTS;
even one thing betalietb them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea,
THEY HAVE ALL ONE BREATH iruach); and man hath no preeminence
above the beasts: for all is vanity.
"ALL GO UNTO ONE PLACE; all are of the dust and all turn to dust
"Who knoweth the spirit (ruach) of man, whether it goeth upward, and
the spirit (ruach) of the beast, whether it goeth downward to the earth?"
The foregoing will show that there is no support for the false
pagan tradition of the "immortal soul" in the use of the words
"soul·' (nephesh) and "spirit" (ruach) in the Bible.
*
•
•
The following passages will be further conclusive proof that the
popular orthodox belief in the immortal soul is contrary to the
teachings of the Bible, that man is mortal, that in death there is
no consciousness, that heaven-going at death is a false myth, and
that apart from the resurrection at the last day, the dead have
perished—
Only God Hath Immortality
1 Tim. 6:15-1)6—'The blessed and only potentate, the King of kings and
Lord of lords, Who only hath immortality."
Immortality to Be SOUGHT FOR, Not Now Possessed
Rom. 2:7—"To them who by patient continuance in welldoing SEEK for
glory and honor and IMMORTALITY (he will render) eternal life."
1 Cor. 15:51-«3--"We shall afll be changed . . . at the last trumpet . . . for
this corruptible must put on incorrupuon, and this mortal must put on
immoxitaility."
Phil. 3:21—"He (Jesus) shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body."
Man Is of the Dust, Returns to Dust
Gen. 3:19—"Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."
Psa. 104:2»—"Thou takest away their breath (ruach), they die, and return
to their dust."
1973 B e r e a n
120
Job 10:18—tfWherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb?
Oh that I had given up the ghost (gava—expire) and no eye had seen me!
I should have been AS THOUGH I HAD NOT BEEN; I should have been
carried from the womb to the grave.'*
Job 34:15—"If he set his hear* upon man, if he gather unto himself his
spirit (ruach) and his breath (neshamah) . . all flesh shall perish together,
and man shall turn again unto the dust."
Souls Die, Are Destroyed, Go to Grove
Eze. 18:4, 20—"The soul (nephesh) that sinneth, it shall die."
1 Cor. 15:22—"In Adam all die."
Psa. 89:48—"What man is he that liveth and shall not see death? Shall
he deliver his soul (nephesh) from the power oi the grave?"
Matt. 10:28—"Fear Him which is able to destroy both soul (psuche—life)
and body in hell (gehenna)."
Rev. 16:3—"And every living soul (psuche) died in (the sea."
Isa. 33:12—'Ήβ hath poured out his soul (nephesh) unto death."
No One (Except Christ) Goes to Heoven
Acts 2:34—"David is not ascended into the heavens."
John 3:13—"No man hath ascended up to heaven."
Some Never Awake From the Sleep of Death
Jer. 51:39—"They shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not awake, saith the
Lord."
Pro. 21:16—"The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding
shall remain in the congregation of the dead."
The Dead Are Asleep in the Ground
Job 3:11, 13—"Why died I not from the womb? Why did I not give
the ghost (gava—expire) when I came out of the belly? . . . For now shoiL·
I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept; then bad I been at
rest."
Acts 13:36—"For David, after he had served his own generation by the
will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption."
1 Thess. 4:14—"Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him."
1 Thess. 4:13^-"I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them
which are asleep."
The Dead Know Not Anything
Psa. 6:5 "For in death there is no remembrance of thee, in the grave
who shall give thee thanks?"
Eoc. 9:5-6—"(For the living know that they shall die, but THE DEAD
KNOW NOT ANYTHING."
Psa. 146:3-4—"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in
whom there is no help. His breath (ruach) goeth forth, he retumeth to
his earth, in that very day HIS THOUGHTS PERISH."
Ecc. 9:10—"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy migiht; for
there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave
whither thou goest."
Resurrection (at Last Day) the Only Hope of Life
1 Cor. 15:20—"Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept."
1 Cor. 15:16-18—"If the dead rise not . . . they also which are fallen asleep
in Christ are perished."
Dan. 12:1-2—"And at that time (the time of the end) . . . many of them
that sleep in the dust of the earth shaJil awake, some to everlasting life,
and some to shame and everlasting contempt."
John 11:24—"I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the
last day."
John 5:2»—"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, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection
of damnation."
Hos. 13:14—"I will ransom them from the power of the grave, I will
redeem them from death: Ο death, I will be thy plagues: Ο grave, I will
be thy destruction." (Compare with 1 Cor. 15:54^5—"THEN (at the last
trumpet) shall be brought to pass the saying that is written . . . "O death,
where is thy sting: Ο grave, where is thy victory?")
There is absolutely no support
in the Bible for the pagan tradition of the immortality of the
soul. All the Bible's teaching on
the subject is to the contrary,
Berean 121
lxt7Z
Current Events Fulfilling Prophecy
"Moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that
wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness,
thatiniquity was there"—Eccl. 3:16
CRUSHING NEW MONEY CRISIS. When Smithsonian agreement signed
in D e c , 71, Nixon hailed it as "most significant monetary agreement in
history of world." But last wk., new full-scale monetary crisis exploded.
Billions of speculative $s poured into currency markets around world.
Stakes involved were enormous.
International monetary cooperation has been hallmark of Western
alliances since WW II. If mechanism is in disrepair too long, tariff barriers
could cripple trade, & plunge world into depression, as in '30s. (Nwk 2:19)
NOTE: With countless millions being made overnight by the big money
interests in these international monetary shenanigans, at the expense of the
common taxpayers and consumers, one cannot help but wonder how much of
these "crises" is deliberately contrived. But whatever lies behind the
scenes, it is obvious that the world's monetary stability—once proudly taken
for granted as a natural concomitant of modern man's great maturity and
civilization—was a mere circumstance of passing events. When first Britain,
and then US, dominated the financial world and backed their own money
with gold, there was an illusion of world stability. Today the pound is one of
the weakest and least meaningful of the world's currencies, and the dollar
has lost all stability in utter, spendthrift confusion. One more sign of the need
for Christ's Kingdom—worldwide justice and stability under ail-wise immortal rulers.
.
A CITY IN SINAI. In next 2 months, Israel surveyors—followed by
bulldozers & construction workers—will begin building a new city in a 40-sq.
mile area on coast below Gaza in Sinai Peninsula. Plans are for VA-million
residents by yr. 2000. This land still legally Egyptian.
In 1909 a band of Jewish families followed Meir Dizengoff out of Jaffa to a
deserted stretch of dunes. They listened in hope & disbelief as he prophesied
that a Jewish community of 25,000 would rise on the sand where they stood.
Today that spot, Tel Aviv, has 1.2 million population, & has completely
swallowed up Jaffa. Rest of Israel growing almost as rapidly. Present 3.1
million population expected to be 5 million by year 2000.
In order to secure its borders, Israel, since '67 War, has been building
permanent settlements in captured territories. On Golan Heights, there's
new town, Benei Yehuda. Sharm el Sheikh, overlooking Straits of Tiran in
south Sinai, has been renamed Ophir, & is being developed as an Israeli
town. Dayan's concept in northern Sinai is to build up area with Israeli
settlements, not only to provide needed Israeli housing but also to make
Egyptian attack impossible. (Tm 1:22)
1973 Berean 122
NOTE: This is a direct provocation to the Arabs. Israel's actions make it
clear that they are irrevocably committed to permanently holding much of
the conquered Arab lands. This is doubtless militarily sound policy, and
perhaps their only practical option, but it makes a final showdown
inevitable. Arab oil wealth growing enormously; with wealth comes power.
RACE RIOTS IN NAVY. From a recent Congressional report: "Discipline
is keystone of armed services of any nation. If discipline collapses, a
military force become a leaderless mob, capable only of its own destruction.
"US Navy is now confronted with pressures, within & without, which if not
controlled will surely destroy its discipline. Recent instances of sabotage,
riot, disobedience, contempt for authority—with increasing frequency—are
clear-cut symptoms of dangerous discipline deterioration." (USN 2:19)
NOTE: How ominous!—when this troubled, fractured, unsteady sword of
US military power is all that stands between Russia and world conquest!
WHY MAN'S EVIL RULE CAN NEVER BRING JUSTICE. From report
by NY Commission on Police Corruption:
"We found corruption widespread, & strikingly standardized. Plainclothesmen collected regular payments (biweekly or monthly) of up to $3500
from each gambling establishment in area under their jurisdiction, &
divided it in equal shares. Monthly share per man ranged from $400 in
Manhattan to $1500 in Harlem. Supervisors received 1M> shares.
"In each area investigated, almost every plainclothesman in the division,
including supervisory lieutenants, was implicated. Corruption payments in
narcotics enforcement could be staggering; largest we found was $80,000.
"Uniformed police on street duty did not receive money on nearly so grand
or organized a scale, but the large number of small payments they got
present an equally serious problem. Uniformed patrolmen get regular
payments from construction from after-hours bars, bottle clubs, tow trucks,
motorists, cab drivers, parking lots, prostitutes, & defendants in court cases.
"A code of silence brands anyone as a traitor who exposes corruption. Any
policeman violating this code did so at his own peril. The rookie faces a sit
uation where it is easier to become corrupt than to remain honest.
"The problem of corruption is not new. Investigations have occurred about
every 20 yrs. since 1900. Yet conditions exposed by one investigation seem
substantially unchanged when next one makes its report.
"In every area where police corruption exists, it is paralleled by
corruption in other agencies of govt., in industry, in labor, & in professions.
"The most serious roadblock to any attack on police corruption is a
stubborn refusal at all levels of Dept. to acknowledge that a serious problem
exists. First, Dept. morale requires there be no official recognition of
corruption, even tho practically all members know it's extensive. Second,
Dept's public image & effectiveness requires official denial of this truth.
This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to make any meaningful attempts
at reform. Pressures gradually convert an idealistic rookie into an increasingly bold finder of bribes & payoffs.
"The present situation is just like that existing at close of previous investigations. A considerable momentum for reform has been generated.
After previous investigations, the momentum evaporated. (USN 1:29)
NOTE:This is not barbarous Russia, or some dark, backward African
state, but the biggest and most influential city in what considers itself the
world's "leading" country. Surely this dismal report, covering—be it
noted—the whole of the past 75 "modern'* years, reveals the utter
hopelessness of any justice or dependable honesty under human rule—just
as the Scriptures have declared for 3500 years.
PRAYER BREAKFASTS. In most major US cities, midweek prayer
breakfasts are fast becoming preferred form of Christian fellowship—
especially for busy executives who want to make room for God in their profit
picture. "We pray to do the right thing," says a Chicago banker, "because
the right thing is usually the profitable thing. We want God to show us the
right way to success."
No one seems to look harder for heavenly guidance that the govt. officials
who have turned Washington into the prayer-breakfast capital of world.
Some question whether the prayers served up at breakfast are directed to
the proper deity. In a handbook for organizers of prayer breakfasts, groups
are urged to thank the God who gave us the "blessings of living in US, & for
free enterprise." (Nwk 2:19)
NOTE: This is a strange phenomenon, disgusting in one sense as one
equates it with the callous corruption of human politics typified by
Watergate and all its similar associated activities, but it is a hopeful sign in
another sense as it indicates a vague recognition by evil man that there is a
power higher than himself which he wants to get on his side and working to
his advantage.
1973 Berean 123
RUSSIA GAINS ADVANTAGE. The subtle volleying between East & West
in chilly new phase. Actual Europe Security Conference talks haven't yet
begun, but Russia seems to have grabbed an advantage—one that will force
some sharp reassessments of West's ability to translate detente into
genuinely relaxed tensions.
Russia had pressed for ESC for years, arguing they wanted to "help
Europe establish its security on the basis of cooperation & mutual trust."
But last wk. they turned aside several West proposals designed to do just
that. Russia totally rejected a series of "confidence-building" measures for
greater intercourse. Warning that East bloc would allow "no room for the
dissemination of anti-culture," Russia said West proposals for increased
flow of ideas & people between East & West would go nowhere.
Russia also struck back at West on other great European negotiations
front—armed forces reduction, making demands that seemed calculated to
ensure talks would accomplish nothing.
Russia's abrupt treatment of force reduction issue suggests that West may
have less leverage than it thought when it comes to prying concessions out of
Russia. Russia has already got most of what it hoped to get from the
proposed conferences, including recognition of E. Germany, & Western
acceptance of Moscow's sway over E. Europe.
Moscow has always been loath to trim East bloc's over-muscled forces (91
divisions, 48 of them Russian, facing 61 NATO divisions). These forces are
basis of Russia's power in East, & of its demands to be heard in West (Tm 2:5)
NOTE: Bro. Thomas saw a Roman Europe under the lordship of Russia as
an essential step in developing Armageddon. For 10 years a combination of
trends—political, military, economic and religious—have all been moving
steadily in this direction, and the pace quickens.
CATHOLIC CHANGES. "Extreme unction" has long had ominous
meaning: patient given up for dead. It will hereafter be used, not only for
those in imminent danger of death, but for any seriously ill. Will no longer be
given to persons who die before priest arrives, because Church now emphasizes recipient should have positive faith in sacrament's grace. (Tm 2:5)
NOTE: The "infallible" Church of Rome has veered and changed in so
many ways lately! How do they explain it to the faithful? Was everything
wrong that they have enforced for centuries? But these modernizations will
bring her into position for her role of regathering the Harlot Daughters of
"Christendom/* and uniting the world against Christ.
THE INIQUITY OF THE AMORITES. At 40, Michael Thevis is a
multimillionaire. A former altar boy, he's one of the growing number
cashing in on new permissiveness. He made his millions peddling smut. US
Commission on Obscenity reports that the business runs up to $2V2 billion a
year. Much of it is controlled by Mafia.
The financial harvest from sexual explosion doesn't seem likely to soon
end, despite all moralizing from critics, & widely publicized police crackdowns. "The first time a newspapers mentions a title," says Thevis, "you'd
better reorder. Everyone wants to see what it's all about." (Nwk2:12)
NOTE: The divine command to Israel was, "Destroy the vile Canaanites—
man, woman and child, for their abominable corruptions." A greater and
vastly more terrible Joshua is at the door to flush the fetid sewers of modern
mankind, and make the earth a place of wholesome beauty to the glory of
Yahweh.
•«-«—•»»—·——«———
SMOKING MOTHERS. Yet another hazard of smoking: significantly
increased mortality rate among babies of women who smoke during
pregnancy. Women who smoke have 30 pet. higher rate of stillbirths, & 26
pet. higher rate of infant mortality within first few days of birth. (Nwk 1:29)
NOTE: No comment is needed. Holiness and purity have promise in this
life, as well as in the life to come.
1973 Be rear» 124
GROWING SEEDS OF CONFLICT. US Blacks remain disproportionately
poor. Nearly 1/3 live in poverty; nearly V2 below bare-minimum subsistence
line. And Black poor have been largely left behind. Black unemployment
rate runs persistently double the White rate, & in ghettos it's frozen at
Depression levels—18 pet. in Watts; 20 pet. in San Francisco slums; 25 pet. in
Chicago's slums.
The ghettos have grown physically worse with neglect & aging—a
deterioration everywhere visible. Distance between ghettos & outside world
is widening. The '68 Riot Commission report pictured a future US divided
between Black cities & White suburbs, & warned that to do nothing about this
trend was a decision to accept "urban apartheid."
That choice has now effectively been made. The drift apart has gone on
unabated. During '60s, 3V2 million Blacks moved into central cities & 2V2
million Whites moved out to suburbs. Six major cities now have Black
majorities; 8 more are over 40 pet. Black. (Nwk 2:19)
NOTE: We see it developing before our eyes, but perhaps too gradually to
grasp its portents: an increasingly frustrated and ghettoized Black
minority, and increasingly hostile and selfish White majority. What wonder
that crime and violence are increasing by leaps and bounds, and every man
is becoming afraid of his neighbor? Man has miserably failed. Only Christ
can solve the world's fast-multiplying miseries.
ANOTHER MONETARY CRISIS-one of most disturbing on recordexposed US $ as alarmingly weak. It also showed that whole world monetary
system is ominously unstable, despite all "progress" supposedly made
toward reform. Worst of all, the crisis seemed to be first in a new series—of
type that nations try to quiet by curbing freedom of money movements.
Worst aspect of these repeated crises is that each seems to end with less
freedom for international movement of capital & goods. Tho such controls &
restrictions are supposed to be "temporary," there's a natural tendency to
extend & tighten them with each crisis. (Tm 2:19)
NOTE: We remember the long, proud, stable years of the "almighty
dollar"—the unchanging benchmark by which all world monetary values
were haughtily measured. In those days the world's monetary "experts"
who handled the control buttons seemed very wise and sure. But suddenly
everything has fallen apart, and man finds he fenows nothing about a sensible and stable world monetary system, just as he knows nothing about a
stable world political system. And endless, clammering, self-serving
solutions are put forward, none of which work, and the world slips into
monetary chaos and barbarism and a multitude of narrow, nationalistic
restrictions, harmful to all alike. Where are the wise and unselfish men who
know the answers, and seek the common welfare? There are none.
EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN. Last month 150 denominations (from
Catholics to Canada Bible League) opened a yr.-long evangelical campaign
"Key 73." to "Call our continent to Christ." Its goal is to "Give every person
in US & Canada a real chance to say yes to Jesus, & to become a dependable
member of his church."
The Jews fear its possible consequences. In the days when evangelical
Christianity & US nationalism were considered synonymous, Jews were
second-class citizens. Jews were barred in some states from voting or
holding office well into 19th century. (Tm 2:19)
NOTE: Jews are becoming very touchy concerning "Christian"
proselyting. They are even considering banning it by law in Israel. One can
hardly blame them, considering their 20 centuries' experience of
"Christian" persecution and discrimination, and the repugnant polytheistic
"Trinity" theory that "Christians" press on them. But all this can only intensify the shock and mourning they will go through when they finally are
forced to recognize their rejected and crucified Messiah—returned to them
in the flesh.
1973 Berean 125
WORLD BOOM IN ARMS SALES: surging to record levels; no end in
sight—double 10 yrs. ago. Likely to double again by '80. A fiercely competitive business between US, Russia, France & Britain. Nations sinking
more & more of national incomes into war materials. In 71.120 nations spent
$216 billion on defense—up 82 pet. since '60. In same period, men under arms
rose from 19 to 23 million. Warplanes are % of arms business.
Since '55, US sold $17V2 billion; gave away $36 billion. Russia is biggest
supplier to developing countries; since '55 they've provided $22 billion worth.
Arms market growing fastest in Mideast. Italy & France are selling arms to
Libya. Israel has a $500 million credit for arms with US. Britain in $236
million deal with Egypt. Iran & Saudi Arabia are largest immediate
markets; both building forces rapidly.
With end of Viet War, many sophisticated weapons developed for that war
by US will be available to buyers around world. While world leaders talk of
"generation of peace," world goes right on buying & selling weapons at
record rate. (USN 1:22)
NOTE: Even worldly observers can see the sad contradiction between the
peace talk and the war preparations. But both are essential as vital
prophetic signs of the last days. And "the arms market is growing fastest in
the MIDEAST."
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ^ ^
RISING COST OF AIR PIRACY. Next week, tough new federal
regulations to guard against skyjacking take effect. Each airline will have to
search every package & bag carried on to an airplane. The lines must equip
all boarding areas with electronic metal-detecting devices. Airports must
hire 4000 armed guards for all boarding areas.
Cost will be $46 million a yr. to airports & $300 million a yr. to airlines.
This is more than whole industry's yearly profits. (Tm 1:1)
NOTE: Another huge useless burden and restriction on society because of
man's wickedness, with which man is unable to cope. All this will be different in Christ's Kingdom: "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy
mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the
waters cover the sea" (Isa. 11:9). The prophecies gain more and more force
as the conditions among men increase which the Kingdom is to abolish.
CRIME INGHETTOS. Crimes like drug peddling, prostitution & gambling
are major moneymaking activities in ghettos. Turnover from these & other
rackets is $5 billion a year. In 70, Black population of Brooklyn's BedfordStuyvesant area spent $88 million in drugs & gambling—$11 million more
than it collected in Welfare.
The numbers operation there had annual payroll of $15 million, making it
biggest private employer in area. Today the figures are much higher. Ghetto
criminals buy up legitimate businesses, suck them dry, then take tax losses
when they fail. (Tm 2:19)
NOTE: Let us ever remember these sobering things as we see the gaudy,
tinseled, luxury-mad, Disneyland charade of the upper surface of US
society.
.
WARS & RUMORS OF WARS. Ever since Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in
'41, US has been caught up in throes of world's convulsions—civil wars,
rebellions, & full-scale wars.
Since '41, US at peace only 3 yrs., with none of its military forces involved
in foreign conflicts. US forces have intervened in past 32 yrs. in nearly every
corner of the globe—Europe, Africa, Mideast, Asia & S. America (USN 2:12)
NOTE: Only 3 years of "peace" for US in past 32! And yet man dares to
make the ridiculous claim of civilization and maturity and dedication to the
rule of law and not the savage bludgeon rule of "Might is right." Modern
man looks back with condescending pity and disdain on all previous
generations of lesser "civilization" and "development," but :;hat
generation was ever as barbarous as this one?
1973 Berean 126
DETROIT'S SCHOOLS HEAD FOR DISASTER. Across US, crises over
money & schoolroom violence threaten to overwhelm city schools. In NY &
LA, assaults on teachers & students at alltime high.
All these problems, & more, are reflected in Detroit, 4th largest in US.
School system close to collapse: may be forced to close Mar. 15. New school
construction halted; existing schools seriously overcrowded. Cass Tech,
built in '17 for 2500 students, has 4800. For lack of a studyhall, students spend
free periods lounging in graffiti-smeared corridors, whiting away time
pitching pennies. Yet Cass is one of Detroit's elite schools, housing city's top
students in music, science & arts.
Broken equipment often not repaired: nonessential maintenance, as
painting, has been deferred for 2 years.
Intruders, some armed with knives or revolvers, find it easy to roam
buildings, selling drugs, shaking down students for money, or snatching
teachers' purses. When one principal chained the doors to keep out intruders, he was fined $100 for violating fire laws.
Children graduate from high school who can barely spell their own names.
Many teachers simply walk thru their jobs. Problem pupils are passed to get
them out of school quickly as possible regardless of achievement. (Tm 2:19)
NOTE: Education is the country's only hope for a stable and peaceful
society—not only mental education, but moral. But schools in US's big cities
are becoming no more than battlegrounds and jungles of passion and
violence, and those most affected are underprivileged Blacks. A terrible,
violent, lawless, unrestrained generation is rising, and a terrible harvest
looms ahead.
^___«««—i—__—...
RENEWAL OF A VICIOUS WAR. After 4 yrs. & over 700 deaths, N.
Ireland seemed, for few weeks, to be calming at last. But then terrorism
broke out more savagely than ever. Once again it seems drifting to civil war,
its population caught helplessly between 2 bands of extremists murdering in
name of religion.
Last wk., Protestant gunmen fired indiscriminately on a funeral
procession of several 100 Catholics. Same afternoon, a Convent & a Catholic
school for handicapped children were attacked by mobs hurling stones,
bricks & bottles. A Catholic church was ransacked. Three Catholic families
were fire-bombed from their homes. A militant Protestant leader claimed
day's "success" had been spoiled by British Army. (Tm 2:19)
NOTE: The more we read of Northern Ireland, where our own gentle and
"enlightened'* Anglo-Saxon kin is making—on the vile pretext of religious
grounds—such a dreadful mockery of man's claim to decency and
"humanity," the more we are impressed with the Scriptures' revelation of
unrestrained human nature as fundamentally vile. Suppose ye that these
wanton, ruthless murderers of children are sinners above all mankind? Not
at all. N. Ireland but manifests the reality of human depravity when circumstances inflame it and turn it loose to run its full course unchecked.
BLACK OPPRESSION IN S. AFRICA. Last wk., a series of strikes crippled Durban. Among the 50,000 Black strikers were 16,000 municipal employees. White authorities feared the Durban strikes would spread to the
vital minefields, where average White workers earns $475 a month &
average Black $30. In Parliament, the opposition party described wide gap
between Black & White wages "a source of shame." (Tm 2:19)
NOTE: The benighted Europe-centered White man looks upon himself as
something special, entitled to all luxury and power, while the Black & Asian
humbly serve his whims and recognize their "place" of inferiority. What
ignorance! What seeds of future cataclysm! The "White" man is a
latecomer, an upstart, and a precariously small minority in a fastchanging world. The first great empires of Sumeria and Egypt were
Hamitic, of the Negroid race. For millenniums Hamitic Egypt dominated
the world in learning, science and engineering.
1973 eerean 127
LIQUID GOLD. With US oil demand spiraling upward, & with bulk of nonCommunist reserves lying under Arab soil, the potential clout of Arab oil
nations is nothing short of awesome. By '80, US will be dependent on Mideast
for 55 pet. of its oil imports; Europe & Japan for 80 pet. of theirs.
Such a lock on the market will flood Arab states with cash. Saudi Arabia
alone will have $30 billion in gold & hard currency by '83. (In contract, US
today has only $13 billion in monetary reserves).
For immediate future, the fulcrum of Mideast oil leverage will lie in Iran
(Persia), & in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia's proven reserves are 30 pet. of
world's total. At present, U.S.-S.A. relations more than cordial. (Nwk 2:19)
NOTE: The Moslem oil nations are gradually tightening a grip—
economic, financial and political—on the Western world. Russia's interest in
this developing picture is very obvious. They are intensely wooing these
nations. Their growing alliance is natural and almost inevitable. We have
EzekieVs VERY significant prophecy that Persia and Libya—2 of the 4
biggest oil producers—MUST be active allies of Russia when she comes like
a cloud. Few prophecies are so specific as to name and identity.
ISRAEL'S STAND. Israel firmly believes that only its military might &
toughness in negotiations have kept Mideast peaceful for almost 3 yrs. in
absence of a formal treaty.
Mrs. Mier says, "I can't imagine any Israeli so mad as to give up Golan
Heights. Sharm el Sheikh is of absolutely no value to Egypt except to block
Israeli shipping: but for us it's a lifeline to Africa & Asia."
As for Jerusalem, she says, "Arab sovereignty in Jerusalem just cannot
be. It will NOT BE DIVIDED! The only way we will lose Jerusalem is is we
lose a war, & then we lose it all." (Tm2:19)
NOTE: Israel's stand is the only intelligent one. Their annexations have
given them a great advantage, and a measure of safety. Before, all their
vital areas were under the muzzles of a tight ring of enemy guns. They know
that in the ultimate issue they can trust no nation and no agreement. US will
support them as long as it believes it suits US interests; and God has caused
US to believe it is. But look at the treatment and betrayal they experienced
in 1939-1948 from their one-time "friend" Britain. And they trusted US when
Eisenhower promised them a guaranteed open Suez and Tiran Straits if they
would withdraw from their '56 victory. It did not suit US to honor that
promise. So how can they withdraw now? But their adamant stand puts them
in direct defiance and opposition to the almost unanimous mandate of UN to
make themselves defenseless and give everything back to the Arabs who
want to destroy them. The clear prophetic picture is "all nations against
Jerusalem" (except the Tarshish ally). How beautifully it is all developing!
FAREWELL TO DEMOCRACY. Bidding a disparaging farewell to
democracy, Marcos last wk. formally ended Philippines' 26-yr. US-style
Govt. In a nationwide broadcast, he announced a new Constitution that gives
him dictatorial powers for as long as he chooses.
Even as he announced the new Constitution, he declared one of its key
provisions—immediate convening of an interim National Assembly—null &
void. Marcos alone will act as President, Premier & Parliament. (Tm 1:29)
NOTE: "Democracy"—an idealized conception of all the people having a
say to select a just and competent and unselfish government—once seemed
to be the "wave of the future," and bro. Thomas' pessimism on this score
seemed crabbed and out-of-date. But the corruption and inefficiency and
terrible expense of "democracy" are luxuries few nations can afford. Again
we are impressed that the ONLY solution to man's woes is the Kingdom of
Christ. "Democracy" is a pitiful shambles, and "Communism" is a cruel
sham, and the bitter and practical reality of Dictatorship which actually
rules most of the earth is a hopeless nightmare of bondage to the worst
elements of the flesh.
Financially, the Berean is covered thru the June issue.
1973 Berean
128
US-EUROPE STORM WARNINGS. For past y4 century, every US Pres.
has supported concept of unified W. Europe. But of late, magic has gone out
of vision of transatlantic partnership. Comforting notion that US, Canada &
W. Europe are locked in common cause & mutual dependence no longer
automatically accepted. Instead, a widening chasm of anxiety, doubt &
distrust, as each side scrambles to press its own special interests.
New abrasive relation between US & Europe could lead to economic &
political confrontation—with grave implications for survival of Western
Alliance. A new atmosphere of East-West detente has greatly diminished
Europe's fears of Russia & its intentions.
A tariff wall around Europe is bad enough, in US view, but even more
worrisome are Common Mkt. efforts to extend preferential trade
agreements around world. If permitted to go unchallenged, Europe could
create a global trade system that effectively fences out all competition from
US. Last yr., US trade deficit hit $6.4 billion, & for first time US trade
balance with Europe was in red. (Nwk 2:12)
NOTE: A significant change in US-Europe relations, and one that fits
perfectly into the prophetic picture of Tarshish-Europe estrangement and
Europe-Russia alliance.
ZAMBEZI NEW BATTLEFRONT? Escalating guerrilla activities could
lead to full-scale conflict between Black & White Africa along line of Zambezi River. There's a sudden improvement in weapons & tactics employed
by insurgents. They're winning support among local populations. "In old
days," said a Rhodesian official,·4'our own Blacks in tribal areas were about
100 pet. loyal. Now things are different."
With Viet War's end, world attention will be focused on African conflict as
only war still in business outside of N. Ireland—& this will incite Black
Africa to mount increasingly intensive military operations against Whitecontrolled areas. (Nwk 2:5)
NOTE: Over 200 million oppressed or recently-liberated Blacks against
less than 10 million Whites, and Russia in the background. Another explosive
modern legacy of the Tower of Babel. The battlelines are hardening. How
long can the explosion be postponed?
BLACKBOARD BATTLEGROUNDS. Security in schools is No. 1
education problem today. Armed robberies, assaults & purse-snatchings
occur with depressing regularity in many city schools. A L. A. principal said,
"For teachers & students alike, issue is no longer learning but survival." His
own school is known as "Fort Crenshaw" because of its armed guards &
Draconian security measures.
Especially alarming aspect is growing number of violent assaults on
teachers: NY had 541 in 72, double '71; Detroit averages 25 a month. Gang
fights frequently spill over into school buildings. Vandalism alone costs
schools $200 million a year.
In NY's Bronx, a youngster was nearly stomped to death recently. Increasingly, students carry knives & guns. At a Los Angeles high school, a 17yr.-old armed with a gun & knife demanded money from a 16-yr.-old. The
victim drew his own gun & shot the extortionist dead. (Tm 2:19)
NOTE: It is hard for us to realize the dreadful and increasingly hopeless
conditions of violence and destruction that exists in US's big city schools.
They are increasingly becoming—not facilities of learning and training—but
breeding grounds of crime, violence and immorality. Personal testimony
and experience corroborates these official reports. Those who know God's
Word know that this is a necessary part of the evil of the last days, but what
can those think who are ignorant of God's purposes, and whose only hope is
in evil man himself? Their only recourse is to blind, sense-drowning
"pleasure" seeking—"Let us eat, drink, and be merry." And that's what's
happening.
THE POPE & ISRAEL. Pope has never been willing to recognize Israel,
partly for fear of offending Arabs; partly because of objections to Israeli
control of Christian sites in Holy Land. Three yrs. ago, a Vatican committee
drafted plan for improving Christian-Jewish relations. Pope has never seen
fit to release the document—probably never will.
Pope has stalled before on subject of Jews. In '38, Pope commissioned an
encyclical attacking anti-Semitism; it was never published. After Golda
Meir's recent visit, Pope issued a surprisingly harsh statement (Nwk 2:5)
NOTE: This brings into clear focus the age-old Rome-Zion controversy,
soon to be settled by Christ to the annihilation of Rome and the eternal glory
of Zion. The nations of the earth must gather under Rome's standard, and
come against Jerusalem to battle.
POLLUTION IN "PARADISE." As in other industrial nations, cost to
Russia's ecology has been very great. For yrs. Russia maintained a news
blackout about the relentless exploitation of its natural resources. Now
blackout is lifting. Reporters & scientists have recently been allowed to
describe & criticize Mother Russia's sins against Mother Nature,
presumably because environmental troubles now too serious to hide.
Extent of damage seems to horrify Soviet reporters. A mine was described
as so destructive that "to restore fertility would need 50,000 years." A stripmine manager said, "We are waging an insane war with the earth."
Even in a nation with 30 pet. of world's timber, overcutting means that
"the exhaustion of forests reaches farther north every year." Results:
Erosion is intensifying, river levels falling, & climate changing for worse.
Fifty years of headlong industrial development have left Russia with a
gigantic cleanup problem. (Tm 1:29)
NOTE: It is very interesting to see the common pollution problem suddenly surfacing as a crisis in Russia, the self-proclaimed model paradise
that is destined to fill all the earth and cure all its ills. Poor, bumbling man—
with all his so-great pretensions!
PORTENTS OF FAMINE. Millions of Asians faced with specter of famine.
In India, fall grain harvest 60 pet. below normal; 200 million people affected.
In China, drought threatens worst food shortage in years. Things will grow
worse. Near-riot conditions in many India towns. (Nwk 12:25)
NOTE. How true our hymn, "The famished crave in vain their fill, while
teems the fruitful earth." 3 million US farmers can feed over 200 million
Americans, and have vast surpluses to sell abroad, and have to keep cutting
back on acreage planted to keep up prices—while at the same time much of
the earth verges on starvation because of man's greed, selfishness and
oppression. More food is wasted in US than would feed most countries. How
sorely Christ is needed to suppress all evil and greed, and to put this tortured, twisted, upsidedown world right!
GOLDA MEETS POPE. Pope clearly worried that meeting would be interpreted by Arabs as pro-Israel. In a deliberately frosty statement, Vatican
spokesman stressed that meeting was "not a preferential gesture & did not
imply any change in Pope's attitude on Holy Land."
Mrs. Meir said to Pope: "Do you know the very first memory in my life? A
pogrom in Kiev." She said later she "felt that I was speaking to the man of
the cross, who heads the church under which Jews were killed for
generations. I could not escape this feeling." (Nwk 1:29) ο
NOTE: Why did Mrs. Mier want to meet Israel's arch-foe the Pope? Surely
she had no hope of any good coming from it! Her own words make it clear
she felt she was in the presence of a deadly and implacable enemy of her
people. But as an event of divine significance to dramatize on the world
stage the Rome-Zion controversy, no event could be more striking.
$3.50 per yr. (only for those who desire to pay)
Printed in U.S.A.
VOL. 61, NO. 5
MAY, 1973
The Berean
Christadelphian
A monthly magazine devoted wholly to the exposition and defense
of the Faith once for all delivered to the Saints, with the object
of helping to make ready a People prepared for the coming of the
Lord. Opposed to the unscnptural teaching of the papal
and protestant churches of the world.
Edit·* and Published by:
G. A. Gibson, 1501 Woodbine, Ap. 1616, Toronto, Ont. M4C 4H1, Can.
"They received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched
the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Therefore many believed"~—Acts 17:11
CONTENTS
Bible Question and April Answers
Inside Front Cover
EDITORIAL: The Greatest of These Is Love
129
HE POURED HIS VIAL INTO THE AIR (Bro. Thomas)
SECOND VOYAGE TO AUSTRALIA (Bro. Roberts) Part 29
CONTINUALLY PRAISING AND BLESSING GOD
WRITTEN FOR OUR INSTRUCTION
CURRENT EVENTS FULFILLING PROPHECY
132
136
141
146
155
We ore anxious to send Hie Berean FREE to ony desiring it
that way. Please do net hesitate to request it. If you
know of any who might like it, please send us their names.
CHRIST IS COMING SOON AND WILL REIGN ON EARTH
Bible Questions
WHAT CHAPTER BEGINS . . .
Write number from List 1 beside answer in List 2
LIST ONE — QUESTIONS
%& My heart is inditing
/. God Who
Jt«r. The words of the
3^. The beginning of the
Χ Ο foolish
l#. How doth the city
C Comfort ye
M. Who hath believed ^rf: Again there was a day
Jt. The former
# . And Hannah prayed 3& From whence come wars
jf. The Lord is
# . Forasmuch as many 30. Therefore leaving the
β. Who is this
28\ Blessed is the man #f. The burden of Nineveh
'Ψ, Adam, Sheth
)A. I am the true Vine af. Behold, I will send My
- # Now faith is
2X. The Lord said unto 42. ^nd there was given ΪΆ&
X Go to now, ye jie: Praise ye the Lord #ί. And ISaul, yet breathing
10. The vision of
aff. There was a man in 44. Therefore thou art inexΗ. Lord Thou hast 2». Why do the heathen ^ And seeing the multitudes
JZ. My God, my God ^ Then was Jesus led 46. And I stood upon the sand
>£f. Though I speak 30. Let brotherly love 47^And the 5th angel sounded
] # And I saw a new 31. Behold what manner φζΚηά there appeared a great
yg. Now the serpent 3Sf. Then 14 years after & The book of the generation
ψ. Dare any of you j&. The heavens declare yg. Now king David was old
}/. In the beginning ^4. Now after the death
1 Chr. 1
LIST TWO — ANSWERS
1 Jn. 3
Obad.
Lam. l
Gen. 3
Matt. 1
Psa. 23
Isa. 40
Job 1
Gal. 3 Λ .
Jam. 4
Acts 9
Rev. 21
Heb. 13
Psa. 90
Job 2
Nah. 1
Jam. 5
1 Sm. 2
Isa. 63
Rev. 12
1 Kgs. l
1 Cor. 6
Heb. 1
Psa. 2
Heb. 6
Psa. 45
Heb. 11
Matt. 5
Psa. 1
Mai. 3
Luke 1
Josh. 1
Psa. 19
John 15
Psa. 110
Gal. 2
Rev. 9
John 1/?
Rev. 11
Rev. 13 l'
Isa. 53
1 Cor. 13
Acts 1
Rom. 2
Mark 1
Eccl. 1
Matt. 4
Psa. 22
Psa. 150
A p r i l A n s w e r s OTHER NAMES
1. Luz—Bethel
2. Mark—John
3. Saul—Paul
4. Esau—Edom
5. Sela—Petra
6. Mary—Magdalene
7. Peter—Cephas
8. Judas—Iscariot
9. Herod—Agrippa
10. James—Boanerges
11. Simon—Zelotes
12. Jebus—Jerusalem
13. Javan—Greece
14. Lalsh—Dan
15. Horeb—Sinai
16. Israel—Jacob
17. Benoni—Benjamin
18. Sirion—Hermon
19. Uzziah—Azariah
20. Thebes—No-amon
21. Didymus—Thomas
22. Tabitha—Dorcas
23. Pontius—Pilate
24. Sergius—Paulus
25. Porcius—Festus
26. Azariah—Abednego
27. Mishael—Meshach
28. Matthew—Levi
29. Lebbeus—Thaddeus
30. Eliakim—Jehoiakim
31. Calvary—Golgotha
32. Chittim—Cyprus
33. Memphis—Noph
34. Palymra—Tadmor
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
Jedidiah—Solomon
Barjesus— Elymas
Barnabas—Joses
Barsabas—Justus
Apollyon—Abaddon
Claudius—Lysias
Jerubbaal—Gideon
Mattaniah—Zedekiah
Gennesaret—Chinnereth
Κirjatharba—Hebron
Belteshazzar—Daniel
Kirjathsepher—Debir
Jegarsahadutha—Galeed
Tiglathpileser— Pul
Zaphnathpaaneah—Joseph
Hananiah—Shadrach
CAMBODIA'S CAPITAL UNDER SIEGE. Night after night, 100s of B-52s
& fighter-bombers from Guam & Thailand drop their enormous loads; 3000
tons every 24 hrs. The intensive bombing campaign is measure of US concern for survival of pro-US Cambodia Govt. If Cambodia falls to Reds, they
can bring in military supplies by sea, greatly reducing reliance on Ho Chi
Minn Trail, & building immense military pressure on S. Vietnam. (Tm 4:16)
NOTE: Cambodia's situation seems hopeless, especially with the handcuffs Congress has now put on Nixon to stop the bombing.
The Greatest of These Is Love
"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in
tongue; butin deed and in truthft—Uohn 3:18
IN the first chapter of his second letter, Peter speaks of our
precious faith, and to show that faith alone is incomplete, we must
add virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly
kindness and, finally, love.
In v. 8, he tells us the reason for these additions to our faith:
"For if these things be in you, and ABOUND, they make you that ye
shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
In v. 9, he brings out a sharp contrast—
"But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off,
and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.*'
It should be carefully noted that Peter is not writing to unbelievers, but to those who have come into covenant relationship
with the Lord Jesus by their belief and obedience of the Gospel. This
shows us the stern necessity of being on the alert daily because of
the dangers that lie in the path of those who are endeavoring to walk
in that newness of life to which the Gospel has introduced us.
One of the grave dangers we face is one that some have
developed: a narrow conception of our responsibilities to one
another as brethren of Christ. They do this by selecting one particular portion of Scripture, and let it become the guiding principle
of their lives to the exclusion of other parts that are equally important, and, in many cases, are of far greater determinative value
with respect to pur eternal welfare. That is particularly true about
love. When a certain lawyer asked Jesus—
"Which is the greatest commandment
JeSUS replied—
in the Law?"
1973 Berean
129
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment."
This shows us that love, in the true scriptural sense, is not a
gushing sentimentalism, as the world looks upon it, but a clear,
precise and careful adherence to specific divine instructions, based
upon a fervent zeal, and affection of God, and His beloved Son Jesus.
There are two sources, in particular, in the Bible to which we can
turn for explicit instructions on this elevated subject. These are 1
Cor. 13 and John's first epistle. In 1 Cor. 13:3, Paul says—
"Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give
my body to be burned, and have not love, itprofiteth me nothing."
In the world, giving to the poor is considered as a high type of Jove,
but Paul dispels the idea that it is any substitute for a character of
holy, divine love. The point he makes is, we cannot buy salvation by
giving to those in need. Our giving must be based upon and rooted in
enlightened scriptural love to be efficacious and acceptable to our
heavenly Father.
In v. 2, Paul shows the folly of great education without love. We
should note carefully the qualifications he specifies—
"Though
"Though
"Though
"Though
I
I
I
I
have the gift of prophecy.
understand all mysteries.
understand all knowledge.
have all faith/'
Now note the magnitude of the faith he speaks of—a faith so great
that he could remove mountains. With all these, says Paul, still—
"Without love I am NOTHING."
Where do we stand in relation to Paul? We do not have the gift of
prophecy; we do not understand all mysteries; our knowledge is
puny compared to that of Paul; our faith is insignificant; and so is
our love. Therefore we have nothing to boast about, nor to glory in
over others.
v
4. (<Love suffereth
long
and
is
hind»
That is, it has great patience and sympathy and fellowfeeling with
others, and endures many things. Is our love kind?
"Love envieth not."
It does not worry about what other people have. It rejoices to see
them have it, though itself may lack.
"Love is not puffed up."
It does not become conceited, and full of foolish pride, and
satisfied with itself, and disdainful of others. Does ours?
V. 5: Doth not behave itself unseemly."
It has no place for outburst of temper, or rudeness, or
irritableness. It is always gentle and courteous.
"Seeketh not her own."
—her own desires, or rights, or honor; her own anything. Love is not
concerned with self at all, except to be holy and to rejoice in God.
"Is not easily provoked, and thinketh no evil."
Where do we stand in relation to these NECESSARY things?
V. 7: "Love believeth all things."
Infinite capacity for belief of ultimate good is a thing of great
power and beauty. Faith sees the best, and sees to the end.
"Endureth all things."
Stands firm and unmoved in the Truth. Holds to the old landmarks. Builds on the old foundation. Does not get tossed around with
every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men whereby they lie in
Wait tO deceive.
1973 Berean
130
V. 11: "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."
Have we imitated Paul, or do we still cling to childish things?
There is much that is childish and immature and foolish in the
world, and in all of our hearts. Are we constantly searching them to
put it all away, and to grow up to the perfect, mature man in Christ
Jesus, our hearts filled with spiritual things?
There is much more in this chapter, but let us look briefly into
John's first letter. His words throughout are beautiful and sublime;
pure and holy and spiritual. If we could lift up our minds to continually live in their atmosphere, we would be indeed new
creatures!
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,
that we should be called the sons of God"—1 John 3:1.
What greater honor could we have? But, at the same time, what a
great responsibility rests upon us! Does our manner of life reflect
the nature of our calling?
"This is the message (or commandment) that ye heard from the
beginning, that we should love one another"—1 John 3:11.
That takes us back to the day before the crucifixion, when Jesus
said to his disciples—
"A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another;
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love
one to another"—John 13:34-35.
Dare we ask ourselves if we measure up to that high standard?
Loving our brethren is not just something desirable; it is something
that is absolutely essential. John repeats this over and over again.
"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"
Surely, there is no more beautiful statement in the Bible. Jesus
referred to the last days saying, "all men's hearts failing them for
fear." The two greatest powers on earth live constantly in mortal
fear of each other.
Even though we are not of the world, yet we are in it, and these
things affect us before we realize it, and we too become fearful. We
should therefore pray daily for strength and increased faith and
deepest, purer love, so that we will be able to cast out fear.
The Spirit's teaching on love should be presented to our minds
over and over again, so that we will not lose sight of it. When one
adds something to what they already have, it becomes an increase.
If we can add to what we already have in faith, hope and love the
result will be—
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being
rooted and grounded in love,
"May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth,
and length, and depth, and height;
"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye
might be filled with all the fulness ofGod"—Eph. 3:17-19.
Editor
Please notify us promptly of address changes.
73 Berean 131
He Poured His Vial Into the Air
"And the Seventh Angel poured out his Vial into the Air: and there
came forth a great Voice from the Nave of the heaven, from
the Throne, saying IT IS DONE! "—Rev. 16:17
BY BROTHER JOHN THOMAS
THE Seventh Vial is the concluding period of the Seventh Seal,
and of the Seventh Trumpet, In other words, the Vial, Trumpet, and
Seal all terminate at the same time.The Seventh Seal began with:
"Silence in the heaven about the space of half an hour/' (8:1).
—AD 323. The Seventh Trumpet (which is called in 1 Cor. 15:52, "the
last trump*') began to sound with the issue of the Great Voice, AD
1790. But when, or at what date, the Seventh and last Vial shall begin
to pour out its wrath, I am unable to say. This however may be
assuredly affirmed: that it will not begin until after the resurrection
period, or "time of the dead"; the capture of Jerusalem by Gog's
forces; and its recovery by YAHWEH ELOHIM, the "Great King."
The casting out of the enemy from Jerusalem is followed by the
establishment of the Nave, or Most Holy, and the Throne of David,
therein. This must precede the outpouring of the wrath into the Air,
because "a Great Voice" goes forth from the Nave-Throne, saying,
"IT IS DONE," which could not be if the Throne had not already
been set up.
The crowning events of the Sixth Vial put the Lamb with the
144,000 in possession of the Holy City. Their throne is the "Great
White Throne" of the Yahweh Name, "from whose face, the earth
and the heaven"—by the judgments of the Seventh Vial—will be
caused to "flee away." For when the White Throne receives its full
dominion, noplace or room "will be found for them" (Rv. 20:11; Jr.
3:17). The Gentile "heaven and earth" will be made to give place to
the "New Heavens and New Earth" in which Jerusalem will be a
rejoicing, and her people a joy (Isa. 65:17).
The Seventh Angel is the ETERNAL SPIRIT clothed with the
white linen and golden-girdled company of "Splendid Ones," Jesus
and his Brethren, who—though incorruptible and deathless—do not
let themselves out in their brightness, until they have accomplished
the work of this Seventh Vial upon the "Air." I am led to affirm this
upon the authority of the Spirit of Christ in Zee. 14:5-7, as follows in
the original—
1973 Berean 132
"And Yahweh my Elohim shall come in; all the Saints with Thee.
"And it shall be in that day there shall be no brightness, the Splendid Ones
drawing in.
"And it shall be one day that shall be known to Yahweh, neither day nor
night. But it shall be at the time of evening there shall be brightness."
At the "Time of evening," the Day of Glory begins. When the
judgments of the Seventh Vial are all exhausted, the time of evening
will have come. All the—
"Smoke from the glory of the Deity, and from His power."
—will have cleared away. And then the Saints, who have been
executing the "judgment written," will rest from the labors of the
war of the great and terrible day, and no longer drawing themselves
in, will (Mt. 13:43)—
"Shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father"
Or, as Daniel expresses it (12:3)—
"As the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars
for the Olahm and beyond."
The judgments of the Seventh Vial are all in the future. They are
the voices uttered by the Seven Thunders, which succeed the lionroar of the Rainbowed Angel (Rv. 10:3-4), and which issue from the
Throne (Rv. 4:5). John was commanded not to write their utterances, but to seal them up.
Apocalyptically, thunders are significant of wars. Hence 7
thunders are 7 wars, which collectively make up—
"The War of that Great Day of the Omnipotent Deity."
The details of the Seven Thunders are not given, but the general
results are specified in the prophecy of the Seventh Vial. The ecclesiastical and secular constitution of Antichristendom is the obnoxious subject of divine vengeance.
The Powers-that-be having answered the purpose of their permitted existence, the time has arrived under this vial for their
abolition.
This can only be accomplished by divine power. Hence the War of
the Deity, by which Babylon the Great (the ecclesiastical constitution of the world), and the "Cities of the Nations" (the
"islands" and the "mountains," or kingdoms, empires, and states
of all sorts) are transferred to the Saints, so that the wicked who
now sit in the heavenlies are hurled from their thrones and sent
empty away (Lk. 1:51-53).
%
* ^
1973 Berean 133
"He poured out his Vial into the Air"—v. 17.
The Air is the political firmament, or heaven, of the world. That
"air" and "heaven" are regarded as synonymous appears from Mt.
13:32, which speaks of the "birds of the air" as equivalent for what
both Matthew and Luke style the "birds—or fowls—of the heaven."
But better authority than James' Version informs us that the
"firmament" between the clouds and the earth's waters—which is
the air or atmosphere—Elohim called "Heaven" (Gn. 1:6-8).
When we look into this expanse, we see the sun, moon, stars, and
constellations, which—though far beyond it—appear to be in the air,
or heaven. Now, the political world has its air as well as the natural.
Like the natural, the political "air," or firmament, "divides the
waters," or people who rule, "from the waters," or people ruled.
And whatever constitutes this division is the "Air" or Heaven. If
there were no air in the natural world, there would be no clouds, or
"waters above the firmament," but simply "darkness upon the face
of the deep"—all waters would be commingled without order or
distinction.
Such would also be the case in the political world, if there were no
political Air or Aerial. This Air divides the ruling class from the
common people or "waters"—called also the "sea," and sometimes
the "earth." The Air, or Heaven, is therefore that which divides; or
in modern phrase, the constitution or constituted order of things
among the nations.
When the Saracens made their irruption into the Dragon, or
Greco-Roman-Constantinopolitan Empire in the 7th century, the
"Sun and the Air were darkened" (Rv. 9:2) in all the countries they
subdued. In other words, the political authority and constitution
which placed them in subjection to the Byzantine Dynasty in Constantinople were eclipsed; as also the kingdom of the Beast was
"darkened" by the judgments of the Fifth Vial (Rv. 16:10), but
which afterwards became light again when the darkening power
passed away.
Paul refers to the Air or Heaven of the Gentile world, or constitution of things, in Eph. 2:2, where he says—
"Ye who were dead in trespasses and in sins, in time past
walked according to the aion of this kosmos.."
—or course of this order of things—
".. according to the chief of the authority of the Air, (which is)
the Spirit which now worketh in the children of disobedience."
The spirit that works in the disobedient is the spirit of the flesh, or
King Sin. He is chief, ruler, or prince, of "the authority of the Air."
The constituted authority of an empire, kingdom, or republic, is
"the authority of the Air" in those several dominions or states. The
Powers-that-be are the Sin-Powers of the Air, styled by the apostle:
"Principalities and authorities, world-rulers of the darkness
of the course of things (aion), the spirituals of wickedness in the
heavenlies" (Eph. 6:12).
These all belong to the "authority of the Air." The spirituals of the
wickedness in his day were the civil, or secular, and the ecclesiastical, world-rulers, who were either Jewish or pagan. But in
our day they are emperors, kings, magistrates, popes, priests, and
parsons, called "the clergy," of all orders and degrees of imposture
and blasphemy, pretending to be Christian.
1973 Berean 134
These spirituals of wickedness all, as the demons, foul spirits, and
unclean and hateful birds (Rv. 18:2), are the ephemera which roost
in the branches of the widespreading upas which poisons the air of
the Great City in which it grows.
This Air of the Seventh Vial is the Air or Heaven of Daniel's Four
Beasts, or dominions. In Dan. 7:27 it is styled "kol shemayah" (all
the heavens) under which the kingdom, dominion, and greatness
exist, which are to be given to the chosen people of the saints. The
Air of this vial comprehends all these heavens or aerials.
It is the same air, or heaven, in which a door is opened, and a new
throne established (Rv. 4:1-2). This door will be opened, and the
throne set therein, when the Armageddon victory shall have cast out
the enemy from Jerusalem, and have planted the Lamb and the
144,000 on Mt. Zion.
The denouement of the Sixth Vial opens the door and sets up the
throne. There is THEN a throne in the Air which the air of heaven
does not contain at the present time. All other thrones will continue
to exist in the Air contemporaneously with this new throne (which is
the Throne of David restored) until they shall be all taken
possession of by the Saints of the Most High, when (Rv. 11:15)—
"The kingdoms of the world become our Lord's and His Christ's."
The Air of this Seventh Vial is the "Heaven" of Rv. 20:11, which in
consequence of the wrath poured out into it, u flies away" with the
"earth" that stands related to it. Both earth and heaven, as now
constituted in church, state, and general society, will all be broken
up and abolished. And a New Air, or firmament, will be constituted
in which will shine only the "Splendid Ones"—the Sun of
Righteousness and the Kings of his Rising—who obtain—
"The victory over the Beast, and over his Image, and over his
Mark, and over the Number of his Name'* (Rv. 15:2).
These will all meet together with the Lord "in the Air" (1 Th.
4:17), as the "New Heavens," styled also "the Heaven" in Rv. 18:20
which rejoices over Babylon in the disaster of her fall. This New Air,
I remark again, is the Air in which, and for which, the chosen Saints
are convened.
Paul tells us in 1 Th. 4 that when "the time of the dead that they
should be judged" arrives, the living Saints will not anticipate the
dead. That is, they will not be gathered together into the presence of
Christ before them. When Christ comes, the living will have to wait
until the reproduction of the dead Saints is complete. Be the time of
this reproduction long or short, the "how long" is not revealed. This
however is certain, that—
"The dead in Christ shall be restored (anastesontai) FIRST."
He then tells us (v. 17) what is to happen next—
"After that, we the living who remain, TOGETHER WITH THEM,
shall be hurried away in clouds for a convention of the Lord in an Air,
and so (in that Air) we shall be always with the Lord." 1973 eerean 135
Thus the dead are the subjects of "anastasis" or "restoration" to
what they once were. And then, in company with their fellow earthborns in Christ of the generation contemporary with the great
anastasis, they go to report themselves for better or worse at the
Judgment Seat in Teman. All of them who are approved, or "accounted worthy to obtain that aion" (course of things, or Air) are
"clothed with the house from heaven" (2 Cr. 5:2), and henceforth
appointed to be with the Lord always in the Air.
Second Voyage to Australia
BY BROTHER ROBERT ROBERTS
"He giveth His beloved sleep"—Psalm 127:2
PART TWENTY-NINE
JOURNEY RESUMES: SAILING TO SANDWICH ISLANDS (HAWAII)
THE Alameda resumed her voyage at noon. We had some days
fair sailing in a northerly direction towards the Sandwich Islands—
our next place of call. It was now so hot that we had to dismiss underclothing, and ordinary upper garments during the day. And as
for the night, there would be no blanket trade with such a temperature all over the world. However, time wore on, especially in
my case, as I was fully occupied.
SAT., SEP. 10: ASKED TO CONDUCT SUNDAY SERVICES
On Saturday night, the question of Sunday came up for consideration. There was no clergyman on board, and I was asked if I
would conduct a service or preach a sermon. I said there were
reasons why I could not do so, but I might be able to give a lecture
that would interest them.
4
On what subject? You know that we are all sorts here and you
must not tread on anyone's toes."
1973 Berean 136
I said I could say something on prophecies that had been fulfilled.
It was agreed that it should be so—young Mr. Strong acting the part
Mr. Watson did on board the Oruba—making the arrangements,
obtaining the captain's consent, pinning up a notice, etc.
SUN., SEP. 11: A LECTURE ON PROPHECY, WELL RECEIVED
Next day, at 10:30, one of the stewards, by the captain's orders,
went around with the dinner gong, announcing the meeting. A
considerable company same together in the music saloon. Mr.
Strong rose and introduced me without any ceremony.
I said there were many differing views about the Bible. Whatever
the present company might think about it, they were bound to
recognize that there was that about it which did not characterize
any other book. It claimed to be a book of divine authority, employing the phrase "Thus saith the Lord God" at least 2,000 times;
and asserting, as one of the proofs of this claim, a knowledge of
futurity which man did not possess.
The test of prophecy lay in fulfilment. The Bible was full of
prophecy, and we were able to apply this test in a very extensive
and thorough manner because of its prophecies covering so extensive a ground, and applying to matters that it was out of human
power to foresee. There were prophecies in the Bible not as yet
fulfilled. I did not propose to speak of them, but of those whose
fulfilment was in the past, and which were notorious to every one
having knowledge—from their knowledge of which they ought to be
able to draw valuable conclusions concerning those parts of the
prophetic word relating to the future. I then proceeded to speak of
the Jews, of Babylon, of Egypt, of the four great empires and of
Christ—reciting the facts and producing the prophecies.
When I concluded, a number came forward and thanked me
heartily, especially a public singer—I think of the name of Durward-Lely. He said he had nearly read through Christendom Astray,
which the purser had lent him; and it certainly seemed to him to
present the most reasonable view of religion he had ever met with.
He hoped I would lecture again. The weather became rough and
remained rough for several days—scattering the passengers to
their berths.
WED., SEP. 14: AT HAWAII (RECENTLY ANNEXED TO U.S.)
On Wednesday we reached Hawaii, the chief of the Sandwich
Islands. The crew of the vessel took special interest in this arrival,
as Hawaii had been annexed to the United States since the last visit
of the Alameda to Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii. But the people on
shore made no demonstration, as another American steamer had
been before the Alameda, and received the ovation which the
Alameda expected.
The possession of Hawaii will be of great value to the United
States as a coaling station on these wide seas so far from her own
coast—at least 2,000 miles. A coaling station in the Pacific had
become important to her with the development of her naval power
within the last 20 years; but now that she has become an Asiatic
power with the conquest of the Philippines, it has become a matter of
necessity.
The annexation of territory outside the limits of the States is a
departure from the policy hitherto recognized, but has been forced
on her by the stress of circumstances. There is a greater stress at
the door, under the pressure of which—surrender—not annexationwill be the new experience of the Stars and Stripes. All Gentile
power on sea and land will be swept into Judah's lap. To Shiloh shall
the gathering of the people be.
1973 eerean 137
We moored at a wharf in Honolulu about 3:30 a.m. In the harbor,
there was a considerable assembly of shipping, including a U.S.
battleship Philadelphia, anchored mid-stream. The formidable
craft was naturally an object of much interest, at the present time,
when the war between America and Spain is just over.
An interesting incident occurred just before we left. An American
troopship, the Scandia, sailed for Manila with some troops and
treasure on board in succor of Admiral Dewey. As she passed the
frowning battleship, the large crew of the latter broke out into loud
roars of hearty cheering, to which the crew of the Scandia
responded. The effect was quite thrilling.
8 HOURS AT HONOLULU: AN INSPECTION TOUR ASHORE
The Alameda stayed about 8 hours at Honolulu, which gave the
passengers ample time to go ashore. I made a tour of the streets, but
did not enjoy it much, as I had a bad night the night before, through
excessive motion of the vessel and oppressive heat. I visited the
grounds of the palace, or the beautiful building which was the
palace of Hawaii when the deposed queen reigned, but is now turned
into administrative offices. The surroundings were as lovely as
carefully trained tropical vegetation could make them. I exchanged
not a single word with anyone, and returned after 4 hours ramble.
As the time of departure grew near, the number of people on the
wharf increased greatly, and they were quite an interesting study
for a long time. Though there was a large sprinkling of natives, they
were mostly European residents come to see friends off. Their gay
attire was quite striking. They were mostly dressed in white, which
of itself was very pretty, but besides, this, almost everyone was
lavishly decked with garlands of brightest hues—yellow, red, green,
of the loudest color. These garlands were thrown around their
shoulders and twisted round their hats in the most lavish manner.
I asked if the people always dressed like that.
1973 Berean 13s
"Well, yes, pretty much; when they come to see their friends off.
There were plenty of flowers and they used them freely."
There was an hour of great and hearty bustle, as 40 new
passengers and bands of friends trouped aboard and filled the decks
and saloons. The general type was inferior as you came to look at
them closely; and the Creole element predominated. How interesting the human race will be, when not only gaudy color, but
grace and excellence bearing the closest inspection will characterise
the populations everywhere, blessed with Abraham and his seed.
LEAVING HONOLULU: AN INTERESTING CABIN-MATE
We steamed out of Honolulu harbor about 5 o'clock in the evening.
The ship was much livelier with the addition of over 40 new saloon
passengers; but the rough water soon quieted things down. An
unwelcome change was the addition of a clergyman, and also the
intrusion of a companion into my sleeping cabin. The presence of
the former blocked the way on Sunday for any further exhibition of
the Truth. The addition of the latter put an end to the privacy which
is desirable in travel.
However, the latter disadvantage was compensated by the interest of my companion. I could not imagine when I first saw him
who he could be. He was decked up in garlands on hat and coat like
the rest of the people, and so were the friends who came to see him
off. It seemed to me he might be a native of Hawaii, but I discovered
at last that he was an educated Italian from San Francisco, where
he practised dentistry. He had come from San Francisco, intending
to go forward to Australia for the benefit of his health, but had been
so upset by the voyage to Honolulu, that he resolved to go straight
back by the first steamer—which happened to be the Alameda, on
the very day of his arrival in the Moana.
I found him very interesting company, though compelled to keep
his bunk all the time. He had been thoroughly educated, as dentistry
in the States requires, and was quite au fait in the scientific theories
of the time. While recognizing these theories so far as they rested on
demonstrations, he dissented from their dogmatic exclusion of the
divine. He said the divine was the ultimate explanation of the
evolution of all force. The life-cell might be the material of which
all life was organized, but who made the life-cell? Molecular
combinations might explain the differentiation of substances, but
whence came the combinations? To speak of "force" explained
nothing, but only blinded the eye.
We had many interesting conversations, and at last got deeply
into the Truth; I gave him a copy of Christendom Astray. Whether
anything will come of it time will show. Though an Italian, he was a
native of San Francisco, born of Italian parents, who emigrated
from Genoa in the troublous times of 1849.
THURS., SEP. 15: THE STEWARD IS CONVINCEDOF THE TRUTH
On Thursday, Sept. 15,1 found a note pushed under my cabin door,
signed by the captain's steward, saying that with surprise he had
just discovered the author of Christendom Astray was on board, and
he had read that book (though not under that name) 4 years ago, and
was convinced it set forth the Truth, but had not followed it up for
one or two reasons, as to which, he desired some conversation.
I replied by note, and an interview came off in the saloon at a
convenient hour two nights afterwards. I found him an earnest
young man of about 30, who had taken to a steward's life for the
benefit of his health, but found ship life unfavorable to spiritual wellbeing, and had resolved to give it up in due course and return to
business in Sydney, to which he belonged. His people were
Wesleyans, and strongly opposed to the Truth, but he felt sure it was
right and was desirous of getting into the right association. We had a
long and interesting conversation, which ended in my giving him a
note of introduction to bro. Bell and bro. Jackson.
1973 eerean 139
About the same time, the bath steward asked me if I was not Mr.
Roberts of the Christadelphians. He said he had met our people in
South Africa and was impressed by the strength of their arguments.
But for himself, he had been inclined to accept the Theosophic view,
life seemed a great mystery, and it was a rather pleasing thought
that we were passing through this evil state merely to gain experience.
I replied in brief that a view might be pleasing, but not true. The
great question should be, What is Truth? On such a matter as God's
purpose with human life upon the earth, we could know nothing
apart from information God might be pleased to communicate. He
had communicated His mind freely. The record was in the Scriptures, and our only hope in the question lay in familiarity with them.
The Theosophist and every other class started with a speculation
with which the Bible was at war—to the effect that man was an
immortal being and continued to live after he was dead. The Bible
doctrine was that man was mortal because of sin and that hope lay
through Christ by resurrection. I advised him to look into it.
SUN., SEP. 18: THE LAST SUNDAY: CLERGY BLOCKS LECTURE
Sunday, Sept. 18, was our last Sunday at sea. I would have been
asked to lecture again, but a clergyman blocked the way morning
and evening—not to the satisfaction of the passengers, who used
very disrespectful, but not untrue words, in describing his sermonic
performances.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1898
Next day, the passengers were all bright and cheerful at the
prospect of landing. Passed the Coptic, a large steamer outward
bound from San Francisco for Honolulu and Hong Kong—the first
vessel we have seen on the wide waste of waters for 3 weeks.
When we left Auckland, we had a flock of sheep penned away on
deck at the stern—in the very worst position—just over the screw
and where there is the greatest heave of the vessel. I spoke to them
frequently during the voyage. They werequietly responsive with ear
and eye to the voice of sympathy. They thinned in number as the
time wore on. Yesterday, they were all gone. I asked what had
become of them.
"We have eaten them," was the answer of a gentleman, who
suggested early in the voyage that perhaps they had souls.
In that case, I remarked, we are cannibals.
He gave the kind of squirm that signifies a nonplussed state of the
intellect.
"GOD WILL REDEEM MY SOUL FROM THE POWER OF THE GRAVE"
But on the serious side, I thought to myself, the men around us will
all disappear as completely, though not in the same way. The very
figure is used by the Spirit of God—
1973 Berean uo
"Like sheep are they laid in the grave: death shall feed on them.**
It may be retorted, "So will you." It might have been so said to
David. What would have been his rejoinder?—
"GOD WILL REDEEM MY SOUL FROM THE POWER OF THE GRAVE/*
"THE UPRIGHT SHALL HAVE DOMINION OVER
THEM IN THE MORNING!ft
This is the end of bro. Roberts' account of his travels and labors.
He died suddenly four days later in a hotel in San Francisco. His life
was wholly devoted to just one purpose, and he labored fervently in
that purpose right to the end. He had a very deep and balanced
knowledge of the Truth and its spirit, far greater than any living
today. He was undoubted a man raised up by God for a purpose—to
lay a sound foundation. May we be given the wisdom to fully appreciate the value of his labors and writings, and to thankfully learn
from them, and to follow his example.
Continually Praising & Blessing God
"Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the
way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?"—Lk. 24:32
LUKE CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
WE are ever grateful and thankful to our Heavenly Father for
providing us opportunity to reverently worship Him and to partake
of the emblems in remembrance of the death, burial and
resurrection of our beloved Savior "until he come."
Christ's great ordeal of suffering, persecution and severe trial is
now past. He has risen, having cast off the shackles of the grave,
and is soon to appear in great glory, honor and power. Repeating the
words of our beloved bro. Roberts: "How sweet is the calm of the
bright and tranquil morning that comes after a night of tempest and
suffering!"
Christ surely did suffer; nevertheless, he patiently endured the
cross, looking forward steadfastly to the joy set before him (Heb. 12) :
"Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith: who for
the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
"For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners
against himself, lest ye be wearud and faint in your minds.'*
"Despising," that is, looking upon it as a light thing, disregarding
or paying no heed to the shame he had to endure. The bright and
tranquil morning of resurrection will soon be experienced by the
saints, raised to honor and glory after a night of tempest, suffering
and death. The long period of Gentile night, full of sorrow, sighing
and suffering, will then be passed. As it is written, "the former
things are passed away."
1973 Berean 141
Let us consider the circumstances surrounding Christ's
resurrection. Very early in the morning just before sunrise, a little
company of women make their journey toward the tomb.
They are very special and peculiar. Why? Because they are
different from all other women around them. They were faithful to
Christ in his lifetime, and were eager and attentive to hear every
word which dropped from the Master's lips. They followed Jesus
wherever he went before his death and resurrection. Remember
the words, "Ye are a peculiar people, a chosen generation" is applicable to us too, brethren and sisters.
Among this little company was Mary Magdalene and Joanna,
whom we find in Luke 8:3 was the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward,
and Mary the mother of James. Mark makes mention (16:1) of
Salome being with the number, the same apparently being the
mother of James and John, Zebedee's children. It would seem there
were others with them (v.D—
"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning,
they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had
prepared, and certain others with them.*'
Verse 10—
"It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of
James, and other women that were with them, which told these things
unto the apostles.
This little band of women came prepared with spices and ointments to anoint the body of Jesus. They loved him even as he loved
them. Never did they suspect what had happened. So they were
bewildered and astonished to find the stone removed and the body of
Jesus absent from the sepulchre. Their fear was increased when
two men stood before them in shining garments (vs. 5-6)—
"And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth,
they said unto them.
"Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is
risen; remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee."
This is the way he spoke to them while he was yet in Galilee—
"From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how
that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders
and chief priests and scribes and be killed, and be raised again the
third day" (Mt. 16:21).
Verse 8, the beginning of a great awakening—
"AND THEY REMEMBERED HIS WORDS."
So these few women returned to inform the apostles. Hearing
these words, Peter and John had to see for themselves and hastened
to the sepulchre. John 20:4—
"So they ran both together; and the other disciple did outrun Peter
and came first to the sepulchre."
Here we catch a glimpse of the difference in these two men. John
is apparently younger and more agile.
1973 Berear 142
At this point, Luke tells us (v. 13) that two of them walk to Emmaus (about 7 or 8 miles from Jerusalem). And now Jesus joins
them, although their eyes were held that they should not know him.
Just imagine the delightful feeling of Jesus, breaking in upon their
conversation and knowing they were talking of him, and prepared to
make himself known at the right moment.
So he asks them, "Why are ye so sad? " To this they inquire if he is
a stranger. He was by no means a stranger, yet they were not aware
of this. Thus, they relate to him the things which had taken place.
"Then he said unto them, Ο fools, and slow of heart to believe all
that the prophets have spoken:
"Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and 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" (vs. 25-27).
Sometimes certain quotations seem a trifle confusing and need
searching out in order to understand them correctly, for we know
God is not the author of confusion. It may appear in v. 25 that Jesus
is chiding them for believing all that the prophets have spoken. Such
is not the case. He is chiding them for being slow of heart to believe,
not very quick to grasp, understand or accept what was written. A
similar case is Pr. 4:14-15—
"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil
men. Avoid it, PASS NOT BY IT, turn from it, and pass away."
"Pass not by it" in some cases would imply to stay with it or hold
fast to it. Yet in this case the direct opposite is meant. Many times
will require a verse or two before and after to be read in order to get
the proper meaning. The words preceding and following this phrase
make it self-explanatory: "Avoid it, turn from it, from all that is
evil, pass nowhere near it."
"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto
them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself" (v. 27).
Now what did Moses write concerning the Messiah? Dt. 18:15—
"The Lord Thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst
of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him shall ye hearken."
Israel refused to hearken unto Moses, neither would they listen to
the Greater Prophet. But they SHALL do so in the very near future!
During such a pleasant journey and conversation they almost
reach their destination, whereupon Jesus begs to take leave of them
(v. 28). But they would not hear of it, and as it is reaching toward
evening, he consented unto them. A meal is prepared and all sit
down together. So comes the joyous occasion and most pleasant
surprise of all (vs. 31-32)—
"And their eyes were opened, and they knew him. And he vanished
out of their sight. And they said one to another,
"Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the
way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?"
1973 Berean 143
Note the words, "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked
with us." Yes, they knew he talked in a different strain from that of
ordinary man: "never man spake like this man." Still they were
held from recognizing him. How pleasant it is to converse with those
of a spiritual mind who talk of nothing but the Truth!
From thence, returning to Jerusalem, they were again terrified to
see him standing in their midst, supposing him to be an apparition,
a phantom or ghost of some sort. However, Jesus immediately
proves to them otherwise (vs. 38-39)—
"And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts
arise in your hearts?
"Behold my hands and my feet, that it is 1 myself; handle me and
see; fora spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have."
This at once destroys the theory that the redeemed are bodiless
phantoms, or "spirits" in the popular sense—
"There is a natural BODY, Scthere is a spiritual BODY"(lCr.15:44).
"Jesus shall change our vile BODY that it may be fashioned like
unto his glorious BODY" (Ph. 3:21).
Yet this is not enough. Jesus impresses the point further—
"Have ye here any meat?*' (v. 41).
And he proceeds to partake of food before them manifesting that a
spiritual body may eat (though not, of course, requiring food).
Then (v. 44) he explains to them that all things must be fulfilled
concerning him that were written in the Law of Moses, which was a
type and shadow of better things to come, a pattern of the heavenly
things.
". . and in the Prophets . ."
It would take considerable time and many pages to make
reference to all the Prophets. Isaiah alone is full of prophecies
relating to Christ, and devotes all his 53rd chapter to his great offering for sin. We do well to read it over and over again, thanking
God with burning hearts for the great love and wisdom so
manifested on our behalf "while we were yet sinners."
And so all the prophets. Jeremiah says (23:5)—
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David
a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall
execute judgment and justice IN THE EARTH."
What outstanding words: "judgment" and "justice"! Something
that sadly cannot be found in the earth today, with all its wars and
oppressions and corruptions. But soon it will be different, when, in
the glorious words of another prophet (Mai. 4:2)—
"Unto you that fear (reverence) My Name shall the Sun of
Righteousness arise with healing in his wings" (Mai. 4:2).
Surely there will be a great and sorely needed "healing," both to
the saints of God and to the troubled world around us!
". . and in the Psalms, concerning me."
73 Berean 144
The Psalms are full of Christ, both in suffering and in glory, and
they are repeatedly so quoted in the New Testament, by Jesus
himself and the apostles whom he is here instructing, as Ps. 45:7
"Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness. Therefore God, thy
God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."
Then (v. 45), in preparation for their great work—
"He opened their understanding, that they might understand the
Scriptures . ."
Let us fervently pray and study that he may likewise open ours!—
"And he said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved
Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in
his Name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
"AND YE ARE WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS."
Many lay claim to the title of "Witnesses," yet they are not, for
they do not proclaim the Truth of the Gospel. It is quite obvious from
these verses who his true witnesses are.
From this time forward Jesus instructs them (v. 49) to—
"Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power
from on high."
Now sadness would be their lot as he was parted from them (v. 51):
"And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from
them, and carried up into heaven."
Nevertheless, they were not left comfortless, they were assured of
his return. Our attention is directed to Acts 1:9-11—
"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was
taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.
"And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up,
behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
"Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into
heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall
so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
The same Jesus shall return in the same manner as he ascended.
This is the day we have waited for, we shall be glad and rejoice in it—
'This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes."
We too, brethren and sisters, hold this Hope firmly within us, and
now every sign is that it is very near—the soon return of our great
Redeemer to deliver us from the ungodliness and corruption that is
fast increasing on all sides. Finally (vs. 52-53)—
"And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
And were continually in the Temple, praising and blessing God. Amen."
Paul says— ,, K n o w ye
nottnat
ye are the
Temple of God?"
If such be the case, then we too—like the prophets, the apostles,
and all the faithful of old—must continually be in that Temple, our
every thought, word and act "praising and blessing God," even unto
the end. Amen. —F.P.
1973 Berean 145
Written for Our Instruction
"His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His Law doth
he meditate DA Υ AND NIGHT"—Psalm 1:2
THE BENEFIT OF DAILY BIBLE READING
WAITING for the appearance of Jesus in this evil age is a severe
trial of our faith, when all we have to guide us is the written Word,
and the power of prayer. It was Jesus who said—
"When the Son of man cometh, shall he find the Faith on the earth?"
Therefore, we must accept this challenge. We know what the
Faith is. We know what the commandments are. And we know what
it means to walk in the Truth. May we then give absorbed attention
to this divine purpose that has brought us together, that our love for
God and our love for each other may be strengthened. If we do, it
will help us greatly towards being rooted and grounded in the Faith,
and will bring us closer together in fellowship with each other, and
with God and His beloved Son. We believe, as bro. Roberts said—
"SALVATION DEPENDS UPON THE ASSIMILATION OF THE
MIND TO THE DIVINE IDEAS, PRINCIPLES AND AFFECTIONS
EXHIBITED IN THE SCRIPTURES."
And that is the key to, and vital importance of, this subject: "Daily
Bible Reading." But why should we read the Bible daily? In what
way will we benefit by it? If we have read the Bible through several
times, why should we keep on doing so? Can we not depend upon our
memory to retain sufficient information, and not have to spend so
much time reading the same things over and over again?
We think these are serious questions, in the light of the many
warnings that are given in the Scriptures, and the earnestness and
force with which they are stated. Therefore, let us examine the
matter, in order to satisfy ourselves that the reasons submitted are
sound, and that we will truly benefit, in more ways than one, by
systematic daily reading of the Bible. That, in fact, such a course IS
vital to our salvation.
1973 Berean 146
In the first place, we ask another question: What is the Bible? To
this question we receive a prompt and authoritative answer,
because the Bible PROVES itself to be a revelation of God. It
reveals the character of God: infinitely good and beautiful and holy
and wise. It reveals what He has done in the past, and the reason for
it. It informs us concerning what He plans to do in the future. In fact,
if we pay strict attention to its message, there is only one conclusion
that we can come to, and that is: "The Bible is the Word of God."
In the New Testament, we feel sure that we will all agree that
Paul is the greatest authority next to Christ. With this fact believed,
we open his 2nd letter to Timothy, and read vs. 15 & 16 of ch. 3—
"From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able
to make thee WISE UNTO SALVATION thru faith in Christ Jesus.
"All Scripture is God-inspired, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
For what purpose? Verse 17 tells us—
"That the man of God may be perfect (complete, whole, entire)."
Are WE "perfect" or complete? We know we are not—yet. But
this is that to which we constantly strive. This is the whole purpose
of our present probation. Nothing else matters. And it is the Word of
God that must accomplish this in us.
One of the strong cords that holds us together as a Body, and
forms the basis of our Hope, is our unshakable belief in the divine
inspiration of the Bible. Although we are willing to accept Paul's
declaration that "the Bible is wholly God-inspired," nevertheless
we must individually satisfy ourselves that his statement is true.
This cannot be done by merely acknowledging the Bible to be the
Word of God. There must be a vigorous determination to know WHY
we believe it so.
The only way this can be determined with unwavering conviction
is to READ THE SCRIPTURES, and KEEP ON reading the
Scriptures, keeping them ever fresh and powerful in our minds. Our
minds are fleshly, and the Scriptures are spiritual. For mental
transformation, the one must be forcefully and constantly subjected
to the influence of the other.
One of the foremost reasons why we should constantly read the
Word is given in Ps. 138:2, where the psalmist declares—
"Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name."
The magnification of God's Word could not be better illustrated
than it has been in John 1:14—
"The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld
his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace
and truth."
This helps to better understand Paul's statement to Timothy that—
"God was manifested in the flesh" (1 Tim. 3:16).
And further, it helps us greatly to understand the relationship
between the Father and the Son, and the SUPREME IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD.
Now, if Jesus were to come into your home, how would you feel?
Just stop and think of that question.. remembering that Jesus is the
Word made flesh, and a direct manifestation of the Father.
Therefore, to have God's Word in our home is to have God there, and
His beloved Son Jesus.
1973 Berean 147
Now that we have them there, where are we going to place them?
Are we going to leave them on the book-shelf, or are we going to
place them in our hearts? Do not forget that where you place your
Bible, you place Jesus and the Father. Therefore, if we neglect the
Bible, we neglect them. That is an impressive thought, is it not?
The place God demands of us is to be foremost and always in our
hearts and minds. Jesus brings that forcibly to us when he quotes
from the Law, saying—
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with ALL thy heart, and ALL thy
strength, and ALL thy mind" (Mk. 12:30).
It is only fit and reasonable that God should demand the first and
highest place in all our affairs for, as Paul said in Athens—
"In Him we live, and move, and have our being."
When Samuel was a child—
"The Word of God was precious in those days:
There was no open vision" (1 Sam. 3:1).
Should it not be just as precious now, in this dark Gentile day,
when there is no "open vision"? One of our brethren has said—
"When we are thinking of God, we are drawing closer to Him, but
when we're thinking of our own affairs we're getting farther away."
That well expresses the thought emphasized in Jm. 4:8—
"Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you."
Having, then, become convinced that the Scriptures are the Word
of God, and wholly inspired by Him, we will want to know HOW they
are "able to make us wise unto salvation." We introduce this part of
our consideration with another statement by Paul, in Rm. 15:4—
"Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our
instruction, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures
might have hope."
It is evident, then that the Scriptures that were written for our
instruction are the Scriptures that will make us wise unto salvation.
And Paul says "whatsoever"—that is, everything so written was for
our instruction. For wholesome, balanced development of the
spiritual mind, that the "man of God may be complete," it is evident
that no portion of Scripture can be ignored, as some do according to
their own preference or fancy.
1973 Berean 148
Now one thing is certain: if we leave our Bibles on the book-shelf,
we will not learn anything that has been written for us—for our
guidance, for our comfort, and for our welfare. Therefore, we must
READ, in order to learn. If we have a genuine desire to—
"Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior."
—we must first realize that we are mortal creatures subject to sin,
disease and death. We must know what we are: what is our
hopeless, joyless natural condition and destiny. We must face this
maturely, not ignore it like the giddy, thoughtless world around us.
And as a strong incentive to read for instruction and direction, we
must have a good understanding and awareness of the salvation
that God has offered through the Gospel. These must be real, living
things to us, absorbing our hearts and desires. When we reach that
stage of intelligence and maturity, we should be so grateful that an
intense thirst for the joyful wisdom of God will develop within us,
such as David, the "man after God's Own heart/' expressed—
"My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth, for the courts of the Lord,
My heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God" (Ps. 84:2).
This WILL come, yea, MUST come, if we will apply ourselves to
the Word as diligently and faithfully as the world applies itself to its
desires and ambitions. What vast efforts the flesh puts forth for such
miserable little perishing goals! Are they "wiser in their
generation" than we?
The voice of wisdom speaks in the book of Proverbs (another
precious portion "for our instruction"), and tells us about an orderly and systematic way that we must follow if we are to find the
knowledge of God—
"IF thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding . .
"Yea, IF thou CRIEST after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding . .
"IF thou seekest her as silver, and searchestfor her as for hid treasures..
"THEN shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge
of God" (Prov. 2:2-5).
The effect of this agonizing effort is shown in vs. 10-11—
"When wisdom entereth into thine heart and knowledge is pleasant unto
thy soul, discretion shall preserve thee and understanding shall keep thee."
In ch. 3, we are carried a step further, and shown "the depth of the
riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God" (13-15)—
"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of
silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
"She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are
not to be compared unto her" (Pr. 3:13-15).
O, that this could be stamped upon our minds with a fire that
would never grow cold, and cause our hearts to swell with grateful
emotion as we contemplate the infinite goodness of God!
If we must search for wisdom "as for hid treasure," does it not
signify that the wisdom of God is hidden in the Scriptures, and is
only obtainable by those who study the Word ploddingly and
prayerfully? For Paul said—
"He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder
of them that DILIGENTLY SEEK Him" (Heb. 11:6).
—not only "seek" but "DILIGENTLY seek"—indicating a determined and dedicated and full-hearted search, above all else in life.
The same thought comes to us in Ps. Ill :2-4—
"The works of the Lord are great, SOUGHT OUT of all them that have
pleasure therein. His work is honorable and glorious: and His righteousness
endureth forever.
"He hath made His wonderful works to BE REMEMBERED. The Lord is
gracious and full of compassion" (vs. 2-4).
149
1973 B e r e a n
It is intensely interesting and instructive to note the meaning of
the word "sought" in v. 2. The prime meaning is—
"To tread or frequent, usually for pursuit or search; to diligently inquire;
to search and seek out."
For any hope of eternal life, we MUST realize that the Truth of
God cannot be a part-time hobby, but must involve the complete
dedication of every fiber of our being and every aspect of our activities. It is a far greater, more absorbing thing than many realize.
And this is a great tragedy.
The reason for the diligent searching of v. 2 is stated in v. 4—
"He hath made His wonderful works to be REMEMBERED.'*
Remembrance of God is not an occasional and periodic recalling
to mind: rather it is a constant and continuous awareness of Him in
all we do: a doing of everything as unto Him, in pure and joyful_
sacrifice of thanksgiving. We have God's Own words given by Isaiah:
"To this man will I look, even to him that is poor (humble and
meek), & of a contrite spirit, & trembleth at My Word" (Is. 66:2).
Could any instruction be plainer? Is that not sufficient to show us
that our Bible reading should be done daily? And not only so, but it
shows us that it must be done in a spirit of self-searching reverence
and "trembling." Do we tremble at the Word of God, constantly
searching it for guidance, fearful of any displeasing of the One we
love, anxious to avoid the slightest semblance of any infraction of
the divine will?
Let us face these questions. We are wasting our time, deceiving
ourselves, and mocking God, if we do not face them and bring
ourselves into line with them, whatever the flesh wants us to do.
You will recall that when the children of Israel gathered manna
(the heavenly bread), they did it SYSTEMATICALLY—a certain
amount each day. This was enforced by God. Infractions were
punished. It was not to be left over to the next day. The prescribed
quantity gathered was to be eaten the same day.
Is that not marvelously typical of our system of Bible reading as
regulated by the Bible Companion? If we follow it faithfully, we will
become familiarly and lovingly acquainted with every part of God's
precious Word, and will therefore be guided by—
"The WHOLE COUNSEL of God."
It has been said by some that they are so "busy" they do not have
the time to read every day. To such, we suggest they sit down for a
few minutes and make a list of the things they do each day, and the
time involved—the things they DO have "time" for. Such a form of
self-examination will be a great surprise, because they will discover
(if they are honest) that they spend time on things that could much
better and more profitably be devoted to the Word of God. Let us
decide what we are here for, what our ultimate goal and ambition is,
and what we are doing to reach that goal.
1973 Berean 150
If these "busy" ones would read the Word daily, there would come
a day when they would read the first chapter of Proverbs, where
Wisdom speaks in vs. 24-28. This is a call to those who have been
"too busy," who have neglected the loving counsels that were
written for our eternal wellbeing—
"Because I have called, and ye refused: I have stretched out my hand and
no man regarded, but ye have set at nought all my counsel and would none of
my reproof . .
"I also will laugh at your calamity: I will mock when your fear cometh.
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a
whirlwind; when distress and anguish come upon you:
"Then shall they call me, but I will not answer: they shall seek me early,
but they shall not find me."
What a sad and unnecessary tragedy! And how graphically Jesus
depicted this in the parable of the 10 virgins. According to Jesus,
there are but 2 classes of saints: the wise and the foolish. He speaks
of "oil in their lamps." What is that but the Scripture of Truth, f or—
"The entrance of Thy words giveth light*' (Ps. 119:130).
All of the virgins had oil in their lamps at one time. But when the
bridegroom came, the foolish found their supply was low so they
said to the wise—
"Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out!"
They were going out because they had failed to replenish them.
They had presumed that what they had once had was enough. They
had felt no urgency, no desire, to get more. What a picture to contemplate! The Master in the earth again—and some of us unable to
greet him, because our lamps are going out!
The foolish will then turn to the wise, and look upon their lamps as
they burn brightly before the Lord, and will cry out in despair. But it
will be too late. As they turn to their flickering lamps, they will
watch them sorrowfully as the light grows dimmer, and finally goes
out—forever.
My beloved brethren and sisters, IF we love the Lord as we
PROFESS to, we will love His Word. And if we love His Word, we
will read it eagerly and joyfully and constantly, and meditate upon
it, watching daily at the gates of Wisdom—
"For whoso findeth wisdom findeth life, and shall obtain favor of
the Lord" (Prov. 8:35).
'When shall I read/ is a question that has been asked many times;
but it is one that must be answered individually by each one of us,
because our circumstances differ.
Whatever we do, let us not sit down to read the Bible late in the
day when we are tired and sleepy. It is much better to arrange our
daily course of action so that we can give our best time and attention
to God's Word with a clear mind, and meditate profitably upon wJiat
We r e a d .
I 9 7 3 Berearv
151
We must always read in a self-searching spirit: How do I stand in
the light of these instructions, examples, promises, and warnings?
Said Paul to Timothy—
"Meditate upon these things: give thyself WHOLLY to them."
That "wholly" is the key to success in this endeavor.
"Open Thou mine eyes" (prayed the Psalmist),
may behold wondrous things out of Thy Law."
"that I
It is God that opens the eyes of our understanding, and reveals
Himself to those who seek Him with all the heart. There is a rich
blessing in store for those whose delight is in the Law of God after
the inward man, for we read in Ps. 1—
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
"But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law doth he meditate
DAY AND NIGHT.
"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth
forth his fruit in his season. His leaf also shall not fade, and whatsoever he
doeth shall prosper" (Ps. 1:1-3).
Some have asked WHY we have to read so much. A good answer
comes from Paul, and we do well to realize its searching truth—
"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth NO GOOD THING"
Ponder that well. Accept it frankly and unreservedly, and you are
on the way to life. Paul declares further (Rom. 8:7-8)—
"The carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the
Law of God, NEITHER INDEED CAN BE.
"So then they that are in the flesh CANNOT please God."
This indicates that we are in mortal peril if we rely, like the world,
on the natural mind, on our own natural thoughts and desires. This
is seriously emphasized in Jer. 10:23—
"O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in
man that walketh to direct his steps."
Brethren and sisters, THAT is why it is essential that we read and
meditate upon God's Word DAILY. We MUST overcome the mind of
the flesh—our own natural mind—by the efforts of the mind of the
Spirit. It is an internal warfare that must be waged daily, and THIS
is our greatest and most urgent concern. It is written that—
"EVERY WORD OF GOD IS PURE."
Therefore it is the purifying, cleansing, transforming influence of
the Word of God that dispels the darkness of the natural evil mind.
Said Paul (Col. 3:16)—
"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you RICHLY."
But it cannot dwell in the mind of the flesh. Therefore we have to
overcome that mind by the sword of the Spirit, "which is the Word of
God" (Eph. 6:17).
1973 Berean
152
If, then, we do our daily Bible readings faithfully, and meditate on
them, we will soon discover that the application of the mind to the
divine ideas, principles and affections that we will find richly stored
in the Scriptures, will give us the necessary strength to overcome
the Old Man of the flesh. If we PERSIST in it, the principles and
affections, the desires and interests, of the natural mind of the flesh
become weakened, as we fill our minds with those—
"Things that are pure, and lovely, and of good report."
As a result of this, we will be able to "set our affections on things
above," so that our speech and conduct will always be gracious, and
seasoned with salt. There is no secret about the salting process, says
bro. Roberts—
"Those who are salt are so for one reason only. And that which
makes them salt will make others salt also."
They are salt because they are steeped in salt. The continual
reading of the Word saturates their minds with the Spirit Word, and
changes the insipid, purposeless, Old Man of the flesh into a New
Man, full of interest, and beauty, and noble, godly qualities.
An attentive reading of the Bible keeps in play a class of mental
forces which enables us to overcome, and to live as—
"Good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
Therefore, says Paul in Heb. 2:1—
"We ought to give the MORE EARNEST HEED to the things which we
have learned lest at any time we let them slip (RV:lest we drift away)."
If we forget, or neglect, what we have learned, we shall (imperceptibly to ourselves) "drift away," and when the Lord Jesus
appears, we shall suddenly find that our lamps have gone out. Then,
it will be too late. NOW is the day of opportunity, to lay strong hold
on the promise of an eternity of joyful life. It is written that—
"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Deut. 8:3).
We MAY live—like the animals and like natural man—by "bread
alone." But it requires the daily eating of the "Bread of Life" and
drinking from the "Fountain of the Water of Life" to enable us to
store up in the heart an abundance of good treasure that has been
extracted from the Word of God.
The wisdom of faithful and prayerful daily Bible reading cannot
be too highly rated. It is the difference between death and life, for by
it we will be able to keep in remembrance the things that were
written for our instruction, and so render a good account, having,
like our Master, "overcome the world."
To sum up then: The Scriptures, being wholly God-inspired, come
before us as a revelation from the Deity. If He had not given us such
a revelation, we would know nothing of His great power, and what
He requires of us. By reading the Bible daily, and meditating upon
the things we read, our minds are kept occupied wholesomely and
constructively; they do not sink to the corruption and insipidness of
the natural man.
1973 Berean 153
As our knowledge and understanding increase, we find ourselves
evelling in the past work of God in the earth. Then we come to
observe and understand the present, and joyfully anticipate the
future. The things of the Kingdom and the Name of Jesus are kept
constantly before the daily reader: therefore his mind is healthy
and vigorous.
We soon discover that the purpose of God began to unfold with the
covenant made in Eden, where a Seed of the Woman is promised
that ultimately would overcome the power of sin, and finally
conquer death. This great purpose comes to light again in the
promises made to Abraham, who is informed that his Seed should
overcome the world, and bring blessing to all families of the earth.
Again, the golden thread of the Gospel appears as God informs
Moses of a Prophet and Deliverer who would appear in Israel. At
Sinai, the people had just been formed into a nation, and given a
code of laws that have never been equaled in all the earth. Incorporated in this law was an elaborate system of worship which
included a tabernacle, priesthood, sacrifices and offerings.
All these typified and foreshadowed that which should be revealed
in substance. The New Testament shows, beyond all doubt, that the
substance is Christ; that his life was a wonderful fulfilment of the
types of the Law in every detail; and that these types reveal doctrinal truth and lessons which form the foundation of true religion.
As we look back upon the Mosaic constitution, we realize that
these things are not apparent on the surface: they have to be
searched for as for hid treasure. That is the lofty purpose of daily
Bible reading: to search for the hidden treasures of the mind of God.
By it, we come to understand God's plan of redemption, as our
minds become attuned to divine things. The wisdom that comes
from above takes away the veil of darkness and superstition that
covers the faces of men and women.
As the wisdom of God is daily impressed upon our minds, we get
understanding. And as we look beneath the surface, we discover the
''unsearchable riches of Christ." A faithful student of God's Word,
who reads it daily, systematically and prayerfully, will come to
know more about the Bible than any other book in the world, and
will be able to say with David (Psa. 119)—
"Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN
AGAINST THEE. I will meditate in Thy precepts, & have respect to
Thy ways.
"At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto Thee because of Thy
righteous judgments.
"Through Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate
every false way. Great peace have they who love Thy Law, and
nothing shall offend them" (Psa. 119).
What a great salvation is revealed in the Bible! In our joy we cry
OUt With Paul (Rm. 11:33)—
1973 Berean
154
"0, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable His judgments, and His ways past finding out!"
Yes, our Bible is a book of Wisdom—the divine Wisdom that gives
life and joy for evermore. Therefore, says Solomon—
"Get Wisdom! Get Understanding! Forget it not.. Wisdom is the
principal thing: therefore get Wisdom, and with all thy getting get
Understanding" (Prov. 4:5-7).
Paul's solemn instruction to Timothy was (1 Tm. 4:13)—
"Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine."
It is important we look at this word * 'attendance." The word means:
"To hold the mind, to pay attention to, to be cautious about, to
beware, to give heed, to have regard."
We must discipline our minds; we must "gird up the loins of our
minds"', we must "bring every thought into captivity to Christ; we
must school our minds constantly in divine things. That is the
essence of our message. The Lord Jesus sums it up in this manner—
"Whoso readeth, LET HIM UNDERSTAND."
If we are to understand the teaching of Jesus, we must adjust our
way of thinking to his: perfect purity, perfect justice, perfect
mercy, perfect kindness. We make a fatal mistake if we try to force
his message into our own pattern of thought.
—G.A.G.
Current Events Fulfilling Prophecy
"The people of the earth grope in the dark without light, and God
maketh them to stagger like a drunken man"—Job 12:25
RED NAVY: AIMING TO BE No. 1. Already potent in subs, Russia
beginning to build aircraft carriers: giant stride in Russian sea challenge. US
defense experts convinced Russia has master plan to control world's major
sea lanes. Red Navy now positioned to isolate US from trading partners &
allies in both Pacific & Atlantic: establishing powerful presence along vital
oil routes to Japan & Europe in Indian Ocean & Mediterranean.
At start of WWII, Germany had only 57 subs: Russia has 380 modern subs,
& 193 missile-firing surface ships. Russia has 42 nuclear-powered subs, each
with 16 missiles that can be fired from under the sea; building 9 to 12 more
per year. (US has 41).
Russia is launching one new missile cruiser each year: began constructing
present fleet 12 yrs. ago, after Suez crisis & Cuban missile crisis.
They have 160 subs & 40 surface ships stationed in Barents Sea, from which
they can sweep through Norwegian Sea & into Atlantic east & west of Iceland
to sever the Atlantic sea routes. (USN 3:12)
NOTE: Who rules the seas controls the activities of the world. In 12 brief
yrs., Russia has risen to a close 2nd place, & is straining every muscle to
become supreme. Only a faltering, divided, insolvent US stands in her way.
MONETARY PANIC. Less than 3 wks. after it was put together, the patchwork agreement to realign major currencies came unglued. Once again,
massive run on US $ as billions were exchanged for European currencies.
The new crisis hit Europe with lightning speed. In one frantic day, 3V2 biHion
$s were exchanged for European currencies stronger than $. (Nwk 3:12)
NOTE: God is showing man his hopeless condition, & the need for a
powerful worldwide reign of righteousness & wisdom. The wise will get the
message.
1 9 7 3 Berean 155
WORLD TRADE WAR? Out of troubles buffeting $ is emerging a menace
the free world has been dreading for years: all-out trade war. Deteriorating
US trade picture: turn for worse everywhere. US threatening to raise
barriers against foreign goods.
In Europe & Japan, fears growing that such action by US would provoke
retaliation & counter-retaliation—setting off crescendo of hostility, &
shattering many commercial ties. There are no winners in a trade war.
Political & economic alliances that have held non-Communist powers
together since WW II are at stake. In French view, US & Europe are on a
collision course toward a trade war. (USN 3:5)
With wisdom & self-restraint, US today could still have been the sound
financial rock on which a stable monetary world could be built, & Russia
would not have a chance. But it is not God's will that the world build on US,
but on Russia. So God causes US to weaken & discredit itself, & alienate its
allies.
. . . _ _ . _ . . .
MILESTONES IN $'s DECLINE. In '50s: US shifts from surplus to deficit
in financial dealings with world: first warning crack.
In '63: Gold reserves shrinking, international debts soaring.
In '70: US running deficit of $10 billion a yr. in world finance dealings.
Spring, '71: First US world trade deficit since 1888.
$10 billion.
Summer, '71: Run on $; US won't redeem $s in gold; gold reserve below
Winter, '71: US devalues $ 8 pet.
In Feb., '73: After another massive US trade deficit in '72, another
massive run on $; another 10 pet. devaluation of $. (USN 3:5)
NOTE: 20 yrs. of warning & danger signals, but US & its pleasure-mad
people preferred the siren-song of the "good life"—wallowing in debt &
childish baubles.
.^^^,^..^^..^^..^^..^^....».
LATEST TEEN DRUG: ALCOHOL. In recent yrs., increasing numbers of
teen-agers have been experimenting with dangerous drugs: LSD, Speed,
barbiturates, heroin. Perhaps most frightening aspect: age of experimenters steadily drops: heroin addiction cases in elementary schools.
Latest fad in juvenile drug abuse has familiar ring: alcohol. Now
spreading to lower grades: in Boston, 36 pet. of 8th grade have been drunk,
14 pet. of 6th grade. Older students are pushing booze for younger kids. One
reason for the proliferation of young drinkers is widespread tolerance by
parents, themselves drinkers.
Alcohol is a drug with high potential of addiction. One teen ager of every 20
in S. Calif, has a drinking problem. National Alcohol Council reports that in
'72, age of youngest alcoholics dropped from 14 to 12. For those who add
alcohol to an existing drug habit, result can be tragic.
But despite risks, teen-agers taking to bottle in growing numbers. And
because teen-age use is patterned after adult use, there's no way kids will stop
drinking till adults do. (Nwk 3:5)
NOTE: It is utter hypocrisy to pretend to be concerned about children &
drugs while there are 2 or 3 or more saloons on every business block, & the
whole nation worships Lord Alcohol as the great socializer.
1973 Berean
156
SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT MAN. There's impending sense of change
in world of ideas. The reigning wisdom that informed or impelled the past
few decades is under attack. Man's confidence in his power to control his
world is at low ebb. Technology seen as a dangerous ally; progress is
suspect. Optimism had bred false enthusiasm that this method or that
system was somehow the answer. Now growing skepticism questions
any system can ever surmount recalcitrance & perversity of man.(Tm 4:2)
NOTE: One year's "wisdom" is next year's folly. Man must be brought to
realize his own ignorance and helplessness and the folly of his natural
thoughts, that he may in humility accept the unchanging wisdom of God.
ARMY COUP IN URUGUAY. Until last wk., Uruguay—alone in Latin
America—could boast that not in this century had a democratically elected
govt. been taken over by military: Now it has happened there too.
Few Uruguayans would disagree with Army that enemies were the
''profiteers,usurers,speculators & govt. swindlers." Once most prosperous
nation in Latin America, with most advanced social system, it has been
slowly sinking into economic & political quagmire.
Cost of living up 4000 pet. in 15 yrs. Over 1/5 of the million-man work
force is employed by govt.; 400,000 more live on govt. pensions. (Tm 2:26).
NOTE: It's same story everywhere. "Democracy" is failing, corruption &
confusion multiplying. The Army sees the evil &, having, power, seizes
control. But, being human,it cannot solve the problems, but is itself corrupt
US-CHINA FORGE CLOSER TIES. Each govt. will open office in other's
capital—first step toward full diplomatic recognition. Contacts in all fields to
be broadened; a concrete program to expand trade has been agreed on; and
mutual exchanges in science & culture fields. Negotiations to start for air
transportation links. Trade levels already higher than expected.
To negotiate settlement of money claims against each other. Americans &
Chinese in growing numbers criss-crossing Pacific on business. It was
China's fear of Russia that gave US leverage in China. And China accord
increases US's leverage with Russia. (USN 3:5)
NOTE: For 25 yrs., US did everything in its power to block & hinder &
isolate China. Now it's suddenly falling over itself to build it up. The secret,
of course, is their mutual fear of Russia. But how changeable is man!
WHITE-COLLAR CRIME. On rise: fraud, bribery, tax evasion, shady
business dealings. Losses in billions: costing US many times more than loot
taken by all robbers, burglars & muggers. Illegal business growing rapidly.
A little man steals a bottle of milk from a doorstep & goes to jail in ahurry;
a business tycoon steals millions & probably won't ever see inside a jail.
Arrests for fraud & embezzlement up 86 pet. from '60 to 71.
A Georgian bank president was convicted a few wks. ago of stealing $4V2
million; he got 10 yrs. jail. Same day in same court, 3 youths convicted of
stealing $14,000 from a bank got 16 yrs. jail each. (USN 3:12)
NOTE: We each know from our own experience that the general moral &
integrity standards of most people—"nice" people—are very low when
measured by true righteousness. Where is the workman or businessman who
is morally concerned about always giving good & full measure in labor &
goods? Rather all seek all they can get by any means, for as little as possible
in return.
«••«••••••••••••««^«•••••ιββ»
CHILDREN WITH GUNS. All over US, more & more children carrying
guns. So far thisyr., 15 handguns have been confiscated in Detroit schools; 3
children wounded in gunplay. (USN 2:26)
ASIA'S TROUBLE: Too many babies, too little food. Prospects grim.
Specter of famine hangs over Asia. Deepening food shortages. Population
bomb ticking away faster than ever. Bureaucracy, corruption & inefficiency
as much responsible as bad weather for present food shortages. In India,
no incentive to produce more because consumers haven't money to buy.
Asian food production declined in 72; population increased over 5 pet.
between 70 & 72, no sign of slowing. Asia's population will nearly double to
3.8 billion by yr. 2000. (USN 3:5)
NOTE: Truly with self-restraint in breeding, & wise, efficient
management of world resources, & fair, Christlike distribution according to
need & reason, the world could be a joyful & harmonious paradise for all. But
this is not to be until Christ rules the world in righteousness & wisdom &
infinite power.
1973 Berean 167
ARAB WORLD: OIL, POWER, VIOLENCE. World oil consumption rising
8 pet. a yr.; US consumption (40 pet. of total) rising 9 pet. a year. Mideast
(all are Arab states except Iran) control 60 pet. of world's known reserves, &
are bargaining with increasing skill. Their yrly. oil income was $4V2 billion 5
yrs. ago; now over $10 billion; by '80 probably $40 billion a year.
If that holds true, Arab income will then exceed combined earnings of US's
500 largest corporations. Richest of all, Saudi Arabia, will then have greater
monetary reserves than US & Japan combined.
In many respect, age of Arab oil wealth & power already here. Arab oil
money was major element in monetary crisis that led to 2nd $ devaluation
last month. Suddenly the Arabs, 100 million strong—backward, neglected,
abused for centuries—have begun to realize the weapon they hold.
The recent thrust toward Arab control of Mideast oil began in 70; man
who started it was Libya's Gaddafi. Because world's appetite for oil is insatiable, he was able to force oil companies to increase Libya's royalties by
120 pet. in 2 yrs., & 10 pet. more each yr. till '75. He has $3 billion reserves.
Most belligerent of Arab leaders, he's spending $200 million on French
Mirage fighter-bombers, which inevitably stand as a threat to Israel, the
Arab world's frustrating obsession . Gaddafi also spends millions to buy
allegiance of African countries.
The 11 major oil producing countries have increased prices 72 pet. since
70. Money's not only issue, however; it's control. By '83, Saudi Arabia will
control 51 pet. of Aramco, world's biggest producer. Similar deals have been
made by other Mideast producers. Last wk., Iran took over operations of US,
British, French & Dutch oil companies.
By '80s, US will be relying on Mideast for 50 pet. of its oil. Most important
new element in Arab world—for Arabs themselves, for Israel, & for world—
is the revolution being wrought by oil. Arab policy is to see that good share of
oil revenue is channeled into struggle against Israel—to punish Israel's
friends & to benefit Arabs' friends. (Tm 4:2)
NOTE: Oil is slowly tightening the vice on the US, and drawing all eyes to
the Mideast. How wonderfully, & interestingly, the picture is shaping : oil
power, money power, & hatred of the Jew.
SADAT'S UNCERTAIN TRUMPET. In 71, he declared "yr. of decision"
at hand. He marked 72 as yr. for "inevitable" battle. Last wk., Sadat rattling his sabers again, & proclaimed "era of total confrontation" with Israel.
He is in serious trouble at home & abroad, & may be desperate enough to
go to war against Israel. In event of war, he might encourage Palestine
guerrillas to blow up Persian Gulf oil lines, shutting off flow of oil to Europe
& Japan. He has apparently been laying such plans for past 16 months.
Israel has made it clear its air force will not hesitate to devastate the
Egyptians if they start even limited war: they'd have little trouble doing it.
Sadat is under increasing pressure from Libya's Gaddafi, whose oil money
helps keep Egypt afloat. He's also being urged by Army officers, Palestine
commandos, & a wide range of domestic hawks to "do something" to
recover territorities from Israel. A desperate, frustrated Sadat could succumb to those pressures & give order to attack. (Nwk 4:9)
NOTE: A new & ominous element has been added: the threat of oil cutoff.
The Arab producers are now sufficiently strong & united to make this
possible. Something must happen to put Egypt on Tarshish's side. Another
round of war could destroy Sadat, & bring a new man to the top in Egypt.
BRITAIN'S DECLINE. In '58, Britain led Europe in per capita GNP
(gross national product). In 70, it lagged behind Holland, Belgium, France,
Germany & Denmark, & exceeded only Ireland & Italy. (Tm 3:12).
NOTE: Britain once led the world in industry & wealth & power, & ruled
the seas with an iron rod. Then she betrayed the Jews. Her abysmal decline
SOOn followed.
1973 Berean
158
SCIENCE FALSELY SO-CALLED. Prof. Rosenhan of Stanford U., & 7
associates, had themselves committed to mental institutions to find out how
well psychiatrists can distinguish normal from sick. They spend average of
19 days in dozen institutions, public & private, in 5 states.
Beyond falsifying names & occupations, they all described their life
histories as they actually were. In so doing, they gave the doctors every
chance to discern the truth. "I couldn't believe we wouldn't be found out,"
Rosenhan said. But they weren't. At 11 hospitals they were promptly
diagnosed as schizophrenic, at the 12th as manic-depressive. As soon as they
got admitted, they studiously resumed normal behavior. They worked hard
to convince staff members they should be released.
But such efforts were to no avail. Doctors & nurses interpreted everything
they did in terms of the original diagnosis. When some of them took notes,
the staff made such entries in their records as "Patient engages in writing
behavior." The only people who realized the experimenters were normal
were patients. "You're not crazy," said one,"You're checking on hospital."
The hospital, Rosenhan concluded, distorts the perception of behavior,
place is more important than person. If you're a patient, you must be crazy.
They witnessed incidents of abuse & brutality. One patient was beaten for
approaching an attendant & saying, "I like you." All this, Rosenhan points
out, is part of a pervasive depersonalization & helplessness that afflicts
patients in a mental hospital. They found much evidence that the staff didn't
regard patients as people.
From their fellow-patients, they quickly learned, "Never tell a doctor
you're well. That's called 'flight into health.' Tell him you're still sick, but
feeling a lot better. That's called 'insight.'" You've got to acknowledge
you're sick to be considered well enough to release.
It took them up to 52 days to get out of the hospital, even tho they had been
admitted voluntarily, & law requires mandatory discharge on request in
such cases. Three had to finally walk out; other 9 ultimately discharged, but
with stigma of the diagnosis: "schizophrenia in remission" (Nwkl:29)
NOTE: A sad revelation, but just what could be expected. We could pity
and sympathize, were it not for the pompous pretentions of the medical
"experts." What a great facade of "knowledge"! What poor little lost
creatures hiding behind it! If man would only recognize his ignorance, how
much he could learn from the Word of God!
DOLLAR'S NOSE DIVE. For 37 yrs., till 71, $ rode high in world; preeminent, & solid as Fort Knox. Now, twice in 14 mos. it has been struck hard,
staggering blows. US trade balance gets worse & worse: $6.4 billion deficit in
72. (USN 2:26)
NOTE: US had almost infinite power & infinite riches 25 years ago, but
there is a national, mindless compulsion to get into debt & load themselves
with every new luxury & gadget that perverted ingenuity can invent to tempt
lust & pride. Yet there is no happiness, no satisfaction, no peace—only more
gnawing lust.
• • _ ^ _ _ — . _ _ _ • »
ARAB OIL WEALTH. Saudi Arabia within 10 yrs. may have greater
financial reserves than those backing US $ & Jap yen combined. (USN 3:5)
"RELIGIOUS" WAR. In recent weeks, rioting, arson & murder have
brought N. Ireland to new level of terror in its religious war. In 2 weeks, 26
have been killed, bringing total to 718.
Extremists on both sides are determined to wreck any settlement. It's
quite possible they can succeed. Now the mobs are in control, & are throwing
up their own new leaders—wild men. (Nwk 2:19)
NOTE: What vile crimes are committed in the name of Christ! Surely
these periodic outpourings of violent and murderous evil around the world
are to expose and burst the modern conceit that man has "improved" over
his benighted ancestors.
1973 B erean 159
US ENERGY CRISIS. US has passed from long period of dirt-cheap
energy that made it world's leading industrial power, into an era in which its
ability to meet its growing demands for energy come more into question
each year. Each ton of coal, each barrel of oil, comes harder at greater cost.
Internationally, the crisis could force whole new order of priority in US
diplomacy. US could find itself alienating its Israel allies as it tries to improve relations with Arabs who control most of world's oil reserves.
US has created the most prodigious energy machine in history. With only 6
pet. of world's population, US guzzles 33 pet. of world's energy. Projections
call for far higher consumption by '85.
US oil reserves are good for only 10 years at present rate; natural gas for
11 years; uranium for 13 yrs. Given the doomsday implications of the energy
plight, how could US have raced so close to disaster so blindly? But with
energy so readily available & so cheap, US gave little thought to the huge
amounts it was wasting. Autos, for example, shoot 87 pet. of their energy
intake out of exhaust pipe.
No matter what measures US takes, it can't help but be more & more
dependent on foreign sources—meaning Mideast—during next dozen years.
That dependency could soar to 65 pet. by '85. Resulting trade deficit for oil
alone would be a whopping $20 billion a yr., vs. present $4 billion. Constant
worries about security of Mideast oil. Same worries apply to natural gas US
plans to import, since biggest deals will be with Russia & Algeria.
Increased US dependence on Mideast oil could cause another problem.
Europe & Japan also are utterly dependent on Mideast oil, so time could
come when world's 3 major industrial areas will be competing, perhaps
belligerently, for same energy supply. Energy crisis gaining momentum.
Importance of whole situation extends far beyond US borders. (Nwk 1:22)
NOTE: Suddenly the US sees the deadend of the mad toboggan ride
looming up before it. Most of US's prodigious energy consumption is
squandered on lust and luxury, but they will never have the sense and
restraint to cut back, any more than drunken Imperial Rome did. US may
well have passed her brief zenith of world power, while fresh young Russia
grows and grows. It is ominous that US is even considering the necessity of
buying billions of$s of natural gas from its sworn and deadly enemies, just to
keep its wild merry-go-round of pleasure spinning. How will US pay these
mounting billions, with her trade balance already deeply in the red?
CORRUPTION IN HIGH PLACES. Strange correlation between a
soldier's rank & his chances for a disability pension (which offers a
significant tax break). In '71, 48 pet. of the 4-star generals who retired did so
with "disability" ratings; 33 pet. of the major generals; 11% pet. of the
lieutenant colonels; 9 pet. of the sergeants major. (Nwk 1:29)
NOTE: Half of the top men in the army retire under the fake of
"disability" so as to cheat on taxes. And so on down the line, in regularly
decreasing degree according to position. Clearly, the lower the rank, the
harder it is to exert the pressure to get the false rating. No wonder Russia
makes disciples daily among the poor!
AMIN SEIZES ALL FOREIGN COMPANIES. Having expelled 26,000
Asians in past 4 months, Amin turned last week to Uganda's British community. All foreign agricultural & industrial operations would be taken over
immediately, he announced. The takeover affects 26 tea plantations (20 are
British), and 15 factories, (14 are British).—Tm 1:1
NOTE: What a comedown for the once-mighty British Empire which
within our lifetime ruled this area with an iron hand from London! Yet with
all the changes, the basic prophetic picture gets clearer every day—α
Roman-Russian-Moslem world against little Israel, with only an everweakening Tarshish friend on her side. All the world's major false
religions—Catholicism, Communism, Mohammedanism—united against the
purpose of God.
1973 Berean 160
POLITICAL HYPOCRISY. The Watergate & ITT scandals suggest
something very wrong with mood & morality of US Govt. Net impression is
of a Govt. that figures end justifies means, that tries to hide its transgressions & hamper its own lesser officials charged with seeking the truth.
There's an aura of disconcerting chumminess between Govt. officials &
corporate executives seeking favors or suspected of violating laws.
It's strange conduct for an Administration that has so strongly denounced
permissiveness & decaying morality of modern life, & has so often
proclaimed its devotion to the law. (Tm 4:2)
NOTE: Watergate, like Vietnam, may be a great turning point in US
fortunes & relationship to the rest of the world. A country that presumes to
lead, & that makes a great show of its rightness & righteousness, must at
least preserve an outward appearance of decency at the highest levels of
govt. There must inevitably be a world revulsion when the sordid facts are
set beside the gilded pretensions. It's one more step in aligning the nations.
WHY RUSSIA IS WOOING US. Militarily, Russia is 2nd-greatest power on
earth—with nuclear missiles, huge Army, & growing Navy extending Soviet
power into Indian Ocean, Caribbean & Mediterranean.
Economically, Russia remains a relatively unprosperous nation. Living
standard of its 230 million at low end of industrialized countries, far beneath
US & other nations.
By practically every yardstick, Kremlin up against immense domestic
problems of crisis proportions. Agriculture struck by disaster: only massive
imports are averting severe food shortages. Industry growth rate is lagging.
Consumer goods shunted to back burner, in favor of military machine.
Worker discontent growing; labor productivity down. Dissent plagues
leadership. Brezhnev trying to build his own authority by creating "cult of
personality" like Lenin & Stalin.
Is Communist system under gun? No sign of this. Workers even more
orthodox & hardline than leaders. Increasingly, many Russians speak of
Stalin era as good old days.
How can a country still unable to produce paper clips efficiently manage to
turn out the most advanced missiles, ships & tanks? Answer is: Russia's
system of tight control is well suited to gearing up for what is essentially a
4
'wartime economy." In areas such as heavy industry, transport, communications & armaments, allocation of priorities from a central place is
beneficial. The military apply stringent standards: defective or shoddy
goods sent into civilian economy; they're not accepted by armed forces.
On Mar. 21, US Govt. extended $101 million credit to Russia to finance a
truck plant—first US Govt. credit ever given to Russia. (USN 4:2)
NOTE: Russia, tho increasingly powerful, is the very opposite of a
paradise. If it were so, or gave any appearance of the possibility of ever
becoming so, the Scriptures would not be true. Russia is a mighty military
dictatorship with tremendous internal pressures & a great lust for power.
This is exactly what the prophetic picture requires. And US in short-sighted
greed is helping her to build her military power.
SPREADING MIDEAST TERROR: piling up new trouble for US. More &
more, US caught in middle of underground war between Israel & Arabs
that's gaining momentum in Mideast & around world. Arab nations increasingly accuse US of complicity. Outlook is for growing US-Arab
hostility. Increasing fear for safety of Americans abroad. (USN 4:23)
NOTE: The Arabs have oil & wealth, & therefore the self-serving world
sides with them, & boycotts & condemns Israel to curry Arab favors* Increasingly US is isolated as Israel's only friend. But God will continue to
overshadow Israel, & tho she must still suffer terribly for her arrogance &
godlessness & all hope must seem gone, still she will not be destroyed, but at
last be delivered & redeemed.
EUROPE IN TRANSITION. Not since turbulent transition from shooting
war to cold war 25 yrs. ago has Europe found itself at center of so many
different currents of change. Old US-Eun^e "Atlantic community" rapidly
evolving into international rivalry, Russia is striking a benign posture of
detente, hoping to achieve long-standing goal of a pivotal role in W. Europe.
West long since ceased to worry about liberating E. Europe nations.
NATO's chief problem: how to maintain its strength and reason for being
in an age of detente. Inevitably, the quality of NATO's components has
begun to waver more erratically than ever. Italian army is moderately welltrained. French, in contrast, may be weakest of NATO's links. Germany's
army filled with slovenly, long-haired draftees on 15-mo. hitches. US's 7th
Army more conspicuous for racial battles than for prowess in maneuvers.
Many Europe nations, moreover, are shrunken relics of what they once
were. Without Congo, Belgium only a way station between Germany &
France. Without Indonesia, Dutch find their "swamp" delta uncomfortably
confining. Britain's entry into Common Mkt. is one indication of general
European identity crisis: "We've lost an empire, so we'll run Europe."
But having lost old colonies, Europe's nation-states haven't created a new
communion. Much as they talk about unity, they're reluctant to yield
national sovereignty, as witness the jealousies that flared in last month's
monetary crisis. Even as "new Europe" tries to stitch itself together, old one
doing its best to pull Continent apart. For all talk of unity, Europeans
haven't surmounted their national prejudices.
Even greater threat to unity is persistence of myriad old tribal & regional
interests & loyalties. Europe's minorities making increasifigiy noisy -claims
for recognition & redress. Hie plbenonieraon spans Europe from Britain
(grappling with Welsh & Scottish nationalism & bloody Ulster war), to
Russia (troubled by ethnic unrest in Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania). Upset by
violent upsurge of Croat nationalism, Yugoslavia's existence directly imperiled. Others have variety of unhappy minorities: Switzerland's Juras,
Sweden's Lapps, Rumania's Hungarians, France's Bretons & Corsicans,
Spain's Basques, and myriad ethnic groups of Italy.
Present Europe map was carved out by warring armies only in past IV2
centuries. Underlying Europe's artificial frontiers is patchwork of ancient
tribal & economic enclaves. Europe is a plethora of unassimilated
minorities: W. Europe alone embraces 30 different ethnic communities.
Ulster's warring Catholics & Protestants, who are still trying to write final
chapter to 1690 Battle of the Boyne, aren't the only Europeans with ancient
scores to settle. Belgium's Dutch-speaking Flemings & French-speaking
Walloons regularly take their differences to the streets. In any given office
bldg. in Brussels, it is said, the doorman speaks only Dutch, the secretaries
are bilingual, & the managing director deals only in French. There's little
indication that Europe's govts. ready to yield significant power. (Tm 3:12)
NOTE: Europe is weak & divided, & increasingly coming under the
shadow of the ever-growing Russian bear. What a change from Munich,
when Britain & France & Germany were proud world powers determining
Europe's future, & backward Russia was not even important enough to invite to the council table!
ISRAEL TO BAN PROSELYTING? "Jews for Jesus" invasion of Israel
has revived Orthodox campaign to expel all Christian missions. Four
Cabinet ministers assigned to consider drafting law to "curb Christian Jewsfor-Jesus missionaries." Chief Rabbi demanded Israel "uproot this affliction. There's nothing antidemocratic about such legislation." (Tm 3:26)
NOTE: Israel seems to be taking a lesson in oppression from the Pope in
his heyday. Caiaphas and Annas would be well-pleased with their modern
counterparts. They don't want to take any chances they might learn the
Truth.
$3.50 per yr. (only for those who desire to pay)
Printed in U.S.A.
VOL. 61, NO.6
JUNE, 1973
The Berean
Christadelphian
A monthly magazine devoted wholly to the exposition and defense
of the Faith once for all delivered to the Saints, with the object
of helping to make ready a People prepared for the coming of the
Lord. Opposed to the unscriptural teaching of the papal
and protestant churches of the world.
G. A. Gibson, 1501 Woodbine, Ap. 1616, Toronto, Ont. M4C 4H1, Can.
"They received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched
the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Therefore many believed"—Ads 17:11
CONTENTS
ECCLESIAL NEWS: London, San Angelo
EDITORIAL: The Lord Bless Thee and Keep Thee
Inside Front Cover
161
AMEN! HALLELU YAH! (Bro. Thomas)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? (Bro. Roberts)
WHAT WE MUST DO TO BE SAVED
FORTY—PERIOD OF JUDGMENT (J.T.)
CURRENT WORLD EVENTS FULFILLING PROPHECY
Bible Questions and May Answers
163
168
174
182
186
Back Cover
We ore anxious to tend the Berean FREE to any desiring it
that way. Please da not hesitate to request it. If you
know of any who might like it, please send us their names.
CHRIST IS COMING SOON AND WILL REIGN ON EARTH
Ecclesial News
LONDON, Ont.—Christadelphian Hall, 166 Central Ave. (1 block west off Richmond)—
S.S. 10:15am; Memorial 11:30 a m ; Lecture 7 p m ; Class Wed. 8 pm—Bro. David Clubb,
42 Oneida Rd., London N5V 2X1, phone (519) 451-4063.
LOVE and Greetings to all brethen and sisters of like precious Faith.
Though it has been many months since our last ecclesia news, yet we have
been striving to be diligent in the things of the Truth. We have in the past 2
years gone through some heart-rending experiences, but knowing all things
are for a purpose, we have received daily strength from God to endure.
During the past while, we have been particularly blessed in having many
brethren and sisters visit with us, helping in the duties of the Truth. We have
welcomed the following around the table of the Lord: bro. & sis. Fred
Higham Sr., bro. & sis. Fred Higham Jr., bro. Fabris, bro. Growcott
(Detroit); bro. Gibson and sister Crone (Toronto); bro. & sis. R. Philip
(Hamilton); bro. & sis. Gilbert of (Buffalo); bro. & sis. David Sommerville,
sis. H.A. Sommerville, sisters Lois, Becky and Mary Sommerville
(Wanaque, NJ); bro. & sis. Paul Neely (Houston). Bre. Gibson, Higham Sr.,
Growcott, Philip, Higham Jr., Sommerville have several times faithfully
exhorted and admonished us to remain steadfast in the Lord, and have
lectured on first principles at our public lectures.
On Feb. 11, this year, we had our annual Sunday School entertainment in
which many of our scholars took part in the form of recitals and hymns. Also
the brethren and sisters of London and other ecclesias helped in the singing
of several hymns. This took place following the Sunday morning exhortation
given by bro. Gibson of the Toronto ecclesia. After the spiritual food, meals
were served during which time we enjoyed further fellowship with our outof-town visitors.
On Apr. 22, we held a special slide lecture in our hall entitled "These are
the Latter Days—the End of Human Rule of the Earth is Near," by bro. Fred
Higham Sr. of Detroit Ecclesia. Although there was little attendance by the
alien, yet we were encouraged by hearing of the innumerable signs of the
times showing the nearness of Christ. Bro. Higham illustrated that all
current events point in one direction—to the fulfillment of God's Word
culminating in the establishment of God's Kingdom on Earth. The day is not
too far distant, brethren and sisters, when things as they are now constituted
will come to an end. When that time does come, and it surely will, then we
shall realize that for which we have long waited, even the apocalypse of
Jesus the Anointed, our Lord and Savior. Also for this day we had the
pleasurable company of several from Toronto, Hamilton and Detroit.
The following Sunday, Apr. 29, much of the ecclesia accepted an invitation
to meet for memorial service at Hamilton, Ont. with the Hamilton and
Toronto brethren and sisters. Also in attendance were several brethren and
sisters from Buffalo, Detroit, Waterford. A most enjoyable day filled with
spiritual upbuilding took place as we assembled with those of like Faith.
We are pleased to welcome back into fellowship our bro. Stanley Howard.
We are sorry to report the withdrawing from fellowship of bro. & sis. Dan
Gwalchmai, sisters Jean Hill, Mary Gwalchmai, and Grace Cartlidge, and
bro. & sis. Roy Sutherland on the question of divorce and remarriage. Sis.
Marjorie Hudson has separated from us, having chosen the course of suing
at law, which is recognized among us as a matter affecting fellowship. We
have also had the sad duty of withdrawing from bro. Ralph Howard for
continued absence from the Lord's table. We frequently pray that all these
will be guided to reconsider their positions.
The present writer has been appointed temporary recording brother.
Please note above address change.
With love and best wishes to the Brotherhood from the London ecclesia,
(Continued on inside Back Cover)
— bro. David Clubb
The Lord Bless Thee And Keep Thee
"Thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous: with favor wilt Thou
compass him as with a shield"—Psalm 5:12
The words bless, blessed and blessing occur very frequently in
the Scriptures of Truth. They are both significant and comprehensive, because they express an important meaning of large, or
extensive scope. Let us examine them briefly.
Our dictionaries inform us that the word bless means "to consecrate by a religious rite; to make, or pronounce, holy/* That
definition may be suitable to some religious bodies, but if we go
direct to the Bible we discover that its applications are too obvious
to require much explanation.
From the Hebrew ashar we get bless, and from ashere, blessed—
in both cases signifying "to declare happy, or very happy." From
barak we have "blessed" meaning "to bless, or declare blessed." In
general they denote to wish, or do well to, or to speak well of.
In the New Testament we have the Greek word eulogeo meaning "to speak well of," and makarios, "to declare happy." When
Jesus is said to bless, it signifies (1) to give thanks for food in
general (Matt. 14:19), or (2) to gi\e thanks for the bread and wine
(Matt. 26:26). In the latter there is no thought of casting any
spell upon the bread and wine—he merely gave thanks for it.
When God is said to bless it signifies (1) to bestow plenty of
temporal good things, to make outward affairs prosperous and
successful, as in the case of Laban who said to Jacob,
"I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me
for thy sake"—Gen. 30:27.
(2) To bestow both temporal and eternal good things, as in the
promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:2-3)—
1973 Berean 161
"And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee,
and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing; And I
will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth
thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed"
While the study of etymology is both interesting and fascinating, it is not the motivating influence that prompts us to write on
this subject. Our purpose goes much deeper. During our probation, if we are serious about our religion, we will do everything
possible to keep ourselves steadfast in our faith, so that when
Jesus comes into his kingdom, we may hear those gracious words,
"Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world"—Matt. 25:34.
It is our practice, when proclaiming the Truth in our public
lectures, to seek the divine blessing on our efforts. It is also our
usual custom, when entering upon some unusual venture, or
undertaking some difficult task, to ask God's blessing upon the
definite object we have in view. That is as it should be.
We must be extremely careful, however, in the methods we
employ, for there are many things in the Scriptures that teach us
that the apparent success of an enterprise is not always an indica-
tion that God has blessed it. In some cases it will be found that
the matter in hand is successful because of our determination to
see it through without any deep and serious thought as to whether
it is in harmony with divine standards.
If we are conscientious about the matter, the only course to follow is to search the Scriptures and find out for ourselves what the
divine requirements are. The first notable instance is that of Noah,
of whom we read,
"And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house
into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this
generation"—Gen. 7:1.
The result of his righteousness, based upon his obedience, is
revealed in 9:1, where we are informed that "God blessed Noah."
The next great example is Abraham who, because of his transcending faith and obedience, is described as the "friend of God"—
a supreme honor indeed. Of him, God said,
"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 thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy
seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou
hast obeyed My voice"—Gen. 22:17-18.
In both of these cases the divine blessing was given because they
had obeyed God's voice. That fundamental principle will always
be found as the basis of God's dealings with members of the human
race. In His relations with Israel, this governing law of conduct
was always foremost.
"And it shall come to pass, IF thou shalt hearken diligently
unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all His
commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord
thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth; and
all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, IF thou
shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God"—Deut. 28:1-2.
Nothing could be plainer. And the converse is equally obvious
to the understanding.
"But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt NOT hearken unto the
voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command thee this day; that all
these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee" (v. 15).
These words were spoken at the end of their wilderness wanderings, and the principle was not new. The same general truth
had been given to them at Sinai forty years before, and is recorded
in Lev. 26. Now Paul says,
"Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by encouragement of the
Scriptures we might have hope"—Rom. 15:4 (RSV).
Briefly, then, we learn that God is unchangeable, and His sententious law is just as applicable today as it was at Sinai. Therefore, if we are to receive God's blessing for anything we do, let us
realize that our words and actions must conform to His commandments. And let us be certain that when we pray for guidance, we
submit ourselves unto God, and do all in our power to please Him,
and not Ourselves.
1973 Berean 162
If we commit our way to Him by magnifying His Word, and
give it first place in our lives, He will guide our steps by filling us
with the knowledge of His will. But if we hold the treasure of
God's wisdom with a loose hand, and dishonor Him by a lukewarm, and half-hearted walk in the Truth, He will forsake us and
leave us exposed to the influence of this present evil world which
leads to destruction. It is our wisdom, then, above all things, to
give earnest heed to the last message of Jesus:
"Blessed are they that DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they
may have right to the tree of life"—Rev. 22:14.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
—Editor.
Amen! Hallelu YAH!
BY BROTHER JOHN THOMAS
"And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in the heaven
saying, Hallelu YAH! The salvation, and the glory, and the honor, and the
power, to YAHWEH our ELOHIM!
"For true and righteous are His judgments, for He hath judged the Great
Harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and He hath avenged
the blood of His servants at her hand.
"And a second time they said, Hallelu YAH! And her smoke ascended unto
the aeons of the aeons.
"And the Twenty and Four Elders, and the Four Living Ones, fell down and
did homage to the Deity sitting upon the Throne,
saying, AMEN! HALLELU YAH!"
REVELATION CHAPTER NINETEEN
THE words, "a second time," imply a first time, with an interval
between the first and second. There is doubtless something intended
in the information that they (the "much people in the heaven") a
second time said, "Hallelu YAH."
Why did they say it in the first instance? They tell us (v.2) that it
was because YAH had judged the Great Harlot, and had avenged
the blood of His servants in destroying her. In other words, because
of the successful issue of the Second Angel's mission announced in
Rev. 14:8. The "Hallel" was "Praise to" YAH, because He had
caused the fall of the Great City Babylon which had made all nations
drink of the wine of the intenseness of her spiritual fornication.
But the judgment given to the saints, as the Elohistic agents of the
all-powerful YAH, was not finished with the fall of the capital and
government of the Roman Babylon. "The Remnant" still remained
to be— "Slain with the sword of the King of kings" (Rev. 19:21,16).
The "kings of the earth," the merchants ruined by the wreck of
their State-ship, and all its passengers and crew, who bewailed and
lamented the Harlot's destruction; and who could not, therefore,
join in the celebration of her Destroyer's praise, but cordially hated
and blasphemed Him in their anguish (Rev. 16:21)—all these were
yet unconquered.
1973 Berean ιω
As hard of heart as the old Egyptian government, the greatest
manifestation of power fails to subdue their pride & haughtiness, so
long as they can arm their people and marshal their hosts in the
field of battle. "Their wickedness is great"—too great to be
forgiven. The Deity, therefore, hardens their hearts as vessels fitted
to destruction, and thereby ensures the execution of His purpose
upon them. He—
"Puts it into their hearts to fulfil His will until His predictions shall
be fulfilled" (Rev. 17:17).
The work of judgment has to be executed by the Seven-Horned
Lamb and his companions, after they have said Hallelu Yah the first
time, and before they say it the "second time."
The mission of the Third Angel (Rev. 14:9) has to be discharged
between the first and second Hallelu YAH. The Third Angel
executes his vengeance upon the Harlot's survivors and sympathizers (14:9-11; 16:20-21; 17:14), the smoke of whose torment—
"Ascends unto the aeons of the aeons" (14:11; 19:3).
—until the worshipers and sympathizers of the Beast, and the
Governments of Europe, are completely and thoroughly subdued,
and their kingdoms have become the Kingdom of YAH and of his
Anointed Bride (Rev. 11:15).
It will be remembered that in Rv. 18:20 there is an exhortation:
"Rejoice over her, Ο heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets, for
the Deity hath punished your condemnation by her."
This exhortation is responded to by the "much people in the
heaven." They are the "heaven" that rejoices, and gives utterance
with a "great voice" to the Hallelu YAH for the first time.
They did not raise the great Hallelu YAH voice when they first
established the throne on Mt. Zion. Their great enemy, the Roman
Babylon, is then unbroken. They had first to destroy her before they
could praise YAH, and ascribe to him the glory, honor, and power of
her desolation.
And being destroyed, is there not great fitness in the celebration
of the event in the Capital of the Great King? When Napoleon the
Great fell from his high estate, all the capitals of the kings he had
dethroned celebrated his catastrophe with joy. So also in
Washington and other principal cities on the fall of Richmond and
the Confederacy. How much greater will the rejoicing be in the
Capital of the New Government when they, who in the days of their
flesh were cruelly tormented and slain by the Roman Power, are
able to say— tf She is no more, and shall be found no more at all!"
They will acknowledge that the judgments of YAH are true and
righteous: and Himself entitled to the loftiest praise. The
celebration will be grand, and will be the earnest of the "second"
one not far remote.
1973 Berean 164
But before they can apocalyptically say Hallelu YAH a "second"
time, all those things must be accomplished which are represented
in Rev. 19:11-21. The Four-and-Twenty Elders and the Four Living
Ones (the representatives of the Saints before the throne) will
THEN be able to say the Hallelu YAH a second time, and to append
to it the final "Amen!" for it is written (19:4)—
'They fell down, and did homage to the Deity that sits on the
Throne, saying, AMEN: Hallelu YAH!"
This verse is synchronical with Rev. 5:14, which points to the time
when "EVERY creature shall say" (in deed and in truth)—
"Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power be to Him that sitteth
upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for the aeons of the aeons."
To which the Four Living Ones respond, "Amen!" When this
"Amen" is pronounced by them, the "war of the Great Day of the
All-powerful Deity" will be ended. The judgment given to the
Saints will have been fully executed. The "It is done" of the Seventh
Vial will have been attained.
There will no longer be any Eighth Head and Ten Horns. The
False Prophet will have disappeared in the Fiery Lake. The Dragon
will have been chained in the abyss. And no dominions will be left to
dispute the sovereignty of the King of kings, from the Euphrates to
the ends of the earth—
"ALL nations shall serve him, and call him blessed*' (Ps. 72:11,17).
All this is apocalyptically implied in the "Amen" of the Four-andTwenty Elders and the Four Living Ones. They will conjoin with it
the Hallelu YAH in its second-time utterance, because all these vast
and glorious results are referable only to Him Who—
"Made the heavens, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of
waters" (Rev. 14:7; Zech. 4:6).
But to the Hallelu YAH of Rev. 19:6, the voice of the great
multitude, and the voice of the many waters, and the voice of the
mighty thunderings, do NOT prefix "Amen." Theirs is the utterance
of the Hallelu YAH of the first time. There are no "thunders"
connected with the "AMEN hallelu YAH," for all that succeeds
THIS celebration is—
"Glory to the Deity in the highest heaven, over the earth peace and
goodwill to men."
The Hallelu YAH of the first time not only celebrates the ruin of
the Great Harlot, and the prevailing of the Omnipotent, but gives
the reason why they (the "heaven, and the holy apostles and
prophets" slain by her) are able to respond to the exhortation to
197 B ea
"Rejoice over her." They say (Rev. 19:7-8)—
s e^ " 165
"We can rejoice and exult, and we have given the glory to Him:
"For the marriage of the Lamb hath come, and his Betrothed hath
made herself ready. And to her it hath been given that she may have
been clothed with fine linen pure and resplendent;
"For the fine linen is the righteous actions of the Saints."
All this had been done in Teman, and BEFORE the Bride had
been established upon Mt. Zion. It is true that the English Version
reads differently. It renders the verbs "rejoice" and "exult" and
"give" as imperatives instead of subjunctives; and "came" as a
present instead of a past tense; and "beclothed" as a clothing TO
BE effected, that "she should be arrayed."
But all this is incorrect, and anachronistic. The Betrothed HAD
made herself ready by deeds of righteousness, on account of which
she had been married or united to the Lamb in being invested with
the clothing of incorruption. This enabled her constituents—"the
heaven, and the holy apostles and prophets"—to rejoice and exult.
And they needed not to be exhorted to "give honor" to YAH, for, as
they say—
«We HAVE given the g\ory t0 Him."
Their investment with the fine linen of incorruption, as the reward
according to their pure and resplendent works, was preliminary to
judgment being given them for execution upon the Great Harlot and
the Ten-Horned Scarlet Beast that carried her. They had been
clothed, and had thereby been made invincible.
But it was not until the occasion of the first Hallelu YAH
celebration, commemorating the destruction of the Great Harlot,
that the prowess of the omnipotent YAH, in concert with his
previously prepared Bride, was celebrated by the—
"Much people in the heaven.**
The first Hallelu YAH will be a great festival. John was commanded to write, and to say (Rev. 19:9)—
"Blessed are they who have been called—or invited—to the feast of
the marriage of the Lamb."
There will be two classes that will be blessed. The first will consist
of those who, having believed the Gospel of the Kingdom, been
immersed, and thenceforth continued patiently in well-doing till
death, have been restored to life, and subsequently—on account of
the purity and brightness of their character in Christ— been clothed
upon with the fine linen of incorruption.
And the second class will consist of the "many waters," or
peoples, who may have already become joined to YAH as the
subjects of his dominion. These, then, blessed in Abraham and his
Seed, partake of the—
1973 Berean 166
"Feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of
marrow, of wines on the lees well refined, made by YAHWEH Tz*vaoth in Mount Zion** (Isa. 25:6).
The destruction of the great harlot corrupter of the earth will
prepare many people for the reception of the light. The veil spread
over them will be removed, and they will be able to—
"Buy wine and milk without money and without price'* (Isa. 55:1).
Thus a new world will be in process of development, the
"heavens" of which will be the blessed brethren of the Lord Jesus;
and the "earth" thereof, the "many waters" of their dominion—the
voice of each ascending in praise of YAHWEH Elohim, the Allpowerful, because He hath prevailed (Rev. 19:6).
"And he said to me, These a re the true words of the Deity.''
—these words (19:9) delivered to John by the angel, at whose feet he
prostrated himself to do him homage. But the angel, or bearer of the
words, forbade the reverence, and said (v. 10)—
"I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the
testimony of Jesus. Do homage to the Deity, for the testimony of
Jesus is the spirit of the prophecy'*
These words are parallel with 22:7-10, and refer to the time of the
fulfilment of the promise—
"Behold I come suddenly," or "as a thief."
John and the Angel in the scene personate the Brethren of Christ.
They were the fellow-servants, brethren, and prophets, who keep
the sayings of the apocalyptic prophecy—who keep IN MEMORY
the sayings, and who "keep them" in the sense of executing the
judgments of the 7th Vial.
The angel's refusal of John's adoration was a direct rebuke to
those professors who, in the days of the apostles, were beguiling
themselves and others of their reward, in a voluntary humility and
worshiping of angels (Col. 2:18)—a rebuke which would make the
Apocalypse itself quite distasteful to them.
The angel's declaration in the scene indicated that the class he
represented was restored to life, for he says he was of them. John
and he meet in "the time of the dead," and see and hear the things of
the prophecy in their fulfilment, which they were before acquainted
with only in vision when the Apocalypse was communicated in
Patmos.
John had not yet attained to the angelic nature. If he had, he would
not have dramatically prostrated himself before the angel to do him
reverence. All who are "equal to the angels" fall down before the
throne, and do homage only to the Deity, after the example of their
representatives, the 24 Elders and the 4 Living Ones in chs. 4 & 5,
and in 11:16-17, of this wonderful book.
EARTH'S GROWING BILLIONS. At birth of Christ, about 250 million
people on earth. 1850 yrs. later, reached 1 billion. It took just 80 more yrs.
(1930) for 2nd billion; just 30 more yrs. (1960) for 3rd billion; expect to reach
4th billion 15 yrs. after that (1975).
Europe grows less than 1 pet. per yr.; US just over 1 pet.; Asia 2.3 pet.;
Africa 2.6 pet.; S. America 2.9 pet. By 2000, Africa, Asia & S. America will
have 81 pet. of world population—facing widespread famine, violence &
upheaval. (USN 3:12)
NOTE: All signs focus on the present as the climax of human history.
Obviously, with world population exploding as it is, a point of utter universal
vatastrophe looms very very near unless God steps in—as He will, & has said
He Will.
1973 Berean
167
What Is Your Life?
"Lord, so teach us to number our days, that we may apply
our hearts unto wisdom"—Psalm 90:12
BY BROTHER ROBERT ROBERTS
SOMETIMES what we read—sometimes what we sing—furnishes
the starting point of our meditations. This time it is both. We have
sung of the ephemerality of our present life; we have read some
cheering things touching another life and of the conditions that lead
to emancipation from one to the other.
Let us grapple with both ideas for a few minutes. They need
grappling with; we cannot otherwise grasp them to any practical
purpose. Who estimates the vanity of human life as it ought to be
estimated? Their number is very few. The appearance of things is
against such an estimate.
Things appear in the gross as if they were always the same. You
go out into the streets and there are always babies and school
children, and young men, and middle-aged men and old men. From
year to year the picture is the same. There is no apparent change.
Things appear fixed and stable, and people in general give in to the
power of this appearance, and unconsciously form their purposes on
this tacit but not-to-be confessed assumption.
It is well to take time occasionally to look behind this assumption
and see its utter fallacy. Though the picture of human life is always
the same in the mass, take it in the detail and you find a very different state of things. If you have it in your power, go to a place
where you have not been for 20 years. Consider the people you were
acquainted with before you left.
Where are the babies you knew? Nowhere. Some of them are in
their graves; the rest are bustling young men and women. Where
are the young men and women you knew? You cannot find them.
You may find sober middle-aged people on whom time is making its
mark, and who show little of the blithesomeness of youth. Where are
the middle-aged men? They are dead or old. Where are the old men
that interested you and were interested in you in your boyhood or
girlhood? They are gone. The grass grows on their graves.
The picture saddens, perhaps, but instructs. What has happened
to our acquaintance is happening to us all. We are all—young and
old, wise and foolish, rich and poor—in one procession, one long
ceaseless procession to the grave.
We know it in ourselves and in the friends of our bosom. As time
goes on we change—slowly, but surely. The light of the eye gets
more subdued; incipient wrinkles show themselves in the corners of
the countenance; the curve and plumpness of beauty give way to the
angularity and attenuation of decay. Gray hairs show here and
there.
1973 Berean
168
Follow the process long enough, and it has but one end in the
natural order. The flame of the lamp burns low in its socket till,
after a few unsteady twinkles, it goes out. The night comes when no
man can work. The mourners go about the street.
It is no mawkishness that conjures such a picture. It is good sense.
It is wisdom. Folly only ignores the dreadful inevitable to which all
human life is at present subject. It drinks and forgets its sorrow. It
revels and shouts, and sinks deeper in the miserable mire. Rather
let ours be the man of God's prayer (Ps. 90:12)—
"So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom"
Rather let us obey the exhortation which speaks to us as to
Children— " £ e d e e m tne time because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:16).
"Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear" (1 PL 1:17).
The exhortation is seated in wisdom. The days ARE evil. Nothing
we can do can alter this fact. We may embellish the evil days and
make them more comfortable, but we cannot eradicate the constitutional evil in all human matters which leads every man at last
to endorse Solomon's verdict— ,<T7 .
.
. . . „
Vanity and veXation of spirit
Of course, if there were nothing else within reach, it would be
unwisdom in the highest degree to trouble ourselves. To make the
best of our evil days with as light a heart as possible would be the
most commendable course, though with our best endeavors, the
attempt to realize good in evil must be failure. "Let us eat and drink
for tomorrow we die," would at least then be a natural motto.
But this is NOT the state of the case! What means our meeting this
morning? What mean these emblems on the table? There is a streak
of light and hope in human history. We have another relative
besides Adam. We have a redeeming as well as an enslaving kinsman. Our glorious Creator, as our reading informs us (1 Pt. 1:3)—
"Hath begotten us again unto a lively Hope by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Pt 1:3).
And this, we are told, i s - «According
to His abundant mercy."
Let us take comfort from this intimation. We all know what mercy
is. It is the exhibition of kindness where it is not deserved. We all
appreciate it keenly when it is shown towards ourselves, however
we may at any time fail to conceive it towards others.
It is not only mercy we have to contemplate in the case before us;
it is "ABUNDANT mercy"—mercy that abounds; mercy that is
large and liberal and overflowing. It is what Paul elsewhere
describes as—
"The exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us
through Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:7).
1973 Berean 169
It is something to open our souls to—to rejoice in; to take comfort
from. The goodness of God is an inexhaustible fountain of con-
solation. It is manifest in many ways, but in nothing so much as in
the fact that He hath- ..Begotten us again unt0 a HveIy H o P e."
It was "while we were yet sinners" that this arrangement was
made. As yet, the arrangement is only a matter of apprehension by
faith. When the thing itself comes, we shall realize how much cause
there is for the song which ascribes ublessing and honor and glory
and thanksgiving'' to the Creator of all things and the Savior by
Christ Jesus.
Meanwhile, we take from it all that finite, fainting human faculty
can draw. It contains provision for all our need—healing for all our
woes. Are we weak and imperfect, with souls cleaving to the dust?
We shall attain to power of nature and knowledge and spiritual
affinity akin with the angels.
Do we groan within ourselves, joining in Paul's lamentation—
"O, wretched man that I ami" (Rom. 7:24).
We shall be delivered from this bondage of corruption, and exchange the spirit of earth-tending heaviness for the gladsome
garment of praise in that emancipation from the mortal which is the
highest promise and the strongest desire.
Are we harassed and overborne with the difficulties and the
complications and the vexations incident to the present form of
human life on earth? There is peace and rest and tranquility and joy
in store when Christ comes to take his brethren to his bosom,
overshadowing them with his love and harboring them in his
Father's House—the glorious Kingdom of the Age to Come.
Are we poor and despised and of no account among men? The day
comes when the saints will realize in their exaltation the promise of
the Spirit by Isaiah—
"Ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles and in their glory shall ye
boast yourselves" (Is. 61:6).
Are we lonely and famished of spirit for want of the society of
intelligence and nobility and worth? The day of the manifestation of
the sons of God will introduce us to a multitude that no man can
number of the choicest of mankind, made perfect in their
glorification; men of clear eye, and quick intelligent interest and
strong faith and devout adoration of God; men whom Jehovah
Himself styles "My jewels" (Mai. 3:17). Such society will be a
perpetual fountain of living waters, in which we shall bathe and
disport ourselves with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 73 Berean 170
There is no good thing to be conceived or desired but what is
contained in the hope laid up for us in heaven, with Christ who will
bring it unto us at his glorious revelation. (1 Pet. 1:13).
With such a "joy set before us," does it not become easy, when we
realize it, to endure the evil of present experience, and to submit to
the deprivation connected with the profession of our Hope? There is
but one answer. It would be madness to turn aside. There is but one
wise course, and that is to take Paul's advice (Heb. 10:35)—
"Cast not away your confidence which hath great recompense of reward."
Just one glimpse at another aspect of the question. For whom
awaits all this''glory to be revealed?" Is it for all? We have learned
the Truth on this point very clearly. Peter, whose letter we are
considering, put the matter plainly by question—
"If the righteous shall scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly
and sinner appear?" (1 Pet 4:18).
The apostles always speak of salvation contingently. There is
always an "if." The "if" is not put obscurely—
"IF ye do THESE things. ." (2 Pet. 1:10).
—things specified. There are "things" which have to be done and
attained, the doing of which constitutes the doers "obedient
children" and heirs of the good things promised.
There are many such "things." We shall look at one of them
strongly presented in this morning's reading: the reciprocal duties
of husbands and wives. The Truth comes into our houses and tells us
how we ought to behave there. It has to do not only with the nature of
man and the purpose of God, but with the way husbands and wives
carry themselves towards each other.
This has a practical interest for us all. We are most of us husbands
and wives here this morning. Let us note what Peter has to say to us
on the subject. (1 Pet. 3:1-7). The wives are to be in subjection to
their own husbands and are to exhibit a "chaste conversation (or
behavior) coupled with fear" in illustration of the power of the Word
over them. This is the opposite of the brazen-faced self-assertion
which finds favor in some quarters in our day.
They are to commend themselves to their husbands by their attire, but not their EXTERNAL attire. They are not to aim at effect
in this department. "Whose adorning," says Peter—
"Let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of
wearing of gold or of putting on of apparel."
This is a very cheap kind of ornamentation. Only poor-minded
women would aim at distinction by its employment. Daughters of
Sarah can afford to #llow the other daughters to have a monopoly of
finery. It can be purchased at so much a yard! Not so with the
adorning that Peter recommends—
"Let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the
sight of God of great price."
1973 Berean 171
Wise and worthy women can afford to act on this exhortation.
Woman is attractive enough in herself to make her independent of
trinkets and ribbons. Not that she is to go to the other extreme and
be prudish and unsightly; there is a medium in all these things
which good sense easily finds. Women of worth will be found on the
medium line. The gew-gaws will certainly be left to the fools.
It is the same among men. Where do you find dressiness, dandyism, foppery? ALWAYS among the empty-heads—NEVER
among the wise and righteous. In fact, it is almost a safe rule of
calculation that in proportion to the amount of adornment outside is
the want of adornment inside. Wives are to be modest, and discreet,
and sober of character and attire.
Then the husbands have their part. They are to ''dwell with the
wives according to knowledge''—not according to ignorance; not
according to unwisdom. A husband of the apostolic type is governed
by intelligence in his ways. A wise man is a beauty anywhere, but
especially by the side of a good wife. How is he to behave to her?
There is something on this point. He is to—
"Give honor unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel, and as being
heirs together of the grace of life.'*
There is a good deal implied in this. The wife is told to be subject
to her husband; but the husband is not told to lecture her on her duty
to be subject. He is told to "give honor" to her. This is the opposite of
telling her she is subject. To tell her of her subjection is to cast
dishonor upon her. To treat her as a subject is to make her a slave
and not a co-heir of life eternal. Let a man do HIS part, and a woman
is very likely to do hers. Where is the woman that would not find it
easy to be subject to a man who honored her, who—
"Nourished and cherished her, even as the Lord the Church" (Eph. 5:29).
There may be women who even in such a case would be insubordinate and untractable; but they would be out of the common
run. If a man, however, loves, nourishes and cherishes his wife, he
will not be under much temptation to lay down the law to her on the
subject of her subjection. In fact, he could not do such a thing, for
such a course would be inconsistent with the honor he gives her.
If each side would preach and concern themselves with their OWN
duty, each would find their own part easier. It is not for a husband to
say to a wife, "It is your duty to obey me." It is not for a wife to say
to a husband, "It is your duty to honor me." This mode of going to
work would frustrate instead of forwarding the end in view. A wife is
not likely to be the more obedient for being told it is her duty, but the
reverse; a husband's love is not likely to grow for being ordered.
Rather let the wife say, "It is my duty to obey you"; and let the
husband say, "It is my duty to honor you." Such an attitude, taken
sincerely and naturally on each side, and carried out in a practical
way, would be a powerful mutual help. The other way is a mutual
hindrance and destruction. The right way is the attitude divinely
enjoined, and it is the attitude taken by the children of God.
1973 Berean
172
Those who act otherwise are not ''obedient children/' A man
knowing the Gospel and able to TALK of it, but acting the part of a
tyrant at home, is no brother of Christ, however he may pass
current among men. He is what Paul calls a ''sounding brass and a
tinkling cymbal." So a woman having understanding of the ways of
God, but acting an insubordinate, unloving part in private, is no
member of the sisterhood of Christ, however distinctly and
decidedly she may be recognized as "a sister" among professors of
the Truth. These things concern the spirit of Christ, and—
"If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is NONE OF HIS,"
It wants just one other element thrown in to complete the picture of
the conjugal relation as scripturally defined: an element APPARENTLY incompatible with the mutual concern just considered,
yet not at all so. It is the element of a certain sort of mutual uncarefulness, referred to by Paul when he says—
"But this I say, brethren: the time is short. It remaineth that they
that have wives be as though they had none*' (1 Cor. 7:29).
—alluded to also by Jesus when he says (Lk. 14:26)—
"If any man come unto me and hate not. . . his wife and children,
brethren, sisters; yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple."
It seems at first sight impossible to reconcile this with the love
that a man is enjoined to bestow on wife and children. It is one of
those sayings that is apt to make a man feel as certain disciples felt
who left Christ, saying of another matter—
"This is an hard saying; who can hear it?"
Persistent dwelling on the Word will open this as well as other
dark matters. The allusion to a man's "own life" shows the sense of
Christ's words. A man is not to value any human thing on a level
with the things appertaining to Christ. The things that are seen are
all temporal—short-lived and inferior; the things of Christ, not yet
seen, are all eternal and lofty and glorious.
Christ asks us to hate the one by comparison with the other. He
asks us to put him first—before wife and child and life. This is
reasonable. The family relation is ephemeral—an adaptation to the
needs of a transitory phase of the world's history. Enlightened
husbands and wives will recognize this, and while loving each other
as is meet, they will each give to Christ the higher place.
"Finally," says Peter, going outside of the domestic circle (3:8-9)—
"Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another. Love as
brethren; be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or
railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing."
The sons of God answer to this character. Unity, compassion, love
prevail among them—even now. Where contrary conditions exist, it
is because of the presence of a foreign element.
1973 Berean 173
There will be no foreign element in the perfected Body of Christ.
The mustered family will be perfect and entire, lacking nothing. A
powerful mutual affection, on the basis of mutual and unblemished
excellence, and nurtured by the unfailing strength of the spiritual
and immortal nature, will provide a chief and glorious feature in the
feast of good things to come that waits the accepted brethren of the
Lord Jesus.
What We Must Do to Be Saved
"But wilt thou know, Ο vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Ye see then how that by works α man is justified, and
not by faith only"—James 2:20-24
REGARDLESS of what we accomplish in this life, the one allimportant matter that we must all see to is our eternal salvation. If
we fail to obtain that, all is lost.
So naturally we would ask the question, "What must we do to be
saved?"—if it were not the fact that the question is made to seem
unnecessary. Easy formulas and short cuts to salvation are offered
to us by many, which would seem to make it unnecessary to seek out
the "strait and narrow way to life" of which Jesus speaks so
solemnly and urgently.
But such "easy" assistance, instead of helping us to find the way
of life, tends rather to keep us from doing so, and may in the end
cheat us out of life itself. Those who earnestly seek salvation must
turn to the Holy Scriptures which alone are "able to make them wise
unto salvation" (2 Tm. 3:15), and pray for God's guidance to find it.
When considering the question, "What must we do to be saved,"
we think of the words of the angel Gabriel to Mary concerning her
son who was to be born, the Son of God and Savior of mankind—
"Thou shalt call his name Jesus ("Savior"), for he shall save his
people from their sins'* (Mt. 1:21).
This is a fact we should keep clearly before us: that SALVATION
IS THROUGH JESUS ALONE. Peter said of him (Acts 4:12)—
"Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other
name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved"
This being established, the next question that comes to mind is,
"How do we obtain that salvation which is to be had through
Jesus?" The Apostle Paul said—
"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved" (Rom. 10:9).
1973 Berean 174
We might compare this statement with one regardling fire safety.
If one were to say, "You can be saved from a burning building by
pulling the fire alarm," you would take for granted that the person
who did it would also follow the instructions of the fire company
when it came: but if he refused to do so, then pulling the fire alarm
would in no way save him. Likewise when we call upon Jesus, we
must also OBEY him to saved by him. Jesus said—
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
Kingdom of heaven; but he that DOETH THE WILL of my Father
which is in heaven" (ML 7:21).
Jesus said concerning the salvation of people in his Kingdom—
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy Name? And in they Name have cast out devils? And
in thy Name done many wonderful works?
"And then will I prof ess unto them, I never knew you. Depart from
me ye that work iniquity*' (Mt. 7:22-23).
The question arises: Why is this so? If Jesus is our Savior, if he
died on our behalf, if salvation is by the grace of God, then what
need is there of works on our part? Did not Paul say—
"By grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8).
Yet Jesus said plainly (after 3 chapters of detailed instructions)
that a man who did not OBEY HIS WORDS would be like a man who
built his house on the sand (Mt. 7:24-27). We cannot disagree with
Jesus to agree with Paul. Rather we must find a way of understanding both in harmony. First let us consider a parable of
Jesus which will illustrate the matter. It is in John's Gospel—
"I am the True Vine, and my Father is the Husbandman. Every
branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away. And every
branch that beareth fruit He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more
fruit.
"Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
"lam 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.
"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is
withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they
are burned" (Jn. 15:1-6).
That illustration shows us the way to harmonize the words of
Jesus and Paul. It teaches us that first of all we must come to Jesus
for salvation. We cannot save ourselves. Then—after we have come
to him, put on his Name, and become part of him—our works are
counted for righteousness, having been done through his help and in
his Name. Note that branches that bear no fruit are "taken away"—
cut off the Vine. Paul told the Galatians—
"Be not deceived: God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also 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" (Gal. 6:7-8).
1973 Berean 175
It is surely quite obvious here that by "sowing" Paul referred to
the deeds performed, and that good deeds are essential for
salvation—and not just good deeds done once in a while, but rather a
WAY OF LIFE composed of good deeds.
Truly, aside from Christ, works could not save us. But IN Christ
(like the branch on the vine), our works, if righteous, are credited to
us as bearing fruit.
We cannot take for granted that once we have put on Christ, once
we have become part of the Vine, then our works will automatically
conform to his way. Instead, we are constantly exhorted and instructed to make them conform by continuing to walk in the way of
life. Paul spoke (and note it was said to baptized believers) of the
way to salvation as opposed to the way to death (Rom. 8:13)—
"If ye live after the flesh, YE SHALL DIE. But if ye through the
Spirit do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the body, ye shall live"
This statement in Romans helps to clarify the other statement in
Romans regarding belief and confession of Christ, showing that
salvation depends upon living after the Spirit, that is, the Word of
God. THIS is truly "confessing Christ." Paul said also that God will
render to every man according to his deeds. We find this by turning
back to Romans 2—
"Thinketh thou this, Ο man, thatjudgeth them which do such things
(see ch. 1), and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment
of God . Who will render to every man ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.
"To them who by patient continuance in WELL DOING seek for
glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.
"But unto them that are contentious and do not obey the Truth, but
obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and
anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and
also of the Gentile" (Rom. 2:3-9).
If instantaneous salvation were guaranteed on confession of
Jesus' Name, there would be no need of "patient continuance in well
doing." And Christ's words regarding the rich would not apply—
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a
rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God" (Mt. 19:24).
73 Berean 176
And we could safely forget about his warning that—
"Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the
Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of
heaven (Mt 5:20).
It ought to be noted here that it is not impossible for those who at
first accept Christ to turn away from him. Rather we are frequently
warned of this very real danger, as when Jesus said—
"The love of many (RV: the many) shall wax cold, but he that shall
endure UNTO THE END, the same shall be saved" (Mt. 24:12-13).
Even when Jesus was on earth, many followed for a while and
then turned away. His parable of the sower illustrates the fact that it
is possible to endure for a while, and then fall away (Mt. 13:20-21)—
"He that received the seed into stony places is he that heareth the
Word and with joy receiveth it. Yet hath he not root in himself, but
endureth for a while."
Paul warned some (baptized believers) in Philippi about their
walk, writing them and weeping because some were headed for
destruction—
"For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you
even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose
end is destruction" (Phil 3:18).
He wrote to the Corinthians about wickedness among them—
"Ye do wrong. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit
the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves
with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9-10).
And to the Ephesians he wrote in strong exhortation (5:5-6)—
"No whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man who is an
idolator, hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.
"LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU WITH VAIN WORDS, for because
of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of
disobedience."
These scriptural passages (and they could be multiplied manyfold) inform us in trumpet tones that regardless of how much
"faith" we have, and how much we have "loved and confessed
Jesus," we cannot be saved without righteous living. We must show
our faith by our works (Jm. 2:18). James is most specific that faith
without works is dead, being alone, and cannot save us without
works. He said—
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" (2:17).
He goes on to point out that the men of faith were saved BY
WORKS: that is works which manifested their faith—
"But wilt thou fenow, Ο vain man, that faith without works is dead?
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had
OFFERED ISAAC HIS SON UPON THE ALTAR?
"Seest thou how faith wrought (worked) with his worfes, and by
works was faith made perfect? Ye see then how that by WORKS a
man is justified and not by faith ONLY" (Jam. 2:20-24).
Paul listed Faith, Hope, and Charity as the 3 greatest principles of
the Christian faith, and he singled out Charity as the greatest, which
shows us that more than Faith is needed. He said—
"Though I have ALL Faith, so that I could remove mountains, and
have not Charity (Love), I am NOTHING" (1 Cor. 13:2).
And what did he mean by "Charity"? Did he refer to an instantaneous belief, love, and confession of Jesus—or did he refer to
WORKS of love? What he meant comes out clearly as we read along"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity
vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up" (1 Cor. 13:4).
1973 Berean 177
So we see that rather than being saved by a momentary con-
fession of Christ, we must have a Charity consisting of not only love
for Christ but love for others, together with all other principles of
righteousness.
Let us remember that when Jesus gave an illustration by parable
of what the grounds for rejection or acceptance would be, he not
only insisted that we must do good deeds toward him, but added:
"Inasmuch as ye did it (or did it not) unto one of the least of these
my brethren, ye did it unto me" (Mt. 25:40-45).
This seems a far cry from walking up and accepting Jesus as
one's "personal Savior" at a revival, and being instantly "saved."
We have already noted that "Charity suffereth LONG," that
"patient CONTINUANCE in well doing" leads to eternal life; so let
us consider the scriptural testimony that any failure in this line may
prove fatal to our hopes of salvation. Paul said of himself—
"I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by
any means—when I have preached to others—I myself should be a
castaway" (1 Cor. 9:27).
Jesus warned his apostles to watch and pray lest they enter into
temptation, and he prayed for them that their strength would not
fail. He exhorted his followers to watch, and not to relax their guard
for a moment lest they should be caught off guard at his return—
t{
Watchye therefore, and pray ALWAYS, thatye may be accounted
WORTHY to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to
stand before the Son of man" (Lk. 21:36).
Peter states (1 Pet. 4:18)—
"And if the righteous SCARCELY BE SAVED, where shall the
ungodly and the sinner appear?"
Here we might ask: What would be so hard about it if all that was
necessary was to "confess Jesus"? But when it is understood that
we must— <<WORKoutmr
salvation with fear and trembling" (Ph. 2:12).
—then the matter is revealed in its true and scriptural light.
John in vision was shown things that would be hereafter. Of that
vision he tells us in Rev. 20:12—
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God. And the
books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the Book
of Life.
"And the dead were judged out of those things which were written
in the books, according to their WORKS."
This will, of course, result in each individual saint being rewarded
differently one from another. Paul said (1 Cor. 15:41-42)—
"There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and
another glory of the stars, for one star differeth from another star in
glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead."
1973 Berean 178
This variation in reward according to works is further brought out
in the parable of the pounds, where one is placed over 10 cities,
another over 5, and another over NONE, but loses all he has—
showing that works will determine who will be saved at all, and the
extent of their reward.
Looking back on the lives of various biblical characters, we can
see how they were classified according to their works, good or bad.
Judas, for example, one of Christ's chosen 12 apostles, with all the
opportunities of the others, transgressed. He fell. Therefore he lost
all. Adam, when under test, failed. He sinned and lost his standing
before God. This principle can also be applied to the first king of
Israel who failed his opportunity because of sin. And Jeroboam the
son of Nebat, first king of the Ten Tribes, promised blessing by God
if he were obedient, was condemned because he sinned and made
Israel to sin by worshipping idols. Later Paul lamented the fact that
some of the believers in his day had fallen away, like once-faithful
Demas who had forsaken him, "having loved this present world."
But while the Scriptures classify men as good or bad in regard
to whether they hold fast or forsake the Way of Life, they do offer an
opportunity for repentance. The prophets long pleaded with Israel
to run from their sins, and promised that God would turn from His
wrath and have mercy on them.
In Eze. 18 we have a detailed explanation of God's way in dealing
with sinners, and with repenters (vs. 21-24)—
"But if the wicked will turn from all his sins which he hath committed, and keep all My statutes, and do that which is lawful and
right—he shall surely live, he shall not die.
"But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and
committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that
the wicked man doeth, shall he live?
"All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in
his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned—in them shall he die.'*
In case one may think that this, being in the Old Testament, does
not apply in our day, we refer again to the New Testament where
one can read Jesus' own warning of the dangers that lay ahead for
his disciples, and then his words (Mt. 10:22)—
"And ye shall be hated of all men for my Name's sake, but he that
ENDURETH TO THE END shall be saved."
This was the rewarding feature of the faith of the worthies of old.
Although we read of some who failed after starting out well, it is also
recorded that others remained faithful through everything, in spite
of all trials. For example, we read of Abraham not staggering at the
promises of God because of unbelief (Rm. 4:20); of Moses not
fearing the wrath of the king (Heb. 11:27), etc.
1973 Berean 179
By this faithful adherence to God's ways they manifested by
works their faith in Him and in the One to come who would be their
Savior. Even though Jesus was not yet born in their day, the faithful
of old looked forward to the Christ, and believed in him.
Jesus in his prayer to God said (John 17:3)—
"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true
God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent"
He told the Jews (John 8:24)—
"If ye believe not that I am he (the Christ), ye shall die in your sins."
When he used the term "Christ," we must remember that at that
time people did not (as today) use the word as though it were Jesus'
surname, but rather as a title of office, like "King." The word
"Christ" is a Greek word meaning "anointed," and is the equivalent
of the Hebrew word "messiah" (masheeach). When the Israelites of
Christ's day used the word Messiah, or Christ, they used it in
reference to Israel's coming King who would reign in Jerusalem in
God's Name, and bring peace, prosperity and righteousness to all
the world.
The prophets of Israel spoke glowingly of their coming Messiah
who would sit on David's throne and rule the world in righteousness
after subduing all nations. The "Good News" or "Glad Tidings" of
this coming Kingdom was preached by Christ and the apostles as
the "Gospel." The apostles preached the Gospel before they knew
that Jesus was to die; they preached about the future Kingdom, or
the "Gospel of the Kingdom."
The Hope of entering the Kingdom and the Hope of salvation were
the same things to them, so when they preached the Gospel of the
Kingdom they were in fact preaching the way of salvation—
especially since belief of that Gospel was, and still is, required in
order to obtain that salvation.
Paul said he was not ashamed of the Gospel of God for it was the
"power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16). This Gospel, as we have
observed, is the "things concerning the Kingdom of God and the
Name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 8:12). Paul said—
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I
preached unto you, which also ye received, and wherein ye stand;
"By which also ye are saved, IF ye keep in memory what I
preached unto you, UNLESS ye have believed in vain" (1 Cr. 15:1-2).
Note the qualification regarding salvation. The Gospel saves—
UNLESS we have believed in vain, and IF we keep in memory what
Paul preached. This "keeping in memory" is an important requisite
for salvation. Paul brings this out perhaps even more strongly
Writing tO ColOSSe—
19
?3 Berean
"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind
by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh
through death, to present you HOLY and UNBLAMABLE and
UNREPROVABLE in his sight:
"IF ye continue in the Faith, grounded and settled, and be not
moved away from the hope of the Gospel which ye have heard.
"And which was preached to every creature which is under
heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister" (Col. 1:21-23).
180
If there were a short formula for salvation, one wonders why Paul
did not tell them about it, rather than placing so much stress on
lifelong holiness, and continuing in the Faith, and not being moved
away from the Hope of the Gospel.
This "Hope of the Gospel" was the "Hope of Israel" to which he
referred on several occasions. It involves his hope of resurrection to
immortality, to which he said he hoped to attain (Ph. 3:11; Acts
24:15). To enter into that Hope, one must enter into Jesus. We put on
his Name by baptism. Peter refers to baptism as something that
"saves" us (1 Pt. 3:21)—
"The like figure (Noah saved by water) whereunto even baptism
DOTH NOW SAVE US—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,
but the answer of a good conscience toward God—by the resurrection
of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 3:21).
To be saved we must, like Noah, enter the ark of safety—enter
into Christ in the only appointed way. And as Peter points out, this is
done by baptism. See also Gal. 3:27—
"As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
We are thus "saved by water," like Noah. Jesus told Nicodemus
he had to be born again. And he added, as the conversation
progressed—
"Except a man be born of water AND of the Spirit, he cannot enter
into the Kingdom of God" (Jn. 3:5).
Paul compares our baptism or burial in water to burial with
Christ. (The word "baptize" comes from a Greek word meaning to
dye by submerging in a liquid.) So Paul takes up the theme in Rm. 6,
and says we are "buried with him"—
"Therefore we are BURIED WITH HIM by baptism into death, that
like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of Life" (v.4).
This is called "baptism for the remission of sins." When we are
baptized into Christ, we are saved from our sins. There is no other
way to be washed from our sins. Ananias said to Paul—
"Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins" (Acts 22:16).
But we are still not saved in the ultimate sense until we are also
"born of the Spirit" as Jesus told Nicodemus we must be. For—
"Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God; neither doth
corruption inherit incorruption" (1 Cor. 15:50).
This change is to take place "in a moment," after Christ returns,
raises the dead, and judges them. Then, in Paul's words, we shall be:
"Changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trump" (1 Cor. 15:52).
1973 B e r e a n
181
First, however, we must (Heb. 1 2 : 1 ) "Run with patience the race that is set before us."
Then those who, in Jesus' words, are "accounted worthy" will be
transformed into the Spirit-nature, and given dominion over the
nations (Rev. 2:26) to reign as kings and priests on the earth (Rev.
5:10), bringing—
''Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill
among men."
They will THEN be "saved," for Jesus says of them (Lk. 20:35-36)—
"But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world,
and the RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD, neither marry nor are
given in marriage; neither can they die any more:
"For they are equal unto the angels, and are the children of God,
being the children of the resurrection" (Lk. 20:35-36).
Let us conclude with the beautiful description of their condition
expressed in symbolic language in Rev. 7:13-17—
"And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, Who are these
which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they?
"And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.
"And he said to me, These are they which came out of great
tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb.
"Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day
and night in His Temple. And He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell
among them.
"They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall
the sun light on them, nor any heat.
"For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them,
and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters.
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
—D.S.
Forty—Period of Judgment
By BROTHER JOHN THOMAS
"According to the days of Israel's coming out of the land of
Egypt will I show unto him wonderful things91—Mic. 7:15·
The numeral adjective 40 is used so frequently, and in such
connection in the Scriptures, as to leave the student of "the Word
of the Kingdom" without a doubt of its significancy in relation to
the times appointed, bearing upon the events to be manifested in
the closing up of "the times of the Gentiles," and the restoration
of the Kingdom of God again to Israel.
In the following lines, then, I propose to cite the instances in
which it strikingly occurs that we may be able, if possible, to
extract the thing of which it is exhibited as the sign.
The Noahic deluge, whose incidents were so arranged as to be
convertible into a sign of things pertaining to Israel, was the result
of rain for 40 days and 40 nights (Gen. 7:4). Noah opened the
window of the Ark 40 days after the tops of the mountains were
seen above the waters (Gen. 8:16).
Moses was in Mt. Sinai in the presence of Jehovah's glory, 40
days and 40 nights (Exo. 24:18).
1973 Berean 182
When he came down the 2nd time from glory, where he had
been interceding for Israel, and bringing with him the new tables
of the Covenant, it was after an absence of 40 days and 40 nights.
On this occasion his face shone intensely with the glory of the
divine majesty he had been contemplating; so that the Israelites
could not behold it unveiled (Exod. 34:28).
The 12 representatives of the 12 Tribes of Israel were 40 days
among the 7 nations of Canaan spying out their affairs (Num.
13:25). These 40 days became a sign of the duration of the time
in which they should continue to bear their iniquities before
entering into the possession of the land under the victorious Jehoshua, the son of Nun. The time signified by the sign was 40
years—a day for a year (Num. 14:34).
The great giant-image, Goliath, defied the armies of Israel 40
days, until he was destroyed by the "little stone" out of the shepherd's purse of David (1 Sam. 17:16).
Elijah travelled towards Horeb during 40 days and 40 nights,
in the strength of one meal of bread and water (1 Kings 19:8).
Ezekiel lay on his right side 40 days as bearing the iniquity of
the House of Judah. This, with the 390 days he lay on the other
side for the Ten Tribes, was "a sign to the House of Israel," that
they should eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles during 430
years, from the destruction of Jerusalem by the King of Babylon.
Of this 430 years' national vassalage, 40 years were on account of
the transgressions of Judah, when the government of the whole
nation was in the hands of that tribe, under Solomon, from the
foundation of the temple to the revolt of the Ten Tribes from the
house of David, in the 4th year of Rehoboam's reign—a year for
each day of the sign (Eze. 4:3-13).
Jonah announced to the king and nobles of Nineveh, the capital
of the great Assyrian monarchy, that if they did not repent, their
city should be overthrown at the end of 40 days (Jonah 3:4).
Like Moses and Elijah, Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights in the
wilderness (Matt. 4:2). He was afterwards 42 months, or 1260
days preaching the gospel of the kingdom as Jehovah's "dove"
(Matt. 3:16) bearing the olive leaf to Israel (Acts 10:36). John the
Baptist preached the same gospel for the same length of time
before him, or 2520 days for both.
Forty days elapsed between the resurrection of Jesus and his
ascent from the Mount of Olives; during which interval he discoursed with his apostles concerning the things pertaining to the
kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).
The symbolical "Holy City," or "those that keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ," that is, the
saints, were to be trodden under foot of the Gentile governments
for 42 sign-months (Rev. 11:2). These papal powers were to practise their oppressions for 42 similar months (Rev. 13:5).
Such are the principal places where 40 occurs in connection with
days and months; let us see now what the Bible suggests in rela1973 B e r e a n
183
tion to the phrase—
FORTY YEARS
Between the first passover eaten in Egypt, and the entering into
Cannan under Joshua, the Hebrew nation ate manna 40 years in
the wilderness (Exod. 16:35).
Moses was 40 years old when he forsook the court of Egypt. He
remained in the land of Midian as a keeper of sheep 40 years
(Acts 7:28-30). After that he was king in Jeshurun 40 years, during which he showed the wonders of God in the wilderness.
"According to the days of Israel's coming out of the land of
Egypt, will I show to him wonderful things" (Mic. 7:15).
"In the wilderness of the people; where I will plead with
them face to face, like as I pleaded with their fathers in the
wilderness of the land of Egypt" (Eze. 20:35-36).
in bringing them into Gilead and Bashan to feed there as in the
days of old (Mic. 7:14).
The days of the coming out of Egypt were 40 years. This passage in Micah confers an interest and importance upon this 40
years, additional to what they naturally possess as the transition
period between the servitude in Egypt and the encamping in the
valley near Jericho, named the valley of Achor, under Joshua.
They are converted by the Spirit into a sign of a FUTURE
TRANSITION PERIOD OF 40 YEARS, at the expiration of
which the Twelve Tribes shall again encamp in the same valley,
preparatory to their taking possession of the rest of the Holy Land.
The papal countries throughout which the Israelites are scattered,
are collectively styled Egypt. The words of the Spirit are,
"The Great City, which is called spiritually, Sodom and Egypt,
where also our Lord was crucified" (Rev. 11:8).
Jesus was crucified in the Roman empire, which was constituted
the great municipality or city, by the decree of Caracalla.
The demoralized condition and fate of Sodom, and the relation
of Israel to ancient Egypt, being significative of the condition and
fate of Rome, and of the existing bondage and oppression of
Israel in the bounds of its ecclesiastical dominion, and of the
Egypt-like judgments that await the kings, priests, and peoples of
her communion during the period of Israel's deliverance—the
Roman system is most appropriately designated by the names of
those ancient sinks of iniquity and abomination.
The spiritually-named Sodom and Egypt is the existing place of
Israel's exile; and (from the crucifixion of their king to the death
of his witnesses) the arena of their conflicts with the Gentile powers, symbolized by the Beast with Seven Heads and Ten Crownedhorns.
It is from this Egypt of the West that Israel has to be brought
out in these "latter days," and to be transferred into the land
promised to Abraham and his seed for a perpetual inheritance.
How is it to be done? The answer to this question, not of difficult production, is not the subject of this article. What I want to
impress upon the reader's mind at this time is, that there IS a
coming out, or future exodus for Israel from the Egypt of the
West; and that there is a future entering into Palestine by the way
of the ancient Jericho; and that between the coming out and the
entering in, there is an INTERVAL OF FORTY YEARS.
1973 Berean
184
The "hour of judgment on Sodom and Egypt" belongs to this
period. It is the grand climacteric of Israel's years—the great
transition period in which they are passing out of evil into good,
exchanging blindness and degradation for divine intelligence, and
exaltation above all nations of the earth.
The 40 years in the wilderness of Egypt was typical of a future
40 years' sojourn in the ^wilderness of the peoples.19
It will begin under the 7th vial, and end with the exhaustion
thereof; when it will be proclaimed, "It is done!" The work of
engrafting Israel into her own Olive Tree, upon a principle of
faith in Jesus as their king, will have been perfected; a work
which only God can accomplish through the agency of Christ and
the saints. But, how shall Israel be induced to stand to arms, and
in the face of strong powers begin their march towards the appointed wilderness? Ah, saith Jehovah, addressing David's Son
and Lord,
"Thy people SHALL BE WILLING in the DAY OF THY
POWER" (Psa. 110:3).
"Behold, I will allure Israel, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. And I will give her her
vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of
hope; and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth and
as in the days when she came up out of Egypt" (Hos. 2:14-15).
This has never happened since Hosea recorded it in the oracles
of God; it therefore remains to be fulfilled.
The reader will perceive from these testimonies that the restoration of the Israelites scattered and buried in the nations is indirect.
When Moses led them out of ancient Egypt he did not march
them direct to Palestine; but led them by marches and countermarches through a waste howling wilderness, indirectly to that
glorious land.
So the Spirit testifies it shall be in the future exodus. They will
be allured from that Egypt into the wilderness; and marched from
the wilderness to the Valley of Achor, when, by divine discipline
and instruction, they shall be regarded fit.
This 40 years in the wilderness of the peoples will precede by
10 years, and of necessity be parallel with, the last "hour" or 30
years of the continuance of "the kingdom of men," which at their
expiration will lose all power to practise and make war.
The marvellous things to be shown to the Israelites will make
them mighty; so that "the nations" of that kingdom—
"Shall see and be confounded at all their might; and shall
lay their hand upon their mouth, and their ears shall be deaf,
and they shall lick the dust like a serpent.
"They shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth;
and they shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and shall fear
because of thee" (Mic. 7:16-17).
—for the Lamb shall overcome them (Rev. 17:14).
mmmm^^mmmmmmmm^m^mmmmmmmmmmm
1973 Berean
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Current Events Fulfilling Prophecy
i(
The heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness
in their hearts while they live"—Eccl. 9:3
is
ISRAEL AFTER 25 YRS. 4000 yrs. of Jewish history have passed since
God told Abraham, "Go forth from your country to the land I will show you.
And I will make of you a great nation." After centuries of wandering, the
people of the Covenant have returned to their Promised Land.
For Jews of world, founding of Israel was something of a miracle. So's fact
that nation of 3 million, surrounded by implacably opposed Arab states who
outnumber it 42 times, has not only survived 25 years of strife & war, but has
grown & prospered beyond its founders' wildest dreams.
Militarily, it has never been stronger, Economically, it has never been
more prosperous. Statistically, its achievements in past 25 yrs. are unparalleled in history. Israel, which had population of 650,000 in '48, now is
home to nearly 3 million of world's 14 million Jews. In addition, there are 1V2
million Arabs under its jurisdiction. Gross national product rising 9 pet. a yr.
($3 billion in '50; $28 billion in 72). Exports 48 times greater than in '49.
On May 14, '48, David Ben Gurion formally proclaimed State of Israel.
Next day, 6 Arab armies invaded new nation. Within wks. they were
defeated on every front. All but 160,000 of 750,000 Palestinian Arabs fled from
fighting to neighboring states.
Israel's military supremacy in Mideast has been in large measure ensured
by consistent support of US. But unswerving US support is something Israel
may not be able to count on in the new era of oil politics. The new people of
Israel, like the old, are quite prepared to face a hostile world all alone.
One factor that unites the generations is a profound conviction nation will
survive, no matter what. Survival is Jewish sacrament. Even secularminded compelled to regard Jewish survival thru millenniums of repeated
exodus & holocaust as one of history's miracles. Israel is that miracle's
latest & perhaps most remarkable incarnation. (Tm 4:30)
NOTE: "Where much is given, much is required." We, of all generations,
have been privileged to witness this tremendous event: rebirth of the dry
bones of Israel—jor 20 centuries prayed for & anticipated by all God's
people. "When ye see THESE things," said Jesus, "the Kingdom of God is
nigh" (Lk. 21:24-31).
DOLLAR LOSES MORE VALUE. Until very recently, only a "banana
republic" would devalue its money twice in 14 months, but last wk. US did
just that, cutting value of once almighty $ another 10 pet.
After 71 devaluation (to help trade balance), US trade deficit more than
doubled, to $6.8 billion last yr.
The dual $ devaluation has hastened creation of a turbulent new world of
money in which once fixed values of some currencies are bouncing up &
down like acrobats. Root cause of $ weakness is that ever since '50s, US has
been living beyond its means.
World now lacks any coherent monetary system. Old system of fixed
values tied to $ that was tied to gold was destroyed by 71 $ devaluation, Since
then, devaluations, revaluations & floats coming with dizzying rapidity.
World sorely needs agreed rules so there won't always be series of
wrenching crises. Monetary chaos would strangle international movement of
money, people and goods. (Tm 2:26)
1973 Berean 186
NOTE; US, as a nation, is like a lustful, greedy, improvident individual,
living in luxury & running up enormous debts. All seek pleasure & indulgence beyond their means, & there is not the national will to exercise selfcontrol & self-discipline. This blind folly must surely be of God, to punish
them for wickedness, & weaken them that Russia may prevail.
JEWS & JESUS. Relations between many US Christians & Jews have
progressed over past decade to joint social witness & scholarly
collaboration. Encouraged by Vatican II & World Council of Churches,
Christian scholars have arrived at a new "theology of Judaism" that places
Jews off limits to Christian proselyters, on theory that promises made by
God to Israel constitute an eternally valid covenant that, for Jews, was not
abrogated by the "second covenant" established thru Jesus.
Evangelical Christians, however, still insist there's only one way to reach
God—a solid belief in Jesus & his teachings. "They're saying we're rejected
& need salvation," says a rabbi, "I'm insulted by that presumption."
A Jewish delegation has approached Billy Graham concerning proselyting
Jews. Last wk. he acknowledged he was "giving a lot of thought" to what the
special relationship between God & Israel might imply for evangelists who
want to proselyte Jews. He plans to go before a Jewish audience with a fuller
statement on Judaism. "The fact that in God's providence 16 million Jews
survive as Jews, despite scattering, is very mysterious to me," he said.
The strain between tolerance & evangelism has always been a problem in
Christianity, & the "Key 73" proselyting crusade has brought it back into
prominence, with all its dangers & sensitivities. (Nwk 3:19)
NOTE: This is pitiful confusion, & a destroying of the power of the Gospel
for the sake of "ecumenism." The Gospel of Christ as the only possible Way
of Life was first preached to the Jews, & is the fulfilment of all the promises
of the Old Testament. And they were warned that if they rejected it they
were cutting themselves off from salvation. This is the whole message of the
New Testament, over & over—how then can so-called "Christians"
blasphemously rewrite it to give the Jews salvation while rejecting God's
Son, the very Savior He sent them to lead them to life? What confusion! The
TRUTH that no Jew can attain to salvation without accepting & obeying
Christ is crystal-clear from Paul's inspired words TO JEWS in Acts 13:26-46.
See also Jn. 8:24; Acts 2:36-40; 3:19-26; 28:17-28.
US-EUROPE ALLIANCE IN TROUBLE. On both sides of Atlantic, future
of US's partnership with Europe being questioned as never before. Mutual
suspicions & recriminations all too apparent. US faces tough, bitter fight on
economic, monetary & military matters—as result of startling change in
attitude that has swept Europe in recent years.
In '48, when Alliance was formed, Europe openly feared Russian
aggression. Russian troops occupied practically all E. Europe.
Czechoslovakia had just fallen to Reds.
West Europe no longer feels menaced by Russia. Accommodation with
Russia, not readiness for war, preoccupies political leaders. Russian
domination of W. Europe, with its vast industrial resources, would shift
global balance of power disastrously against US.
US-Europe partnership entering difficult period. Both sides see real
danger that 73 could mark start of disastrous unraveling of Atlantic
Alliance. Anti-USism—with fresh & ominous twist—on rise in Germany, long
considered one of US's closest allies.
Latest anti-US outbursts come from "Jusos" (young socialists) in
Brandt's own party. Major goals of Jusos: end financial support ($1 billion a
yr.) for US forces; order out all foreign troops; create nuclear-free &
demilitarized zone in Central Europe, & make Germany a Marxist state in a
Marxist Europe. Anti-US mood in Germany bound to grow. (USN4.16)
NOTE: It is significant that newswriters are now beginning to talk
seriously of "Russian domination of W. Europe," & its ominous implications
for US. Note these realities: growth of Communist strength in W. Europe;
growth of Russian "respectability"; growth of Russian (Gog) ties with W.
Germany (Magog); growth of Russian power; growth of CatholicCommunist accord; decline of US power & prestige (accelerated by
Watergate & $'s collapse).
1973 B e r e a n
187
IRAN SEEKS PERSIAN GULF DOMINANCE. Significant new shift in
global power balance. Persian Gulf is one of few areas in world genuinely
vital to national interest of every major industrial nation. Japan gets 90 pet.
of its oil from Gulf; Europe gets 60 pet. Protection of this supply is clearly
a matter of life & death thruout world. Yet since British pulled out 1V2 yrs.
ago, a classic power vacuum has prevailed.
Shah has set out to become guardian of world's oil lifeline. He has
launched world's biggest military buildup since US deployment in Vietnam. Iran has spent $3 billion on war equipment this year alone, & in next 2
years plans to spend more on arms than in all past 15 years: from laserguided bombs & ground-to-ground missiles to jet tankers to refuel fighterbombers fleet in air.
Iran moving to control all traffic in Gulf, & they're expanding their
control into Gulf of Oman & Indian Ocean, making Persia a South Asian as
well as Mideast power. Building a $600 million army, navy & air force base
at Chah Bahar, largest in all Indian Ocean, & $200 million complex at
Bandar Abbas.
Greatest peril in area, & chief reason for Shah's immense buildup, is
subversion & aggression among oil-rich nations of Gulf. To Iran, Iraq is
"the enemy," US officials convinced Russia seeks to cause trouble in
area—using Iraq. Russians already have sprawling naval facility at Umm
Qasr in Iraq, & maintain an active Indian Ocean fleet.
Gulf has all earmarks of serious trouble spot. Even now, arms race in full
swing all over Gulf. Saudi Arabia signed last wk. for $600 million in
British air defense equipment, & $350 million in French tanks. Saudis
spending $1 billion a yr. on arms.
Lifeline that connects Gulf to world—Strait of Hormuz—so precarious
that it could be interrupted by a few mines thrown from a fishing boat, or a
guerrilla attack sinking a tanker. US is betting on the Shah. In addition to
supplying much of his hardware, US has underwritten a vigorous training
program for Iranian officers. (Nwk 5:21)
NOTE: This is very significant & ominous in the light of the clear prophecy
that Iran (Persia) MUST be allied with Gog against Israel (Eze. 38:5). At
present, with deep historic irony that only students of prophecy can appreciate, both US & Israel are helping to build Persia's military power with a
view (as they see it) to building a buffer & defence against Russian
domination of Mideast & Persian Gulf. A powerful Persia, with great new
military, air & naval bases along the Indian Ocean coast, & a strong Navy,
would be a big factor in the northern confederacy (see map on opposite
page).
••__•«_-•,•__,____••_«
WATERGATE DAM BURSTS. Most damaging scandal to befall Presidency
since Teapot Dome. The tremors shook Govt. to its foundations. US Attorney
General & Nixon's 2 top advisers resign: a shattering spectacle for President
& Presidency. Nixon's move to save himself reduced his Govt. to anarchy of
finger pointing among his top aides.
Morality of men running US has become a major issue. The scandal has
endangered the office as well as the man. It's no longer save the Party, or
even the President; it's save the Presidency.
One most sorely hurt of all may yet be Nixon himself. His gamble was that
he could recover the moral high ground, portraying himself as betrayed by
subordinates. Damage will be grave if he himself is implicated. If it goes to
President,we've lost 200 yrs. of US history. Damage can't yet be measured.
Watergate is a monument to zealotry that ignored law & morality. Already diminished Nixon & Presidency.Harm may be irretrievable.(Nk4:30)
NOTE: A terrible state of affairs, heart-rending to those whose hope &
faith is in man & in the chimera of "democracy," but faith-strengthening to
those who have the true Bible picture of man & God, & whose faith & trust is
in the latter alone.
1973 Berean 188
UMM QASR
SOVIET NAVAL BASE
KHARK
HOVERCRAFT FLEET g
BUSHEHR
HELICOPTERS, F-5s
AND PHANTOM JETS
IRANIAN NAVY
KISH
IRANIAN AIR FORCE
PHANTOM JETS,
BANDAR ABBAS
$200 MILLION
MILITARY COMPLEX
DAILY OIL SHIPMENTS
SAUDI ARABIA . 7,200,000 Barrels
IRAN
6,100,000
KUWAIT .. 3,400,000
CHAH BAHAR
$600 MILLION MILITARY
BASE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
ABU MUSA
GULF OF OMAN
NEW C-130 AIRSTRIP
2
?° 1 U.S. NAVAL
JAPAJM5QAYS
!
The Persian Gulf: One of the few places that is genuinely vital to everyone's national interest
Newsweek
DESTRUCTIVE DOLLARS. If world's finance ministers & bankers are
ever to put an end to the monetary crises that continually plague world, their
No. 1 task is to figure out some way to mop up excessive supply of dollars
sloshing around globe.
These so-called Eurodollars are dollar accounts held in foreign banks all
around world. They have been increasing at an alarming rate in recent
years, right along with the US balance-of-payments deficit. There are $80
billion in private accounts, & $27 billion more in central banks.
When US decreed that $ would no longer be backed by gold, there was
nowhere for the excess $s to go, & they hang menacingly over world foreignexchange markets. Once there is doubt about holding $s (that is, fear value
will drop again), then everything falls apart, and that's what's happening.
The underlying economic reality is simple: US is now beginning its 3rd yr.
of tremendous deficits in its transactions with rest of the world. As result,
world has lost confidence in ability—or will—of world's leading financial
authorities to correct the huge & seemingly perpetual US imbalance.
US gold hoard has shrunk to $10V2 billion, while there is above-mentioned
$107 billion in claims against $. (Nwk 3:19)
NOTE: US, in its greed and stupidity, has turned loose a Frankenstein to
wreak havoc in the world's markets. And every year of callous
mismanagement & selfishness is adding fuel to that fire. It is not difficult to
see why Europe in disgust will turn elsewhere.
CHURCHES REWRITING GOD'S WORD. Altho each Gospel differs in
details & approach, as a whole they amount to prima facie case that Jews
were almost totally responsible for Jesus' death. Pilate, by contrast, treated
merely as Roman figurehead who washed his hands of whole matter.
But today Bible scholars incline to place brunt of responsibility for Jesus'
death squarely on Romans. Evidence suggests that Gospel accounts of
Jesus' "trial" before Sanhedrin are seriously inaccurate. There are major
inconsistencies in Gospel reports: Mark & Matt, mention 2 trials; Luke only
one. In various versions of trial, there are 27 violations of Jewish law.
Present-day Christians must deal with Bible as document conditioned by
time, passions & circumstances. They can't adopt every attitude in Bible
just because it appears there. (Nwk 4:23)
NOTE: What ignorant & presumptuous blasphemy in the name of
ecumenism! And note the best that can be advanced to support the charge of
"inconsistencies'*: one trial mentioned in one Gospel, 2 mentioned in
another. Where is the contradiction? Luke does not say there was ONLY one.
And "27 violations of Jewish law". Where is the contradiction? Jesus himself
points out one violation (Jn. 18:23, compare Acts 23:3). Matthew mentions
another: false witnesses. In fact, the whole tenor of the Gospel records is
that the whole procedure was wicked & illegal. To charge "contradiction"
because the Bible portrays the Jews as acting illegally is pitifully absurd.
The whole message of THEIR OWN Scriptures is that the Jews as a nation
acted illegally from beginning to end, & that is why they were scattered (Dt.
31:16-29; 2 Ch. 36:14-16; Eze. 20; Dn. 9:5-13; Ps. 106; Jr. 32:30-35, etc., etc.).
BREZHNEV SHUFFLES; GAINS POWER. Not since Krushchev emerged
as top man in Kremlin had Politburo had such a shakeup. In most confident &
decisive move of his 8 yrs. as head of Communist Party, Brezhnev last wk.
eased out 2 enemies from ruling Politburo, & replaced them with 4 powerful &
loyal allies, including Defense Minister Grechko, man who built Russian
military machine. (Tm 5:7)
NOTE: This may or may not be significant. Certainly the firmer
Brezhnev's control, the more freedom of action he has, & the more quickly &
decisively he can act. Army Chief Grechko has always seemed to be one of
Russia's most hardline & sinister figures, & he now comes into morepower &
prominence.
1973 Berean 190
CLOSING IN FOR KILL IN CAMBODIA. Reds control most of Cambodia's land & lk the population. Capital besieged: all major supply roads
cut, plus vital river supply line. Army in disarray. Severe shortages of
electric power & fuel in capital: food running low. Only US aid & bombing
keeps Go.vt. going. Establishment of a Communist govt. in Cambodia would
send shock waves far beyond; would strengthen hand of N. Viets, China & N.
Korea; give tremendous boost to Reds in S. Vietnam & Laos; & guarantee N.
Viets a safe staging area & sanctuary for troops fighting in S. Vietnam,
plus an important seaport & supply center. (USN 4:16)
NOTE: The US Govt. clearly perceived that a line must be drawn & held if
Red dictatorship is to be stopped from gradually gobbling up the world. But
it was not God*s will that Red dictatorship be stopped, so US spent vast effort
& treasure trying to build a wall on quicksand. Apart from Watergate, Nixon
may have been able to rally enough public support to continue the struggle,
but the scandal has eroded his influence, & Congress is blindly determined
on conceding SE Asia to the Reds. So God works out His purposes.
FABULOUS WEALTH IN DESERT. World's largest known oil reserves. At
breakneck speed, Saudi Arabia on way to becoming world's largest oil
producer, & largest foreign holder of $s. Beneath Arabia's sands & offshore
waters lies oil US will need to prevent present fuel crisis from becoming
catastrophe by '80. Enormous sums piling up from oil sales giving Saudis
awesome leverage on world currency, US trade & monetary stability.
Already US has enormous vested interests there: Aramco (owned by Mobil,
Exxon & Texaco) is largest oil company in world, has world's biggest inland
oil field, biggest offshore oilfield, & biggest oil port.
In '69 production was 3 million barrels a day; In '71, 4% million; in '72, 6
million; by end of '73,8 million; by '75,10 million (close to US, now world's No.
1 producer); & by '80, expect an incredible 20 million barrels per day. Proved
reserves are 150 billion barrels: further exploration could double this quickly.
King Faisal is wary of Russian aims in Mideast, & pursues a pro-Western
policy. Saudis consider close ties with US a cornerstone of their foreign policy.
Both recognize a mutual need. One of Saudis' biggest fears is the growing
presence of Russian influence in the Persian Gulf. Recent new Russian-Iraqi
ties, Russian aid to Yemen, & Moscow's anxiety to strike a warm note with
United Arab Emirates—all are keeping Saudis warier than ever.
US Govt. & private companies in huge program to build up armed forces.
There's hardly an Air Force office in country without US military advisor.
US is also helping create a Navy & modernize National Guard. (USN 5:7)
NOTE: It is remarkable & faith-strengthening that Jordan (Ammon,
Moab, & Edom), & Saudi Arabia (Sheba & Dedan) are very anti-Russian &
pro-US, as they must be. And especially that Saudi Arabia has the world's
greatest oil reserves, in which US has controlling interest.
INCREDIBLE SCANDAL OF WATERGATE breaking wide open,
creating crisis of confidence in US Govt. One high official said: "I don't
know why anyone should ever again believe anything a govt. official says."
Burglary & wiretapping of Democratic headquarters was serious crime in
itself. But now it has been revealed clearly as part of far broader campaign
of espionage designed to give Nixon unfair, illegal advantage in election.
It was financed with secret funds, contributed anonymously in cash &
never accounted for, in violation of law. Then same funds were used to
persuade the caught burglars to plead guilty & keep quiet about higher involvement. Justice Dept. & FBI influenced to limit investigations. (Tm 4:30)
NOTE: A sad picture indeed of human govt But if men do not have a true,
living, enlightened reverence for God & His holy law, why should they be
expected to be anything but self-serving? What other standard of conduct is
there? Godless evolution teaches them that strongest & most self-serving
survive.
1973 Berean 191
ITT INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE. Attempt by ITT to overthrow Chile's
Marxist Govt. began in Sept., 70, immediately after Allende got plurality of
36 pet. of vote in presidential election, assuring him victory in runoff.
ITT officials, fearing for its $150 million Chilean investment, determined
that Allende had to be stopped. It tried its best to enlist support of other US
companies in Chile, as well as CIA & White House. ITT offered $1 million to
US Govt. to "encourage formation of an anti-Allende coalition in Chile."
Nearly yr. after Allende came to power, ITT still plotting to discredit him.
Pressured US Govt. to cut off US aid & credit, financially support Chile's
opposition newspapers, & "get to reliable sources within the Chilean
military." ITT officials repeatedly met with CIA to discuss plans.(Tm 4:2)
NOTE: This kind of thing—the machinations & pressures of US big money
in other countries' affairs—is driving the world into the arms of Russia.
Significant to note is that the CIA—a secret US Govt. dept.—"repeatedly
met" with ITT officials in their maneuvers.
WATERGATE. High Republican & White House officials chose to evade &
lie. Last wk. that dam of deceit seemed on verge of collapse, spilling
Watergate's contamination more widely than ever. Lack of veracity of high
officials suggests disdain for law, for truth, and for public. (Tm 4:2)
NOTE: US's moral power & authority is crippled at a time when it is
needed most as "leader" of the free world. It horrified the world with its
Vietnam excesses, it convulsed the world with its monetary irresponsibility
& instability, & now shocks the world with its callous illegality & hypocrisy.
These things truly are not exclusive to US, but they make a mockery of its
pious pretensions & claims of great wisdom & maturity to guide others.
ROME MOVES TOWARD REDS. Last wk. Vatican's staid "Sacred
Congregation for Evangelization of Peoples" proclaimed that Mao's thoughts
contained "Christian reflections." Icy mood between Pope & Red China has
been thawing ever since '70, when Pope in Hong Kong delivered a "message of
unity & love to all the Chinese people." Vatican said that message was an
explicit gesture to Red China. Pope appears to show more concern for the
good works of Red China than for the faith of its still persecuted Christians
there. Rome seems to be moving with history. (Tm 4:30)
NOTE: How encouraging to see Rome & the Reds edging together for the
final coalition against Israel! China is one of the bitterest enemies of Israel,
arming & inciting the terrorists, & this makes her a natural ally of the Pope.
KIDNAPINGS IN ARGENTINE. Kidnaping of officials & executives by
guerrilla groups has become epidemic: 200 in 2 yrs. This yr.l reported case
every 3 days; many unreported. Several have cost employers small fortunes—some have paid $1V2 million in ransom. (Tm 4:23)
NOTE: Another sign of the lawlessness & violence of our times.
HO CHI MINH TURNPIKE. N. Vietnam sending masses of troops &
weapons into S. Vietnam, driving south in broad daylight since there's no
more danger of US air strikes. Could mean N. Viets plan major offensive,
after US withdrawal is complete. (Tm 3:26)
NOTE: It would appear much blood & treasure has been spent in vain, &
all that has been accomplished is the permanent devastation of the land &
massive desolation and destruction of the people.
GROPING FOR NEW MONETARY SYSTEM. As world watched, the
money men were presiding over nothing less than death of one international
monetary system & conception of another. National self interest invariably
becomes paramount in negotiations: last wk. made that clear. (Nwk3:19)
NOTE:"National interest" is always "paramount" That is why no manmade system can either be fair or can work.
1973 Berean 192
US ERA ENDING. Era in which US dominated all key phases of world's
economic life coming to end. Just 20 yrs. ago, US held unquestioned sway
over policies that determined world's trade & finance. It made xk the world's
steel, held Ms its gold & monetary reserves.
In '50,.US produced 37 pet. of world's goods & services: now 28 pet., &
shrinking. Between '50 & 71, US share of world steel production fell from 47
to 19 pet. In same period, Russian production quadrupled, passing US in 71
& becoming world leader with 132 million tons. In same period, Jap
production climbed from 5 million tons to 97 million. Much same pattern true
in autos & general industrial production.
US share of world monetary reserves: 42 pet. in '50; 8 pet. in 71.
Economists believe US, in relation to other countries, is in period of longterm decline. US losing more & more of world export market it once
dominated: once unchallenged, now barely ahead of Germany. (USN 3:26)
NOTE: With wisdom, how different it could have been, but it was not God's
will it should be different. US has been greatly blessed, & has squandered its
blessings. Russia must become powerful enough, & have sufficient world
support, to feel safe in attacking Israel. This is rapidly developing. The
world will approve. .^mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm^mmm^^mm
FRENCH NATIONAL ELECTIONS. Out of 23 million votes, Gaullist
coalition got only 100,000 more than Socialist-Communist coalition—too close
for comfort. Leftists now have 181 Parliament seats to Govt's 271 (USN 3:26)
NOTE: The Communists came very close to gaining control of France by
open election—something unthinkable a few years ago. And they now have
greatly increased Parliamentary power. The picture is developing.
NEW BUILDUP OF RED NAVAL POWER in Mediterranean. Six cruisers
& 51 other units. Include "Nikolaiev," first of Kara class of guided-missile
cruisers: has unparalleled mix of weapons systems & missiles. (USN 4:2)
CORRUPTION IN HIGH PLACES. The Senate confirmation hearings for
Patrick Gray as head of FBI revealed among high officials in the Administration and in the President's re-election committee a disturbing
callousness toward the law, and toward truth. (Tm 3:19)
NOTE: This scandal which with ever-increasing reverberations is shaking
US to its foundations simply confirms Bible picture of all human govts. In
the April portion of "Second Voyage to Australia," an idealistic young man
75 years ago told bro. Roberts his life's ambition was to clean up US politics.
How unutterably sad! Bro. Roberts told him it was a hopeless, impossible
task.
_ - _ _ _ _ _ _ — _ _ - _ _
IRISH TERRORISM. The IRA last wk. carried battle to Britain. Did job
well: 1 killed, 243 wounded, London in a state of shock. Bombs wrecked
London bldgs. Unhappy prospect: all concerned, including people of
England, in for new wave of terror. (Nwk 3:12)
NOTE: It is always hard to believe that apparently rational human beings,
with families of their own, can coldly & wantonly & indiscriminately
murder
children who have no connection with the problem, just to get attention &
vent their blind, consuming hatred. But such is raw human nature, & as the
Scriptures describe it.
ECCLESIAL NEWS (Continued from Inside Front Cover)
SAN ANGELA TEX.—English Rm., Cactus Hotel (All but first Suns.)—SS10 am; Mem. 11. Other
Suns, at homes. Rec bro. Gary Smith, Star Route, Sweetwater, Tx. 79556.
LOVING Greetings in the Lord's Name.
It is with sadness we report the death of our beloved bro. Carl Gerdes. He
died on April 10 at the age of 72. He passed away suddenly. He was an inspiration to our ecclesia and we will surely miss his exhortations. He loved
the Truth, and it seemed always a great joy to him to talk of things con-
cerning our pilgrimage in this life in preparing to be among those faithful
ernes in the Kingdom of God. Bro. Wayne Wolfe Jr. of Lampasas spoke
words of Truth at the funeral.
Bro. Gerdes' sister-wife, Willie Mae, has moved to Pleasanton, Texas, to
be with her daughter. She is in isolation. May she be comforted with God's
blessings. Her address is Box 467, Pleasanton 78064.
Since our last correspondence, bro. & sis. Nick Mammone have moved to
Austin, Texas. We miss them all so much, in our meetings and in association
in our homes. Bro. Mammone's exhortations were so encouraging. He was
also very helpful to us in our Bible classes. We are happy they are able to
visit our ecclesia occasionally.
May we ever press on to be among those faithful ones. —bro. Gary Smith
Bible Questions
WHO DIED IN OR AT . .
Write the number of each item in List 1 beside correct person in List 2.
LIST ONE—QUESTIONS
1. Ur
11. Achor
41. Winepress
21. Goshen
31. Samaria
2. Hor
12. Haran
42. Baal-hazor
22. Canaan
32. Shushan
3. Nob
13. Joppa
23. Hebron
43. Tabernacle
33. Bethany
4. Abel
14. Mamre 24. Rabbah
44. Wilderness
34. Babylon
5. Gaza
15. Shiloh
45. Perez-uzzah
25. Thebez
35. Shechem
6. Nebo
46. Kirjatharba
16. Riblah
26. Kadesh
36. Pergamos
47. Ramothgilead
7. Moab 17. Kishon
27. Mizpah
37. Damascus
18. Gibeon
8. Millo
48. Ephesdammim
28. Jezreel
38. Bethelem
19. Gilboa
9. Sinai
49. Temple Court
29. Nineveh 39. Jerusalem
20. Tirzah
10. Giloh
50. House of Baal
30. Lachish
40. Gibbethon
NOTE: Nadab is not Aaron's son. NOTE: Kirjatharba was the name at the time.
LIST TWO—ANSWERS
Ahimelech
Eli
Abihu
Uzzah
Amnon
Mahlon
Ahaziah
Zechariah
Hamor
Samson
Ahab
Aaron
Sarah
Amaziah
Ahithophel
Haman
Goliath
Joab
Abner
Nadab
Seraiah
Jehoiachin
Moses
Antipas
Onan
Achan
Sheba
Ananias
Malchishua
Rachel
Tabitha
Zeeb
Jacob
Haran
Gedaliah
Zelophehad
Mat tan
Jezebel
Zimri
Benhadad
Terah
Joash
Miriam
Lazarus
Sennacherib
Uriah
Abimelech
Isaac
Amasa
M a y Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
WHAT CHAPTER BEGINS
Baal prophets
God Who— Heb. 1
11. Lord Thou hast—Ps. 90 21. And Hannah prayed-1 Sm.2
Ο foolish—Gal. 2
12. M y God, M y God—Ps. 22 22. Forasmuch as many—Lk. 1
Comfort ye—Isa. 40 Ί3.
-- Tho
— I- speak—Τ Cr. 13
23. Blessed is the man—Ps. 1
The former—Acts 1 14. And I saw a new—Rv. 21 24. I am the true Vine—Jn. 15
The Lord is—Ps. 23 15. Now the serpent—Gn. 3 25. The Lord said unto—Ps. 110
Who is this—Is. 63
16. Dare any of you—1 Cr. 6 26. Praise ye the Lord—Ps. 150
Adam,Sheth-lChr.l 17.
" In the beginning—Jn.
ning—J 1 27. There was a man in—Jb. 1
Now faith is-Heb.ll 18. The words of the—Ec. 1 28. Why do the heathen—Ps. 2
9. Go to now ye—Jm.5 19. How doth the city—Lm. 1 29. Then was Jesus led—Mt. 4
10. The vision of—Obad. 20. Who hath believed-ls.53 30. Let brotherly love—Heb. 13
31. Behold what manner—1 Jn. 3
41. Behold will send—Mai. 3
32. Then 14 years after—Gl. 2
42. And there was given me—Rv. 11
33. The heavens declare—Ps. 19
43. And Saul yet breathing—Acts 9
34. Now after the death—Jsh. 1
44. Therefore thou a r t inex—Rm. 2
35. M y heart is inditing—Ps. 45
45. And seeing the multitudes—Mt. 5
36. The beginning of the—Mk. 1
46. And I stood upon the sand—Rv. 13
37. Again there was a day—Jb. 2
47. And the 5th angel sounded—Rv. 9
38. From whence come wars—Jm. 4 48. And there appeared a great—Rv. 12
39. Therefore leaving the—Heb. 6
49. The book of the generation—Mt. 1
40. The burden of Nineveh—Nah. 1
50. Now king David was old—1 K g . 1
Printed in U.S.A.
$3.50 per yr. (only for those who desire to pay)
VOL. 61, NO. 7
JULY, 1973
The Berean
Christadelphian
A monthly magazine devoted wholly to the exposition and defense
of the Faith once for all delivered to the Saints, with the object
of helping to make ready a People prepared for the coming of the
Lord. Opposed to the unscriptural teaching of the papal
and protestant churches of the world.
Edited and Published by:
G.A. Gibson, 1501 Woodbine, Apt. 1616, Toronto, Ont. M4C 4H1, Can.
((
They received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched
the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Therefore many believed"—Acts 17:11
CONTENTS
ECCLESIAL Ν EWS: Sarasota
Inside Front Cover
Bible Questions and June Answers
Inside Front Cover
EDITORIAL: Walk in Wisdom
193
APPROACH ING JUDGMENTS (Bro. Thomas)
195
ANSWERS BY BRO. ROBERTS: Body/ soul & spirit, Notable
to kill soul; Heavens pass away, earth burned up
201
LORD, REMEMBER ME!
205
JOSEPH AND JESUS
214
CURRENTWORLD EVENTS FULFILLING PROPHECY
221
We ore anxious to send the Bereon FREE to any desiring it
that way. Please do not hesitate to request it. If you
know of any who might like it# please send us their names.
CHRIST IS COMING SOON AND WILL REIGN ON EARTH
lnside Front
Ecclesial News
SARASOTA, Fla. 33580—Sis. Mabel Sargent 1077 Highland St., Ph. (813) 3551901.
Sister Edgar (Mabel) Sargent Sr., formerly of Boston, is now living in
Sarasota. She writes that she would be happy to see any brethren or sisters
who are passing through.
Bible Questions
CONNECT ITEM WITH PERSON
Write the number of each item in List 1 beside correct name in List 2
LIST ONE—QUESTIONS
Fleece
Censer
Gutter
Cheese
Dagger
Oxgoad
Ranges
Thumbs
1. Ass
2. Nail
3. Dart
4. Flax
.>. Heel
(>. Mint
7. Dish
a. Cart
9. Cake
17. Amber
10. Harp
l». Arrow
11. Mice
Μ. Frogs
12. Mess
2i). Pulpit 2».
\'λ. Paint
21. Coffin 29.
14. Withs 22. Clouts M).
1). Gourd 23. School
Hi. Gallows 24. Floats :\2.
Job
Ehud
Jubal
Judas
Reuben
Ephraim
Benjamin
Jael
Joab
Peter
Hiram
Balaam
Absalom
Jonathan
Saul
Esau
Rahab
Haman
Samson
Solomon
Tyrannus
Ezekiel
Shamgar
Demetrius
LIST TWO- -ANSWERS
Lattice
Figleaf
Sundial
Conduit
Javelin
Sandals
Vinegar
Pottage
Shrines
42. Praetorium
43. Bullrush
44. Potsherd
4.). Peacocks
4(i. Plumbline
17. Millstone
4». Alabaster
49. Parchment
)(). Mandrakes
Paul
Ezra
Jacob
Moses
Ruth
Adam
Jesse
Pilate
Jezebel
Athaliah
Pharisees
Ahaz
Amos
Jonah
Gideon
Ahaziah
Hezekiah
Abimelech
Uzza
Mary
Korah
Joseph
Pharaoh
Jeremiah
Adonibezek
Philistines
June Answers
Ur—Haran
Hor—Aaron
Nob—Ahimelech
Abel—Sheba
Gaza—Samson
Nebo—Moses
Moab—Mahlon
Millo—Joash
Sinai—Abihu
Giloh—Ahithophel
Achor—Achan
Haran—Terah
Joppa—Tabitha
Mamre—Isaac
Shiloh—Eli
Riblah—Seraiah
Kishon—Baal prophets
WHO DIED IN OR AT . .
Ί8.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
Gibeon—Amasa
Gilboa—Malchishua
Tirzah—Zimri
Goshen—Jacob
Canaan—Onan
Hebron—Abner
Rabbah—Uriah
Thebez—Abimelech
Kadesh—Miriam
Mizpah—Gedaliah
Jezreel—Jezebel
Nineveh—Sennacherib
Lachish—Amaziah
Samaria—Ahaziah
Shushan—Haman
Bethany—Lazarus
Babylon—Jehoiachin
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
Shechem—Hamor
Pergamos—Antipas
Damascus—Benhadad
Bethlehem—Rachel
Jerusalem—Ananias
Gibbethon—Nadab
Winepress—Zeeb
Baalhazor—Amnon
Tabernacle—Joab
Wilderness—Zelophehad
Perezuzzah—Uzzah
Kirjatharba—Sarah
Ramothgilead—Ahab
Ephesdammim—Goliath
Temple court—Zechariah
House of Baal—Mattan
CHRIST'S TWO GKNKALOGIES
The proof that Luke gives the genealogy of Christ through Mary, lies in
three things: 1. The tradition that has conic dawn from the lirst century that it
is so: 2. Tlie tact that Matthew gives us his genealogy through "Joseph, the
husband of Mary"—a totally different lino from David—which excludes the
possibility of Luke's being the same: and 3. The necessity that Christ's descent
must have been iron? David on his MOTHER'S side before he could be "the
s^ed oi' David according to the iiesh," seeing he was not the actual son of
Joseph.
That Joseph also should be descended from David was a necessity, seeing
that by marriage, Mary was legally iused in him. The two genealogies are the
same down to David, and then set forward by two different branches, one
through Solomon and the other through Nathan—both sons of David.
EDIT0RIAL
Walk i nW i s d o m
1973
-"""
3
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, and the
knowledge of the Holy is understanding"—Prov.
9:10
On a bright summer afternoon, I stood by a small stream and
watched the water as it fell over a low dam and continued on a winding
course until it disappeared from view in the distance. As I gazed
upon this peaceful scene, I realized that, throughout its course, the
water followed the path of least resistance as it continued on the
downward grade and sought its own level. How like men and women,
I thought, as they, in pursuit of happiness, seek after the pleasures of
this life, walking according to the course of this world, and spending
their years in voluptuousness.
To walk in the way of the world requires no effort; you merely
drift along, like the quiet stream, until you find your own level. That
is what the Apostle speaks of as " walking after the flesh," or walking
in our own ways. When writing to the believers in Ephesus, on this
subject, Paul said, " Wherein in time past ye walked according to the
course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air,
the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience : among
whom al^so we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our
flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind ; and were by
nature the children of wrath, even as others "—Ephes. ii, 2-3. The
entrance of the knowledge of the truth into our lives alters our course
and, after putting on Christ in baptism, we rise to walk in newness of
life. This is the class of people to whom Paul wrote many interesting
and instructive messages. To the brethren at Thessalonica he said,
" Ye know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one
of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would walk worthy of God,
Who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory "—I Thes. iiy 11-12.
With Paul the truth was a very serious business. He exhorted ;
he comforted, and he charged the believers that they should walk
worthy of God. This was Paul's course throughout his entire ministry,
and it would be the same if he were here to-day.
There are certain phases of our newness of life that we have to
affirm constantly. It is not the first principles of the truth, for they
are foundations upon which we are expected to build. The things
that must be constantly brought to our attention are those that
constitute our worthy walk, and are designed to keep us on a firm
foundation. Paul gave us a lead when he said, " Brethren, be followers
together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an
ensample. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now
tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ :
whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory
is in their shame, who mind earthly things "—Phil, iii, 17-19. This
would indicate that it is our moral relation to the world of wickedness
in which we live that has to be continually brought to our attention.
This is where the great value of the daily reading of God's word is
realized, because "the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man
that walketh to direct his steps "—Jer. x, 23. Therefore, it is not
for us to trust ourselves to determine the nature of a walk that is worthy
of God. We must depend upon, and rely with a full assurance of faith
upon what is revealed in the Scriptures, as we look to Jesus, the Pioneer
and Perfecter of our faith. We see this idea expressed by Paul as he
writes to the brethren in Colosse. " As ye have therefore received
Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him : rooted and built up in Him,
and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein
with thanksgiving "—Col. ii, 6-7. In like manner, said John, " we
ought to walk, even as He walked."
When we examine the records concerning Jesus, we find that His
walk was vastly different to that of other men. To walk as He walked,
we must travel in the opposite direction of those who walk in the way
of the world. Therefore, if we progress in our pilgrimage, it is the
result of exertion. At first, it may be hard to pull against the stream,
but persistent effort is soon rewarded by increased strength and
courage. Then as our strength increases, we soon discover that less
effort is required. Some mistake this for a time to rest. Let us not
be deceived ; the time to rest is still future. To-day is a time for
action.
Our standing before God will be determined by the nature of our
walk. Therefore, one thing is certain—we cannot walk in opposite
directions at the same time. We must make a definite choice, and
then carry out our plan. Again Paul gives us a lead. " Furthermore
then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus
that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God,
so ye would abound more and more "—I Thes. iv, 1. Walking so
as to please God, was the keynote of Paul's life and work. He warned,
the brethren night and day with tears. If companions of Paul required
such warning, how much more do we need to be warned and exhorted.
As in many other questions, Paul supplies the answer, " so much the
more as ye see the day approaching."
So that we may please God requires that, in the first place, we be
clothed with humility. This was one of the great features in the life
of Jesus. The prophets also understood it. Micah expresses it in
terms unmistakable. "What doth the Lord require of thee, but to
do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God "—vi, 8.
The life of the believer must also be characterized by integrity, and
straightforwardness, and freedom from deceit. Here is the divine
specification, " That ye may walk honestly toward them that are
without "—I Thes. iv, 12. This thought was strongly emphasized by
Jesus in the parable of the unjust steward, " If therefore ye have not
been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who wjU commit to your
trust the true riches ? "—Luke xvi, 11.
Another feature of our conduct that requires careful attention is
our moral relation to the world of wickedness by which we are all
surrounded. As we stated previously, this is one of the phases of our
newness of life that must not be lost sight of. It is stated by Paul in
these words, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without"—
Col. iv, 5, and by Peter, when he said, cc Dearly beloved, I beseech
you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war
against the soul ; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles :
that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your
good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of
visitation"—I Peter ii, 11-12.
1973 Berean 194
In a recent address, a brother referred to the many attractions in
the world to-day which arc designed to draw men and women into the
paths of pleasure, and said, " one wonders, sometimes, how near the
believer may come to these things without being drawn away from
the truth." This, however, is approaching the problem from the
wrong angle. Our question should not be " how near can we come
to these things ? " but " how far can we keep away from them ? "
The divine injunction is stated by James, " draw near to God, and He
will draw near to us."
Isaiah, throughout his prophecy, has painted some beautiful word
pictures, but none more exquisite than that found in cap. xxxv. When
the glory of the Lord shall fill the earth as the waters now cover the
sea, Isaiah says, " the redeemed shall walk there," and when the law
goes forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem, " the
people will be taught of God, and will walk in His paths."
If we would be among those who will walk with Jesus in the age
to come, we must be mindful of the fact that walking in the way of the
world is easy, but it will lead us unto death. Walking in the way of
truth requires an effort, but it will lead us unto life. Let us then
" walk in the truth," for if we do we can join with the Psalmist and say,
" The Lord is my light, and my salvation ; whom shall I fear ? The
Lord is the strength of my life ; of whom shall I be afraid ? "—Editor.
Approaching Judgments
"When Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the
world will learn righteousness"—Isaiah 26:9
BY BROTHER JOHN THOMAS
I CAN well imagine many a one exclaiming—
"Judgments! Approaching Judgments! Why? When did there seem
less occasion for fear? When was the air so calm? The horizon so
clear? The prospect so enchanting?"
Dear reader, it is not by appearances we have to judge, but by the
Word of God. And do you not know what that Word records in the
history of the past, as well as what it foretells of the future? The
antediluvians thought Noah mad to predict a deluge and prepare an
ark (Lk. 17:27)—
"They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in
marriage—until the day that Noah entered into the ark.. "
—and what then?—
"The flood came, and destroyed them all."
So it was too with the cities of the plain (v. 28)—
"They did eat, they drank, they bought, sold, planted, builded . . "
And nature seemed to smile on their pursuits. The sun arose as
usual on the morning of their overthrow. Scripture notes this—
"The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar."
What ensued? (Gen. 19:24-25—
1973 Bepear>
"Then Yahweh rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and
195
fire from Yahweh out of heaven. And He overthrew those cities, and
all the plain, and all the inhabitiants of the cities, and that which grew
upon the ground."
"But what is all this to us?" you may enquire. Let our Lord
himself reply (Luke 17:30)—
"EVEN THUS SHALL IT BE IN THE DAY WHEN THE SON OF
MAN IS
REVEALED/'
Ah yes, peace and plenty, order and tranquilty, the advance of
science, and the growth of intelligence, are no signs that judgment
is far off!—
"When they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction
cometh upon them as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall
not escape" (1 Th. 5:3).
And while it is quite true that they who only regard appearances
on earth may suppose that everything bespeaks the continuance of
peace and prosperity, there are those who know that God's Word is
"settled for ever in heaven," and who will, through His grace, listen
to what that Word proclaims of approaching judgment, desolation
and woe.
Then, besides whether men will hear or whether they will forbear,
they to whom the knowledge of these things has been confided must,
deliver their own souls, lift up their voices, cry aloud, spare not.
There may be some, however, who are not so blinded by appearances as to suppose that the present partial lull will continue,
who yet have no adequate conception of the nature and extent of the
solemn changes which are at hand. You recognize, dear reader, that
no dependence is to be placed on the sort of quiet which at present
exists. You know well that the atmosphere is never so still as just
before the bursting forth of a wild and desolating storm. And seeing
in Scripture that there are great convulsions to take place before the
world is subdued to the scepter of Immanuel, you may be looking for
these as near at hand.
1973 Berean 196
But then your expectation of these convulsions, and of the woes
and calamities inseparable from such events, is associated in your
mind with the idea that, after all, the world is to be converted, and
the Millennium introduced, by agencies and influences of a kind
already at work for this end. You perceive, indeed, that at the slow
rate at which Christianity has progressed (even where it has
achieved its greatest victories), it can only be after the lapse of
almost interminable ages that it becomes universal among
mankind. Its forces seem so feeble and so few, and the opposition
they encounter is so formidable, that there appears no prospect of
universal triumph within any period that the mind can span.
But judgment, you think, is to aid in accelerating the work. And all
that you anticipate in the way of judgment is, you suppose, that the
national convulsions and political overturnings (accompanied
perhaps by providential scourges such as famine, pestilence and the
like) will open the way for the wider, more rapid, and more effectual
spread of the Gospel. The Papacy will, you suppose, be overthrown;
Mohammedanism be deprived of political power; governments
hostile to the spread of Truth give place to others who will be its
nursing father; China, Japan and Tartary be opened to Christ η
missionaries—while in these and other ways the God of Providence
will interpose to accomplish the final, universal triumphs of the
Gospel of His grace.
Such are the thoughts cherished by numbers of professed
believers at the present moment.
Two points, in view of these things, forcibly occur to one's mind.
First, this anticipation of providential interpositions and mighty
national convulsions is itself an advance on the thoughts generally
entertained by the religious 20 or 30 years ago. We heard of nothing
then but the power of the Truth, the effusion of the Spirit, the spread
of the Gospel, and the speedy and universal triumph of missions
with all kindred institutions and efforts for conversion of the world.
The experiences of the last half century have so far sobered the
expectations of many that they do now admit the necessity of some
grand providential interposition to remove obstacles otherwise
insuperable, and to secure thus the end which once they expected to
be attained by the blessing of God on philanthropic efforts and
evangelical labors. This is, of itself, progress toward the Truth.
But then, and this is the second point referred to, if it be necessary
that God should interpose, and if it be revealed in His Word that He
will do so, where are we to learn the nature and extent of this interposition? Where but in the same "sure Word of Prophecy"
which reveals to us that such interposition will take place at all?
If, as many still think, the conversion of the world is left in human
hands, dependent upon human diligence and the progress of human
affairs, then speculation and calculation may both be of service in
determining the probable aspect of the future. And all one can say
in this case is : if the past is to afford a presage for the future, then
alas for us! Alas for the "Church"! Alas for the world!
But if it be admitted that God must in some extraordinary way
interfere, and if it be further admitted that Scripture tells that he
WILL interfere; then where, I ask, are we to learn the manner, the
mode, the magnitude of such interference but in those Scriptures
which warn us of its approach? Speculation has no place here.
Calculation of the future from the past is utterly out of the question.
Nothing will serve but simple subjection to God's Word: a childlike,
docile reception of whatever God's Word declares. God grant us
such a spirit, in inquiring what the testimony of Scripture is on the
solemn subject at present before us.
197
1 9 7 3 Berean
Before producing, however, the direct testimony of Scripture on
this subject, I would like to make this one remark: that it is taken
for granted here that there is to be a Millennium. Proof of this from
Scripture may occupy our attention hereafter, as well as much that
relates to the nature of millennial blessedness.
But this is not our present question. The question before us is—
FIRST: Whether judgments do not introduce this period of
universal blessing?
SECOND: What is the nature, and what is the extent, of these
judgments?
Not only shall we find that the Millennium is introduced by
judgments, but that these judgments are of a character perfectly
unparalleled. National convulsions there will be, no doubt, and
political overturnings such as this earth has never witnessed.
Providential scourges, too: famine, pestilence, earthquakes,
hurricanes, and every kind of terrific deviation from the usual
course of things. But all these—so far from being subsidiary interventions, designed to hasten the triumph, and secure the success,
of benevolent agencies already at work—are themselves either the
precursors or attendants of an event which closes the present, and
introduces a new, dispensation: an event with which no other (save
one) in the whole history of this world, past, present or future, can
for a moment compare.
THAT EVENT IS THE SECOND COMING, THE APPEARING
IN GLORY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Even the one exception—his own first coming in humiliation—was
in order to this, the second. This is the grand event which is before
us: an event to which the Christian indeed may look forward with
intense desire and expectation; but which—in its bearing on the
world—is connected with those terrible judgments which shall
prostrate the pride of man, rebuke for ever the swellings and
vauntings of iniquity, purge the earth of corrupters and destroyers,
and usher in the blissful period of the reign of Christ with his
glorified Saints over the spared and pardoned and renewed
inhabitants of the millennial earth.
First, let us glance quickly through the Scriptures and seek to
gather their general voice, their concurrent testimony.
Enoch, the 7th from Adam, is the first whose voice we hear. True
that it is Jude, not Moses, who records his prophecy, and he records
it as yet to be fulfilled. But what does this prove, save that the Spirit
of prophecy in Enoch looked beyond the Deluge, beyond the
judgments on Sodom and Gomorrah, beyond all intermediate ages
and events—to that stupendous one before us. Hear his words—
<(
Behold, Yahweh cometh with 10,000 of His saints, to execute
judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them
of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against
Him" (Jude 14-15).
1973 Berean 198
To what else does the Midianitish seer refer when he says—
"I shall see him, but not now. / shall behold him, but not nigh.
"There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out
of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the
children of Sheth" (Num. 24:17).
He says further (v. 19)—
"Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall
destroy him that remaineth in the city."
Nor is it of mere local circumstances that this extraordinary man
is inspired of God to treat. The prophetic Spirit looks far and wide,
and speaks not only of Moab and Sheth, of Israel and its glorious
Star—but of Edom and Amalek, the Kenites and Asshur, Eber, and
the ships from the coast of Chittim. It is in reference to all these, and
to the utter destruction of the wicked from among them, that this
grand intervention of God's power takes place. And in view of all
this, what does Balaam exclaim?—
"And he took up his parable, and said: Alas, who shall live when
God doeth this?" (Num. 24:23).
Thus early in Scripture have we the prophetic anticipation of
God's doing a work of judgment so terrific as to awaken the
inquiry—
«ψΗΟ SHALL LIVE when God doeth this?"
But my immediate object is not in the first place to discuss individual passages so much as to glance rapidly along the current of
Scripture testimony and prophetic instruction, that we may have
some idea of its general burden and tone. Hear we, then, a Moses,
who recites to us the words of the Almighty—
"For I lift up My hand to heaven and say, I live for ever.
"If I whet My glittering sword, and Mine hand take hold on
judgment, I will render vengeance to Mine enemies, and will reward
them that hate Me.
"I will make Mine arrows drunk with blood, and My sword shall
devour flesh, and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives,
from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy" (Dt. 32: 40-42).
Listen to a Hannah, who sings (1 Sam. 2:10)—
"The adversaries of Yahweh shall be broken to pieces: out of
heaven shall He thunder upon them.
"Yahweh shall judge the ends of the earth, and He shall give
strength unto His King, and the horn of His Anointed (Heb:
Messiah)."
Hear too, for a moment, the son of Jesse, concerning an Anointed
One of the Elohim of Jacob, the pleasant theme of Israel's songs.
They are his "last words" I am about to quote, words uttered amid
the sad fruit of his own sin, and in the deep consciousness of his
having been himself unable to cope with the enemies which his sin
had raised up around him. But it is no mere effusion of his own
which his pen records, or his lips utter—
1973 Berean 199
"The Spirit of YAHWEH spake by me, and His word was in my
tongue. The Elohim of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me,
"There shall be ruling over men a Just One, ruling in the righteous
precepts of the Elohim" (2 Sam. 23:2-3).
Alas! He himself had failed in this. But he anticipates the coming
of One who should not fail, and who should be—
"As the light of the morning when the sun riseth, even a morning
without clouds" (v. 4).
But what is there here of judgments? Nothing, as yet. But read
what follows (vs. 6-7)—
"But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as a thornbush caused to
be thrust away; tho not with hands shall they take possession of them.
"But the Man shall smite upon them. He shall be filled with iron,
and the shaft of a spear.
"And they shall be utterly burned with fire in their habitation."
But we cannot pass on from David's testimony with but this. I am
not about to analyze the different passages in the Psalms which
treat of approaching judgments. To do this would require a volume,
and a large one, instead of a few pages such as these. But look
through the book of Psalms. Leave aside every passage which
admits of a question as to its bearing on our present subject. And
what have we still remaining? Why, the occurrence at almost every
turn of anticipations such as the following—
"Ask of Me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance,
and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
"Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in
pieces as a potter's vessel" (Ps. 2:8-9).
"The nations are sunk down in the net that they made; in the net
which they hid is their own foot taken.
"Yahweh is known by the judgment which He executeth: the
wicked is snared in the work of his own hands" (9:15-16).
"Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an
horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup" (11:6).
"Thine hand shall find out Thine enemies: Thy right hand shall find
out those that hate Thee. Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the
time of Thine anger. Yahweh shall swaiiow them up in His wrath, and
the fire shall devour them" (21:8-9).
"Come, behold the works of Yahweh, what DESOLATIONS HE
HATH MADE IN THE EARTH" (46:8).
1973 Berean 200
"Ail Elohim Yahweh hath spoken, and called the earth from the
rising of the sun unto the going down thereof..
"Our Elohim shall come, and shall not keep silence. A fire shall
devour before Him, it shall be very tempestuous round about Him"
"The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance. He shall
wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
"So that a man shall say, Verily, there IS a reward for the
righteous; verily, there IS Elohim judging in the earth" (58:10-11).
"Say ye to the Elohim, How terrible Thy works! Through the
greatness of Thy power shall Thine enemies submit unto Thee.
"All the earth shall worship Thee, and shall sing unto Thee. They
shall sing to Thy Name. Come and see the works of Elohim: terrible
of deed toward the children of men" (66:3-5).
"Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven. The earth
feared, and was still, in the Elohim arising for the judgment, to save
all the meek of the earth" (76:8-9).
"The Adon at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of
His wrath. He shall judge among the heathen;
"He shall fill the places with the dead bodies; He shall wound the
head over an extensive region" (110:5-6).
These are but a few out of a whole class of passages running
through the whole book of Psalms. How manifestly they point onward to an intervention of the power of Jesus and the Saints in
judgment, SUCH AS EARTH HAS NEVER YET WITNESSED!
(Continued next month, if the Lord will)
Answers by Bro· Roberts
"BODY, SOUL& SPIRIT" . . "NOT ABLE TO KILL SOUL"
"1 pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless
unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"—1 Thess. 5:23
"Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:
but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul
and body in hell"—Matt 10:28
PAUL'S words, "body, soul and spirit" (1 Th. 5:23), define the
natural divisions of man's nature: body, life and mind. A carcase
illustrates the first: an idiot illustrates the first and second without
the third: a fullgrown efficient manhood presents us with the 3 in
combined manifestation.
None of the 3 can exist as an individual abstraction by itself.
"Body, soul and spirit" are but names descriptive of different
aspects presented by the unit, man: and if you destroy the body, you
necessarily destroy the life which is but a phenomenon manifested
in or through'the body. But you ask, what then is the meaning of
Christ's words—
"Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul
(or life)"—Mt. 10:28.
In reply, we may say there is a life in relation to those who are
Christ's which cannot be touched by any man, howsoever violently
they may treat the body and the poor mortal life belonging to it.
THIS life, Paul says—
'7s hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3).
He says (next verse)—
"Christ is our life, and when he shall appear, then shall we appear
with him in glory."
He is the (2 Cor. 5:1-3)—
1973 Berean 201
"Building of God, an House not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens .. our House which is (to come) from heaven .. "
—on being clothed with which our mortality is swallowed up of life
(v. 4). This life is the (Lk. 12:33)—
"Treasure in the heavens which faileth not. . "
—spoken of by Jesus, and said by Peter to be—
"Reserved in heaven."
Now, when men kill the saints, they only terminate their mortal
existence. They do not touch their real life, which has its foundation
in their connection with Christ in the heavens. This life Christ has in
his keeping, and specially takes it into his keeping at their death—
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of all His saints."
Their lives—in the sense of future purpose—then go into His hands
in a special manner. Having been faithful unto death, He takes
special notice, and prepares a crown of LIFE, to be given at that
day (2 Tim. 4:8).
Therefore we are not to fear those who can only demolish our
corruptible body, and cannot do anything to prevent resurrection.
Who ARE we to fear? Him Who hath power to destroy both body
and soul (life) in hell (the antitypical judgment fires of Gehenna
which will burn up the proud and all that do wickedly, leaving them
neither root nor branch, but utterly destroying them from the
presence of the Lord and the glory of his power—Mai. 4:1, 2 Th.1:9).
We are to fear God, Who has the power to utterly annihilate from
the universe, and Who will use this power on all such as are unworthy. But we are not to fear man, who can at best only hasten the
dissolution to which we are Adamically liable.
* * *
As to Rev. 20:10, it must be observed that it is part of a symbolism
in which the Beast stands for a system of confederate nations (Rev.
13: 17:9-12), and the False Prophet stands for the ecclesiastical
polity maintained among these nations. The Beast and False
Prophet being symbols, it follows that the things alleged of them
must be similarly symbolic in character.
"Torment day and night for ever and ever" (or more strictly
rendered, "the ages of the ages") must be taken as the symbolical
representation of the final completeness of the result symbolized.
That result is the infliction of God's destroying judgment on civil
and ecclesiastical Europe. This judgment will break in pieces the
kingdoms of the continent, and entirely destroy the blasphemous
system of religion which they have helped through many centuries
to maintain. There will be no remedy. It will be God's work: and
what can man do against God?
1973 Berean 202
And because the judgment will prevail over all human resistance,
and accomplish its destined work—(referred to by Paul in the
following words: "Then shall that Wicked be revealed whom the
Lord will CONSUME with the spirit of His mouth, and DESTROY
with the brightness of his coming")—because of this, the infinitude
of time is chosen as the symbolical area over which the process
operates.
The original word translated "tormented" means rather more
than its English equivalent. It signifies "to examine judicially by
torture," and therefore when we read that the Beast and False
Prophet are to be "tormented for ever and ever," an apprehension
of the symbolism will teach us nothing more than that the systems
of iniquity represented by the Beast and the False Prophet (and now
prosperous in the earth) will for ever be subject to the judgment
that destroys them. That is to say, when they fall by the divine hand,
they will rise no more.—1865.
*
* *
"HEAVENS PASS AWAY . . EARTH BURNED UP"
"The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, the elements shall melt
with fervent heat, and the earth shall be burned up"—2 Pt. 3:10
TO BE in a position properly to understand any one part of the
Bible, a man must be acquainted with the whole. No one can understand 2 Pet. 3 (literal alleged earth-burning) who is ignorant of
the prophets, for Peter, directing attention to them in 2 Pet. 1:19;
3:2, accords to them the principal place of authority, and speaks in
their language. The key to the meaning of 2 Pet. 3 is in ν. 13—
"Nevertheless we, ACCORDING TO HIS PROMISE, look for NEW
HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH."
Now, if we can find the promise plainly, we shall discover the
meaning of the politico-prophetic metaphor, "New Heavens and
New Earth," and will be in a position to understand the dissolution
of heavens and earth spoken of by Peter. The promise in its plainest
form is to be found in Isa. 65:17-19—
1973 Berean 203
"Behold, I create New Heavens and a New Earth, and the former
shall not be remembered nor come to mind.
"But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create, for
behold, I create JERUSALEM a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
"And I will rejoice in Jerusalem and joy in My people, and the voice
of weeping shall no more be heard in her, nor the voice of crying."
This work is assigned to Jesus, of whom it is said—
"/ will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people,
TO ESTABLISH THE EARTH, to cause to inherit the desolate
heritages . .
"And they shall build the old wastes. They shall raise up the former
desolations. And they shall repair the waste cities and the
DESOLATIONS OF MANY GENERATIONS" (Isa. 49:8; 61:4).
It is also written in reference to the same mission (Is. 51:16)—
"I have put My words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the
shadow of Mine hand, THAT I MAY PLANT THE HEAVENS AND
LAY THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH, and say unto lion,
"Thou art My people: awake, stand up, Ο Jerusalem."
The New Creation which Jesus is to be instrumental in developing
has no reference to the material structure of the universe. The work
of physical creation has been done. To send Jesus to work
geologically and astronomically would be to go back in the order of
creation.
Christ's mission has reference to things moral and political. The
only thing physical to which it creatively has to do is the body, but
this only insofar as moral principles are involved. Man is mortal
BECAUSE OF SIN. Christ comes to take sin away, and therefore to
remedy its physical consequences.
The New Heavens and New Earth promised are: the
reorganization of the Kingdom of Israel for the purpose of ruling all
nations. In this will dwell righteousness; for he shall "reign in
righteousness," and execute judgment and justice "in the earth."
Now if this be the New Heavens and New Earth referred to by
Peter (and it MUST be so, since he connects it with a PROMISE), it
follows that the dissolution of heavens and earth of which he speaks
is simply an inversion of that process—this is, the overturning and
dissipation of the kingdom as THEN existing. This inference is
supported by prophetic example. Take, for instance, the description
in Isa. 24:19-20 of the breakup of the Jewish state—
"The earth is utterly broken down; the earth is CLEAN
DISSOLVED; the earth is moved exceedingly.
"The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be
removed like a cottage, and the transgression thereof shall be heavy
upon it, and it shall fall and not rise again."
Or take the prediction of the revolution by which Babylon was
overthrown by the Medes (Isa. 13:13-17)—
"I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her
place in the wrath of the Lord of hosts and in the day of His fierce
anger . .
"They shall every man turn to his own people and flee every man to
his own land.. Behold, I will stir up the Medes," etc.
_ ,
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1 9 7 3
Berean
204
There are other instances, but these will suffice.
Peter refers to a former destruction by water of the "world that
THEN WAS." Now the literal world was not destroyed in the Flood,
but simply submerged in water for the destruction of what Peter
describes in 2:5 as— „_,, I 1 7 ~~ r r , , x,
,, „
"The WORLD of the ungodly.
"The heaven and earth that ARE NOW" in the literal sense are
the same heaven and earth that were then (before the Flood), but
Peter—as has appeared evident—was not referring to the literal
heavens and earth at all, but to the system of things prophetically
described by that phrase. THIS (system), he said, was to—
"Pass away with a great noise, and melt in fervent heat."
What event was then impending? The letter was written t> years
before the destruction of Jerusalem. What was the destruction of
Jerusalem? It was the consumption by fire of the constituent
elements of the heavens and earth of the Kingdom of Israel. The
Temple, the utensils of the Law, the rulers, the priestly orders, and
almost the whole nation were destroyed.
A new heavens and earth are to succeed these, but the time has
not yet arrived. Peter takes no note of the interval between the two
events, any more that Jesus does in predicting the transfer of the
Kingdom from the Pharisees to the approved—
"Nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (ML 21:43).
—but this does not interfere with the facts of the case.
The ordinances of heaven and earth PHYSICAL will be perpetual:
see Jer. 31:35-37; Psa. 72:17; 89:36, in connection with Psa. 2:8;
Rev. 9:15; and the promises made to Abraham, and the whole tenor
of the Word.—1866.
Lord, Remember Me!
"Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, Lama sabachthani?
That is to say, My God, My God, why hast Thou
forsaken me?"—Matthew 27:46
RECENTLY on radio, I listened to a visiting high dignitary of the
Presbyterian Church of Scotland speak about the utterances made
from the cross by our Savior Jesus Christ. In dealing with the
episode of the thief, the usual church answer to support the immortal soul theory was advanced, quite ignoring that which the thief
requested of Christ (Lk. 23:42)—
"Remember me when thou COMEST into thy Kingdom"
- ^ o m e day FUTURE, for Christ said (Mk. 13:32)—
"0/ that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels
which are in heaven, NEITHER THE SON, but the Father."
However, the speaker proceeded to give the thief a reward that
would harmonize with church teaching—an immediate reward of an
immortal soul ascending to heaven, laying great emphasis on the
word, "Today—now, now, today!—thou shalt be with me in
Paradise," and concluded by saying, "And so the trinitarian
blessing came upon the thief."
It is not our purpose to refute in fulness the fallacy of this
teaching. The purpose of mentioning it is the hope that OUR
thoughts might be directed to the true spiritual significance of the
words spoken by our Lord, even while suffering the agonizing death
of crucifixion.
1973 B e r e a n
205
The church speaker next directed his listeners to the words
spoken by Christ to Mary and John. To Mary, "Behold thy son"; and
to John, "Behold thy mother." Of this incident, the pith of his
remarks are summed up in the words, "Christ here taught the
universal brotherhood of man." Our only comment on this is to
quote the true teaching of our Lord (Mt. 12:50)—
"Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the
same is my brother, and sister, and mother" (Mt. 12:50).
The inadequacy and emptiness of church theology is perhaps
shown at its fullest by this Church leader's treatment of those soexpressive words of our Master—
"Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani . . My God, my God, why hast thou
forsaken me?" (Mt. 27:46).
The actual words of this cry were not quoted, the words of this
appeal unto God by the Son hardly according with the trinitarian
theory. Instead of quoting these so intense words, this church
dignitary prefaced his remarks by saying, "Why did Christ suffer
and die?"
It would seem from his treatment of Christ's words that he did not
know the purpose or the necessity of Christ's death, for he went on to
render Christ's cry as; "My God, my God, why, why?" He then
proceeded to ask, "Who has not at some time experienced suffering
or tragedy in which there seemed no purpose, and the cry, Why?
was brought forth?"
He then went on to relate an experience he had had among his
parishioners in Scotland. An elderly bedridden lady lived with her
widowed daughter, the mother of 2 young children. On one occasion
the elderly lady had said that she wished death would visit the
house, as it distressed her hearing her daughter telling the children
to be quiet and not disturb their grandmother. Well, death came to
the house: the mother of the children died, the grandmother was
taken to an infirmary, the boy and girl to separate orphanages.
Why? Why did this happen? It was left to his listeners to answer.
He had no answer. This man had not learned the solemn Scripture
truth of natural human life—
"All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of
the field . .
"Man that is in honor and understandeth not is as the beasts that
perish . .
1973 B e r e a n
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."
2°6
"It is finished!" Of these last words uttered from the cross by
Christ the speaker said that Christ by his life had left for all to
behold, the great pattern of love to guide men's lives. True, indeed,
but how much MORE than that is comprehended in these words!
This man's oratory was excellent, but how empty! One wonders
why the story was told of the elderly lady and the 2 children. How
cold and stark the fate church theology left them to: where is the
brotherhood of man; where the heeding of the pattern of love to
guide men's lives—the pattern that taught OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S
WORD.
It is not our purpose to scoff at this church dignitary, a blind
leader of the blind. Our purpose in mentioning it is to intensify our
humble gratefulness and our sense of solemn responsibility that our
Heavenly Father—for some purpose best known to Himself—gave
us the opportunity, and opened our eyes to the understanding of the
glorious Gospel of the Kingdom. In the light of our great blessing in
a world of darkness, let us searchingly examine ourselves: our
characters, our conduct, all our activities, the extent of our work for
God. Are we a—
"Peculiar (special, unique, completely
ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS''?
different)
people,
In this self-examining process, let us recall again the patientlyendured ordeal of the cross, the words our Master spoke, the purpose of his death, and why he was left to his own strength in that
final supreme act of love, sacrifice and obedience.
Firstly, let us hear again the request of the thief—
"Lord, remember me WHEN thou COMEST into thy Kingdom."
No asking here, or concern shown, for an immortal soul going
anywhere, but a plain request to be "remembered" at a later time—
WHEN Christ came into his Kingdom.
As from the beginning—when the serpent, the representative of
sin and darkness, beguiled Adam and Eve into believing a lie—so
today the false teachers of an immortal soul beguile the unwary. In
this instance they ignore the thief's request to Christ, and in an
effort to bolster their false theories, they give to the thief something
he did not ask for or believe in, in effect saying to him, "We know
better than you: this is what you want."
But this thief on the cross DID know very clearly what he was
requesting. He, apparently alone of all the people witnessing the
crucifixion of the Lord, understood and BELIEVED the purpose and
what was being accomplished in that crucifixion. What faith! He
most certainly was an Israelite, and obviously he was familiar with
the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Promises to the Fathers.
Turning to Isa. 53:8, we read the RV rendering—
1973 Berean 207
"By oppression and judgment he was taken away, and as for his
generation, WHO AMONG THEM considered that he was cut off out
of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he
stricken."
He, the thief, of that generation witnessing the crucifixion, alone
appears to have considered and realized what was transpiring
before their eyes. The High Priest and Pharisees and Sadducees—
the rulers who claimed to know and teach the law of God—clamored
for and delivered Christ to crucifixion. Jeeringly they taunted—
"He saved others: himself he cannot save. If he be the King of
Israel, let him now; come down from the cross, and we will believe him!
"He trusted in God: let Him deliver him now, if He will have him!
For he said, I am the Son of God."
The disciples in the main stood afar off. And the few of his
followers who ventured to stand near him on that hill of torture saw
only in that anguished suffering crucifixion of the one they loved,
the death knell to all their hopes and beliefs—
"We trusted it had been he which should have redeemed Israel!"
Not so the thief. He saw in Christ the Lamb without spot or
blemish, the Lamb that was to "take away the sin of the world" as
taught by the Mosaic sacrifices. Understanding Christ to be a man
(for he said, "This man has done nothing amiss"), he acknowledged
the Scripture that—
"As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the
obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
He went on to confess himself a sinner worthy only of death—
"We indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds."
He manifested faith in the resurrection of Christ, and also for
himself, for his request necessitated the resurrection of both for its
fulfilment. He recognized in Christ the greater Son of David, who
would establish again the throne of David, by his request—
"When thou comest IN THY KINGDOM."
He saw in Christ the promised Messiah, the Seed of Abraham
through whom all the promises of God would be fulfilled. In short,
all those things which make up the Glad Tidings of the Kingdom of
God. This man asked, not for an imaginary soul going to a fictional
reward, but for that real, tangible eternal glory promised by God to
Abraham, the father of the faithful, through his Seed Christ.
Yes, he alone of all that generation witnessing the bruising of the
head of the Serpent-Power Sin, gives evidence of understanding and
acknowledging in humble faith the presence of the Messiah, of
seeing beyond the crucifixion to the glorious fulfilment and
culmination of Isa. 53. Prophecy was being fulfilled before his eyes,
and he recognized it, and he did not, like the bemused Presbyterian
preacher, cry out: Why?
Truly there were other hints of possible discernment: in the
anointing by Mary, in the sudden courage of Joseph and Nicodemus,
in the strange statement of the Roman centurion. But the thief
appears unique in the full manifestation of understanding and belief
at the moment of greatest darkness.
We now turn our thoughts to the words spoken by Christ to his
mother and John. Do they teach, as this churchman suggested, the
"universal brotherhood of man"?
1973 Berean 208
The record of this incident tells us that there were other women
present besides Christ's mother, who had pressed to the forefront of
the crowd to stand beside the cross, and who by their quiet grief and
anguish manifested themselves as being faithful followers of him.
Mary, the mother of our Lord, had that added incentive—the love
of a mother for her son—to draw her close. But the love of the other
women would arise solely from the teachings and example set them
by Christ during that companionship when they lived in his
presence. These were the women who lovingly "ministered unto
him" during his journeys throughout the land. Surely, by their lives
and on this occasion they manifest an equal love to that of Mary.
Yet our Lord concerns himself directly with his mother, and
makes no mention of the others. Here then is no "universal
brotherhood of man," but a beautiful manifestation of personal
concern. We learn that the elderly are to be cared for on the close
basis of mother and son. How wonderful if all were so cared for in
their final years!
There is truly a scriptural sense in which "universal
brotherhood" should prevail—
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor AS
THYSELF."
—a very searching command. But this second command does not
precede, but arises out of the first—
"Hear, Ο Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
thy strength."
It is useless to talk about the "universal brotherhood of man"
until the first commandment has been acknowledged and followed.
The Word of God tells us that—
"Unless ye believe and are baptized, ye cannot be saved."
Outside of that, there is no "brotherhood." The Scriptures abound
in teachings showing that universal brotherhood is utterly foreign to
natural man, and that man's ways are "only evil continually." And
we witness today the sad truth of scriptural prophecy—
"As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the
coming of the Son of man."
As we contemplate this dark crucifixion scene, our minds turn
again to that cry of Jesus—
"My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken
me?"
We can only be deeply and sadly impressed with the utter emptiness and inadequacy of the Trinity theory to give any meaning or
purpose to these words. The Trinity theory purports a co-equal, coeternal part of an immortal God asking himself why he had forsaken himself. And we witness the impossible: that which is immortal dying. We do not say these things lightly, but very seriously
and Sadly.
1973
Berean
209
And for one professing to be a "master in Israel"—a church
dignitary—to suggest that Christ was ignorant of the necessity of his
death and could ask, Why, is astounding. It manifests the blindness
of church theology.
Very early in his ministry, Christ went into the synagog at
Nazareth, and when handed the book of Isaiah he purposefully read
from ch. 61. After doing so, he said to the assembly—
' 'This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears."
From this episode we realize not only Christ's familiarity with the
Scriptures, but also that he UNDERSTOOD them. Therefore he
undoubtedly understood the prophecy of Isa. 53. The picture of it
would constantly be in his mind for those 3V2 years of his ministry,
burning more deeply within him as the days of fulfilment drew near—
"7 have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till
it be accomplished!"
And so he trod the path that brought him at last to Calvary, where
this prophecy was fulfilled before the eyes of the people of Israel.
Did he question Why? Recall just a few of our Lord's remarks prior
to crucifixion—
"Then said Jesus to Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the
cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?"
"The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men, and they
shall kill him; and the third day he shall be raised again."
"Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say: Father, save me
from this hour? But for this cause came I unto this hour."
What WAS the "cause" that required the crucifixion of a
righteous man? And if death was a necessity, why could it not have
been a peaceful death in sleep? The answer can perhaps be summed
up as: the remission of sins for the establishment of God's covenant.
Scripture tells us that—
"Without shedding of blood there can be no remission of sins."
Why not? Let us start at the beginning for a brief summary of this
question. Adam and Eve, created "very good," had one law placed
upon them: they were not to eat of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge
of Good and Evil. The pronounced penalty if they transgressed
W a S
~
DYING THOV SHALT DIE."
By their disobedience, mortality passed upon them, and the
knowledge of good and evil. So by one man's disobedience sin entered the world, and death by sin. Mortality became inherent in all
mankind: death doubly so because all men sin. By our first father's
sin, sin is "in our members" (Rom. 7:23)—part of our consititution.
So, left to himself, man's case is hopeless: he could not progress
beyond his short mortal span.
1973 Berean 210
But it pleased God to acknowledge obedience even as He condemns disobedience. Before and up to Noah's time we perceive
His graciousness to those who sought Him. Later to Abraham, the
great example of faith, He made a Covenant of a future everlasting
possession of land, and in Abraham's Seed all nations of the earth
should be blessed. Later David, the "man after God's Own heart,"
had revealed to him the Kingdom aspect of the purpose, to be
fulfilled in the One Seed of Abraham and David.
So God reveals His plan of salvation for fallen man. By the Mosaic
Law and its attendant ordinance of sacrifices, there was typified
how God would effect a way for man to be saved from sin and its
consequence, death: and yet uphold God's righteousness and justice.
God, by His overshadowing of Mary, brought about the birth of
Christ. Born of a mortal mother, the babe was subjected to all the
weaknesses of human nature. By obedience, strengthened by God,
he overcame the weaknesses of human flesh, and so came to the
cross in character without spot or blemish.
Why then the need of sacrifice? Adam by disobedience went from
life to death, and took the human race with him. This man by
obedience would go from death to life, and take those with him. In
the process, faith would be fully manifested in the hope of life by
resurrection by the power of God the Creator—
"The Son of man shall be betrayed . . and they shall kill him . . and
the third day he shall be RAISED AGAIN."
The shedding of blood in death, and the nailing of the sin-nature to
the tree, not only testified that God is holy and righteous, and His
ways just, but in wisdom and mercy it made other beneficiaries of
Christ's death, partakers of the Covenant made to the worthies of
old as bound up in the Gospel of the Kingdom on earth, to be ruled
over in righteousness by the Seed of Abraham and David.
By the sacrificial and ratifying death of Christ, the promises
contained in the Covenant became available and were made
possible of fulfilment. That Christ recognized this fact is manifested
when at the Passover feast with his disciples a few hours before his
crucifixion he said—
"This is my blood of the New Testament (Covenant) which is shed
for many for the remission of sins."
By Christ's sacrifice, the Covenant to Abraham was brought into
force, and we as beneficiaries take unto ourselves that described by
Paul in Gal. 3:27-29—
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
"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."
Christ's sacrifice, says Paul (Rom. 3:25-26), was—
erean 2U
"To declare His (God's) righteousness, that He might be just, and
the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
It was to "condemn sin" (Rom. 8:3), and lay a foundation of
holiness upon which the mercy of God can righteously be extended.
Paul expresses it very simply and beautifully when he says—
"He put away sin by the sacrifice of himself' (Heb. 9:26).
Any who are ignorant of this Covenant of Promise, any asking
why Christ died, are indeed (Eph. 2:12)—
"Strangers from the Covenants of Promise, having no hope and
without God in the world."
God indeed "hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked," but His
plea, "Turn ye and live" is in the main unheeded, and so we see a
world of tragedy and evil.
Certainly Christ knew the Scriptures, and for the "joy set before
him" he endured the cross. Why then did he cry, "My God, my God,
why hast Thou forsaken me?" The answer provides yet another
proof of the absurdity and falseness of the Trinity theory. Christ was
not God, or a third part of a "Godhead," but a MAN—a man suffering the agony of crucifixion. For over 3 years, from his baptism
by John, he had possessed "without measure" the power of the
Holy Spirit to demonstrate that God was with him in opening up a
way unto life eternal. He had lived in intimate communion with the
Father in prayer and ever doing those things pleasing to God.
And now in this final hour the Spirit is withdrawn and he is left
alone for this final act of obedience. Imagine his thoughts—realizing
the eternal destiny of so many rested upon him: the faithful of old
who had "seen his day," and those associated with him during his
life's work, and also the hope of all future ones.
He was so alone, for they "hid as it were their faces from him."
His only companionship and encouragement the words of faith of a
crucified thief- , L 0 R D R E M E M B E R ME . „
—and those few troubled, grief-stricken ones at the foot of the cross.
Surely his whole life leads us to believe that it was deep loving
concern for all who trusted in him and depended upon him that
caused him to exclaim—
"My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?"
These were not the words of an all-powerful God, but the
anguished cry of a man bearing the burden of all mankind, aware of
the weakness of mortal flesh, and desperately longing for the
sustaining companionship of his Heavenly Father. He was, in
fulfilment of prophecy, quoting the opening words of Psa. 22, the
crucifixion Psalm—
1973 Berean
"All they that see me laugh me to scorn ..
"He trusted on the Lord that He would deliver him ..
"They pierced my hands and my feet..
212
"They part my garments among them . ."
The psalm begins in anguish, but ends in exultant triumph, and
the whole psalm would be before his mind in that dark hour.
"Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows! "
God trieth no man beyond that he is able to bear. It would seem a
merciful death came to our Lord more quickly than usual for people
crucified. He had faithfully finished the work God gave him to do.
My brethren and sisters, Christ did not fail us. We are assured of
the certainty of the fulfilment of the covenants of promise. God, Who
in His wisdom left Christ to his own strength in that final act of
obedience, had proven the worthiness of Christ to be King of kings,
qualified to rule the earth in love, justice, and to the glory of God.
Of that last utterance by our Lord, "It is finished," the speaker
quoted earlier said that "Christ by his life left for all to behold, the
great pattern of love to guide men's lives." This is true—
PROVIDED the pattern of love exemplified by Christ is fully
comprehended, which sadly it is not in the churches. Christ taught—
"If ye love me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS." (John 14:15).
"He that hath my commandments and KEEPETH THEM,
he it is that loveth me" (v. 21).
OBEDIENCE brought the commendation of God—
"This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
OBEDIENCE produced the perfect sacrifice & victory over death.
OBEDIENCE has made possible for mankind the sharing of the
eternal glories of the Kingdom of God. This, then, is the "pattern of
love" that should guide men's lives—loving obedience to Yahweh.
In Christ's life we behold the depth of beauty of character and
action that should make us desire to follow him, to press forward
and stand with him, to strive in love to be like him, manifesting
ourselves true followers of him, that we may be numbered among
the beautiful "strong ones" with whom he will joyfully share the
spoils of his victory.
May we each in this our generation manifest true wisdom and
faith, beholding as clearly as did the thief, the "Messiah," the "King
of Israel," ever acknowledging our guilt of death, but always
praying
"Lord, remember us when thoucomest into thy Kingdom."
*
*
*
"Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord
Jesus, that great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the blood of the
Everlasting Covenant, make us perfect in every good work to do His
will, working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight, through
Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
j£ pj
If the Berean is received unwanted, please mark the envelope,
"Refused, return to sender," and drop it in a mailbox.
1 9 7 3 Berean 213
Joseph and Jesus
"Shalt thou indeed reign over us? Or shalt thou indeed have
dominion over us ? And his brethren hated him yet
the more for his dreams"—Genesis 37:8
IN OUR Daily Readings, we have recently again been reading, at
the same time, about two of the greatest men in the history of
Israel—yea, indeed, in the history of the whole world. Surely in all
the world's literature there is nothing to equal the true story of
Joseph. And yet how few recognize the importance of this heartsearching narrative!
Here is a young man of sterling character, beloved of his father,
yet bitterly hated by his brothers even to the planning of his murder.
We behold him in youthful innocence on an errand of peace to them,
but even when afar off his brothers conspire to kill him. We follow
him throughout his life until he stands before his brethren in great
power. But it is the same Joseph, showing love, mercy and
generous, open-hearted forgiveness to those who had wronged him
so grievously and had sold him into exile, slavery and prison.
But why did the Spirit through Moses devote so much space to the
story of this one man?—11 chapters out of 50 in a book covering
nearly 2500 years. Is it merely an appeal to our emotions? Is it just
something to excite our feelings? No, not by any means! It was the
purposeful, perfect work of God, and like all the rest of the Scriptures of Truth, it was written for our instruction.
Sometimes, as we read about him, it all seems so cruel and
heartless, but Joseph had to be prepared for an exalted position of
great power, and therefore he had to suffer for his own good, and for
the good of his people.
Let us look into this record, that we may be strengthened and
encouraged and, at the same time, increase our wisdom and understanding of the Word of God. First, we look at his youth at home:
"Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he
was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many Colors.
"And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than
all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto
him" (Gn. 37:3-4).
In this same chapter, we learn of 2 dreams that Joseph had, and
they are of deep interest. The first is in vs. 5-8—
"Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren, and they
hated him yet the more. And he said unto them,
"Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For, behold,
we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf arose, and also
stood upright; and behold, your sheaves stood round about it, and
made obeisance to my sheaf.
"And his brethren said unto him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us?
Or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us?
1973 Berean 214
"And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his
words."
The second dream follows in vs. 9-11—
"Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and behold, the sun and
the moon and the 11 stars made obeisance to me.
"And he told it to his father: and his father rebuked him, and said
unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy
mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee
to the earth?
"And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying."
Ordinary dreams come from many causes. Joseph's dreams,
however, were from God, and were prophetic. This is proved by
later events in his life. His father and his brethren realized that they
were not ordinary dreams. Concerning the latter day outpouring of
the Spirit, God testified through the prophet Joel, saying—
"Your old men shall dream dreams" (Joel 2:28).
And through Moses He said (Num. 12:6)—
"// there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself
known to him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream."
Joseph's dreams were of this class. They forecasted coming
events. Realizing the nature of his dreams, his brethren were filled
with envy. They could not speak peaceably to him, for their envy
turned to deadly hatred, and they plotted against his life.
At 17 years of age (his mother Rachel having been dead several
years), this peace-loving boy, beloved of his father, was sent on an
errand of goodwill to enquire after the welfare of his brethren. But
when they saw him approaching, their hatred was so great that they
conspired to kill him—
"And they said one to another, Behold this dreamer cometh.
"Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some
pit. And we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him:
"And we shall see what will become of his dreams" (Gn. 37:19-20).
Had they done this, they would have interfered with God's plans
for Joseph's exaltation and for their own welfare. Therefore
something had to be done. In vs. 21-22 we have the solution—
"Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said,
Let us not kill him. Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in
the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him:
"That he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his
father again."
This plan was accepted, and when Joseph drew near they seized
him, stripped him of his coat, and cast him into the empty pit. Then
these hard-hearted brethren sat down quietly to eat their lunch.
Joseph must have been terrified, as he appealed to them in vain.
The thought is well expressed in Psa. 55:4-5—
1973 Berean 215
"My heart is sore pained within me; and the terrors of death are
fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and
horror hath overwhelmed me" (vs. 4-5).
Listen to his brethren, about 23 years later (Gn. 42:21-22)—
"And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our
brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us,
and we would not hear. Therefore is this distress come upon us."
But again, if Reuben had had HIS way, God's plan could not have
been carried out. Gen. 37:29 shows that Reuben was separated from
his brethren for a time; and during that period a company of
merchants appear, and Judah suggests that they sell Joseph, so that
his blood would not be upon their hands. And this they do. Later,
Reuben returns to the pit to rescue his younger brother, and is
overwhelmed with grief when he finds that Joseph is gone.
To complete their cruel work, the brothers killed a kid and dipped
Joseph's coat in its blood, and presented it to their father. The poor
old man was almost heart-broken, and refused to be comforted,
declaring that he would go down to the grave for his son mourning.
But let us return to Joseph. He is now in the hands of the
Midianites, and on the way to Egypt. The account is brief, so we will
look behind the scene. Here is the favorite son of an old man, accustomed to all the comfort of home, and the tender love of his
father, suddenly snatched from these quiet, joyful circumstances,
and alone in the hands of heartless strangers, to be sold into cruel
bondage. Can you see him as he proceeds in despair, doubtless
bound in order to prevent escape.
What agony! What grief! Was there ever such loneliness as his?
How could human prospects be darker? Yet, unknown to Joseph, he
was on his way to power and great glory in the land of Egypt, but
many dark days and bitter trials lay in between.
Upon arrival in Egypt, he is sold to Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh's
guard. In his service as a slave, the noble character of Joseph is
revealed. He proved himself to be of high morality, gentleness,
fidelity, patience, and perseverance. He also possessed an iron will,
and an indomitable energy.
Everything seemed to be well, and the Egyptian prospered
because of Joseph. Then suddenly, like a bolt from the sky, Joseph is
again plunged into the depths of despair, and again as a result of his
own goodness and faithfulness. Think of him, an outcast, a slave in a
strange land, and now in prison, a victim of false accusation. YET,
unknown to Joseph, he was still on the road to exaltation. This appears in VS. 21-23.
1973 Berean 216
Though cruelly cast down again, Joseph firmly maintains his faith
in God, in spite of all appearances. In process of time, through faithful service, matters begin to brighten again (v. 21)—
"But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave
him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison."
After some years in prison, ch. 40 brings us to a new scene in the
life of Joseph, and shows how, though all unseen, God was working
with him. Two servants of Pharaoh—the butler and the bakerhaving offended Pharaoh, were put into prison. They dreamed, but
their dreams were not of the ordinary type. Interpretation of their
dreams was given by Joseph, and accordingly the baker was
hanged and the butler was restored to his office. Joseph pleaded
with the butler—
"But think on me when it shall be well with thee; and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me; and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and
bring me out of this house:
"For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and
here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the
dungeon" (vs. 14-15).
Ch. 41 brings us to the end of his long years of affliction, but not
till 2 more weary years were spent in prison. Then came Pharaoh's
2 dreams: first of 2 groups of cattle, and then of 2 groups of corn.
Upon hearing of them, and the inability of the wise men to interpret the dreams, the butler recalled his own experience, and his
ingratitude toward Joseph, and told Pharaoh how Joseph had interpreted his and the baker's dreams. This is recorded in vs. 9-13.
Joseph was hastily called from prison, and interpreted the 2
dreams of Pharaoh, the substance being that there were to be 7
years of plenty, followed by 7 years of famine. As a reward, and
because of his ability, he was made ruler over all the land of Egypt.
This is outlined in vs. 37-45. His work is listed in vs. 47-57. From the
time he was sold by his brethren to the time when he stood before
Pharaoh had been 13 years.
1973 Berean 217
Chs. 41-45 bring us to the climax in the life of Joseph. On account
of the famine that had spread throughout the countries surrounding
Egypt, the land of Canaan was greatly affected. His father Jacob,
realizing the position they were in, and hearing that there was
plenty of food in Egypt, sent 10 of his sons to Egypt to buy corn.
As Joseph had charge of all sales, it was necessary for his
brethren to appear before him. He recognized them, but they did not
recognize him. The details of this visit are given in ch. 42, to the end
of v. 28. We see how ch. 42:6 gives the fulfilment of Joseph's boyhood
dreams, and again in 43:26 upon their second visit, and we are
deeply impressed with the wonderful workings of God, and the
importance of maintaining faithful, cheerful, hopeful obedience to
Him, in spite of the bitterest and most trying of experiences.
Here is the essence of faith—complete, dependent, obedient
trust—without which it is impossible to please God, Who must try
His servants for their great and glorious destiny. How blessed were
those who held fast and true, even unto cruel deaths, as Paul
stirringly records in Heb. 11!
We must pass over the details concerning his brothers' first and
second visits, except to call attention to the ordeals Joseph caused
them to pass through, for their own sakes, until they were completely humbled.
The opening words of ch. 45 manifest Joseph's deep love, in spite
of all they had done, and shows how that he could refrain himself no
longer; and how he made himself known to his brethren. They were
so terrified at his presence that they could not answer him. But
Joseph—showing love, mercy and forgiveness to those who had
treacherously wronged him and caused him such long years of
suffering and grief—turned to them and said—
"I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore, be
not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did
send me before you to preserve life" (vs. 4-5).
Then he instructed them to hurry home and give the news to his
father. And he added some sound advice, saying (v.24)—
"See that ye fall not out by the way."
In other words, "No quarreling, please." That advice is also good
for us. We may have sincere disagreements, but there must be no
quarreling among us. It is so easy and natural for the flesh to get
sidetracked from the main purpose of carrying the Good News to
the hungry, and fall to quarrelling on the way.
When Jacob heard the news, he was overjoyed, saying—
"It is enough: Joseph my son is yet alive:
I will go and see him before I die."
In chs. 46-47 we have the record of the family reunion, and their
establishment in the land of Egypt. All this was written for OUR
instruction, and 0, what a wealth of necessary instruction we find in
this, the loveliest and most fascinating story ever written! First, we
learn that Joseph is a remarkable type of the Lord Jesus in marvelous detail. Then we discover that he also typifies all true sons and
daughters of God. Let us look briefly at some of the parallels between Joseph and the Lord Jesus—
1973 Berean 218
Gen. 37:8—"Shalt thou indeed
reign over us?"
37:8—"His brethren hated him."
37:4—"Their father loved him
more than all his brethren."
Lk. 19:14—"We will not have this
man to reign over us."
Jn. 15:25—"They
without a cause."
hated
me
Mt. 3:17—"This is My beloved
Son."
37:18—"When they saw him afar
Mk. 12:7— "When the husbandmen
off, they conspired against him to saw his son they said, This is the
kill him."
heir: come, let us kill him."
37:28—"They sold him for 20
pieces of silver."
Mt. 26:15—"They
covenanted
with him for 30 pieces of silver."
37:28—"Cast him into a pit, and
brought forth alive."
Jesus buried, and brought forth
alive.
41:45—"Promoted by Pharaoh to
be ruler over all the land of Egypt"
Mic. 5:2—"Out of Bethlehem shall
he come forth that is to be ruler in
Israel."
45:1 — "Joseph made himself
known to his brethren . . they were
troubled."
Zee. 12:10—"They shall look upon
me whom they have pierced, and
they shall mourn."
45:7—"To preserve
posterity in the earth."
Isa.49:6—"My Servant to raise up
the tribes of Jacob, and to restore
the preserved of Israel."
you
a
There are other likenesses, but these illustrate the wonderful
resemblance. Joseph had to suffer for his own good, and ultimate
exaltation, but he did not understand it at the time. We clearly see,
and Joseph could at last see in looking back, that God was ever with
him, and His loving hand was in all Joseph's bitter trials.
Do we not often wonder why certain afflictions come upon us? Our
outlook may be dark. Everything may seem to be against us, and as
we endeavor to look ahead, there seems to be no way out. If we ever
feel that way (and surely such times come upon us all), then let us
think of Joseph, and how he was faithful and patient through it all.
The Kingdom of God lies ahead. What ever lies in between in this
so brief life, still THAT Kingdom is at the end for those who hold
fast. We press toward that Kingdom, and hope to see it, but who
knows what each one may have to pass through in the way of
tribulation. Clouds of darkness may come over us, and we may feel
as though the sun may never shine again into our lives. The time
seems long; the way narrow; human nature is weak; and we may
feel as though we could cry out in despair.
If we ever feel that way (and who does not?), then let us think of
Joseph: his bitter darkness, his steadfast faith; his ultimate glory.
Trouble is trouble, no matter how we look at it. But there are 2
ways of taking it. If it comes upon us, and we can see no reason why,
the natural thing is to complain, and find fault with our lot, and to
sulk about it, and to weaken in our faith.
But is this pleasing to God? We know it is not. What then shall we
do? We have an answer in lPet. 5:6—
"Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time."
And Paul in Heb. 12:5—
"My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,
nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him."
1973 B e r e a n
219
Also, in v. 11—
"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous.
Nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto
them which are EXERCISED THEREBY."
If, therefore, dark and dreary days come upon us, let us not
become impatient, or slacken in our faith, but THINK OF JOSEPH.
We look past our own small circle out into the world at large, and
what do we see? Trouble? Yes, the sky seems to be overhung with
clouds of intense darkness. There seems to be no way out. Yet we
know there is, and we know what God intends to do. Then why not
apply this assurance to ourselves, and commit our way completely
unto the Lord, as David says in Psa. 37:5—
"Trust also in Him, and He SHALL bring it to pass."
The lesson of Joseph's life shows plainly that we must not look for
signs from heaven, because God works in apparently natural ways.
And even when our case seems hopeless, we may be on the verge of
deliverance. If, then, we feel at any time that our trial is more than
we can bear, let us remember the agony of Joseph in the pit. Let us
think of him in his days of slavery—of how he was falsely accused,
and put into prison, and cruelly abused (Psa.105:18). And then, let
us think of the anti-typical, greater Joseph, recorded in Heb. 12:2—
"Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
For it is he who has said (Rev. 3:21)—
"To him that OVERCOMETH will I grant to sit with me in my
throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in
His throne."
"To him that overcometh"—that is the key, Joseph did not waver
in his faith. He did not say, "I know that is God's command, but I am
in an extremity, I am forced to break it because there is no other
way out." That is tragedy and failure. The worthies of Heb. 11 were
faithful unto the loss of all things, and even life itself. They sought
strength from God to do what was right regardless of consequences.
Therefore they have a reward.
Where is this strength to be found? If we could but keep the
glorious conception of the Truth of the Gospel constantly before our
eyes, how brilliant its light would be in all its transcendent glory!
When we consider what the Lord Jesus has accomplished for us
through the Gospel, our gratitude should be unbounded. For we are
no longer "aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel," no longer
"without God in the world;" for we have been elevated to the place
of honor described by Paul—
"But now IN CHRIST JESUS ye who sometimes were afar off are
made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Eph. 2:13).
As we reflect on the things we have considered, our minds turn to
the wonderful, comforting words of Paul in Rom. 11:33—
"O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
"How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!"
1973 Berean
220
—G.A.G.
Current Events Fulfilling Prophecy
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked: who can know it?"—Jeremiah 17:9
SEARCHING AGAIN FOR THE SACRED. Since end of 19th century,
growing feeling that religion not a thing of pious Sundays but vigorous,
shirtsleeve weekdays. Churches & synagogs involved in struggles for racial
justice & economic equality. In '60s, secular religion reached its peak. God
took back seat. Some said God was dead: the personal, loving, father-figure
of Bible. While that God was dying, a "New Morality" was being baptized, a
"situation ethics" that morals depend on individual circumstances.
But this liberal optimistic vision of human race was at odds with growing
current of disillusionment with man's ability to transform either himself or
his world. Hitler & Hiroshima suggested that spiral could spin downward
into new dimensions of evil. Slowly, as out of a fog, life began to be a matter
of basic questions again: Who am I? Why was I born? Why must I die? What
is life all about?
Few are finding what they seek in liberal churches or synagogs. Mainstream churches are slipping in numbers. Most impressive example of
growth is Southern Baptist Convention which has maintained a staunchly
biblical faith. Young of all faiths are turning to "Jesus movement." Reform
Jews are returning to traditional religious law; Conservative Jews are
tightening their own practices; ranks of Catholic traditionalists are growing.
The Orthodox Church in America last wk. attacked ecumenical movement
for "secular Christianity."
Many mainstream Protestants & Catholics are caught up in rapidly expanding Pentecostal movement, seeking to renew their belief thru ecstatic
personal encounter with Holy Spirit. Others are looking for guidance to great
Eastern religions—mostly Hinduism & Buddhism.
Hindu philosophy has long attracted Western minds. Hindus have many
personal deities. Hindu imports spin on & on in the catalog of current US
spiritual movements. So does Buddhism, a reform movement within Hinduism in 6th century BC, which de-emphasized the Hindu gods. Some schools
of Buddhism—Zen, for instance—are a kind of agnosticism.
Recently a Tibet lama was aided by Episcopal Bishop Myers & a Catholic
Franciscan friar to set up a center for young Buddhists. "A few years ago,"
Myers chuckled, "the very thought would have been shocking. But we were
brothers. It's great thing that Christians can help other religions find root
here." Eastern religions "may provide a way into the mystical experience of
both East & West, Myers says, "We don't seem able to go the direct way."
Similarly, Catholic Carmelite Friar McNamara has incorporated strains
of Eastern mystical traditions into 2 ecumenical contemplative centers he
runs. Daily meditation periods include readings from Zen, Hindu & Islamic
literature. One notable visitor, a member of the Pope's Theological Commission, said, "Nothing in my 57 years rivals it."
Zen Master Kapleau disdains Christian enthusiasm for Zen & other
Buddhism. "There is no God concept in Buddhism," he says flatly. (Tm 4:9)
NOTE: What a pitiful & confused picture!—so-called "Christian" leaders
running greedily after the murky abominations of the heathen! Can we
wonder at bro. Thomas' scathing indignation at these traitorous "bishops"
who are sworn to preserve & defend the Word of God, but who degrade &
adulterate it with pagan superstitions? Episcopal "Bishop" Myers
"chuckles" that up to recently the "very thought would have been
shocking." Truly it would, & rightly so: under the holy Law God gave Israel,
Myers would have been stoned to death to rid the land of his corrupt influence. That day will come again, on all false prophets & deceivers of the
people.
1973 Berean 221
VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS. Problems run gamut of woes of adult society:
murder, rape, drugs, assaults, armed robbery, arson & wanton destruction.
The violence usually is sparked by children—striking out against other
children, teachers, & school property. Students in danger every day—in
schoolrooms, halls, yards, & on street going to & from school. Crime &
violence accelerating at alarming pace.
CHICAGO: In one recent month, 155 teachers assaulted.
LOS ANGELES: Gang violence has turned schools into garrison camps
with steel-mesh fences & padlocked gates. Teachers lock classrooms. Some
students afraid to go to school. An LA principal says: "For both teachers &
students, issue is no longer learning, but survival." Many students carry
knives & guns for self-defense.
NEW YORK: 1052 reported assaults on students & teachers in 72, up from
423 in 71. Many assaults not reported from fear of retaliation. Vandalism
cost $3.7 million in 71. Too many schools resemble Dodge City: everyone
must carry a gun for protection.
HOUSTON: Violence getting so bad many teachers quitting, listing "fear"
as reason. Houston security guards cost of $400,000 a yr., with big increase
planned next yr. More & more students carrying firearms.
School violence not singular to US. BRITAIN: Vandalism, theft & assault
cause tumult in 60 pet. of high schools: authorities call it4 crisis of discipline.'
FRANCE: Growing unrest & rebellion in schools: dozen or so deliberate
school fires this year: 21 died in one school fire in Paris. Discipline relaxed to
point where quality of achievement is impaired.
SWEDEN: Long been struggling with mounting juvenile delinquency &
discipline problems in schools. Aggressiveness of students increasing, with
wide use of drugs & alcohol. (USN 4:16)
NOTE: The school picture is surely one of the saddest pictures of all. A
new generation rising, & this is the atmosphere they are developing in. What
chance do they have? Clearly the generation at Christ's coming will be a lost
generation, like Israel in the wilderness, who must die off one by one for 40
years, before their children can enter the Promised Land.
COLLEGE CRIME. On many campuses, biggest problem today is crime:
assaults, armed robberies, rapes—up 50 pet. in 2 years. Even 10-ft. brick
walls of Harvard Yard not sufficient to prevent wave of thefts & assaults. In
a recent 2-wk. period, 42 recorded burglaries of Harvard student rooms. At
Purdue, reported thefts jumped from 300 in '65 to 922 in 72. At Illinois U.,
stolen property soared from under $50,000 to over $200,000 in 3 yrs.(Tm4:2)
NOTE: Crime & violence are seeping into & permeating every facet of US
life, & the worse it gets, the faster it will develop, & the harder it will be to
stop. Already courts are clogged & prisons are jammed, & are spilling the
criminals back on the streets as fast as they are caught.
MORALITY IN US. Great lack of discipline in schools today; also in
churches. Some churches no longer demand high standard of integrity &
morality: they haven't same ideals of Christian living as in past.
Constantly rising crime rate is a reflection of this. Until there's moral
reawakening & restoration of respect & reverence for home & for ideals once
held, crime may well continue to increase.
Another factor is weakness of law enforcement. So many k^own criminals
escape with either very little punishment or none at all. If one correctly
assumes it's very unlikely he'll be punished, there's little or no deterrent. So
he'll follow his natural instinct to commit crime. (USN 3:26)
NOTE: "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily,
therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil" (Ec.
8:11). How much trouble & sorrow man could save himself if he would only
accept the guidance of God's wisdom, & not his own foolish
"modern"
1973
theories!
Berean 222
A FAIL-SAFE PLAN FOR WORLD PEACE. In this nuclear age, it's an
awesome fact that a very few, fragile, unpredictable human beings have
power to decide whether mankind will survive or be extinguished. They do
not differ from others except in terms of having this terrifying ultimate
power. They suffer from same weaknesses, conflicts, anxieties, doubts &
insecurities that afflict all humanity. They too seek to mask their doubts &
errors by dogmatism. The whims of the powerful are no less whims than
those of the powerless—only much more dangerous. What if Hitler had had
atomic weapons? There are no safeguards against a Hitler or Stalin coming
ίο power in either an authoritiarian or "democratic" nation. The very
pattern of personality that leads to successful competition for top leadership
in all forms of govt. is the same that makes for success in dominating &
intimidating associates & "advisers." Given this historical dilemma with its
new, nuclear urgency, the problem now becomes a scientific one. Researchers in US, Russia & other countries for many yrs. have been
systematically studying roles of various areas of brain, & effects of
tranquilizing, depressing & stimulating drugs on perception, thought &
emotional behavior. It's now clear that it's possible to manipulate the
feelings of individuals. With increased research, direct chemical intervention & control of human behavior will become more precise.
I propose a morally & scientifically powerful international agency for this
purpose. Without question, this raises many complex questions, & strong
potential for abuse. But dangers of refusing to assume responsibility of
scient ically controlling man's bad impulses & strengthening his good ones
are clear & present. All attempts to avoid this responsibility are immoral.
Scientists are close to perfecting a moral & effective form of intervention
for control of negatives & strengthening positives in human behavior.
Nations must cooperate in providing resources & appropriate international
agency to enable science to save man from annihilating himself—By a NY
University psychology professor. (Nwk 3:19)
NOTE: The problem is real & terrible enough, but the "solution" is pure
Alice-in-Wonderland. Because they cannot trust fallible human leaders with
the nuclear push-button, a panel of fallible human scientists will somehow
agree just what way to program, for instance, Brezhnev and Nixon so they
will do "good" and not "bad." Could any international panel including
deadly rivals like US & Russia ever agree on what IS "good" and "bad" in
the actions of each nation's leaders? What pitiful fantasy! But it shows how
man is at his wits' end.
"A WAR OF EXTERMINATION" On Nov. 29, '47, UN voted to partition
Palestine. Next day, Arab League Sec.-Gen. said, "This will be a war of
extermination & a momentous massacre." The Palestine Arab representative at UN agreed. (LfSpcIsrllssue 73)
NOTE: And the day after the State of Israel was formed, six brave Arab
armies attacked from all sides, telling the Palestine Arabs to get out of the
land so the armies could sweep through and massacre the Jews.
Hypocritical Britain & UN made no provision for Jews' protection. THIS is
the background of the present picture. Twice again, in '56 & '67, the Arabs
tried to exterminate the Jews. Present Arab statements and claims must be
judged in the light of these facts.
FOOD POLITICS. US Govt. heavily subsidizes the US grain going to
Russia; those sales helped drive up prices for feed grains, adding to US meat
cost. Common Mkt. selling surplus butter to Russia at 1 5 of subsidized
price for butter in W. Europe. (USN 4:30)
NOTE: Russia was desperate; had to have the food; could not get it
elsewhere. So US sells it far below cost, & poor US taxpayer foots the bill, &
the dealers make a huge profit. Such are the ways of man that Christ will
correct.
1973 Berean 223
PENDULUM SWINGS. After yrs. of sunny admiration, science suddenly
finds itself in shadow. No longer are scientists the public's great heroes. In
part, turnabout came from increasing awareness of environmental ravages
that accompany technological advance.
On more philosophic level, reversal is result of new mood of skepticism
about science methods. There has begun to emerge a new fascination with
the very antithesis of science: the mystical & even irrational.
Such was faith in science that its practitioners quickly came to believe all
mysteries would yield before it. Science in effect became the new religion.
Science did indeed bring forth a Brave New World—of transistors &
electronics, antibiotics & organ transplants, computors & jet travel.
But progress came at a price. It was the genius of science that made
possible exploding mushroom cloud over Hiroshima, chemically ruined
forests of Indochina, threat of a shower of nuclear missiles, a planet increasingly littered with technology's fallout.
Science's alleged objectivity & its attendant evils have denatured man's
personal experience & taken mystery & sacredness out of life. There may be
processes in universe totally at odds with accepted physical laws. There's
renewed interest in ESP (extra-sensory perception): in a questionnaire, 70
pet. of answering scientists in Britain considered it possible. (Tm 4:23)
NOTE: How man wavers & fluctuates from one extreme to another! One
day "science" is going to solve all problems & explain all mysteries; the
next day mysticism & witchcraft is all the learned rage! Man will run
greedily after any idea but the Truth, but Truth is too holy, & sets too high a
standard, & evil man is frightened away. And the way to Truth is divinely
guarded, 8c revealed only to those whose heart is right with God.
ISRAEL'S MASADA COMPLEX. Masada is the mountain in Israel where
defending Jews of first century died to last man rather than surrender to
Romans. Golda Meir has declared that all Jerusalem will remain a Jewish
city & nothing but a Jewish city, and that Israel would never, never, withdraw from Sharm El Sheikh or west bank of Gulf of Aqaba.
Israel's present borders are more secure militarily than any that could
emerge from a settlement. Israel's policy seems to be: "What we have, we
hold"; This is both rational & humanly understandable.
But Israel is paying a price for that policy. As recent UN votes show, Israel
has only one firm friend left in world—US.
As long as Israel holds fast to her conquests—26,000 sq. mis. of Arab land &
over a million Arabs—the Arabs' hatred will burn high. Arabs are powerless
now, but they're becoming richer & more industrialized every year. Can
Israel, outnumbered 40 to 1, endure indefinitely as a tiny island in a sea of
Arab hatred? (Nwk 3:19)
NOTE: "Israel has only one friend left." Why does US continue to support
Israel, when there is so much feeling even here against the Jews, & they are
so relatively few, & it would be so much more profitable to side with the
Arabs as the big oil companies are pressing it to? The only answer is that
God is controlling them for His own purposes—contrary to their own natural
best interests.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^,^
OIL WEALTH & INTRIGUE. Around Persian Gulf, a basin containing 60
pet. of weald's proven oil reserves, are 3 sizable nations & 10 small sheikdoms. Annual oil income (over $7 billion now) will soar to $35 billion by '80, &
$55 billion by '85—the largest pool of capital in world history.
With so much treasure, Gulf is aboil with plays for power. Russia, US,
Japan, West Europe & China all involved. (USN4:23)
NOTE: How naturally are affairs working out to focus all world attention
on the vital Mideast: oil, wealth, strategic location, Israel-Arab conflict,
great power fear & greed & rivalry.
The Berean is covered financially through the August issue.
1973
Berean
224
ASTRONOMY: NEW PUZZLES. Series of dramatic observations of new
astronomical phenomena over last decade: continually heralding discovery
of some unexpected new objects in heavens: quasars, pulsars, X-ray stars, &
"black holes"—objects so immeasurably dense that even light rays cannot
escape from their gravitational fields, so they are inherently invisible.
Recent observations have cleared up some mysteries, but others have
raised entirely fresh & disturbing questions. Undoubtedly most puzzling are
quasars, which shine with brilliance of a million normal stars. A quasar each
year eats up as much energy as our sun will use in its entire existence.
Behavior of quasars remains a tantalizing mystery. (Nwk 5:7)
NOTE: Just a reminder that for all his ρ retentions, man knows very, very
little about the universe, & this year's "facts" are continually being shattered by next year's discoveries. The article mentions very contradictory
theories, & they are constantly changing.
AMERICAN FAMILY IN DANGER. Strong questioning of values that
have shaped life in Western civilzation for centuries: lifelong commitment,
parental responsibility, & distinct roles for man & wife. In '20, 1 divorce for
every 7 marriages; in '40,1 in 6; in '60, 1 in 4; in '72, 1 in 3. No end in sight to
divorce & remarriage cycle.
Drive underway to make divorce even easier. Fourteen states have "no
fault" divorce. Marriage traditionally has involved a lifelong commitment:
it is now becoming a tentative arrangement—often a transitory one.
A high proportion of delinquents originate from homes where father is
absent, or both parents work. Rising rate of divorces will be reflected inyrs.
ahead in nation's juvenile courts. (USN 4:16)
NOTE: As mankind sinks back into animalism & irreligion, "marriage" in
the world has less & less similarity to true marriage in God's sight. Any
relationship that is not consciously & sincerely entered for life is not
"marriage" at all, but merely another corrupt form of fornication. Most
modern world "marriages" now fall into this category.
WHAT SCHOOLS CAN'T DO. For generations, schools had mission in US :
to make democracy possible & guarantee its prosperity. This exalted conception has paled in recent years; doubts whether schools are really instruments of equality they were thought to be—& whether there are
elements in man beyond reach of education.
There's a tempering of recent, enthusiasm for "open education," a new
version of "progressive" movement of '30s. Billions of $s spent in name of
"reform," but very little evidence of success. Rand Corp. researchers found
that for every study proving a program "worked," another equally good
study proved it was ineffective. (Tm 4:16)
NOTE: So many modern experiments to take all the effort & work &
"drudgery" out of learning, & make it "relevant" & "exciting" & "selfexpressive," etc. But all true learning IS effort & perseverance & attentive
application. THIS is the very quality schools should teach. Man is the
eternal, rootless Athenian, always seeking "some new thing." And sadly this
applies to divine things too.
GASOLINE SHORTAGE. Nixon's long-awaited energy message disappointing to friend & foe alike. Administration's hands-off approach feeds
growing suspicion that whole oil shortage was planned by big companies to
raise prices & destroy independent dealers. (Nwk 4:30)
NOTE: The whole world order is built on greed, oppression
& suspicion.
NEW RUSSIAN ICBM. Russia h a s successfully tested SS-17, advanced
version of SS-11 intercontinental missile. Has built in c o m p u t e r for in-flight
guidance enabling it to zero in on US missile silos. (USN 4:2)
inside Back
KING FAMINE. Even in best of yrs., much of sub-Sahara Africa is stalked
by grim specter of famine. This yr. one of worst. A 40-mo. drought has left
area brown & blistered. Crops failed; millions of cattle died. Farmers eating
seed grain to stave off starvation, thus ensuring insufficient food from future
harvests. In Mali alone, at least 1 million of nation's 5 million cattle have
perished in worst drought in memory.
Major reason for drought is man's neglect of land. Goats & camels have
denuded millions of acres. To feed their animals, herdsmen have cut off tops
& branches of trees, halting their growth. This systematic stripping of land
has altered climate & caused decline in rainfall. As result, Sahara Desert
spreading south over V2 mile per yr. (Tm 4:30)
NOTE: If we could truly realize the hopelessness & misery in which most
of the world lives, we could not really selfishly enjoy any of our idle, tinseled
luxuries, & we would constantly pray God to end this terrible night of human
oppression & wickedness, & bring the Day of Promise.
SIBERIA'S RICHES promise to make Russia of 21st century the
wealthiest nation on earth. Siberia has largest gas & oil reserves in world.
Almost every day brings new discoveries. Scientists believe entire region, as
big as all N. America, is giant raft floating on sea of gas & oil.
Already Russia has built world's 2 largest dams on Yenisei & Angara
Rivers, & 3rd is going up at Ust-Ilimsk. Russia has undertaken greatest
construction effort in history: as tho N. America being rediscovered.
TYUMEN: oil production doubled every yr. since '65; expect 130 million
tons by 75—V2 of Saudi Arabian output. SAMOTLOR: beneath 100 sq. mi.
Lake Samotlor is believed to be world's richest single oil deposit, equal to
entire Alaskan North Slope. NADYM: newly discovered gas field contains 6
trillion cubic meters, equal to 3 4 of all US reserves. (Tm4:9).
NOTE: All signs point to the rise of Russia's wealth & power, & the decline
of US's. And Russia is channeling all her resources to one end: military
might & world power, while US squanders hers on riotous & improvident
living.
^__m_mm_____m_i_mmmmt^emimm^mmmimmmmmmim
REDS GAIN IN INDOCHINA. Mid-April brought rapidly expanding crisis
for US in part of world where war was supposed to be over & done with.
Cambodia aflame with fighting. Massive infiltration from North into S.
Vietnam & dangerous surge in Red attacks brought truce to most fragile
point yet. Peacekeeping machinery all but broken down.
Reds on move everywhere, putting heavier weapons & additional men in
place. N. Viets have set up over 1000 antiaircraft guns & 10 missile installations in S. Vietnam, & large numbers of Russian tanks. (USN 4:23)
NOTE: What a dismal ending to a mighty effort that cost 100s of billions of
$s, & 100s of 1000s of lives, & rent US asunder with bitterness & conflict, &
kept it bogged down & bleeding while Russia raced to multiply its ships &
missiles & armed forces.
"PROGRESS" IN JAPAN. Since WW II, pellmell industrialization has
catapulted Japan to 3rd place in world; but has also transformed the oncebeautiful land into a vast, smoke-belching factory, so it now has dubious
distinction of "most polluted country on earth." For yrs., Chisso Corp. plants
have dumped organic mercury waste into Yahsushiro Bay. Mercury found
its way into bay's fish, then into the townspeople who ate them, & has
brought paralysis, deformities, brain damage, blindness & death to 100s.
Stark evidence of the disease is everywhere in the town. (Nwk 4:2)
NOTE: "Most polluted country on earth." The lessons of "civilization"
that Japan has eagerly learned from US are destroying it. Modern
"progress" is a soul-debasing & self-consuming monster.
$3.50 per year (only for those whodesire to pay)
Printed in U.S.A.
VOL. 61, NO. 8
AUGUST, 1973
The Berean
Christadelphian
Λ monthly magazine devoted wholly to the exposition and defense
of the Faith once for all delivered to the Saints, with the object
of helping to make ready a People prepared for the coming of the
Lord. Opposed to the unscriptural teaching of the papal
and protestant churches of the world.
Editedand Published by:
G.A. Gibson, 1501 Woodbine, Apt. 1616, Toronto, Ont. M4C4H1, Can.
"They received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched
the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Therefore many believed"—Acts 17:11
CONTENTS
ECCLESIAL ΝEWS: Whangarei
Inside Front Cover
Bible Questions
Inside Front Cover
EDITORIAL: Be Zealous Therefore
225
APPROACH ING JUDGMENTS (Bro. Thomas) Part 2
227
The True Ecclesia of God
233
Resurrection of Rejectors (J.T.)
233
ANSWERS BY BRO. ROBERTS: God Manifest in Christ
234
ΤΗ Ε TONGU Ε OF THE LEAR NE D
241
THE NEWMAN IN CHRIST JESUS
248
CURRENT WORLD EVENTS F U L F I L L I N G PROPHECY
252
Going to Law Against Another
Back Cover
July Answers
Back Cover
We ore anxious to send the Bereon FREE to any desiring it
that way. Please do not hesitate to request it. If you
know of any who might like it, please send us their names.
CHRIST IS COMING SOON AND WILL REIGN ON EARTH
Ecclesial News
Inside Front
WHANGAREI, New Zealand—YWCA Hall, Rust Ave.—Memorial 10:30 a m ; Lecture 7
pm—Bro. M.J. Griffin, PO Box 55, Whangarei.
LOVE and greetings to all of the Household of Faith.
All here were deeply moved and encouraged by the many messages of love
and greetings received on the card from the Hye Fraternal Gathering. Truly
the Truth, loved and obeyed, generates a deep and abiding love of the
brethren and sisters throughout the world. May it please God to grant an
increase of this spirit in the Household as we await him who is the perfect
manifestation of the Father's love.
We are indeed happy to report that, after a full examination, we welcomed
into fellowship on August 7, sister RUTH RILEY, wife of bro. Riley, who had
previously been a member of another group.
With love in the Truth to all, from the brethren and sisters in Whangarei.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
—bro. M. J. Griffin
Bible Questions
WHAT KING . . .
Write the number of each item in List 1 beside correct person in List 2.
LIST ONE—QUESTIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Ate grass?
18.
Was hidden?
19.
Was a leper?
20.
Spared Agag? 21.
Was blinded?
22.
Was very fat? 22.
King of Elam? 24.
King of Salem? 25.
Killed Josiah? 26.
Eaten of worms? 27.
Married Esther? 28.
Was suffocated? 29.
Burned himself? 30.
Drove furiously? 31.
Built Samaria? 32.
Killed Benhadad? 33.
Diseased in feet? 34.
"Lover of David"? 35. Named only in Proverbs?
Burial of an ass?
36. Was killed by Samuel?
Allied with Ahab? 37. Consulted young men?
Wrote 1005 songs? 38. Was allied with Rezin?
Had iron bedstead? 39. "We have no king but"?
Put Daniel in den? 40. "The great & noble"?
Besieged Hezekiah? 41. Recovered from a boil?
Conquered Babylon? 42. Tried to curse Israel?
Gave David Ziklag? 43. "Caused Israel to sin"?
Wanted a vineyard? 44. Was 'almost persuaded'?
Defeated by Barak? 45. Taken captive to Egypt?
Was a sheepmaster? 46, Sent Ezra to Jerusalem?
Saw writing on wall ? 47. Besieged Jabeshgilead?
Last king of Israel? 48 Took away gold shields?
Reigned in Heshbon? 49 Married Ahab's daughter?
Dreamed of animals? 50 . Filled Jerusalem with
blood?
Abraham prayed for?
Og
Balak
NOTE: Darius was a Persian (not a Mede)
LIST TWO—ANSWERS
Uzziah
Necho
Shishak
Jehoahaz
Asa
Jabin
Herod
Achish
Jehoram
Benhadad
Johoiakim
Belshazzar
Artaxerxes
Saul
Eglon
Cyrus
Hoshea
Solomon
Jeroboam
Jehoshaphat
Agag
Pekah
Hiram
Lemuel
Pharaoh
Manasseh
Melchizedek
Jehu
Zimri
Mesha
Nahash
Hezekiah
Rehoboam
Sennacherib
Ahab
Sihon
Hazael
Caesar
Zedekiah
Abimelech
Chedorlaomer
Omri
Joash
Darius
Agrippa
Asnapper
Ahasuerus
Nebuchadnezzar
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EDITORIAL
Be Zealous Therefore
"Our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a
peculiar people, zealous of good works"—Tit. 2:14
THE work of Moses, as the administrator of the Law, begins in
Exodus. But it is greatly amplified in Leviticus, and Deuteronomy,
where the service of the Levites, and the establishment of the
Aaronic priesthood, are recorded. In the latter book, we learn that—
"Moses wrote this Law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of
Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and unto the
elders of Israel"—Deut. 31:9.
Moses, was, therefore, the first scribe: for the duty of the scribes
was to care for the Law, and make transcripts of it. Gradually, it
developed into a profession, whose members expounded the Law
and taught its doctrines. They became consulting lawyers,
authorized expounders of the Scriptures and, finally,
schoolmasters; thus blending together in one character the several
elements of intellectual, moral, social and religious influence.
In the days of Jesus, the scribes were a body of high state officials,
who, in conjunction with the Pharisees and the high priests, constituted the Sanhedrin.
The Pharisees were the most powerful party among the Jews,
both in politics and religion. In politics, they were national, and
opposed to the Roman rule. In religion, they adhered strictly to the
letter of the Law. Paul was a member of this body, and well
describes their characteristics when he stood before Agrippa.
Using the Diaglott, we quote from Acts 26—
"According to the most rigid sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.
"Many of the saints I shut up in prisons, having received authority
from the high priests; and when they were killed I gave my vote
against them.
"And punishing them often in all the synagogues, I compelled them
to blaspheme; and being exceedingly furious towards them, I pursued
them even to foreign cities." (vs. 5,10,11).
The Pharisees also maintained that there existed an oral tradition
descended from Moses, and to that tradition (of which they
pretended to be the sole possessors), they ascribed an authority
equal to the Law. By this means, they attempted to keep the conscience of the people in abject slavery, and troubled men's minds
with many questions and traditions.
Is it any wonder that they received such scathing denunciations as
we read in Matthew 23? It must be borne in mind that these people
were highly educated and possessed an intimate knowledge of the
Law. But in their eagerness to administer the Law strictly to the
letter, they omitted the weighter matters such as judgment and
mercy. For, said Jesus—
1973 Berean 225
"They bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them
on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one
of their fingers"—Matt. 23:4.
The acutest intellects of Israel, members of the Sanhedrin,
watched Jesus closely in an attempt to detect him in some breach of
the Law. They lost no opportunity to take exception to what he said,
and eagerly sought to entangle him in the web of their specious
reasoning, or to confound him by their artful questions.
Although they boasted in Moses, and were exceedingly zealous of
the traditions of their fathers, they failed to comprehend the spirit of
the Law. Having been one of them, Paul was well qualified to give
the following reason —
"For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness,
and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God"—Rom. 10:2-3.
Thus Paul describes a body of men who themselves believed that
they only were capable of an accurate interpretation of the Law and
the prophets, and were so pertinacious in their opinions that they
would exclude Jesus from their fellowship because he held views
contrary to theirs. What a tragedy! Here was a people (Rm.9:4)—
"To whom pertained the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants,
and the giving of the Law, and the service of God, and the promises"
They were not satisfied to abide by the Law. Tradition after
tradition was added to it until the authority of the Law faded to such
an extent that Jesus said to them (Mt. 15:6)—
"Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by
your tradition."
Let us ponder well the lesson to be derived from a consideration of
the foregoing, lest by any means we might develop into modern
scribes and Pharisees. Let us abide by our Statement of Faith,
which has stood the test of so many years. It remains unshaken
because it is built upon the Rock of God's Truth.
Let us avoid the danger of passing resolutions to "strengthen" our
statement of Faith in specific detail. As it stands, it is amply sufficient to deal with every point that may arise, especially where
goodwill and a genuine desire to heal, and to be healed, prevails.
Let us do all we possibly can to hold the Body together in these
perilous times. We cannot do that if we deny each other the comfort
of mutual friendship and help; but we can do it if we walk in the
Truth, and be zealous of good works.
We are commanded to be zealous for the Truth, and to contend
earnestly for it; but let us be careful that our zeal is according to
knowledge, and that our contending is for the Faith, and not for
personal or hidden ends. A grave responsibility rests upon our
shoulders because of our belief and obedience of the Gospel. How
are we responding to it?—Editor
1973 Berean 226
Approaching Judgments
BY BROTHER JOHN THOMAS
"I will set My glory among the nations, and all the nations shall
see My judgments that I have executed, and My hand
that I have laid upon them"—Eze. 39:21
PART TWO
IN turning our attention to the prophets, what do we find at the
very beginning? ISAIAH records (1:24-28)—
"Therefore, saith Yahweh of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel:
"Ah, I will ease Me of Mine adversaries, and avenge Me of Mine
enemies . . Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her coverts
with righteousness.
t
"And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be
together, and they that forsake Yahweh shall be consumed"
In the very next chapter we have the "Day of Yahweh" foretold; a
Day the power and terror of which shall—
"Be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that
is lifted up, and he shall be brought low.
"In that Day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold,
which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to
the bats,
"To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged
rocks, for fear of Yahweh, and for the glory of His majesty, when He
arises to shake terribly the earth" (Isa. 2:12, 20, 21).
Such is the testimony with which the first book of the prophets
opens. And such a testimony is sustained throughout. We read of the
Lord standing up to plead, and standing to judge the people (Isa.
3:13). Mention is made (10:3) of—
"The Day of visitation, and the desolation which shall come from far."
We read of the world being punished for their evil, and the wicked
for their iniquity (Isa. 13:11); of a man being more precious than
gold, even a man more than the golden wedge of Ophir (13:12). We
are told (Isa. 14:26-7) of—
"A purpose that is purposed upon the WHOLE EARTH; and this is
the hand that is stretched out upon ALL ΝA TIONS.
"It is Yahweh of hosts Who hath purposed, and who shall disannul
it? And His hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?"
All the inhabitants of the world, and dwellers upon the earth, are
called upon to see an ensign which is to be lifted up, and to hear a
trumpet which is to be blown (Isa. 18:3). And this call for universal
attention is connected with a rushing of the nations, and of the
multitudes of many people, like the rushing of mighty waters. The
nations are thus to rush; but God, we are told, shall rebuke them;
and they shall flee afar off, and be chased like chaff before the wind,
and thistledown before the whirlwind (Isa. 17:12-13).
We read, moreover, of the Lord's purpose (23:9)—
73 Berean 227
"To stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the
honorable of the earth."
We read of the Lord making the land empty and making it waste;
of the inhabitants being burned and few men left, so few as to be
compared—at least in the center and special scene of these
judgments—to the shaking of an olive tree, and the gleaning grapes
when the vintage is done (Isa. 24:1,6,13). The land is spoken of asbeing utterly broken down, clean dissolved, moved exceedingly (v. 19).
If this has happened to Israel for wickedness, what may we not
expect for the nations in punishment for theirs?
We hear an invitation to God's people to enter into their chambers, and hide themselves for a little moment, till the indignation be
overpast—
"For Yahweh cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of
the earth for their iniquity" (Isa. 26:20-21).
The earth also is to disclose her blood, and no more cover her slain
(ν. 21). An overflowing scourge is to pass through; judgment is to be
laid to the line, and righteousness to the plummet. The hail is to
sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters to overflow the hiding
place (Isa. 28:15-17).
From the time that the scourge goes forth, it is to pass over
morning by morning, by day and by night, so that it shall be a
vexation merely to understand the report. Yahweh is to rise up as in
Mt. Perazim, to be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon; that He may do
His work, His strange work; that He may bring to pass His act, His
strange act. Men are warned not to mock, lest their bands be made
strong—
"For I have heard (says the prophet) from Adonai Yahweh of hosts,
a consumption, even determined, upon the WHOLE EARTH"(28:19-22).
We read of the Name of Yahweh coming from far, burning with
His anger, the burden thereof being heavy; His lips full of indignation, and His tongue as a devouring fire, to sift the nations with
the sieve of vanity (Isa. 30:27-28). We are told (v. 30) that—
"Yahweh shall cause His glorious voice to be heard, and shall show
the lighting down of His arm, with the indignation of His anger, and
with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, tempest, and
hailstones"
No mere national convulsion this! No mere political overturning !—
"Now wiH I rise, saith Yahweh. Now will I be exalted."
The nations are again invited to hear, the people to hearken: the
earth and all that is therein; the world and all things that come forth
of it. And why?—
"For the indignation of Yahweh is upon ALL NATIONS, and His
fury upon all their armies. He hath utterly destroyed them; He hath
delivered them to the slaughter" (Isa. 34:2).
1973 Berean 228
Such is the doctrine of the prophet Isaiah. Such are the ap-
proaching judgments to which he bears testimony. He speaks of One
who is to tread the winepress alone: who will tread the people in his
anger, and trample them in his fury, sprinkling their blood upon his
garments, and staining all his raiment (Isa. 63:3), for—
"The Day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the Year of my
redeemed is come!" (v. 4).
He is to tread down the people in his anger, to make them drunk in
his fury, and to bring down their strength to the earth (v. 6). Yahweh is to—
"Come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind, to render
His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire.
"For by fire and by His sword will Υahweh plead with ALL FLESH:
andtheslainofYahwehwill
be many" (Isa. 66:15-16).
It may be said by some—
"These are undoubtedly predictions of terrible judgments; but what
warrant have we for concluding that they are future and universal?
"May they not have been already accomplished in calamities of a
local character, which are now matters of history?
"How shall we distinguish those judgments which are local, partial
and accomplished, from those which are future and universal?"
To these questions I would reply that many of the passages cited
or referred to bear the evidence of their futurity and universality on
the surface. Has Yahweh Elohim ever yet arisen to shake terribly
the earth, so as to cause men to cast their idols to the moles and
bats, He alone being exalted as the result? Has the world ever yet
been punished for its iniquity so as to make a man more precious
than gold; more precious, not in intrinsic value which is of course
always the case, but in RESPECT TO SCARCENESS, as the
passage evidently implies?
Has the "consumption determined upon the WHOLE EARTH"
ever yet taken place? Has the passage in Isa. 63:1-6 ever been accomplished? The prophet here beholds in vision a mighty warrior,
returning victorious from the slaughter of his enemies, his garments red with their blood. And, astonished at the sight, he asks—
"Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from
Bozrah? This that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness
of his strength? (v. 1).
What is the reply?—
"I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save!"
Can this be any but Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah? Can any
but he use such language, and not blaspheme? Hear him further—
"I have trodden the winepress alone, and of the people there was
none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them
in my fury, and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and
I will stain all my raiment."
1973 Berean 229
Some, indeed, interpret this of the sufferings which Christ en-
dured when he was here 1800 years ago. But what more than the
simple reading of the passage is needed to show that it is not with his
OWN blood that his garments are stained, but with that of his adversaries?—
"For I will tread THEM in mine anger, and trample THEM in my
fury, and THEIR blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments."
Further, he says (v. 6)—
"I will tread down the PEOPLE in mine anger, and make THEM
drunk in my fury, and I will bring down THEIR strength to the earth."
Is that a character of action which has ever yet appertained to the
meek, the lowly Sufferer, who said, describing the object of his
mission (Lk. 9:56)—
"The Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them"
How evidently does this passage, & the whole class of passages to
which it belongs, point out an interposition of Christ in destroying
judgment which is yet future!
JEREMIAH takes up the sorrowful strain, and adds his testimony
to all that has been rehearsed. True indeed that Jeremiah's
prophecies in general relate chiefly to his beloved nation and the
city of his heart, Jerusalem, which in his day began to be a prey to
the destroyer of the Gentiles. But this is not always the case. In one
remarkable passage he speaks of judgments which—however they
may have been foreshadowed by events which are now past—are
manifestly universal and, in the full sense of the passage, are
manifestly future—
*
*
• * •
"I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith
Yahweh of hosts. Therefore prophesy thou against them all these
words, and say unto them,
"Yahweh shall roar from on high, & utter His voice from His holy
habitation . . He shall give a shout against ALL THE INHABITANTS
OF THE EARTH . .
"For Yahweh hath a controversy with the NATIONS: He will plead
with ALL FLESH: He will give them that are wicked to the sword.
"Thus saith Yahweh of hosts, Behold, evil shall go from nation to
nation . . the slain of Yahweh shall be at that day from one end of the
earth even unto the other end" (Jer. 25:29-33).
1973 Berean 230
Dear reader, this is a different vision of futurity from that which
is before most men's minds. But THIS is what is really coming—
"Behold, the whirlwind of Yahweh goeth forth with fury; a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain on the head of the wicked.
"The fierce anger of Yahweh shall not return until He have done it,
and until He have performed the intents of His heart.
"IN THE LATTER DAYS YE SHALL CONSIDER IT" (Jr. 30:23-4).
Observe these last words: "In the LATTER DAYS ye shall consider it." Whatever the FORESHADOWINGS there may have been
of this terrible intervention of the power of Yahweh Elohim in
judgment, the FACT itself has its accomplishment "in the latter
days." Many a cup may have passed from one king to another, and
from one nation to another: but never yet THIS cup which is to pass
round to ALL, and of which none may refuse to drink. Would indeed
that even now, in these "latter days," men might be warned, and led
to consider these solemn and impending visitations of God's wrath!
•k
-k
-k
EZEKIEL had a roll presented to him, by a hand which spread it
before him. What were its contents?—
"It was written within and without: and there was written therein
lamentations, and mourning, and woe" (Eze. 2:10).
Fit emblem of the testimony he was called to bear! True, indeed,
that like that of Jeremiah, it was addressed very chiefly to the
nation of Israel, and a great part of it in reference to circumstances
at that time transpiring, or calamities at that time about to visit
them. But in the latter part of the book he looks out beyond Israel,
and beyond any circumstances either passing or impending at the
time he wrote.
He prophesies of judgments upon all the surrounding, and even all
the more distant, nations: not only Ammon, Moab, Edom, and the
Philistines, but Tyre, Sidon, Egypt, the isles of Chittim, Persia, Lud,
Phut, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and numbers more—too many to
enumerate.
It is in Ezekiel we read of a huge assembly of God's adversaries,
whose overthrow is to be so terrible that their weapons are to furnish fuel to a whole nation for 7 years, and 7 months are to be
employed in burying the dead. The fowls of heaven are invited that
they may eat flesh and drink blood. They are to eat the flesh of the
mighty, and to drink the blood of the "PRINCES OF THE EARTH"
(39:18-20). And —
"I will set My glory among the nations, and all the nations shall see
My judgments that I have executed, and My hand that I have laid
upon them" (v. 21).
And this is to be "in the latter years . . in the latter days" (Eze.
38:8-16). Who anticipates such an interposition of divine power and
righteousness as this?
The "minor" prophets (so styled because their writings are
briefer—but equally the sayings of the Deity) corroborate the
testimony of the others.
1973 B e r e a n
23i
DANIEL prophesies of a mighty image—emblem of the great monarchies of this world—and of a destruction overtaking it, in which—
"The iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, were broken
to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer
threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was
found for them" (Dan. 2:35).
He sets forth the same monarchies in another chapter (7) by the
symbol of 4 great Beasts, the last of the 4 being most terrible of all.
He beholds till the thrones are set, and the Ancient of Days sits, a
fiery stream issuing from before Him.
The judgment is set, and the books are opened. Daniel still
beholds till the last Beast is slain, and his body destroyed and given
to the burning flame, and "the Kingdom is given to the saints."
I need not stop to discuss the meaning of these symbols. As far as
our present subject is concerned, their language is sufficiently
clear. It speaks of judgments yet to come, such as we have found
foretold by all the prophets to whose predictions we have as yet
referred.
*
*
*
JOEL testifies of a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of
clouds and thick darkness; a day ushered in by wonders in the
heaven and in the earth—
"Blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke: the sun turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible Day of the Lord
come" (Joel 2:2,30,31).
He speaks of God sitting in the Valley of Jehoshaphat to judge all
the heathen (nations) round about (3:12-14)—
"Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision, for the Day of
Yahweh is near in the valley of decision."
This "gathering of all nations" is (v.D—
"When I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem."
*
*
*
In MICAH'S prophecy we hear God saying (5:15)—
"I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the nations SUCH
AS THEY HAVE NOT HEARD."
He, too, is speaking of the "last days" and Israel's regathering,
and war abolished, and all nations brought to serve God (4:1-8).
*
*
*
ZEPHANIAH witnesses of the "Great Day of the Lord" (1:14-15)—
"A day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness
and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and
thick darkness."
He speaks of God bringing distress upon men, so that (v 17)—
"They shall walk like blind men, and their blood be poured out as
dust, and their flesh as the dung."
And he continues (3:8,9,20)—
"Therefore wait ye upon Me, saith Yahweh, until the day that I rise
up to the prey:
"For My determination is to gather the nations .. to pour upon them
Mine indignation, even all My fierce anger, for all the earth shall be
devoured with the fire of My jealousy..
"At that time (O daughter ofZion) will I bring you again, even in the
time that I gather you."
*
*
*
1973 Berean
HAGGAFS voice to us is (2:6,7, 21,22)—
"For thus saith Yahweh of hosts, Yet once, it is a little while, and I
232
wi// shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
and I will shake ALL NATIONS.
(<
And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the
strength of the kingdoms of the heathen (the nations)."
*
*
*
ZECHARIAH says (14:1,2,3,16)—
"Behold, the day of the Lord cometh. .
"For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle. .
"Then shall Υahweh go forth and fight against those nations.
"The Lord will smite all the people that have fought against
Jerusalem . . and every one that is left of all the nations that came
against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King."
*
*
*
We come to MALACHI, the last of the prophets of the Old
Testament. And what is the message he bears? (4:1-3)—
"Behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven: and all the
proud, yea, and ALL that do wickedly, shall be stubble.
"And the Day that cometh shall burn them up, saith Yahweh of
hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch..
"And ye (that fear My Name) shall tread down the wicked, for they
shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the Day that I shall do
this, saith Yahweh of hosts."
With such anticipations of the "Great and dreadful Day of the
Lord" (v. 5) does the Old Testament close. Its very earliest intimations of that future which awaits this poor, giddy, thoughtless,
proud and boasting world, are in perfect and solemn harmony with
the warnings which terminate the Book.
God grant that this passing glance at the solemn depositions,
made by these many witnesses at various times during a period of
thousands of years, may not be lost upon the consciences of those
who read these pages. We turn now to the New Testament.
(Continued next month, if the Lord will)
The True Ecclesia of God
Impatience, and reckless haste of speech or action, cannot exist a moment
where that love is which "suffereth long and is kind." Envy dies in the
presence of its meek and quiet spirit. Wrath and anger are turned away by
its kindness, and the simplicity which thinketh no evil. Iniquity flees the
society which love has purged of all bitterness, and where slander, filthiness,
foolish talking, vain boasting and jesting have been THOROUGHLY SUPPRESSED, and where EVERY man's speech is "ALWAYS with grace
seasoned with salt" Bound together by the cords of that love which "never
faileth," all things are possible: affliction is light, faith is strong, hope
triumphant, and endurance to the end for all assured.—Christadelphian,
1885
' •
1973 Berean 233
RESURRECTION OF REJECTORS
The Gospel condemns its rejectors to a resurrection to punishment. The
alternatives of the Bible are: (1) Possession of the kingdom with all its
appurtenances by a resurrection to eternal life; (2) Resurrection to punishment, consequent on rejection of the Gospel and unworthiness of the kingdom; or (3) A return to original dust and sojourn therein forever, consequent on unavoidable ignorance of the whole matter—J. T., Herald, 1852,
Answers by Bro· Roberts
"GOD MANIFEST INCHRIST": APPARENT INCONSISTENCIES
QUESTION: You say (12 Lectures, pgs. 131-132), that "Christ, therefore,
though NOW possessed of inherent life, has been invested with it: it is NOT,
in his case, underived. It is only the Great Increate, the Father, who can say,
Ί am, and there was none else before me.' Yet though Christ's is not underived existence, it is more directly divine than the human . . He did not
exist prior to his birth by Mary."
Dr. Thomas says (Christadelphian, Aug. 1869, pg. 216) that "Jesus Christ,
in the day of his weakness, had two sides—the one Deity, the other man. The
Eternal Christ-power veiled in and manifested through the flesh created
from the ground, which flesh had wantonly transgressed the divine law, the
penalty of which sent it back into the dust from whence it came: this is
Jesus, the True Deity, whom to know is life eternal."
I shall be glad if you can harmonize these apparent inconsistencies.
ANSWER: There is no contradiction in the views placed in juxtaposition by our correspondent. They are different aspects of the
same truth. Dr. Thomas writes technically on the subject: the other
work quoted aims at literal definition. Hence the appearance of
conflict when there is actual harmony, as we shall show.
Dr. Thomas employs the terms of the Spirit, as one having spent a
life in the Spirit's atmosphere, and having his whole mind molded by
the mind of the Spirit. He speaks as the Spirit speaks, but is not
careful to define terms. To those apprehending the ideas
represented by the terms, technical writing is the richest and most
suggestive of all writing.
1973 Berean
234
There are 3 terms, the imperfect understanding of which gives
rise to all the difficulty. These are: GOD, SPIRIT, and ANOINTED.
We don't speak of the words, but rather of the profound ideas of
which they are the verbal symbols; and our remark holds good
whether the ideas are expressed in English, Greek or Hebrew.
And if these are not apprehended, how can Jesus of Nazareth, who
is the human focus of them, so to speak, be understood?
First, Take "God." Do we grasp the Deity with our understanding? The man who thinks he does is incapable of comprehending the "doctrine of Christ," because his limitation of the
being of the Deity (implied in his supposition that he has measured
it) erects a barrier in the way of that comprehension. We can follow
the idea of the Creator to a certain small height, and there we stop.
We cannot go beyond our little atmosphere. Overwhelming immensity bewilders: eternity and the ways of infinity stagger the
mental man; and he drops his flight, and returns to earth with the
stunned feeling of one who has ventured too high in a balloon.
We know that the person of the Deity is "in heaven"; but this
knowledge is apt to mislead us. We are apt to think of Him as we
think of ourselves, or those we know. We are apt to think of Him as
CONFINED to the space His dazzling and inscrutable substance
occupies.
This would be a great mistake; He ''fills heaven and earth"; His
being occupies boundless space (Jer. 23:24; Ps. 139:7). His person
"in heaven" is but the focus of His being, as it were—the seat of
that ineffable Intelligence which guides, and is embodied in,
Universal Power. His illimitable being is ONE. You cannot divide
anything from God, or any part of Him from Himself. He consciously fills all. He is, as it were, an Intelligence of measureless
vastitude, holding in Himself all that exists or can exist, occupying
all space by spirit irradiant from His person "in heaven," which is
spirit intensely.
And of "spirit," what know we? Nothing but in its effects. The
gifts of the Spirit are familiar only as the manifestations of power.
God, by the Spirit, enstamped on the apostles and early believers,
certain powers and faculties extra to those appertaining to the
living soul of Edenic origin: but the essence of the spirit is as inscrutable as the Father's person. Prophets spake as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit. This was but the expression of ideas
burningly impressed on their minds by the omnipotent power of the
Father, exerted by, or through, or in, the spirit.
Our familiarity with prophecy is apt to make us imagine ourselves
familiar with the WAY inspiration was performed. The prophets
were acted upon by divine impulse; but UNDERSTAND ye the
divine impulse? Nay: we know it as a fact—that is all. The spirit,
though a fact, is a mystery to our understanding. We talk much of it,
and may come from sheer familiarity with the word, to put it by in
the mind as a thing we understand. But let it be perceived that it is
only in its manifestations or functions toward ourselves, that we
apprehend it. In itself, it is incomprehensible.
1973 Berean 235
If the spirit is incomprehensible, what say ye to the "anointing"
with it? Do ye understand the mighty idea involved in this expression? Many talk as if it were mere effusion of galvanism—the
pouring out of something which, when poured, was a limited quantity in the possession of him anointed. We shall find it imports a
profounder thing than this—namely, the establishment of such a
connection between the Anointer (God) and the anointed, as that
power & intelligence of the One streams with the anointing through
the other, establishing a unity of which we have little conception.
Whence comes the term "anointed"? It is borrowed from the
practice under the Law of pouring oil in token of appointment or
consecration. Confined to this, the limited idea just referred to
is in its place: but it must be remembered that the anointing with oil
was a mere type of that marvelous operation which was to result in
Christ—the great end, and substance, and antitype of all the Mosaic
ceremonials: God manifest in the flesh by the Spirit, constituting a
Son of God. When that operation was accomplished, Jesus of
Nazareth was in the bosom of the Father—
"For God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him" (Jn. 3:34).
By the spirit, he was in God, and God was in him. The connection
was one of power and intelligence. If the limited action of the Spirit
on a prophet made the prophet's mind "en rapport" with the Deity
for the time being, what was the mental condition of a man begotten
of the Spirit and inhabited by the Spirit in measureless presence? It
was a condition of unity with the great Fountain Head. Jesus and the
Father were ONE.
When did this begin? There were stages in the development. The
first was when the words of the angel to Mary were fulfilled—
"The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee; and the power of the
Highest shall overshadow thee:
"Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be
called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35).
A child begotten of the Holy Spirit—that is, of God— was a very
different child from one begotten of the will of the flesh. The difference was manifest in the fact that at no period did the child
commit sin. An ordinary child, however well organized, would have
gone astray before acquiring the experience necessary to give
wisdom. The brain brings nothing into the world but impulse. There
is the latent capacity for wisdom, but no wisdom until the experience of evil imparts it.
But this child had wisdom from the beginning: wisdom was its
starting point. It grew in wisdom; it never sinned: at 12 it knew its
Father and its mission, and devoted himself to His work—a
knowledge intuitively derived from the Spirit that guided him from
his mother's womb (Ps. 22:9-10; 71:6);for such a knowledge with
such results at such an age would have been an impossibility with a
merely human brain.
At 30, the time had arrived to introduce him to Israel, and to
bestow an increase of the power to which he owed his existence.
Accordingly, it was revealed to John (sent to prepare the way of the
Lord) that on whomsoever, among the crowds that came to his
baptism, the Spirit should visibly descend: that was the Christ.When
Jesus came out of the water, the manifestation was given, and
Messiah (the Christ, the Anointed) stood revealed—
"This is My beloved Son in whom I AM well pleased!" (Mt. 3:17).
He then entered upon the second stage: the manifestation of God
in mortal flesh by the Spirit shed without measure upon a man
provided for Himself by the operation of the Spirit upon the—
"Seedof David according to the flesh" (Rm. 1:3).
1973 Berean 236
For 3V2 years, this wonderful man—in whom God tabernacled: to
whom the winds and the sea were obedient—went about doing good,
speaking the words of God, and teaching as one having authority
and not as the scribes (Mt. 7:29). At the end of that time he was
crucified, and the Father left him for 3 days. On the 3rd day He
returned to him, and the anointing was then consummated in the
substance of the man Christ Jesus being changed to spirit, and he
was "received up into glory" (lTm.3:16), where (Heb. 7:25)—
"He ever liveth to make intercession for those who come to God by him"
With these facts in view, we are prepared to answer our
correspondent's queries. Jesus Christ, as an individual
manifestation of Eternal Power, had a personality and a character
as the Son of God: distinct from the Father, Whose Son he was. And
this personality and character, from the very nature of things were
developed subsequently to his begettal by the Holy Spirit.
The personality was the attribute of the body born of Mary and
afterwards crucified on Calvary, and raised from the dead, and
"taken up into glory." The character was the result of his
probationary contact with evil during the days of his flesh. But the
individuality of his own existence as a man does not exclude the fact
that he was the flesh-embodiment of the Eternal Father by the
Ρ Ι Π — <<
^ Cor. 5:19).
"The Father dwelleth in me" (John 14:10).
"A man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders
and signs which God did BY HIM, in the midst of you" (Acts 2:22).
These are New Testament definitions on the point. It may be
difficult for us, as mere flesh-borns, to realize this combination of
the human and the divine in one person, but the FACT of the combination is self-evident. Someone says, "O, that is Trinitarianism!"
Not at all. Trinitarianism teaches the incarnation of "the SON": the
Truth recognizes the incarnation of the FATHER, resulting in a
son—which is a very different thing.
Of Jesus Christ, the individualized and intelligent manifestation
of the Father, then, it IS true that—
"Though now possessed of inherent life, he has been invested with
it: it is not, in his case, underived . . he did not exist prior to his birth
by Mary" (12 Lectures, p. 131-2).
1973 B e r e a n
w
There is nothing inconsistent with this in Dr. Thomas' statements—
A. "Jesus Christ, in the days of his weakness, had 2 sides, the one
Deity, and the other man."
B. "The Eternal Christ-power, veiled in and manifested through,
the flesh created from the ground" in Eden, etc.
C. "This is Jesus Christ, the true Deity, who to know is life eternal."
(A) Dr. Thomas does not say that the 2 sides of the Christ were (1)
the divine Son, and (2) man. He affirms that which the Scriptures
declare—that his 2 sides were (1) the Father Who was manifested in
him, and (2) the medium of manifestation—the man who was of the
seed of David according to the flesh, begotten by the Spirit. This
manifestation of the divine in the human was Jesus Christ. Jesus
Christ was not the human or the divine separately, but both in
combination, constituting the Son.
(B) What then, it is asked, is the meaning of—
"The Eternal Christ-power, veiled in & manifested thru the flesh"?
The meaning is evident when the language is correctly understood. The "Christ-power" has no reference to the character or
individuality of Jesus Christ, our Elder Brother, who learned
obedience by the things that he suffered. It has reference to the
power that was before him, and of which he was the incarnation.
Who is the Eternal Christ-power? Why, the Father, Who is Spirit,
and everywhere present. Then why obscure the subject by this
mode of description? There is a reason.
But first, it is no real obscuration, though the matter can be
otherwise expressed. Whence sprang "Jesus Christ"—understood
in the most superficial way? From Eternal Power. Would there
have been such a man, but for the power of the Spirit upon Mary?
No. What determined his character and gave him his power? That
to which he owed his existence, which was the eternal power of the
Father exerted by the Spirit. It is, therefore, no inaccuracy to term
that antecedent power, the "Eternal Christ-power." There would
have been no Christ but for that power.
But the reason for keeping this aspect well in the foreground?
Well, that is to be found in the tendency on the part of some (having
but a superficial apprehension of the truth) to ignore the divine
element in Jesus, and teach falsehood concerning him, in saying
that he was a mere man, tho begotten of the Spirit, having but the
nature of his mother, and not of his Father. Or that he was the son of
Joseph. The forms in which truth are expressed are always affected
by the attitude of heresy.
Our correspondent asks—
"WHEN did the Deity (that is, the Eternal Christ-power) 'veil
Himself in the flesh'?"
The answer has virtually been given. The process was commenced with the conception of Jesus, and completed by the visible
descent of the Spirit at the Jordan. He then asks—
"Was it the DEITY, or the SPIRIT of the Deity?"
This question reveals the source of misunderstanding. To speak of
the Deity apart from "the Spirit of the Deity" in such a matter as
this, is a mistake. The Deity and His Spirit are ONE in the sense
attempted to be defined a little way back. What one does, the other
cannot be said not to do.
1973 Berean 238
The difference between the Father and the Spirit is only a difference from our point of view. As bearing upon us finite mortals,
there is the Spirit, in which we live, move, and have our being; and
the Father, dwelling in light that no man can approach. But when
we take God's point of view, there is a great change in the situation.
God is one, and fills all—
"He fills heaven and earth" (Jer. 23:24).
"He is not far from every one of us" (Acts 17:27).
The Spirit is but the infinite extension, so to speak, of Himself:
and when the Spirit does anything, it is the Father doing it, because
the Spirit is not separate from the Father.
Now, on the question of God's manifestation in the flesh, the
language is derived from God's point of view, because God is the
actor. To ask, then, whether it was the Father, or the Spirit of the
Father, that was veiled in the flesh, is to go off the track. The Father
(by the Spirit) veiled Himself in the flesh, and the result was Jesus
of Nazareth, the Son of God and King of the Jews. If it be asked—
"Was not the Father as much dwelling in light in the heavens after
Jesus was born, as before?"
—the answer is, Certainly. And it was to this glorious and
everlasting Father that Jesus prayed, and taught his disciples to
pray: but Who, nevertheless, dwelt in Jesus (Jn. 14:10). When men
realize the immensity of Deity, they will better comprehend the
doctrine of His manifestation in Jesus. Read the following—
"If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also; and
from henceforth, ye know Him, and have seen Him.
"Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, & it sufficeth us.
"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with thee, and yet
hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the
Father. Believest thou not that I am in the Father, & the Father in me?
"The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself, but the
Father that dwelleth in me, He doeth the works.
"Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me, or else
believe me for the very works' sake" (Jn. 14:7-11).
(C) Jesus was the true God in manifestation. The angels who
spoke to the fathers were so also, and hence, relatively to men, are
described as God (Jdg. 2:1-3). The angel in the bush said—
"lam the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" (Ex. 3:6).
When 3 angels presented themselves to Abraham, it is said that
"Jehovah appeared unto him" (Gn. 17:1). So with "the angel on the
Mt. Sinai that spoke to Moses" (Acts 7:38), and many other cases.
There is nothing inappropriate in this. These were the official
manifestations of the Eternal Power of the Universe to the fathers.
The fact that Eternal Power was the speaker was kept in the
foreground, but this does not exclude the minor fact that the
mediums of speech were created intelligences.
1973 Berean 239
So Christ being the Father veiled in our flesh is styled the Deity,
but this does not exclude the fact that, literally, he is but the
manifestation of Him, namely, the Son of God, the man Christ
Jesus. The 2 aspects co-exist. Indeed, there is a trinity in the case,
thought not THE Trinity. Jesus is "the Father (manifested in a) Son
(by the) Holy Spirit"; and in combination "these 3 are one."
Hence, in being "baptized into Jesus Christ" (Rom. 6:3), we are
"baptized into the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" (Mt.
28:19). When we are in Christ, we are "in God" (1 Th. 1:1), because
he is in the Father—
"The head of every man (in Christ) is Christ, and the head of Christ
is God" - · "All things are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is
God's" (1 Cor. 11:3; 3:23).
God is the great Head; Christ is the mediator. In due time God will
be "all in all" (1 Cor. 15:28)—
"Then shall the Son also himself be subject unto Him."
Our correspondent observes—
"Nowhere does the Deity style Himself the Christ."
There are not wanting instances where the Deity's operations are
described even under this name. The "Spirit of Christ" was in the
prophets (lPt. 1:2). This is parallel with the "Spirit of God."
"Let us not tempt Christ as some of them (under Moses) also
tempted, and were destroyed of serpents" (1 Cor. 10:9).
"He (Christ) preached unto the spirits in prison, who were
disobedient in the days of Noah" (1 Pt. 3:19).
"But does not such a use of the term 'Christ' involve confusion?"—our correspondent may ask. On the surface it may appear so. But when we consider that the Christing of Jesus was the
Deity dwelling in him by the Spirit, it is no marvel that the same
power, otherwise manifested, should be designated in the same way
in the days of the apostles, when their great effort was to set forth
the Lord Jesus as the Word made flesh, in opposition to those who
"Is not this the son of Joseph? Whence hath this man
this wisdom and these mighty deeds?"
Realize the nature of the anointing that constituted Jesus the
Christ, and there will be less difficulty apprehending language that
speaks of Deity and Christ as the same.
We conclude with a hint that may not be amiss for those who think
Dr. Thomas mistaken on this question: Do you think that the intellect that produced Elpis Israel and Eureka, applied for many
years to the study of the Holy Oracles, is less likely to arrive at a
correct apprehension of the matter than your own feebler minds,
but recently directed to the consideration of these profound subjects? We leave the wisdom that any man may have, to supply its
own answer.
,
Please notify us promptly of address changes.
73 Berean 240
The Tongue of the Learned
ISAIAH CHAPTER FIFTY
"Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put
away? . . For your transgressions is your mother put away."
SO God begins His appeal to Israel recorded in Isa. 50. We are
reminded of Hosea's beautiful living allegory of Israel as the unfaithful wife who abandoned her husband and children. It is a sad
picture that the Scriptures present to us of God's chosen people. In
the main, it is 3V2 thousand years of wickedness, bondage, and
estrangement from God. Why? Why must such terrible sadness be?
Because of folly, wilfulness, shortsightedness of seeking, and
being immersed in the passing animal present instead of the eternal
spiritual future. We each have just a few brief years of opportunity.
We are here but for a moment—a moment so short and precarious
that nothing really matters about it but one thing—laying hold on
eternal life. Anything that does not contribute to this is precious,
irreplaceable time forever wasted, forever lost. Most of us live as
though we take our eternal salvation for granted, with plenty of time
for passing, perishing things. What folly! What tragedy!—
"Work out your salvation with fear and trembling."
"Always abounding in the work of the Lord."
"If the righteous shall scarcely be saved, where shall the wicked
and the ungodly appear?"
Do we really BELIEVE these warnings? Do we really believe
God—or are we just like blind, stupid, heedless Israel? Do we really
believe God when He says the righteous shall scarcely be saved, and
that it is only by always abounding in the work of the Lord that any
shall attain to the Kingdom? How do we possibly think that we have
time for a host of other things?
VERSE 2: "Wherefore,when I came, was there no
man? When I called, was there none to answer?"
Why has it always been thus? Why is it that most who take on the
Name of Christ proceed thereafter to "neglect so great salvation?"
Why did Paul have to say—
"I have no man likeminded . . ALL seek their own, not the things
which are Jesus Christ's"?
We each have 24 hours a day, 168 hours a week. How much of it is
spent in "always abounding in the work of the Lord?" Set it side by
side: time spent for ourselves, time spent for God's work. Add your
own up for yourself. Is it a record worth turning in to the Master?
Whom do we think we are deceiving?
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1973 B e r e a n
241
Wherefore, when I came, was there no man?
VERSE 2: " .. Is My hand shortened at all, that it
cannot redeem? Have I no power to deliver?"
Is our lack of service and dedication because we don't really
believe God can do what He promises? Do we have to spend so much
time grubbing for present things because we do not believe He will
or can take care of us?—
"Having food and raiment, be therewith content."
"Give us this day our daily bread."
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God."
VERSE 2: " . . Behold, at My rebuke I dry up the
sea; I make the rivers a wilderness."
God has given ample evidence of His power and His moment-tomoment control of all things. What more evidence do we need, or
could He give?
VERSE 3: "I clothe the heavens with blackness,
and I make sackcloth their covering."
From the natural ordinances of day and night, to the obliteration
and overthrow of the mightiest political heavens, God manifests His
power and control continually before our eyes.
•k
*
*
"Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away?"
Consider the long and dreadful history of Israel—their
degradation, their constant living in fear and insecurity, their
frequent massacres, their being driven like cattle from country to
country. All these things are terrible lessons written in blood and
fire to try to teach us wisdom, and realization, and spiritual
awareness, and total, urgent, exclusive dedication to the one thing
that is needful. But how many are really moved to tremble at these
things and to walk in wisdom?
VERSE 4: "The Lord God hath given me the
tongue of the learned."
The word for "learned" here is actually "disciple"—the faithful
follower, the one who is taught by the master. The picture here
changes abruptly from condemnation of the unfaithful wife Israel to
a beautiful portrayal of Christ, her one true, faithful Seed unto God:
a portrayal of wisdom, of beauty, and strength of character, and
faithfulness.
If we only had the simple common sense to put verses 4 to 9 in
actual practice in our lives on a robust, full time basis, most or all of
our problems would disappear, and we would be well on the way to
the Kingdom of God. If we do NOT have the sense to put these things
in constant, daily practice in all that we do, we are just completely
wasting our time and lives.
In their perfection of beauty, these verses describe Christ—
"This is My beloved Son, in whom lam well pleased."
But they are far more than that. They are the required pattern for
all who would be Christ's at his coming.
1973 Berean 242
VERSE 4: "The Lord God hath given me the
tongue of the learned, that I should know how to
speak a word in season to him that is weary."
Can we say honestly this? Do we want to be able to say it? Is this
the way we want to dedicate our lives; or do we prefer to seek our
own pleasure and profit? How did Christ acquire the tongue of the
learned so he could give joy and life to the weary? By suffering and
by study—
"He learned obedience by the things that he suffered."
"O how love I Thy Law! It is my study all the day . .
Through Thy precepts I get understanding."
So it must be with all who would be Christ's—
"Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able
to make thee wise unto salvation."
How many of us can say we know the Holy Scriptures? How is it
we can talk a blue streak all day about passing, present things with
no memory problems, but when someone starts asking very simple,
elementary Bible questions, the answer so often is a blank stare and
a weak smile, and—"Oh, I have such a terrible memory?"
"Where your treasure is, there will your heart (and
your memory)be also."
So much knowledge about so many things that do not matter! So
little knowledge about the one thing that does matter!
VERSE 4: " . . He wakeneth morning by morning ; He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned
(as the disciple—the eager learner)."
Morning by morning, day by day, precept upon precept—steady,
consistent plodding study and application. The rage today among
those who esteem themselves wise is for what they quaintly call
"higher education"—so they can earn a few more grubby dollars
and enjoy a few more snobbish luxuries and pleasures. How empty
and how sad! And the end they are so diligently laboring toward is
the same old cold dark endless grave as everyone else.
But what about the TRUE "higher learning," the TRUE
"education"—the one that can really do us some lasting and eternal
good? Their poor little animal minds cannot comprehend this—
"The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God . .
they are foolishness unto him."
God says, to Israel and to us (Ps. 32:9)—
"Be ye not as the horse and the mule, that have no understanding."
—set your sights on a destiny a little better than that of the dumb
beasts that perish.
VERSE 5: "The Lord God hath opened mine ear,
and I was not rebellious."
The flesh, being naturally foolish, naturally rebels against
wisdom. The key to salvation is to discern and overcome IN
OURSELVES the natural rebelliousness of the flesh against the
Word of God. We can see it SO clearly in others.
1973 Berean 243
"The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh,
and these are contrary the one to the other."
VERSE 5: " .. I was not rebellious, neither turned
away back."
In a similar passage in Psalms it is put this way (40:6-8)—
"Mine ears hath Thm opened . . I delight to do Thy will Ο my God.
Yea, Thy law is within my heart" (Ps. 40:6-8).
God does not just require obedience. He requires an intense desire
and JOY to obey. He requires a constant "searching the Scriptures"
to know and fulfill His will more fully and more perfectly—
"The zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up."
The only true Christadelphian—bride of Christ—is the one whose
whole life and interest revolves wholly and exclusively around God,
who is always about the Father's business. There are no halfmeasures. If we have the Truth in truth, this is what it will
inevitably do to us. It will transform us. It will eat us up. It will grow
and grow stronger and stronger in our lives. It will be a fire in our
bones. We have read in the past few days—
"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou
wert cold or hot.
"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
spue thee out of my mouth."
Lukewarm—unpalatable, sickening, disgusting to God. Half and
half—half in the Truth and half in the world.
There are many commands of God's love and wisdom to discipline
and subdue and mortify the flesh. The flesh will of course fight
them. We have 2 courses to follow—to either recognize the evil
motions of the flesh within us, and pray like Paul—
"Who shall deliver me from this body of death? "
Or we can stupidly side with the flesh against the commands, and
squirm and twist and maneuver to obscure and evade them.
We can either be zealously on the safe side of a commandanxious to manifest our love by over-obedience if possible. Or we
can raise every objection and stretch every apparent loophole or
supposed obscurity of the command to justify the wilful way of the
flesh. One way is life—the other is death.
VERSE 6: "I gave my back to the smiters, and
my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair."
Why? Because it is God's will and wisdom that we overcome the
flesh and put it to death by the mind of the Spirit. This was Christ's
great victory: "I have overcome."
"Blessed is he that overcometh."
1973 B e r e a n
244
How much have we overcome the flesh? How much do we live think
and act by the mind of the Spirit? The fruits of the Spirit are these—
"Love, joy, peace . . "
Is this the picture that our lives and characters give to the world,
and to our brethren and sisters?—
"Love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, self-control."
Is this how an impartial observer would describe us? Would he
marvel at our unearthly, patient, long-suffering Godliness under
pressure and provocation? If not, why do we think we shall get
eternal life? God insists on RESULTS, on fruit—this "fruit of the
Spirit." Of the tree that bears no fruit He says—
"Cut it down! Why cumbereth it the ground?"
We must be visibly radiating spirituality, or we are living a lie—
we have made no contact with divinity as we claim to have done. If a
light bulb does not radiate brilliance, it has either made no contact
with the source of power, or it is just a dead bulb. In either case, it is
worthless as a light in a dark place.
If we really ARE brethren and sisters of Christ, we SHALL
radiate in the world, and stand out like a live bulb amid a host of
dead ones. We shall be utterly and strikingly and unmistakably
DIFFERENT from all natural, animal mankind.
"If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.."
—judged at the last day and condemned.
VERSE 6: " . . I hid not my face from shame and
spitting."
This is the faithful victory of Christ, and this is why he now sits in
glory at the Father's right hand. We are well aware of the patience
and gentleness and self-control with which he went through every
form of humiliation and suffering. This is our great example. This is
our great inspiration. None of us is ever asked to submit to a fraction of what he suffered in order to manifest his faith and love and
obedience to the Father. And what little we are put through, in our
training and development for the Kingdom, we are assured will
never be beyond our power to sustain. Not, of course, our OWN
power. If we rely on that, we are lost.
1973 Berean
245
The Spirit of Christ in Isaiah 50 continues—
VERSE 7: "For the Lord will help me,
THEREFORE shall I not be confounded."
That is the point. We have got to be tried so we can learn to draw
upon and experience this help—so that our faith can be developed
and strengthened by being put to test and to use.
VERSE 7: ".. Therefore have I set my face like a
flint."
Let us keep that expression ever before us. Here is the only true
wisdom and character and maturity and stability—
"I HAVE SET MY FACE LIKE A FLINT."
Not stubborness: not wilfulness—that's the flesh; but a steadfast,
enlightened, unshakable courage and determination to stick close to
God and to follow the path of obedient, CHEERFUL holiness
regardless of any adversity. Let us be like Christ who "set his face
to go to Jerusalem."
VERSE 8: "He is NEAR that justifieth me; who
will contend with me?"
Here is the secret of strength. He IS near! Of Moses it is said
(Heb. 11:27) that he "endured as seeing Him Who is invisible." He
endured everything—the meekest of all men—because he could
SEE GOD. God was a tremendous, overwhelming, ever-present
reality to him. God said to Jacob—
"I am WITH THEE . . in all places whither thou goest."
David said, and here again it is the spirit of Christ speaking—
"I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right
hand, I shall not be moved" (Psa. 16:8).
This is the psalm where he says—
"Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell."
Jesus is here telling us the secret of his endurance and victory
over the world—
"HE IS NEAR THAT JUSTIFIETH ME."
If we were actually in the direct presence of God, we would have
no difficulty maintaining faith and holiness, and keeping our mind
on divine things.
We ARE in the direct presence of God—ALWAYS. It is all a
matter of perception and discernment. This is how all the faithful of
old were able to endure—
"He endured as seeing Him Who is invisible."
Jesus said—
"I am not alone; because the Father is with me."
And when he left his disciples, he gave us a beautiful promise that
is all too little remembered and laid hold on (John 14:23)—
"If any man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will
love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
"We"—God and Christ—will "come unto him and make our abode
with him." Have we sought the fulfillment of this marvelous
promise? Has it happened to us?
VERSE 9: "Behold, the Lord God will help me:
who is he that will condemn me?"
Again, the primary reference is to Christ, and his Godstrengthened perfection—
1973 Berean 246
"Which of you convinceth me of sin?"
"I do always those things that please the Father."
But Paul, writing to the Romans applies this very quotation
directly to Christ's brethren, at the end of ch. 8. He is developing and
climaxing that glorious theme that—
"ALL things work together for good to them that love God." (v. 28)
If we are the children of God, nothing can possibly happen to us
that is not for ultimate and eternal good. What a wonderful and
comforting assurance! What is there in the world that can begin to
offer a minute fraction of that guarantee?
Why then do people depend on broken cisterns when the waters of
life flow so freely? We do not need to worry about the reason of
things. All we need to be concerned about is that we react faithfully
and spiritually to ANYTHING that comes upon us, knowing that all
evil will at last pass away, if we hold fast. Paul continues in v.31—
"If God be for us, who can be against us?"
Our only concern in this life should be to make sure God IS for us.
And that is done by careful, reverent, loving, thankful obedienceconstant effort to get a deeper knowledge of His Word, and a closer
likeness to the character of His Son.
We hear so much in the world about consolidating all our debts
into one simple bank loan—about consolidating all types of insurance into one simple overall policy. But the world has nothing
like this simple solution that covers every problem and every need:
this Bank to end all banks, this Insurance to end all insurances, this
comprehensive, immutable guarantee to eclipse all ricketty human
schemes of "cradle-to-grave" security blankets against f e a r e r GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?"
And here Paul brings in the verse from the chapter in Isaiah we
are considering (Rom. 8:33-34)—
"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that
justifieth; who is he that condemneth?"
We deal with no one but God. We are accountable to no one but
God. We are concerned with no one's judgment but God's. Paul
said to the Corinthians—
"With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or
of any man's judgment. He that judgeth me is the Lord."
Truly we must conform to many things to do with men, but only
because God says so—not because of any inherent importance in the
things or men themselves. Of all human, worldly, present things
and people, Jesus continues in Isa 50—
i973 Berean 247
VERSE 9: " . . Lo, they all shall wax old as a
garment. The moth shall eat them up."
Here is the only true test of value and of importance. What will
last, and what will pass away? Let us consciously separate all
things clearly into these 2 categories—the things that last and the
things that pass—and then give all our attention to the things that
are eternal. Ask yourself of everything: Will it last? Is it related to
eternity? If it is not, forget it. Life is too short. It isn't worth our
precious time.
Paul builds this theme to a glorious climax in the final verses of
Romans 8. Let us conclude with them, and try to keep them ever
before our minds in all that we do, in all our waking hours (35-39)—
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
"As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are
accounted as sheep for the slaughter . ."
Stop and think deeply about all these terrible trials the faithful of
old have cheerfully endured, and held firm and obedient through—
"Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through him
that loved us.
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come.
"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
—G.V.G.
The New Man in Christ Jesus
"// any man be in Christ he is a new creatture. Old things have passed away. Behold,
all things have become new!"—2 Cor. 3:17»
These words of the apostle Paul teach a lesson which is common
to Bible teaching, but which seems to be one of the most difficult
things for the natural mind of mortal man to understand. These
words are in perfect harmony with a divine precept which goes
back to Eden where our first parents transgressed God's law and
brought sin, disease and death upon all their posterity.
"By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,
and so death passed upon all men, for that (or 'in whom') all
have sinned" (Rom. 5:12).
This first sin caused the moral ruin of the whole race. The
whole world became involved in a state of universal sin. Constitutionally, physically and mentally, his natural being became
impregnated with sin.
1973 Berean
248
THE OLD MAN OF SIN
By natural birth all humankind inherited this sin-cursed condition. Sin became a principle which causes one to go contrary to
the will of God; and this principle of sin dwelling inherently in
the flesh of all mankind, is the cause of all disease, death and dissolution into the dust from whence he came.
From this state of sin—from this sin-nature—there is no escape
within the power of man. And the whole human race being sin-
ners, they are naturally in a state of alienation from God, without
any hope of a life beyond the grave, except through divine deliverance. Natural birth, then, confers nothing more than a life in a
state of sin and alienation from God, with death as a finality:
"For the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23).
Natural birth brings into being a creature that may have capabilities which, under divine guidance and instruction, may ascend to spiritual things, but if left to the natural tendencies of
the human mind—if guided solely by the lusts and desires of sinful
flesh — can never attain unto the righteousness of God, or build
a character pleasing to God. Seeing that these things are so, the
words of Jesus in John 3:7 ring with truth and power:
"Ye MUST be BORN AGAIN."
THE NEW MAN
One must be the subject of a new creation. So long as one is
related only to the natural creation, death is his only hope for release from sin and sorrow.
Birth, whether used in the literal or figurative sense, implies that
something new, something which did not previously exist, has
come into being. In the figurative sense, rebirth is often applied
to a new character or disposition having been formed in a person
because of some revolutionary change which has taken place in
their mind and in their manner of life.
Such is the New Man in Christ Jesus. It is the creation of a
new mind, a new disposition, a new spirit in a sinful son or daughter of Adam, transferring his relationship from death in Adam
to a relationship to life in Christ—though he is still burdened with
sinful nature in which he was born; the law of sin and death still
works in his members, and he must say with Paul (Rom. 7:21-23),
"I find a law that, when I would do good, evil is present with me."
—a law which he said was—
"Sin which is in my members."
But he said that, regardless of this natural tendency to sin,
"I delight in the law of God after the inward man."
—and that Jesus Christ would deliver him from "this body of
death," or sinful nature. This "inward man" is the new man in
Christ Jesus, through which Paul served the law of God, and
through which was held in subjection the sinful tendencies of the
natural man.
ORIGIN OF THE NEW MAN
As in the natural birth, which begins with generation and ends
with having been born, so the new man is the subject of a process.
In 1 Peter 1:23 we read:
"Being born (begotten) again, not of corruptible seed, but of
incorruptible, by the Word of God, which abideth forever."
The old man of the flesh is begotten of corruptible seed, and is
corruptible—physically and mortally. The new man is "created
in righteousness and true holiness." In speaking of Christ, we are
told in John 1.12-13—
1973 Berean 249
"As many as received him, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name, which
were born (begotten), not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God."
The new man is exclusively a divine creation. The natural, sinful man, no matter how wise, cannot create the new man.
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh."
He can only produce his own kind, with reference either to the
physical, mental or moral capacities. In Eph. 4:21-24, Paul reveals the origin and the nature of the new man. He says:
"If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by
him, as the truth is in Jesus; that ye put off concerning the
former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according
to the deceitful lusts; and be ye renewed in the spirit of your
mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is
created in righteousness and true holiness."
Let us notice here that Paul is not speaking of a converted immortal soul, as some erroneously define the new man to be. He
speaks of an "old man" which is to be "put off" before the new
man can be "put on." This "old man" refers not to the body, but
to the corrupt, sinful character and disposition of the old, or natural man. This is accomplished by being "renewed in the spirit of
your mind." It is a change in the mental state of the individual.
Instead of the old sinful disposition, there is created a new man,
after, or like God; no more like sinful man.
The new man is created through a knowledge of God's ivord:
"In Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel"
"The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one
that believeth" (Rom. 1:16).
"Of his own will begat he us by the Word of Truth"
It is folly for any one to imagine that he can be the subject of
the new birth while possessing but a faint knowledge of God's
word. The new man is created of God through a knowledge of His
ivord. As Paul says in Eph. 2:10—
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto
good works, which God hath before ordained that we should
walk in them."
The new man is not the old man made over, reformed or improved upon. "The carnal mind," the natural, sinful man, "is enmity against God, for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed
can be."—Rom. 8:7. There must be an entirely new man created,
whose mind, sentiments and affections are in harmony with divine
things as revealed in God's Word.
DEATH AND RESURRECTION
Paul uses another figure of speech in describing the creation
of the new man. It is death and resurrection. Death of the old man
of sin, and resurrection to a life of righteousness. W e read—
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into
Christ, were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried
with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised
up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life.
1973 Berean 250
"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that
the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should
not serve sin" (Rom. 6:3-4).
The old man here has reference to corrupt human nature, the
inborn tendency to evil in all humankind. As in natural birth,
there are two distinct operations in the creation of the new man.
First, generation, by the operation of the Word of God upon the
mind, causing repentance from dead works and the creation in
the mind of the believer a "right spirit," which sets his affections
on divine things.
Second, the coming forth, or being born of water, or baptism
for remission of sins. Being then justified from dead works and
clothed in God's righteousness, he is the new man "created in
righteousness and true holiness."
The new man is also referred to in Scripture as the "inner man,"
the "hidden man of the heart," etc., all such terms referring to the
same things, the creation in the believer of God's Word a "clean
heart and a right spirit," in the mental image of him whom God
has appointed to be the pattern for all who come unto God by
h i m
CHRIST IN YOU
In Col. 1:27 the new man is defined as—
"CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory."
And in Gal. 2:20 Paul shows how the new man in him was
Christ who lived in him. He says:
"I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I,
but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the
flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and
gave himself for me."
The old Paul who blasphemed God and persecuted the saints
had, by a figure, been crucified with Christ and no longer lived,
or no longer had control over him. The life and character of the
true believer is not his own life and character. It is Christ reflected
in one who has put on the godly spirit and character of him who
is the image of the eternal Father.
It is the purpose of God to make "all things new." (Rev. 21:1-5).
Those who will occupy and inherit those new things, that new
order of things, must likewise be made new. The natural, sinful
man is altogether incompatible with this new order. Therefore,
we are told 1 Cor. 15:50-53:
"Flesh and blood (sinful nature) cannot inherit the kingdom
of God . . . For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and
this mortal must put on immortality."
A new man, mentally, morally and physically must be created
to inherit the kingdom of God and adorn that magnificent spiritual temple in which God is to dwell for eternity.
—O.B.
TRADE UNIONS
As to trade unions, a brother is not of the world and does not want to
be involved in its disputes on one side or the other. Doubtless abstention
will often be very difficult; but God—Who clothes the lilies and feeds the
sparrows—can preserve a man who separates himself from doubtful connections for Christ's sake—Christadelphian, 1899.
1973 Berean 251
Current Events Fulfilling Prophecy
"The Lord bringeth the counsel of the nations to nought;
He maketh the devices of the people of none
effect"—Psalm 33:10
CONGRESS TIES NIXON'S HANDS. Congress has dealt Nixon stunning
blow on his Cambodia bombing campaign; voting to deny any funds. A
historic step & remarkable turnaround for hawkish House which till last
wk. had supported every President since Eisenhower in Indochina.
Watergate scandal had clearly eroded the Administration's moral
authority in Congress: vote seen as opportunity to reassert Congressional
prerogatives & leadership. (Nwk 5:21)
NOTE: Naturally speaking, Nixon is clearly right about the very real
danger of creeping Communist conquest of the globe, & the vital need to
draw a line & hold it. Those who know prophecy can see that. But Watergate
& other Govt. corruptions have destroyed his prestige & authority & moral
power, & the misguided, head-in-the-sand Munich "peace in our day" policy
of Congress appears about to prevail. Before Watergate, Nixon had the
popular support to face up to the ostriches of Congress. So God turns the
wisdom of man backward.
DEPLETED US RESOURCES. Besides fuel, US may be headed for severe
shortages of other vitally needed minerals. Rapid industrial growth has
seriously depleted reserves of nearly all key minerals, the physical source of
most of the necessities, conveniences & comforts of US life today.
US has already run out of chromium & manganese, vital to manufacture
steel. It now has to import at least V2 its needs of aluminum, nickel, tin &
zinc. US has sufficient of following for number of yrs. indicated: iron, 72;
copper, 38; zinc, 28; lead 27; bauxite (aluminum), 2 yrs. These shortages
threaten not only US affluence, but its civilization. (Nwk 5:21).
NOTE: A very sobering picture. US's natural wealth has been the foundation of its prosperity & world power. Russia is now revealed as swamped
with unmeasured & untapped resources, while US frantically scrapes the
bottom of the barrel.
HIGH STAKES IN LEBANON CONFLICT. Lebanon squeezed more &
more into vise of Arab-Israel conflict: deeply enmeshed in bloody struggle
with 1000s of guerrillas who live in Lebanon—all bitterly-hostile anti-Israel
refugees. There are 300,000 Palestinians in a total population of 3 million.
It was Israeli action against Palestinians in Lebanon which set off present
crisis. Lebanese never wanted to be active participants in Arab-Israel
conflict. They were—& still are—the principal traders, bankers & brokers in
Arab Mideast. Lebanon is only Israel neighbor not in '67 War. (USN 5:21)
NOTE: Lebanon is ancient Phoenicia & Tyre, the traders of the ancient
Mideast world (which it is interesting to note they still are). It is equally
divided between Christians (mostly Catholics) & Moslems, & can be expected to side with Gog in the end. Israel, in attempting to deal with the
guerrilla problem, seems to be pushing Lebanon into the enemy camp.
NORTH SEA OIL. World's most frantic rush for undersea oil & gas: 350
companies in search: $12V2 billion investment in next 10 yrs. North Sea oil is
low-sulfur & non-polluting, & it lies on W. Europe's doorstep. Expected to
supply 10 to 15 pet. of W. Europe's power needs by '80. Britain will get $1.2
billion a yr. in taxes, plus profits from 48 pet. Govt.-owned British
Petroleum. (Tm 5:14)
NOTE: Another very interesting & unexpected aspect in the world energy
picture.
1973 Berean
252
RUSSIAN ARMED MIGHT. Gloomy picture for US. Russia not only
caught up & passed US in nuclear arms, but now consolidating its advantage
& moving further ahead. Has more land-based missiles than US & testing
new ones. Has 48-to-41 nuclear sub lead; building 18 more: US building none.
In number of planes & missiles that can deliver nuclear warheads, Russia
has overcome the once-substantial US lead. In defense against nuclear attack, Russia far ahead:at least 64 anti-missile missiles; US has none. Russia
has 3000 interceptor planes & 10,000 surface-to-air defense missiles; US has
only 600 planes & 500 missiles. (USN 4:9)
NOTE: Russia's purpose is so obvious, even apart from the clear
testimony of prophecy. But US & Europe are divinely blinded to their own
destruction.
•—»——«————______
US SHOCKS JAPAN AGAIN. For Jap Govt., "Nixon shock" has become a
way of life. Without a word to Tokyo, Nixon moved last yr. to thaw relations
with China, & revamp world monetary system. Eventually, those tremors
began to fade, but recently Nixon has set Japs to brooding over what they see
as most coolly calculated shock of all.
In recent "State of World" message, Nixon talked tough on relations
between US & Japan, & laid blame for enormous imbalance in trade between
them squarely on Japs' doorstep. What's more, he suggested that trade
problem could force US to reconsider its security treaty with Japan.
For most part, Jap reaction was stunned silence. Foreign Minister Ohira
warned, "When US shouts, it's dangerous; but when Japan stops talking, it
will be even more dangerous." (Nwk 5:21)
NOTE: It would certainly appear to be a mistake to unnecessarily offend
& alienate established friends. US is no longer the overwhelming giant who
can safely ignore the feelings & wishes of others. Nixon's style is a secretive
one-man show of spectacular, unpredictable innovations & switches. This is
hard on old friendships & established alliances. Perhaps we can see here too
the hand of God alienating Tarshishfrom the rest of the world.
WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES. In eyes of country, White House in
shambles. Nixon's closest advisors revealed as men without morals who
considered themselves above law. By last wk., 17 of Nixon's associates &
employees under investigation. List will undoubtedly grow. Many could
wind up behind bars for criminal activities committed while working for
Nixon. These men had been selected by him, helped lift him to power, & took
their ethical cues from him.
Every day brought new details that beggared the suspicions of Nixon's
enemies. Nothing unbelievable any longer. All the official spying that
preceded Watergate, as well as lying & destroying evidence that followed,
reveal fearsome degree of lawlessness at highest govt. levels. (Tm 5:14)
NOTE: If this lawless seizure & abuse of power can happen in the world's
proudest & supposedly most stable "democracy," what protection has any
man or nation against usurpation & dictatorship? The conspirators
manipulated the US Justice Dept. & the FBI, supposedly impregnable
bastions & guarantees of legal justice. And they used, compromised, &
sought to implicate the CIA, US's official foreign intelligence agency which
is supposedly above & independent of politics & partisanship. Thank God
we have a better foundation in which to trust than sinful man!
MORAL BANKRUPTCY. What appals about Watergate, even more than
criminal aspects, are moral aspects. Crooks in govt are nothing new, tho we
may never before have had so many of them. What is new is wide-spread
moral bankruptcy at highest levels. It's enough to give nightmares to anyone
who believes in constitutional govt. (Nwk 5:14)
NOTE: Men in great power soon come to consider themselves above the
law. It is impossible for natural man to rule in righteousness.
UN VETOS: US3: France4; BritainlO; Russia 1O9.(USN4:2)
73 Berean 253
PERSIAN GULF OIL STRUGGLE. New arena of confrontation. Prize is
oil: a glittering magnet in a world growing short of energy. Rivals include
Europe, Japan, US, Communist countries, & Persian Gulf states. Potential
for violence growing stronger as competition for energy increases.
For Russia, getting dominant role in region would give it hand on "oil
faucet" to West. For over 100 yrs., Britain dominated area, but pulled out
in '71, leaving power vacuum. Russia makes no secret of ambitions in Gulf.
IRAQ: Focus of Soviet initiative is to build up Iraq, helping oil development & building large port & naval base at Umm Qasr, which Russia will
use.With Red help,Iraq setting out determinedly to become THE Gulf power.
Entire Iraqi coast is only 55 miles, so remedy is to carve out larger presence
on coast at expense of smaller & weaker Kuwait. In recent months Iraq
troops have more than once occupied slices of Kuwait territory. Essential
ingredient in Iraq's latest thrust for power is closer relations with Russia.
When Russia ousted from Egypt, their ambitions focused on Iraq & Syria.
IRAN (Persia): Shah has stated his objective clearly—make Iran the one
military force in Persian Gulf. Currently buying $2 billion in planes &
weapons. Iran's vision of power extends not only to Gulf but to Indian Ocean.
Plans well under way to expand Iranian Navy, already the biggest in the
Gulf, so it can patrol seas between Iran & India. Shah is basically proWestern but cooperates with Russia. He has bought military equipment
from Russia, & this spring entertained Kosygin at opening in Isfahan of a
Soviet-built steel mill—Iran's first.
SAUDI ARABIA is main rival to Iran in region: would like to be leading
power on Gulf: could prove irritating antagonist to Iran. (USN 5:21)
NOTE: Suddenly the oil crisis has become front page news, & there is
revealed a tremendous military buildup & jockeying for power in the Persian Gulf. Russia is arming Iraq, & US is arming Iran & Saudi Arabia. The
latter 2 are natural rivals, & both want to dominate the area. Saudi Arabia
is strongly pro-US & anti-Russian. Iran (Persia) is more moderately proUS, but has many & increasing ties to Russia also (with which it has a 1000
mile border). We know from Eze. 38 that Persia must be an active Russian
ally when Gog sweeps down on the mountains of Israel "for a spoil & for a
prey."
. _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ - _
ISRAEL MILITARY SHOW. Beyond doubt, most imposing display of military
might in Mideast since '67 war. To most Israelis, a thoroly satisfying—
& justified—demonstration of Israel's sophisticated war machinery.
Others felt it was unnecessarily provocative—especially since it went thru
Israel-occupied Old City of Jerusalem. One said, "Before '67 War there was
some justification for showing Arabs we had muscle. But now, we're going to
look like Russians with this sort of thing." (Tm 5:21)
NOTE: It is tobe wondered why Israel feels it must deliberately commit this
provocation & annoyance, & give its enemies fuel for their charges of
militarism & aggression, but from the beginning of their history the Jews
have so acted as to bring judgment upon themselves. Truly they are God's
People, the chosen channel of His world operations; & truly they will at last
be purified & blessed; & truly God will terribly punish any who at any time
lift a finger against them. But we must keep a balance & a perspective. They
still are—& will be till Christ comes—proud, fleshly, rebellious, disobedient
TO BRINK IN LEBANON. In 2nd wk. of deadly clashes between army &
Palestine guerrillas, some Lebanese politicians actively siding with
guerrillas, raising specter of civil war. Scores killed & 100s wounded as
fierce battles raged. Most significant confrontation between an Arab govt. &
Palestinians since Jordan crushed & drove them out in 70. (Tm 5:21)
NOTE: Lebanon is small & weak & religiously divided. Since the '67 War it
has the only border left with Israel where the terrorists have much chance of
any successful operation. Clearly both Israel & Syria will intervene if the
conflict gets out of hand.
1973 Berean 254
MARXISM IN EUROPE. Last wk., host of young left-wing Europeans paid
tribute to ideas and ideals of Karl Marx. Europe is discovering that its sons
& daughters are increasingly hostile to industry & ''the System." Marx has
suddenly emerged as official philosopher for Europe's younger generation.
The mentality & vocabulary of class struggle gaining ground. Professors,
journalists, union bosses & church leaders find it fashionable to be as far left
as possible. A Communist was once an anti-Christ; now he's a man to have
dialog with. Bishops talk kindly about socialism, & priests about Marxism.
Students pack lectures on Marxist philosophy. Publishers have found a
vigorous market for Marxist books. The radicals have changed from rockthrowing students to short-haired, white-collared, law-&-order Communists. Marxist resurrection seems confined to Germany, France & Italy.
GERMANY crawls with left-wing organizations. Marxist control student
council & sometimes even administrations in all but a handful of Germany's
67 universities & technical institutions, which have combined enrolment of
670,000. Said a professor, "If you're not Marxist, you don't get students."
Radicals'demands are ouster of US forces, drastic reduction of defense
budget, & reunification of both Germanys under socialist govt.
ITALY: Communist Party has membership of IV2 million & won 27 pet. of
vote last year. Party has chosen to march to real power by proving itself effective & responsible. Communist mayors rule a number of cities, including
Bologna (V2 million population), Italy's best-run city.
FRANCE: Socialist-Communist coalition won 46V2 pet. of national vote in
March, & has a plausible shot at presidency in '76. (Tm 5:14)
NOTE: This is just as it should be, drawing Europe toward Russia, & more
& more alienating it from "reactionary" US. And the bishops & priests
encourage the Communist trend.
THAILAND: NEXT ON HANOI'S LIST? Precarious ceasefire in Laos &
crumbling of Cambodia Govt. have put N. Viets on Thailand's border—a
nation already troubled by Communist insurgency. US is obligated under
SEATO to defend Thailand against Red aggression & subversion. US has
given Thailand nearly $2 billion aid in past 20 years.
Thai Govt. failure to respond to obvious needs of rural areas make poor
peasants & villagers easy targets for Red propaganda. Anti-Govt.
movement in countryside spreading past 2 years. Authorities can't enter
northern districts without sizable military escorts.
Anti-US feeling growing among students & intellectuals. Thailand faced
with 3 insurgencies: North, Northeast, & Far South. In this conflict there are
many parallels with early fighting in Vietnam. Worrisome to Thais are
roads being built by Chinese across Laos to Thai border. (USN 5:21)
NOTE: US is far more committed to Thailand than it ever was to S.
Vietnam. A Communist conquest of Thailand, by subversion or other means,
would be a tremendous blow to US power, prestige, & credibility.
INDIA'S UNTOUCHABLES. Since mid-50s, over 2 million of India's 100
million social outcasts have taken Buddhist vows. Buddhism is a natural
refuge for the untouchables. Unlike Hinduism, it is a classless religion, &
emphasizes individual freedom. Founded by Gautama Buddha, it flourished
for over 1000 yrs. in India before Hinduism reasserted itself as dominant
faith in India about 500 AD. The Untouchables are social lepers.
Economically they're worse than slaves. They're denied entrance to places
of worship. In theory, Indian law has abolished discrimination, but in
practice it's widespread. (Nwk 4:2)
NOTE: All nations must have their despised "Untouchables" to feed their
egos & their pride. Snobbery & "superiority" over others is one of the most
deeply ingrained human vices—the "pride of life," & it is the life-mission of
advertising to cater to it and inflame it.
1973 Berean 255
"PROGRESS." Our diet has become imbalanced to the point it has been
termed a "national disaster" by a prominent nutritionist. Present practices
in food production have drastically altered its nutritional value. Animals are
fed, not with natural food, but "concentrates." In eagerness to produce more
food, nutrient content has been sacrificed.
Canned meat stored 6 mos. loses 30 pet. of vitamin B. Frozen orange juice
loses 60 pet. of its ascorbic acid. In whole wheat, zinc buffers dangerous
cadmium. In refined flour, most of the zinc is lost, & the cadmium is 6 times
as dangerous. In artificial "enrichment," iron is restored to flour, but not
copper. Yet the copper is needed to utilize the iron. Canned peas have 66 pet.
less potassium, & 1400 pet. more sodium, than fresh.
Commercial processing robs food of essential metals, & contaminates it
with undesirable ones. "Hydroge nation" in modern food processing changes
desirable acids into undesirable ones.'Convenience' foods are often seriously
depleted of their original nutrients. Raw potatoes harvested in Oct. lose over
90 pet. of their ascorbic acid when processed as flakes in following May. 90
pet. of vitamin Ε lost in flaking, shredding & puffing breakfast cereal.
Many food additives & pesticides are hazardous; many are vitamin antagonists & destroyers of enzymes essential to health. Every phase of
modern food processing adds to sum total of nutrient losses. (CnsBul 1:73)
NOTE: This is not a health item. It is quoted simply to illustrate the utter
falsity of the illusion of human "progress." "Go to, let us make us a city and
a tower whose top may reach unto heaven." The further man gets away
from the simple, humble, and natural way of life appointed by God—"Every
man under his own vine and figtree," with God as the center and joy of his
life—the more he corrupts himself. This simple way will be reconstituted in
Christ's Kingdom, when the great bulk of man's dreadful, giddy, nightmare
"progress" will be swept away. The world today is full of prisons and
hospitals: neither will be needed when divine wisdom takes the place of
human bungling in the management of the world.
END OF OUTRAGE. "Angry, shocked, outraged" are outmoded words.
Nothing is forbidden. We cannot be shocked any more. That doesn't sound
like much of a loss when you put it next to all the other things we've lost since
'63. We're so cool & hard & hip that there's a large dead spot inside us all.
The lines have been erased; nothing is forbidden in 73. Before we knew it,
we were in the age of Anything Goes. If it Feels Good, That's Cool! Heroin
addiction & veneral disease became so common that both were soon acceptable dinner-table conversation. All sex barriers came down. We called
each other "brother," but weren't crazy enough to walk streets at night.
And biggest change of all, of course, was our inability to even work up any
feeling about what was going on. Everything's OK, nothing's forbidden, so
why do things feel wrong all the time? (Nwk 2:26)
NOTE: This state of utter, meaningless, bankrupt morality, which the
thoughtful see but do not have the answer for, is exactly how the Scriptures
describe the last days. The whole world must be in the abominable condition
of the nations of Canaan when Israel were commanded to destroy them &
cleanse the land from their moral filth.
CHINA'S REASON. Primarily, China's desire is to thwart its most bitter
enemy, Russia. China sees detente with US as way of heading off any
military adventures by Russia along China's border, & to check Russian
diplomatic maneuvering in Asia & Pacific. (Nwk 3:5)
NOTE: How sad that the flesh is so evil, & great nations are like squabbling children snatching each others toys!
US OIL SHORTAGE. In 72, US, pumping at capacity, produced 11 million
barrels a day: consumption was 16 million. By 75, consumption will be 20
million barrels a day, production only 10 million. (USN 4:30) 1973 Berean 256
RUSSIA TALKS PEACE BUT SHARPENS SWORD. While Nixon talks of
"generation of peace," Russia's leaders shaping a military force as if they
expect WW III to erupt at dawn tomorrow. Russia continues to train millions
of soldiers, sailors & airmen each year. An all-inclusive draft is in full swing.
Universal military service, which has little support in US, is fact of life in
Russia. Conscription starts at 18; preinduction training at 16.
Russia has 3% million men on active duty; could field 3 million more in 90
days, all with 3 yrs. active service experience. Massive Soviet force mans
over 9000 aircraft, 235 warships, 300 subs, 1600 long-range missiles, 10,000
anti-aircraft missiles, & 36,000 tanks.
Russia has 31 divisions in E. Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland &
Hungary, all excellent, full-strength, highly mobile, & prepared for offensive
operations at moment's notice. All told, Reds have in E. Europe a striking
force of over V2 million, with 15,000 tanks—& this could be doubled in
strength in 30 days.
Soviet military doctrine envisions any war in Europe as short & extremely
violent. Unless W. Europe undertakes vast expansion & improvement of
their forces, Russia could drive to English Channel in 90 days or less. Soviet
leaders have given scant indication they really believe in East-West accommodation. (USN 5:7)
NOTE: How vividly & ominously we are reminded of the years just before
WW III Germany was feverishly arming to the teeth, while repeatedly
protesting her "peaceful" intentions, & world leaders chose to believe
protestations rather that the obvious facts. Winston Churchill, who raised his
voice in warning, was a voice in the wilderness, & a very unpopular man.
The world preferred soothing self-delusion to rough reality.
OIL GIVES ARABS UNPRECEDENTED POWER. Never before has a
tiny country like Saudi Arabia had power to bring world's economy to virtual
standstill, or to precipitate an international monetary crisis. But Mideast
rulers control the oil that's essential to world for next 25 years, & they're
beginning to use their enormous power. Oil producing countries have formed
most powerful cartel in history.
Last yr., oil users paid $15 billion in "taxes" to oil countries; by '80
"taxes" could run to $55 billion a year. Flow of funds will become
staggering—greatest holdings of money ever. By '80, Mideast Arabs will
have $100 to $200 billions cash reserves, & will be adding $20 to $30 billion a
year to it. They'll be in position to disrupt whole fabric of world monetary
flows, & could become major property owners thruout Europe, US, Canada.
If they withheld oil, world would be faced with monumental crisis; & as
they build currency reserves, they increase ability to withhold oil. Kuwait
says it will withhold oil from West if there's Israel-Arab war. A showdown
would lead to armed intervention, & confrontation with Russia.
So far US has been able to retain close cooperation of Saudi Arabia, richest
of all oil countries, but danger of intrigue & overthrow always exists in such
a country. (TorStar 3:26)
NOTE: Oil gives the Arabs great power & leverage in the struggle against
Israel Cutting the flow of oil would cripple Europe & Japan, & very seriously
weaken US. It is marvelous how God has arranged these circumstances in
the last days to bring all the nations into conflict in the Mideast. Iran, Iraq &
Saudi Arabia are all straining to build their military strength to dominate
the area.
.-___——ι—
WORLD SHIP TONNAGE rising 8 pet. a year. Total by '80, 680 million
tons, double the 330 million tons of 70 & over 4 times the 150 million of '60.
Japan launched nearly V2 world's new ship tonnage in '72; could climb to 70
pet. in 5 years. Japs have 13 building docks that can handle vessels of over
200,000 tons; one dock can build 1-million tonners. (USN 5:7)
NOTE: Time was when Britain, not Japan, was world's greatest shipbuilder. US & Britain ("merchants of Tarshish") still have l/2 the world's
merchant tonnage.
inside Back
Going to Law Against Another
The following is reprinted from the Berean for Sep., 1947. It
was inserted at that time in an effort to encourage and strengthen
the hands of the brethren in England who were studying the possibility and advisability of "reunion":—
We feel compelled to express our alarm at the apparent trend in
thinking in regard to going to law. The following quotations, which
are but a few out of many, will illustrate the clear stand taken
among us upon this matter 20 years ago. All are from the Berean:
1925: p. 386—"Suing at law for divorce is altogether contrary to
the letter and spirit of the law of Christ . . . No sanction for an
appeal to Gentile law courts can be justly drawn from the words of
Jesus . . . To 'put away' a bad wife does not entitle a brother to run
counter to another command (such as 1 Cor. 6:1-7), enforce one's
right, and parade Christadelphians' differences 'before the unbeliever'."
1926: p. 438—"We are asked to set up a reservation to 1 Cor. 6:1.
If we agree to this we cannot complain of any other reservation to
clear, plain doctrines and commandments."
1926: p. 520—"There is no warrant for going into the Court over
the matter 'before the unbelievers,' but MUCH THE REVERSE. If
separation must occur, the parties should remain as they are" (Quoted from Christadelphian, 1906, p. 72).
1927: p. 83—"Suing at law for the enforcement of any right whatsoever is to be shunned by a servant of Christ (Matt. 5:39; 1 Cor.
6:1; Pet. 2:21-23). We invite the fellowship of those only who endorse the scripturalness of this statement."
1327: p. 234—"The Spirit's method does not require, nor permit,
the sinner being hailed before the unjust in a Gentile court of law:
such a process is absolutely forbidden by God."
1927: Sep. back cover—"It is an established fact that not even for
the 'one reason' would bro. Roberts tolerate a breach of 1 Cor. 6:1."
The reunion discussions in Britain broke down because it was
impossible to get agreement on a clear and strong scriptural stand
concerning resistance to evil and going to law.
INDIANS & BUREAUCRACY. US Govt. appropriates $8000 for every
Oglala family: bureaucratic salaries, overhead & waste cut average family
income to $1900. (Nwk 3:19)
NOTE: This is a miniature picture of what happens to all efforts to help the
needy. In a recent similar case, $200,000 was appropriated to repair the
houses of the poor: $9,000 of actual repair work was done.
July Answers CONNECT ITEM WITH PERSON
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10
Tj
12
!3
14 '
15*
16
17.
Ass—Balaam
Nail—Jael
Dart—Absalom
Flax—Rahab
Heel—Jacob
Mint—Pharisees
Dish—Judas
Cart—Uzza
Cake—Ephraim
Harp—Jubal
/v\ice—Philistines
Mess—Benjamin
p am t—Jezebel
with—Samson
Gourd—Jonah
Gallows—Haman
Amber— Ezekiel
18. Arrow—Jonathan
19. Frogs—Pharaoh
20. Pulpit—Ezra
21. Coffin—Joseph
22. Clouts—Jeremiah
23. School—Tyrannus
24. Floats—Hiram
25. Fleece—Gideon
26. Censer—Korah
27. Gutter—Joab
28. Cheese—Jesse
29. Dagger—Ehud
30. Oxgoad—Shamgar
31. Ranges—Athaliah
32. Thumbs—Adonibezek
33. Lattice—Ahaziah
34. Figleaf—Adam
$3.50 per year (only for those who desire to pay)
35. Sundial—Ahaz
36. Conduit—Hezekiah
37. Javelin—Saul
38. Sandals—Peter
39. Vinegar—Ruth
40. Pottage—Esau
41. Shrines—Demetrius
42. Praetorium—Pilate
43. Bullrush—Moses
44. Potsherd—Job
45. Peacocks—Solomon
46. Plumbline—Amos
47. Millstone—Abimelech
48. Alabaster—Mary
49. Parchment—Paul
50. Mandrakes—Reuben
Printed in U.S.A.
VOL. 61, NO. 9
SEPTEMBER, 1973
The Berean
Christadelphian
A monthly magazine devoted wholly to the exposition and defense
of the Faith once for all delivered to the Saints, with the object
of helping to make ready a People prepared for the coming of the
Lord. Opposed to the unscriptural teaching of the papal
and protestant churches of the world.
Edited and Published by:
G.A. Gibson, 1501 Woodbine, Apt. 1616, Toronto, Ont. M4C4H1, Can.
"They received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched
the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Therefore many believed"—Acts 17:11
CONTENTS
ECCLESIAL NEWS: Wanaque
Inside Front Cover
Bible Questions
Inside Front Cover
EDITORIAL: Wisdom
257
Love in the Scriptural Sense (R.R.)
259
APPROACHING JUDGMENTS (Bro. Thomas) Part 3
260
ANSWERS BY BRO. ROBERTS: The Present Priesthood of Christ
265
LET EVERY ONE PLEASE HIS NEIGHBOR
270
CURRENT WORLD EVENTS F U L F I L L I N G PROPHECY
282
What Knowledge Is Needed at Baptism? (J.T.)
Back Cover
August Answers
Back Cover
We ore anxious to send the Bereon FREE to any desiring it
that way. Please do not hesitate to request it. If you
know of any who might like it, please send us their names.
CHRIST IS COMING SOON AND WILL REIGN ON EARTH
Ecclesial News
Inside Front
WANAQUE, N.J.—Memorial 10:45 am—Home of bro. David Sommerville, 224
Conklintown Rd., Wanaque, N.J. 07465; Phone (201) 835-4751. Occasionally at home of
sis. Ella Smith, Blooming Grove, Pa.
GREETINGS to all of like precious Faith.
On Oct. 7 our ecclesia held a special effort at which time bro. David Clubb
lectured on: Christ Is Coming Again: the Only Hope for a Troubled World."
The following brethren and sisters made it a miniature Gathering: bro. &
sis. Russell Frisbie (Baltimore); bro. Harry Phillips and sis. Wm. Phillips
(Canton); bro. & sis. David Clubb (London); bro. & sis. Warren Rankin,
bro. & sis Edgar Sargent, sis. Helen Buchanan, sis. Nor ma Rankin, sis.
Violet Rankin (Worcester).
Previous visitors in fellowship were: bro. & sis. Nick Mammone (Austin);
bro. Gordon Jones and sis. Phyllis Jones (Richard).
Bre. G. Jones, N. Mammone and E. Sargent gave us stirring words of
exhortation from which we derived spiritual benefit.
We regret that sis. Ella Smith is ill at present requiring hospitalization.
Much matter for spiritual consideration is provided in current world
events, especially in the Middle East. May the signs in the political heavens
and earth strengthen us to hold fast the profession of our faith without
wavering.
—bro. David Sommerville
Bible Questions
WHO W A S . . .
Write the number of each item in List 1 beside the correct person in List 2.
LIST ONE—QUESTIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Tanner?
18.
Ethiopian?
19.
Cupbearer?
20.
Areopagite?
21.
Silversmith?
22.
Coppersmith?
23.
King of Moab? 24.
Priest of On?
25.
King of Gath?
26.
Mighty hunter? 27.
Priest of Baal? 28.
Jehu's captain? 29.
Prince of Rosh? 30.
Deputyof Achaia? 31.
Deputy of Cyprus? 32.
Master of Israel? 33.
Prince of Midian? 34.
King of Zidonians?
35. King of Damascus (NT)?
Abraham's servant? 36. Captain host of Syria?
Governor of Syria?
37. High Priest's servant?
Tetrarch of Iturea?
38. Governor Ahab's house?
Ruler of synagogue? 39. Governor beyond River?
Tetrarch of Galilee? 40. Chamberlain of Corinth?
Chief man of Melita? 41. Ahasuerus' chamberlain?
Tetrarch of Abilene? 42. Governor of Judea (NT) ?
Queen of Ethiopians? 43. Captain Solomon's host?
Captain Saul's host? 44. Captain Absalom's host?
Herod's chamberlain? 45. Chief of Saul's herdm&i?
Captain Jabin's host? 46. Centurion Augustus band?
Chancellor (in Ezra) ? 47. Centurion Italian band?
Hezekiah's treasurer? 48. Captain of guard (Egypt) ?
Captain David's host? 49. Captain of guard (Babylon)?
Honorable counsellor? 50. Captain of host (Philistine) ?
Chief captain( Roman) ?
Demetrius
LIST TWO—ANSWERS
Gog
Abner
Oreb
Hege
Tatnai
Bidkar
Ethbaal
Malchus
Alexander
Amasa
Pilate
Shebna
Eliezer
Lysanias
Nicodemus
Rehum
Achish
Joseph
Blastus
Nehemiah
Potipherah
Doeg
Simo#n
Aretas
Nimrod
Erastus
Cyrenius
Ebedmelech
Joab
Gallio
Sisera
Naaman
Obadiah
Potiphar
Nebuzaradan
Herod
Julius
Jairus
Publius
Benaiah
Cornelius
Sergius Paulus
Eglon
Philip
Mattan
Phichol
Candace
Dionysius
Claudius Lysias
Anything printed In the Berean may be reprinted freely by anyone in any form.
EDITORIAL
"The fear of Yahweh is the BEGINNING of wisdom; & the
knowledge of the Holy is understanding"—Prov. 9:10
Wisdom, truly, is a Bible subject. Throughout the Scriptures
of Truth it is mentioned 224 times, and in the book of Proverbs
alone, it comes to our attention 52 times. One of the striking
features of the Proverbs is the frequent use of the word wisdom.
This book is usually regarded as a collection of moral axioms
assembled by Solomon; but a careful study of it reveals it to be of
a much higher character.
Because the word wisdom appears therein so often, it is only
reasonable that we should ask, What is wisdom? Webster defines
it as "a quality of being wise: ability to judge soundly, and deal
sagaciously with facts, especially as they relate to life and conduct." Bro. Roberts, however, defines it in a very interesting way
when he says: "Wisdom, then, in its most elementary conception,
is the power and disposition to adapt means to the accomplishment of good ends."
Looking at wisdom from the creative viewpoint, behold the
human frame and consider how we see; how we hear; and how
we speak. Think of how we eat, and the digestive system that
extracts life-giving power from our food. Think of the nerve
system, and the blood stream as it flows through the body. Consider, too, wisdom in general as exhibited in the creation, and
expressed in our 44th hymn—
"The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens—a shining frame—
Their great Original proclaim.
The unwearied sun, from day to day,
Doth his Creator's power display,
And publishes to every land
The work of an Almighty Hand.
Thus the majesty of the heavens enthralls us as we join with
the Psalmist and say—
"When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the
moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained; what is man,
that Thou are mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou
visitest him?"
Wherever we look we see the manifold works of wisdom. As
we behold them, we are compelled to stand in awe with admiration of the wisdom that lies behind it all. But all of this great
wisdom in creation is wisdom mechanically applied. Solomon is
well aware of this, and his treatment of it is captivating. But, in
the Proverbs, he deals principally with another form of wisdom—
the wisdom as it relates to individuals.
Man, being gifted with intelligence and the faculty of reason,
has the power of choice. In the Bible lies the foundation for his
selection. It teaches us that there are two forms of wisdom—the
wisdom of God, and the wisdom of man. There is such a vast
difference between these two forms that Paul says, 1973 Berean 257
"The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."
Paul says further,
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved (or, being saved) it is the
power of God . . .
"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom
knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching
to save them that believe . . .
"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the
weakness of God is stronger than men"—1 Cor. 1:18, 21, 25.
Solomon presents a similar case in Eccles. 2:13, when he says,
"I saw that wisdom excelleth folly as far as light excelleth
darkness."
This is the wisdom Solomon deals with in the Proverbs—divine
wisdom made known unto the sons of men by Moses, the prophets,
the Lord Jesus and his apostles.
People do not come into possession of either form of wisdom
naturally—both have to be sought after. As we said before, man
has the power of choice. If he set his heart on temporal things—
on the things of this life, and determines to make a name for himself in the world; or if his ambition is to become possessed of
much of this world's goods and riches; or if his aim be to set his
heart on pleasure, then he will choose the wisdom of this world.
But if he sees the folly of all this, and realizes that even though
he gain the world he must still lose his life, then he will choose the
wisdom of God, and he will search for it as for hid treasure. This
is where he exercises the wisdom of individual practice.
The wisdom of God is from eternity, and inseparable from the
Great Creator. Listen to His declaration—
1973 Berean 258
"The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His way, before
His works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the
beginning, or ever the earth was . . .
"When He prepared the heavens, I was there: when He set
a compass upon the face of the depth, when He gave to the
sea His decree that the waters should not pass His commandment, when He appointed the foundations of the earth—then I
was by Him, as one brought up with Him; and I was daily His
delight, rejoicing always before Him . . .
"Now therefore hearken unto me, Ο ye children: for blessed
are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise,
and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
"For whoso findeth me findeth LIFE, and shall obtain favor
of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own
soul: all they that hate me love death"—Prov. 8:22-36.>
What beauty of expression, and what plainness of speech!
We have this word of wisdom in our possession. We must not,
however, treat it as a miser treats his treasures—sealed up in a
bag, and be content with a mere knowledge of the first principles
of the oracles of God. There must be progression—not a broadening out, but a holding fast to the narrow path that leads unto life.
There must be a crying after knowledge, an inclining of the ear
unto wisdom, and an application of the heart to understanding.
There must also be a seeking, and a searching as for hid treasure.
Then, says, wisdom, we shall understand the fear of the Lord, and
find the knowledge of God. Again we read—
"Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline
from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall
preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and
with all thy getting get understanding"—Prov. 4:5-7'.
Does that not signify that it is possible to memorize wisdom in
its various aspects without understanding what it means? Yes, it
is possible to memorize the first principles of the Truth without
discernment, or comprehension.
Therefore, says wisdom, with all thy getting get understanding.
That is, exercise the power we possess to understand God's plan
of salvation, and comprehend its meaning. What we accomplish
in understanding the wisdom of God, depends upon the amount
of energy we expend in searching for it. As Paul says,
"He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he
who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."
No, wisdom is not acquired with a slack hand. If we obtain
sufficient knowledge to be baptized, and then sit back and take
it easy, and go after the pleasures of this life, how are we to attain
to the knowledge of God that results in the love and reverence for
His name? // cannot be done. "Therefore," says Paul,
"We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which
we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
"For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every
transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of
reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"—Heb. 2:1-3.
Some day our journey will be ended, and our trial finished, and
then there will be a verdict. The decision and judgment will either
produce great joy or sorrow. If we desire joy then let us listen to
the voice of wisdom as she cries in the places of the paths, and at
the coming in at the doors. And let us listen to her voice as she
speaks and says—
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the
knowledge of the holy is understanding"—Prov. 9:10— _ _ _ ^ _ _ _ _ _
—Editor.
LOVE IN THE SCRIPTURAL SENSE
"Love your enemies; do good to them that hate you."
That love requires a distinct effort. It cannot develop itself in a selfish
bosom. It is an impulse created from within ourselves; not by the natural
lovableness of the object. Its cultivation help to assimilate us to the supreme
source of love, and tends to amalgamate and improve inferior elements.
In an ecclesia, while there are those who by the power of truth are made
lovely, there are those who, by reason of weakness, are destitute of power to
attract. To these, this love make advances in kindly words and deeds.
We have loved God because He first loved us. The same principle acts between man and man, but at the same time we must expect failures. In some
bosoms manifested love will have no power to enkindle a reciprocal flame,
because the Truth does not dwell deeply.
A great many pass current among us who will be rejected. We must remember that few will be chosen; only those will be accepted who are the
jewels; the precious stones of the Sanctuary transparent to the rays of the
Truth, ari*d yielding a beautiful refraction of them· in the lovely tints of
individual excellence—Bro. Roberts.
Please notify us promptly of address changes.
73 Berean 259
Approaching Judgments
BY BROTHER JOHN THOMAS
'The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty
angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them
that know not God"—2 Thess. 1:7-8
To him thatkeepeth my works will 1 give power over the nations:
he shall rule them with a rod of iron . . they shall be
broken to shivers'*—Revelation 2:26-27
PARTTHREE
IN turning to the New Testament, we must bear in mind that its
grand subject is not judgment, but grace (Jn. 1:17)—
"The Law was given by Moses, but Grace and Truth came by Jesus
Christ." (John 1:17).
"God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them*' (2 Cor. 5:19).
Nor is it the testimony of mere prophets to which we listen now—
"God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time
past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken
unto us by a Son" (Heb. 1:1-2).
But while the grace of the message, and the divine dignity of the
Messenger, thus wondrously comport with each other, what shall be
said of the guilt of those who reject the message and despise the
Messenger? And this is the guilt under which the world lies.
A few in each successive generation have had their hearts opened
by the Truth, to receive the one and welcome the other. But as to the
mass of mankind, yea, even in those countries where Christ is
nominally owned, they join with one consent to slight, to neglect, to
despise God's embassy of peace. Nay, worse than this: in nominally
Christian countries, the name and the ostensible authority of Christ
are used to consecrate the sins from which he came to deliver us—to
bind more firmly on men's souls the chains and shackles from which
he came to release us.
Christianity, instead of converting the world, as is the boast of our
day, has itself been corrupted, and is the means—in this corrupted
state—of plunging men (with fairer appearances) into deeper moral
abasement than that in which it found them. IT IS FOR THIS THAT
JUDGMENT IS AT THE DOOR.
God has long patience, and we know that His longsuffering is
salvation (2Pt*.3il5). He is not willing that any should perish, but
that all should come to repentance (2 Pt.3:9). But ere long he who
once came in humiliation will come in glory. He who once came to
suffer and to save, will come to judge.
1973 Berean 260
First must the co-heirs of his glory be quickened to know and to
confess him. And when these have been all brought in by his favor,
the One who has been owned by them in his rejection will come to
receive them to himself. This is the first stage in his return to the
earth. But wickedness on the earth will come to its full head, and he
will descend, followed by his glorified saints, to execute the
judgments of which we have been hearing in the Old Testament, and
of which we have abundant warning in the numerous and explicit
predictions in the New Testament as well.
I do not now refer to them as proofs of Christ's speedy coming. I
now adduce them as following on in the train of those already cited
from the Old Testament, and as premonitory of those approaching
judgments which will shortly burst upon an astonished and affrighted world.
What can be more solemn than the testimony of our Lord himself?
Does he not apply to himself the Psalmist's words as to the rejected
Stone becoming the head of the corner? And while he intimates
that any—during this whole period—who fall on this Stone, or
stumble over it, shall be broken, does he not also warn us that the
Stone itself is yet to fall? And that on whomsoever it does fall, it will
grind him to powder? (Mt. 21:42-44). And elsewhere, he says the
sign of the Son of man in heaven shall appear..
".. and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see
the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great
glory" (Matt. 24:30).
Does not our Lord in another gospel say (Luke 17:26-30)—
"As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the
Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were
given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and
the Flood came and destroyed them all.
"Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot: they did eat, they drank,
they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded.
"But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and
brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
"EVEN THUS SHALL IT BE IN THE DAY WHEN THE SON OF
MAN IS REVEALED."
This was realized in the time preceding the overthrow of Judah's
Commonweath, and will doubtless be characteristic of that other
day of the Son of Man when he shall come in power. Does he not set
forth to us the whole subject of his rejection, and absence, and
return, in the parable of the nobleman who went into a far country to
receive for himself a kingdom, AND TO RETURN?—
"His citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We
will nothave this man to reign over us" (Luke 19:12-14).
His servants were left to occupy in his absence. Among these,
when he returns, he distributes the tokens of his approval or
displeasure. But what becomes of the citizens who hated him, and
would not submit to his reign?—
1973 Berean 261
"But those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over
them, bring them hither, and SLAY THEM BEFORE ME" (v. 27).
Such are the words of Jesus himself. And still further, he speaks of
"days of vengeance" on the Jews, that "all things that are written
may be fulfilled" (Lk. 21:22). But are approaching judgments
confined to the Jews? Nay: far from it!—
"There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars:
and upon the earth DISTRESS OF Ν A TIONS, with perplexity: the sea
and the waves roaring.
"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.
"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with
power and great glory" (Lk. 21:25-27).
True, the word to the DISCIPLES is (v. 28)—
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift
ur> your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh."
That which fills the world with forebodings, inspires with stronger
hopes those who have hearkened to the Lord's voice. But even to
these he says—
"Take heed to yourselves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life, and so
that day come upon you unawares.
"FOR AS A SNARE SHALL IT COME UPON ALL THEM THAT
DWELL ON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH" (vs. 34-35).
How awful are these words! Are any of those quoted from the Old
Testament more pregnant with solemn warning and admonition?
But how is this? How can men's hearts be failing them for fear,
and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth—
and yet this terrible day come as a snare upon all them that dwell on
the earth?
Ah, there is no contradiction here. The premonitory calamities
will awaken men's fears, and cause their hearts to fail, just as many
hearts did fail in the convulsions of a few years ago (1848). But we
have evidence all around us of how soon men's fears may be
allayed: how a temporary lull soothes all to deeper slumber—
slumber not disturbed but made still more fatally sweet by dreams
of safety and prosperity and peace and plenty, and all that the heart
of man desires to form a paradise in this evil state.
It will be at such a time that, as a snare, the Day of the Lord will
all at once enclose them in the grasp of those terrific judgments
from which there is no escape. As Paul witnesses—
"For yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so cometh
as a thief in the night.
"For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden
destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child:
and they shall not escape" (1 Th. 5:2-3).
1973 Berean 262
Want of space compels the passing over of all intermediate
testimonies, that we may listen for a moment to the beloved
disciple, the prophet of Patmos, and to those wondrous revelations
he was privileged to receive and to communicate. What have we as
one of the earliest anticipations in his prophecy? Rev. 1:7—
"Behold, he cometh with clouds: and every eye shall see him, and
they also which pierced him.
AND ALL KINDREDS OF EARTH
SHALL WAIL BECAUSE OF HIM."
Visions of judgment, one after another, are beheld by the apostle.
Seals are opened, trumpets are sounded, vials of wrath are poured
out. War, famine, pestilence, persecution of the saints; earthquakes, judgments upon natural objects, judgments upon commerce, and judgments upon all the sources of moral influence by
which men are affected; a withholding of the light which had been
previously vouchsafed; the letting loose of one horde after another
of infernal enemies and tormentors till men shall seek death and not
find it—shall desire to die while death flees from them.
These are some of the woes pronounced in this book upon the
world of the ungodly. The final crisis of human iniquity is portrayed,
and the principles marked out of which this crisis will be the full
development. Then we are told of worse judgments still. The vials of
God's wrath are to be poured out: poured upon the earth, and
the sea, and the rivers and fountains of waters; on the sun; on the
seat of the Beast; on the Great River: then, last of all, on the Air—
"And the 7th Angel poured out his Vial into the Air: and there came
a great voice out of the Temple of heaven, saying, IT IS DONE!
"And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings: and there
was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the
earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great" (16:17-18).
Then we are told of a plague of hail, every stone about the weight
of talent (v. 21). We have further details of instruction as to the ecclesiastical apostacy, and the war against Deity by the imperial
power of the earth. We have the doom of Babylon, with all its
luxuries, delicacies, and refinements—and heaven rejoicing at her
fall. A mighty angel, taking up a stone like a millstone, and casting
it into the sea, says—
"Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down,
and be found no more at all . . for by thy sorceries were ALL
NATIONS deceived" (18:21-23).
263
1 9 7 3 Berean
But previously to the fall of mystic Babylon, the heaven opens: a
white horse comes forth, and he that sat upon him, called Faithful
and True, and in righteousness he JUDGES AND MAKES WAR. He
is clothed in a vesture dipped in blood. He has on his vesture and on
his thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
The armies which were in the heaven follow him upon white
horses, clothed in fine linen, white & clean. Out of the mouth of this
glorious One goes a sharp sword with which to SMITE THE
NATIONS. He is to rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the
winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
The Beast, and the kings of the earth and their armies, gather
together to make war against him that sits on the horse, and against
his army. The Beast and the False Prophetare taken, and cast alive
into the lake of fire burning with brimstone, and their followers are
slain with the sword of him that sits upon the horse (19:11-21).
Such is the end of the course of this Aion, or "times of the Gentiles"! Its commerce and its pleasures, its politics and its religion,
its philanthropy and its misanthropy, its hypocrisy and its
blasphemy, its morality and its open wickedness—all find their
termination here.
Reader, whoever thou art, if thou hast not been separated from
this present evil world, by God's revelation to thy heart of His Son
Jesus Christ, this is the end to which thou art hastening. Thou art
unconscious of it, it is true, but this makes thy situation not one
whit the safer.
Thou art like a man in a boat drifting down a rapid stream, with
his back to the danger, and entertaining himself, as he looks up the
river, with all the gay, pleasant objects which are flitting past him.
But as each moment bears him onward to the falls where he must
ere long be dashed to pieces, so my reader, thou art—with the poor
world—gliding down to destruction. There is no hope of stopping the
vessel: it must perish. God can snatch thee out of it, and rescue thee
from the overthrow: and this is the only hope one can have concerning thee. God grant that these pages may be used to this end.
And we, brethren—what shall WE say to these things? The
detailed proof that the judgments we have been hearing of precede
and introduce millennial blessing, and that it is the personal return
of Christ which brings these judgments—is purposely reserved for
another occasion. But can we think of such a doom awaiting the
world in which we sojourn, and not sorrow for its guilty, condemned inhabitants? Did Jesus weep over ONE city, and say —
"If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things
which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes'*
—and shall not our hearts yearn for a whole world that lieth in
wickedness, and daily ripens for destruction?
1973 Berean 264
And shall we be content,my brethren, with sorrowing? The hour of
judgment, near as it may be, has not yet come. The door of mercy
still stands open: yea, as yet it opens into the scene of those
heavenly delights and bridal glories which Christ and his brethren
shall share, ere he comes forth from the wedding to execute
vengeance on his foes. And shall we not use the opportunity to sound
forth the Gospel of God's grace? If it be true that judgment is at the
door, instead of the gradual, peaceful introduction of millennial
blessedness that some expect, shall we on that account be less urgent
in our entreaties, less zealous in our labors, less instant and earnest
in our prayers?
God forbid! Knowing the judgments which await the world around
us, knowing that grace has rescued us from those judgments, and
that when they are executed we ourselves shall (if worthy) be with
him who executes them, is it possible that we can selfishly enjoy the
thought of our own security, and leave the poor world unwarned, the
grace of Christ and the Father's love unproclaimed, or poor sinners
uninvited—unurged—UNENTREATED—to flee to the shelter of His
open arms? Ο for more earnest love to Christ, and deeper compassion for our fellows!
Brethren, the time is short. The moments glide rapidly away.
Soon will the only opportunity be gone that we shall ever have of
confessing our Master, and seeking his glory, in the midst of a world
which either rejects him openly, or the more decidedly rejects him
in reality though owning him in appearance and in word.
May communion with him cause the fountains of compassion for
those around us to gush forth! May men be gathered to his arms of
mercy! May his people be stirred up to pray, and watch, and labor!
May we humble ourselves, and stir up and exhort one another, and
so much the more as we see the day approaching!
Answers by Bro· Roberts
THE PRESENT PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST
"We have a Great High Priest"—Hebrews 4:14
THE priesthood of Christ is one of the plainest teachings of the
New Testament. In proof, we have but to refer to the following—
"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling,
consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus"
(Heb. 3:1).
"Seeing then that we have a Great High Priest that is passed into
the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us holdfast our profession.
"For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are,
yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15-16).
"Called of God an High Priest after the order of Melchizedek"
(Heb.
5:10)
19
73 Berean
"Whither the Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus; made an
High Priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek" (Heb. 6:20).
"But this man, because he continueth for ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the
uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession for them . .
"For such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens,
who needeth not daily, as those high priests to offer up sacrifice, first
265
for his own sins, and then for the people's..
"For this he did once, when he offered up himself" (Heb. 7:24-27).
"But Christ being come, an High Priest of good things to come, by a
greater and more perfect Tabernacle, not made with hands: that is to
say, not of this building" (Heb. 9:11).
"And, having an High Priest over the House of God, let us draw
near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts
sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure
water" (Heb. 10:21-22).
"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.
And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1).
In view of the above, there can remain no question as to the FACT
of Christ in his present exalted position exercising the priestly office
in behalf of those who become constituents of his House by the belief
and obedience of the Truth.
But the question which has suggested itself to some minds is,
What does this mean? Priesthood, argue they, implies a Deity to be
propitiated: and that since God is gracious He requires no
propitiation; and that therefore the priesthood of Jesus must be of
another order.
The idea of Jesus pleading with the Father, they seem to think
inconsistent with the fact that it is the Father Himself Who has
made the first advances of love, and that Jesus is but the medium
thru which He seeks to reconcile the world to Himself (2 Cor. 5:19).
They argue that Jesus and the Father being "one," it is not
possible that there could exist even that mild degree of antagonism
involved in a request by the one that the other should act differently
from his disposition. They are therefore disposed to suggest that the
advocacy of Christ bears towards his people rather than towards the
Father—that he is an Advocate FROM the Father TO us, rather
than an Advocate with the Father for us.
There is a certain amount of truth in these suggestions, but they
are defective in omitting other elements of truth that require to be
taken into account before a truthful result can be arrived at. The
bearing and nature and objects of Christ's priesthood can only be
apprehended in the light of first principles, taken together without
the leaving out of any.
While it is a first principle that God is kind, it is also a first principle that—in certain relations—He is a "consuming fire" (Heb.
12:29). Anger describes an attribute of His character, as well as
love
"He is angry with the wicked" (Psa. 7:11). 1973 Berean 266
"He cannot look on iniquity" (Hab. 1:13).
"He is of purer eyes than to behold evil" (Hab. 1:13).
"He will by no means clear the guilty" (Num. 14:18).
This hostile disposition toward rebellion of every kind (a
hostility—be it at the same time observed—which has its foundation
in benevolence, for its objects and operation are the extirpation of
the root of misery) finds shape and expression in the fact that the
wages of sin is death; and is palpably illustrated in the Flood and
the destruction of Sodom.
God will not tolerate sin: death and sin are eternally linked: and
with sinners He will hold no intercourse—
"He heareth not sinners" (John 9:31).
This is the immutable law of the divine government; and this fact
we shall find at the basis of the institution of priesthood.
Priesthood was an early institution in the relations of God to man.
It existed before the Mosaic constitution of things, as evidenced by
the case of Melchizedek in the days of Abraham, and probably was
of antediluvian origin. Its existence embodies a principle which is
practically illustrated more than once in the course of Bible history :
namely, that God will not hear or deal directly with offenders, but
will be entreated concerning them by those whom He regards with
pleasure.
The plagues of Egypt were restrained at the request of Moses.
Rebellious Israel were on the point of being devoured like Korah,
Dathan and Abiram, when the intercession of Moses averted the
outburst of divine vengeance.
Job acted as intercessor for his offending friends. They were thus
addressed by the voice of God (Job 42:8)—
"Take unto you now 7 bullock and 7 rams, and go to My servant Job,
and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering, and My servant Job shall
pray for you;
"For HIM WILL I ACCEPT, lest I deal with you after your folly, in
that ye have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, like My servant Job"
Jeremiah was told not to intercede for Israel (7:16)—
"Therefore, pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor
prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me, for I will not hear thee."
This implies that had Israel's offences been less grievous,
Jeremiah's imploration WOULD have been of some avail. But the
nation's wickedness had reached such a pitch that God said to him:
"Though Moses and Samuel stood before Me. yet My mind could not
be toward this people" (15.1)
Now, with regard to Christ, we have the same principle, but in
relation to a different matter. The intercessions of the Old
Testament record had reference to the limited penalties of the time
then present. They were instrumental in securing immunity from
the temporary evils of mortal life. They had no effect as regards the
dispensation of eternal results. It was not in the power of any
arrangement in force before the appearance of Christ, to secure
everlasting life.
1973 Berean 267
The High Priesthood of the Law, under which the successor of
Aaron once a year entered the Holiest to supplicate the blessing of
Jehovah upon an offending generation, was only a type of the true
mediation. As regards eternal life, the High Priest was no more in a
position to be heard than any of the people. He was equally under
condemnation with them, and carried the token of this fact in the
blood of the slain lamb which he offered
"First for his own sins, and then for the people" (Heb. 7:27)
But though ineligible as an intercessor for life everlasting, the
Levitical High Priest typified the Great Priest through whom
mortal man might obtain a standing and a hearing in the presence
of God, with reference to the forfeited gift of life for evermore.
The whole arrangement of which the High Priesthood was a part
was of this typical character. Paul says that the ''first tabernacle"
was "a figure for the time then present" (Heb. 9:9). It allegorically
prefigured the literal method by which human salvation was to be
worked out.
This literal method is presented in Christ. He was a spotless Son of
God, wearing the condemned nature of Adam. He suffered death,
and thus met the demands of the righteous law that constituted man
a mortal in the Garden of Eden. He was personally sinless, and thus
presented in himself an open door through which, by resurrection,
sin-destroyed life could return in triumph from the grave. It was in
harmony with the law of God's operations to raise to life everlasting
a righteous man. It would not have been so to resuscitate and
immortalize a sinner.
Christ was the lamb in his meekness; the spotless lamb in his
innocence; the slain lamb in his death. But he had to develop the
literal counterpart to the living High Priest. This he did in rising
from the dead and entering the divine presence to supplicate—in
their individual details—those results which his own position as an
accepted, immortalized, and well-beloved member of the human
family, enabled him to acceptably intercede for.
God looks only on Christ. No human being can be heard on his own
merits. No man can come to the Father but by the Mediator (Jn.
14:6) The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment
to the Son (Jn.5:22). Whom the Son prays for will be given to him,
and he has power over all flesh, that he may give eternal life to as
many as the Father gives him.
1973 Berean 268
God's relations to the condemned children of Adam's race are
readjusted in the last Adam, in whom the law has been upheld,
magnified, and made honorable. All of Adam's race who cast off the
Old Adam in the waters of baptism concurrently with a repudiation
of the Old Adam principles and practices; and constitutionally put
on the New Man—Christ Jesus—become morally incorporated with
the new mediatorial man in the presence of God, and will be
physically assimilated to him and by him at the resurrection.
But are there no transgressions after the initiatory union in
baptism? Does the weakness of the flesh not continue still in
operation, leading to remissnesses, failures of duty, and positive
offences ^
"1/we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the Truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).
Now, what is it that prevents these post-immersional sins from
being as fatal as Adam's disobedience in the Garden? By what
arrangement are Christ's people saved from the death-power of
their own offences? The answer is in the words of John —
"If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1).
Again (1 John 1:9)—
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
See also the passages quoted at the commencement of this article.
God heareth not sinners, but He hears Christ, and through him will
forgive unto life eternal. We are, therefore, says Paul, having such
an High Priest (one who sympathizes with our infirmities from
having tasted them), to—
"Come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).
"He ever liveth to MAKE INTERCESSION for us" (Heb. 7:2$).
And he intercedes for those who come to avail themselves of his
intercession, but none else. It was only for those transgressors who
brought the typical sacrifice to the priest at the door of the Tabernacle that the priest interceded. So it is only for those who make
confession in prayer, and supplicate the divine forgiveness in the
Name of Jesus, that Christ's mediatorial function will be exerted.
Israel did not worship the High Priest: they sought the Increate
God of their fathers through the High Priest; worshipping without
while he interceded within. So the people of Christ worship not
Christ, but, in the Name of Jesus, worship God. And Jesus, in the
presence of God maketh intercession. And God hears him, and
through him—by the means of His personal will—vouchsafes the
blessings sought.
There is nothing in all this to clash with the fact
that God is gracious to our worthless race. His love is shown in
establishing an arrangement by which we have access to His favor
and life for evermore. His love could not be allowed to violate any
other attribute of His being. It must work in harmony with all His
rules and methods of operation.
And this is what it does in the work of Christ. God was "in Christ
reconciling the world to Himself" (2 Cor. 5:19), but the METHOD
OF RECONCILIATION was by sacrifice and mediation. God advances to us through Christ, but yet His advance takes the form of
appointing a Mediator—
1973 Berean 269
"To make intercession according to His will" (Rom. 8:27).
It need not be urged that present forgiveness of sins interferes with
the operation of the judgment seat. If we were now made immortal
in answer to our prayers for forgiveness, such a reflection might
arise, but all that is done is the obliteration of the offences from the
divine mind. If they were not so obliterated, they would be disclosed
against us at the judgment seat to our condemnation. Unpardoned
sins will be fatal, and the pardon is to be sought NOW in daily prayer
without ceasing.
Yet—practically—the judgment seat will witness and administer
the results of prayer. We know not till then if our prayers are heard.
God knows now. He "knoweth them that are His," but it is not
permitted us to know the secrets of His counsels toward ourselves
until the Day which He hath appointed for the disclosure of them by
the mouth of Jesus Christ, whom He has constituted Judge of the
quick and the dead.
It would be a fatal mistake to overlook the priesthood of Christ, as
now accessible to his Household by prayer. The Truth would be of no
use to us if we did. The intercession of Christ is necessary to our
salvation; and we can only set it in motion in our individual behalf
by individual prayer. To live in disregard of this would be soon to
decay from our places in the True Vine, and, finally, at his coming,
to drop as withered branches to the ground, to be bundled up for
consumption, with all other fruitless branches, for any cause cut
off.—1869.
Let Every One Please His Neighbor
FINAL (Sunday morning) ADDRESS, HYE, TEXAS GATHERING, 1973
"And it came to pass that the cloud was taken up from off the
Tabernacle of the Testimony, and the children of Israel
took their journeys*'—Numbers 10:11-12
ROMANS, CHAPTERS 14-15-16
THERE came a time, in the lives of the. Children of Israel, when
the Cloud went up from the Tabernacle, and they again took up their
wilderness journey. We have just sung together Hymn 41—
"Awake, asleep, at home, abroad,
1973 Berean 270
We are surrounded still with God . .
Oh, may these thoughts possess each breast,
Where'er we rove, where'er we rest
And, since Thou dost Thy Children see,
May we be holy like to Thee."
In our day by day assembly under this Tabernacle, we should not
fail to see in our surroundings—the green pastures, the quiet river
below us, the pasturing sheep which we must pass on our way here,
those sheep, young arid old, browsing upon the natural verdure of
this river valley—we should not fail to see in these things our own
situation for the past seven days. We should be impressed with the
exalted position we have enjoyed here—that of all the earth's
millions, we a few, together with other brethren and sisters
throughout the world, have been called to know the wonderful
workings of an Allwise Creator.
We have just concluded our reading of the Epistle to the Romans
once more, according to the Bible Companion. These last chapters,
read this morning, impress us with this family closeness: the oneness of the Body of Christ, the interrelationship of all our activities,
our need for care and concern for each other, even as we have observed in these pasturing sheep down the river banks. Yesterday we
"Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 13:14).
'Tutting on" may be likened to donning a garment, endowing,
covering with. We put on the Lamb of God. We put on his raiment.
We must put on the Divine character which so clearly clothed Christ
Jesus in all his actions and thoughts. This "putting on" is the
clothing or adorning of the heart—
"Whose adorning, let itbe..
the hidden man of the heart
. . a meek and quiet spirit" (1 Pet. 3:3-4).
Unless this is accomplished, we are of that category of which Paul
speaks to the Ephesian elders, on his last visit to them at Miletus.
Among them, he said, would be found wolves in sheep's clothing.
This must not be the manner of our adornment. It must be of the
heart, as of the Lamb without spot and without blemish. We must
therefore, having endowed ourselves with this characteristic,
manifest the same loving care that Christ exhibited all through his
life. As we read and reread his life, we find that his was not a selective care—just one here and there. He concerned himself with the
whole flock, strong and weak alike.
As Paul later—after his trials and tribulations—manifested to the
Corinthians, the "care of all the ecclesias" fell upon him. Our care
likewise should be for all the brethren and sisters, wherever they be.
The attitude of Cain- « A m , my brother>s keeper?"
—must be far removed from every heart. We, verily, brethren and
sisters, ARE our brother's keeper—
"Inasmuch as ye done it unto one of the least of these my brethren,,
ye have done it unto me."
So spake the Master, just before he laid down his life for his
brethren. And if we have done it unto Christ, we have done it unto
God. Again we read together yesterday—
"Him that is weak in the Faith, receive ye" (Rom. 14:1).
This verse includes all of us. We were weak, and without strength.
That was our natural condition. If, while we were in that condition,
God had not made the first move, we would now be strengthless in
relation to eternal salvation—every one of us. God made the first
move of love and reconciliation—
1973 Berean 271
"We love, because God first loved us."
As we have read again this week in Rom. 5:6-8—
"When we were yet without strength (that is, weak, helpless), in
due time Christ died for us. .
"God commended (introduced, exhibited, caused to stand near us) His
love—His great love—in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Remember, this was the first move. We are all beneficiaries of
that move, if we follow in the steps of His Son.
One more look at these pasturing sheep down by the river. We
have noticed, as we passed, that some are robust and healthy, while
others are lean and sickly. Similarly, we will notice a wide range of
perception among those who are called to be the children of God.
Their backgrounds, circumstances, capabilities and opportunities
will all vary. Shall we question God's selection?
We know the lesson of the talents—brought to our attention this
week in our studies together. Those talents which were bestowed
were for the Master's advantage, while he is absent. This should
teach us that the same divine measuring of attainment, during our
sojourn, according to what we each have been given, will be a fair
and just measurement. All have been created, formed, and molded
by God, as the Master Potter.
True, one talent should bring forth in kind, in full measure—but
we cannot expect 10 for one. God alone has the right to determine
the increase required. He alone knows each heart, and what is
possible in each case. These are objective thoughts in relation to the
flock of God, and of our own personal view toward the flock.
Personally, in relation to ourselves—and this is an introspective
view—we each one must press with all our powers toward the mark
of the prize of our high calling; must agonize toward that goal. We
have been shown this week what agonizing really means, in the
supreme sacrifice of Christ—
"Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me..
Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done."
"Being in an agony (in the Garden), he prayed more earnestly:
And his sweat was, as it were, great drops of blood."
Brethren and sisters, this was for us. Are we able, th$n, to enter
into the same degree of concern for each other? Or are we indifferent and thoughtless toward our fellow-companions? If we truly
enter into these things, we shall agonize for, or because of, each of
our brethren and sisters.
Paul speaks in Rom. 8 about the whole creation being subject to
vanity, and for a purpose: to develop us. But here we were shown
that we all need help—
1973 Berean 272
"The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we
should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom. 8:26).
We do not know how to pray. We do not know what to pray for. But
we are asked to pray, seeking Divine direction of our thoughts—
"He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the
Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the
will of God" (v. 27).
Christ knows. He went through this vale of tears. He knows how to
intercede, for it is through Christ that we approach unto God in
prayer. Paul's own disposition is illustrated in what he writes to the
Colossians- ,
F o r l w o u i d that
ye
knew
what
great
conflict
(agona—struggle, agony) I have for you" (2:1).
Can we truthfully say that we agonize for the welfare of our
brethren and sisters—the brethren and sisters of Christ? That this is
our chief concern in life? When we look at the lives of Christ's
disciples, we see a varying cross-section of understanding among
them. We will find the same situation throughout the Brotherhood
today—differing degrees of perception.
In our growth in the Truth, we have all passed through (or should
have passed through) various phases and degrees of understanding.
Yet even today, who has attained to the plateau of bro. Roberts, of
bro. Thomas, of the apostle Peter, or Paul, or Christ? Paul tells us
not to measure ourselves by ourselves (2 Cor. 10:12). In those wellknown words in 1 Cor. 11 he says—
"Be ye followers (imitators, copiers) of me, even AS I ALSO AM OF CHRIST.'
Christ must be the primary pattern for all, even as he was for Paul.
As we read the gospel records we are impressed with the depth of
the writings of John, when compared with the different style of
Matthew, Mark and Luke. Is there a distinction? All were by the
Spirit of God directed. It was Paul—whose epistles we have been
considering this week, Paul the persecutor of the Brotherhood—who
later had on one occasion to withstand Peter, because he was to be
blamed. Yet it was the same Peter who could write, years later—
"Our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom
given unto him, hath written unto you" (2 Pet. 3:15).
These things should place a different perspective on what we see
in our brethren and sisters: on how we should value their
association. "Our beloved brother": this deep mutual affection
appears again throughout Rom. 16, read among us this morning—
"Beloved in the Lord . . Stachys my beloved . . beloved Persis."
Are we so affectionately moved toward the brethren and sisters
that God has given us today? Do we feel as the apostle did, about
every one of OUR brethren and sisters with whom we run the race of
life? We read yesterday in Rom. 14:3 that—
"God hath received him."
1973
Berean
273
Whom had God received?—
"Him that is weak in the Faith."
If God hath received our brother, actually taken him unto Himself, it is important that we feel the same way. It is vital that we
perceive the operation of God's hand in the lives of all our brethren
and sisters. It is not for us to choose whom we shall associate
with, except strictly according to the commandments of God: never
according to our own preferences and desires. It is all for a purpose.
Not one sparrow falls to the ground that God is unconscious of.
Naturally speaking, we would feel like James and John—to call
down fire from heaven when things do not please us. If we react this
way—the way of the flesh—we need the instruction of Christ, as he
gently gave it to them—
"Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of" (Luke 9:55).
It is quite obvious, in reading the epistles, that Paul did not find
conditions and situations always pleasing to him. In fact, many of
the epistles which we read at least twice each year actually came
into being as a result of situations that needed exhortation and
guidance, and have been preserved to teach us also. For this we
should be thankful to God that these things have been brought about
for our benefit—and that, in the wise providence of God, by means of
weaknesses and need for instruction in earlier brethren and sisters.
While varying talents exist, varying degrees of energy and zeal, of
effort and agonizing, we must ever pray God in relation to our own
selves that we faithfully use the full measure of strength and
energy and ability that God has given to each of us.
"For God hath received him."
Paul desired to see a clear perception of the Truth in the hearts
and minds of all his associates. His love was misunderstood, his zeal
was laid to self-seeking, his concern for others as a desire for preeminence. This came upon him from without and from within. When
he asked that the "thorn" be taken away, the Lord replied—
"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength
is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).
Similarly we read yesterday from 2 Sam. 22:36, in David's
beautiful prayer of thanksgiving—
"Thy gentleness hath made me great."
It was not David in his military exploits: it was David in his
weakness, in his lowliness of mind, in his complete submission to the
hand of God.
And so, with Paul, the thorn had to stay. The Lord had placed it
there, to serve a beneficial and eternal purpose, to the glory of God
and the spiritual welfare of the suffering apostle. And God causes
the thorns to grow around the roses, and the roses are nonetheless
beautiful and fragrant, amid the thorns.
1973 Berean 274
"God hath received him."
The basis of all we do is defined in Rom. 14:6—
"He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that
regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.
"He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks. ."
That's the important phrase: "He giveth God thanks"—
".. and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not.."
And, again: "He giveth thanks." The principle of all our actions
must be thankfulness to God for everything (1 Th. 5:18)—
"In EVERYTHING, give thanks: for this is the will of God."
Every act and thought must be with the glory of God in mind.
Then our actions will be acceptable. If we eat or refrain from
eating—or do anything else—only to be considered as martyrs by
our brethren, or to exalt our own position, then we have pride and
self-glorying. The heart is deceitful above all things.
Having been received by God, whether strong or weak, we each
must perceive that we were all in need of having our infirmities
removed, in need of being endured by God in patience and love, as
He in our lives manifests His constant long-suffering, not willing
that any one of us should perish. So Paul declares—
"Who are thou that judgeth another's servant? To his own Master
he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up, for God is able to
make him stand" (Rom. 14:4).
Being received by God, we all—strong and weak, able and
unable—are related to Him as His sons and daughters. We are all,
every one of us, members of His family. We are all members of a
common Body. We do not exist as separate entities, once we have
entered into Christ, any more than any part of the natural body is
able to function, or remain healthy, or even stay alive at all, without
the life-giving nourishment which is by joints and marrow moved
from place to place throughout our bodies. This natural operation
we take so casually every day without concern—until one member
ceases to function or to perform its constant service to the body.
"The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor
again the head to the feet" (1 Cor. 12:21)
That is, "lean manage quite well without you," or, "It does not
make any difference to me what you do." That is not the spirit of the
Truth, and it cannot be the spirit of any of the members of the Body
of Christ. The whole orderly functioning of the Body is completely
inter-related, and must respond in unison, as one entity, with joy
and with sorrow. The Greek word for "please," in the command—
"Let every one of us please his neighbor."
!973
—carries this meaning—
Berean 275
"To excite emotion, to be agreeable to."
In following Paul's analogy in 1 Cor. 12, we know in the natural
that when one part of the body is affected for good or for ill, there is
a complete response of the whole nervous system which alerts the
basic functions to immediately provide what is necessary for the
care of the affected member. Even so it is—or should be—in the
spiritual Body of which we are individual components, operating in
unison and harmony and immediate mutual concern. For, says the
apostle (v.7)—
"None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself."
Paul urges (v. 9) that it was for this perfect health of the Body
that Christ died, and rose, and revived—
"That he might be Lord both of the dead and living."
"Why, then," he continues (v. 10)—
". . dost thou judge (condemn) thy brother?
Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?"
"At nought" means to treat with utter contempt; literally, "to put
out as nothing." Remember that God is the Judge of all. In 1 Cor.
10:12, after referring to Israel's failures, Paul warns us that we
should take heed—not to our brother—but to ourselves—
"Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
We are not "saved" now, except in a prospective sense. We are in
the process of being saved. We cannot assume that because we have
(or think we have) strength, we do not need to stand at the judgment
seat—but that only those weak vessels must do so. Rather—
"ALL flesh (all inclusive) is as grass . . that withereth."
All the strength of man must be humbled. All must recognize and
confess that their salvation will only be a result of the mercy of God,
and by nothing unto which we have attained by the use of our own
faculties. Paul continues—
"As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me,
and every tongue shall confess to God" (Rom. 14:11).
Such a quotation by Paul, at this point in his reasoning, is
evidence that God will bring everyone who is responsible to the
judgment seat. None have yet attained. There have only been a
few—very special characters in God's purpose—who have been
given any direct assurance that they will be in the Kingdom of God.
And even such must stand before the tribunal of Christ, that their
works may be revealed for all to see. Paul said of himself (2 Tm.
'
"There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness."
But he also said (2 Cor. 5:10)—
"We (including himself) must ALL appear
before the judgment seat of Christ."
What for? To bless God. For God's glory. In these instances also,
it will be clearly evident that their salvation has been predicated on
the mercy of God.
1973 Berean 276
Paul continues his exhortation to discern the effects of our action
and conduct in relation to our brethren and sisters. Every word and
deed must be mentally tested to be sure that they in no way cause
our companions, our brethren and sisters, to stumble, or be offended, or depart from the Faith. We must be a source of
STRENGTH and encouragement, not weakness and offense, to each
other. Note what we have read in Rom. 15:1—
"We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities
of the weak, and NOT TO PLEASE OURSELVES."
Our life in the Truth—and having put on Christ, that is the only life
we should have—consists not in meat and drink, in pleasing ourselves, in catering to the flesh, to the carnal mind, to the exciting of
fleshly desires and emotions—the empty things of this world that
the Gentiles seek. Paul uses his own circumstances to stress and
illustrate his point- ..Allthingsarelawfulforme·.
(l
CorA0:23h
Because of his position, his strength in the Spirit, his very clear
perception and discernment, he could have done many things which
would in no way have affected his standing before Christ. His
conscience would have been quite clear. But he hastens to add—
". . but all things are not expedient."
This is the crowning thought, for it prevented him from using his
position and his knowledge to please himself. He was very careful
that at no time would be please himself, or consider his own desires
and comfort. There are far more important and over-riding considerations than our own personal liberties and the indulging of our
4
'freedom in Christ/' due to our strength in God, and understanding
in the Spirit.
If we believe we are among the "strong," we must share that
strength and energy with our companions toward the Kingdom. We
must be careful to do nothing to offend them, though we ourselves
may perceive it is "lawful."
"All things are not expedient"
The word "expedient" (sumphero) means "to bear together, to
bring together." If we please ourselves, ignoring the effect upon our
brethren and sisters, we are not bearing or carrying the load
together. We may be perfectly "lawful," but we are not Christlike.
We are self-centered, we are selfish, we are selfseeking. We are not
manifesting what the Spirit requires of us—
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
This is the "royal law," which James defines as—
'Thou shalt love thy neighbor AS THYSELF."
This is the real fulfilling of the Law—
1973 Berean
zn
"To love the Lord our God with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourself."
This IS 'excellent,' because in that word we are bearing one
another's burdens. Every day, God endures—actually tolerates—us
in our weakness and failures, with much longsuffering, because He
is not willing that any should perish. He, by example and precept,
calls upon us to endure and sustain our brethren and sisters in their
weaknesses.
When Paul calls upon us to "endure," and tells us that true
spiritual love "endures ALL things," he does not mean that we
should be stoically indifferent to care for others' problems, or as
though it were a painful duty we must resignedly carry. Rather he
means we must wholeheartedly and sympathetically enter into the
afflictions of others, as being partakers, or fellowshipers with them
of their sufferings, just as the physical body must and does enter
into the aches and pains of any part thereof—
"We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak."
The word "infirmity" is related to the same root as our word
"asthma," actually, "not to have breath." "Breath" is used in a
natural sense as that by which our life and existence are sustained,
the living and breathing moment to moment. In this question it
refers to spiritual perception. Notice the force of Paul's argument—
"If thy brother be grieved with thy meat, nowwalkest thou not
charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died."
Christ is the fulness of the power of God. And in his fulness he died
for all such as Paul is speaking of. We are among that such. Shall
we, in that which we think is our strength, bring to nothing the work
of God in Christ Jesus?—
"For meat, destroy not the WORK OF GOD" (v. 20).
We are all the work of God, every one of us, strong and weak.
"Meat" here is whatever we believe we have liberty in Christ to
indulge in, regardless of the scruples or feelings of others. Paul
presents the Christlike course (v. 19)—
"Let us follow after (pursue, press toward) the things which make
for peace, and the things whereby one may edify (build up,
strengthen, not tear down) another."
"Follow after" in this case does not mean trailing behind reluctantly. It is a strong, active word, the same word Paul uses in—
"I PRESS (dioko—pursue) toward the mark of the
prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:14).
His whole salvation depended on the energetic, zealous, striving
for the prize. This is how we must "pursue" the things that make for
peace among our brethren and sisters, and the edificatien—building
up—of each other in love.
This does not mean at any time a compromise of the Truth. Paul is
speaking of our following our own desires without Christlike love
and concern for the feelings of others. Just to please ourselves, as
we may feel that we have liberty and right, let us not destroy in any
way the work of God—that which He is patiently accomplishing in
thOSe arOUnd US.
1973 Berean
278
Where WE may fail, in regard to our brethren and sisters, in
carrying their burdens, holding up the failing hands, strengthening
the feeble knees, then GOD is able to provide in another manner. We
can well say, as Mordecai said to Esther—
"If we altogether hold our peace (or do nothing in a time of need),
then shall enlargement and deliverance arise from another place, but
we shall be destroyed."
It will be said to many, in the great day of account—
"Inasmuch as ye did it not unto the least of these my brethren, ye
did it not to me. Depart from me!"
Now is our brief day of opportunity to serve Christ in serving his
brethren, and so to escape these dreadful words of rejection.
"Even Christ pleased not himself, but as it is written, the
reproaches of them that reproached Thee fell on me." (Rom. 15:3)
Paul quotes this from Psa. 69, which speaks of Christ's last extremity, which we have considered this week. Paul illustrates (v. 4)
that these things were written for our learning. They were not
written for the prophet's immediate generation, but—
"For our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the
Scriptures might have hope."
—that we might learn patience and comfort from the Scriptures.
Without these—patience and comfort—we will never have hope.
Here, in the example of Christ, is the way we should act toward each
other. Christ accepted or permitted the reproaches of God to come
upon himself in enduring the cross.
Paul's reference to Psa. 69 at such a time is especially forceful in
view of our memorial service this morning—
"Save me, Ο God, for the waters are come in unto my soul! . .
"The zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up: and the reproaches of
them that reproached Thee fell upon me. .
"They that sit in the gate speak against me: and I am the song of the
drunkards . .
"Reproach hath broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness; and I
looked for some to take pity, but there was none: for comforters, but I
found none . .
"They gave me gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me
vinegar to drink" (vs. 1,9,12,20, 21).
1973 Berean 279
Then vs. 32-33 give the joyful side, if we respond to these things—
"The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live
that seek God. For the Lord heareth the poor, and despisethm not His
prisoners."
If we are of the scripturally humble and poor, then God is working
gloriously through Christ in our lives, as Paul goes on to say in v. 5—
"The God of patience and consolation grant you that ye might be
likeminded one toward another, according to Christ Jesus."
That is, according to his beautiful example, and according to his
commandments to his brethren. If we are truly part of Jesus Christ,
if we have properly put on—been endowed with—Christ's sincovering garments, we will joyfully act toward one another even as
Christ has illustrated in giving his whole life to carry OUR burdens.
This week of fellowship together should have filled us with the
fulness of God in Christ Jesus, as Paul expresses it in vs. 13-14—
"Now the God of hope fillyou with ALL JOY and peace in believing,
that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
"And I myself am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are
FULL OF GOODNESS, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another."
The loving care shown by Paul for the ecclesias is evident in the
closing verses. He tells the Roman brethren that, if God permit, he
will visit them in time to come, after he had performed a loving
service on behalf of his brethren and sisters in Macedonia and
Achaia for the needy believers in Jerusalem. If such were enjoying
the spiritual blessings from the Jewish saints at Jerusalem, it was
fitting that they share their natural blessings with them.
Paul assures the Roman brethren that he is willing to spend and
be spent for his family in Christ Jesus. He knew that bitter persecution lay ahead, on the path that the Lord Jesus had laid out for
him. He entreated them to pray unto the Father for him, that he
might be delivered from unreasonable men, and from those that
would oppose themselves in Jerusalem. But the prospect of certain
affliction did not deter him from going forward on the set path of
duty and service.
We come now to the final chapter (16) of his message to those at
Rome. Here we find a list of names—a very interesting list of
names, inscribed in the book of remembrance for certain actions
and characteristics—
2:
3:
4:
6:
8:
"She hath been a succourer of many"—Phebe.
"My helpers in Christ Jesus"—Priscilla and Aquila.
"They have for my life laid down their own necks."
"Who hath bestowed much labor on us"—Mary.
"My beloved in the Lord"—Amplias.
'Our beloved brother"—do we feel that way toward all those whom
God has given us as companions Zionward? We must. This IS the
Truth in its living fulness!
10: "Approved in Christ"—Apelles.
What a glorious assurance! It is for those who agonize for
righteousness as Christ and Paul did, casting aside all else.
12:
12:
13:
16:
"Who labor in the Lord"—Tryphena and Tryphosa.
"The beloved Persis, which labored much."
"Chosen in the Lord"—Rufus.
"Greet one another with an holy kiss."
1973 Berean
280
Paul then turns to a warning exhortation, in reference to those
who nominally are in the Body, but do not enter into the works of the
Spirit. Their names are not in this list of life and spiritual activity.
He concludes with fraternal greetings to all that be in Rome, to all
those he knew in Rome, from those companions who traveled
with him. This was a greeting from those who labored with the
apostle, a salutation of love and fellowship which we have received
and been comforted by this week, as we have labored together
toward the Kingdom.
Soon after, Paul took his journey to Jerusalem. We learn from the
Acts that he was viciously attacked, and beaten, and taken prisoner,
and that he languished in prison for 2 years in Caesarea at the whim
of wicked men. Then of his arraignment before Festus and Agrippa,
his appeal to Caesar, and of his consignment—because of that appeal—to Rome to the hearing of Augustus.
In Acts 27 we read of one of Paul's terrible experiences of "perils
of the sea." Here we see his bold faith in God, and his concern for his
fellow-travelers that they, through the mercy of God, might be
delivered. They are shipwrecked, and winter on the isle of Melita.
In the spring, they renew their journey. So again, for us, brethren
and sisters, "the cloud goes up from the Tabernacle." Once more
we must take our journey.
"And after 3 months" (Luke records), "we departed in a ship of
Alexandria which had wintered in the isle..
"And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there 3 days. And from thence
we fetched a compass, and came toRhegium ..
"And after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day
to Puteoli, where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with
them 7 days . . "
This would appear to be in order to break bread together.
"And so we went toward Rome. And from thence, when the brethren
heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and the Three
Taverns . , Whom, when Paul saw, he thanked God and took courage."
Brethren and sisters, from these associations together, let us feel
of one another, as "our beloved brother," our brethren and sisters in
Christ Jesus. For these wonderful associations together, let us—
"THANK GOD, AND TAKE COURAGE!"
—E.F.H.
----—--•—--•-———--——·
1973 Berean 281
CORNELIUS RECEIVING THE SPIRIT BEFORE BAPTISM
Some think this strange, but the impression of strangeness vanishes if
we have in view the object to be accomplished. It was that God might stamp
with His own approbation the offer of life eternal to the Gentiles, with whom,
as Peter said, it had been till then unlawful for the Jews to mingle.
That this is the view Peter took is evident from what he says in Acts 11:17.
The outpouring of the Spirit on these Gentiles did not displace their
water baptism, for THAT WAS THE VERY FIRST THING THAT PETER
COMMANDED THEM (10:47): And it was not intended to deny the hopelessness of their position as Gentiles, which Paul affirms (Eph. 2:12)—it was to
sanction their invitation INTO the way of hope (Acts 11:14).
And God foreknew their entrance therein—it was an anticipatory act,
like Ananias addressing Paul as "brother" before the act of immersion (Acts
9:17).—Bro. Roberts, 1897.
Current Events Fulfilling Prophecy
"Vain man would be wise, though man be born like a
wild ass's colt"—Job 11:12
CHINA A NUCLEAR POWER: Now China's nuclear missiles have range
to wipe out Tokyo or devastate Russia's industrial heartland. In 2 or 3 yrs.
expected to have 7000-mile 3-megaton missiles able to reach virtually all
major targets in US. For 24 yrs. policies of most nations have depended on
their relations with the 2 nuclear power, US & Russia. Now there are 3.
What would happen to US if Russia and China patched up differences?
China's leaders have said they could lose 200 million people, & still fight
back. Chinese population not concentrated in areas that can be targeted.
Peking is pressing development of solid-fuel missiles for subs: US could in
time face 2 hostile sub forces cruising off its shores with nuclear weapons.
Size of China's new silos being built indicate missiles bigger than Russia's
20-megaton SS-9. (USN 5:28)
NOTE: There is no specific prophecy, but it would surely seem China must
be pro-Russian and anti-VS at the Armageddon crisis, though at present it
serves as a check on Russia until the proper time comes. Both are vicious,
ruthless, anti-God dictatorships. Neither dares permit its enslaved millions
any true freedom of thought or expression, religious or otherwise. Both tell
their own people that the current detente with US is just a temporary expedient to get certain advantages. Truly they are national rivals for
leadership of the Communist world. And Russia holds 100s of 1000s of square
miles of Chinese territory taken when China was weak and divided. But even
bitter rivals can join as expediency dictates (remember Hitler and Stalin).
Both are viciously anti-Israel, which is the ultimate key issue.
WATERGATE & CORRUPTION. Last week, Watergate scandal revealed
as part of a sad, slow process of the corruption of power—bending of ethics &
laws into outright police-state tactics as Nixon Administration lost all sense
of difference between U.S.'s welfare & its own.
Week's worst news was emerging picture of almost routine resort to
illegality by top U.S. officials. Foreign countries wondering whether Nixon
could continue to play a forceful role in world affairs. Support for Nixon has
become a political liability in Congress. Senators up for reelection bending
over backward to vote against Administration. (Nwk 5:28)
NOTE: Just now, when US needs moral strength and integrity to gain
world credibility and to stand up to Russia, corruption for small ignoble
political ends has made an open mockery of all its high-flown idealistic
rhetoric. A strong, decent US might have rallied world opinion against the
creeping shadow of Russian dictatorship. But that is not to be.
FINLAND: RUSSIAN IDEA OF MODEL COUNTRY: Moscow considers
Russia-Finland treaty of 1948 would be ideal basis for treaty with W. Europe.
Finland totally dependent on Moscow's will. Russia has monopoly in supplying Finland's arms. Finland forced into Comecon— the Communist
version of Common Market.
Finns have no doubt about Russia's plans to extend power. They say withdrawal of US from Europe would end Finns' marginal freedoms: "If Sweden
& Norway were in Finland's present position, then Finland would be in same
position as Poland is today." (USN 5:28).
NOTE: This is exactly what prophecy requires—the "Finlandization" of
Europe under Russia's thumb. Arab oil—Europe's economic lifeblood—may
be a major factor in the enslavement.
1973 Berean 282
VIET PEACE HOPES FADE: Things going from bad to worse in Indochina. N. Viets strengthening forces in South for major operation:
building airfields, bringing in over 400 tanks. Communist campaign to kill
village leaders: assassinations quadrupled in past 2 months. (USN5:28)
NOTE: Surely this was obvious from the beginning of the "peace"
arrangement. US failed in Vietnam, and got out. The Communists now hold
more territory than ever. They have Russia and China—close neighbors—
strongly behind their drive to make all Indochina Communist. The military
dictatorship in Thailand—US's current mainstay in the area—has just been
toppled by revolutionary students.
GREEK COUP FAILS. Involved majority of Greece's naval units, plus
elements of air force & army. Was betrayed: 200 officers, including dozen
admirals & generals under arrest.
In return for keeping its only remaining naval base in E. Mediterranean,
US gives large amounts of military aid to Greek dictators. Attempted army
coup shows armed forces deeply unhappy & therefore an uncertain element.
Now US not sure they were right in backing Papadopoulos. (Nwk. 6:11)
NOTE: Thailand in the East: Greece in the West. What shaky foundations
US is building its anti-Russian defences on! Both are unpopular military
despotisms. But they are the best allies available.
INDIA & AFRICA FACE FAMINE. Their land parched by drought, their
crops dead & their cattle dying, 200 million Indians face disastrous famine in
months ahead. A tragic mixture of drought & crop-destroying floods has
crippled rice production in Asian nations from Ceylon to Philippines.
In China, 40 million face hungry months ahead. In Africa, situation's even
worse. Most severe drought in 60 years has turned vast portions of 6 impoverished West African nations into arid wastelands: millions may die.
India confronted by possibly worst famine in living memory. Human
greed & corruption have kept food & water from some of the neediest areas.
Half-starved Indians line up for hours in over 110 degree temperatures for
'rations — but many leave empty-handed because of insufficient supplies.
Shortages largely due to drought in North & floods in South.
Up to 80 pet. of livestock in Niger, Mali, Chad, Upper Volta, Senegal &
Mauritania have perished. Farmers have exhausted food supplies & are
scratching out an existence by eating seed grains stored for future planting—virtually guaranteeing hunger next year as well. Drought has wrecked
millions of acres of cultivated & grazing land, making it unusable for years
to come. Because of protein deficiency, 10s of 1000s of children destined to
grow up mental & physical cripples. (Nwk 6:4)
NOTE: "Greed and corruption" are given credit for much of the misery.
Greed and corruption are the basic constituents of the natural man, as
amply testified by Scripture, and amply manifested by history—and by
contemporary history more than ever before. Earth's population
mushrooms—doubling every 30 years. Food is already short. Clearly the end
BERLIN'S YOUTH SHIFTS LEFT. University of Berlin now hotbed of
radicalism. Shift to left reflects similar move among all of W. German
students. Some young people seemed to have completely swallowed Communist propaganda line. One fashionable theory among German students is
that U.S. deliberately kept Germany short of food after WW II to force them
into Western camp. (Nwk 6:11)
NOTE: Germany must unite with Russia. The obvious corruption of
German and US politics is helping to drive Germany's youth into Russia's
spider-web.
1973 Berean
283
US's SLIPPING POSITION. U.S. being overtaken by other countries: will
soon cease to be "richest country in world." As late as '68, U.S. per capita
income exceeded other leading countries by 1 / 3 to 1/2. Now Sweden,
Switzerland & Germany on same level; France, Holland & Japan soon
will be. Given the faster rate at which foreign countries are growing, the
basic trends can hardly be in doubt. U.S. international role will decline.
Mood of many Americans: "So what? " That misses the realities of a world
where many countries have relied on U.S. to preserve peace & stability.
Could U.S. do something to keep from falling behind? Not much. U.S.
became rich because it grew stably, & has not suffered the devastations of
major wars that have set back other countries. But U.S. has never saved or
invested a high fraction of its income, as other countries have. (Nwk 5:28)
NOTE: US has "wasted its substance in riotous living." It is becoming a
"have-not" nation in terms of basic economic and industrial resources and
raw materials. On the other hand, Russia has an immense and largely untouched treasure of mineral resources. US has taken its world dominion for
granted as eternally assured, due to some assumed superiority of its people.
Past empires have had the same delusion.
KIDNAPPING IN ARGENTINA. In past year, guerrillas in Buenos Aires
have seized at least 6 foreign executives & extracted ransoms of $3/4million to $2 million. May be only beginning. Many companies refuse to
report for fear of further trouble. Experts say ransoms in first half of '73
total over $5 million; over $20 million in past 2 years. Life for foreign
businessmen in Argentina now practically unbearable: must move in
irregular patterns; shift sleeping places; houses surrounded with barbed
wire & bodyguards. (Nwk 6:11)
NOTE: Political terrorism is one of the major fulfilments of the prophetic
"earth filled with violence" in the last day. "One sinner destroyeth much
good." A small band of fanatical and dedicated terrorists can make
democratic govt. impossible—especially where it is not strong and deeprooted.
"NO-FAULT" DIVORCES CATCHING ON. Divorce at all-time high in
U.S., & easier to get than ever before. Almost 1 / 3 of states have "no-fault"
divorce. In past year 851,000 divorces in U.S.: more than doubled in 10 years.
The "no-fault" concept has begun to lead to "do-it-yourself" divorce—kits
are $25.00. In parts of California, divorce obtainable by mail. (USN6:4)
NOTE: Jesus said of both Noah's day and the day of his return, that
"marrying and giving in marriage" would be one of the major signs. Clearly
he did not mean marriage as such, but corruption of "marriage." Marriage,
in any true, wholesome sense, is rapidly ceasing to exist in US, and
elsewhere too. When the relationship is not mutually entered with the since re'dedicatibn of faithfulness for life, then it ceases to have any claim at all
to the term "marriage" in any sense, and is mere legalized fornication.
VIETNAM'S WAR-TORN CHILDREN. Rare is the Viet child who hasn't
been scarred by war which knew no fixed boundaries or front lines, & made
little distinction between soldier & civilian, adult & child. There are 100s of
1000s of maimed & crippled children, who not only suffer physical agony but
face a life of isolation in a society that has traditionally turned its back on
weak & disabled. Up to lVfe million children have lost one or both parents. A
tragedy of life & limbs whose magnitude we will never know. (Nwk 5:28)
NOTE: These are the tragic realities of man's animal struggle for power
and wealth and glory.
1973 Berean 284
DOLLAR KEEPS PLUNGING. Further turn from $, scramble for gold at
soaring prices. Experts take sceptical view of $s future. Watergate scandal
is an important depressant. It's hard to find a bright spot in gloomy currency
outlook: $ in deep trouble: inflation out of hand everywhere. (USN 6:11)
$ HITS NEW LOW. During past 2 years, once-almighty $ has lost 26 pet. of
its value against currency of other major nations. Last week it plummeted
again to new lows. In past 2 years, while most major nations were making
moves to lower trade barriers, US has been raising them. (Tm 7:16)
NOTE: In very recent memory, the $ was the impregnable Gibraltar-rock
on which all the world's economic and monetary stability was built (as it had
been in the previous century on the British pound). No one thought to doubt
its eternal strength. But greed, corruption, folly and mismanagement have
succeeded, in an incredibly brief time, in completely destroying this
foundation.
mmmmmmme>—^mmmmmmm^mmmmmmmmmmm
NATO's TROJAN HORSE? In wake of abortive coup attempt, a massive
purge of Greek armed forces—suddenly spotlighting both the glaring
deficiencies of Athens regime, & the vulnerability of US & NATO in E.
Mediterranean. The instability of Greek armed forces came to light at very
moment NATO was meeting to discuss growing Russian might.
Uncertainties in Greece carry grave implications for Western Alliance.
Greece is key US home port in Mediterranean, & principal surveillance &
communications post for NATO in S. Europe. One Greek officer said, "If
NATO is counting on Greece for anything, they're crazy." The captains and
officers of every Greek warship are being held for questioning.
Up to now, the junta has been able to count on resolute support of US.
Whatever moral doubts it had about the dictator govt, US felt sure {he govt.
had Army behind it. But it's different now. Athen's position as a bulwark of
Western alliance suddenly looking shakier. (Nwk 6:18)
NOTE: The Russian military dictatorship steadily builds its aggressive
strength, while NATO squabbles (as in Iceland) and calamities (as in
Greece) make it less arid less credible as a deterent to Russian ambitions.
Bro Thomas, 121 yrs. ago, said: "A pre-adventural Jewish colonization of the
land of Israel will be going on while Russia is engaged in the conquest of the
West"—Herald, Sept., 1852. At the time, both developments were scoffed at
as impossible. Today we witness both.
OIL & ARMS. US enlarging its role as major international weapons
supplier. Last wk. Nixon authorized sale of supersonic jet fighters to Marxist
Chile & 4 other S. American countries. Earlier, US indicated willingness to
sell Phantom jets to Saudi Arabia, which is negotiating for $1 billion worth of
arms. Kuwait wants $500 million worth. Both countries want to protect their
oil riches against attack from their Mideast neighbors. Russian-armed Iraq
has already scared Kuwait with border incursions.
Saudi Arabia & Kuwait are 2 of biggest Mideast oil suppliers. US is helping
to protect valuable sources of oil, & at same time reducing chances of these
countries shutting off supplies to US, by making them as reliant on US for
weapons, training & spare parts as US is on them for oil. (Tm 6:18).
NOTE: What a grisly traffic in death and misery! What a striking
fulfilment of Joel's prophecy of the Last Days (3:9-13)—"Prepare war . .
beat your plowshares to swords . . Let the weak say, I am strong . . The
harvest is ripe; the press is full—for their wickedness is great."
RUSSIAN MISSILES. Now have 1.618 ICBMs vs. US's 1054. Testing 3
menacing new models, one with MIRVs. (Nwk. 6:11)
NOTE: Sleeping, pleasure-mad US may awake some morning to the
revelation of an infinitely-superior nuclear-powered Russia. Russia wastes
no resources on luxury or folly or coddling its people. Its one goal is to crush
US—its only barrier to world dominion.
1973 Berean 285
EUROPE'S DIZZY WHIRL OF DETENTE. This week's opening of the
historic European Security Conference in Helsinki, Finland, clearly signals
how far East-West rapprochement has come since icy days of cold war.
Idea for all-Europe Conference first raised by Moscow in '54 to
legitimatize its hold on E. Europe; but proposal got nowhere till Brandt's
Ostpolotik began to mesh with a Kremlin diplomatic initiative toward West.
Pace of change has been dizzying.
By seizing initiative in bargaining with Russia, Nixon has seriously
undermined W. Europe efforts to forge unified policy toward Russia.
Russia sees Conference as a key link in its campaign to weaken W.
Europe's ties to US: hopes to convince West that detente is a substitute for
defense.(Nwk 7:9)
NOTE: Moscow's plans seem to be moving apace. US was able for 20 years
to resist the pressure for this show-window conference in which Russia has
so much to gain. But the spirit in Europe has now changed. The shock of the
vicious destruction of the democratic govts. in East Europe in the 40s, and
the ruthless crushing ofE. German and Hungarian freedom in the 50s, and of
the Czechs in the 60s—all has now worn off with time. Europe wants to
believe that Russia is satisfied with what it has devoured, like the blind little
men at Munich in 1938 wanted to believe Hitler was satisfied with his past
-β*»—•___•—__-
conquests.
DEADLY ARAB-ISRAEL DUEL OF TERROR. Last wk. in Paris, bomb
under his car's front seat instantly killed Mohammed Boudia, suspected of
being Black September's head man in Europe. Three days later, Israeli
diplomat Yosef Alon shot dead in Washington. Latest victims of deadly
underground Israel-Arab war around globe. Such incidents now commonplace: similar assassinations this yr. in Rome, Paris, Cyprus, Lebanon,
Madrid & London have claimed dozens of lives. (Tm 7:16)
NOTE: Beyond being evidence of a worldwide era of violence, this
particular strife (Arab-Israel) bears much more directly on the Divine
purpose. It is the "perpetual hatred" always manifested by Edom (Esau)
for Jacob, spoken of by Ezekiel (35:5)—that only the coming of Christ will
terminate.
•
WATERGATE ON THE RHINE. Deputy Julius Steiner has admitted that
in '72 he sold his vote to keep Willy Brandt in power—latest & most startling
in a series of revelations of political scandal in W. Germany, involving
bribery, cover-ups. Corruption coming to light could topple Brandt.(Tm6:25)
CORRUPTION ABROAD TOO. London: On heels of sex scandal that
brought down 2 aristocratic ministers of Govt., British now learn that many
local officials are corrupt, taking bribes. Bankruptcy proceedings brought to
light a payroll for civil servants in operation of multimillion-$ architectural
firm. Several other cases unearthed.
Rome: Several members of Parliament caught stealing public funds. A
Govt. tax office spent $2-million in bribes for mayors & other officials. Nine
years spent collecting evidence; 557 indicted; 300 of these had died by time
case came to court. (USN 7:16)
NOTE: Political scandals are not new. They are as old as politics itself.
The evil of the human heart inevitably infects all it touches. But surely it is
significant that what calls itself the "democratic process" is exposed as so
corrupt at a time when it is setting itself up as the defender of "freedom"
and "justice" against the efficient autocracy of dictatorial Communism—
efficient, that is, in developing naked military power. Bro. Thomas saw the
fatal weakness of "democracy" in corrupt human hands, and he expected
kings to replace presidents as the Gogian power extended its power over
Europe. And so it has been. All East Europe has kings (that is, autocrats—
tho the actual term king is not currently used). "Kings" in Bible times were
not necessarily hereditary. More often than not, they were simply dictators
who had achieved power by violence or intrigue (as in Communism today),
not by hereditary succession.
1973 Berean 286
BREZHNEV IN PARIS, troublemaking for US. Decision to spend 3 days in
Paris on return from Washington summit is personal success for Pompidou.
Brezhnev is rewarding France for pulling out of NATO, & maintaining policy
ol "independence." He's appealing to French ego, making French more
touchy than ever toward US, building up France as "honest broker" between
superpowers. It's an old Russian game. Brezhnev is happy to encourage
France's bid for special ties to Russia. (USN 7:2)
NOTE: The "unclean spirits like frogs" are still up to their malicious
mischief, gathering the kings of the earth to the battle of the Great Day of
God Almighty.
mmmmmmm^^^mimmmmmmmmmmmmmm.^..^^mm^m^mmm,
FREAKISHLY FOUL WEATHER has struck so many parts of world in
past year that meteorologists discern a complex, long-term change in
climates. All agree the impact has been devastating to industry & most
especially to world's already hard-pressed food supplies.
In May, 12V2 million acres in Midwest & South US flooded: total damage
$400 million. Surprise blizzards cut multi-million $ chunk out of livestock
herds. Snowfall & tornadoes destroyed over half of Southeast's peach crop.
California crops severely damaged by heavy rain, devastating cold, late
frosts: many crops down 50 pet.
Picture bleaker still in India & Africa. Indian losses in billions of $s. Six
African states near Sahara are equally parched & devastated. Ecological
balance has been so savaged that may take 30 years to recover foodgenerating potential. (Tm 7:9)
NOTE: Mankind's hold on life is far more precarious than this proud and
Godless generation realizes. All breath is in the hand of God, Whose
longsuffering alone withholds the annihilation of this rebellious race. With a
slight change of climatic conditions, God could flood the earth with heat,
wrap it in eternal snow, or bring famine and starvation to its wicked
inhabitants.
__^^mm^mmmmm^immmmmmmmmmmm
CONGRESS OF HELSINKI. Meeting of historic significance gets under
way this week. Has opportunity to create grand new design for the future of
Europe. By creating a false sense of security at this conference, Moscow
could lay groundwork for its future domination of W. Europe. NATO SecGen. says bluntly: "Russia is trying to diminish— & eventually end—US
presence in Europe by this conference". (Tm 7:9)
NOTE: The leaders of Europe can recognize the tendencies and the
dangers, but the people of Europe do not care. Russia, allied with the
Papacy, must gain control of Europe, and marshall it to Armageddon.
PHYSICS BY PHONE. In a little office at Tel Aviv University, the phone
rings. The 1600-mile connection to Moscow has been made. Physics
Prof. Mark Azbel begins in fluent English a lecture for Israeli students.
Azbel is one of 6 prominent Soviet scientists fired from official posts for
wanting to immigrate to Israel, & then barred from leaving Russia. The
President of T.A.U. appointed 3 of them his faculty. At least once a week the
3 are on phone to Tel Aviv. They're bursting with thoughts to communicate.
Sometimes they talk literally for hours on some scientific point. (Tm 7:9)
NOTE: Perhaps not of much significance in the world picture, but a
revealing sidelight on Russia, Israel, and the Jewish people.
GASOLINE SHORTAGE. Long-feared, now making itself felt: 1000's of
independent stations forced to shut down permanently. Independents claim
big oil companies contrived phony shortage to drive them out of business.
That conclusion supported by attorneys general of 6 states who testified
before Senate last week. Justice Dept. suing Texaco. (Tm6:25)
NOTE: Man's evil and greed is apparent at every turn, confirming the
Word of God.
1973 Berean
287
ICELAND-BRITAIN FISHING CLASH. For Iceland, virtually a question
of survival. Fishing is 20 pet. of gross national product; 82 pet. of exports.
Iceland's govt. is Leftist. There's growing demand that Iceland reconsider
its position in NATO. Militant Leftists in govt. pressing Prime Minister to
keep his campaign pledge to close U.S.'s NATO airbase there. British have
played into hands of Communists. (Nwk 6:4)
NOTE: Another big plus for Russia. Another hard blow for NATO. The
quarrel has for the present been patched up, but the damage remains.
US'S ERRATIC TRADE POLICY. US international economic policy a
mess; confused & confusing; open disregard for trading partners; actions
running counter to announced goals & policies.
Last week new shock for foreigners: export controls on steel scrap & food
products. Will create shortages & aggravate inflation overseas.
Soybean exports cut in half. Big sales to Russia & China: then sudden
restrictions on regular customers in Europe & Japan. A staggering blow to
Japs to whom US had repeatedly promised to supply all their needs.
Action strengthens France's charge that US cannot be trusted to honor its
commitments (Tm 7:16)
NOTE: How can we explain this pitiful befuddlement of clever and
intelligent men, except as a punitive, divinely-imposed confusion? We can
understand crime and evil, because that is natural to animal man; but selfhurting folly and bumbling inconsistency in high places seems a direct
fulfilment of the divine threat to the wicked to make their wise men mad.
LATIN AMERICA DRIFTS AWAY. Widespread agreement that US hasn't
been paying much attention to Latin America. Rampant nationalism
combined with a growing political sophistication has made Latins increasingly suspicious of US intentions. With increasing frequency & success,
Latin nations have turned to Europe, Japan & Communist bloc for military &
economic aid they cannot get from US. (Nwk 5:21)
NOTE: US once took Latin A merican support & following for granted. This
was a large part of her power in the early years of UN. But she has little
support or friendship there now. Latin America is overwhelmingly Catholic,
& great changes are afoot, as in other parts of the Catholic world. The sharp
trend is toward Socialism & the Left as a deliverance from a long history of
capitalist oppression & corruption, & US imperialism is inescapably identified with that unlovely past. The Church is riding the new wave.
BOOM YR. FOR MIDEAST ARMS. Shah of Iran got ball rolling with $2V2
billion arms deal. Saudi Arabia has earmarked $1 billion for weapons.
Kuwait V/2 billion. Iraq, Syria & Yemen getting Russian arms. (Nwk 6:18)
NOTE: Mideast oil profits are saturating the area with vast piles of
sophisticated instruments of mass destruction and violence. At the same
time, tensions are building and emotions flaring. Students of prophecy have
long been eagerly watching for the final inevitable explosion in that area
which will eventuate in worldwide desolation and the end of all human rule
on earth. We rejoice to see the scene being so energetically prepared for the
last great, earth-redeeming conflagration. "Come quickly, Lord Jesus!"
CORRUPTION IN POLITICS. Not only Watergate: all across U.S.
corruption keeps surfacing, at all levels. Result is growing distrust of
politicians. Criminal cases involving public officials boiling up in many City
& State Govts. Never anything like it in U.S. history. Temptation great; risks
few; punishment light if wrongdoer caught. (USN 6:4)
NOTE: ''Never anything like it in US history." CORRUPTION was the key
to the Flood. Notice the striking, 3-fold repetition of this very word in Gen. 6:
12-13. Surely the grapes of wrath are ripe!
1973 Berean 288
"COD WAR" THREATENS NATO. Iceland threatening to kick US out of
strategic NATO airbase that keeps watch on Russian movements in key
Atlantic shipping routes. Growing concern that Iceland may pull out of
NATO altogether. It's a valuable link in NATO defences because of location.
For years, Russia has tried to lure Iceland out of NATO. Their hopes
soared in 71 when 10 Communists were elected to the 60-man Parliament, &
2 Reds entered Cabinet. Now cod war gives Russia new boost. (USN 6:11)
NOTE: How shaky is NATO! Iceland is a strategic link—1/6 of its
Parliament is Communist, with 2 Communists in the ruling Cabinet.
Communism is not just a political party: it is a godless, worldwide
conspiracy, advocating dictatorship by the violent overthrow of govts.
REASON FOR BREZHNEV VISIT. First & foremost, Moscow wants US
technology, industrial equipment & credits on large scale, & guaranteed
access to US feed grains. They want to convince US that close ties with
Russia are far more valuable than ties with China. US cooperation is
considered essential for success of their policy of better relations with
Europe. Objective is to get recognition of their control over E. Europe, & to
extend their influence to W. Europe.
What US can hope to get from Russia is relatively little. Many experts
believe Nixon & Kissinger have over-estimated Russia's bargaining
strength & underestimated US's. (USN 6:11)
NOTE: For Brezhnev to so come with hat in hand, clearly Russia
desperately needs certain things from US (like the wheat last year). And
apparently US—for a fast $—is willing to sell Russia the tools to shape US's
own destruction. As the magazine points out, US has little to gain (except
passing profits for the rich). As His purpose requires, God turns man's
wisdom backward, and makes their wise men mad.
EMBATTLED US DIPLOMATS. Terrorists, striking at US personnel
abroad, have taken lives, won big ransoms. US embassies & missions
starting to resemble fortresses: bulletproof windows, stronger locks,
alarms, close-circuit TV. Visitors, letters, packages screened as never
before. Embassy limousines being refitted into armored cars. Children ride
guarded buses to schools. Officials vary daily routines to foil kidnapers;
keep homes bolted. One embassy alone is spending $350,000 a year on
security equipment & guards. (USN 6:11)
UPSURGE IN INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM: almost an epidemic.
World quite different frpm diays when soldiers in uniforms marched across
borders. Now we have reached stage when dissidents kill innocent people in
hope#of gaining their ends. US no longer immune from attacks on diplomats;
•eventhreat of guerrilla-type assassinations. In New York, twice as many
attacks on UN diplomats as 3 years ago. (USN 7:16)
NOTE: What terrible, and yet what wonderful times! How hopeless is the
prospect for unaided man to make a livable world! Yet man, in the
deepening gloom of this present jungle-age, keeps trumpeting his empty
boasts of "civilization" and "progress."
MOST FREAKISH WEATHER in US history. Heaviest accumulation of
rainfall ever recorded in East. An unprecedented volley of tornadoes. Floods
that sent Mississippi & tributaries to record highs. Winter blizzards far to
South. Over Memorial Day weekend, disastrous series of 196 tornadoes in 4day period: over 700 so far: almost sure to top 1000 for year. (USN 6:11)
NOTE: By itself, this would not necessarily be significant. Weather comes
and goes. But "most freakish in history" is the newsmagazine's own
description. We must be cautious of misguided sensationalism, but combined with all other converging Signs, this adds force to the prophetic picture
of a last-day warning from God to wicked mankind.
inside Back
What Knowledge Needed at Baptism?
As to the question "How much knowledge is necessary for a
candidate to have?" we would say, as much as will make him a
believer in the One Faith and Hope of the Gospel, and not a
believer only, but as will make this faith in him WORK BY
LOVE, so that he may become revolutionized in his inner man,
and made implicitly subject to the will of God as it is done in
heaven.
Whether a man possesses this amount of knowledge may be
known by the EFFECT. To mind earthly things, to be conformed
to the world, to lay treasures upon earth, to love the world and
things of the world, to be covetous and parsimonious, etc., etc.,
are the attributes of the UNRENEWED creature. IF by knowledge
his heart be changed in these carnal affections, and he has become
the REVERSE of all these, yea, ready to be offered up a living
sacrifice to God's will, he has knowledge enough TO BEGIN
WITH.
"We are renewed by knowledge after the image of him that
hath created us."
How much intelligent faith of this kind is there in the world?
—Bro. Thomas.
(Bro. Thomas* above analysis of the type and amount of comprehension
that is necessary at baptism may go far to explain some of the problems and
disappointments that perplex our ecclesias today)
August Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
WHAT KING
Ate grass—Nebuchadnezzar
Was hidden—Joash
Was a leper—Uzziah
Spared Agag—Saul
Was blinded—Zedekiah
Was very fat—Eg Ion
King of Elam—Chedorlaomer
King of Salem—Melchizedek
Killed Josiah—Necho
Eaten of worms—Herod
Married Esther—Ahasuerus
Was suffocated—Benhadad
Burned himself—Zimri
Drove furiously—Jehu
Built Samaria—Omri
Killed Benhadad—Hazael
Diseased in feet—Asa
Lover of David—Hiram
Burial of ass—Jehoiakim
Allied with Ahab—Jehoshaphat
1005 songs—Solomon
Had iron bedstead—Og
Put Daniel in den—Darius
Besieged Hezekiah—Sennacherib
Conquered Babylon—Cyrus
26. Gave David Ziklag—Achish
27. Wanted a vineyard—Ahab
28. Defeated by Barak—Jabin
29. Sheepmaster—Mesha (Moab)
30. Saw writing on wall—Belshazzar
31. Last king of Israel—Hoshea
32. Reigned in Heshbon—Sihon
33. Dreamed of animals—Pharaoh
34. Abraham prayed for—Abimelech
35. Named only in Proverbs—Lemuel
36. Killed by Samuel—Agag
37. Consulted young men—Rehoboam
38. Allied with Rezin—Pekah
39. We have no king but—Caesar
40. The great & noble—Asnapper
41. Recovered from boil—Hezekiah
42. Tried to curse Israel—Balak
43. Caused Israel to sin—Jeroboam
44. Almost persuaded— Agrippa
45. Captive to Egypt—Jehoahaz
46. Sent Ezra to Jerusalem—Artaxerxes
47. Besieged Jabeshgilead—Nahash
48. Took gold shields—Shishak
49. Married Ahab daughter—Jehoram
50. Filled Jerusalem with blood-Manasseh
GENESIS I A FACT, NOT A "VISION"
There can be no doubt that the whole creation work described in Gen. 1
was a work that was done 6000 years ago. It is an absolutely correct record
(apart from all scientific views of the case) that in six days, 6000 years ago,
this sublunary creation was "bara"-ed, or put in order by angels, acting as
:he instrumental agents of the Eternal Spirlit.—Bro. Roberts, 1897.
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VOL. 61, NO. 10
OCTOBER, 1973
The Berean
Christadelphian
A monthly magazine devoted wholly to the exposition and defense
of the Faith once for all delivered to the Saints, with the object
of helping to make ready a People prepared for the coming of the
Lord. Opposed to the unscriptural teaching of the papal
and protestant churches of the world.
Edited and Published by :
G.A. Gibson, 1501 Woodbine, Apt. 1616, Toronto, Ont. M4C4H1, Can.
"They received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched
the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Therefore many believed"—Acts 17:11
CONTENTS
ECCLESIALNEWS: Chaska, Minn.; San Angelo, Tex
Inside Front Cover
Bible Questions
Inside Front Cover
EDITORIAL: The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength
289
THE TREE OF THE LIVES (Bro. Thomas)
291
EMMANUEL: "GOD WITH US" (Bro. Roberts)
296
"FATHER, FORGIVE T H E M "
304
THE SMITTEN ROCK
310
CURRENT WORLD EVENTS FULFI LLING PROPHECY
313
September Answers
GO ING TO LAW AGAI NST ANOTH ER
Inside Back Cover
Back Cover
We ore anxious to send the Bereon FREE to any desiring it
that way. Please do not hesitate to request it. If you
know of any who might like it, please send us their names.
CHRIST IS COMING SOON AND WILL REIGN ON EARTH
Ecclesial News
Inside Front
CHASKA, Minn. 55318—10 Janice Drive.
LOVING Greetings in the One Hope.
Having moved, I would like to notify the brethren and sisters of my address change: Bro. Roger Walker, 10 Janice Drive, Chaska, Minn. 55318. I
have not heard much of any of the brethren except through the Berean.
I would appreciate hearing from any who have time to write.
Your brother in Christ,
—RogerWalker
SAN ANGELO, Texas-English Room, Cactus Hotel (all except first Sundays)—SS 10
a m ; Memorial 11. Other Sundays at homes. Rec. bro. Gary Smith, Star Route,
Sweetwater, Tex. 79556.
LOVING Greeting in Christ's Name.
We of the San Angelo ecclesia are happy to announce that two more of
Adam's race have put on the Saving Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mr. &
Mrs. L. A. PATTERSON gave a good confession of their faith on Sept. 8, 1973.
Bro. and sis. Patterson live in Coleman, Texas, and will be attending the San
Angelo ecclesia. In the Bonds of our Hope,
—bro. Gary Smith
Bible Questions
HOW M A N Y . . .
Write the number of each item in List 1 beside the correct amount in List 2.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Sealed?
18.
Psalms?
19.
Fish in net?
20.
In shipwreck? 21.
Smooth stones? 22.
White baskets? 23.
Stars in crown? 24.
Rows of stones? 25.
Saved by water? 26.
Silver trumpets? 27.
Killed by tower? 28.
Killed by bears? 29.
Number of Beast? 30.
Ill-favored kine? 31.
Cities of refuge? 32.
Levitical cities? 33.
Songs of Solomon? 34.
Degrees backward? 35.
Ungrateful lepers?
36.
Evening-mornings?
37.
Not bowed to Baal? 38.
Virgins of Jabesh?
39.
Palmtrees at Elim? 40.
Goat hair curtains? 41.
Courses of priests? 42.
Stripes five times?
43.
Baal prophets slain? 44.
Foxes Samson caught? 45.
Years in wilderness? 46.
Kings with Benhadad? 47.
Assyrian host slain? 48.
Days to rebuild wall? 49.
Joseph age when sold? 50.
Kings Joshua subdued?
Pieces Jesus sold for?
Swine drowned (about)?
Killed by ass jawbone?
5 loaves, 2 fishes fed?
Cubits Haman's gallows?
Pieces Joseph sold for?
Yrs. for Rachel & Leah?
Cubits above mountains?
Korah followers burned?
Provinces of Ahasuerus?
Yrs. temple in building?
Days witnesses prophesy?
7 loaves, few fishes fed?
Souls added at Pentecost?
Abraham's armed servants?
Cubits Nebuchadnezzar's
Image?
LIST TWO — ANSWERS
2
7
12
20
39
50
150
318
1005
4000
5000
7000
40
52
153
400
1260
4
9
15
30
42
60
250
450
2000
5
10
17
31
46
70
276
666
2300
144,000
6
11
18
32
48
127
300
1000
3000
185,000
FREE BOOK ON BASIC Bl BLE TEACHING
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EDITORIAL
The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength
"Arid-all the people went their way . . to make great mirth
because they had understood the words that were
declared unto them"—Nehemiah 8:12
AMONG the many examples
of faithful men and women,
whose faith and works are recorded in the Bible, the name
of Nehemiah stands high on the
list. Although not a prophet, he
was a prominent man of Israel,
and left a record which has become a great source of instruction and comfort to many who
know and love the Truth. His
unusual character was of threefold formation:—
1. He adhered rigidly to his
duties.
2. He was stern when opposing wrong.
3. Above all, he had an unwavering faith in God.
Nehemiah comes to our attention in the year 446 BC,
which was the 20th year of the
Persian king Artaxerxes, whom
he was serving as cupbearer.
The office was one of the most
dignified in an Oriental kingdom, and it said much for the
character of Nehemiah that he,
a stranger and a foreigner,
should have been appointed to
such an office at the Persian
court.
From his brother Hanani, he
learned of the sad plight of his
people in Jerusalem, and became sorely downcast when he
was told that the walls of the
city were broken down, and the
gates were burned with fire.
From a mere human point of
view, there was no cause for
his sorrow. He could have said,
"I have a high position in the
service of the king, and am being well paid. It is almost 800
miles to Jerusalem, and there
must be men there who can get
busy and make the necessary
repairs."
Consecrated service in the
Truth alters the ways of the
natural man. and causes him to
seek the welfare of others.
Therefore, when the sad news
came to him, Nehemiah—
"Sat down and wept, and
mourned, and fasted certain
days, and prayed."
His fervent prayer appears
in Neh. 1:5-11, and is a noble
example for every one of us.
Unlike the Pharisee in the parable of Jesus, he did not "thank
God that he was not as other
men." Nor was he unmindful of
the majesty of God, for he opens
his prayer in a most dignified
manner—
"I beseech Thee, Ο Lord
God.of heaven, the great and
terrible God, that keepeth
covenant and mercy for them
that love Him and observe His
commandments.
Nehemiah not only recognized the supremacy of God,
but he realized his own position,
for he not only confessed the
sins of the people, but said—
"Both I and my father's
house have sinned."
If a man of his high caliber could evaluate himself in
the way just indicated, should
not a little self-examination convince us that no matter how
firmly we try to walk in the
Truth, we still come far short of
the standard set before us? is
that not what we are to understand from the words of Jesus
"When ye shall have done
ALL those things which are
commanded you, say,
"We are unprofitable servants: we have done that
1973 Berean
289
which was our duty to do."
Another severe lesson we
learn from these words, is that
there is no place in our lives
for pride. It is one of the products of the flesh, and therefore
one of the forms of sin that we
are expected to overcome, for
God hates it.
Pride has many forms. One
can be proud of his achievements, of his social advantages,
and many other things. It will
be found to be synonymous with
conceit, vanity and self-esteem
and is, therefore, of the world,
and extremely displeasing to our
h e a v e n l y Father. Many are
proud of their humility.
There are many examples in
the Bible of how pride may be
manifested, and there is much
said about it. In Psa. 73:6 we
read that—
"Pride compasseth t h e m
about as a chain."
Prov. 11:2 declares—
"When pride cometh, then
cometh shame."
But one that should especially make us stop and consider is found in Prov. 13:10—
"Only by pride cometh contention."
Some time when we are
meditating upon divine things,
this would be a statement that
we would do well to consider.
* * *
THE principal work of Nehemiah was the repairing of the
city wall, which was accomplished in 52 days in spite of the
opposition of those who sought
to hinder the work. One of the
outstanding features in the
building of the wall is revealed
in Neh. 4:13-18. In this section,
he describes the manner in
which all of the people worked
together, and how they finished
the job; for, said Nehemiah—
"The people had a mind to
work."
This is all comprehended
in the one word, "cooperation."
The same idea is expressed by
the apostles in such words as
"like minded," "one mind" and
"one accord." We should think
seriously about it, because it is
the only way possible for an
ecclesia to succeed. If we do
not work together, we will fail
as Jesus said in Mark 3:25—
"And if a house be divided
against itself, that house cannot stand."
One of the engrossing features in the book of Nehemiah
is found in 8:8. It was the occasion when the people gathered together on one of the
streets, and Ezra the scribe
brought the Book of the Law before the whole assembly "both
of men and women, and all that
could hear with understanding."
Ezra was assisted by several of
the Levites who caused the people to understand the Law—
"So they read in the Book
in the Law of God distinctly,
and gave the sense, and caused
them to understand the reading."
That must have been a wonderful experience for those people, but in this they 'had no
advantage over us. Many of our
brethren can read distinctly,
and give the ssnse.
As to " c a u s i n g to understand," no people on earth are
more blessed than we are. The
works of brethren Thomas and
Roberts were designed for that
very purpose. If we are truly
desirous of knowing the Truth,
then by all means let us read
their writings, but if we think
it does not matter what we believe, then we should read the
writings of those who criticize
Eureka.
* * *
ON the first day of each week,
when we come together, should
there not be great gladness
among us as we assemble on
the basis of knowledge and
1973 Berean
290
understanding? Is it not knowledge that causes us to appreciate the things concerning the
Kingdom of God, and the Name
of Jesus?
Let us remember, by all
means, that the Truth, which
we have learned to love, is the
only real thing of any value in
this life.
On every hand, we see men
and women striving with all
their power to become successful in the arts or business. They
boast themselves in their accomplishments, but these things
are only temporary, and when
we become u n c o n s c i o u s in
death, our cares will cease, and
our advantages will be gone.
This truth is firmly set before
us in Ps. 49:16-20—
"Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich, when the
.c;Iory of his house is increased; for when he dieth he
shall carry nothing away: his
iilory shall not descend after
him.
•'Though while he lived he
blessed his soul: and men will
praise thee, when thou doest
well to thyself. He shall go
to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see
light.
"Man that is in honor, and
understandeth not, is like the
beasts that perish."
Wherein then lies wisdom?
It will be found in the words
of Jesus in Matt. θ:33—
>;
But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you."
// it is our ardent desire to
meet ivith favor when the Lord
Jesus returns, then let up keep
continually before us such examples as that of Nehemiah, for
surely few men, in any age of
the world, liave combined in
themselves the
qualifications
that are essential for salvation
more than he did.
—Editor
The Tree of the Lives
"And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the Tree of
the Lives, and eat, and LIVE FOR EVER—therefore Yahweh
Elohim sent himforthfrom the Garden"—Gen. 3:22-23
BY BROTHER JOHN THOMAS
THIS is the first hint of eternal life in relation to man. From this
we learn that the fruit of this tree had the quality affixed to it of
endlessly perpetuating the living existence of the eater. To have
eaten of this would have changed Adam from a living into an everliving soul. It would have cured him physically, and constituted him
an incorruptible sinner—the ever-abiding subject of the present
state of good and evil. This would have been a fearful
consummation: an immortal sinner in a corruptible estate, so that
the earth would have become the abode of immortal giants in crime,
without any hope of restoration. But this was not according to the
Divine plan.
Immortal saints in a state of unmixed good is the finality of
Creation, Providence, and Redemption.
1973 Berean 291
The sinner was first to be sanctified, then tried, and afterwards to
be immortalized, if approved. Therefore, lest Adam should invert
this order, and become immortal of body before he should be
purified from sin and accounted worthy of acceptance, the Yahweh
Elohim expelled him from the dangerous vicinity of the Tree of
Lives. He drove him forth that he should not then become
incorruptible and deathless.
The expulsion from Eden forcibly separated Adam and Eve from
the means of present immortality; and whether they should attain
to incorruptibility and life depended solely upon the will and
philanthropy of God- But the Lord did not content Himself with their
simple expulsion. Wayward as they had proved themselves, they
would doubtless have conspired to regain Paradise that they might
pluck from the Tree of Lives its immortalizing fruit, and so deliver
themselves from the sentence of death to which they were
consigned. They were expelled indeed; but to what will not the
inconsiderate recklessness of man impel him!
Apprehending some new act of presumption, the Yahweh Elohim
placed a destroying flame to keep, or defend, the Tree against their
intrusion. Here, as in the Most Holy under the Law of Moses, He
placed the emblems of His majesty, styled Cherubim, whose
consuming fires enfolded the Faces of the Lord. The Tree was hid by
these symbols of the Divine presence; and the incorruptibility it was
originally provided to impart and shadow forth, became to them a
thing of hope and of present desire.
Seeing that they could not eat of the Tree of Lives in the midst of
Eden, how could they attain to that incorruptible life which it
adumbrated? In what "Way" should they walk; or in what "Path"
should they tread that would lead them to it? The answer is, in the
words of Moses (Gen. 3:24), in—
THE WAY OF THE TREE OF LIFE."
In Gen. 6:12, this Way is styled "God's Way," from which all the
Antediluvians, save Noah and his family, had apostatized by
corrupting it, as it is written—
"All flesh had corrupted HIS WAY upon the earth."
But there was no Bible nor any priest in those days, from whom
the exiles from Eden could learn "the Way leading unto Life."
There were none to say to them—
"This is THE WAY: walk ye in it."
They knew the Tree of Life was situated in the midst of the
Garden, and they knew the path which led to it. But the destroying
flame which swept around it on every side, dared them to approach
within its precincts. The Tree of Life was in "the East." They could
look towards it wistfully; but the decree had gone forth, and they
could nev^r eat of that Tree, nor touch it and live.
1973 Berean 292
With the way to the Tree in Eden, then, they were acquainted; but
of the Way of God to the Tree of Life adumbrated by that Tree in the
East of the Garden, they had no knowledge. They knew not where
the New Tree of Life was planted: how could they therefore know
the Way?
It remained, then, for the Yahweh Elohim to enlighten them, for
He alone could reveal it. They were, consequently, "taught of God."
He instructed them what to do in order that they might approach His
Cherubim, and bow down before His "faces" without fear of the
devouring flame, all the days of their lives. These instructions
revealed to them the Way of acceptance with Him, which then—as
also through all subsequent ages-—consisted in (Rev. 2:7; 22:14)—
DOING HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they might have right to
eat of the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God"
The "Way of Yah-Elohim" is synonymous with what is termed
"Religion"—which may be defined as "the Way of acceptance with
God." Adam and his wife SUPPOSED they could appear before God
acceptably by devising a way of their own by which to conceal their
nakedness from His sight. But He refused to sanction their
invention, and stripped them of the foliage they had wrapped
around them. The Way of the Lord teaches that no man can cover
his own sin, but it must be covered for him: and none can appoint
the investment but the Lord. Hence, it is written (Gen. 3:21)—
"Yahweh Elohim appointed coats of skin and clothed them."
The appointment plainly indicates the sacrifice of the animals
with whose skins they were clothed. Blood was shed in their
investiture; and their sin was covered by the skins of the sinofferings in conformity with the principle that—
"Without the shedding of blood there is no remission" (Heb. 9:22).
But, without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). The
mere sacrifice of animals, or offering of the fruits of the ground, will
not gain man acceptance with God, for —
"It is not possible that the blood of bulls
or of goats should takeaway sin" (Heb. 10:4).
Hence the association of something to be believed with the
sacrifice of "the firstling of the flock and the fat thereof": or, in
Other words, Of— "The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."
As the subject-matter of this faith, then, the Way of God directed
the minds of Adam and Eve to the Seed, or descendant, of the
woman, whose heel should be bruised on account of the sin of the
world, and who should grow up as a tender plant out of a dry ground,
and become the Tree of Life in the Paradise of God, in whom
should be deposited the incorruptible life of the race of man. Eve's
Son was to be the true Tree of Life, of which if a man shall eat he
shall live forever! A Son who, as the Savior of his people from their
sins, must die for sin: for without the shedding of his blood he could
not be a purification-sacrifice. And such a one was necessary, for
the blood of animals was inefficient.
1973 Berean 293
But, if the sacrifice without the faith was insufficient; so the faith
that the woman's Seed should be a propitiation—unaccompanied by
the appointed sacrifices—would leave the worshiper unaccepted.
Or, if there were both faith in the promise and an oblation, yet if the
offering were not of divine appointment, the subject was regarded
an evil-doer, f o r d Sam. 15:22)—
"To obey is better that sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."
This is obvious from the testimony that (Heb. 11:4)—
"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than
Cain, by which he obtained testimony that he was righteous, God
testifying of his gifts."
"The Lord had respect unto Abel and unto his offering."
From this we learn that Cain was faithless, and therefore
unrighteous. He had no faith in typical sacrifice. He did not believe
that without the shedding of blood there was no remission; or that a
purification-sacrifice typified by "the firstling of the flock" would
suffer for sin, and become a Tree of Life of the Lord's planting.
Hence—
(on[y) of the fruit of the
t.He
brought
ground an offering to the Lord" (Gen. 4:3).
—while his brother, in addition to this, presented of the lambs of his
flock. But God had no respect unto Cain's offering, for Cain evinced
a wilful disposition—a waywardness which corrupted the Lord'sWay.
When he perceived that his unbloody and faithless oblation was
not accepted, "enmity" was kindled within him. His aspect became
lowering and dark with destructive feelings; and he ceased to
behold the faces of the Cherubim with an upright countenance.
While in the presence of these, the Lord demanded of him why he
was angry, and why he looked so downcast? Abel had done nothing
to offend him. Abel had "done well," because he had kept the Way
appointed, and therefore his sacrifice was consumed. Had he (Cain)
done likewise, his offering would have been accepted too—
"If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?
And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door" (Gen. 4:7).
—by all which we are instructed that the OBEDIENCE OF FAITH
was the condition upon which the family of Adam might obtain a
right to that eternal life which should be procured for them by the
Woman's Seed. The Lord's Way of righteousness and life, styled the
"Way of the Tree of Life," consisted in faith and obedience. This
faith, the apostle tells us, was—
1973 Berean 294
"The substance
of THINGS HOPED
FOR;
the evidence
of THINGS UNSEEN" (Heb. 11:1).
By the belief of these things, Abel, Enoch and Noah pleased God,
and became "HEIRS of the righteousness" on account of which life
and incorruptibility are bestowed upon man. They hoped for the
Woman's Seed who, they believed—on the testimony of God—should
bruise the serpent's head. Their faith was a living faith, and
therefore they kept the Way of the Lord, in offering—
"The firstlings of their flock, and the fat thereof" . . ''the fruit of
the ground" . . and in "walking with God" by being "just and
perfect in their generations."
Such was the religion of the righteous among the Antediluvians.
They were faithful AND obedient. And, as the earnest of what
awaited them in the fulness of time—
"Enoch was translated, that he should not see death: and was not
found, because God had translated him. For before his translation he
had this testimony, thathe pleased God" (Heb. 11:5).
Thus they were taught that the corruptible body should put on
incorruption, and this mortal should put on immortality, and so—
"Death should be swallowed up in victory" (1 Cor. 15:54).
Almost at the same time as the institution of religion, as we have
seen, it was corrupted by Cain. He rejected from his system the
principle of remission by sacrifice: hence he repudiated the
promise, and constituted himself an evil-doer. Unbelief and
disobedience became the characteristics of Cain and his associates,
who dwelt eastward of the "presence of the Lord" (Gen. 4:16).
These were termed "Men," while those who "walked with God"
were styled "the Sons of God." In the sentence pronounced upon
Eve and her posterity, the former are indicated as the "Seed of the
Serpent," and the latter as the "Seed of the Woman"—of whom One
was to arise that should destroy the former. Between these 2 classes
of Antediluvians there was "enmity" such as was evinced in the
fratricidal Cain.
But the corruption first introduced by this arch-apostate undermined the principles, and overthrew the allegiance, of the "Sons
of God": for, seeing that the "daughters of men" were fair, they
intermarried with them; and the earth was replenished with a
progeny fit only for capture and destruction. Their wickedness was
great, and every imagination of the thoughts of their hearts only evil
continually (Gn. 6:5). The antediluvian apostacy was complete, for—
"All flesh had corrupted the Way of the Lord upon the earth" which
was "filled with violence through them" (Gen. 6:11-13).
The Lord by His Spirit in Noah labored patiently to reclaim them
from their disobedience, but they disregarded His expostulations—
"Eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the
day that Noah entered into the ark" when "the Flood came and took
them all away" (Matt. 24:38-39).
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord—
"Being warned by God of things not seen as yet: and, moved with
fear, he prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he
condemned the (faithless)
world, and became heir of the
righteousness which is by faith" (Heb. 11:7).
1973 Berean 295
Eternal Life has been the hope of all those who have walked with
God in all past ages and generations, since the Fall. In walking with
God they have trod the same path, and journeyed along the same
road, which is the only "Way that leadeth unto Eternal Life."
The entrance upon this Way is strait, and its passage narrow, and
there are few that find it (Mt. 7:14). BELIEF in the testimony of
God, and OBEDIENCE to His commandments are the grand
characteristics of "His Way" in its successive manifestations in all
time. Dispensations have varied: but these leading principles have
always remained the same—
"These are written that ye may BELIEVE" (Jn. 20:31), and . .
"Blessed are they that DO His commandments, that they may have
a right to the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of
God" (Rev. 22:14; 2:7).
"I," says Jesus, "am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" . . "lam
the Resurrection". . "I am the Door: no man entereth but by me."
ANSWERS BY BROTHER ROBERTS
Emmanuel: "God With Us"
"God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself"—2 Cor. 5
"He that hath seen me hath seen the Father"—John 14:9
"God was manifest in the flesh"—J Timothy 3:16
READING: PSALM 139
THE subject introduced to our notice in this psalm is a very great
one. It is so great that David himself has acknowledged it was too
wonderful for him—
"It is high: I cannot attain unto it" (v. 6).
If that is David's verdict, it would be presumptuous in US to
profess to be able to grasp it. It is great because God is great, and it
is above apprehension just as much as He is. "His ways are past
finding out." He Himself says—
"As the heavens are high above the earth, so great and so high are
My ways over yours" (Isa. 55:9).
Nevertheless, there are certain phases or features of the matter
that are propounded for belief, and which are to a certain extent
capable of being apprehended. The first is the one stated in this
psalm: that God is everywhere present—
"Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit, or whither shall 1 flee from Thy
presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: If I make my
bed in hell behold Thou art there" (vs. 7-8).
This is what God testifies of Himself through Jeremiah (23:24)—
"Can any hide himself in secret places, that I shall not see him? Do
not 1 fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.
1973 Berean 296
And this agrees with what Solomon declared in dedicating the
Temple. You recollect it is quoted by Stephen before the Sanhedrim
"But will God indeed dwell on earth? The heaven—even the heaven
of heavens—cannot contain Him: much less this house that I have
built" (1 Kings 8:27).
Now, the fact presented to our contemplation in these testimonies,
though difficult to realize, is in harmony with what we can perceive
must be. All things must be embraced in the Power from which they
have sprung, and which sustains them in being. We must be in the
presence of God.
Orthodox teaching is that God made all things out of "nothing." If
this were so, there is no need for supposing that we are in the
presence of God; because if nothing produced them, nothing can
sustain them. And thus, logically enough, God and divine things are
in orthodox theology assigned a sphere "beyond the bounds of time
and space." But Paul tells us that all things are "out of Him" (Rom.
8:30); t h a t "IN HIM, we live, and move, and have our being" (Actsl7:28).
—and that, as Daniel said toBelshazzar (Dan. 5:23)—
"In His hand our breath is, and His are all our ways."
With this in view, it follows that what David says is inevitable—
that the Spirit of God is everywhere.
But then, in accepting that conclusion, we really assent to
something that the intellect doesn't realize. David perceived this,
and so will we when we have considered the matter. He says—
"Thou knowest my downsitting, and mine uprising:
Thou understandeth my thought afar off" (Psa. 139:2).
Yet he adds (v. 6)—
"It is too wonderful for me to understand.
Such knowledge is too high: I cannot attain to it."
That is precisely the attitude that every mind rising to the
greatness of the matter will be forced into. People of limited power
of reflection think it easy to understand. They have certain terms
before their minds: they assent to the terms—and think they
comprehend the idea involved in them. In this they make a mistake
which a little more power of intellect would enable them to see. It is
a matter of which the surface only can be skimmed. It is high and
deep: we cannot attain unto it.
1973 Berean 297
Minds of another stamp may be tempted to emphasize on the
absurdity of believing what cannot be understood; but if they will
only range wide enough, they will meet with their own rebuke. We
have all become familiar with the electric telegraph, in which is
presented the extraordinary phenomenon that a principle,
chemically developed, can be transmitted through 1000 miles of
wire in a moment of time. Now, we BELIEVE the fact, because we
are bound to believe it. We see it. No man can gainsay it.
But, who UNDERSTANDS it? Nobody. It is impossible for the
mind to realize the process that takes place, which involves the
transmission of a principle, element, or affinity, or whatever else
you like to call it, through 1000 miles of wire in a moment of time. We
see it is so, and there our knowledge ends. It is scientifically
demonstrated as a fact, and we believe it, though we have not the
remotest conception of the nature of the "electric fluid," or the
mode of transmission.
So with regard to the matter in hand, we have a something that is
presented to our minds to receive. We see it must be so. We apprehend superficially what is meant. But we are as helpless as a
newborn babe when we attempt to grasp the idea. Just try for a
moment to realize the immensity of the universe, and then you will
see the enormous size of the idea that we have presented to us—and
which we cannot grasp so long as we are in this finite earth nature,
whose faculties are limited to the purposes to which present
existence has relation.
Why, we cannot deal with the magnitude of the earth! We are lost.
24,000 miles in circumference! A body of matter 8000 miles through
from one side to the other! What an immense body! It baffles our
imagination. We are familiar with the fact, but we fail to take it in.
One step higher, and our discomfiture is complete. If the earth—a
microscopic speck in the vast economy of existence—overpowers
our faculties, who shall describe our bewilderment when we seek to
survey that economy itself, which, in the course of endless ages—for
there has been no beginning to God—has been slowly developing in
the channel of His purpose? We have to confess ourselves utterly
lost in the surrounding greatness.
Now, if the mere mathematical bearings of the matter, so to
speak, are beyond our grasp, what shall we say to the proposition
that there is one indivisible element filling this measureless abyss of
existence! Can you grasp the idea of one Spirit, one Presence, one
principle of Power and Intelligence,embracing infinite space, and
all that it contains? You cannot. It is simply impossible to grasp it.
The task is beyond any faculty with which we are, at present, endowed.
Well, then, if THAT is beyond us, how inscrutable is the other
point presented to our faith, though its truth is evident as a matter of
reason: namely, that there is, in relation to that universal element
of power or existence, a PERSONAL CONTROLLING CENTER,
from which it is but an eternal emanation, and with which it is ONE
indissoluble: the First Cause, the Eternal Antecedent of all things,
the seat of Ineffable Wisdom and Power—the FATHER, Who is
above all and through all by His diffusive Spirit, and yet personally
resident at a point of the universe, variously described in the
Scriptures as "light unapproachable," "Jieaven of heavens,"
"heaven Thy dwellingplace.
1973 Berean 298
You will remember the frequency with which that idea is expressed. Perhaps it is well to realize that frequency, so that the idea
may be perceived in its importance as a feature of Bible teaching.
For instance, Jesus says—
"Our Father Who are IN HEAVEN" (Matt. 6).
David says (Psa. 123:1)—
"Unto Thee I lift mine eyes, Ο Thou that dwellest in the heavens."
Solomon, dedicating the Temple, frequently uses the phraseHear Thou in heaven, Thy DWELLING PLACE,
and when Thou hearest, forgive."
These are illustrations of the statements that teach the
localization of the Father in central light—the sustaining principle
of creation in, as it were, what you may style focus, or intensity of
development. They teach that though that principle is universal, the
Personal Intelligence from Whom it emanates dwells in local
habitation: yet that He has conscious relation to infinitude. He fills
all because He is The Spirit, and you cannot divide spirit from spirit.
You cannot divide any one part of God from Himself.
And here I will refer to an illustration I have before made use of,
which helps in some slight degree to make the difficult idea palpable
to our understanding—and that is the phenomenon of a jet of gas in a
room, and the light emanating from it filling the room.
You are well aware that to our perception, the jet of gas seems to
be one thing, and the light in the room another thing. And yet they
are both one. For the light—which we don't comprehend any more
than philosophers and opticians and those who talk scientifically
(that is to say, barbarically, for scientific nomenclature merely
consists of superficial ideas in foreign dress, which make them
profound to the ignorant)—the light, I say, is an effect of the flame.
Stop the flame, & you extinguish the light.They are indissolubly one.
Looking at the unity subsisting between the jet of flame issuing
from the gas burner, and the light pervading the room, we get in a
simple form the notion of One Central Source of all power—a Father
dwelling in light, from Whom emanates the Spirit of His Own substance filling all space and constituting the basis of all creative
developments, and yet with which He is essentially ONE, and by it
consequently fills heaven and earth in consciousness and power.
There is this very great difference between the illustration and
the reality: that in the light there is no intelligence, but mere
mechanical force, as it were, subject to mechanical and chemical
law. There, therefore, the illustration fails.
1973 Berean 299
But if we were to suppose intelligence and volition to reside in the
flame, and then imagine the flame making use of the light
proceeding from itself to impress an image of itself on the wall, or to
work out any other result—we should have divine operations
illustrated. Literally, it would be light irradiant from the gas jet
that would accomplish the results. Yet since that irradiant light is
but the diffusion of the gas jet and its instrumental agency, the gas
jet would as a matter of fact be the operator.
Before applying this illustration to the most important of all God's
works in relation to us—His interposition for our salvation—I should
like to deal with another phase of the matter, which we may call an
intermediate phase.
The Spirit of God fills the universe, and all things exist by means
of it. Without it, there is no power of any kind. In a sense, all things
are of spirit. Yet the principle upon which Bible language is constructed does not justify us in speaking of the Spirit as the agent of
operations which are the result of natural constitution. For instance, flesh and blood exist abstractly by the Spirit; yet it would
not do to refer the workings of flesh and blood to the Spirit. Paul, in
all his epistles, presents the work of the flesh and the works of the
Spirit in CONTRAST. He says (Gal. 5:17)—
"The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against
the flesh. These are contrary the one to the other"
The things contrasted are the results that come from the flesh AS
SUCH, and the ideas and duties enjoined by the Spirit as a teacher.
So with inspiration. In a natural sense, the Spirit is in all men as it is
in all animals, and in everything that exists—for everything is
upheld by divine power or spirit. But it would be a misuse of
language to attribute directly to the Spirit, any function or power
which is the result of natural constitution in man or animal.
Thus, a bee is constructive, a lion carnivorous, a swallow
migratory, and a man intelligent—not because of the direct
operation of the Spirit, but because of the fixed constitution
bestowed in Creation, and maintained while being continues. To
attribute the manifestation of any of them to inspiration would be
simply absurd.
More, it would be mischievous, for it would confer on natural
power an importance that attaches alone to the direct sayings and
doings of the Almighty, and thus draw away from the fountain of
living waters. Quakerism has erred here in its theory of "light
within." The Spirit of God is in any natural man only in the same
sense as it is in an animal, vegetable fibre, a piece of coal, rock, or
any substance, living or inanimate.
1973 Berean 300
And please observe this, that when we come to define this sense,
the Spirit of God does not exist in any of these as the "Spirit of God."
It is merely the material means of its nature. The will of God
determines the constitution of a thing, and its constitution is as
fixed, individual, and distinct as if the Spirit of God had nothing to
do with in. For instance: take the rose, and put it side by side with a
nettle. They are both the products of the same spirit and power, and
yet how radically different. Why is the one a rose the other a nettle?
Simply because of the will of the First Cause.
That is the nearest approximation we can make to a philosophical
definition in the matter: the will of the First Cause has imparted a
constitution to the one that doesn't belong to the other; and,
therefore, there is a nettle nature and rose nature. Although abstractly both are of God and therefore of the Spirit, it would be a
confusion of ideas and a stultification of language to talk of either of
them as a spirit nature.
Now, apply this to mankind, and you have his relation to God
made clear. We live in the Spirit in the same way as the rose and the
nettle, but we have a nature peculiar to ourselves, and which
precludes us from speaking of anything we do as being the doings of
the Spirit. All things are of God, but let us recognize the relation of
things He had established (lCor. 15:47,44)—
"The first man is of the earth, earthy..
"There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body."
—and our present nature is the natural which, left to itself, will
develop from within itself—not that which is in accordance with the
Spirit of God—but that which is in accordance with its own impulses
as a flesh nature. A flesh nature, without instruction, is ignorant of
God, and of God's requirements, and of God's purposes. And in this
state of ignorance it will develop a character not at all divine, and
having nothing to do with the Spirit of God.
But God has spoken for human instruction, and His speaking has
been by means of the Spirit, in men selected for the purpose (2 Pet.
1:21)—
"Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
Hence originates a phraseology that exhibits the Spirit as the agent.
This deserves close consideration. It is indeed a key to many
things. Subsequent to the establishment of things upon their present
basis, or to put it more plainly, subsequent to the Creation of things
sublunary, God has appeared on the scene as an Operator distinct
from what He has created.
This appearance has been BY SPIRIT— in the person of angels
sometimes, and as an abstract impulse in the prophets at other
times. In such cases the operation has been independently of, or
extra to, the order of things established in what we call "nature."
Hence, God was the Speaker or Worker in a sense in which He is not
the speaker or worker when a man speaks of his own volition. The
prophet was a representative of God.
1973 Berean 301
But the prophet was a representative of God only in this sense:
that he was the INSTRUMENT of the Spirit. The Spirit took hold of
him, and made him say things he didn't understand—
"The prophets have inquired and searched diligently. . searching what, or
what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify,
when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that
should follow.
"Unto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves but unto us they did
minister the things which are now reported unto you." (1 PL 1:10-12).
And in that we shall see a great difference between the prophets
and the man through whom the Father was vitally manifested.
What the prophets said, however, constituted the mind of the Spirit,
insofar as that was revealed in their words. The things they said, or
at least some part of them, have been written and preserved, and we
may read them. And understanding them, we get the ideas of the
Spirit into our hearts, and then the Spirit by these ideas becomes a
power in us: it is the power of the Spirit's ideas.
It is not that there dwells in us a direct spiritual energy,
generating the power and idea within us. Having the Truth uttered
by the Spirit, if we are controlled by it we are controlled by the
Spirit.
But it would be a confusion of speech to characterize any of our
sayings or doings as those of the Spirit of God. Our thoughts and our
sayings are those of mortal erring organizations, which may or may
not be in harmony with the Spirit. All depends upon whether the
ideas of the Spirit have been photographed on our minds. If so, all is
well. If not, it is a deception to attribute our mental workings to the
action of the Spirit in any sense.
If we recognize the fact that the language which exhibits the Spirit
as an actor in the arena of human affairs originates in the fact that a
NEW VOLITION from the Deity has taken place since He
established the present order of things, we shall find our task
greatly simplified in considering that profounder aspect of the
matter already hinted at: the manifestation of God in the flesh. This
introduces to notice "the man Christ Jesus/' who caused no end of
controversy among his contemporaries (Jn. 7:43), and even among
his own disciples (Jn. 6:60), and who has been the theme of much
disputation ever since—even to bloodshed—in accordance with his
own statement—
"I came not to send peace on earth, but a sword:
from henceforth there shall be division" (Mt. 10:34).
The secret of this discordant tendency is doubtless to be found in
the inability of most men to grasp the mighty phenomenon of the
Creator of all things manifesting Himself in a man, who (though
inhabited by the Father through the Spirit) was yet a distinct
person, sustaining the relation of Son to the Father, and having to
develop character under trial, like those he was manifested to
redeem. Speaking of the subject, Paul says—
"Great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifested in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on
in the world, received up into glory" (1 Tim. 3:16).
1973 Berean 302
Critics have endeavored to get rid of this verse, substituting "he
who" for "God," which would make the verse r e a d m e who was manifested in the flesh ..
There are some grounds for this emendation, but they are not
conclusive. The 3 most ancient Greek manuscripts extant (Vatican,
Sinaitic and Alexandrine) all have "os" instead of "Theos" (that it,
"he who" instead of "God"). The suggestion is that the introduction
of "The" before "os" has been the blunder of a transcriber, or a
wilful corruption of the text to support Trinitarianism.
This, however, does not follow. The 3 manuscripts may themselves be but the perpetuation in the text in question of a previous
corruption by which "The" was dropped. This is the more likely
from the circumstance that the Latin Vulgate, on which the English
Version of the Scriptures is chiefly based, is a translation made
from earlier manuscripts than the date assigned to the above 3,
made at a time when the translator (Jerome) had a wide range of
choice, so far as what would now be very ancient copies of the New
Testament are concerned. And this (Vulgate) contains the reading
given in the English Version—
"Deus conspicuus factus est in carne."
The conflict is between 3 old manuscripts and the version of a man
who had opportunity of choosing from a multitude of manuscripts
contemporary with these, and who must have had a reason for
declining the "he who" reading (which, by the way, is unsuited to
the context). The correct reading is as likely to be on one side as the
other.
However, it does not much effect the argument on the main
question, because although the words—as they stand in the common
version—give a concise definition of the mystery of godliness, and a
good starting point for the consideration of the subject, still they are
not essential for the demonstration of the subject itself, because the
fact that God was manifested in Christ is testified in too many ways
to leave it dependent upon a single text. Thus John, in his first
epistle, defines the matter in the following words (1:1-2)—
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have
seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled,
of the Word of Life . .
"For the Life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and
show unto you that Eternal Life WHICH WAS WITH THE FATHER AND
WAS MANIFESTED UNTO US" (1 Jn. 1:1-2).
This is only, in another form, what John says in the first chapter of
his Gospel (1:1, 14)—
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God . .
"And the Word was MADE FLESH, and dwelt among us, and we beheld
his glory, the glory as of the only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and
truth."
(Continued next month, if t h e Lord will)
1973 Berean 303
Father, Forgive Them
"And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary,
there they crucified him . . Then said Jesus, Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do."
THIS intercessory prayer for his betrayers and murderers, Jesus
uttered on the cross when he was crucified. It is found only in Luke,
and there are some who claim the passage is not genuine because it
is not found in some manuscripts. But that this prayer of Jesus is
genuine, and does belong in the Gospel record, there should be no
doubt, for several reasons—
1. Was it not written of him in Isa. 53:12 that he would do just that: intercede for his transgressors?—"He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
2. Jesus taught his disciples to "Pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute you." Surely he would be a faithful example of his own
teachings.
3. And such forgiveness would be in harmony with what he said in Mt.
12:31-32—"All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but
the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men.
Whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven
him."
4. Did Jesus do less than the first of his martyrs, Stephen?—who, when he
was unjustly stoned to death, prayed for his executioners: "Lord, lay not this
sin to their charge."
5. Finally and certainly: Jesus' intercessory prayer for his betrayers and
murderers would be the forgiving spirit of God's Anointed One, the Savior,
whose very purpose in dying on the cross was to bring men forgiveness and
life.
Surely, then, we cannot doubt that Jesus prayed as Luke records.
Why then the omission of this prayer from some manuscripts? We
do not know. Many omissions occur in various manuscripts, both by
error and by design.
It has been suggested that this omission is the work of antiSemitism—that it may be due to the difficulty which many
''Christians" had in believing that Jesus could have prayed for the
Jews. We know anti-Semitism has been a characteristic of apostate
"Christendom."
Further, it is a basic fact of the flesh that it is not natural or easy
or to be expected that men should pray for their enemies and persecutors, let alone for their murderers. Most professed
"Christians" reject both Christ's teachings and example on this
point, and would clearly be happy to see this prayer omitted from
Scripture.
1973 Berean
304
But thus DID Jesus pray for his murderers, even though he knew
the suffering and the agony that they, in their ignorance, were
bringing upon him—a suffering on the cross that was to last 6 hours
before he was released from it by death. For we are told that Jesus
hung on the tree from the third to the ninth hour—from 9 am to 3
pm: and 3 of those 6 hours were hours of darkness—
"And it was the third hour, and they crucified him" (Mk. 15:25).
"And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over
the whole land till the ninth hour" (noon to 3 pm)—v. 33.
Jesus knew the will of his Father that he drink of this cup, and
with the full possession of his senses at every moment, and alert and
aware of everything that was transpiring, he endured unto the end.
In fact, he was the ONLY ONE who did know the significance of all
that was happening (though the crucified thief showed great faith
and comprehension).
Jesus' flesh was crucified and his life blood poured out—an offering for sin. He would consciously drink of this cup to the dregs. So
when he was offered "vinegar to drink, mingled with gall," this was
NOT the cup he would drink (though he would be given vinegar at
his very end). He declined to accept the sense-deadening drink
which would have de-intensified the cup of the physical sufferings
which he endured while he waited in agony to say, "I thirst," that he
might further say, "It is finished," so that in the faithful ending of
the drama of his life, he could finally say—
"Father, into Thy hand I commend my spirit."
No, he would not drink of THAT cup which would relieve his
suffering on the cross. In Nazareth Revisited, bro. Roberts comments on this event in the crucifixion of Christ—
"There was, first of all, a mitigating touch of humanity. They
offered their noble victim a mixture to drink, which it is said would
have had the effect of dulling sensibility to pain.
"Was this the result of softened feelings, inspired by the
spectacle of his broken-heartedness? (for it is written in the
Psalms, 'Reproach hath broken my heart'—we may know that such
would be his aspect).
"Whatever feeling prompted their kindness, it was in vain. Jesus
refused to drink. He would not assuage, by a mechanical
stupefaction, the sufferings which the Father had called upon him
to go through by the power of faith."
1973 Berean 305
Jesus would bear the mental and physical pain with no relief. He
would consciously endure the agonizing 6 hours until it was indeed
"finished." But this did not mean that his intense and prolonged
suffering would cause him to lose his senses or become unconscious
before he expired on the cross. He would suffer the agony AND
retain his reason and his senses right up to the end. It must be said
that the only begotten Son of God would remain steadfast in a fully
conscious faith that works by love; possessed with his full, active
mental capacity to his last breath on the cross, when he exclaimed—
"Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit."
The seven utterances of Jesus on the cross all testify to his full
awareness of His Father's will and purpose that he die a sacrificial
death by being uplifted on the cross: which is to say, that Jesus
would remain conscious and faithful while enduring suffering and
pain until death ended it all, for had he been stupefied by the drink of
gall, and then fallen into unconsciousness, his sufferings would have
been limited. The 7 things he said on the cross are—
1. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Lk. 23:34).
2. "Verily I say to thee today, Thou shalt be with me in paradise"
(Lk. 23:43).
3. "Woman, behold thy son! .. Behold thy mother!" (Jn. 19:26-27).
4. "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?(Mt 27:46).
5. "I thirst" (Jn. 19:28).
6. "It is finished" (Jn. 19:30).
7. "Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit" (Lk. 23:46)
Of these 7 sayings, 3 are prayers and 4 are statements. This
division of 7 into 3 and 4 is characteristic of God's Word. Where 7 of
anything appears, the 3 & 4 division is often quite evident. The 3
prayers are the first, middle and last of the 7. The first prayer (and
first saying) was—
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
This is quite contrary to the natural feelings and reactions of
human nature—sinful flesh—which was crucified on the cross, and
which is the natural flesh of all men by birth and by descent from
Adam and Eve. Who would utter such a prayer for his murderers,
unless it be the Savior and those who would follow in his steps! We
are told concerning those who were condemned to death by
crucifixion, that when the sentence was carried out—
"It was usual for the victims of that dreaded doom, frenzied with
pain, to shriek, entreat, curse, and spit upon spectators."
Surely this would be the usual reaction of those suffering such a
death, especially if they were, or considered themselves, innocent
or treated unjustly. The Romans and other heathen worshiped
"revenge" as a god, and also worshiped gods of war—so
belligerency and revenge were part of their vindictive spirit, according to the natural thoughts and works of the flesh. 73 Berean 306
In the face of death, even for the guilty, whether by crucifixion or
stoning or any other condemnation to death, it was not the usual
reaction for the victim to be silent and resigned. Yet in Jesus it was
more than mere resignation. It was the positive frame of his mind,
and the outpouring of his heartfelt feelings, when he prayed—
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Of course they knew what they were doing—in one sense. That is,
certainly all who were there—Jews and Romans and rulers—knew
that Jesus of Nazareth was being crucified. But none of them knew
Jesus AS THE MESSIAH, the Anointed One of the Only True God,
who was to suffer death first, before he would reign in glory on the
earth, and—besides—with a long interval of time between his
suffering death and the glory of his reign.
The words of Jesus, "for they know not what they do," mean
simply, "ignorance." Since the Jews read the Old Testament
Scriptures, which prophesied that their Messiah was to be rejected
by the nation and to die a sacrificial death, and which foreshowed
that he would be lifted up on the stake, and that after 3 days he
would rise again to die no more, not seeing corruption—it might be
supposed that the Jews as a whole, or at least some of them, were
not "ignorant" of what they were doing.
But they WERE in ignorance, as Jesus expressed it in his opening
prayer on the cross, and as Peter and Paul also testify. And even his
own chosen apostles were "ignorant" of what was going on. So, even
though the Jews read Ihe Old Testament Scriptures, and many of
them were well-versed in it, being their profession and their lifestudy, nevertheless they were in ignorance-—wanting perception.
They were unable to see, and thereby learn of the sacrificial work of
the Messiah foretold in their Scriptures. Paul, preaching in the
synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia, said—
"For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they KNEW
HIM NOT, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day,
they have fulfilled them in condemning him" (Acts 13:27).
Paul is saying, "The people living in Jerusalem, the very city
where Jesus was crucified, along with their rulers—chief priests,
scribes, elders—did not realize that Jesus was indeed the Messiah,
nor did they realize the prophets taught that Messiah would suffer a
sacrificial death, a message read every Sabbath, and they have
fulfilled the very prophecies that say they would reject and condemn Jesus."
And Peter similarly informed the Jews on the day of Pentecost of
the ignorance in which they committed their crime against Jesus—
"Ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be
granted unto you; and killed the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised from
the dead: whereof we are witnesses . .
"And now, brethren, I know that THROUGH IGNORANCE ye did it, as did
also your rulers" (Acts 3:14-17).
It was against the flesh, even contrary to the natural mind and
heart and the lusts of the flesh and pride and national self-esteem,
for ANYONE to perceive and receive in faith the truth of the
rejection and suffering and death for sin that was to precede the
glory (with the one exception, of course, of the One who was to bear
the Suffering).
1973 Berean 307
And we also, like the Jews, or like the apostles and other disciples
of Christ, would not have been able to perceive the sacrificial work
of God's Anointed by reading and studying the Old Testament, of
which salvation even the prophets have enquired diligently, which
things the angels desire to look into (1 Pet. 1:10-12). Its meaning
would have been withheld from us, as it was from all of Jesus's
followers. They were at that time "not able to bear it"; so in the
wisdom of a gracious God it was withheld from their understanding,
that they should see it not.
And again we find the same "ignorance" spoken of when Paul
wrote his first letter to Corinth, saying of Christ's sacrificial death—
"Which none of the princes (Jewish and Roman rulers) of this world
knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of
Glory" (1 Cor. 2:8).
Because of their ignorance, then, Jesus prayed—
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
—a prayer for all: Jews, Romans, other Gentiles, peoples and their
rulers—remission of sins and salvation would be extended in invitation to all. But it was not, however, a pardon for sin which would
have entitled the forgiven to eternal life, that Jesus prayed for—a
forgiveness they were neither aware that they were in need of, nor
that they were getting.
His betrayers and murderers must repent and be baptized to find
forgiveness unto life eternal, and then walk the rest of their life in
obedience and fathfulness, as we will quote below. (But the betrayer
Judas, being the "son of perdition," would not seek forgiveness, but
went and hanged himself).
So Jesus is not saying of those who crucified him, "You are
forgiven and will be given life eternal by my sacrifice." The Greek
word (aphieemi) here translated "forgive" is also rendered
"suffer, let go, leave alone, let pass, permit," as in Mt. 3:15 ("suffer
it to be so"); Mt. 15:14 ("Let them alone"); Mk. 11:6 ("Let them
go"), etc. That is—
"Father, suffer them now. let them alone, for they know not what they do."
—for surely God could have struck them all dead there on the spot;
or Jesus could call down upon them "12 legions" of avenging
angels; or their sin could have been deemed an unforgivable sin.
But Jesus is also praying for his Father's forbearance upon his
betrayers and murderers; because God's forbearance to overlook
their sin and suffer them now—at the time of His Only Begotten
Son's cruel death at their hands—was needed to give those who
condemned him both the time and the opportunity to repent and
obey whatever God required of them.
1973 Berean 308
On the day of Pentecost (50 days later), Peter explained to the
people of Jerusalem (and there must have been many of them who
were at the crucifixion) that Jesus, whom they had taken and
delivered up to be crucified in the place of a murderer, had been
raised from the dead, and is Lord and Christ! He said (Acts 2:36)—
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made
that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both LORD AND CHRIST!"
The effect of Peter's revelation to them, and his answer to their
critical problem, was (vs 37-38)—
' Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and
said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles,
"Men and brethren, what shall we do?
"Then Peter said unto them: Repent, and be baptized every one
of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins."
Yes, Jesus truly prayed—
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
—but "they" still would have to obey from the heart the divine
command to repent, and to be baptized into the Saving Name of the
One they had betrayed, condemned and put to death—and
thereafter to walk in newness of life.
They were guilty of putting the Son of God to death, and only their
ignorance (necessitated by the need for Jesus to die on the cross for
them) permitted the forbearance of God to be exercised that they
might be freely given opportunity to not only make amends for their
terrible mistake, but to receive life eternal by God's Plan of
Salvation for sinful men—the Plan of the Ages being fulfilled in
Christ.
But the time would come—because of the Gospel being preached
to all the world—when they could no longer be considered
"ignorant," for God was revealing what was formerly kept secret.
So all who would hear the Gospel of the Kingdom in the Name of
Jesus would not be considered "ignorant." And all who heard could
not plead ignorance of the suffering and the glory—
"And the times of this ignorance God winked at (overlooked, closed His
eyes to), but now commandeth ALL MEN EVERYWHERE—Jews,
Romans,
other Gentiles—TO REPENT" (Acts 17:30).
Within 40 years the divine'Overlooking" and forbearance ended,
and terrible judgments began to be poured out upon Israel, which
are still continuing through our own days, nearly 2000 years later.
Said they, in defiant blasphemy—
"His blood be on us, and on our children!" (Mt. 27:25).
And Jesus said, as they wept at his crucifixion (Lk. 23:28-31 )—
"Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children: for, behold, the days are coming . ."
-and what dreadful days he foretold!—and so indeed it has been!
The times of "winking at ignorance" and "suffering them" (while
the Gospel was graciously preached to them in the Name of him
whom they had slain) came to an end with the destruction of
Jerusalem and the Temple (AD 68-70), and the scattering of the
people ever since.
1973 B e r e a n 309
But it was the will of Jesus that God "forgive" and "suffer" them,
because they did not know what they were doing. Certainly Jesus, as
Savior of the world, and being of one mind with His merciful Father,
was to be of a long-suffering and forgiving frame of mind. We can be
sure of this forgiving spirit in Jesus, as we can of many things
written in Scriptures on which we have guidelines, without going
into detail. In this case, introducing Jesus' prayer for them, we have
the words (Lk. 23:34)—
"Then Jesus SAID, Father, forgive them . . "
The more literal meaning is, "Jesus KEPT SAYING," because
the verb is imperfect, indicating continuous action. Other translations bear this out, as Rotherham, "Then Jesus kept saying";
and Robertson, "Then Jesus was saying." How true, then, that
Jesus' prayer was not a momentary, passing, self-forced petition of
reluctant duty, but rather it was the continual, consistent spiritual
mind: the mind of Christ—
"Jesus kept saying. Father, forgive them . ."
He kept saying this, even as they mocked and abused him, and
cruelly put him to an agonizing death—an outflowing manifestation
of the forgiving spirit with which his whole mind and being was
saturated, bringing salvation within the reach of all men by his
obedient, loving submission to death, and his glorious resurrection
to life for evermore!
—Ν. Μ.
The Smitten Rock
"ALL our fathers were under the cloud, and ALL passed
through the sea . . . and were ALL baptised . . . and did
ALL tat . . . and did ALL drink"—)
Corinthians 10:1-4.
In these 5 things, the Israelites all partook of God's intimate favor
and fellowship, but still He finally rejected them and scattered their
carcases in the wilderness. The Israelites had every reason to believe that they were a specially selected and favored group, but
they had the bitter lesson to learn that as regards eternal salvation,
God has no favorites. He is no respecter of persons. His ways are
rigidly just and equal. As a man sows, so shall he reap.
"All our fathers were under the cloud''—That is, the miraculous
and specially provided cloud of God's protection and guidance was
spread over them all. Surely they could feel, u We are the chosen
people."
"And all passed through the sea." Here again a great miracle
was openly performed on their behalf. Every one of them had the
impressive personal experience of passing through that divinely
provided channel of deliverance from bondage to freedom. This
passage through the sea, with the water standing on both sides and
the shielding cloud enveloping them above, Paul likens to baptism.
And in this act Egypt—the world of sin—was left behind, and their
former masters, the Egyptians—the old man of the flesh—were
drowned in the cleasing baptismal waters.
310
1 9 7 3 Berean
Let us bear in mind what Paul is driving at. He is saying that
though all the Israelites partook of these things, yet the great majority were finally rejected and destroyed in the wilderness simply
because—with special divine blessing and manifestations showered
on them from every angle—they would not make the effort to rise
above their natural, animal desires and way of life.
"And did all eat the same spiritual meat." Paul is drawing the
parallel between THEIR spiritual food and drink, and the bread and
wine of the Lord's supper. The manna, we are told (Numbers 11:8)
was GROUND or BEATEN to make bread, just as the Passover
lamb was SLAIN to provide the protecting blood, and the rock had
to be SMITTEN to provide the life-giving water. In all these things
we are reminded that in the great battle against the evil consequences of sin, our Leader had to give up his life under the most
cruel and agonizing conditions. This is to teach and impress us that
the struggle for holiness and life is not a pleasant, easy pastime but
a vitally serious thing which only a few have the wisdom to apply
themselves to and follow through to the end.
"And did all drink the same spiritual drink." The manna and
the water from the rock are called "spiritual" because they were
specially provided by the Spirit of God and not by natural, human
effort; and also because they typified the true spiritual meat and
drink of the Word, and of the Word-made-flesh, by regular partaking of which we may (and must) be spiritually transformed,
and finally reborn of Spirit-power.
SMITTEN BY THE ROD OF MOSES
Paul tells us here that the rock struck by Moses to provide
water represented Christ. He was smitten by the rod, or Law, of
Moses, in order to provide a way of life. He came under the curse
of the Law and broke it open to free those held in bondage by the
Law. And it was the Levites, the tribe of Moses, the custodians of
the Law, who smote him. They were the divinely-appointed "rod
of Moses," for they were the administrators of Moses;' Law, confirmed in this office by the ROD of the tribe of Levi being caused
to blossom (Num. 17:8).
The incident of smiting the rock occurred at Rephidim, which
was the last stop before reaching Mt. Sinai. Maps usually place it
in the immediate Mt. Sinai region. The point is this. Paul says
here that this rock "followed them." What did he mean? The most
treasonable meaning seems to be that the stream caused by the*
smiting of the rock followed them from Rephidim to Sinai, where
they stayed a whole year. The smiting of the rock was a very
significant and important event. It is reasonable that it is associated
with their whole stay at Sinai, which was the most important year
in their entire history.
1973 B e r e a n
311
THE BROOK FROM THE MOUNT
If this be the case, it gives added harmony and meaning to
Moses' action of grinding up the golden calf and casting the dust
of it into the "brook that descended out of the mount" and making
the people drink it (Ex. 32:20; Dt. 9:21). The water of life from
the Rock, defiled by the sin of the people, would have the same
significance as the brazen serpent—sin's flesh—lifted up to typify
the nailing of the body of sin to the cross. In the one case the people
had to drink, in the other to look with faith. In John 7:38, Jesus
said—
"He that believeth in me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his
belly shall flow rivers of living water."
John immediately explains that Jesus referred to the pouring out
of the Holy Spirit, which was dependent upon Jesus' crucifixion and
ascension. He says the Spirit was not given because Christ was not
yet glorified. And Jesus himself said (John 16:7)—
"If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you."
The Spirit-streams could not be poured forth until the Rock was
smitten, just as the seals of the apocalyptic scroll could not be
loosed until the Lamb was found worthy to loose them. The sacrificial death of Jesus—his glorious victory over, and destruction of,
the sin-flesh-devil—was the great key that unlocked the treasures
of spiritual blessing bound up in the Rock.
"He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men" (Eph. 4:8).
There is another interesting aspect to the water-supplying rock.
We are familiar with Jesus' identification as the foundation-rock of
the spiritual Temple—the rejected and smitten stone that was made
head of the corner. Now the smitten rock, we are told was "in
Horeb" (Ex. 17:6). The first time Horeb is mentioned it is called the
"Mountain of God" (Ex. 3:1). Horeb is another name for Sinai.
LIVING WATERS FROM THE HOUSE OF GOD
So we can trace a parallel here between the old and new covenants—Sinai and Jerusalem. The rock was smitten in Mt. Horeb
or Sinai, and the water of life came forth and sustained the people
while the Law was being given to them and the FIRST Tabernacle
was being built. This was the typical Mosaic shadow enacted at
Sinai—the founding and organization of the NATURAL Israelitish
Kingdom of God.
Similarly, the TRUE, anti-typical Rock was smitten at Mt.
Moriah at Jerusalem. From this mountain—"beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47)—the Spirit poured forth carrying the Gospel
to the ends of the world. Furthermore, we are told that when the
new Kingdom is set up, living waters—both literal and spiritual—
will issue forth from here. At this mountain in the future, as at
Sinai in the past, the Tabernacle of God—both literal and spiritual—
will be built. Joel (3:18)? Zechariah (14:8), and Ezekiel (47:1) all
speak of the LITERAL streams that will come from the foundations
of the Temple, and the river of water of life of the last chapter1 of
Revelation gives the SPIRITUAL counterpart. And finally, through
the Prophet like unto Moses, the new Law will go forth from this
mountain to all the earth.
—G. V. G.
1
1973 Berean 312
RESURRECTION OF REJECTORS
The Gospel condemns its rejectors to a resurrection to punishment. The
alternatives of the Bible are: (1) Possession of the kingdom with all its
appurtenances by a resurrection to eternal life; (2) Resurrection to punishment, consequent on rejection of the Gospel and unworthiness of the kingdom; or (3) A return to original dust and sojourn therein forever, consequent on unavoidable ignorance of the whole matter—J. T., Herald, 1852.
Current Events Fulfilling Prophecy
"Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, blasphemies"—Matt. 15:19
RUSSIAN MOTIVES: US STUPIDITY. An appropriate time to take hard
look at US-Russian relations. Where are they heading? Nixon-Brezhnev
summit euphoria could be costly to US.
True, Russia at moment looking to US for way out of its troubles. Kremlin
needs & wants US knowhow to solve industrial backwardness &
technological lag. Need assurance of US grain to cover failure of their
abysmally inefficient agricultural system. Want US support in neutralizing
China & stabilizing E. Europe. All this puts Russia on good behavior—for
now. But that does not mean Russia has abandoned its longterm objective.
Brezhnev's present strategy is a 2-edged sword: on one side, Russia sees
aura of good will as best opportunity of solving Russia's domestic problems.
On other side, atmosphere of warmth promises opportunity of tilting
political balance among US allies to Russia. Subtle persuasion will be used to
persuade US & Europe to lose any sense of urgency about their own & their
mutual defence. As result of detente, domestic pressures already mount in
West to shift resources to other fields—welfare, housing,employment, etc.
Russia, with its totalitarian govt., does not face same problem. No citizen
or group of citizens is going to tell Kremlin what to do about defense or
anything else. But in democratic US, when US & Russia talk amicably,
people decide they can forget about defense & danger of war.
Past has demonstrated that there can be changes in Moscow's tactics &
theatrics, but goal of pre-eminent world power never changes. Warming
trend poses many risks for US. (USN 6:18).
NOTE: This should be so elementarily obvious. This is what Russia and
China are assuring their own people—that they are just using US to their
advantage. But if it is God's will that US build up the power of Russia in a
blind euphoria of detente and commercial greed, then that is the way it will
be.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
WHY JOHNNY CAN'T ADD. For over 10 yrs., US children have been
subjected to waves of curriculum "reform"—new physics, new chemistry,
new geography, even new English & new history. But of all these programs,
none so widely praised & widely accepted as "new math". By now, new math
is taught in 85 pet. of US schools.
Results are—to put it mildly—disappointing. In Calif., new math adopted
statewide in '69. Within 2 yrs., average scores of 6th graders on standard
math tests dropped 20 pet. Most kids had reasonably good skills when they
entered the program, & got worse as they progressed. From outset, creators
of new math openly disdained such mundane skills as addition & subtraction.
After years of complaints, backlash has begun. In San Francisco, 87 pet. of
elementary-school teachers report they've abandoned new math textbooks.
Some educators still believe children ought to know how to add, subtract,
multiply & divide. (Nwk 6:25).
NOTE: The Athenians, who considered themselves the "intellectuals" of
the ancient world, were always seeking "some new thing" (Acts 17:21). It is
the same today: there must always be a running after a new fad: "All past
generations knew nothing; we know everything." Surely this mania for fad
and change in the US school system must be providential, as a punishment
for folly and to weaken the nation before the advance of Russia—for to a
generation who cannot read they are now adding a generation who cannot
add. Meanwhile, single-minded Russia presses ahead its educational
program wholely geared to advancing the scientific and military power of
the Russian State.
1973 Berean 313
SHIPBUILDING BOOM, US shipyards deluged with orders as never
before in peacetime. Several reasons: costs abroad rising; advanced US
technology; demands for new-type ships; federal subsidies. On June 30,
largest ship ever built in US was launched—1094-ft., 225,000-ton tanker
Brooklyn: can carry IV2 million barrels of oil.
In '63, 600,000 tons of ships under construction, value $370 million; in 73, 3
million tons, value $3 billion. Day of nuclear ship coming: may sign first
atomic-power tanker contract this year. (USN 7:23)
NOTE: The latter-day Tarshish must be a dominant sea-power and
merchant-power. At the same time, it must be so weakened at the end (in
relation to Russia and her allies) that it is obvious to Israel and all the world
that Israel's deliverance from Gog is of God and not of man. So there is an
apparent (though not real) conflict between the prophecies. Present trends
dovetail both elements beautifully.
RUSSIA'S ARMED MIGHT. Rising concern that easing of US-Soviet
tensions may bring greater dangers for West. Fears that unbalanced withdrawal of US troops could lead to premature liquidation of NATO forces.
Signs of growing apathy in Europe that could destroy alliances that have
preserved non-Communist world against Communist advance since WW II.
Goodpaster, Supreme NATO Commander, says Russia now has "strongest
military power world has ever seen." (USN 7:23)
NOTE: Is it not a wonderful Sign?—weakness and apathy in Europe; Russia
the "greatest military power the world has ever seen/' US is weakened and
isolated; Britain amounts to nothing; Russia grows and grows.
PETER & THE PAPACY. "You are Peter, & on this rock I will build my
church" (Mt 16:18). Does that long-contested verse mean that Roman
Catholics traditionally take it to mean? Was Peter first Pope?
An officially-sanctioned joint committee of 11 Catholic, Lutheran & other
Protestant scholars agree that it makes Peter one of most prominent
apostles, but it does not make him Pope. (Tm 8:6)
NOTE: Theologians, within and without the Catholic Church, are trying to
cut the Pope down to size. It is one of today's very interesting interplays of
power and struggle. Some way must be found to make Catholicism.palatable
to the returning Protestant Harlot Daughters of Mother Rome. But the
Pope still has his part to play in the cementing of Europe and Russia, and the
world will be deluded by the wonder-working of the Image of the Beast.
NUCLEAR WEAPONS. Nations of world still sprinting ahead in atom
race. France to detonate its 44th explosion near Tahiti this week, just days
after an underground Russian blast & a Chinese atmospheric explosion. Of
the 5 nuclear powers, only Britain is not racing to update its weapons.
At great expense of time & effort, Russia has achieved quantitative
equality with US, but continuing global rivalry leads both US & Russia to
emphasize staggeringly expensive qualitative improvements, & development of new technology. Looking beyond the MIRV competition, US &
Russian planners already envision whole new generation of weapons that
include such devices as counter-satellite satellites.
Nearly dozen nations possess capacity of going nuclear soon. Closest to
threshold is Israel. In 15 years we shall see dozens of countries capable of
utilizing nuclear energy. It would be putting considerable faith in human
nature to expect this achievement won't be misdirected. (Nwk 7:23)
NOTE: The last sentence sums up the hopelessness of the outlook,
naturally speaking. Man has always used—and will always use—any
weapon he has, to gain power. The only restraint is fear of retaliation. US
used the atom bomb because Japan had none to strike back with. When the
set time comes, Russia will strike with lightning speed, coming "as a cloud
to cover the land."
1973 Berean 314
DROUGHT & STARVATION. With West & Central Africa in worst drought
in memory, 20 million people in a 2000-mile belt of arid land are fighting to
stay alive. Gravest danger now is disease. Very young & very old are dying
from diseases they'd normally be able to resist, because they're so
weakened & dehydrated. The tragedy can't be undone. Drought has permanently scarred land & allowed Sahara to creep further south. The
economies have suffered blows from which they'll take years to recover.
Huge numbers of cattle have died, so large numbers of nomads must alter
their ways & crowd into towns looking for work. Future looks bleak in subSahara : land & people have lost too much to recover. (Nwk 7:23)
NOTE: With all man's vaunted scientific "progress," the great majority
of the world's inhabitants live in grinding misery, on the borderline of
starvation. Used unselfishly and for the common good, the world is a
treasure-house that could be made a paradise. But this would not solve the
basic problems. Look at the richest nations: their people are no happier or
nobler, as they pursue their selfish and insatiable lusts for luxury and
pleasure. The most wealthy nations are the most violent.
THE GREAT RUSSIAN GRAIN DEAL. Grain companies & ship operators
collected needless federal subsidies. Shippers are just recovering from a
nationwide transportation tie-up that resulted from the scrambling for
freight cars to transport the grain. The deal contributed to a grain shortage
in US, driving up prices of bread, meat, poultry & dairy products.
Russia dickered separately with US grain companies, & Agriculture Dept.
did almost nothing to monitor the purchases. Thus Russia was able to keep
US businessmen & farmers in dark about how much grain they were buying
at bargain prices kept low by Govt. export subsidies. (Tm 8:6)
NOTE: The advantages of efficient,singleminded dictatorship over a
"democracy" divided by a multitude of petty greeds and conflicts. Russia
bought the grain at artificially low and US-taxpayer-subsidized prices, and
could (and apparently did) resell it at huge profits. The whole transaction
forced up US domestic prices, to the benefit of the rich at the expense of the
SOME IN CHURCHES STILL BELIEVE BIBLE IS GOD'S WORD! In a
bitter convention in New Orleans, representatives of Lutheran Missouri
Synod, US's 2nd largest Lutheran body, gave its president constitutional
power to dismiss any pastor, theologian, or any teacher in US's largest
Protestant parochial-school system, who questions belief that every
statement of fact in Bible is literally true.
Thus it is absolute dogma that all miracles in Bible occurred precisely as
reported, & Adam & Eve were real people created by God, (which means
evolution theory is fantasy.) Victory for Bible fundamentalism was complete: churchmen loyal to it took control over every facet of church.
Founded 125 years ago by descendants of pious German immigrants, the
Missouri Synod—unlike most other Lutherans—adopted the central premise
that Bible is inerrant in whatever it says. (Nwk 7:23)
NOTE: In the general destruction of the evil and godless population of the
world that is to come at Christ's return (like Israel's destruction of the filthy
abominations of Canaan), there must be a small remnant worth preserving
for the Kingdom of God. It is interesting to see, therefore, that some fairly
large sections of the religious population still cling to the basic foundation—
the wholly inspired Word of God. With this, there is hope: without it, men are
hopeless. It is the general destruction of this foundation in the churches of
the world that has opened the flood gates of violence, corruption and immorality. Note that the writer clearly recognizes what some who call
themselves brethren fail to recognize: that if Adam and Eve were realities,
then "Evolution" is fantasy. It would be much healthier for the Body if this
were more clearly perceived.
1973 Berean 315
WEST EUROPE DRIFTS TO NEUTRALISM. 2 wks. ago NATO released a
study of Soviet military strength in E. Europe: details were startling. In 5
yrs., they've added 6000 more tanks, increasing their advantage to 4 to 1.
Number of Russian aircraft poised against W. Europe is up 50 pet.
When NATO foreign ministers gathered last week, they faced 2-fold
threat: Russian buildup that cannot be ignored, & W. Europe public that
couldn't care less. Attitude is:"Don't bother us with news that disturbs our
vision of a new era in which defense is obsolete." W. Europe sliding toward
neutralism. Key officials in 6 capitals say they're powerless to reverse drift.
Inclination to let down guard has been encouraged by mistaken notionspread by Soviet diplomats on cocktail circuit—that detente-minded doves in
Kremlin have won showdown against expansion-minded hawks.
Moscow has already achieved 2 of its 4 main objectives: conventional
military superiority in Europe over US & allies, & recognition of Moscow's
hold on E. Europe. Third on list is withdrawal of US forces from Europe &
collapse of NATO. Fourth goal—to put productive capacity of West to work
for Russia—is also very much on track.
Biggest obstacle to real W. Europe union is France, whose concept of a
united Europe is Paris thumbing its nose at US.
US disengagement from Europe would be open invitation to Russia to
become military supervisory power on Continent—an intolerable shift in
world balance of power. (Nwk 6:25)
NOTE: Three key points to note: (I) great Russian military power,
constantly increasing; (2) Europe's people don't care; and (3) France is the
major obstacle to a strong, US-oriented European union. How wonderfully
the prophetic picture shapes up!
"A PROVERB & A BYWORD." For 35 yrs., Britain's Jewry has tried to
persuade lexicographers to change certain definitions in dictionaries. It has
had scant luck with Oxford Dictionary, most complete & authoritative
record in existence of what English is & has been.
Now Marcus Shloimovitz will take argument to Britain's Supreme Court,
asking that this definition of a Jew be deleted:"A name of opprobrium or
reprobation: a grasping or extortionate money-lender or usurer; a trader
who deals craftily."
Oxford's chief editor says: "We are concerned with the. accurate
recording of language, not what people think it should be." (Tm 6:25)
NOTE: A vivid exemplification of that age-old prophecy by Moses to
Israel because of their foreseen disobedience: "Thou shalt become a
proverb and a by word among all nations whither the Lord shall lead thee"
(Dt. 28:37). Rightly or wrongly, the term "Jew" has been for ages an
expression of contempt, engrafted into many languages of the Gentiles,
especially among those nations which blasphemously describe themselves
as "Christian" nations.
COMPUTER CRIME. Computer has become major crime problem for
business & govt. Believed to be fastest-growing type of white-collar crime.
Difficult to detect, more profitable, less dangerous, & easier to commit than
most kinds of criminal activity.
Computor criminals have stolen trade secrets, valuable equipment &
millions of $s from banks, industry & govt. Virtually no limit in amount of
money that can be taken once an opening is built into system. As computor
use spreads, danger of crime grows apace. A dishonest employee with
access to a computor can pull off a sizable theft in few seconds. (USN 6:18)
NOTE: Computers—now an integral aspect of OS's increasingly
complicated and artificial lifestyle—obviously open up a wide range of
possibility of crime and embezzlement very hard to detect and control. The
more complicated man makes life (in his greed and self-indulgence), the
more scope is given to the forces of evil.
1973 Berean 316
THE PENTECOSTAL TIDE. Fastest growing force in Catholic Church is
Pentecostals. Originating early in '67, the movement only attracted 90
persons to its first meeting that year. Number multiplied rapidly each year.
This year's meeting of 25,000 represented only a fraction of over 200,000
Pentecostal Catholics in US. Movement has taken root in foreign countries,
& is growing even faster.
Catholic Pentecostals form third major group of Pentecostals. The
original Pentecostals grew up around 1900: now 2V2 million in US alone. A
new Pentecostal movement developed in past 20 years within mainstream
Protestant churches, & is still spreading.
All 3 groups believe necessity of personal "Baptism of Holy Spirit" to lead
fully Christian life. The initiate undergoes this "Spirit Baptism" by visiting
a Pentecostal meeting at which others join in laying on of hands. Then the
initiate acquires one of "gifts" Paul describes in 1 Corinthians, as
prophesying, healing, speaking with tongues. (Tm 6:18)
NEW PENTECOSTAL PHENOMENON has spread with surprising speed
thru all of world's major churches during past 5 years. In both style & fervor,
they're not much different from traditional Pentecostals, but they come
from a more restrained tradition: Catholics & mainline Protestants.
To some, the sudden surge of Pentecostalism among Catholics is due to
same forces at work in encounter groups: people who have grown up afraid
of their own emotions & whose feelings have been repressed by the structure
of the Church. Now they're coming together in an atmosphere that suddenly
makes it legitimate to freely express those emotions.
Regardless of denominational background, all Pentecostals believe no
Christian's life is complete till he has received power of Holy Ghost thru
"baptism of the Spirit." Chief sign baptism has occurred is ability to speak
in tongues. (Nwk 6:25)
NOTE: A deeply interesting phenomenon. The age-old interplay between
cold, mechanical, fossilized institutionalized "religion," and man's deep,
blind, hidden striving for that which is real and living and spiritual. But so
few seek and find the Divine Light—most of the great tide of self-searching is
blindly expended in animal emotion and self-invented disciplines. Man
wants "religion" and "experiences," but he does not want plain, simple
submissive OBEDIENCE to God's commands. That cuts the flesh too
deeply.
FOOD SCARE IN LAND OF PLENTY. For first time in memory: food
shortage in country that has long fed much of world. Shortages may become
so serious as to require rationing.
How did US, long a land of plenty, get into this predicament? A
combination of factors, including freak weather & huge grain exports to
Russia. As supplies dwindle, prices soar & seem certain to go even higher.
World food reserves are dangerously low: level of reserves far below any
time in modern history. For first time, world is with out either of 2 important
safety valves: stocks of surplus grain, & large reserve of US cropland that
could quickly be brought into production. A few years ago there was great
optimism that the world's supply of food was increasing.
Till past year, Russians tried to make up for food shortages by belttightening. This time they decided on importing, & they've had enormous
impact on world supplies & prices. In year ended June 30, they imported far
more food than any country in history—28 million tons, nearly 2 / 3 from US.
If US should ever have 2 or 3 poor crop years together, world would be in
very precarious situation. (USN 7:16)
NOTE: The picture is closing in. The slow food production rise, and the
accelerating world population rise, have been for many years racing toward
a climax of worldwide famine. This is not mere theory. Much of the world
even at present is pitifully underfed.
1973 Berean 317
SLAUGHTER IN AFRICA. In terms of sheer brutality, few events in
recent history can equal m a s s a c r e that took place last yr. in central African
republic of Burundi. At that time, m e m b e r s of Bahutu tribe, which m a k e s u{)
85 pet. of the population, rose up against towering Watutsi overlords who
have dominated them for centuries. The insurrection failed, & Watutsi govt.
exacted frightful vengeance, slaughtering 250,000 men, women & children.
Last month, Watutsis resumed the pogrom with a ferocity that smacks of
outright genocide. They've been roaming countryside, burning villages &
murdering Bahutus wherever found. The savage repression is in one way
even worse than last year's. Then the govt. ap