From meager beginnings in the 1880s to a membership of over 1,000,000, world-wide, the Watch Tower today sends forth its literature in a hundred languages and continues to present a problem on every mission field where the testimony of the true Gospel of Christ is being impaired by the ever zealous disciples of "Pastor" Russell (Charles Taze Russell).

The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society came into existence in the year 1884 when Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916), better known as "Pastor" Russell, incorporated it under the title "Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society" at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Charles Taze Russell was both the founder and first president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (1896) and the man who brought into existence the organization which is now known as Jehovah's Witnesses (Columbus, Ohio 1931). (JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, Dr. Walter R. Martin, pp. 4,11)

Are the Jehovah's Witnesses scriptural and what do they believe?

They deny the deity of Jesus Christ, even though John 10:30 says:

"I and my Father are One."

They deny the deity of the Godhead, but John 17:3 says:

"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ who thou hast sent."

They deny the physical bodily resurrection of Christ, but Luke 24:39-43 says:

"Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."

And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

"And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered he said unto them, have ye here any meat?"

And they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

And he took it, and did eat before them.

They deny the eternal conscious torment in Hell for all who die without Christ, but in Revelation 20:10, the Bible says:

"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever" (See also Mark 9:43-48, Matthew 25:30, and II Thessalonians 1:7-9).

They also teach salvation by works and not salvation by faith in Christ and His shed blood. Ephesians 2:8-9 says:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast."

While we must refute the Jehovah Witnesses' anti-Christian teachings we must also love them as Christ commanded and seek to win them to Him. They deserve not our scorn but our love, that by God's grace they may reach repentance. May God in His infinite mercy and boundless grace see fit to arouse His people to the great challenge which stands at the threshold of His glorious appearing --

"As it is written, not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts."

"Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?" (Matthew 13:55).

The Bible teaches that Jesus did have brothers and sisters. Matthew 12:46-47 and Mark 3:31-32 tell of a time when Jesus was teaching the people and that Mary and His brothers stood outside the crowd, desiring to talk with Him.

The Jews had a difficult time accepting Jesus in Nazareth because He was one of them; He had grown up in their midst. In Matthew 13:55 they say:

"Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?"

They were partly correct--He was Mary's son and He was the brother of the four men listed, but He was not the son of the carpenter. This event is also recorded in Mark 6:3.

The Bible tells us in John 7:5 even Jesus' brothers rejected Him at the beginning of His ministry:

"For neither did his brethren believe in him."

The word "brethren" here must refer to His physical brothers. it could not refer to His spiritual brothers because they did not believe in Him.

However, God's Word later tells us His brothers did finally accept Jesus as their Savior. Acts 1:14 states that as the disciples waited in the upper room in Jerusalem, they were joined by Mary and Jesus' brothers.

"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren."

One of Jesus' brothers' even became an apostle:

"But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother" (Galatians 1:19).

Does the Bible teach that Jesus was a Jew?

The Bible explicitly teaches again and again Jesus was a descendant of Abraham, a descendant of David, born into the tribe of Judah, and given by God to minister, while here on earth, in the midst of His people the Israelites. His ministry, love and sacrifice were world-wide, but took place in the little nation of Israel, His people, according to the flesh.

Romans 1:3-4 is as follows:

"Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."

You can see from God's own Word in this passage, "according to the flesh," Jesus was "of the seed of David." We can also see "according to the spirit of holiness," in verse 4, Jesus is the Son of God. Luke 1:32-33 tells us the following words about Jesus:

"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

We can see once again God emphasizes in this passage Jesus is a descendant of David, according to the flesh, and therefore has the right to sit on His father David's throne, and will do this very thing when He returns to earth.

Matthew 1:1 is as follows:

"The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."

We can see from this very first verse in the New Testament God emphasizes Jesus is not only a descendant of David, but He is also a descendant of Abraham. In this verse God traces Jesus' ancestry back to Abraham who is the father of the Jewish people. Yes indeed, Jesus was a Jew.

Because Jesus was born as a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, does not mean God does not love other peoples. The Bible records Jesus' explicit words in John 3:16, "...God so loved the world..." The Bible tells us in I John 2:2, "Jesus ... is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

In Luke 2:10 we have the record of the angel who appeared to the shepherds on the hillside overlooking Bethlehem the night Jesus was born. Here we read that concerning the birth of Jesus, the angel said to those humble shepherds, "...I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

We can see from these verses that even though God saw fit to have Jesus born into the tribe of Judah as a descendant of David and as a descendant of Tribe of Abraham, as a Jew, God sent Him for all people not just for the tribe of Judah, but for all twelve tribes in Israel-not just for Israel, but for all nations. Jesus our Savior is for all people.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" (John 14:12).

This passage is interpreted as a statement of fact... "greater works than these shall he do." Jesus will moreover enable His disciples to do even greater works than Jesus Himself had been able to do owing to the enforced restrictions of His human life, during which He was confined to the land of Palestine and was able to minister ... to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, The Gospel According to St. John, R. V. G. Tasker, pp. 165-166.)

The "greater works" refer ... to the results of Pentecost; the victory over Judaism and Paganism....the Apostles went everywhere, and converted thousands.

The passage notes the reason the disciples will do "greater works" as twofold:

(1) Christ will have left the earth...therefore believers must continue His works;

(2) Christ will be in Heaven ready to help both directly and by intercession... (Thornapple Commentary, Gospel of St. John, A. Plummer, p. 277.)

It should be further noted, The word "greater" here is used not to describe the absolute exertion of power, but the effect which the miracles (of the disciples) would have on mankind. Barnes' Notes on the Gospels, A. Barnes, p. 329.)

An example of the "greater works" (in results) was when Peter and the rest of the eleven ... on the day of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit came upon them in power and they were prepared to witness for Him. They preached a crucified and rise. Christ, and ... three thousand believed! Probably more in that one day than. in all the three-and-a-half years of our Lord's ministry. (John, H. A. Ironside, p. 618.)

The "greater works" also means greater in extent (through the worldwide preaching of the gospel) and effect (the spiritual redemption ... of multitudes of people since the day of Pentecost). (The Ryrie Study Bible, p. 1629.)

The words of Christ formed a statement of fact, a promise to His disciples that they would do the "Greater Works." The works of Christ were limited to a small geographical area and to a specific people. The disciples' works would be worldwide in their reach and would affect all people. In this way, they were greater. (Liberty Bible Commentary, Vol. 11, p. 244.)

Dr. Jerry Falwell in preaching on the John 14:12 passage, summarized "the greater works" into five distinctive areas:

1. Greater Population ... 4.8 billion people alive today as compared to 250 million alive during the days of Christ's public ministry.

2. Greater Power ... Indwelling power of the Holy Spirit working through individual Christians and the local church.

3. Greater Tools ... Amazing technological means for evangelizing the world i.e., advanced communication via satellites.

4. Greater Revelation ... The prophecies and promises of God's Word are clearer now than when they were first delivered.

5. Greater Harvest ... The "latter rain" of James 5:7 (worldwide spiritual revival) just preceding the return of Christ.

The Bible identifies John by the title John the Baptist: "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, And saying, 'Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand'" (Matthew 3:1-2). The Greek word translated Baptist is the word baptistos. "Baptist" is a transliteration of the Greek word meaning a baptizer; one who administers the rite of baptism; the surname of John, the forerunner of Christ (THAYER'S LEXICON, p. 95).

The term "the Baptist" is indisputably linked with the name John the Baptist. John the Baptist is introduced to the readers of the Gospel as a fulfillment of the prophetic type of Elijah the prophet "crying in the wilderness" (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 4:5). John the Baptist was the mighty voice of warning, "...Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," pointing then to the Messiah, "...Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (Matthew 3:2; John 1:29). John was only a voice heralding the message of the promised Messiah and His kingdom. John the Baptist was fully aware of his subservient position in relationship to the One to come, "He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose" (John 1:27, 30.) The message of John the Baptist was to repent and to be baptized. John's message was directed to the Jews of his day who, although religious, were proned to overlook the judgment for their sins. John's warnings concerned the inescapable judgment that faced the Jewish nation. John warned the Jews that none but the truly repentant would find acceptance with the Messiah and His kingdom. John's understanding of his baptism included both the judgment of sin and redemption from sin. John's baptism sealed the repentant sinner as a member of the covenant people (the Jews) fitted for the appearing of the Messiah and their inheritance of the kingdom (THE MESSIANIC HOPE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, Matthews Shailer, p. 64.)

John the Baptist's ministry included two basic aspects: baptizing and preaching. The word "baptize" (Gr. baptizo) literally means, "to dip into" or "to immerse" and its connection with "repentance" (Gr. Metanoeite) means "to change one's mind or purpose." Thus, the ordinance of baptism held no inherent virtue or merit but merely symbolized an inward change of attitude toward sin (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. II, p. 101.)

It should be noted that John the Baptist's ministry was actually the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. "As it is written in the prophets, 'Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his path straight.'" John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Mark 1:1-4).

"That word, I say, ye know, which was published [preached] throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached" (Acts 10:37).

This conclusion (the Gospel began with John the Baptist) has been expounded by many non-Baptist church historians, such as: Lightfoot, "Mark calls the ministry and baptism of John the beginning of the gospel"- Matthew Henry, "In John's preaching and baptizing there was the beginning of the gospel doctrines and ordinances"; Adam Clark, "It is with the utmost propriety that Mark begins the Gospel dispensation by the preaching of John the Baptist" (JOHN'S BAPTISM, by J. R. Graves, p. 72).

The significance of John's baptism was enhanced by Jesus coming to John to receive baptism as the fulfillment of all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). Thus, Jesus acknowledged John's baptism as possessing authority from Heaven. Jesus came out into the wilderness so that John could see Him and declare Him to his followers as the "Lamb of God" (John 1:7, 15-18, 29-37; Mark 1:7).

The purpose of Jesus receiving John's baptism was symbolically to clear the scene of all human effort to obtain righteousness and salvation. The "fulfillment of all righteousness" was pertaining to the symbolic meaning of the act of baptism -- the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Gospel). Thus, all believers, by observing the act of baptism, profess symbolically their own death to the former life, as well as identification unto Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-13).

John the Baptist completed his ministry as the forerunner of Christ as he pointed men to the "Lamb of God" -- Jesus Christ. He recognized that his own work was completed as he stated: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). John met his death at the hands of Herod the Tetrarch (Antipas) ruler of Galilee and Peraea. John had been arrested because of his outspoken preaching against Herod's incestuous marriage with Herodias (his brother Philip's wife). During John's imprisonment Herodias' daughter, Salome, performed a dance before King Herod in celebration of his birthday. Herod promised with an oath that she could have whatever she wanted. Set up by her mother, she asked for John the Baptist's head in a charger, i.e., a table platter (Matthew 14:3-12; Mark 6:17-29; Luke 3:19-20). John was beheaded that night and those who loved him, buried him.

Many Bible students wonder whether or not John the Baptist doubted Jesus was the actual Messiah when he sent his disciples to Jesus with the question.. "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" (Matthew 11:3, also Luke 7:19) .

There are few Bible passages in which there is as wide a divergence of opinion among Bible commentators as is found on the subject of John's question concerning Jesus' messiahship. The various views of interpretation of this subject are:

(1) John the Baptist asked the question because his disciples needed strengthening (this view was held by Luther, Calvin, Beza); (2) John wondered whether Jesus was the Great One because of His acts of meekness and mercy; (3) John's faith may have failed as a result of his being in Herod's prison for months with no action by Jesus to secure his release; (4) John's patience may have failed, but not his faith in Jesus, i.e., "You are the One we are expecting, aren't you? Then why not do something?"; (5) John was puzzled. John had prophesied that the coming One would do some striking works of judgment (Luke 3:16), but Jesus was ... engrossed in works of mercy. "Would somebody else then do those works of judgment?" John wanted to know. (TYNDALE NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY --GOSPFL OF LUKE, by Leon Morris, pp. 141-142.)

In the LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Volume II, we find the following explanation for Matthew 11:2-19: During John's imprisonment by King Herod, he heard of the works of Christ (miracles). John sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus about His being the actual Messiah of the Old Testament prophecies. Note: John had already proclaimed Jesus as Messiah.... John may have begun to question why Jesus had left him in prison (p. 45).

The following comments concerning Luke 7:18-26 can also be found in the LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Volume II: John the Baptist, the Old Testament's predicted forerunner of the Messiah, was cast into prison shortly after he introduced Christ to Israel. Since the kingdom had not materialized in the interim, he (John) began to entertain doubts regarding Christ's mission (vs.20). That very hour, Jesus performed miracles predicted of the Messiah in Isaiah 61:1-2, and told John's disciples to convey that information back to John, which must have reassured the great prophet (p. 162).

Please note that Jesus, in answering the question of John's disciples, referred them to observe the miracles He performed. They (the miracles) were proof that He was the Messiah. Prophets had indeed performed miracles, but no prophet had performed so many, or any so important. Jesus, moreover, performed miracles in His own name and by His own power. Prophets had performed miracles only by the power of God. Jesus, therefore, performed the miracles which none but the Messiah could do, and John might easily infer that He was the Christ. (BARNE'S NOTES, The Gospel of Matthew, p. 118).

An excellent commentary on the Matthew 11 passage is found in THE CRISWELL STUDY BIBLE. Dr. Criswell explains the possible reason for John's question concerning Jesus' Messiahship: John's question was a question asking clarification, not a question of doubt. The Old Testament presented the Messiah in a twofold character: (1) as a suffering servant; (2) as a reigning monarch. The prophets (as John was called) could not see the great interval of time between the two comings of our Lord.... John had proclaimed a final judgment and salvation (of the Jews) associated with the glorious kingdom established by the Messiah (millennium and eternal kingdom).... John did not perceive the difference between the Messianic salvation of the new age (during Jesus' public ministry) which had come and the age yet to come (Christ's earthly rule). John had expected the structure (government of the Jews) to be disrupted by the coming of the Messiah and was possibly perplexed because it had not happened (p. 1124).

Also in THE CRISWELL STUDY BIBLE we find the following explanation for the Luke 7 passage: "He that should come" is a reference to the anticipated Messiah. Some commentators, such as Luther, Calvin, and Beza, suggest that John asks the question because his disciples needed strengthening, others indicate that John's faith is being tested because Jesus does not correspond to his (John's) expectation. More likely, John is asking if more than one figure (person) was to be anticipated to fulfill the total messianic expectation, one to be lowly and to suffer and the other to rule and to reign (p. 1200).

It should be noted that John the Baptist had declared Jesus to be the Son of God (John 1:34), the Lamb of God (v. 29), he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost (v. 33), and sent of God (John 3:34), thus John did point men to Jesus as the messiah (see Matthew 3:13; John 1:29, 35- 10:41; Acts 18:25; 19:4). Therefore, it is not certainly known why John sent his disciples to Jesus. It should be noted further that Christ's own disciples were confused over the subject of the kingdom (see Acts 1:6).

There seems to be some controversy surrounding whether or not Jonah was swallowed by an actual whale. There are excellent commentaries that present an in-depth study on the subject of the fish of Jonah as referred to in Jonah 1:17 and Matthew 12:40.

Dr. Harold Willmington, Dean of Liberty Home Bible Institute and Vice President of Liberty Baptist College, makes the following comments regarding Jonah 1:13-17 in his book entitled, WILLMINGTON'S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE, p. 173, at section C, heading D-3: "Jonah was swallowed by a huge fish, which God had previously arranged for ... The question is often asked as to whether a whale could actually swallow a man. In the first place, it should be pointed out that nowhere in the original Old Testament or New Testament language does it say a whale swallowed Jonah. The word "whale" does not even appear in the King James Version in the book of Jonah. The Hebrew word for fish is "dag," and refers to a great sea monster. In Matthew 12:40 the word translated "whale" by the King James Version is the Greek word ketos, which again refers to a sea monster. In the second place, God could have used a whale, had he chosen to." Dr. Willmington goes on to quote from Dr. Gleason Archer's book entitled, A SURVEY OF OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION, p. 302, as follows:

"Numerous cases have been reported in more recent times of men who have survived the ordeal of being swallowed by a whale. The PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL REVIEW (Oct. 1927) tells of two incidents, one in 1758 and the other in 1771, in which a man was swallowed by a whale and vomited up shortly thereafter with only minor injuries."

In LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Volume 1, pp. 1726, 1727, the following explanation of Jonah 1:17 is presented: "The Lord had prepared a great fish. Jewish tradition felt that the word 'prepared' (Hebrew manah) meant that God created this particular fish at creation and kept it in reserve until the day of Jonah when it fulfilled its particular mission. As it occurs in the text, the word means 'to appoint, ordain, prepare, or order.' The idea is one of commission rather than creation. The fish then was not one that was created specially for a task, but rather was one already in existence and commissioned for a specific mission, the preservation of God's prophet ... The question has frequently been raised as to what kind of a fish this was. The Hebrew text merely says that it was a 'great fish' (Hebrew dag gadol). Jesus, in referring to this incident, says that it was, a sea monster (Greek ketos, Matthew 12-.40)....The fish has commonly been thought of as being a whale. Some men have pointed out that a whale's physical structure would not permit the swallowing of a man, though one sea captain testifies that the cavity in the throat of the sperm whale is large enough to hold a ship's jolly-boat full of men. Other commentators have suggested that the fish was a dogfish, which has a stomach so large that once the body of a man in armor was found in it. Still others suggest that the fish was a shark, some of which grow to a weight of 10,000 pounds and to a length of 30 to 40 feet, and in whose stomachs full-grown horses have been found."

In the Matthew Henry COMMENTARY ON THE WHOLE BRBLE, Volume 4, page 1286, the following comments on Jonah .1:17 are given: "...prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah, a whale our Savior calls it (Matthew 12:40), one of the largest sorts of whales that have wider throats than others, in the belly of which has sometimes been found the dead body of a man in armor. Particular notice is taken, in the history of the creation, of God's creating great whales and the leviathan in the waters made to play therein (Psalms 104:26). But God finds work for this leviathan, has prepared him, has numbered him (so the word is), has appointed him to be Jonah's receiver and deliverer."

In BARNES' NOTES ON THE NEW TESTAMENT, page 134, an explanation of Matthew 12:40 is: "This event took place in the Mediterranean Sea, somewhere between Joppa and Tarshish...It is said that the whale seldom passes into that sea, and that its throat is too small to admit a man. It is probable, therefore, that a fish of the shark kind is intended. Sharks have been known often to swallow a man entirely. The fish in the book of Jonah is described merely as a 'great fish,' without specifying the kind. It is well known that the Greek word translated 'whale' in the New Testament does not of necessity mean a whale, but may denote a large fish or sea-monster of any kind."--Robinson, Lex.

In BARNES' NOTES, MINOR PROPHETS -- Introduction to Jonah, page 385, the following explanation concerning the fish of Jonah is presented: "Jonah speaks only of a 'great fish.' The Greek word ketos, by which the Septuagint translated it, and which our Lord used, is, (like our 'cetacea' which is taken from it) the name of a genus, not of any individual fish. It is the equivalent of the 'great fish' of Jonah. The Greeks (translators) use the adjective ketsde, as we do, but they also use the substantive which occurs in Matthew 12:40. This designates a class which includes the whale, but is never used to designate the whale ... It designates the whole class of sea creatures which are viviparous, as the dolphin, the seal, the whale, the shark and large tunas...The white shark, having teeth merely incisive, has no choice, except between swallowing its prey whole, or cutting off a portion of it. It cannot hold its prey, or swallow it piecemeal ... sometimes also, living men, which it finds in the sea...The white shark, or Canis carcharias, is found of the size of 10,000 pounds, and horses have been found whole in its stomach."

There is much controversy over the subject of the fish of Jonah. A word study of the Greek word ketos in STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE shows the Greek meaning as "a huge fish (as gaping for prey): -- whale." A further word study for the word "whale" is found in WILSON'S OLD TESTMENT WORD STUDIES, page 479: "Whale--...a great fish, sea monster, or rather, any reptile or animal of large dimensions, whether of the sea or land: Genesis 1:21, Job 7:12, Ezekiel 32:2." In THAYER'S GREEK-ENGLISH LEXICON, page 346, the Greek word ketos is listed as meaning: "a sea monster, whale, huge fish."

Many Bible scholars say that the word in the Greek New Testament translated "whale" (ketos) could be just as accurately translated simply huge fish or sea monster. However, in defending God's Word, it is not really necessary to rule out the possibility that this Greek word which may mean "whale" actually does mean "whale.

There are two reasons for this: 1) Some research scholars tell us there is a species of whale which not only has a mouth large enough for a man to get in, but also has a throat large enough for the whale to swallow the man. 2) Even if there is no species of whale today with a throat large enough for a man to pass through, God could have certainly prepared a whale with a mouth and throat large enough for Jonah to go right on down to the whale's stomach, because the Bible tells us that the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah (Jonah 1:17). Thus, we should realize that it was no greater miracle to create or appoint a fish which could swallow Jonah than it was for God to preserve Jonah alive when swallowed by the great fish. For with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37).

In conclusion, we would quote Dr. J. Vernon McGee, who wrote as follows: "The fish here is not the hero of the story, neither is it its villain. The book is not even about a fish. The fish is among the props and does not occupy the star's dressing room. Let us distinguish between the essentials and the incidentals. Incidentals are the fish, the gourd, the east wind, the boat, and Nineveh. The essentials are Jehovah and Jonah--God and man."

The Joseph who was Mary's husband (Matthew 1:16) is not the same Joseph that was sold by his brothers and later became a ruler in Egypt. The Joseph who became a ruler in Egypt was the son of Jacob who was the son of Abraham's son, Isaac (Genesis 25:19-26). The Joseph who was Mary's husband was the son of Jacob who was the son of a man named Matthan (Matthew 1:15-16).

If you look at the genealogy in Matthew 1, you find this man Matthan and his descendants (Jacob and then Joseph) are down the line a long way from Abraham, Isaac, and Isaac's son Jacob (Matthew 1:2-17). As a matter of fact, verse 17 says, "So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations."

"Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, Saying, 'I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood.' And they said, 'What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself'" (Matthew 27:3-5).

When he [Judas] saw that he [Jesus] was condemned, which would be evident from seeing Jesus being taken to Pilate, "he repented himself" (Greek Metameleomai, "to regret"). This word is different from the term for repentance to salvation (Greek metanoia). Judas shows every indication of still being unsaved: he betrays innocent blood for money, becomes guilty, returns the money, and commits suicide. These are the actions of a guilty conscience, not a forgiven and regenerate one. His admission "I have sinned" is not necessarily a true confession to faith. The reply of the priests reveals the real cruelty of their hearts: "What is that to us? See thou to that"---Judas then threw the money "in the temple" (Greek Naos means "sanctuary") and "hanged himself."

The reference to Judas' "falling headlong" (Acts 1:18-19) is generally thought to have happened while he was attempting to commit suicide. Perhaps Judas hanged himself over the ledge or wall of Jerusalem, he then fell into the valley below.

And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, it is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, the field of blood, unto this day (Matthew 27:6-8).

In such cases the purchase was made in the name of the man to whom the money had been paid and to whom the money, by a legal faction was supposed all the time to belong. By law, therefore, the man himself purchased the field. (Notes from LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. II, pp. 91,263).

Acts 1:18-19. Now this man purchased a field -- "the account of Judas' faith (vss-18-19) is not inconsistent with that set forth by Matthew (27:3-8). The field was probably bought by the legally-minded priests in Judas' name. Amid the crazed inconsistencies of despair he may have laid claim to it in consequence, and in bitter irony made it the scene of suicide. The two accounts preserve different but equally true details from the rest of the shocking story, and the field won its somber name on more than one count." (E. M. Blaiklock, Acts of the Apostles, p. 53.)

The Bema seat of Christ occurs at the time immediately following the translation of the Church ("Rapture"--See I Thessalonians 4:14-17 and I Corinthians 15:51-52). The place of the Bema seat of Christ is placed in the sphere of the heavenlies.

There are two primary passages for interpreting the Judgement Seat of Christ: Romans 14:10 and II Corinthians 5:10. The two Greek terms translated Judgement Seat in these passages are: bemati and bematos . In THAYER'S GREEK-ENGLISH LEXICON OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, we find the following definition for Bema: (1) a step, pace, (2) a raised place mounted by steps; a platform, tribune: used of the official seat of a judge (see Matthew 27:19; John 19:13; Acts 18:12,16); of the Judgement Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10, II Corinthians 5:10).

In the two passages (Romans 14 and II Corinthians 5) the term "judgement seat" Is used of the Divine tribunal before which all believers are hereafter to stand. In Romans 14:10, it is called "The judgement-seat of Christ," A.V. (R.V., "of God"), according to the most authentic manuscripts. The same tribunal is called "the judgement-seat of Christ" in II Corinthians 5:10, to whom the Father has given all judgement (see John 5:22,27). At this bema believers are to be made manifest, that each may "receive the things done in (or through) the body," according to what he has done, "whether it be good or bad." There they will receive rewards for their faithfulness to the Lord. For all that has been contrary in their lives to His will they will suffer loss of rewards (I Corinthians 3:15). (VINE'S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF NEW TESTAMENT WORDS)

From II Corinthians 5:10, John 5:22 and Romans 14:10, we are told that the judge at the Bema seat of Christ is Christ Himself. One day all the dead will be raised to stand before Christ (the saved through the rapture to the Bema Judgment, and the unsaved through the final resurrection to the Great White Throne Judgment [see John 5:29; Romans 14:10-12; Revelation 20:11-151).

Only those who are born again believers will stand before the Bema seat of Christ (II Corinthians 5:1-19). The purpose of the Bema seat is to make a public manifestation of the essential character and motives of the individual Christian. The believer's works are brought into judgment, called "the things done in his body" (II Corinthians 5:10), in order that it may be determined whether they are good or bad. This judgment is not to determine what is ethically good or evil, but rather that which is acceptable and that which is worthless/unprofitable to the work of Christ.

"Every man's work shall be made manifest" (I Corinthians 3:13-15). While it is possible to hide the true quality of one's service for Christ in this life, there will be a tie of reckoning for the Christian. There is coming a time when all will be openly displayed for what one's true motives were.

The results of the judgment are two-fold: (1) a reward received or (2) a reward lost. If a man's work remains undamaged by the fire, accordingly, he receives rewards (Greek misthos) ... If a man's work does not endure, and is consumed in the fire, then he shall "suffer loss." Everything he has devoted himself to in this life (those things done in his own strength and for his own glory) shall be burnt up suddenly. "But he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire" (I Corinthians 3:15). It is important to notice that such a man does not suffer the loss of his salvation, but the loss of reward. The stress is not on a man's relationship to Christ, but upon service to Christ. (Liberty Bible Commentary, Volume II, pp. 421-422.)

The meaning of the word "hypocrite" is one who pretends, plays a part, or believes one thing and practices another (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Volume II, p. 514).

We must be careful whenever we point out individuals (including our government leaders, our church leaders) whom we may feel are hypocrites. We must be careful that we ourselves are not found to be hypocritical when criticizing others. The Bible gives clear warning about pointing out deficiencies in people:

"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the note that is in thy brother's eye" (Luke 6:41-42).

It is only human nature to see other people's faults while overlooking our own. But human nature is sinful. Jesus noted that in the previous passage that if one first takes care of his own faults, he may be able to help his brother. This correct order must be followed if we are to become Christ-like.

Instead of criticizing and being judgmental of our national governmental and our local church leaders, Christians should earnestly pray for them to be saved (if they are unsaved) and to be filled with Divine wisdom to guide them in the affairs of leading the people. However, if the leaders are wicked and performing contrary to god's Word, then as Christians we should pray for their removal from office.

Dr. Falwell has preached a message on the subject of leadership. He presented five dominant char-acteristics of great leaders. They are as follows: (1) obedience; (2) integrity of character; (3) a clear conscience; (4) a burdened heart; (5) a sacrificial spirit. Surely, we all agree with Dr. Falwell that our nation and our churches need Godly leadership.

Dr. Falwell further recognizes a heartfelt need for national repentance and revival. He has stated: "When those who are on 'praying ground' seek the face of God, He answers. If this nation is going to be turned around, it will be because God's people take the initiative.... If Christians will unite in prayer and fasting, this nation can be saved and brought back to God. 'If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land'" (II Chronicles 7:14).

The Bible gives several references to the term "The just shall live by faith." This phrase is actually an admonition given unto all believers to live a life of faith in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, our Savior. "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).

Jesus Christ is our righteousness. He is how God sees us as looking at Christ, although in our own merit we are unrighteous, unholy, and altogether unlovely. Yet, Christ died for our sins (I Corinthians 1:30).

How is righteousness obtained? "From faith to faith." Righteousness is received by faith in Christ Jesus and is in turn revealed in faithful living. Thus, in answer to the question, "How are the righteous to live?" Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4, "The just shall live by faith." This faith implies more than mere acceptance of Christ's righteousness for salvation. It implies a lifestyle that is characterized by faith and righteous living.

"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith" (Galatians 3:11).

God did not design the law to be the means of justification; He designed faith for that purpose. Righteousness and faith are inseparable, law and righteousness are total strangers. Faith is not a substitute for righteousness; it is that heart trust that brings one into a new relation with God, that of being accepted in Christ (Ephesians 1:6) and which results in faithfulness, integrity, and steadfastness. The just shall live by faith... The righteous live by faith, not works." (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Volume II, p. 519).

The particular phrase "The just shall live by faith" is also found quoted in Hebrews 10:38: "No, the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."

A man must live by faith (cf. Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11). God will reward that endurance, but the reward cannot come without the perseverance. (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Volume II, pp. 342,703).

God is a God of love. He loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for us (John 3:16, Romans 5:8). However, God also demands justice. He requires that wrong be punished and right be rewarded.

God's justice has been at work in this world ever since the creation of mankind. We do not know why God created man when He knew that man would sin and bring great pain and suffering upon himself. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God..." This is one of the mysteries that God has chosen not to reveal to us. Yet, we know that our great creator God has a reason for all His actions. So, whatever His reasons, we can be sure they were and still are pure and holy.

God placed the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden to test Adam and Eve. From their creation, they were perfect and had uninterrupted fellowship with God. But God wanted to test their true love for Him and used the tree to accomplish this. The only true love is tested, Adam and Eve failed the test. So, God showed His ever-abounding love to sinful men by sending Christ to pay the penalty for man's sin..

The fact that Christ died for all increases the self-worth of every individual. Christ's death provided the opportunity for all to be saved. This is how God demonstrated His great love for man, even in his sin. But, not all will receive the free gift of Jesus Christ, the forgiveness of their sins. Therefore, since God is holy and just, He cannot allow this person (still in their sins because of failure to receive Christ's forgiveness) to go to Heaven. Rather, He allows the person to go the way he himself has decided to go-the way of not accepting Jesus Christ as Savior-the way to Hell.

Hell cannot be thought of as cruel and unusual punishment when it is realized to what lengths God went to prevent anyone from going there. God does not force Himself on anyone. Otherwise He would have forced Adam and Eve to obey Him, making the human race like robots. Rather, God allows man to have a free will and to choose for himself the course of action he prefers. God has done so much to give man the opportunity to have his sins forgiven, we certainly cannot think God to be unfair when He condemns a person to Hell who has rejected the free offer of a merciful God to go to heaven.

The only way to get rid of the void in your life is to completely surrender to Jesus Christ. First, receive Him (John 1:12) as your Savior (Titus 2:13) and believe (Romans 10:9) on Him for your salvation from sin and to the glory of God (John 3:16).

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is His death, burial, and resurrection for our forgiveness of sins and everlasting life in Heaven. It is the blood of Jesus Christ which actually cleanses us of our sins (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14, 20-22; Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:12-14; I John 1:7).

The Bible tells us in Romans 10:13: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

I Timothy 1:15 tells us: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

In Isaiah 1:18 we read: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

God's will for your life is that you confess that you are a sinner and acknowledge Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord by inviting Him into your heart as your Savior. John 3:16 tells us that if we will repent of 'Our sins and put our trust and our faith in the love of God that put Jesus on the cross for us, and to let Jesus come into our heart as our Savior and our Lord, then we are assured we will not "perish," but we will have "everlasting life," and we will go to Heaven and not Hell when we die.

If you would like to trust Christ as your personal Savior, may I invite you to pray the following prayer: "Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me a sinner, and come into my heart and life as my personal Savior and Lord and forgive me of my sins and save me for your sake. Amen."

Now you will want to join a Gospel preaching church where you can fellowship with other believers and learn more about how to live the Christian life. Doing "good things" alone will not fill your emptiness. You must do all that you do "to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31). Only a Christian can do this and only a Christian in the power of God through the Holy Spirit can accomplish anything "to the glory of God."

We believe that the great Gospel which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works or righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed unto us.

"And I will give unto thee [Peter] the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven"(Matthew 16:19).

There has been much confusion associated with "Peter's keys." Some have misunderstood the passage to mean that Christ had granted Peter exclusive right to open Heaven or to close Heaven to individuals. This is not the intent or teaching of Matthew 16:19. The LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY gives the following exposition for the Matthew 16:19 passage:

"Our Lord then promised to Peter and the other apostles 'the keys of the kingdom.' This meant that Peter would have the right to enter the kingdom himself, and would have general authority therein, symbolized by the possession of the keys." The preaching of the gospel would be the means of opening the kingdom of Heaven to all believers and shutting it against unbelievers. The book of Acts shows this process at work.

"Keys" were the symbols of knowledge or the fruits of the scribal or teaching office (see Luke 11:52 where "keys" refer to knowledge). The "keys of the kingdom" refer to the Gospel of Christ. The use of those keys will build the church. Peter used the "keys" at Pentecost (Acts 2:14), at Samaria (Acts 8:14), and at the house of Cornelius the Gentile (Acts 10).

The expressions "shall be bound in Heaven" and "shall be loosed in Heaven" are examples in Greek [original language of the New Testament] of the periphrastic future perfect passive construction and should, therefore, be translated "shall have been bound already" and "shall have been loosed already' in Heaven. In other words, Peter's pronouncement of "binding" or "loosing" is dependent upon what Heaven has already willed rather than upon earth's giving direction to Heaven. (CRISWELL STUDY BIBLE, p. 1134)

A further explanation for Matthew 16:19, specifically referring to the meaning of "bind" and "loose," is:

The expressions "bind" and "loose" were common in Jewish legal phraseology meaning "to declare forbidden or to declare allowed." Peter and the other disciples were to continue on earth the work of Christ in preaching the gospel and declaring God's will to men. The apostles were armed with the same authority as Christ possessed. Christ in Heaven ratifies what is done in His name and in obedience to His Word on earth.

There is also a definite reference here (Matthew 16:19) to the binding and loosing of church discipline (see Matthew 18). The apostles do not usurp Christ's Lordship and authority over individual believers and their eternal destiny, but they do exercise the authority to discipline and, if necessary, excommunicate disobedient church members. (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. II, p. 61)

The King James Version of 1611 and the Authorized Version are actually the same Bible. The King James Version was begun in 1607 and completed in 1610. The Bible did not appear until 1611 and was actually called "The Authorized Version," though no act of the English Parliament was ever passed approving it. Subsequent editions corrected misprints and variations in spelling.

During recent decades, the spelling of the King James Version has been modernized, other misprints have been corrected, the larger chapter summaries have been abbreviated, and the references in the margin have been re-examined. Recent editions may have inserted an English word in the text or substituted a different English word whose meaning ore closely parallels the meaning of the original Greek or Hebrew word.

The King James Version is the most reliable of all the versions. It reflects great faithfulness to the grammar and syntax of the Hebrew in the Old Testament and to the grammar and syntax of the Greek in the New Testament. The pattern of manu-scripts, of the original language, which were used in producing the King James Version is indeed a very fine group of manuscripts. Other manuscripts have become available to translators since that day and time. Some of these are very helpful and draw much light on the problem as to what the original text was. Nevertheless, the King James Version stands above all others regardless of what pattern or group of Old Testament or New Testament manuscripts were used.

God's Holy Spirit has led the vast majority of Christians to love and trust this one version above all others. Because of this love and trust, and because of its faithfulness to the grammar and syntax to the original language in which God's Word was written, it is best to use the King James Version in public reading from God's Word and as the basic version in personal study and private devotions.

This does not mean it is unwise to use other versions for the sake of comparison. Often it may be helpful in private study or in public discourses to notice two or three renderings of the same passage. However, one who does this should be well acquainted with the other versions which may be used such cases, and with their strong and weak and dangerous points.

Why I Apologized

There are two eschatological facts which are unknown to all mortals: (1) the date of the Lord's return; and (2) the identity of the Antichrist.

When I recently delivered my sermon on the second coming of Jesus Christ to a Real Evangelism conference at Higher Ground Baptist Church in Kingsport, Tenn., I conveyed biblically-based truths that I have believed and preached for more than 40 years.

In addition to asserting that I personally believe that Christ could return soon, I stated that, if the Lord's return is imminent, the Antichrist may possibly be alive on the earth today and, in my opinion, could be Jewish.

The national media went ballistic and many Jewish leaders felt the statement could be construed as anti-semitic.

I Am Pre-Trib and Pre-Mil I am one of many evangelicals who believes in the imminent, premillennial, pretribulational coming of Jesus Christ for all of His Church. Since Jesus came to the earth the first time 2,000 years ago as a Jewish male, many evangelicals believe the Antichrist, a counterfeit Christ who will pretend to be the Jewish Messiah, will, by necessity, be a Jewish male.

This belief is 2,000 years old and has no anti-semitic roots. This is simply historic and prophetic orthodox Christian doctrine that many theologians, Christian and non-Christian, have understood for two millennia.

Honest Disagreement At the outset, it should be noted that there is honest disagreement among evangelical Christians regarding the background of the Antichrist. In essence, there are three views:

(1) The Antichrist is not a person at all, but an evil system. (2) The Antichrist is a real person and will be a Gentile. (3) The Antichrist is a real person and will be Jewish.

Of course, no one can be absolutely dogmatic in this matter, but I personally feel (and have publicly stated) that the third view has more scriptural support than the previous two.

Whenever I speak on this subject, I usually state that there are (at least) three scriptural passages that lead many to believe the Antichrist maybe Jewish:

A. Ezekiel 21:25: "And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come when iniquity shall have an end." B. Daniel 11:37: "Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers ...." C. John 5:43: "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."

The church fathers generally believed in a personal Antichrist. One of the most famous, John Chrysostom, (347-407 A.D.) held that the Antichrist would be a Jewish dictator from the tribe of Dan, based on the following:

(1) Jacob's prophecy upon his son Dan: "Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward." (Gen. 49:17) (2) Jeremiah's prophecy concerning the tribulation: "The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound. . for they are come,and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein. For, behold I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the Lord." (Jer. 8:16, 17). (3) The tribe of Dan is omitted from the list in Revelation 7. This chapter records the tribal identity of the 144,000 Hebrew evangelists who will be saved and called to special service during the tribulation.

View Is Not Anti-Semitic Let me briefly summarize: This view is not novel or new. It is not without biblical support. It is not anti-semitic.

Since I delivered this Kingsport message, some felt that my comments expressing my opinion that the Anti-christ will be Jewish could possibly be construed as anti-semitic and could inflict pain upon the Jewish people. I did not intend for my sincere belief on this issue to cause any pain to anyone, Jewish or otherwise. I am unapologetically pro-Jewish and pro-Israel.

My statement was obviously not dogmatic since no one can be certain of the identity of the Antichrist. If I had known the expression of my opinion about the ethnic background of the Antichrist would be publicized and misconstrued, I would never have made it. For me to express my opinion on this subject in a public forum serves no real purpose and, in my opinion, is not essential to declaring "the whole counsel of God."

I Cannot Apologize For My Beliefs Recently, at the International Prayer Breakfast of Jewish and Christian leaders at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, I sincerely apologized to those persons who were offended thereby, and I restate that apology now. Clearly, I could never apologize for what I believe and preach. Nor have I changed any of my eschatological convictions and views. I tell this story in this article only for the purpose of informing my friends about what really happened.

I want always to be sensitive to the nervousness and tensions that prevail today as we approach the new millennium. I especially want to contribute to the generally warm relationship that exists between evangelical Christians and Jewish people everywhere.

I Am Strongly Pro-Israel I have traveled to Israel more than 30 times and have met often with every Israeli prime minister from Menachem Begin to Benjamin Netanyahu. I am known everywhere for my continued and outspoken support of Israel. In 1980, I was presented with the Jabotinsky Centennial Medal by Prime Minister Begin for my friendship to Israel. Additionally, prominent Jewish author Merrill Simon wrote and published the book Jerry Falwell and the Jews in 1984, outlining my unwavering support of Israel through the years. In January, Liberty University, where I serve as founder and chancellor, sponsored a tour of Israel for approximately 1,500 of the University's students. We have sponsored many Liberty University study tours. For further information on the second coming of Christ, my sermons on this subject are available on my website at: www.falwell.com. My sermons on the Book of the Revelation and the Book of Daniel may also be accessed at my website.

Peter Ruckman is a teacher in Pensacola, Florida, who teaches that the King James Bible is inspired of God, and is the only inspired Bible. He teaches that the majority text from which the King James Bible was translated is the only inspired version of the Bible.

Peter Ruckman is a man who has a great loyalty for the Word of God and has done some good; he is not an evil man. However, he is totalitarian, meaning he thinks he is the only one right and everyone else is wrong. He would say that all other English versions of the Bible are wrong and has gone so far as to say that those who are led to Christ by any other version than the King James Version were not really saved. Obviously, we disagree with him and feel this is an extreme position, making him so radical Christians who love the Lord and believe in the Bible, cannot follow him. The problem is many have become a disciple of Peter Ruckman, rather than being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The King James Version is the best version, but it is not the only version.

Inspired translations

This position teaches that certain translations of the Bible are inspired. This view is being popularized among fundamentalists by Peter S. Ruckman and his followers. His advocacy of the King James Version of the Bible is so extreme that he appears highly critical of anyone who advocates the use of any text outside of the K.J.V. In a recent article, Ruckman went so far as to suggest that the Greek text was a gimmick developed by Satan, stating, "Now the `original Greek' is the greatest gimmick Satan ever invented in this century for covering up truth, overthrowing truth, perverting truth, magnifying flesh, and exalting humanism." Ruckman goes even farther. He elevates the English text over the Greek. In a chapter entitled, "Correcting the Greek with English," he writes:

Mistakes in the A.V. 1611 are advanced revelations . . . . In exceptional cases, where the majority of Greek manuscripts stand against the A.V. 1611, put them in file 13 . . . Where the Greek says one thing and the A.V. says another, throw out the Greek . . . .

Such a statement is inconceivable to one who believes in the preservation of God's revelation to man. Also, it fails to recognize that the original King James Version of 1611 is not used today. The King James Version has been revised several times since its first printing. This can be seen by anyone who will read a contemporary K.J.V. alongside a copy of an earlier edition. But Ruckman is apparently not interested in honesty and accurate scholarship in his efforts to criticize and destroy the ministries of other fundamentalists whom God is using. He has gathered a following of those who accept his over-simplifications and are unwilling or unable to face the real issues forced by the proliferation of Bible translations today. Towns, Elmer. Theology For Today (Orlando, FL: Harcourt Custom Publishers, 1999), 43.

The proper interpretation of Psalm 139 is that God knows each individual all the way from the pre-embryonic stage through death. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them (Psalm 139:16).

The LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY provides the following explanation for the subject passage:

"Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect." The word substance (Hebrew, golem) is not the same as the word substance in verse 15. This is the only usage of the word in the Bible (although galam occurs in II Kings 2:8 and is translated wrapped together). The word means anything that is rolled together as a ball, a wrapped and unformed mass, 'the still unformed embyronic mass.' Most scholars understand it to mean the fetus or the embryo in the womb. The psalmist is saying that the omnipotence of God guided the very formation of life in the womb, that life being yet an unperfect or unformed embryonic mass, yet in continuance for in the course of time was being fashioned daily in fetal form. When as yet there was none of them, God had written in His book all my members. In the mind of God, poetically referred to as the book of God, the blueprint for life is clearly charted, so that from the very moment of conception, God begins to fashion the members of the body, even before they are recognizable.

Given this truth, it is little wonder that those who have faithfully followed the Judeo-Christian faith have understood life to begin at the moment of conception, and not at birth. They, too, have solidly stood in opposition to the taking of that human life by abortion (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. 1, page 1176).

Those individuals who question the teaching of eternal security of the believer, often cite the passage II Peter 2:20-22 as proof that a person may lose their salvation.

"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. . . . But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire" (II Peter 2:20,22).

The apostle Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was presenting the characteristics of false prophets. Peter describes these false prophets throughout chapter 2. He makes note in verse 12 that they shall utterly perish in their own corruption and that they have forsaken the right way (verse 15). He notes that the false prophets actually focus their attention on new converts who are easy prey for their slick-talking pseudo-Christian words. Although they promise freedom (verse 19), they are themselves slaves of corruption and sin. Verse 20 begins with an "if" which must not be overlooked. Peter does not say that these false teachers have escaped from the pollutions of the world. The main verb is "overcome" (Greek hetaomai), which is, in the present tense, implying that they are now being overcome or conquered by the terrible sins depicted in this chapter. The Greek rendering of this passage should read, "If it were true that these false prophets were just now being conquered by sin and had already escaped the pollutions of the world (it is not true, but if it were), then they would actually be in worse condition now than when they started."

The false prophets, of course, had never really escaped the "pollutions of the world" like true believers. If they had, and were now as entangled (Greek empleko, meaning "hopelessly trapped" like a fish in a net) as they are in sin, they would be better off if they had never heard of Christianity.

According to their pretense, they claim to have been saved. According to fact, they have returned to the most despicable sins. This would be, obviously, like a dog eating its vomit or a pig that has just been washed going back to wallow in the mire. (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. 2, p. 758)

"Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid." In every age there have been those who have denounced the doctrine of justification by faith on the incorrect supposition that this doctrine logically leads to sin. "If the believer is treated as righteous by God, and if good works will not save him, then evil works will not condemn him either. Why then should he be anticipated concerned about his sin or attempt to live a godly life?" Paul anticipated this very attitude in Romans 6:12. Theologically, this belief is known as antinomianism. Paul's answer is crystal clear. Just because where sin abounded, grace superabounded, the believer is not automatically drawn to license in his life-style. On the contrary, a mature understanding of justification by faith leads the believer to appreciate God's grace, so that the end result is obedience to God out of a heart filled with gratitude. Paul's characteristic expression God forbid, shows how appalled he is at the mere suggestion of continuing in sin once we have experienced the grace of God. We cannot continue in sin because through our identification with Jesus Christ we are dead to sin. To die unto sin means that we are dead to the guilt of sin. Sin can no longer make any legal claim on the believer because we are viewed by God as if we ourselves have died that fateful day at Calvary.

At this point Paul begins to relate the secret of living a holy and sanctified life, a life which is characterized by being dead to sin. The secret of sanctification is not found in some sanctimonious formula or some deeper or mystical experience with the Lord. The secret is found in three words: (1) know (vs. 3); (2) reckon (vs. 11); and (3) yield (vs. 13). We must be vitally aware of these words as we seek to understand the relationship between justification and sanctification.

To show the immaturity of those who would continue in sin after justification so that grace may abound, Paul introduces the subject of baptism as evidence that life in sin cannot coexist with death to sin. So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ. Baptism into Christ means to be incorporated into Him, to become a member of His body (I Corinthians 12:13), and to share with Him those experiences which, although were historically His, are vicariously ours (i.e., His crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection). Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death. Burial with Christ Jesus signifies that sin no longer judicially has a hold upon us. The ordinance of Christian baptism beautifully portrays this burial into Christ in which the old order of a death-controlled life comes to an end and the new order of a Christ-controlled life begins. Therefore, having already been justified, a believer tells the fact to the world by submitting to the ordinance of water baptism. When he has been symbolically raised up from the dead, even as Christ was physically, the purpose of his resurrection is that he should walk in newness of life. This should entirely preclude the foolish idea of continued sin so that a display may be made of the grace of God. Just as we were buried into Him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Hence we enter into His life and become a part of Him spiritually, yielding to Him our desires, our wishes, ourselves.

Paul is still expounding the first principle of true sanctification. Hence, as in verse 3, he repeats the word that is characteristic of this first principle. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him. The old man referred to here is our old self, the man we once were before we were crucified with Christ. This crucifixion is not a present, daily experience but is rather a past event, expressed by the aorist tense in Greek. I Corinthians 15:31 was spoken by Paul in the context of physical not spiritual death. Our old man is not constantly being crucified, day by day, but has been crucified at the cross of Calvary. The reason that the body of sin might be destroyed. A better rendering of might be destroyed (Greek katargeo), is "might be rendered inoperative." At the cross of Calvary a victory was won which provided the believer with the power not to live as he once did, serving his old master, i.e., Christ.

For he that is dead is freed from sin. All who have died to sin are no longer debtor to it. Death wipes the slate clean. The death of our Lord has completely removed the guilt and penalty of our sin. Consequently, because we have died with Christ, we shall also live with Him. Living with Christ precludes the possibility of carnally continuing in sin so that grace may abound.

Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more. This is the third time Paul has used the word know or knowing. These three instances teach that we have been baptized into Jesus Christ, that our old man is crucified with Christ, again. Death is a completed transaction by which we have once and for all passed into the resurrection life by our Lord. Jesus Christ can never die again. When we died with Him to sin, we never die to sin again. Death hath no more dominion over him. When He went to the cross and paid the debt in full for our sin, death could no longer claim Him or those who died with Him. Therefore, sanctification is knowing what Christ has already accomplished for us through His death. It is not primarily a matter of striving to live holy, but of knowing that we are holy in Him.

Knowing what has been accomplished on our behalf at Calvary is not in itself sanctification. It is but the first principle in the process of sanctification. Paul couples to that principle a second one. "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God." The word reckon (Greek logizomai) means that we know something is true and then, moment by moment, day by day, consider it to be true. We take as a solid reality that which God has promised. Therefore, not only do we know what has been accomplished in our justification, but we continue to live as though we had already entered into the resurrection presence of our Lord. We do not die daily, we live daily unto the glory of God.

"This 'reckoning' is no vain experience but one which is morally fruitful, because the Holy Spirit has come to make effective in believers what Christ has done for them, and to enable them to become in daily experience, as far as may be in the 'present conditions of mortality, what they already are 'in Christ' and what they will fully be in the resurrection life" (F.F. Bruce, THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS, p. 139). When we daily count ourselves to be dead to the penalty of sin and alive unto God, there will be no temptation to continue in sin for we will refuse that temptation out of thankfulness to God for counting us and treating us as if we were righteous.

The third and final principle in living a sanctified life is the negative principle, Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, and a corresponding positive principle, but yield yourselves unto God. As those who have been justified, we are not to allow our members (i.e., our hands, our feet, our tongues, etc.) to become the instruments or weapons of unrighteousness. In the original language, the words weapons of unrighteousness "neither yield" carry the idea of a continuous yielding. Knowing of our justification and reckoning ourselves dead to the penalty of sin, we are to continually keep ourselves from yielding to sin. But, on the other hand, we are to once for all, as the Greek implies, yield to God. Although we will yet sin, by yielding ourselves to God we will never again be caught in the trap of continuing in sin our life and all that we have will be given over to the One who has spiritually raised us from the dead.

Paul's concept of sanctification, then, is not a daily dying to one's self. It is rather being mature enough to rest wholly on the finished work of Calvary, knowing that we have been justified there, daily reckoning that work to be finished, and constantly yielding ourselves to be used of God. When one is obedient to these commands, the believer finds himself on a road climbing progressively toward the resurrection life of the Lord. For those who seek sanctification in this manner, the Lord has a definite promise: For sin shall not have dominion over you. What then shall we sin? The antinomian argument of verse I is now repeated but with a significant difference. In verse I the question was, Shall we continue in sin? This dealt with the principle of continuation in sin after the believer recognizes he is dead to it. But now the question is, "Shall we sin?" Here he does not speak of a life-style of sin, but rather an occasional excursion into iniquity. "Because we are not under the law but under grace, it is not permissible to fall into sin once in a while?" Paul's abhorrence is seen in his typical answer, God forbid. To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are. Paul uses the analogy of the slave market to illustrate that the sanctified believer dare not even occasionally fall into sin. His point is that if you start to obey sin, you are thereby admitting the mastery of sin in your life. Paul develops our Lord's words, "No man can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24). Yielding to the mastery of sin brings death; yielding to obedience to Christ brings righteousness.

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, ... ye became the servants of righteousness. Paul was ever mindful that God is to be thanked that these Roman believers obeyed from their hearts the traditions or "patterns of teaching" which were embodied in Christ Jesus. Because of Him they have been made free from service to sin and, in turn, have become the servants of righteousness. Freedom from service to Satan is, by definition, bondage to the Lord, who loved us and gave Himself for us.

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh. Paul uses the human analogy of a slave in order that the weakest flesh may understand. He now counsels them to yield same gusto they once-yielded themselves to servants of sin, it was their master. Now righteousness must be their master. They cannot serve the master of righteousness and dabble in sin at the same time.

What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? Paul now addresses a biting question to those who would dare to practice sin. He asks what fruit has been yielded from that sin. Paul knows well that sin always promises more than it can deliver. None of sin's fruit is worth having, and the final result of being a slave to sin is the ghastly horror of death. But for those who are freed from the bondage of habitual sin and who are servants of God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. There is drastic contrast between the outcome of the two bondages. Bondage to sin has shame as its by-product. Bondage to Christ has as its by-product the status of being positionally holy and in the process of becoming conformed to the image of Christ. This is biblical sanctification. Bondage to sin has as its end death. Bondage to Christ has as its end everlasting life.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The outcome of enslavement to sin is quite different from that of obedience to Christ. Remuneration is the principle by which we become heirs of death. Sin always pays a wage, and that wage is a drastic one. But just as remuneration is the principle by which we become heirs to death, unmerited favor is the principle by which we become heirs to eternal life. Death is earned, eternal life is purely gratuitous.

When my church no longer meets my spiritual needs because it has turned toward liberalism, what should I do?

First, be sure that it is liberal and that you are not misunderstanding. If it rejects the Deity and Virgin Birth of Jesus, His sinless life, His substitutionary death, and His physical, bodily resurrection from the dead, the church is liberal. If it rejects the verbal and plenary inspiration of God's Word and its inerrancy, it is liberal. If it rejects Christ's teaching of a personal Devil and a real Hell where all who die without Christ suffer consciously forever, the church is liberal.

We believe that Christians should be in sound, fundamental, Bible-believing, Bible-preaching churches. If a church no longer preaches and teaches the Gospel, then we believe one should pray and ask the Lord to lead him to a church which does fulfill his needs.

Have you considered forming your own church if there is no other sound church there in your area? We know of many instances in which concerned Christians have done this very thing. When no fundamental church existed, they formed their own church, asking the Lord to direct and guide them and in time to provide a pastor and leaders.

If you believe that your church is liberal, then the Scriptural thing to do is to meet apart with other concerned Christians to pray for the Lord's guidance and see if He might want you to start a new church in your area. In addition, continue praying for your old church to see what the Lord would have you to do in regard to it.

Twenty years ago, compelled by the need for a change in the moral and political direction of America, Jerry Falwell founded the Moral Majority, an organization dedicated to promoting family values and biblical principles. This unprecedented organization grew into a nationwide effort to return America from the throes of liberalism and godless socialism to the traditional, Judeo-Christian heritage it was founded upon. At a time of economic and social crisis, when moral values were deteriorating, Dr. Falwell undauntedly proclaimed the root problem to be a moral and spiritual one, and the only answer a national revival.

The success of the Moral Majority was evident in 1980, when it was considered one of the influential factors in the election of Ronald Reagan to the presidency of the United States. Reagan's eight-year administration saw a return to leadership favoring traditional values and moral principles, and the protection of the sovereignty of America.

Having ensured the preservation of conservative government for a time with the ushering in of the Reagan administration, not to mention the rise of numerous like-minded, pro-family organizations, the booming operation of the Moral Majority slowed, and was eventually replaced with the Liberty Federation in 1986. Liberty Federation maintained the same principles held by the Moral Majority, but limited its activities to simply educating the public on moral policy issues.

Today, Liberty Alliance exists in succession of the Moral Majority and Liberty Federation. A non-profit, politically-oriented organization, Liberty Alliance continues the effort of educating citizens on moral issues, but also engages in congressional "grassroots" lobbying to influence legislation. It holds as its tenets: traditional family values, the value of human life, the importance of national defense, and the protection of Israel. As an educational organization, Liberty Alliance promotes these tenets through the distribution of literature and videos.

Following the election of Bill Clinton to the presidency in 1992, Liberty Alliance offered the "Clinton Chronicles", a video documenting the Whitewater scandal in Arkansas, and alleged criminal activity swirling around Bill and Hillary Clinton's rise to power and prominence. Alliance's video entitled "Prescription for Disaster" exposed the dangers of the President's proposal for a socialized health care plan.

As a lobbying organization, Alliance tracks the progress of bills in Congress, particularly those which affect religious freedom and traditional values. Through a process of education and "grassroots" lobbying, Alliance coordinates petitions to state and federal government officials on behalf of citizens.

Now, more than ever, America needs organizations like Liberty Alliance. In 1996, a majority of the citizens of America voted to re-elect Bill Clinton to the presidency of the United States. Since his inauguration to the White House there has been a massive advance of the liberal agenda in this country. A nation that once considered human life to be a precious gift now aborts more than 1.5 million innocent, unborn babies annually; President Clinton also vetoed a bill banning the grisly practice of partial-birth abortions. America's schools have degenerated into institutions that foster amorality and self-gratification in children. And the United States Supreme Court ruled that Colorado's Amendment 2 prohibiting special rights for homosexuals was unconstitutional. No society in history has experienced such an erosion of its moral foundation as that which is taking place in America, and survived.

God's judgment lies ahead if citizens do not recognize the urgent need to restore morality in this nation, however, He has promised to hear the prayers and see the actions of the people who earnestly seek Him. Liberty Alliance will continue to use every opportunity available to promote the return of this country to its biblical and moral foundation.

1. Definition of Literal Interpretation

The Literal (sometimes called the Grammatical-Historical) Method of interpretation explains the original sense of the Bible according to the normal and customary usage of its language.

The literal method is often held up for ridicule and written off as too foolish to be taken seriously.

The word "literal" is often taken to mean "that which is non-figurative." Interpreters often improperly set the literal over against the figurative. This is a serious misapprehension of the method.

Everyone agrees that great literature properly uses both figurative and non-figurative language. Figures of speech are the legitimate, charming ornaments of language. They help to liven writing and conversation. Like all great literature, the Bible contains both figurative and non-figurative language. For instance, Christ describes Himself as the light of the world (John 8:12). Figurative language helps make God's Word linguistically more interesting.

The presence of figures in Scripture, however, does not contradict literal interpretation. Since literal interpretation properly accepts that which is normal and customary in language, and figurative language is certainly normal and customary, literal interpreters are not hindered by that which is figurative.

Although the Scriptures contain figurative language, the interpreter must be careful not to identify as a figure that which is actual. This is true especially of prophecy. The statement, Pray for the peace of Jerusalem . . . (Psalm 122:6), is a request concerning the earthly city of Jerusalem, not figurative of praying for the Christian church.

The literal method of interpretation is concerned with interpretation, not with application. The interpreter is primarily interested in what the Bible says; then he makes practical applications based on what has been literally interpreted. To base interpretations of the Bible on applications is erroneous and will end in chaos.

2. Principles of Literal Interpretation

a. General Principles

(1) The Bible is God's infallible, inerrantly inspired Word. There are no mistakes in the Bible. God has included everything in the Bible that He wants you to know and everything that is necessary for you to know concerning salvation and your Christian life.

(2) The Holy Spirit teaches Spirit filled Christians (John 14:26). Any believer who will ask the author of the Bible to be his personal teacher will experience astonishing insights into God's Word.

b. Specific Principles

(1) Interpret the Bible in light of clarity.

Difficult and apparently ambiguous verses should always be understood in the clear light of the many verses that are perfectly clear.

(2) Interpret the Bible in light of its historical background.

(a) Study the personal circumstances of the writer. (Example:John on Patmos writing Revelation)

(b) Study the culture and customs of the country at the time of its writing. (E.g. -- to understand the book of Ruth it is important to study the customs concerning widows, redemption of property, etc., as explained in Leviticus 25 and Deuteronomy 25.)

(c) Study the Bible in light of the actual historical situation and events that were taking place at the time of the story. (E.g. -- in studying the Gospels it is important to realize that the entire land of Palestine and all of the Jews were being governed and oppressed by the Roman Empire at that time.)

(3) Interpret the Bible according to the purpose and plan of each book.

Each book has its own specific purpose designated by the Holy Spirit (e.g., I John was written to Christians -- I John 5:13).

(4) Interpret the Bible according to the context of the verse.

This includes the verses immediately preceding and immediately following the verse you are studying. One phrase states . . . there is no God (Psalm 14:1), but if you read the total passage it would read The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. So always study the context of a verse, word, or topic to find the truth in the setting which God intended.

(5) Interpret the Bible always according to the correct meaning of words.

(6) Interpret the Bible according to all of the parallel passages which deal with the subject and according to the message of the entire Bible.

Many so-called "intellectual" individuals desire to use logic and not faith with regard to obtaining an understanding of Christ and salvation. The Bible addresses the subject of someone attempting to understand spiritual matters logically as opposed to understanding by faith:

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 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... But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence... That your faith should not stand but in the power of God...But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (I Corinthians 1:18-21, 27-29; 2:5, 14).

Concerning the subject of faith, faith is defined in the following Scriptures:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen...But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:1, 6).

Therefore, Scripture clearly teaches that faith supercedes all of man's logic. Faith is the essential ingredient in the Christian life. The question you may be asking, "How do I obtain this faith?" may be answered by an understanding: First, that God loves you, and has a wonderful plan for your life--"For God so-loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). You are loved by the Creator of this universe. And that same Creator wants to be the personal God of your life and to give you the type of fulfilled life that you really desire to have. ..."I [Christ] am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10-10b).

LONELINESS

As we enter a new millenium, there are more deep global concerns than ever: nuclear proliferation . . . a one-world government . . . a cashless society, and more. Furthermore, as we examine our society, there are countless reasons to feel discouraged, anxious, and afraid. Widespread violence is rampant, sexual promiscuity has become the norm, immorality among our nation's leaders is draining us as a people . . . and on it goes.

But my guess is that the personal problems, not the global or societal concerns, are the ones that most often cause discouragement among the saints.

And what problem seems to be at the center of the storm? The answer is: loneliness. Consider these astounding facts about suicide in the United States:

Every minute a person attempts suicide; every day 70 Americans take their own lives (nearly three every hour); there are 24% more deaths by suicide than by murder in the United States; and in Los Angeles County, more people kill themselves than die in traffic accidents.

Suicide is the ninth cause of adult death in the United States, and the second cause among teenagers.

There is no way for me to know the reasons behind every suicide that occurs in our country, but it's safe to say that thousands of people take their own lives because they feel completely alone in this world. They give up because they simply don't know how to combat the loneliness that is destroying their lives.

My friend, is that you today? Do you feel you have "reached the end of your rope" and have no reason to go on because no one seems to care about you? Have you been disappointed by a friend or loved one so badly that it feels like you are completely alone in your life? Does it seem that no one understands how you feel right now? Do you feel lonely even when you are standing in a room full of people?

If so, this message today is for you. You don't have to take your own life to defeat loneliness, and you don't have to live with that horrible and depressed feeling day in and day out. The truth is: You can be delivered from loneliness.

First, you must realize that you are not alone. Remember God's precious promise in Scripture: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). No matter what this world does to drag you down, toss you around and defeat you, God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has promised to stand by you. And His Word is good.

Along life's way, there are bound to be days when you wonder what God is doing in your life. Sometimes you may even wonder if He is there at all.

In these times of loneliness and doubt, trust in the Lord. Believe that He has your best interest in mind, that His timing is perfect, and that He will never leave you-not even for a minute. Use the encouraging words below to help you put your faith and trust in the One who loves you unconditionally.

Remember God's Grace

"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (II Corinthians 12:9).

What a wonderful comfort! God's strength is made perfect in weakness. Over and over in scripture we can see that this is true. Remember David and Goliath? David was just a small boy, a teenager, when he faced mighty Goliath of the Philistines. Just go put this into perspective; the Bible says that Goliath was nine feet, nine inches tall-more than two feet taller than Lewis Alcindor (better known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). And David defeated that giant of a man with one small stone and a sling.

And what about God using Moses to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt? And Joshua's defeat of Jericho? And Esther's courage to save her people from destruction? Over and over again we can see how God used ordinary, plain men and women with human weaknesses to show His great power to the world. And He can do the same for you.

Yes, you are going to have problems in your life. But God, in His grace and power, has made a way for you to overcome the problems and struggles that threaten to steal your hope. He sent His son to earth to die a sinner's death, so that you and I could ultimately be free from hopelessness and despair.

"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth our her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit" (Jeremiah 17:7,8).

Remember: Don't Give Up

Do you remember the story of baby Jessica McClure: In 1987 the world watched in amazement as rescue teams struggled to free this precious two-year old from the bottom of a well. Working with shovels, cranes, and bulldozers, they tried again and again to rescue her. On and on it went until 58 hours later, under the watchful eye of the entire nation, baby Jessica was finally freed. She was hungry, tired and afraid-but she was alive, a miracle for all of America to see.

What would have happened if, after the first try, that community had given up? No doubt that child would not have survived.

But they did not give up. They worked and worked until the job was done, and until baby Jessica was freed from her trap at the bottom of the well.

This is how you must tackle each problem and struggle in your own life. A stick-to-it-till-the-end attitude can save your life from hopelessness and despair.

Remember this: You don't determine your greatness by your talent or wealth, as the world does, but rather by what it takes to discourage you and make you quit."

Claim the words of Philippians 4:13 as your own: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." You do not have to lose hope. When those inevitable troubles come, you can look to Jesus Christ for strength. He will see you through.

"As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the Lord? Or who is a rock save our God?" (Psalm 18:30,31)

Remember: Trust In The Lord

A great man of God, Charles Spurgeon, once said, "God is too good to be unkind, too wise to be mistaken, and when you cannot trace His hand, you can always trust His heart."

God does not want your life to be filled with despair. He allowed His only Son to die so that you could live in joy and peace. He does not want bad things to happen to you. It is His desire to take care of you, forgive you, and restore you to a right relationship with Him-no matter what.

Sometimes great lessons can come from our suffering. If you believe that the Lord has your best interests in mind and that He loves you unconditionally, then trust Him to turn your suffering into something He can use for His glory.

"For the eyes of the Lord run to a fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." (II Chronicles 16:9)

Remember: Walk In The Spirit

If you have given your heart and life to Jesus Christ, then you have been given the power of the Holy Spirit.

And if you are truly living in the Spirit, it will be very difficult for loneliness and despair to invade your life. There isn't enough room for those things when you have the Holy Spirit moving and working in your life.

So, how do you walk in the Spirit? It requires a daily act of surrender and obedience. Here are some practical suggestions to set you on your way to Spirit-filled living. You must daily confess your sins. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).

You must resist wrong influences. Don't let the "things of this world" get you down. Never underestimate the impact of television, music, money and "toys." These things offer temporary hope, but they don't last. Furthermore, if you have a friend or family member who "brings you down," remove that influence from your life, at least temporarily. Don't let people steal your joy and hope.

You must serve the Lord. If your time is filled with service for the Lord, you will not have time to sink into despair. The Bible urges us: "Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord . . ." (I Corinthians 15:58) When you are doing things for others "as unto the Lord," you will find immeasurable happiness and contentment.

You must set your affections on things above. The key to living on earth is keeping your heart fixed on Heaven. If you want to focus on earth, and things of the earth, you will continue to be disappointed. Instead, focus on the Lord and His forgiveness, grace and eternal blessings for you as His child.

Finally, you must concentrate on God's Word. The greatest weapon you have to fight hopelessness is the Bible. You need to do more than just read a few verses now and then if you want to really take hold of the power it can bring you. Memorize scriptures, and obey the things you read in God's Word.

It happens to men. It happens to women. Even children experience it from time to time. What's more, movie stars feel it. Millionaires struggle with it. Famous athletes deal with it. Even America's most famous spiritual leaders and advisers face it once in awhile.

What is this all-encompassing "it"? I am talking about loneliness. And believe me, it is no respecter of persons at all. In fact, if you were to ask most people, no matter their age, race, income level or education, they could probably describe a time in their life when loneliness prevailed.

How can I be so sure? Consider these astounding facts about suicide in the United States. Once every minute someone attempts suicide, and every single day 70 Americans take their own lives (nearly three each hour). In this country, there are 24 percent more deaths by suicide than by murder, and in Los Angeles County, more people kill themselves than die in traffic accidents.

Suicide is the ninth biggest cause of adult death in the United States, and the second biggest cause among teenagers.

Now there is no way for me to know the reasons behind each suicide that occurs in our country. However, I think it would be safe to say that many thousands of people take their own lives because they feel like they are completely alone in this world. They give up because they have no idea how to combat the loneliness that is destroying their lives.

How about you today? Are you like millions of other Americans struggling with loneliness? Are you ready to "give up" because of loneliness? Are you tired of feeling completely alone? Do you face each day with a sense of dread, knowing you will work, live, eat and exist without the care and concern of even one person?

If so, this article (and this entire newsletter) is for you. You do not have to deal with loneliness day in and day out. You can leave loneliness behind.

But before I tell you what to do to combat loneliness, let me share with you some things not to do. All of these represent man-made solutions, and they will not, cannot and do not bring lasting freedom from loneliness. In fact, they often make matters worse.

DO NOT attempt to fill the void in your life with wealth, fame or material possessions.

The sad truth is that if you attempt to fill your life with "things," you will find that you can never have enough. Just look at the magazines and newspapers. Almost daily we read of one movie star or another who has "fizzled out," left the limelight, or sometimes even taken their own life. They learned a lesson I hope you never have to learn: fame, money and "things" do not bring happiness. They do not fill the void. They do not bring a permanent end to the loneliness of life.

DO NOT attempt to fill the void in your life with drugs and/or alcohol

These "mind-altering" substances certainly provide temporary relief, but the long-term affects are deadly. First of all, the problem does not go away. It is only stifled-for a moment. Second, alcohol and drug consumption leads to alcohol and drug addiction, which can only lead to trouble. Many families have been torn apart, careers ended and lives cut short by an addiction to alcohol or drugs.

And the addictions don't stop with chemical substances. Many people look to sex, pornography or other such harmful addictions to take their minds off of their problems. As with drugs and alcohol, these addictions can only bring heartache, pain-and even death.

The bottom line is this: There is no earthly cure for hopelessness and despair. In fact, the things of this earth can only satisfy for a short time. If you look to money, you will never be able to make enough. If you look to material possessions, they will eventually fall apart, fade away, or just get old. If you look to people, they will eventually disappoint you. And if you look to alcohol, drugs, pornography or sex, a world of misery, disease, heartache and even death awaits you.

The only situation to loneliness is Jesus Christ.

If you are lonely today, and you are ready and willing to seek God's solutions for loneliness, then start by doing the following things:

DO remember that you are never totally alone!

Yes, there may be times when it is dark and quiet in your life. Maybe your friends and family have walked away from you. Maybe the responsibilities you once had have faded away, leaving you feeling useless, hopeless and alone. Maybe someone you dearly loved has been taken from you by death.

But you are never truly alone.

God had promised to never leave or forsake you. He is a constant source of strength in our good times-and in our bad times. When you feel lonely, remember the words of the Lord found in Joshua 1:5,9: ". . . as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest."

What a wonderful promise of God's everlasting presence in your life! Even when you feel your most vulnerable and alone, He is still there to lead, comfort and protect you.

DO trust in the Lord.

A great man of God, Charles Spurgeon, once said, "God is too good to be unkind, too wise to be mistaken, and when you cannot trace His hand, you can always trust His heart."

Do you believe that God loves you? He does. He does not want your life to be filled with despair. He allowed His only Son to die so that you could live in joy and peace. He does not want you to feel alone.

Sometimes great lessons and spiritual growth can come from your times of loneliness. If you believe that the Lord has your best in mind and that He loves you unconditionally, then trust Him to turn your loneliness into a blessing.

How can that be? Just remember that when you are alone, you have special time to get into God's Word, learn more about Him, and then take what you have learned to meet the needs of others.

DO walk in the Spirit.

If you have given your heart and life to Jesus Christ, then you have been given the power of the Holy Spirit. And because you have the Holy Spirit, you have a great power available to you. And if you are truly living in the Spirit, it will be very difficult for loneliness to maintain a stronghold in your life. In fact, there isn't enough room for loneliness when you have the Holy Spirit moving and working in your life.

How do you walk in the Spirit? To do so is a daily act of surrender and obedience. It is allowing the Spirit to work in your life. Each day you must empty yourself of "you" and fill yourself with the Lord. Here are some practical suggestions to set you on your way to Spirit-filled living.

You can leave loneliness behind if you will look to the Lord and turn from the solutions of man. If loneliness has a stronghold in your life today, let it go. Through Jesus Christ and the power of His Holy Spirit, you can be freed from the bondage of loneliness.

The term "loosing the tongue" has been interpreted by some individuals within the Charismatic movement to mean "speaking in tongues." We feel that this interpretation of the term "loosing of the tongue" is what is meant by Scripture. The Bible reference for the term "loosing of the tongue" comes from the account of Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist, who was unable to speak until he acknowledged the God-given name of his son as being John (Luke 1:19-20; 57-65). This term, loosing of the tongue, does not have direct reference or application to the modern day phenomena of "speaking in tongues" as associated with the Charismatic movement.

In your note to Dr. Falwell you asked a question--"Why Dr. Falwell never prays the Lord' s prayer."

The answer to the question why Dr. Falwell does not pray the Lord's Prayer is based on the admonition of Matthew 6:7:

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."

Dr. Falwell understands that the Lord's Prayer was given to the disciples as a model for their request "teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). Jesus set the example of prayer before His disciples. The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6 and Luke 11) is a model prayer to show how to pray, not a pattern to be repeated in vain repetition.

We are instructed in the Lord's Prayer to (1) recognize God for who He is and to glorify His name (2) to pray for His program and (3) His will to be accomplished, then (4) to ask for our daily food, (5) for forgiveness of sin, and (6) for deliverance from sin and evil. These points are elementary and not exhaustive. Mature prayer will not be limited to these initial requests, but should at least contain these basic points. An example of how Christ prayed is given in John 17 (many Bible scholars identify this as Christ's Prayer for us). (Liberty Bible Commentary, Vol. II, p. 172). See book by Elmer Towns, Praying the Lord's Prayer, Regal Books, 1998.

Dr. Falwell teaches that our loved ones in heaven observe us on earth. This is taught in Hebrews 12:1 and 2, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (I Timothy 6:9,10).

Riches are neither good nor bad. It is the attitude toward them that is good or bad. As may be concluded from a study of I Timothy 6:9, 10, it is the calculated and planned procedure of an individual to get rich that causes temptation, snare, and hurtful lusts. It is not money that does this, it is the love of money.

The passage of I Timothy 6:6-8 instructs that an individual is to be content with that which he already possesses: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Another excellent passage found in the Bible concerning the subject of an individual seeking to become wealthy is found in Proverbs 23:4, 5: "Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven." From these passages, it may be concluded that the selfish accumulation of wealth is never a worthy goal for the servant of the Lord. Wealth is extremely elusive. Like the eagle, it may suddenly soar to the heavens, placing itself far beyond a man's reach (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. 1, p. 1240).

The world has made us believe that our success in life is directly proportional to how much money we make and how much we spend on ourselves in the form of houses, cars, boats, furs, jewelry, etc. But, as we are reminded in Scripture, "... What is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?" (Luke 9:25). "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36) Since our eternal soul is what is important, our lifestyle as Christians should be depicted by our level of spiritual maturity, not our level of materialism.

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

I know God says we must love everyone, but how do we love our enemies? The Bible is very specific when it says we, as believers, must love everyone-even those we consider enemies. In Matthew 5:44 we read: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." This is not an easy task-especially when someone is actively involved in trying to bring you down, slander your name and hurt you. The best advice I can give to love your enemies, however, is this: Rely on the power of God and let His love for you help you love others. When you concentrate on what God has done for you, and the fact that He has chosen to love and forgive a sinner like you, it makes it easier to face your enemies with sincere and heartfelt love. That person is just a sinner, like you. And just like you, the only thing that will save him or her is the same grace which was imparted to you by your Heavenly Father. Just think: By showing love to those who persecute you, you are sharing the Gospel-without even saying any words. Your kindness and generosity in the face of their anger, hatred and deceit could be just what it takes to bring that person to the Lord. Loving your enemies is not easy. But it is a commandment from the Lord. It would be too easy to love only those who love us in return. Consider it a God-given challenge to respond in love to those who do not love you in return. And of course, I warn you against holding a grudge or allowing any type of bitterness to cloud your heart and mind. There is nothing that will damage your relationship with the Lord more than letting bitterness overtake you. It can ruin your life. Instead, with God's help and power, you can forgive those who have wronged you and live in joy and peace. It is a much healthier and happier way to live. Finally, think of it this way: If someone is causing you pain and trouble and you just decide to let God take control and help you love that individual-who is in the hot seat then? Certainly not you. You are not feeling pain or hurt anymore. You are happy and free. However, the one causing you trouble is probably not feeling so well. He or she is the one letting anger and bitterness ruin his or her life. Let God deal with that individual His own way. In love, let go and feel the peace God will give you.

Dr. Falwell teaches that our loved ones in heaven observe us on earth. This is taught in Hebrews 12:1 and 2, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Man was created to demonstrate the glory of God and to fellowship with the God of glory (John 17:5-24; Proverbs 8:22-30; Revelation 14:10). (THE DOCTRINE OF MAN, by Dr. H. L. Willmington, p. 39)

The creation of man "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27) was for the express purpose of fellowship with God. "Man" (Adam, Hebrew) is from the same root as the word "ground" which shows that the body of man is from the earth, i.e., "of the dust." "Image" and "likeness" are basically the same in intent. This says nothing about man's physical nature but points to his spiritual and moral nature, i.e., mind, emotion, and will. The body is designed for giving expression to this spiritual and moral selfhood. God created man so that man would be capable of fellowship with Him. Man alone has the qualities of intellect, emotion, and volition to equip him for ruling ("dominion") the created order. Man is now a unique being; he is like his Creator... in essence as a spiritual being. That is what it means to be "in the image of God." (CRISWELL STUDY BIBLE, p. 5)

God placed man in the garden of Eden (perfect environment) with complete freedom (moral freedom to choose) with only one prohibition -- But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it (Genesis 2:17). Since man was yet in a state of unconfirmed holiness, God chose to test the moral constitution of His creation by placing him in a perfect environment, with but one restriction. As God had created him, man was able not to sin. If he had not sinned, he would have been confirmed in righteousness and would subsequently not have been able to sin. Instead, he disobeyed God, died spiritually, and fell into a state that made him not able not to sin. (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. I, p. 17)

Man freely chose to disobey God, and freely exercised his mental, moral, and spiritual attributes against the direct commandment of God (Genesis 3). Man was separated from his Creator by a deliberate act of sin by man himself. Although man had broken away from God, God did not leave him to his lost condition. . . . God made coats of skins, and clothed them (Genesis 3:21b). This was His way of demonstrating that fellowship was restored. (Ibid., p. 24)

The animals slain to provide covering for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21b) was the first sacrifice in atonement for man's sin, prefiguring the ultimate sin sacrifice, the death of Christ on the cross for a "covering" or propitiation of man's sins (Romans 3:25). The Lord furnished the skins, fashioned the garments, and clothed Adam and Eve. God did it all; they did nothing. After divine condemnation and judgment for this first sin, God acted in mercy to provide a way of salvation (purpose for Christ's death) and demonstrated His grace to cover the shame of man. (CRISWELL STUDY BIBLE, p. 10)

God is an all-caring God full of love and mercy and is not willing that any should die and go to Hell (I Timothy 2:4; II Peter 3:9; John 6:4).

We believe we are each born with an immortal soul. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says God has set the world in their heart. The word world here is not the Hebrew word meaning this earth, but means "eternity." Therefore, it is at death that one's eternal destiny in either Heaven or Hell is sealed. Matthew 25:46 supports this as Jesus Himself says, And these shall go away into everlasting punishment.... Both the judgment and the blessed life are designated by the same adjective, "eternal" (Greek anionios), clearly indicating their equal duration. This eternal judgment is in keeping with Revelation 14:11 and 19:15. I Corinthians 15:53 speaks of our mortal body, not souls. Our bodies will put on immortality after the resurrection of the body. The soul will already be with Jesus, according to II Corinthians 5:8.

The judgment to follow for Christians is not to determine whether they go to Heaven or Hell, but to determine what rewards they will get (Matthew 5:12; 16:27; Mark 9:41; Luke 6:23, 35).

The truth is that we all deserve to suffer eternally in hell-fire. And God would be perfectly just to do so. But God in His grace, love, and mercy sent His Son to pay the awful penalty for our sins. It took the death of the only perfect human being that ever lived, our Lord Jesus Christ, to satisfy our sin debt. This is the price that had to be paid for the ugliness of our sins. Christ suffered an eternal punishment; He experienced total separation from God, because He took our sins upon Himself. Yes, it is we who should suffer eternally, but praise His name, He suffered so we do not have to (Hebrews 9:28)

But woe to him who spurns the love of God and rejects the forgiveness provided in Jesus Christ. This is not a small mistake, but a serious sin that will commit one to an eternal torment in Hell (John 3:36).

May we believe God's Word in this matter, grasping the seriousness of rejecting Christ, and do all within our power to warn our family, friends, and neighbors of the eternal wrath to come if they fail to receive Christ as Savior (Hebrews 2:3).

The Scripture passage relating to the "mark of the Beast" is found Revelation 13:16-18.

"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six."

The above noted passage informs us of the universal religious influence of this counterfeit Holy Spirit. The mark is placed in the most conspicuous place of the body, i.e., the forehead or right hand. The "mark" (Greek word charagma) means an impression made by a stamp like a brand used on slaves and animals, or a stamp placed on an official document. During those terrible days known as the Great Tribulation, people without the mark of the Beast will be unable to buy, sell, or trade. Life will come to a grinding halt without that mark. The False Prophet will ration commodities only to those who have the mark of the Beast.

The mark of the Beast is explained as being a triple six--"the number of a man," each digit falling short of the perfect number seven. Six, in the Scripture, is man's number. The number implies that this title referring to the first beast, Satan's masterpiece, limits him to man's level which is far short of the deity of Jesus Christ. (The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by J. F. Walvoord, p. 210.)

It is easy to understand that the number assigned to the unholy trinity is 666, less than perfect, but a multiple of man at his best, the highest Satan can attain. Hence, this is an appropriate mark for the trinity of evil: Satan, the antichrist, and the false prophet. (Liberty Bible Commentary on the New Testament, pp. 777-778.)

Who is the Antichrist?

The number 666 is the mark of the Beast or of the Antichrist, mentioned in Revelation chapter 13. According to this chapter, his activities include blasphemy, demanding others to worship him, making war with the saints, and ruling "over all kindred, and tongues and nations." This description clearly identifies the Beast of Revelation chapter 13 and the "Little horn" of Daniel chapter 7 and the self-willed king of Daniel 11:36-37 who "shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall magnify himself above all."

The Bible teaches the identity of the Antichrist will not be known until after Christ takes out of the world all Christians (I Thessalonians 4:16-17) and until the Antichrist makes a seven year covenant or agreement with Israel (Daniel 9:27).

The one who will become the Antichrist may be alive and may be an adult ready for action today. However, God has not revealed him, and it would be wrong to try to point him out before those two events occur which are mentioned above.

The mark of the Beast (666) is a mark which the Antichrist will require people to have on them if they are to buy or sell. It is to indicate they accept him. It is such a deep committal to him and such a deep turning away from the true Christ that all who receive the mark of the Beast will go to Hell (Revelation 14:9-11). Therefore, it is obvious no saved person will accept the mark of the Beast even if it costs him his life to reject it.

There is one simple but profound act, a destiny-determining and life-transforming act, which will guarantee one will never have the mark of the Beast. That act is to repent of one's sins and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior for the forgiveness of sins and for the gift of everlasting life. One then has become a member of the family of God (John 1:12-13) and shall never perish (John 10:28). If one accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior now, he will not have to go through the terrible reign of the Antichrist, but will be taken out of this world (I Thessalonians 4:16-17), as is mentioned above.

God intends for two people who marry to find their love grows deeper and sweeter all through the years. No matter what the burdens and responsibilities, no matter what the tests and trials, no matter whether in youth, in middle age or in old age, God intends for the love of a man and his wife to be sweeter and stronger with the passing of each day and each year. Moreover, God guarantees, in His Holy Word, this will be true if we follow specific guidelines laid down in the Bible.

God has sanctified the marriage relationship because:

(1) Marriage was instituted by God (Genesis 2:21-24).

(2) Marriage was, and is to be, monogamous; God gave Adam only one wife--"one wife for one lifetime."

(3) The husband and wife are to be unified physically and spiritually (Matthew 19:6).

(4) The husband is to be the head of the wife (Ephesians 5:23).

(5) Marriage is to be heterosexual; a homosexual marriage does not have a case in the light of biblical revelation.

We read about the first marriage in Genesis 2:21-24, where we find,

... God brought her unto the man ... Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

"God performed the first marriage; He sanctified and blessed the first home and the first family.

"The man is to 'leave his father and his mother.' This would normally imply leaving them physically and emotionally to become literally, 'glued to his wife.'" (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Volume 1, P. 19).

The first requirement is both the individuals who marry should be Christians. A Christian has no right to marry a non-Christian. I Corinthians 7:39 tells us a Christian has a right to marry ...only in the Lord." II Corinthians 6:14 tells us, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.... It is wrong for a Christian to marry someone who is not a Christian. Thus it is dangerous for a Christian to date someone who is not a Christian because the Christian may fall in love with the non-Christian and violate the Bible's clear commandment not to marry such a person.

Proverbs 19:14 tells us, . . .and a prudent wife is from the Lord. Christians should not only be determined to marry another Christian, but should also earnestly seek the Lord's guidance as to whom to marry even among other Christians. Genesis chapter 24 gives us the beautiful story of how Abraham had his spiritual and prayerful servant search out for Isaac a wife who would be "of the Lord." Surely this kind of Christian would be one who reads the Bible and prays daily and who is totally committed to putting Christ-in first place in life, not second place or in tenth place or in last place in life.

Hebrews 10:25 tells us, Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.... The marriage and home is to be sweet and strong. It should also include regular, active church attendance. One should be more than a Sunday morning Christian. One should be a Sunday night Christian also. And, additionally, one should be a Wednesday night prayer meeting Christian. One should be a Sunday School Christian. A family should be regular in church and also, as a regular in family Bible reading and prayer (daily family devotions). "The family that prays together, stays together."

Another greatly emphasized guideline in the Bible for the family is: The family should take time to be with one another as members of the family. It is not only right to pray together; it is right to play together; it is right to talk with each other; it is right to go places together and do things together.

There are many factors to be considered in relation to choosing a marriage partner. The first requirement scripturally is that both the individuals should be Christians. A Christian has no right to marry a non-Christian according to I Corinthians 7:39. A Christian has a right to marry " ... only in the Lord." It is wrong for a Christian to marry someone who is not a Christian according to II Corinthians 6:14: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers."

Young people who are Christians should not only be determined to marry another Christian, but should also earnestly seek the Lord's guidance as to whom to marry even among other Christians. Genesis 24 gives us the beautiful story of how Abraham had his spiritual and prayerful servant search out for Isaac a wife who would be "of the Lord." Surely this kind of Christian would be one who is totally committed to putting Christ first in life.

The marriage and home is to be sweet and strong. The family should be active in church and also faithful in family devotional time--reading the Bible and praying together. It is also right for a family to play together, talk to each other, fellowship with each partner's families, go places and do things together. There is a familiar saying that is so true, "The family that prays together and plays together stays together."

"And he saith unto me, 'Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he saith unto me, 'These are the true sayings of God.' And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, 'See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy'" (Revelation 19:9-10).

In this verse, as in verses 7 and 8, the wife of the Lamb is distinguished from the attendants at the wedding, the wife apparently being the church, and the attendants at the wedding [being) the saints of past and future ages (THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, John F. Walvoord, p. 273).

In the book, EXPOSITION OF THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, by Walter Scott, the following is given concerning the marriage supper on pages 382 and 383: [The bride and guests are clearly distinguished. The former is, of course, in more immediate relation to the Lamb. The bride is wed; the guests sup.... 'Blessed' are those called to the supper. This is not said of the bride. Her blessing, which is that of the highest order and character, is expressed in the simple words, bride and wife.... But they are pronounced blessed. Who are they? We answer, the friends of the Bridegroom.... John the Baptist expressly tells us that he is a friend of the Bridegroom (John 3:29).... Old Testament saints constitute the large company of called guests, each one being a friend of the Bridegroom, and rejoicing in His presence and voice. The apocalyptic martyrs are not raised till after the marriage, hence cannot be numbered amongst the guests. Angels may be spectators of the scene, but guests they cannot be.]

Perhaps the classic work on the study of biblical eschatology is THINGS TO COME by James Dwight Pentecost. In this book, on page 227, we find the following comments concerning the participants in the marriage of the Lamb and the marriage supper: [The marriage of the Lamb is an event which evidently involves only Christ and the church. ...The resurrection of Israel and the Old Testament saints will not take place until the second advent of Christ. Revelation 20:4-6 makes it equally clear that tribulation saints will not be resurrected until that time also. ...In this connection it sees necessary to distinguish between the marriage of the Lamb and the marriage supper. The marriage of the Lamb is an event that has particular reference to the church and takes place in Heaven. The marriage supper is an event that involves Israel and takes place on the earth.

In Matthew 22:1-14, Luke 14:16-24, and Matthew 25:1-13, where Israel is awaiting the return of the Bridegroom and the bride, the wedding feast or supper is located on the earth and has particular reference to Israel. The wedding supper, then, becomes the parabolic picture of the entire millennial age, to which Israel will be invited during the tribulation period, which invitation many will reject and so they will be cast out, and many will accept and they will be received in. Because of the rejection the invitation will likewise go to the Gentiles so that many of them will be included. Israel, at the second advent, will be waiting for the Bridegroom to come from the wedding ceremony, and invite them to that supper, at which the Bridegroom will introduce His bride to His friends (Matthew 25:1-13).]

Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, in his book, SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY, Volume IV, page 396, gives the following comments concerning the marriage supper of the Lamb: [Like an interlude between the record of the judgments that are recounted in Revelation chapters 17 and 18 and the description of the glorious coming of Christ set forth in chapter 19, is the statement that the marriage of the Lamb has come, which event is accompanied by the marriage supper (Revelation 19:7-9). There is a chronological order being observed, since the marriage and the supper occur in Heaven before the King returns. ...Distinction is called for at this point between the marriage supper which is in Heaven and celebrated before Christ returns, and the marriage feast (Matthew 24:10; Luke 12:37) which is on the earth after His return.]

Dr. Pentecost commenting on the two marriage suppers (the supper and feast), as noted by Dr. Chafer, gives this explanation: I ... The marriage of the Lamb as that event in the heavens in which the church is eternally united to Christ and the marriage feast or supper constitutes the millennium, to which Jews and Gentiles will be invited, which takes place on the earth, during which time the Bridegroom is honored through the display of the bride to all His friends who are assembled there] (THINGS TO COME, p. 228).

Dr. H. L. Willmington, in his book, THE KING IS COMING, p. 39, gives the following comments concerning the guests of the marriage: "A group which would include all believing Gentiles who were converted prior to Pentecost or after the Rapture. In particular, a group which would include all saved Israelites everywhere..."

"Why did Christ reveal Himself to Mary Magdalene before any other person?"

It should be noted that Mary was at the garden sepulcher for the purpose of anointing the body of Christ (Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1). As Mary approached the sepulcher, she noticed the stone that normally covered the entrance to the tomb was rolled away. In John 20:2, it describes how Mary ran to tell the startling news to Peter and to John (the other disciple whom Jesus loved). In verses 3-4 we find Peter and John immediately made their way to the tomb. In verses 5-9 the Bible states that Peter and John examined the empty tomb and found the grave clothes, but not the body of Christ. In verse 10 we find that the disciples (Peter and John) went back to their own home, possibly overwhelmed with their observations and the faith it produced as they recalled the words of Christ: must rise again from the dead" (v. 9).

In John 20:11-17 are the passages that are directly related to the question concerning why Mary Magdalene was permitted to see the risen Christ before any other person. The LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Volume II, p. 256 gives the following explanation of these passages:

It is logical to assume that Mary returned to the tomb after Peter and John returned home. She has no knowledge of the Lord's resurrection. She looks into the tomb and sees two angels. No explanation is given for the appearance of the angels to Mary and not to the two disciples. It is interesting to note that Heaven [the angels] is interested in the resurrection. The angels addressed Mary with the question, "Why weepest thou?" For the angels, this is a time of joy and triumph. Mary wants to know where the Lord's body is lying so that she can complete the embalming process. In verse 14 Mary, upon leaving the sepulcher, sees Jesus standing in the garden area and mistakenly identifies Him as the gardener. Mary obviously is so overcome with sorrow and grief that she does not even recognize Jesus. He asks the same question that the angels asked, and He receives the same answer. In verse 16 Jesus calls out the name, "Mary." She now recognizes the person to whom she is speaking and calls Him Rabboni (Master). After Mary's conversation with Jesus in the garden, she goes to the disciples and tells them that she has seen the risen Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

From this exposition of John 20, we learn that Jesus appeared unto Mary first because she had come early in the morning to serve the Lord Jesus. Her purpose was to anoint the precious body of her Savior as it lay in the tomb. Here was an act of love and respect and total humility in performing a task that possibly others did not desire to perform. God obviously blessed her subservient attitude by allowing her the privilege of being the first individual to see the risen Savior. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me (Proverbs 8:17).

Was Mary, Jesus' mother, just an ordinary woman?

The doctrine of Maryology states that Mary's soul was never touched by original sin; that it was full of grace from the instant of its creation in the womb of her mother (Anne); and that when she was three years old she was brought to the temple and consecrated to God. The doctrine further teaches that God the Eternal Father made her "Queen of Heaven."

May we say, in all kindness, that the doctrine teaching of Maryology cannot be found in the Bible. The Bible, God's Word, does not teach that Mary was immaculately conceived. The Bible nowhere teaches that the Eternal Father made Mary the "Queen of Heaven." Many say Jesus wants us to love and respect his mother. Of course, all of us who are God's children appreciate Mary very much. When Dr. Falwell says that she was an ordinary woman, he simply means that she was a sinner and needed a Savior like everybody else. She had to have Jesus forgive her sins just like anybody else. He does not mean she was not a very fine woman.

We know from God's Word Mary was a virgin and thus was pure. She was undoubtedly a very virtuous woman and devoted to God. Her immediate submission to the news brought by the angel and her praises to God show her to be a believer in God and in His promises. We know from God's Word she knew the Bible well. We can find in Luke 1:46-56 Mary was very familiar with God's Word, and very close to God. It is wonderful God chose her to become the mother of the body of Jesus. However, the Bible does not say that she remained a virgin all her life.

There is serious harm done when people put Mary above Jesus. I have seen statues of Mary larger than the statue of Jesus, placed over and above the statue of Jesus. This is wrong. Jesus is over and above Mary. Mary was a wonderful woman and chosen of God for motherhood to the Baby Jesus. But she was not and is not the Queen of Heaven. Many people have attempted to say that Mary was sinless, and even that she herself can help redeem sinful man. The Bible nowhere tells us this. We must be careful to believe what God's Word says about Jesus:

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

We should respect Mary and Joseph and all the great men and women of the Bible days, in Old Testament and New Testament times. However, none should be put above Jesus and none should be put equal to Jesus. All of us and all of them are far below our wonderful Savior and Lord.

We appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance to you with regard to your inquiry regarding whether or not the Christian should be involved in Freemasonry.

Without doubt, the Freemason organization and especially the Shriners and their particular interest in providing medical assistance to children, both burned and crippled, is to be commended. These humanitarian acts of charity are certainly showing forth the character of a Christlike compassion. "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity" (I Corinthians 13:13).

It is unfortunate that there is not more charity being shown in today's society. Jesus Himself is our great example of One who willingly gave of Himself compassionately to those who were in greatest need. We all need to practice the example of love that Christ gave when He willingly left the portals of Heaven to live among men and to die a horrible death on Calvary's cross. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Unfortunately, there are some individuals who condemn others to Hell for belonging to the Freemasons. They fail to understand the passage: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:17). People are not condemned to Hell because of some organization that they do or do not belong to, but people are condemned to Hell because of their unbelief in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).

The only reason anyone would go to Hell would be due to a failure to acknowledge Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Please be aware that salvation is of the Lord and not to be placed in the membership of any man-made organization. Salvation cannot be earned by charitable works of mercy, but by faith in Christ. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5).

Dr. Falwell has never belonged to the Mason organization and does not intend in the future to belong to the Mason organization. He feels that all of his time should be given over to the Christian service to which God has called him.

Dr. Falwell does not take a public stand concerning Masonry; but neither does he let this be the issue that draws a line between fellowshipping with other pastors.

Christians should be actively involved in their church responsibilities, in soul-winning visitation, in teaching, and in attending worship services.

Masturbation is not specifically mentioned in the Bible. Therefore we must look to the broad principles of Scripture to answer questions about it. Before we look at those principle, however, let's look at a Scripture passage that some people have mistakenly thought was a reference to masturbation.

GENESIS 38: 9-10

Some people have cited Genesis 38:9 as a reference to masturbation. They have thought that verses 9-10 show an example of God killing a man because of the sin of masturbation. However, the incident in this passage does not deal with masturbation. It is a story of a man who did not fulfill his duty.

According to the law God gave concerning Leverite marriage (presented in Deuteronomy 25:5-6 and practiced by many ancient nations), if a man died before he had any children born to him, it was the duty of his next unmarried brother to marry the widow and to father a child by her. This first-born child was to perpetuate the name of the deceased brother. In Genesis 38:8-10, a man named Onan was told by his father, Judah, to marry his dead brother's wife and to raise up seed to [his] brother. However, when Onan went in unto [had sexual relations with] his brother's wife...he spilled it on the ground [deliberately interrupted coitus to prevent insemination], lest he should give seed to his brother [lest conception occur and a son to bear his brother's name be born-an heir who would receive a son's portion of Judah's inheritance, thereby reducing Onan's portion of the inheritance]. Onan was guilty of refusing to keep God's law of Leverite marriage; guilty of disobeying his father; guilty of dishonoring his family; guilty, perhaps, of greed and rebellion; but not guilty of masturbation.

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES

One of the biblical principles we should consider when questioning the practice of masturbation is found in Romans 14:23, where we read:

"And he that doubteth is damned [condemned] if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

The word damned here does not mean "that if someone violates his conscience by eating [or doing] that which he feels is wrong he will be damned to irrevocable perdition. Rather the meaning is that he is condemned in his conscience for doing that which it [his conscience] will not allow. If he does not eat in faith believing that it is acceptable to God, he eats in sin for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. If our actions do not arise from our convictions then they are sinful actions and unacceptable to God" (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, VOL. II, p. 401).

We can apply this principle to masturbating by seeing that if one cannot do it in complete faith, without doubting whether or not it is sin, then it is sin and he should not do it.

A second principle is summed up in I Corinthians 6:12 which says,

"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."

Thus while masturbation may not be specifically forbidden in the Bible, it may not be expedient, and we should not be brought under its power (become enslaved to it, allowing it to master us). This is true of all things- even those things that are lawful or good for us. Man cannot serve two masters, Scripture tells us (Matthew 6:24), and God is to be our only Master. To become enslaved to anything other than God is not good for us.

"Anyone who has had anything to do with counseling ... knows that many...are trapped by this habit [of masturbation]. Masturbation can get such a hold on a child that it can almost drive him out of his mind" (THE CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR'S MANUAL by Jay Adams, p. 399). In such a case, we could say the practice of masturbation is not good because the person involved has been brought under the power of masturbation.

Another principle to consider is Matthew 5:27-28. Here Jesus taught that not only can the sin of adultery be committed by the outward act, but it can also be committed in the heart (although man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart). The fantasies of sexual relations which accompany masturbation can lead to adultery in the heart when those fantasies are for someone other than one's spouse.

Then in I Corinthians 7:9, we are told,

"... if they cannot contain [exercise self-control], let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn [with passion]."

Nowhere in the Bible are we told that masturbation is a way to deal with the passion of sexual desire. Rather, we are told that if we cannot exercise self-control over these desires, then it is better for us to marry. It is helpful to note that in writing this under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the writer "knew, of course, that which everyone who practices masturbation discovers sooner or later: masturbation does not put out the fire but only adds fuel to it" (THE CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR'S MANUAL, Jay Adams, p. 401).

Furthermore, I Corinthians 7:3-5 indicates our sexuality is not given to satisfy self; it is to minister to another, specifically our spouse. Scripture consistently reinforces the fact that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Sex which is indulged in to satisfy self, rather than to minister to the needs of one's spouse, will not be blessed, enjoyed, or honored as will that which is performed in compliance with the principles of Scripture.

The proper meaning for the abbreviation "BC" is "Before Christ." The abbreviation "AD" represents the period of time from the birth of Christ known as the beginning of the Christian Era. AD is actually an abbreviation for the Latin words Anno Domini which means "in the year of our Lord."

In AD 532, a monk by the name of Dionysius Exiguus introduced the present custom of regarding time by counting the years from the birth of Christ. Thus, the period of time during Christ's earthly ministry would have been known as "AD" (World Book Encyclopedia).

"Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one" (Luke 22: 35-38).

This passage has caused great difficulty as to the proper interpretation of Christ's meaning of the word "sword." Did Christ mean that a Christian must carry a literal weapon, or did He mean a Christian must be equipped with spiritual weapons, i.e., "The Sword of the Spirit?"

Dr. W. A. Criswell, with reference to Luke 22:35-38, states: "This phrase is understood in various ways: (1) Jesus is indicating His former way has failed and now the disciples must become revolutionists. (2) Jesus is speaking in irony. Previously the disciples found His way adequate, but now they are ready to abandon it. (3) The disciples are heading toward a time of persecution different from anything they have known and for which they are to make prudent preparation." Dr. Criswell further concludes, "The first view is impossible. The second or third interpretation best fits the passage" (CRISWELL STUDY BIBLE, page 1230).

As you may see, there are various views and interpretations of Scripture. We, therefore, should study the Word of God very carefully and ask God to give us wisdom and insight in forming the proper interpretation. To determine what God has said in His sacred Scripture is a high and holy task. With fear and trembling, a student of the Bible should be ever so careful of that which he has adopted as his method of Biblical interpretation. It is the Bible student's solemn responsibility to know what God has said with reference to each area of Scripture study. This can be done only by carefully, thoroughly, and systematically utilizing the system of Biblical interpretation which will yield most readily the native meaning of the Bible ... The old adage: "Interpretation is one, application is many" means that there is only one true meaning to a passage of Scripture ... but a given text may speak to a number of problems or issues ... The interpretation of the meaning of a text is one thing, and the range of application is another, and the interpreter must always keep these two matters separate (PROTESTANT BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION, Bernard Ramm, pp. 2-4, 113).

It should be understood that there are various methods used to interpret Bible passages. These are: literal, figurative, historical, and poetical. Thus, the only way to determine what is right interpretation and what is wrong interpretation, proper and improper, orthodox and heretical, is to give careful study to the science of Biblical hermeneutics. It is important, therefore, to determine how God's Word is to be understood in the context in which the words and sentences occurred in their particular cultural settings.

The following interpretation of the Luke 22 passage is an example of the use of literal interpretation: "he [Christ] gives them [his disciples] notice that a very great change of their circumstances now approached ... They must therefore expect troubles, ... they must now expect their enemies would be more fierce upon them than they had been, and they would need magazines [arms, i.e., swords] as well as stores [food and raiment]. 'He that hath no sword' wherewith to defend himself against robbers and assassins (11 Corinthians 11:26) will find a great want of it, and will be ready to wish, sometime or other, that he had sold his garments and bought one. This is intended only to show that the times would be very perilous, so that no man would think himself safe if he had not a sword by his side ..." (MATTHEW HENRY, p. 813; also see BARNES' NOTES, p. 150).

An example of the Luke 22 passage interpreted figuratively is found on pages 643 and 644 of Dr. H. A. Ironside's COMMENTARY ON LUKE: "... Our Lord warned his disciples of coming conflicts. He knew what would take place and He said to them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Everything had been provided. "He said to them, 'But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.'" He [Christ] did not mean literally that they should be armed with material swords; but we are taught elsewhere in Scripture that the Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). "When they [the disciples] were ready to leave the upper room they said to him, 'Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, it is enough --that is, no more talk about that.'" He was not speaking about actual defense; he was not interested in weapons. He wanted them to go forth armed with the Sword of the Spirit that they might meet the enemies of the truth as they went forth to proclaim the Gospel.

Melchizedec appears in Scripture only in three places: Genesis 14:18-20, Psalm 110:4, and Hebrews 6:20-7:21. The author of Hebrews draws his preliminary discussion of Melchizedec from the Genesis account. His point is to show that Melchizedec is an Old Testament type of Christ. The author is here attempting to prove the superiority of the priesthood of Melchizedec to the Levitical priesthood. Then he will show that Christ, as a priest, after the order of Melchizedec, is also superior to the Levitical priesthood. These first three verses lay the historical background out of which these arguments are drawn. Melchizedec is said to be "without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God."

There is no record in Scripture of the genealogy of Melchizedec. This is not to conclude that he was not fully human. It does, however, show a type of Christ, the Son of God, who also fits the above description. The name Melchizedec literally means "King of Righteousness." He was the king of Salem or Jerusalem. Salem simply means peace. Therefore, by his name and location he was the king of both righteousness and peace, two attributes, which further link him in type to Christ. Obviously, in Scripture, there is no one greater than Jesus Christ Himself is. This could include Melchizedec, as he was simply a type of Christ.

The following passage addresses the issue of men's hair length:

"Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?" (I Corinthians 11:14).

This is a difficult passage, especially in a culture where nature does not seem to be dictating it. The passage cannot mean that nature naturally grows short hair on men and long hair on women, since biologically we know this is not the case. Several factors must be considered. First, the context: Paul is talking about differentiating between the sexes. Have long hair means to wear long hair like a woman. It cannot be said that he has in mind a specific kind of haircut. Paul is simply saying that it is shameful for a man to wear his hair in an effeminate way.

Another factor regarding length of men's hair has to do with culture. Worldwide cultures emerge with the same sense of propriety regarding long hair on men. The vast majorities of cultures regard effeminacy of hair and dress as distasteful and shameful to a man.

It should be noted that Scripture does not dictate "spirituality" by the length of one's hair. The real issue here is submission to Divine authority. Therefore, every aspect of the believer's life should reflect his obedience and submission to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Divinely established authority. It also should be noted that the only exception in Scripture to the rule that prohibits men from wearing long hair was in the case of the Nazarite vow found in Numbers 6:5 and Ezekiel 44:10.

(Liberty Bible Commentary, Volume II, pp. 447, 448).

Is war ever in the will of God? There are many examples where God used war to bring justice to a righteous people or to destroy evil.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "milhamah" (translated "war") occurs more than 300 times. "Milhamah" is only one of several Hebrew words associated with the various facets of war. More than 300 times in the Old Testament, God is called "the Lord of Hosts" (armies). The song of victory sung by Moses and the children of Israel after they escaped Pharaoh (Exodus 15:3,4) was, "The Lord is a man of war: The Lord is His name. Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea."

Many of God's great leaders were military men (Saul, David, Moses, Gideon, Joshua--the list could go on and on).

Abraham went to war and rescued Lot (Genesis 14:13-24--"...he armed his trained servants...and smote them ...")

The Lord chose Joshua to be Moses' successor to lead the Israelites into the land of Canaan. In order to do this, Joshua was commanded to exterminate all of the inhabitants of Canaan and was promised God's help (Deuteronomy 7:17-24). Then there was the battle of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27).

The prophet Habakkuk wrestled with the use of the Chaldeans to judge Judah. He wrote, "wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and boldest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?" (Habakkuk 1:13)

The Lord uses governments as vehicles to convey judgment upon nations that need it "...the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" (Romans 13:4). The Old and New Testaments are full of examples of human governments being ordained of God (Daniel 2:37-38; John 19:10, 11).

America, of all nations, has been blessed by God, but we have so violated these blessings that we are now certainly ripe for the judgment of God upon US. And God could very well use the godless, atheistic Russians as His chastening rod against us.

We all abhor war and certainly we all wish the nuclear bomb had never been created. However, Dr. Falwell does not support the unilateral "nuclear freeze" efforts because this would only place America in a position of inferiority to the Soviet Union and possibly cause our children to grow up in slavery to communism.

As much as we may be concerned about the buildup of nuclear arms, we must realize our only hope of survival, humanly speaking, is to be as strong or stronger than our enemy. Dr. Falwell certainly does support our president in the building up of our military defenses because he believes the best deterrent to war is a strong defense.

We hope and pray we will never get into another war. But when the freedoms and the liberties of a God-fearing nation are in danger, war IS in the will of God. There's something worse than war and that is slavery. How would you like for your children to grow up in subjection to communism? Look at Afghanistan. This is a prime example of communist takeover in a country without a strong military defense. The Soviet Union would like to take over the free world.

Dr. Falwell feels that we have a Biblical mandate in the Word of God to protect our children. The Scripture says that if a man will not provide (or care for, or protect) his family, he is worse than an infidel (I Timothy 5:8).

While we feel we must have a strong military defense system to serve as a deterrent to war, we certainly realize that if America is to escape the wrath of God, we must all come to the full realization that our real defense as a nation rests in the spiritual convictions, character and commitment of our citizenry. We have an obligation to lift up the Biblical standard of righteousness so that there is a mark, a goal--a morality in our society. We have all the resources needed to defend our people, to protect our children, to help other countries who are less fortunate, and to spread the gospel around the world, if we will but follow God's plan.

If we go God's way and follow the Scriptures, we can, from God's perspective, have a healthy society. Living by God's principles promotes a nation to greatness while violating God's principles brings a nation to shame.

In summary, we believe that we must realize that while building a strong military defense, our trust must ultimately be in God. The danger of total faith in our military defense apart from God is as great as the danger of a second-rate military defense. Our position as Americans and Christians is that we must work hard for a strong country, capable of defending itself against military aggression, while at the same time we must pray for peace that can be won without compromising the principles upon which America was founded--principles for which our forefathers fought.

At the same time, we must realize that the only real and lasting peace will come when the Prince of Peace returns to set up his Millennial Kingdom.

The particular Scripture noting "ministering" angels is:

"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation"? (Hebrews 1:14)

The meaning for the word translated angels from the original Greek language is angelos, which carries the same meaning as a "messenger" or "envoy". Angels are mentioned over two hundred times in thirty-five different books of the Bible. They are created beings and their nature is "spiritual". Angels apparently assume various forms; sometimes in physical human form (Genesis 18:2; Hebrews 13:2). They are called "ministers" (Greek leitourgous) of God. (The Criswell Bible, Ezekiel 10:20 note, pp. 923-924.)

Angels are sent forth to minister (Hebrews 1:14). They were created to minister to God and to us who believe. The use of the present participle here, "being sent forth," emphasizes the continuance of angelic ministry. The ministering of the angels continues today without end (see Psalm 91). (Liberty Bible Commentary, Vol. II, p. 670.)

The following are suggested areas for a man to prepare for the gospel ministry: (1) A man must have a definite call to full-time service for Christ. (2) It is very important to get a solid Bible education and training in practical ministry. It should be noted that Elisha studied under Elijah. Elisha also had a school of prophets for their training. Jesus even took His apostles around with Him to teach them and demonstrate to them the Word of God and ways to do the work of God. It is, therefore, important for a man to get the proper training in order to do his best for Christ.

At Liberty (including Liberty Bible Institute, campus Institute of Biblical Studies, and Liberty University and Seminary) one can receive the proper training for an effective ministry. We have an outstanding graduate school with specialized training in several areas for those who graduate from college. Please feel free to write for information on any of our schools. Write to: Liberty University P.O. Box 20000 Lynchburg, VA 24506

Next, we urge you to emphasize in your life the importance of a daily time with God's Word, a daily time in prayer, and regular witnessing to others to try to win lost-people to Christ. "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11).

Additionally, we cannot overemphasize the importance God's Word gives to the right kind of relationship to ones family. It is very important to have a time when your family comes together to read and study the Bible. Whether you are a married man or single, you should have a strong testimony before your family.

Meditate upon these things; "give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all" (I Timothy 4:15).

Throughout the years, Dr. Falwell has been faithful in preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of Dr. Falwell's faithfulness to the gospel, and because of his genuine love for people, the Lord has greatly blessed our ministries by causing them to be expanded. Because of this, we are now reaching more souls for Christ both here in America and around the world.

Because of this increase in the growth of our ministries, we have also experienced an increase in our expenditures. It costs a great deal of money to educate young people for full time service and it costs a great deal of money to proclaim the gospel through the many ways God has given us (radio, television, the printed page, missions, etc.). Therefore, Dr. Falwell makes many appeals to our friends for financial assistance. As he makes these appeals, however, he is fully aware that unless God blesses his requests, our needs will not be met.

Dr. Falwell fully recognizes that this ministry is totally dependent upon the Lord and that unless God gives the increase, we cannot continue to go forward. Therefore, although Dr. Falwell makes appeals, he fully recognizes that our source is still the Lord. Thus far, the Lord has been very gracious and kind and has not only met our needs, but has done exceeding abundantly above all that we have asked.

The Mormon doctrine of salvation involves not only faith in Christ, but baptism by immersion, obedience to the teaching of the Mormon church, good works, and "keeping the commandments of God which will cleanse away the stain of sin," (Journal of Discourses, Volume 2, page 4). This was written by Brigham Young himself. However, the Bible teaches us that we are saved by placing our personal faith and trust in Jesus Christ and His shed blood only (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14, 20-22; Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:12-14; 1 John 1:7).

The Mormon teaching, as you can see, concerning salvation, is quite the opposite of the New Testament revelation of justification by faith and redemption solely by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8,9).

Brigham Young also believed that a person could not at any time sincerely repent of his sins and receive forgiveness and eternal life. He wrote the following: "Some of our old traditions teach us that a man guilty of atrocious and murderous acts may savingly repent on the scaffold; and upon his execution will hear the expression--'God bless! He has gone to heaven to be crowned in glory, through the all-redeeming merits of Christ the Lord!' This is all nonsense. Such a character will never see heaven. Journal of Discourses, Volume 8, page 61).

Brigham Young never did explain the words of our Lord Jesus Christ who addressed Himself to the thief on the cross who had repented of His sins at the last moment by saying: "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom," (Luke 23:42). Jesus replied in verse 43: "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."

The Bible teaches us that the Lord Jesus offered one eternal sacrifice for all sins and His salvation comes not by the works of the law or any human works whatever (Galatians 2:16, 21; Ephesians 2:9) but solely by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). The Savior of the New Testament Revelation existed eternally as God; lived a holy, harmless and undefiled life, separate from sinners, and "knew no sin."

However, in Mormon theology, Christ as a pre-existent spirit was not only the spirit brother of the devil (The Pearl of Great Price, Book of Moses, chapter 4, verses 1-4; Journal of Discourses, volume 13, page 232) but celebrated his own marriage to both "Mary and Martha, whereby he could see his seed before he was crucified," (Apostle Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, volume 4, pages 259-260).

In addition to this concept, Brigham Young categorically stated that the sacrifice made upon the cross by Jesus Christ in the form of His own blood was ineffective for the cleansing of some sins. Young went on to teach an unscriptural doctrine of "blood atonement," (Journal of Discourses, volume 3, page 246, volume 4, pages 219-220).

It is common to find in Mormon literature the statement that "all men are saved by grace alone without any act on their part." Although this appears to be perfectly orthodox, it is necessary to study all the Mormon statements relative to this doctrine in order to know precisely what they mean by what they appear to say.

In one such official Mormon publication entitled "What the Mormons think of Christ" by D. R. McConkie, we read the following:

"Christians speak often of the blood of Christ and its cleansing power. Much that is believed and taught on this subject, however, is such utter nonsense and so palpably false that to believe it is to lose one's salvation. Many go so far, for instance, as to pretend and at least, to believe that if we confess Christ with our lips and avow that we accept Him as our personal Savior, we are thereby saved. Salvation in the kingdom of God is available because of the atoning blood of Christ. But it is received only on condition of faith, repentance, baptism and enduring to the end in keeping the commandments of God (pages 27-33).

The foregoing is a typical example of what might be termed "theological double talk" which in one breath affirms grace as a saving principle and in the next declares that it is coupled with obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel and ends by declaring that confession of Christ and acceptance of Him as "personal Savior" is "utter nonsense" and "palpably false."

Mr. McConkie's assertion, that "salvation by grace" must be coupled with obedience with the laws and ordinances of the Gospel in order for a person to be saved, introduces immediately the whole Mormon collection of legalistic observances and requirements. In the end, salvation is not by grace at all, but it is in reality connected with human efforts: "baptism, and enduring to the end in keeping the commandments of God" (page 33). This is not the Christian doctrine of salvation which the apostle Peter describe graphically in I Peter 1:18, 19, 23.

In diametric opposition to the Mormon concept, the confession of Christ with the lips and acceptance of Him as our personal Savior is indeed the very means of personal salvation (Romans 10:9, 10). The gospel's command is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved (Acts 16:31). This is, of course, totally foreign to what the Mormons would have us believe.

The following books are recommended for further study on Mormonism:

MORMONISM, by Salem Kirban, Moody Press, Chicago, IL.

HERESIES EXPOSED, by William C. Irvine, Loizeaux Brothers, Neptune, NJ.

FALSE DOCTRIP7ES ANSWERED FROM THE SCRIPTURES, by John R. Rice, Sword of the Lord Press, P.O. Box 1099, Murfreesboro, TN.

"And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land."

We know from Exodus 2:21 that Moses married Zipporah, the daughter of the Midianite priest, Jethro (also known as Reuel). Verse 22 tells us that Zipporah bore Moses a son, whose name was Gershom.

The next mention of either Zipporah or Gershom is found in Exodus 4:20, which says, "And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Eygpt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand." Although only one son (Gershom) had been mentioned in the initial account of Moses' marriage to Zipporah (Exodus 2:21-22), evidently Eleazer (the second son) had been born during Moses' forty-year stay in Midian.

There is no biblical record of when or under what circumstances Zipporah and her two sons returned to her father (Jethro) from Egypt. However, many Bible commentators think that Moses sent his family back for safety. Following is a quote from the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary by Robert Jamieson concerning this.

"There is no express mention of Zipporah and her sons having been sent back to remain with her father. But it is certain that she was sent back; and whether, as the Jewish rabbis say, this was done by the advice of Aaron; whether the motive for it was a tender regard for the safety of the family, to keep them away from the intensely agitating and engrossing scenes of the exodus, or, as some suppose, a domestic feud, caused by the circumcision of the younger son, had produced a sudden strife and alienation between Moses and Zipporah, there is no doubt that she returned to sojourn under her father's roof."

The next mention of Zipporah and her sons is found in Exodus 18:2 where the account begins with Jethro taking Zipporah and her two sons, (Gershom and Eleazer, back to Moses "...in the wilderness, where he encamped at the Mount of God" (v. 5).

A further passage referring to Moses' sons is I Chronicles 23:14-16). "Thus, Moses' sons were ranked with the Levites generally, but not introduced in to the distinctive portion of the descendants of Levi who were appointed to the special functions of the priesthood." (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary, Vol. I, p. 498, Robert Jamieson).

The only other reference found in the Bible pertaining to Moses' wife is found in Numbers 12:1. Is this a reference to Zipporah, his only recorded wife, or does it refer to a new wife? Dr. Harold L. Willmington, in his commentary Numbers, in the Liberty Bible Commentary says: "The word 'Ethiopian' (Cushite) in verse 1 may indicate it was a new wife. If so, she could have been either a foreigner saved out of Egypt with the Israelites, or a daughter of the Cushites dwelling in Arabia. At any rate, neither marriage would have been wrong, for the prohibition in Exodus 34:16 referred only to the Canaanites" (Liberty Bible Commentary, Vol. I. p. 277).

Dr. W. A. Criswell, in the Criswell Study Bible, says: "It is possible Zipporah the Midianite was the only wife Moses had and the terms "Cushan" and "Midian" may be synonymous."

Whatever the case, there is no further reference in the Bible to either Moses' wife, Zipporah, or his sons, Gershom and Eliezer. We do not know when or how they died.

"Is music an important part of the worship service?" The answer obviously is yes. We believe that God has shown throughout His written Word, The Bible, that music is a form of praise to be given in honor of God. I direct your attention to the book of Psalms as an example of how we are to express our praise unto God through music.

"Praise ye the Lord, Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints" (Psalm 149:1).

The book of Psalms itself is a collection of praise songs to be sung by the children of Israel. The last Psalm, Psalm 150, explains that instruments are to be used in providing music for the singers.

"Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord" (Psalm 150:3-6).

These verses in Psalm 150 tell us how God expects to be praised. They represent a full orchestra of instruments upon which we are to praise Him. They represent the wind, the strings, and the percussion instruments. In our worship services at Thomas Road Baptist Church, we make use of the piano, organ, and an orchestra made up of wind instruments, stringed instruments, and percussion instruments. We would encourage you to tune in to the Old-Time Gospel Hour television program and enjoy the praise music that is provided to all of our viewers.

A gay minister named Mel White is circulating an "open letter to Jerry Falwell," demanding that I stop preaching that homosexuality is sin. He says that he plans to circulate several such open letters. If I do not comply with his wishes, he then threatens to lead a "Ghandi" type movement against me nationally.

The gay and lesbian agenda is gaining a head of steam across this nation. California and other states are in the process of establishing homosexuals as a bonafide minority, with all the privileges pertaining thereto. Minority status for homosexuals will guarantee them an equal place at the table with women, Hispanics and African-Americans in matters like affirmative action, job quotas, financial benefits for same-sex partners and much more. For the first time in American history, it appears we will soon be rewarding persons for their misbehavior. For Christian schools, churches and other ministries, tax-exempt status could eventually be denied to those who do not hire a quota of gays and lesbians as teachers, pastors and workers.

Rev. Mel White is an official of the gay Metropolitan Community Churches in America. He and his live-in lover, Gary Nixon, reside in the Dallas area. I met Mel many years ago before his gay lifestyle was discovered which forced him to "come out of the closet". He was raised by fine Christian parents. He married a lovely Christian wife and soon became a father, and, much later, a grandfather. Trained in evangelical schools, he became a Bible preaching pastor. He was also a professor at Fuller Seminary. He was recommended to me by Christian publishers as a good writer to assist me with two books I was then planning to write. At the same time, Mel was doing some writing for Drs. Billy Graham and Pat Robertson. I was greatly impressed with his writing skill. We became good friends.

Later, I heard the sad story that Mel had abandoned his family and his ministry and had moved in with his male lover. He then became the Minister of Justice with the gay Metropolitan Community Churches. Since then, Mel has become one of the nations most articulate spokesmen for the gay and lesbian agenda.

While I still love Mel and try very hard to be his friend, I must be obedient to the Lord and oppose his efforts to make homosexuals a bonafide minority. I do not believe we can blame genetics for adultery, homosexuality, dishonesty and other character flaws. Behavior is always a choice. While we are all born in sin, we Christians have the responsibility to guard our conduct so that we always honor the Lord. "The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet." Recently, Mel White began publicly distributing the aforementioned open letters. In his first open letter, Mel quotes from my autobiography where I tell how God, after I was converted to Christ in 1952, convicted me of my passivity in combating the racism that existed in the Southern environment. I was born and raised in a segregationist culture. As a young believer, this was one of the first things that the Holy Spirit began purging from my life.

Mel then equates the wrongness of the segregation view with the Christians' rejection of homosexuality. This argument is ridiculous since both the Old and New Testaments condemn homosexuality as morally wrong. One can never ignore the Scriptures when dealing with sin. We must always love the sinner while hating sin.

In 1996, Mel challenged me to debate him on this issue. I refused, feeling he was only attempting to create a media event. However, I offered to personally meet with him to discuss the issues from a biblical basis. He had already staged demonstrations outside Focus on the Family, demanding to meet with Dr. James Dobson and at the Christian Broadcasting Network, demanding a meeting with Dr. Pat Robertson. Mel and I did meet later in my office. My friend, Mark DeMoss, met with us. While we had a respectful and amicable meeting, I fear little was accomplished since I could never compromise God's truth and Mel seems to have crossed the line where his mind is made up and will not be confused with biblical facts.

I would never have made my following 1996 letter to Mel public, had Mel not begun writing open letters to me, challenging the Scriptures. Please pray for Mel to have a true encounter of deliverance with Christ. Thousands of gays and lesbians have been transformed by the grace of God and liberated from bondage to perversion. God can do it for Mel too. It would be a great testimony to the grace of God if Mel were to return to his wife and family ... and his Lord.

I now present my 1996 letter to Mel White so readers can fully understand my biblical opposition to homosexuality.

January 13, 1996 Dear Mel, In your recent letter to me requesting a formal or private debate on the issue of homosexuality, you refer to our friendship which began when you were assisting me in writing two books. During that time, you were also writing for Billy Graham and Pat Robertson, while posing as a heterosexual minister of the Gospel and evangelical writer.

Mel, our friendship is not the issue. You and I have been friends from our first meeting. The fact that you "came out of the closet," after some in the publishing industry learned of your homosexuality, and you then became a self-acclaimed national leader in the gay and lesbian movement, should not affect our friendship on a personal and professional level. It does, of course, greatly affect our fellowship in Christ.

The issue, Mel, is you have sinned against Scripture, the Lord Jesus, the church at large and your own dear biological family. I do not question your claims that you have struggled with the temptations of homosexuality for much of your life.

Every believer is similarly challenged in some area of life, according to Hebrews 12:1 " ... Wherefore ... let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

Every believer has a particular sin which "doth so easily beset him," be it homosexuality, dishonesty, heterosexual promiscuity, selfishness or ten thousand other transgressions of God's Law. While I do not believe these sins (including homosexuality) are genetically received, that is irrelevant. Inherited or learned, the Scriptures demand that sin be laid aside.

Further, you and I both know well the Scriptural means of laying aside and overcoming the power of wickedness in our lives. You are an evangelical-trained minister, a former pastor and professor at Fuller Seminary. You are without excuse. You know what the Bible says about the cause and cure of sin. And, make no mistake about it, the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments declares homosexuality to be sin -- in the same way it classifies all heterosexual activity outside of marriage to be sin.

You have written of your many attempts to conquer your inordinate affections early in your life. I do not doubt your sincerity nor the pain you have endured in the process. But this is also irrelevant. "The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet." Moral behavior, like all human conduct, is a choice.

Millions of godly and pure individuals have chosen to be single and celibate for life. They have determined to have no sexual relationship, heterosexual or homosexual, for a lifetime. Millions more have been widowed early in life and have chosen to remain unmarried and chaste for the remainder of their lives. Because we are human beings, and not animals, we have the God-given capacity to govern our conduct, regardless our passions and feelings. Therefore, Mel, there can be no justification for you allowing your passions and feelings to cause you to abandon your wife and family for a male lover, as you have done. The fact that your dear wife is "understanding," and does not hate you, in no way vindicates what you have done to her. This simply speaks to her character and the genuineness of her personal relationship with Christ.

Mel, I have been used by God to lead many practicing and committed homosexuals to Christ. I have also helped lead many Christian young people out of this lifestyle. As you certainly know, there are large ministries devoted exclusively to this work who are very successful in their efforts. Some of the leaders in these ministries are former homosexuals. I personally know former homosexuals who have been delivered from the gay lifestyle and, with their spouses and children, now serve Christ as pastors and Christian workers.

This is not to say that these former homosexuals have not been tempted over and over again. Some have, no doubt, reverted to immoral behavior at times, repented and started over. But, they have recognized the sinfulness of their sin and have decided to spend a lifetime trusting, obeying and serving God according to His Word. They have determined not to allow "the sin that doth so easily beset them" to destroy them and bring shame to their Lord and families.

In your letter, you state that you have built a meticulous file on my preaching. If this is so, then you know that I regularly condemn heterosexual promiscuity with the same aggressiveness as I do homosexual sin. You know that I preach that all sexual activity outside the marriage bond between a Scripturally-married man and woman is immorality.

Your request for a private or public debate is denied. First of all, your premise for debate is fundamentally flawed. You state it thusly: "Is Jerry Falwell's anti-homosexual rhetoric based on biblical, scientific or historic truth and does it lead to spiritual renewal or to suffering and death of God's gay and lesbian children?."

Mel, as you already know, my rhetoric is not anti-homosexual. My rhetoric is anti-homosexuality and anti-heterosexual promiscuity. There is a huge difference, and you, of all people, know this very well. It is the ancient issue of hating sin and loving the sinner.

This intentional misspeaking is typical of your skillful "wildly untrue and dangerously inflammatory" language (as you say it in your description of my words) against evangelical ministers who lovingly and courageously speak out against the kind of heterosexual and homosexual misconduct that can ruin the lives of young people who are influenced by people like you.

Second, I am not interested in promoting your publicity stunts and/or media hypes, such as you staged at Pat Robertson's in Virginia Beach and at James Dobson's Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs. You and I both are trained in the Scriptures. Your letter addressed to me, dated January 10, 1996, was clearly meant for distribution. Otherwise, you would not play such ridiculous semantics games by writing "If you are wrong and I am right (that God loves God's gay and lesbian children, hates to see them suffer and condemns anyone who incites or condones that suffering) ..."

We both know that God loves everyone and has a wonderful plan for our lives which includes joy, freedom and eternal life. God loves you and me even when we are doing wrong. He does not love our wrongdoing but His love for us is unconditional. However, His love for us does not mean that His holiness and justice can be ignored. When we sin, as heterosexuals or homosexuals, we have a price to pay. "Be sure your sins will find you out." "The wages of sin is death."

Mel, because of my responsibility to declare the whole counsel of God, I shall continue urging our youth, and adults, to abstain from immorality. I shall continue preaching that "the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth from all sin."

I shall continue my efforts to lead promiscuous heterosexuals and homosexuals to repentance because of their sins and faith in Christ. (As you know, I define promiscuity as all sexual activity outside the marriage bond between a man and woman.) I shall continue attempting to build and rebuild godly families that last a lifetime.

On a personal note, Mel, I urge you to sincerely and prayerfully consider a return to the wife of your youth (if she will still allow this) and to your family. Macel and I, like you, are at that stage in life where our children and grandchildren are increasingly a precious part of our waking hours. Our 2.8 grandchildren (Jonathan and Shari's first arrives in March) are near perfect. In my heart, I believe you might be surprised how much joy Mel White could give and receive within the parameters of his true family.

Mel, a public or private debate between us on your prescribed topic would accomplish nothing but a media circus. From my heart, I have been waiting to hear you say that you have wronged your family, your Lord and the Gospel ministry which you once cherished. In the meantime, I have not sought after meetings and telephone conversations with you. This is not because I dislike you now, but because I have tried to obey St. Paul's words in II Thessalonians 3:14-15 (TLB) "If anyone refuses to obey what we say in this letter, notice who he is and stay away from him, that he may be ashamed of himself. Don't think of him as an enemy, but speak to him as you would to a brother who needs to be warned."

You are on a dead end road, Mel. But God still loves you and awaits your return, on His terms. I do not question your sincerity or your faith. I seriously question your judgment and lifestyle.

You have abandoned everything your Christian parents taught you. You have abandoned your wife, children and grandchildren. (You said "till death do us part.") You have abandoned your evangelical training and your ordination. (You swore before your ordination council "I will be instant in season and out of season. I will never depart.")

There is only one path for you. Return to the faith of your fathers and to yours. And I promise you, Mel, as I have remained your friend through your public departure, I will be there for you when you arrive back home. Hurry!! Sincerely your friend, Jerry Falwell

The only reference in the Bible that directly addresses the issue of narcotics or drugs is found in Mark's Gospel, chapter 15, verse 23: And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. The "wine mingled with myrrh" referred to in this verse as actually a beverage which acted as a stupefying drug commonly given to lessen the torture associated with the crucifixion. In this passage, Jesus clearly refuses to receive the drugged wine. (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Volume II, page 137)

It should be noted that alcohol is itself a drug which acts on the physical, emotional, and psychiatric system of the user, and therefore, would be listed as a narcotic type substance. With this in mind, the Bible does teach total abstinence from the use of alcoholic beverages. In the Book of Habakkuk, chapter 2, verse 15, there is a pronounced curse upon those who buy, sell, or offer alcoholic drinks to others: Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!

It should be clear that if a person is a Christian and desires the blessings and power of God upon his life, he should avoid the terrible heartaches and tragedies which accompany the use of alcoholic beverages or the illegal use of narcotic substances. A Christian should attempt to live a life that truly is Christ-like and obedient to the Scriptures. Abstain from all appearance of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22).

With regard to individuals attempting to get rich by selling narcotics, they should be aware that there are social, and moral connotations against the sale of illegal narcotics. Furthermore, there are ethical implications that would prohibit a Christian from becoming involved in illegal activities simply to "get something for nothing," which would obviously violate the Judeo-Christian work ethic.

The Lord Jesus gave clear indication in His teaching that each of His followers were to take up his cross daily and follow Him. He promises that those who would follow Him would not have an "easy life," but an abundant life.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10)

The Jewish nation is a descendant of Abraham and his wife, Sarah, and through their son Isaac. Abraham also had an older son, Ishmael, by Hagar. Additionally, he had six sons by Keturah whom he married after Sarah died.

Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee (Genesis 17:5-6).

Notice what God's Word says about Abraham's son Ishmael.

And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation (Genesis 17:20).

These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations (Genesis 25:16).

The Arab nations are descended from Abraham and his wife's handmaid, Hagar, and through their son Ishmael. It is sad the Jews and Arabs are half-brother nations, having the same father, but different mothers, and yet are so constantly in warfare. The only thing that can change this is when Jesus comes back to rule on the earth and the Jews and the Arabs acknowledge Jesus as God's Son, the Messiah of the Jews, the Savior of the world. It is true right now that Jews who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and Arabs who have accepted Jesus as their Savior get along with one another in a very wonderful way. This will be true of them as nations when Jesus comes back to earth.

Many other nations have also descended from Abraham. Notice what God's Word says about the sons who came from Abraham and his wife Keturah, whom he married after Sarah died.

Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah (Genesis 25:1-2).

God gave Abraham descendants other than through Isaac and other than through Ishmael. The Jewish nation came from Abraham through his son Isaac. The Arabs came from Abraham through his son Ishmael. Other nations came from Abraham through his six sons who were born to him and to Keturah.

The promise God made to Abraham was directly related to Isaac (the "Promised Seed") and the land of Canaan (the "Promised Land"). The territorial clause of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1) was not conditional on anything done by Abraham.

And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God (Genesis 17:8).

Abraham passed his possessions on to his "chosen" son Isaac:

And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son (Genesis 24:5-6).

God confirmed His covenant with Isaac:

Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father. And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations be blessed (Genesis 26:3-4).

God tells us through the apostle Paul, all of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior are spiritual Israelites. However, Jews who are Jews in the flesh and who are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ are both physical Israelites and spiritual Israelites.

Romans 11:1 is also given to us through Paul, and says:

I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

The nation of Israel is still God's chosen people. His covenant with Israel is an everlasting covenant. Even though a majority of the nation rejected Jesus Christ as Savior and as Messiah, many of the members of the nation of Israel accepted Jesus as Savior and Messiah and have preached Him as such, and still do in this day. This is the remnant with whom God's covenant still stands. One day the nation as a whole will turn to Christ and will know He is indeed the only begotten Son of God, the true Messiah of Israel, the only Savior and hope for a lost and dying world.

The Bible teaches after the rapture of the church many Jews will be saved. In fact, the Jewish people will become the missionaries during the time of the Tribulation. Romans 11:26 tells us all Israelites shall indeed be saved. The nation of Israel will at last recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah.

God knows where all of the tribes of Israel are, and one day all of them will be back in their promised land, to see and to serve Jesus. Like anyone else from any other nation, any Jew who turns down Jesus as Savior and Lord, will have to go to Hell and spend eternity there. And like those from any other group of people in all the world, every Jew and every other person who accepts Jesus as Savior and Lord will spend eternity with Him.

What is your position with regard to the National and World Council of Churches?

We are not members of these organizations or any organization of churches. There are two major reasons why so many of us who are conservative and fundamental in our beliefs about the Bible and about serving Christ oppose them.

(1) So many times the leaders in these organizations have been those who are very liberal theologically. We feel those of us who are really seeking the blessings and power of God upon our work for Christ must believe without hesitation what the Bible claims about the virgin birth of Christ; the sinless perfection of Christ; the substitutionary death of Christ; the literal, bodily resurrection of Christ physically from the tomb and from the grave; the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures; the reality of Hell where all who die without Christ suffer consciously forever and ever; the teaching of the Word of God concerning God's direct creation of man and not an evolutionary process. We cannot have fellowship with those who reject those beliefs.

(2) These organizations have practiced working toward the goal of ecumenism. We are happy to cooperate with other Bible-believing people in city-wide revivals and in other types of Christian activities for the glory of Christ. However, we do not feel all churches should blend together in position concerning God's Word. We especially do not want to be tied and bound together with those who reject those doctrines which are mentioned above, and who reject a separated, dedicated way of Christian living, and who seem never to have real power from God to win souls, but are more concerned about social objectives than they are about personal evangelism and soulwinning.

You ask where the phrase Neanderthal or "apeman" comes from. We believe that man did not evolve through these missing links. Rather man was created by God.

Nebuchadnezzar was the son and successor of Nabopolassar, who delivered Babylon from its dependence on Assyria and laid Nineveh in ruins. He was the greatest and lost powerful of all the Babylonian kings. He married the daughter of Cyaxares, and thus, the Median and Babylonian dynasties were united.

Nebuchadnezzar occupies more Biblical space than any other non-Jewish king, his name appearing more than 90 times in Scripture. He defeated Pharaoh-nechoh at Carchemish during the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign in 605 BC (Jeremiah 46:2). A year later he besieged Jerusalem, eventually carrying off many choice Jewish citizens to Babylon, including Ezekiel, the priest and Daniel, the prophet (II Kings 24:10-16). Judea's last three kings, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, were severely dealt with by Nebuchadnezzar. Finally on March 15, 597 BC the city Jerusalem itself was destroyed by him (II Kings 25).

Nebuchadnezzar reigned as king of Babylon from 605 BC to 562 BC, a period of 43 years. Upon his death, his son, Evil-merodach, ascended the throne. All of the events of II Kings 24:1, Jeremiah 27:6, Daniel 1:18, Daniel 2:1, Jeremiah 21:2, Jeremiah 46:2, and many, many others occurred during this 43-year reign. There was only one Nebuchadnezzar--one and the same in all of these Scripture passages.

New Age philosophy is not new, but a return to ancient thinking. Unlike other cults, it has no single leader or unified organization. In New Age thinking, there is no difference between man and nature, or man and God. New Age thinking is pantheistic -- "everything is God." The personal God of Christianity is unacceptable and replaced with an impersonal force.

New Age philosophy states we are God. All religions are only different paths to the truth. New Age thinking attains a "conscious revolution" through drugs, meditation, yoga, martial arts, hypnosis, or biofeedback. New Age thinking embraces Secular Humanism -- man has the answers within.

New Age philosophy is working its way into our cultural, religious, social, economic, and political life. This is evidenced by a surge of interest in new metaphysical religions, psychic healing, occult, reincarnation, and Satanism.

New Age philosophy rejects the Judeo-Christian teaching of one God. The New Age view is that of Eastern religions -- of the unity of the universe, making God and man equal parts. This leads to the view that man is a deity creating his own reality.

New Age philosophy brings about a consciousness of new beliefs concerning the universe, happiness -- a united world. To arrive at this way of thinking, conventional ways must be altered. This new state of consciousness is brought about by techniques, such as meditation, hypnotism, chanting, prolonged isolation, and the use of "spirit guides" (ghosts). The goal of New Age thinking, according to New Age writer Theodore Roszak, is "to awaken the god who sleeps at the root of our human being." New Age thinking has no place for Scriptural "spiritual rebirth" -- through faith, but reincarnation -- being born again and again physically until one's own godhood is achieved.

New Age philosophy proclaims we are our own gods. There is no need of God. This is not new. Satan used this in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:5) -- For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Jesus Christ; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that, in the new birth, the one dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (II Corinthians 5:17).

When a person comes into a vital union with the risen Lord (Jesus Christ) he is a "new creation" (see John 3:3; 15:5; 8:1-9; Galatians 6:14-15).

In both the Old and New Testaments we have a clear picture of individuals who, before they encountered a personal relationship with God, were considered murderers and adulterers, yet they received the forgiveness of God and were counted among the choice servants of God. A close examination of Moses' life will reveal that he murdered an Egyptian and was a fugitive from the Egyptian Pharaoh. Another individual that God called a man after mine own heart was David the king of Israel who, during his reign as king, committed adultery with Bathsheba and further commanded that her husband, Uriah, be placed in a position in which he ultimately would be killed.

Perhaps the most outstanding Christian found in the New Testament is the apostle Paul, who prior to his conversion, was a blasphemer of Christ and a persecutor of all Christians and even consented to their death. Paul himself wrote, This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief (I Timothy 1:15).

God is no respecter of persons. We all stand guilty before a just God. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Since we have all sinned, we all need a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference (Romans 3:22).

Truly it is the desire of God that all men would come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Him as their Lord and Savior. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of our God and Savior; Who would have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:3-4). 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 (Hebrews 7:25).

Therefore, anyone who receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and is truly "born again" will enter into Heaven upon their death. Conversely, anyone who has refused, rejected, or neglected to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will, upon death, face a Christless eternity in everlasting torment, a place the Bible refers to as Hell.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Revelation 21:2)

Dr. H. L. Willmington, in his book entitled WILLMINGTON'S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE, p. 584, makes the following statement regarding the city called "New Jerusalem":

The Location:

The New Jerusalem is pictured as a stationary city floating above the earth in space. The new earth will thus become a satellite planet encircling this starry capital, from which earth will receive its light (Revelation 21:24, 26).

A further treatment of the subject of the New Jerusalem is found in the LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Volume II, p. 849:

Popular opinion equates the New Jerusalem with Heaven; this is an error. The new Jerusalem comes down from Heaven from God; even more, the city is called the Bride, the Lamb's wife (vss. 9-10). Why? Because she is its most prominent inhabitant. Thus, it is clear that when other than the literal city is intended, the Spirit adds qualifying and descriptive words to make this known. Recall that Babylon will be both a harlot and a city (Revelation 17, 18).

Apparently, The holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God in verse 10 is at the beginning of the millenium; the coming down from God in verse 2 is at the end of the millenium, extending into the eternal state. The church will be seen throughout all eternity as an adorned bride. The picture stresses the positional; because the New Jerusalem, somewhat in the way of a midway house, will be the meeting place of all the redeemed, as the city is suspended, from all appearances, above the millennial Jerusalem.

In WILLMINGTON'S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE, pp. 583-584, the following comments should clarify the question regarding "Who will occupy New Jerusalem?" The Occupants:

Who will dwell in this shining city of the stars?

a. The Father (Rev. 4:2, 3; 5:1-7). b. The Son (Rev. 5:6). c. The Holy Spirit (Rev. 14:13; 22:17). d. The holy and elect angels (Heb. 12:22; Rev. 5:11). These angels would include: (1) The seraphim (Isa. 6:1-7). (2) The cherubim (Ps. 80:1; 99:1; Rev. 4:6-8). (3) Gabriel (Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Lk. 1:11, 19, 26, 27; Mt. 1:20; 2:13, 19). (4) Michael (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 1:9; Rev. 12:7). e. The twenty-four elders (Rev. 4:4, 10, 11). f. Saved Israel (Heb. 11:16; Mt. 25:10, 23; Rev. 14:1-3; 15:1-3). g. The church (Heb. 12:22, 23; Rev. 19:1, 7, 8; 21:1, 9-11). h. All the redeemed that ever lived (Rev. 5:9; 7:9, 10).

An excellent study book on this subject would be THINGS TO COME by J. Dwight Pentecost, published by the Zondervan Publishing House. This book should be available in most Christian bookstores.

Does the New Jerusalem exist in Heaven today?

No, we do not believe the New Jerusalem will exist until sometime in the future. We believe that the Holy City New Jerusalem will be called Heaven then. But that is not Heaven today. In the future it will be, "a new Heaven."

Some time ago my good friend Mr. Sam Moore of Thomas Nelson Publishing Co. in Nashville, Tennessee, shared with me his burden to publish the King James Version of the Bible in an updated translation that would retain the text, the dignity and the beauty of the 1611 version and yet provide modernization of the word forms and spellings as they are now used in the twentieth century. Many people, he explained, do not realize that the present form of the King James Version is actually a nineteenth century modernization of the seventeenth century (1611) original.

ARCHAIC WORD CHANGES

In 1611, many English spellings and typesetting were still quite primitive. For example the original 1611 edition used such spellings as mee for me; soule for soul; feare for fear; staffe for staff; evill for evil-, etc. These were later changed to conform to contemporary sage. The King James Version has actually gone through several changes. When most people refer to the 1611 edition, they are not talking about the original 1611 edition at all. They are referring to the nineteenth century revision of the 1611 edition, which is commonly sold in bookstores as the "King James Version."

As anyone who is familiar with our ministry knows, I am and have always been, committed to the firm belief that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God. The giving of the scripture in the original Hebrew of the Old Testament and the Greek of the New Testament was by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (II Timothy 3:16-17; 11 Peter 1:20-21). I also believe that the Holy Spirit led the Jewish nation and the church to recognize and preserve those books which belong in the canon of inspired scripture.

PREVIOUS ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS

The English Bible is a translation of the texts of the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts of the books of the Bible. There were several translations in the English language before the work produced by the translation committee appointed by King James of England in 1604, at the request of Dr. John Reynolds of Oxford University. Previous English translations included

Wycliffe (1384), Tyndale (1526, Coverdale (1536), Matthew (1537), Great Bible (1539) Geneva Bible (1560), Bishop's Bible (1568). One should, thus, observe that the King James Version was not the first and only English translation. For a sample comparison read these translations of the Lord's Prayer in Luke 11:2-4:

Wycliffe Bible (1384)

"Fadir, halewid be thi name. Thi Kingdom come to. Gyue to vs to day oure eche dayes breed. And forgyuen to vs oure synnes, as and we forgyuen to ech owynge to vs. And leed not vs in to temptacioun."

King James Version (1611 edition)

"Our Father which art in heauen, Halowed be thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done as in heauen, so in earth. Giue vs day by day our dayly bread. And forgive vs our sinnes: for we also forgiue every one that is indebted to vs. And lead vs not into temptation, but deliver vs from evil. "

King James Version (19th Century edition)

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil."

New King James Bible (1979)

"Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done. As in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one."

A RELIABLE TRANSLATION

New translations did not really pose a problem to the church until the Revised Standard Version of 1946-52. The older English Revised Version (1885) and the American Standard Version (1901) were well received by conservative Christians. However, the liberal theological influence in the R.S.V. and the New English Bible (1961), plus the overt paraphrasing of the Living Bible and the Good News Bible have caused most Fundamentalists to be wary of few translations, and rightly so.

Another issue related to Bible translation is that of the textual sources for the translation (the "Received text" or the critical text). The editors of the New King James Bible have not tried to settle that issue in relation to the critical text. Rather, they have simply provided a modernized spelling and expression form to the old reliable K.J.V. This translation does not omit verses based on the readings of the critical text. The translators have done an excellent job of maintaining the lyrical beauty and worshipful form of the King James Bible, while also providing the appropriate twentieth century spellings and terminology. Thee, thou and ye have been properly changed to you, your, yours. Obsolete endings like est or eth have been changed to current usage.

It has been my privilege to serve on the Overview Committee for this translation. While I still preach only from the old King James Version, I heartily recommend the New King James Bible for study and clarification of archaic English terms. It is a beautiful and excellent translation and deserves our highest, trust and confidence. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the an of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3:16-17 (New King James Bible).

Introduction: This incident occurs early in the public ministry of Christ during AD 27. Nicodemus is introduced, he makes a statement, he asks three questions and receives three answers: Statement: "We know thou art a teacher cone from God."

Questions: 1. "How can a an be born when he is old?"

2. "Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

3. "How can these things be?"

Nicodemus: The Pharisee.

Greek name meaning "victor over the people." Yet, he was also a Pharisee ("separatist"). While they were right on many points of doctrine, they were guilty of a tragic error: externalized religion! Their constant emphasis on obedience to the Law tended to produce an outward conformity without an inward change of heart. By coming to Jesus, Nicodemus was offering his "approval" of the young rabbi as a seasoned member of the Sanhedrin. Other references (1:10; 7:50; 19:38) indicate he was also a scribe and had become a secret follower of Jesus. Here was the elder statesman of the salvation by works party facing Jesus Christ the Author of new birth.

New Birth: Regeneration.

The term "born again" (anothen) may also be translated: "born from above," indicating the supernatural origin of regeneration. Heavenly birth is a new birth. It is the infusion of spiritual life into a man who is naturally "dead" in trespasses and sins. It is the initial stage of conversion. It is synonymous with having everlasting life." The new birth is contrasted to physical birth ("of water") as being "of the Spirit." The limitation of sinful human nature is that it only produces sinful human nature. Only God can produce eternal life.

Illustration: The Wind.

Jesus used the sovereign blowing of the wind to illustrate the sovereign and spiritual nature of the new birth. Just as we cannot see the wind (only its results), so we may not observe the new birth itself, but we can certainly see its results. Nicodemus' questions indicate his total lack of understanding the saving power of God. At this point their dialogue turned to discourse as Jesus explained the plan of salvation.

Analogy: The Serpent in the Wilderness.

Next Jesus pointed to the analogy of Moses' lifting up the serpent in the wilderness to illustrate His being "lifted" (eventually) on he cross. Thus, Christ uses Numbers 21 as a type of Himself. Only here the antitype far exceeds the type. Whereas the look of faith to the serpent on the pole could deliver from physical death; the look of faith to Christ on the cross will deliver from eternal death!

Two "Musts" :

1. "Ye must be born again" (v. 7).

This is not merely an invitation. It is a command! It makes regeneration an absolute necessity for eternal life.

2. "Even so, must the Son of man be lifted up" (v. 14). This is not a remedy; it is the only possible remedy for sin! It is the divine necessity to activate the plan of redemption. In John's Gospel "lifted up" (huphoo) always refers to the Cross (cf. 8:28; 12:32, 34).

John 3:16: the Gospel. 1. Its Author: God 2. Its Character: so loved. 3. Its Object: the world. 4. Its Gift: His only begotten Son. 5. Its Offer: everlasting life.

I would like to direct your attention to the Bible passage which claims that all Scripture is from God and therefore is infallible (without error, contradiction, etc.).

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:15-16).

Please note the conclusion of this passage: "All scripture, because it is God-breathed, is profitable..." The origin of Scripture is stated: It is "God-breathed," (Greek word Theopneutos) i.e., the words of Scripture are to be received as from God Himself ... The Holy Spirit communicated to the authors (writers) of Scripture precisely those truths which God desired to transmit (see II Peter 1:21). Because it is all "breathed-out" by God, it is profitable in four ways:

(1) "For doctrine"--to know what to believe (systematic teachings of God's great truths)

(2) "For reproof"--to discern what not to believe (convict of sin)

(3) "For correction"--to learn what not to do (show the right way)

(4) "For instruction in righteousness"--to understand what should be done (to equip Christians for good work)

(Notes from Criswell Study Bible, p. 1421; That Manuscript from Outer Space, by H. L. Willmington, p. 47.)

It should be recognized that the Bible is absolutely honest--God literally "tells it like it is." Please note Dr. H. L. Willmington's address concerning the proof that the Bible is the Word of God. He says, "The Bible is absolutely honest in its presentation. The Bible is not a Book that man could write if he would, or would write if he could! "...God writes about some of His friends and shows their bad side (by detailing their wicked sins).

Noah is shown drunk (Genesis 9:20-24) Moses is shown in his anger and disobedience (Numbers 20:7-12) David is shown as an adulterer, a cold-blooded murderer (II Samuel 11) Elijah is shown as a coward running away from trouble (I Kings 19) Peter is shown as a false curser and denier of Christ (Matthew 26:74)

The point of showing these men as weak and giving into immorality is simply this--the Bible is not an edited Book! God literally "tells it like it is." Human authors, however sincere, do not consistently write this way! (That Manuscript From Outer Space, pp. 142-144.)

And Noah began to be a husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent (Genesis 9:20-21).

THE LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, in Volume I on page 37, gives the following explanation for the passage: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken. This is the first mention of wine in the Bible; but it was not the first occasion of drinking (see Matthew 24:38), so Noah must have known the effects of drinking.

What a condition for Noah, the only righteous man, the preacher of righteousness, to be found in! Alas! What is man? Look at, him where you will, and you will see only failure. In the Garden of Eden, he fails; in the restored earth, he fails; ... he fails everywhere, and in all things: there is no good thing in him (GENESIS TO DEUTERONOMY, by C. H. Mackintosh, page 55).

The closing scene in the life of Noah is as surprising as it is distressing. Some have supposed that Noah was ignorant of the effects of wine and so became intoxicated without knowing his danger. More commonly, he is regarded as an example of the "detestable vice" of intemperance. If such be the case, his sin was grievous, and embodies a solemn warning. Here was a man who for centuries had "walked with God," now lying naked on the floor of his tent in a drunken stupor. Here was a man who for years had been a preacher of righteousness (II Peter 2:5), now overcome by the sin of intemperance which curses his descendents to the present day. Here we see this new lord of creation unable to control the appetites of his own body. Noah had seen the destruction of a race, and had spent a year of solitude in fellowship with God, yet he now falls helpless before this common and vulgar vice (THE BOOK OF GENESIS, an exposition by Charles R. Erdman, page 44).

We see from the illustration of Noah the great evil of the sin of drunkenness: 1) It discovers men. What infirmities they have, they betray when they are drunk, and what secrets they are entrusted with are then easily gotten out of them. Drunken porters keep open gates. 2) It disgraces men, and exposes them to contempt. As it shows them, so it shames them. Men say and do that when drunk which when they are sober they would blush at the thoughts of (see Habakkuk 2:15-16). (A COMMENTARY ON GENESIS by Matthew Henry, page 73).

The drunkenness of Noah is a great illustration of the fact that many men in the Bible who were strong for God when they were young departed far from the will of God when they were older. It is proof that past works do not furnish power for the future victory. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall (I Corinthians 10:12). Be sober, be vigilent; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8).

Please understand that the Scriptures never condone nor minimize sin, even of those who are committed to God. Noah was human and, in weakness, sinned through his drunkenness. This was doubly tragic because he was the Divinely assigned spiritual leader of his family (see Genesis 6:18). (THE CRISWELL STUDY BIBLE, page 18).

Gog And Magog Northern Confederacy Of The Tribulation

The Bible prophesies of a "northern confederacy" who during the tribulation period will be arrayed against the authority of the Beast (Antichrist) and his armies. Who is this "northern confederacy?" Where does it come from? There are several Bible passages that mention this "northern confederacy: Ezekiel 38:1-39:25; Daniel 11:40; Joel 2:1-27; Isaiah 10:12-1 30:31-33; 31:8-9.

The principle passage describing this confederacy is found in Ezekiel 38:2-6. The problem here is to identify Gog and Magog, together with those nations allied with them. The Revised Version reads: "Son of man, set thy face toward Gog, the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal." The prince of Rosh is called Gog in Ezekiel 38:3. It is to be understood that Gog is the name given to the leader of this confederacy and his land is called Magog, which is composed of three parts: Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.

Gesenius, whose Hebrew Lexicon has never been superseded, says that "Gog" is "undoubtedly the Russians." Gesenius also identified "Meshech" as Moscow, the capital of modern Russian in Europe. "Tubal" he identified as Tobolsk, the earliest province of Asiatic Russia to be colonized in Asia by Peter the Great.

"Many peoples with thee" (with Magog) predicted a united federation of several nations (Ezekiel 38:5,7,15). The first nation federated with Russia will be Persia, known today, as Iran. The second ally is called Ethiopia. Dr. H. L. Willmington believes this refers to black African nations (see The King is Coming, p. 138). The conclusion of Bauman is: "Cush" (Ezekiel 38:15) was not the "Ethiopia" of Africa but a country that was somewhere contiguous to Persia. The third alley is Libya or Put (Dr. Willmington believes these are Arabic African nations--see The King is Coming, p. 138) , located adjacent to Persian Iran. The fourth ally mentioned is Gomer. There sees to be evidence to support the view that this refers to modern Germany. Gomer is stated in the Almud to the Germani, the Germans. That the descendants of Gomer moved northward and established themselves in parts of Germany seems to be an established fact. The fifth ally of Russia is said to be Togarmah. This is generally identified as Turkey or Armenia, although it is extended by some to include central Asia. (Things to Come, by J. D. Pentecost, pp. 326-331.)

As you can see, this prophecy anticipates an extensive alliance of powers along with Russia that will resist Israel and the "Beasts" of the Roman Empire in the last days. The reasons for the invasion of the northern confederacy are: (1) To cash in on the riches of Palestine (Ezekiel 38:11,12).

(2) To control the Middle East. Ancient conquerors have always known that he who would control Europe, Asia, and Africa must first control that Middle East bridge which leads to these three continents!

(3) To challenge the authority of the antichrist (Daniel 11:40-44). (See The King is Coming, H. L. Willmington, p. 131-141.)

Before we look at the number of New Testament disciples (apostles) lets first define the words "apostle" and "disciple."

Davis Dictionary of the Bible says the requirement of an apostle was that he had to be an eyewitness of the events of the life of Jesus, he had to see Him after His resurrection, and he had to testify to mankind concerning Him (Matthew 10:2-42; Acts 1:21,22; I Corinthians 9:1). Davis defines "disciple" in a more general way, i.e., as a "pupil or scholar (Matthew 10:24); especially the follower of a public teacher, like John the Baptist (Matthew 9:14); a person taught of God (Isaiah 8:16). It is used of all of whatever age who in faith received the divine Master's instructions (Matthew 10:42; Luke 14:26,27,33- John 4:1; 6:66); and especially of the twelve apostles" (Matthew 5:1; 8:25; 10:1; 12:1, etc).

The original twelve were chosen in succession at a very early period of the Savior's public life. They were chosen as follows: First came Andrew and his brother Simon (Peter); James and John [the sons of Zebedee] (Matthew 4:18-22; 10:2,3; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 6:14; John 1:35-42); then Philip and Nathaniel [named also Bartholomew] (John 1:43-51). Subsequently, there came Matthew [also known as Live] (Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:14-17; Luke 5:27-32); Thomas, James (the son of Alphaeus), Simon the Zealot (or Cananaean), Thaddaeus, the brother of James the Less, and Judas Iscariot--Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16; Acts 1:13.

After Judas' betrayal and death, two men possessing the necessary qualifications of apostleship were put forward. One was Joseph (called Barsabas and Justus) and the other was Matthias. Lots were cast to choose which one would replace Judas and the lot fell upon Matthias, who was consequently elected (Acts 1:15, 26).

This accounts for the original twelve disciples--or apostles (Matthew 6:13 tells us Jesus called these disciples "apostles.")

However, the title "apostle" was not limited to the twelve, for Barnabas (Acts 14:14), and James (the Lord's brother, Galatians 1:19; 1 Corinthians 15:7) were called apostles also.

Paul was divinely chosen and called to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:1-31; 22:5-21; 26:1-20). He had not traveled with Jesus our Lord as on earth; but he possessed the apostolic qualifications of having seen Jesus after His resurrection. 0n the way to Damascus Jesus appeared to him and spoke to him, changing his hostility into passionate devotion. Paul was able to say, "Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?" (I Corinthians 9:1). While we do have accounts in the Bible of Paul's imprisonments and his trials, there is no actual account of his death. According to Eusebius, his death took place in AD 67; according to Jerome, in AD 68. How he came to be rearrested we do not know. II Timothy was written from Rome shortly before his death. No doubt he was finally condemned to die simply because he was a Christian, in accordance with the policy begun by Nero in AD 64. Tradition handed down through early church history relates that Paul was beheaded, as was the custom with a Roman citizen, on the Ostian Way. There were numerous other followers of Jesus who suffered martyrdom. Stephen is an example. He was the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:58-60). He was not an apostle; however, he was a preacher and certainly suffered for the cause of Christ. He was finally stoned to death (Acts 7:54-60).

The actual prophecy of the events of Obadiah were formed from the historical background of Edom's violence to Jerusalem (see verses 10-14). Edom did great violence to Jerusalem on several occasions:

1) During the reign of Jehoram, 848 (853) - 841 B.C. (II Chronicles 21:8-10; Joel 3:3-6; Amos 1:6)

2) During the reign of Amaziah, 796 - 767 BC (II Chronicles 25:14-24)

3) During the reign of Ahaz, 731 (735) - 715 BC (II Chronicles 28:17)

4) During the reign of Zedekiah, 597 - 586 BC (II Chronicles 36:11-21; Ezekiel 35)

5) Babylonian (Chaldean), captivity of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.

Obadiah's prophecy concerned the judgement of Edom for its treatment of Jerusalem. Edom, the nation descended from Esau; had its capital at Sela (Petra). It fell into the Arab hands in the fourth century, Obadiah's prophecy. (Criswell Study Bible, Introduction to Obadiah, p. 1027). Three other events serve to fulfill Obadiah's prophecy:

1) Chaldeans laid Edom waste (see Jeremiah 49:7; Ezekiel 35) 2) The Maccabees' war with Rome (A.D. 70) 3) Ultimately when Christ executes the judgment of God upon Edom and her allies (Isaiah 63:1-6) yet in the future.

Future fulfillment of prophecy:

Judah will be united as one kingdom to execute God's judgment against Esau (Edom). Edom will be completely helpless against Judah. The land will be inhabited by the people of the south (Hebrew Negeb) which are the Jews. The area is known today as the regions south of Judea.

The whole prophetic picture is one which necessitates the literal restoration of the ten tribes of Israel as well as the two tribes of Benjamin and Judah. Each will be fully restored and will realize its place in God's prophetic program.

The last phrase, "and the kingdom shall be the Lord's," is the ultimate fulfillment of Israel's literal, earthly, Davidic kingdom under Messiah's (Christ's) reign as foretold in Scripture (see Daniel 2:44; 7:14, 27; Zechariah 14:19; Luke 1:33; Revelation 11:15; 19:6). (Liberty Bible Commentary, vol. 1, pp. 1721, 1722).

The final fulfillment of Obadiah's prophecy is still awaiting Christ's return and reign upon this earth. Israel is central in the fulfillment of prophecy and therefore any Bible scholars are watching the present day events of the Middle -East with great anticipation. This could be the time for Christ to come in the air. Are you ready to meet Him?

The interpretation of the passage in Acts 17:29:

"Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto God, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device."

The historical setting of the book of Acts, chapter seventeen, is the Apostle Paul's visit to Athens, where he was invited to address the Greek philosophers (Epicureans and stoics). Paul stood at the open Areopagus on Mars Hill, where he observed, no doubt, the numerous temples, statues, and idols (art work) of the Greek's religious mythology. Paul accused these philosophers of being too superstitious (see verses 16, 22).

In Paul's address to the pagan philosophers, he did not quote extensively from the Old Testament ... he actually quoted from two Greek poets: Epimenides of Crete and Aratus of Cilicia. By referring to men as the "offspring of God," Paul was not implying by any means that all men are saved, but rather, that they are all God's creatures and therefore responsible to Him. (Liberty Bible Commentary, Vol. II, p. 309.)

The word "offspring" is from the Greek word genos meaning race. The reference is the creation-work of God, in which He made man (i.e., mankind, the race in Adam) in His own likeness (Genesis 1:26-27), thus rebuking the thought that "the Godhead is like unto gold," etc. (The New Scofield Reference Bible, p. 1190, see note cf. Acts 17:29.)

The passage may be paraphrased as: "Since we are formed by God; since we are like Him, living and intelligent beings; since we are more excellent in our nature than the most precious and ingenious works of art, it is absurd to suppose that the original source of our existence can be like gold, and silver, and stone. Man himself is far more excellent than an image of wood or stone; how much more excellent still must be the great Fountain and Source of all our wisdom and intelligence!" (Albert Barnes' Notes on the New Testament, p. 486, see note cf. Acts 17:29.)

There are several Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures that give clear evidence that the Old Testament saints were saved by faith. Regardless of the dispensation, salvation has always been the result of God's grace received by faith. Perhaps the primary example of an Old Testament Individual saved by his faith in the Lord is Abraham. In Genesis 15:6 we find these words: "And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness."

In light of the Scripture found in Hebrews 11:6 [But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him], we can be sure that Abraham had already experienced saving faith from the time of his original call (Hebrews 11:8)

An additional Scripture that supports the salvation of Abraham is Romans 4:22: And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. This verse refers to Abraham believing God's promise that he would have the promised seed and be the father of many nations. -Abraham's faith was such that he knew that whatever God promises, He also performs. All that Abraham had, his righteousness, his inheritance, and his posterity, he gained not by his own human efforts or works, but by his faith. The faith of Abraham became the equivalent of righteousness.

The word translated "believed" of the Genesis 15:6 passage is from the Hebrew word aman, meaning "to confirm" or "to trust" (see John 3:5) . The tense of the Hebrew word indicates a continuous past action, i.e., Abram believed and continued constant in his faith. Abram demonstrated his faith by obeying God without hesitation, and this action of demonstrated faith gave Abraham favor with God and justification. To have such faith is to measure up to God's requirements. From the earliest times, salvation and a right relationship to God have resulted from the attitude of faith (Excerpts from LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. I, p. 4'9; CRISWELL STUDY BIBLE, p. 25).

Does Jerry Falwell believe in "once saved always saved?"

The answer is yes. Although the phrase, "once saved, always saved" is not found in the Bible, the truth is there. God gives to them "eternal life" and that life is in His Son" (I John 5:11).

Is it possible for a born-again believer to fall into sin?

Yes, it is possible for a born-again believer to fall into sin. First John writes to believers, "My little children these things write I unto you that ye sin not" (I John 2:1), this means that Christians were sinning, but John exhorts them not to sin.

Second, the Bible says, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and make Him a liar" (I John 1:8). This means that if we say that we do not have a sin nature, or the ability to sin; we deceive ourselves.

Third, the Bible says, "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us" (I John 1:10). This verse says that if we claim that we do not sin at all, that means acts of sin; we are wrong.

You ask about the question in Hebrews, what does it mean "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins" (Hebrews 10:26). The book of Hebrews was written to Hebrew Christians who were still going to the Temple in Jerusalem. Some were going and sacrificing lambs under the old Jewish system, yet they were believers in Jesus Christ and were trusting in His blood to save them. This verse teaches that a believer who was committing sin and then going back to the Temple to sacrifice a lamb under the old Levitical system for cleansing of sin was wrong. There is no more forgiveness or cleansing of sin under the old Jewish system into the Temple.

This verse makes a statement, "There remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Perhaps, there were a few (ignorant but believing) Jews who went to the Temple and sacrificed a lamb on this side of the cross, but they did not know about Jesus and had never heard the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin.

I believe during this transition God in His mercy and grace would have looked upon the faith of the (ignorant) Jew who used the Old Testament sacrifice for forgiveness that his sin was forgiven because he had belief in God and applied the blood in the Temple. However, when a believer in Jesus Christ who has applied the blood of Jesus to his sins goes back into the Temple to try to get cleansing for his sins, the Bible is clear, "There remaineth no more sacrifice for sin."

What does this verse mean? "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who had trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" (Hebrews 12:29). This is the Hebrew believer who was going back into the Temple for the sacrifice of sins, and all the unsaved Jewish community knew that he was a Christian. When he returned to the Temple, he was, "trodding under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant." In essence he has denied the blood of the cross when he goes back into the Temple, this person "hath done despite the Spirit of grace."

What happens to that Hebrews believer? "For we know him that hath said, vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord" (Hebrews 10:30). I believe God will judge that Hebrew believer who has "backslidden" by going back into the Temple to get cleansing for his sin.

One Lord, one faith, one baptism (Ephesians 4:5).

This passage may be interpreted as follows:

One Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ, not a series of aeons. If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.

One faith, not a creed, but a commitment to Christ. One saving experience of trust in Christ, one way of salvation (Romans 10:9-10).

One baptism, one result of baptizing (Greek "baptisma"), not the act of baptizing (Greek "baptismos"). Scriptural baptism is the outward expression of an inward experience; a public confession of Christ. Men are not made disciples by baptism, but merely profess to be disciples. Water baptism presupposes and pictures the baptism of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:12-13). The one baptism is the expression of the one faith in the one Lord which resulted in the baptism of the one Spirit into the one body." (Liberty Bible Commentary, Volume II, p. 550.)

The process involved in the ordination of a minister orally involves the following order:

(1) The candidate and those who examine him must be assured that he is genuinely converted: a born-again child of God.

(2) The candidate and those who examine him must be assured that he has been genuinely called to full-time service for Christ.

(3) The candidate for ordination is a member of the church and denomination which is being asked to ordain him (It has been the practice of many churches to license the candidate before ordination).

(4) He shall have been called to some definite work, such as a pastor of some particular church, and his home church, upon request from the church which calls him as pastor, prepares to ordain him.

(5) A group of ministers and deacons examines him with respect to doctrinal position, separated Christian living, and successful service for Christ. This group of men will be from the candidate's home church, but it may also include men from other churches who know the candidate.

(6) A specific time is set for a public ordination service in which a charge is delivered to the young man, the laying on of hands is experienced, and prayers are offered.

(7) A Bible and Certificate of Ordination are then presented to the one who has been ordained. His wife (if married) is also asked to stand with her husband to receive the congratulations and promises of prayers from friends in the congregation.

I. What is Ordination?

According to the teaching of the New Testament, ordination is the recognition by local church of a member's call of God to the gospel ministry. The recognition consists of the candidate's conversion to Christ, his call to the ministry, and his conviction of beliefs. Ordination does not confer any ecclesiastical power, it gives no authority, nor does it confer status to the ordained member of the church.

Ordination involves four aspects: (1) recognition of God's call to a full-time responsibility to serve the Lord as an overseer of souls and (2) identification. In ordination, the church publicly identifies itself with the man. It is an acknowledgment that the church believes in his conversion, call, convictions, and commends him for public leadership and ministry. (3) it further represents the church's judgment that the candidate has the ability to perform the duties of the gospel ministry. (4) Ordination also meets certain legal requirements in the performance of wedding ceremonies, serving as chaplain, and the like.

Since ordination does involve other churches and the candidate's future ministry, the ordaining church has responsibility not to lay hands suddenly or lightly on any man. There should be a very careful and prayerful searching inquiry made into the candidate's experience of grace, the reality of his conversion, his call, his character, the worthiness of his concept of his call and his loyalty to Christ and the church. After all, he will be the representative of the church which ordains him.

II. Must the Pastor Be Ordained?

The simple answer is no. Ordination is not a requirement that must be met in order to preach.

Dr. H. A. Ironside would not compromise his conscientious convictions regarding "ordination by man." He pastored the great Moody Memorial Church in Chicago and was never ordained.

Dwight L. Moody, the great American evangelist of the latter half of the nineteenth century, was never ordained. We have been told that when he inquired about becoming ordained he was told he did not have enough education. Yet Moody was a man of great spiritual power and was used in bringing many souls to Christ.

Charles H. Spurgeon, famous pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London, never received ordination. he revolted against Anglican, sacerdotalism which seemed to hold that in the imposition of hands in ordination, divine grace trickled down through a bishop's fingertips.

There is a scriptural basis for ordination. The Lord Jesus chose a select group of men whom He "ordained" or "appointed" to be his special representatives (John 15:16; Mark 3:14). There was evidently an ordination service of some sort held at the church at Antioch for Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:2, 3). Paul and Barnabas also ordained elders in the churches (Acts 14:23). Paul commanded Titus to ordain elders or pastors (Titus 1:5). Thus there is a scriptural basis for ordination. As a rule, ordination should not take place until a man has been called to a definite place of service and has had time to prove himself.

It should be concluded that: (1) The Lord calls his servants and appoints them to the work He has qualified them for. (2) Other Preachers upon examination and with the consent of the church will recognize the call of the Lord. (3) From what the Scripture says, the person was examined as to his fitness to be ordained. (4) The requirements for a pastor and deacons are set forth in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. These qualifications should be used in examining a candidate for the gospel ministry. Sometimes these qualifications are ignored or bypassed. God will not call one who cannot qualify. He does not act contrary to his Word.

The custom of examining and "setting apart" those whom God called by the "laying on of hands" seems to have been established In the first century (Acts 13:3; I Timothy 4:14; 5:22; II Timothy 1:6; also Acts 6:6, which likely refers to deacons).

III. Who Should Be Ordained?

The Scripture is plain that it should be a man (I Timothy 3:1 says, "if a man..."), never a woman. Only a man could meet the standards set forth in the list of qualifications in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. The Bible nowhere sets forth the qualifications for a woman pastor or preacher. It is wrong to try to twist the Scriptures to allow a woman to be ordained to the gospel ministry. The ministry of preaching the gospel is a man's job, and God qualifies those whom He calls to this very important task. It is a very serious mistake for a church even to consider one who cannot qualify for ordination. There are certain scriptural standards which can be used to determine whether one is qualified for ordination.

A. A Call from God

The New Testament teaches that God's ministers are called (Hebrews 5:4). The person to be ordained must have a burning conviction that God has called and he must preach. The apostle Paul had such a conviction. He said: "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" (I Corinthians 9:16).

Paul did not teach that the act of the church at Antioch in ordaining him constituted him an apostle (Galatians 1:1). Ordination does not make the preacher. Unless he is called of God, ordination means nothing. Ordination is simply saying that men believe God has called the man to the ministry. Ordination is an outward act of approval rather than an indispensable channel of grace for the work of the ministry.

The call of God must not be minimized. Sometimes the call has been minimized as of not much importance or of no necessity, and as a result men not called of God have gone into the ministry. Men who preach contrary to the Bible obviously have not been called of God. It is interesting to note that most false teachers do not claim a God-called ministry. They furnish the proof in the message they preach.

The lack of conviction of a call from God is no doubt the reason many men leave the ministry. The man called of God will not find it easy to leave the ministry and start selling insurance or automobiles. Note Jeremiah, for an example: "Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forebearing, and I could not stay (Jeremiah 20:9)."

Are there ways besides the man's own say-so to determine whether he has a call to preach? Yes, there are, and we will set forth some guidelines which can be used to determine whether the man should be ordained.

B. Examination

The examination process for ordination should involve the ordination council's request for the candidate to express his own convictions in the matter of the importance for his being ordained. An ordination council can pretty well tell by the manner in which he states his convictions whether he recognizes the importance of being ordained. A standard question asked by the council is: "If you are not ordained, what will you do?" The candidate should respond: "I will preach; God has called me to preach and I must preach!" It should be recognized that it is not a council that puts the "preach" into a man; it is God who does that. Paul could state his convictions in no uncertain terms and he did (I Corinthians 9:16; I Timothy 1:12); so can any man called of God. Good advice is: "If you can be happy doing anything else then God has not called you to preach." Strong emphasis should be placed upon a man's call and his doctrinal position.

C. The Man's Ability

Most Fundamentalists believe that the man should have been in the work long enough for his ability to be tested before he is ordained. There are exceptions, to be sure, but they should be few.

If a man does not have the ability to preach, certainly God has not called him. Ephesians 4:11 teaches that those God has called are "teaching pastors." One of the named qualifications in I Timothy 3:2 is that he be "apt to teach." This means that he has the ability to teach; God gives him that ability if he does not possess it naturally.

Certainly it is recognized that education has a place in preparing the man for his ministry; a call to preach is a call to prepare. Some individuals question the importance of education by citing D. L. Moody's example. However, those who use him as an example of an uneducated preacher either do not know or are willfully ignorant of the fact that Moody was a serious student of the Word. He rose early in the morning and spent hours studying the Word every day.

Why do you suppose Paul chose Timothy as a helper in the gospel ministry? There is no doubt that the Lord led him. I believe it was also because Timothy had a good reputation (Acts 16:1-3). He had the ability to do the -work; he had proven himself. A man doing the work of the ministry, preaching and teaching, winning converts, establishing Christians, building up the church is a good candidate for ordination.

The fact that Timothy had been ordained must be what Paul meant by "the laying on of hands by the presbytery" (I Timothy 4:14). What gift was imparted to him? We are not told; however, it was some spiritual gift, and this should be true of every ordination and likely is if it be of God. From what the Scriptures tell us, Timothy already had natural gifts of preaching and teaching, as well as the call from God and this was evident from the good word the brethren gave him.

D. The Church's Call for the Ordination of Its Pastor

The church experiencing the benefits of the ministry is of the conviction that he is God's man and meets the standards of I Timothy 3:2-7. A man should not ask to be ordained, but rather his church should request it to be done. Who can better know a man's ability and his qualifications than the church he serves as pastor? The church itself being convinced that the man is called of God and having seen his ability to do the work of the ministry, should then call for an ordination council.

Now who determines whom to ordain? The Scofield Reference Bible has a helpful note here. In his notes on Titus 1:5, Dr. Scofield has the following words: "It is not at all a question of the presence in the assembly of persons having the qualifications of elders, made overseers by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28); that such persons were in the churches of Crete is assumed; the question is altogether one of the appointment of such persons. These assemblies were not destitute of elders; but were 'wanting,' in that they were not duly appointed ... At first they were ordained (Greek 'Cheirotoneo'..., 'to designate with the hand') by an Apostle (Acts 14:23) ... ; but in Titus and I Timothy the qualifications of an elder become part of the Scriptures for the guidance of the churches in such appointment (I Timothy 3:1-7)."

Can a local church ordain a man without consulting anyone else? The answer is yes, it can, and be entirely scriptural. It is being done by the Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, and by other independent Baptist churches throughout the country. It is not the function of a college, seminary or Bible Institute but of a local church. It is not the function of an ordination council; they are only advisory, advising the church of the candidate's acceptability. The church may overrule the recommendation of the council. It is the sole right and authority of a local church to ordain one of its members to the public ministry. No church has any authority over a non-member.

IV. How does the Ordination Take Place?

In light of our statement that man should be a pastor or associate before being ordained, the following would be in order. The church where the man is pastor should start the proceedings, not the man himself. This church should write his home church where he is still a member. It would be well for a man not to move his membership to the church he is pastoring until after his ordination. The letter will request that the home church ordain their pastor. Sometimes the pastor of the home church, being convinced of the member's call to the ministry and having observed his ability to do the work, will initiate the proceedings:

A. The pastor will place the matter before the church during a business meeting.

The church will vote on whether to proceed with the process of ordination.

B. The pastor will then call pastors to assist as a council.

The pastor will contact a number of pastors of local churches to assist in the service. The pastors will meet and form a council, electing a moderator and clerk. A list of the pastors and the churches they represent is made up. The men are then ready to conduct the actual examination of the candidate. One man usually leads out in the questioning; however, any man on the council may ask any question he wishes to ask. Sometimes the examination is conducted in private with just the council members and the candidate present. At other times the examination is public, before the church. The advantage of a public examination is that it can be a wonderful teaching in the matters of doctrine and church policy.

The examination is usually conducted on three points: (1) the candidate's personal salvation experience; (2) his call to the ministry; and (3) his doctrinal beliefs. The questions should and usually do relate definitely to his views of fundamental doctrines and his qualifications as a preacher of the word of God.

After the examination the council will go into private session and decide whether or not to recommend the candidate to the church for ordination. Sometimes the recommendation is not to ordain. The church then decides whether or not to accept the recommendation of the council. It is the church that ordains, not a council, a group of preachers, or a denomination.

The actual ordination service consists of the following items: (1) A charge to the church, (2) a charge to the preacher, (3) an ordination sermon, and (4) presentation of a Bible. The Bible can be provided by the man's home church or by the church of which he is a pastor. Last on the program agenda is the laying on of hands. This is simply an endorsement or acknowledgment of the man's call; no spiritual gift is thus imparted to the individual.

After the ordination service is concluded, the candidate and his wife, together with any Sunday School teachers or other Christian workers who have had part in his developing Christian experience, stand at the front of the church. Then have the congregation come by and shake hands with them and express their prayerful support for the man and his ministry.

"And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. ...Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them broad from thence upon the face of all the earth..."

There are various theories of how the different races began. The position that we take is that at the tower of Babel, when the Lord confused the people through language, that He divided them along ethnological, linguistic and theological lines. We believe it is at this point that not only did the different languages begin, but also the different nations and races. Before this time all people were united and could speak the same language. However, at the tower of Babel, we have the beginning of the various nations of the world including linguistic differences and racial differences.

Genesis 10 is called the Table of Nations, because it tells where the descendants of Noah's three sons settled in the world. This settling into the human race from the three sons of Noah occupied quite a number of years. Genesis 10:5 is simply a reference to the places where they settled by nation and by language. Genesis 11:1 goes back prior to any differences in languages and tells us how those differences came about at the Tower of Babel.

It should be understood that the Ouija Board is considered a demonic device. Although it is advertised as a harmless, fortune-telling game, it is to be recognized as a form of spiritualism, magic, and occultism. This ministry, therefore, would advise anyone (Christian or non-Christian) to avoid any contact with the game itself or with individuals who are addicted by its powers.

If you desire further information on this subject, we would direct you to contact the Bob Larson Ministries, P.O. Box 36-A, Denver, CO 80236.

This ministry would encourage anyone who may have been involved with the Ouija Board to claim the victory that Jesus Christ has won over the powers of sin and Satan's devices such as the Ouija Board. It is a proven fact that people who have been oppressed and subjected to occultism never find true deliverance through medicine, psychology, or psychiatry. It is only when they turn in true repentance and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior that they can experience true deliverance from the oppression of Satan and sin.

by Kenneth Chapman

There are at least two things every pastor must know. First of all, he must know the Lord. The blind cannot lead the blind. This may sound like a strange thing to say but there are many men in the pulpit today who do not know the Lord as their personal Savior because they have not been saved. An evangelist related the story of asking a pastor if he had accepted Christ as his personal Savior. The pastor smiled piously and said: "No, I don't believe in that sort of thing. That isn't according to my theology." Well, a man better get his theology straight with the Bible because that is the only theology that will stand the test.

There are two passages in the Old Testament that every pastor ought to seriously consider: Psalm 40:1-3 and Psalm 51:1. There comes a time in every pastor's experience when he needs to look back and remember certain things. We all need to remember the pit out of which God dug us. We need to remember the rock from which we were hewn. We need to look back and remember what we were and then think of what we have become through Jesus Christ.

If there is one experience that we ought to keep fresh in our minds and in our hearts and in our souls it is that experience of salvation. The glorious experience when our hearts were opened and the Holy Spirit regenerated our souls. When the Lord God reached down and drew us to Himself and made us Sons in the Family by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The pastor must know that he is saved.

The second thing the pastor must know is that he is called. The ministry is not a profession to be chosen like any other profession. No, the pastor must be called.

In Romans 10:14, 15, it is clear that before a person preaches he is to be sent. God is the one who does the sending. Every pastor needs to have in his life the experience of having heard the call of God. He must have real assurance in his heart that God has chosen him to preach the gospel.

No man should aspire to occupy the high and holy office of a pastor, except God calls him to it. "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God" (Hebrews 5:4). The word "gave" in Ephesians 4:11 indicates the person as given to the church by Christ. Acts 20:28 indicates that Paul considered the office of pastor (overseer) as a definite appointment by God. Paul was sure that a divine call from the Lord had placed him in the ministry (I Timothy 1:1,2). Acts 9:15 indicates that Paul was right in his conclusion.

The Old Testament gives evidence of God's call to pastor with such examples as the call of Moses, Exodus 3:10; Samuel, I Samuel 3; Isaiah, Isaiah 6:9; and Jeremiah, Jeremiah 1:5. We also have examples of a divine call in the New Testament. Jesus called men to leave material pursuits and to follow Him in peculiar missions (Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9; Mark 3:13-19). Jesus told His disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit" (John 15:16). In both John 15:16 and Acts 9:15, the word "chosen" carries the meaning of a selection from among others, and in the sense from among other Christians.

From these instances the Bible clearly teaches the fact of a divine call by God to specific persons for specific purposes.

I. The necessity of a call.

What do we mean by a divine call to the ministry? Definition: The immediate appeal of God to the soul, the inner conviction that a divine commission to preach the Word of God, has been received. This has been brought about by the internal work of the Holy Spirit, who has placed the desire in the heart to serve the Lord in this manner (I Timothy 3:1).

We insist upon the necessity of a divine call because:

A. Old Testament prophets were called of God.

B. The New Testament Apostles.

C. The Apostle Paul.

D. The very nature of the case. The minister is called an "ambassador." He is to have "received" his ministry and to have it "committed" to him.

E. Human governments likewise illustrate this principle.

F. History also bears witness to this principle. Such names as Augustine, Luther, Knox, Wesley, Whitefield, Finney, Moody, Torrey and many others.

II. The proofs of the call.

How does a man know he is called of God to be a pastor? While there is no hard and fast rule, there are some ways by which the person can be sure.

A. An intense desire - I Timothy 3:1 - "if any man desire." A desire of the heart with motives pure and good. Negative - Not for--

1. Fame - John 3:30.

2. Fortune - I Peter 5:2 - "not for filthy lucre."

3. Fun - easy life - Proverbs 13:4 - "the soul of the sluggard desireth."

4. Fleshly desire - I John 2.16 - "the lust of the flesh."

5. Family - very wrong if nothing more than that.

Positive--

1. The Lord's Glory - John 15:8.

2. Concern for lost souls - Matthew 9:36.

3. Love for God - 11 Corinthians 5:14'.

4. Urgency in the soul - I Corinthians 9:16.

5. Inner desire to serve the Lord - Isaiah 6:8 - "I heard the voice of the Lord."

B. Circumstances - The prayers of others, their convictions concerning you. The hand of God revealed in the provision of means and opportunity for training. Whatever they may be and however they may come, circumstances will converge and reveal the will of God.

C. Physical and intellectual qualifications - A minister must be able to endure hardness. While there may be exceptions here, as a usual thing, God doesn't call weaklings to pastor churches. A man must also have some mental aptitude, without looseness of mental machinery.

D. Moral qualifications - A man may have ability but if he is immoral, God will not call him into the ministry. God does not go against His Word--He will not call one who cannot qualify. There must be some steadfastness of character, stability, self-control, and concentration of purpose.

E. God's blessing upon our work -If a man has not been actively serving Lord it is not likely God will call him into the ministry. God cannot use those who have no heart for His work. In everything the Christian should seek God's guidance, keeping the heart and mind open toward God, it will soon be revealed to him whether or not God has called him into the ministry of the Gospel. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13) ."

Satan certainly would not call a man to preach the gospel, for "it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16).

The world wouldn't And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (I John 2:17).

The flesh is not subject to God, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh . . ., is not of the Father, but is of the world" (I John 2:16).

The heart will have peace because it has discerned the will of God. "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts . . . and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15).

III. The assurance of the call.

The inward assurance of the holy Spirit will leave no doubt in the man's mind. The matter is settled and he can confidently go forward (11 Timothy 1:12). Having been assured by the Holy Spirit he will listen for God's instructions (I Samuel 3:10). He longs for God's direction Isaiah 6:8 - 'Here am I; send me." Soon he will learn where - Acts 16:9 - "Come over" here.

In answering God's call how can a man discern the will of God? There are four elements usually present in finding the will of God:

1. The Bible - The Holy Scriptures.

Meditating upon the Scriptures and following the teaching of the Holy Spirit promotes God's glory and edifies to know hat the will of the Lord is.

2. Providence.

As we follow on, we should be able to see "all things working together for good" in relation to the call to the ministry.

3. The marks of personal fitness which we possess.

There should be a combination of the body, mind, and soul to prove that we are ready for this office of ministering (I Timothy 3).

4. Spiritual experience.

The witness of the Spirit within, a personal knowledge of and experience in things spiritual--these ought to voice their testimony to the other three lines of evidences of a divine call.

A real genuine call to the ministry will always be accompanied by three characteristics:

1. Definite convictions.

The mind and heart agree together on certain matters. There are settled convictions on such subjects as the deity of Christ, the personality and divinity of the Holy Spirit, the redemptive work of the Holy Spirit, the redemptive work of Christ, the inspiration and infallibility of the Scriptures, and the holiness of God. These things should be settled and never questioned. It is only by definite settled convictions that any minister worthy of the name can live and work.

2. Wide outlook.

While our convictions are part of ourselves and are forever founded firmly upon the Rock of Ages, our outlook must be as wide as it can be. The man of convictions can safely be extensive. It is the shallow man who is in danger of losing anything worthwhile by extending his outlook.

3. Genuine spirituality.

It is Bible based and will give warmth to our convictions. Two things are to be avoided--first to have convictions only which cause us to be narrow, cold, hard, and perhaps bitter, without the warmth of spiritual experience; and second a general indifference to sound doctrine, an easy-going acceptance of all kinds of thought without the safeguard of a true spiritual life. But when the convictions, the outlook, and the spirituality meet and blend in reality and proportion, we have the true minister as set forth in the Bible.

IV. Things that do not constitute a call.

There are some who for one reason or another think they are called. However, their work proves to be a failure and their lives do not reflect the glory of Christ. It is always sad to find a misfit and it is tragic for such to be found in the ministry. Not only is it tragic for the man who is in the wrong place, but it is also tragic for the church and the lives he misleads. We will now consider some of the wrong things, some things that are not the call and will of God and their results.

1. Some superficial reasons for a divine call.

A. Mama and Papa called preachers.

This person may not have any of the qualifications for a minister or he may have many of them. However, if all he has for a call is a desire of his parents or parent that he be a minister then he is totally wrong.

Of course, his parent's desire may have some bearing on the man's call as it did in the case of Samuel (I Samuel 1:20-28).

However, it must be noted that in his case there was also a definite call from God. We believe that parental ambition of itself is not sufficient.

B. A person's own desire.

Some think that a minister's life is easy and that he is well paid for the two or three sermons he delivers per week. These folk do not realize the hours spent in prayer seeking the mind of the Lord, the hard labor of study, the visitation, the counseling, the administrative work and the many other things which make a demand on the minister's time and energy.

In one sense, a minister can be lazy. He does not punch a time card. No one keeps track of when he goes to bed or when he rises. He does not have to give anyone an account of what he does with his time. In one sense, he can be a goof-off, lazy, and unorganized in his life and work. But how any of this kind have you noticed making a success to the ministry? Such a man will soon be out of a church and out of the ministry. The sooner the better for that kind.

No, the ministry is too demanding for anyone to succeed who only has his own personal desire as a basis for a call. It will take much more than that to endure the hardship and work of the ministry. It is no place for cream puffs nor for lazy men!

C. A place of service.

Some enter the ministry because they see in it a place where they can serve their fellowman. This may be a noble desire but it is not enough. There are those who become teachers, political leaders, ambassadors, industrial leaders, social workers, etc., for the same reason. The ministry requires more than a good desire. The ministry is different from all other places of service for at least three reasons and more could no doubt be added. In Thiessen's SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY, the following three reasons are listed:

1. It is a spiritual ministry.

Really it is the only spiritual ministry in this world. To most people the word "spiritual" does not carry any special meaning. Some think of it as some kind of idealism which tries to make the world or some section of it a better place to live. Some think of the church as of value in the betterment of the community. They would not want to raise their children in a place where there was no church. As Christians, we use the term "spiritual" to mean the inner, invisible and eternal qualities of a human being. We use the term in speaking of a person's relationship to God. The Christian ministry is the only calling which devotes itself to service wholly in this realm.

2. It is a ministry which links men with God.

This is really the main reason for the ministry and for the existence of the church. In the great commission in Matthew 28:19, 20 Jesus directed: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."

The message of salvation is to be first presented. Then when the soul has been saved, that person is to be taught so that he in turn may show others how to be saved. The work of the pastor has to do with eternity. The conviction that God has called to this great ministry will enable a man to go into the ministry in spite of great difficulties.

3. It conserves all true values for a human being.

The pastor is concerned in ministering to the total man. Every aspect of life is the concern of the pastor. This is not true of secular professions. The lawyer is concerned with the civil rights of the individual. The doctor is concerned with his physical well-being. The pastor is concerned with the needs of the friendless, the physical health of the sick and the need of the salvation of the soul.

Many times the word of the pastor is all that is needed to defend the falsely accused. The pastor's words of warning and counsel will prove helpful in conserving the health of the well and the restoration to health of the ailing. Many other things could be named and it will be found that with anything of true value the pastor is concerned. The supreme work of the ministry is with the human soul, the well-being of the soul is essential to the welfare of every human being.

There are, unfortunately, men who carry the name of a pastor who do not belong in the ministry. This of course is a hindrance to the work of the church. It is tragic for any church to have an unspiritual, unscriptural, uncalled man for a leader. They reveal themselves--Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-23 that there would be false professors who would come in the name of the Lord, who would do some wonderful things, but He did not know them. He also said that their fruits would reveal them. There are traits which positively prove them as not called of God. The following traits are not true of God's true servants.

1. They have chosen the work of the pastorate as a profession. They do not believe in nor have they had a call from God. A man who has not had a distinct call from God should never be placed in the position of pastor in a church. He does not have the first qualification (Hebrews 5:4).

2. They do not place supreme value upon the salvation of the soul. This is most important of all. No matter what a person does or has if he is not saved all is lost (Mark 8:36, 37). The man whose main interest is in something other than the salvation of souls is not called of God. The first thing in the great commission is salvation. Christ called men to reach the lost (Matthew 4:19). There are those who do not think it necessary to be converted in order to be a Christian. Beware of such wolves in sheep's clothing.

3. Men who deny the authority and inspiration of the whole Word of God. God does not call men to tear the Bible to pieces or to cast doubt upon His Holy Word, the Bible. Beware of the teaching that the Bible contains the Word of God. The Bible is the Word of God totally inspired from beginning to end.

4. Uncalled men can easily step out of the ministry when the going gets rough or a more attractive opportunity presents itself many times such men become disillusioned with the work and the income which they receive. Every article written on the subject about "Why I left the ministry" was false. They did not tell the truth. This ministry is not to say that the writers willfully 1ied but they did not tell the truth because they did not know the truth. They were not God called men to begin with. I John 2:19 is the real reason for any man who has ever left the ministry.

God does not call quitters. Such may be in the ministry but they are not called of God. God never changes His call (Romans 11:29).

The greatest work in this world is that of a true minister of God. Its rewards are not in material things but in spiritual. Happy is the man who God has called. His work will bring eternal rewards.

There is no Scripture reference to Paul ever having been married. We know that Paul was born at Tarsus of Cilicia. (Acts 9:11; 21:39; 22:3). We know that he was of the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5). In Romans 16:7-11 Paul salutes three persons as his kinsmen, two of whom were said to have been "of note among the apostles," and to have become Christians before him. Acts 23:16 refers to "Paul's sister's son." It seems that if Paul had been married, there would have been some mention of his wife in the Scriptures.

Concerning I Corinthians 7-8, we need to define celibacy. Celibacy is the ability of an individual to live without conjugal relationships. It is a spiritual gift which Paul possessed which enabled him to live the single life with contentment (see Philippians 4:11). Often, as in the case of Paul, there is a need for men and women to give themselves wholly and completely in service for the things of the Lord, as stated by Paul in I Corinthians 7:32: "... He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord." Celibacy may be bestowed upon individuals by God for varying periods of time and for a myriad of reasons.

Most Bible scholars allude to the thought that Paul was single. However, some feel he was widowed. H. A. Ironside, in his commentary on I Corinthians, says: "... Paul says, "I would that all men were even as I myself." For the gospel's sake he chose to remain unmarried, and in circumstances such as many were passing through, the single state was to be preferred..."

F. W. Grosheide, in "The New International Commentary on the Testament, concerning I Corinthians 7:7, says the following:

This verse states Paul's real desire in this matter and explains why he could speak by "way of concession." By writing "I would that all me, were even as I myself" Paul implies that all Corinthians knew who and what he was (cf. 6:5). They knew that Paul was married but also that, through a special gift of the Lord, it was not necessary for him to marry and that he nevertheless did not need to fear that he might fall a victim to fornication. "Even as I myself" receives much emphasis. It implies the possession of the same gift Paul had. Paul distinguishes himself from the Corinthians. He is able to do what they cannot do. This verse offers the key to the entire periscope. In the new dispensation God gives special gifts, charismata, gifts of the Holy Spirit (see chapters 12-14), meant for the propagation of the kingdom of God (12:4-11)...There is a difference of gifts and everyone must be content with what God gave him. He that received the gift of continence should not boast as if he were more than somebody else. He that does not possess it should marry. (The New International Commentary of the New Testament, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, F. W. Grosheide, pp. 158, 159).

The Liberty Bible Commentary says concerning verses 6-7 as follows:

"I speak this by permission ... not of commandment." The apostle does not take sides with the extreme Jewish view that held that it was sin if a man reached twenty years of age without being married. Instead, he regards the matter as optional. "Even as myself." Content, not necessarily single. As to Paul's marital status, he was probably a widower (cf. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, Vol. 2, p. 217), but that is not the point here. The point is that every man hath his proper gift of God (cf. vs. 17, 20, 24, and 27). Both marriage and celibacy are considered as gifts of the Holy Spirit. (Liberty Bible Commentary, Vol. II, p. 432).

Concerning Paul's thorn in the flesh, different Bible scholars have various views in attempting to identify this thorn. Variation of interpretation among men of God is common in many areas of the Scriptures. In some areas God just simply did not choose to reveal His total truth. We may never know the answer until we get to Heaven. I Corinthians 13:12 says, "For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as I am known."

While there is no specific Scripture that alludes to any other physical impairment of Paul, there are several passages that suggest poor eyesight. Galatians 4:15 says, "...for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me." Why would Paul have used this unusual statement had he not had a need where his eyes were concerned? Then in Galatians 6:11 Paul says, "Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand."

Normally, a scribe (a secretary) wrote Paul's letters to the churches. This passage in Galatians 6, coupled with the fact that Paul nearly always used scribes, possibly suggests that he had sight difficulty.

Then in Acts 28:1-3 we have an account of Paul gathering firewood. As he picked up various pieces, he saw what looked like a bit of firewood, but when he laid it on the fire it turned out to be a viper (serpent) that was stiff from the cold. We could easily conclude that his eyesight was poor here.

H. A. Ironside, in his lectures on the Book of Acts (p. 538), says the following concerning Paul before the Council, as described in Acts 23:2-5: "...You may consider I am a bit imaginative about this, but I think Paul had defective vision. Several things in the Scripture have led me to that conclusion. I believe as he stood there before the council, he was not able to recognize those at some distance from him." Apparently Paul did not even realize (v. 3) that he was speaking to the high priest. Verse 5 goes on to say, "I wist not, brethren [I did not know], that he was the high priest..."

Dr. W. A. Criswell, in Criswell's Study Bible, p. 1374 (commentary to vs. 7-9) says as follows: "The nature of the thorn in the flesh is not revealed. If it had been revealed, those with a different problem would have tended to assume that the spiritual lesson here was not for them. God's silences are significant. However, there are some indications that Paul's eyesight may have been the source of his problem. Consider the rather unusual utterances of Paul re-corded in Acts 23:2-5; Galatians 4:15, 6:11. Does God always heal in response to a prayer of faith? The case of Paul is unquestionable evidence against such a hypothesis. Three times Paul besought God to remove the disability. God's answer is that His grace is sufficient and further, that God's strength is made perfect through the veil of human weakness."

So you see, in these areas where there are varying interpretations, we should study what God has given very care-fully and ask God to give us wisdom and insight in forming an opinion.

Many Christians are troubled over sins, which they commit after they are saved. They ask the question: "How can I have peace of heart when I've committed a sin after being saved?" God's Word gives blessed assurance of true peace. Isaiah 1:18, which follows, is for both unsaved people and saved people:

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

God is so loving He also tells us He will forgive us and cleanse us of any sin if we sincerely confess it and ask for forgiveness. He tells us that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Note the following verses:

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin (I John 1:7).

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive give us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).

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: And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (I John 2:1-2).

We certainly can have peace in our hearts with God. This is the heritage of His dear children. Jesus Himself said His own peace could be ours:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).

Even if some consequences of a sin which we committed in the past have to affect us throughout the remainder of our life, God will minimize those consequences, and will nevertheless give us His forgiveness, His peace, His joy and His power for service if we have sincerely confessed those sins and have asked God to forgive us for Jesus' sake.

"Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

With reference to peace with God--this refers to the unconditional peace we have with God from the moment we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. Rather than describing a feeling of peace, it is referring to a state of peace which we have through our Lord Jesus Christ. To the believer, there is access to God from the moment of salvation because we have been justified through our faith in Jesus Christ--we have been perfected in Christ--"For by one offering he [God] hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Hebrews 10: 14).

The word "perfected" means "to be brought to full maturity." When God looks at us in our position in Jesus Christ, He does not see us in our weakness, ignorance, and immaturity. He sees us with all of the perfection that belongs to Jesus Christ. Thus, God can view us as mature and adult sons in His own family. We are clothed in a righteousness not our own, but provided for us by Jesus Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38,39). Christ, in His death and resurrection, paid our sin debt for all eternity -- "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God" (Romans 3:24-25).

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are, by the workings of the Holy Spirit, brought into such union with the Son of God that all that belongs to the Son belongs to us. There is nothing that belongs to Him that He has not shared with us, apart from His essential deity. When the Father looks upon us as the sons of God, He sees us as He sees the Son of God. Our position is sealed forever--our peace with God is an eternal reality.

On the other hand, peace of God is an inward peace, the state of the soul of the Christian, it is conditional--it is not positional. While our union with God cannot be broken (that state of peace), certainly our communion with God can be broken. We can be out of fellowship with God because of unconfessed sin in our lives. We can stray and grieve the Holy Spirit. By so doing, we can lose the joy of our salvation--we can lose that feeling of peace. The peace of God comes to a Christian by his or her committing all areas of anxiety to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. (Philippians 4:6-7).

When one is truly saved, he will seek to live the new life--"Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God" (I John 3:9). He will not habitually sin. The blessed Holy Spirit dwells the heart of the believer, thus convicting us when we sin. Only by confessing our sins and asking God to forgive us can we regain that peace of God which emphasizes the quality and nature of true communion with God.

The question of Peter being in Rome has been a source of debate for many years. There are two main theories concerning the location from which Peter wrote his first epistle. The controversy centers on the identity of "the church that is at Babylon" (I Peter 5:13). Dr. Harold Willmington presents the two theories as:

1) It is literal Babylon on the Euphrates River.

This would seem to be the natural interpretation of the passage. Furthermore, the list of countries in I Peter 1:1 is from East to West, which suggests that the writer was in the East at the time of the writing.

J. Vernon McGee writes:

"There was at this time a large colony of Jews in ancient Babylon who had fled Rome due to severe persecution under Claudias and at the time of writing bloody Nero was on the Throne" (Through the Bible, p. 256).

In addition to this, the descendents of those Jews taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar were still living in and around Babylon.

2) The second theory is that "Babylon" is Rome. Charles Ryrie writes:

"The place of the writing was "Babylon (5:13), a symbolic name for Rome much used by writers who wished to avoid trouble with Roman authorities... Peter was in Rome during AD 63, just before the outbreak of Nero's persecution in 64. Peter was martyred about 67 (The Ryrie Study Bible, p. 425)."

Furthermore, it is argued that Peter states Mark (5:13) was with him at the time the epistle was written. However, just prior to this, Paul had written Timothy to bring Mark to Rome with him (I Timothy 4:11). Basic Stages in the Book of Ages (New Testament), p. 325.

The second theory is presented in the Liberty Bible Commentary, Vol. 11, p. 733. "Date and place of writing: Peter wrote from "Babylon' (5:13), which is an esoteric symbol of Rome."

The question of Peter being in Rome is very ambiguous, and therefore something one must be careful in assigning "doctrinal" importance to - as in the case of the Roman Catholic belief that Peter was the first Pope, etc. The real question should not be so concerned with where Peter was when he wrote the epistles but, do we believe what Peter wrote?

Our position as Christians is simply that we believe the verbal inspiration of the Word of God. We hold that Peter wrote under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, and we believe every word he wrote was absolutely correct - infallible.

Tradition tells us that when Peter died as a martyr. When he was given the choice of how he should die, he said, "I'd like to be crucified up-side-down because I am unworthy to die as my Lord died."

The Scriptures do not record this request of Peter. However, John 21:16,19 alludes to the fact that Peter would die a martyr's death:

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou [Peter] wast young thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake He, [Jesus] signifying by what death he [Peter] should glorify God. And when He [Jesus] had spoken this, he saith unto him, [Peter) Follow me."

Liberty Bible Commentary, Vol. II (page 258) states concerning John 21:18,19 as follows:

"Christ how prophesies that one day Peter's freedom would cease. "Old" - This indicates that Peter will have a long, useful life of service. "Thou shall stretch forth thy hands" - This language could refer to crucifixion, and church tradition concurs that this is how Peter died. "Glorify God" - What confidence the Lord gives to the one who had denied Him. Peter would be faithful to the end, and would bring glory to God through his death. "Follow me" - The Lord calls Peter to a life of total commitment to Him."

In this text from John 21 Jesus is, in effect, saying to Peter, "Peter, you said you were willing to go to prison and to death for Me," [see John 13:36,37] "and you are going to do it. When you were young you went your own way, but when you are old you are going to be bound with chains and taken to prison and death for Me." And if we can trust early church history, this is just what happened (probably some time between AD 67 and AD 70), because Peter was in prison for Christ's sake and he was taken out to death [see II Peter 1:14,15]. They were going to nail him to a cross, and Peter said, "No, no! My Lord died like that. I am not worthy to die as He did." Then Peter said, "Hang me on that cross head downward." (Ref. John, pp. 889,890, H. A. Ironside)

Dr. H. L. Willmington, in his book entitled, Willmington's Guide to the Bible, says in his introduction to I Peter the following:

"The letter [I Peter] was probably written at the end of his [Peter's] life. It is thought that after this epistle he was arrested and tried. Between his trial and execution he wrote II Peter [see II Peter 1:13-21]. It must have been written around AD 64, on the eve of the outbreak of the persecution by Nero. Nero died in AD 68."

The traditional account of Peter's crucifixion could be considered accurate, based on (1) the prophecy of our Lord in John 21:18, 19; (2) II Peter 1:14, 15; and (3) church history handed down through the ages, even though we do not find the actual account recorded in the Scriptures.

Are the Philistines of the Old Testament and the Palestinians of modern time the same people?

Following is an excerpt from a book entitled THE PHILISTINES AND THE OLD TESTAMENT by Dr. Edward E. Hindson on page 14, under the title "Origin Of The Philistines":

The Scripture tells us that the Philistines "came out from" Caphtor (Casluhim). They were sons of Mizraim (Egypt) and of Ham (see I Chronicles 1:12 and Amos 9:7). Most historians agree that they came from the eastern Mediterranean area but their original homeland and migration route are uncertain.

The Philistines settled in Canaan during the time of the Israelite judges (twelfth to eleventh century BC) and threatened Israel inland.

A further reference to the Philistines is found in UNGER'S BIBLE DICTIONARY on page 859:

Philistines, a powerful sea people that settled in the coastal strip in Southwestern Palestine, extending along the Mediterranean from Joppa to south of Gaza.

The Philistines were a non-Semitic people. The fact that they were uncircumcised figures prominently in the Old Testament. They were apparently Aryans, viewed by some scholars as Indo-Europeans. Raamses III's temple at Medinet Habu contains relics depicting the Philistines. They appear as a tall, Hellenic-looking people.

Based on the above description of the Philistines of the Old Testament, it would not seem that the present-day Palestinians would be considered direct descendents from the Philistines themselves. The Palestine people identify themselves as Arabs and are part of the Arab League established in the Middle East. The PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) and the Arab states persist in denying Israel's right to an exclusive claim to all the land, sing the slogan "Restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people." This is, however, simply a camouflage for the ultimate aim -- Israel's destruction. (FACTS ABOUT ISRAEL, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem.)

You should know first that God loves you, and has a wonderful plan for your life--"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). "... I (Christ) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

All of us want to be loved. We are loved by the Creator of the Universe. And that same Creator wants to be the personal God of your life and to give you the type of fulfilled life that you really desire to have.

The next thing you should know is that we are all sinners and sin has separated us from God! "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not" (Ecclesiastes 7:20). "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "For the wages of sin is death..." --spiritual separation from God (Romans 6:23).

Because of this separation from God, we cannot experience the fulfillment and peace which God wants everyone to have. We were created to have fellowship with God, but our self-will and sin have created a vast gulf between us and our Creator. Could the Holy Spirit be telling you this?

The third thing you should know is that Jesus Christ is the only remedy for sin and the only way to reach God! "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God..." (I Peter 3:18). "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). "...Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and ... he was buried, and ... he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3,4). God has seen it to see Christ and the salvation which He provided by dying on the cross to be the means whereby the great chasm between sinful man and a holy God can be bridged. There is no other way because "neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

The fourth thing you should know is that you must receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord!

You must receive Christ: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to then, that believe on his name" (John 1:12).

You must receive Christ through faith. "For by grace through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).

You must repent of your sins. "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" Luke 13:5).

You must receive Christ by a personal invitation. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20). Do you think Christ is knocking at your heart's door?

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell (Matthew 5:29-30).

Passages such as Matthew 5:29-30; 18:8-9, and Mark 9:42-48, are not intended to be taken literally. They are simply figures of speech illustrating the harm associated with adultery and lustful thoughts. Thus, the statement of cutting off one's hand or plucking out one's eye definitely is not to be taken literally. What Jesus implied in these passages is that if thy right eye offend thee then the logical thing to do would be to do something about it (the cause of offense). His point was not that one should literally pluck out the eye, but that one should recognize the source of lust comes from within the mind and heart of man, not from the physical organ or limb itself. The right eye is not the source of sin; the heart of man (wrong emotion and lustful thought) is that source of lustful sin. Thus, someone who had plucked out his right eye in an attempt to deal with lust would simply become a left-eyed luster!

In the above mentioned passages, Jesus made use of a figure of speech known as a hyperbole (an exaggeration) to impress His listeners with the gravity of sin. What Jesus taught was that man must bring the passions of his heart under the control of the Spirit of God. It would be far better to sever a member of the body than to keep it and go to Hell. It is obvious, however, that the real problem lies in the heart and mind of sinful man (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Volume 2, pages 22,23,122).

Webster's Dictionary defines pornography as: "originally, a description of prostitutes and their trade." The word came from porne (prostitute) and graphein (to write). The word meant 25 years ago, "writings, pictures or any symbolic stimulus intended to arouse sexual desire." Now the word pornography goes on to include more than arousal of sexual drives. Pornography now includes in its meaning, "arousing sexual drives of deviations, perversions, and abnormal behavior."

Justice Potter Stewart said about pornography, "I know it when I see it." Senator Barry Goldwater said, "As a father and a grandfather, I know, what is obscene and what isn't."

INDICTMENT

Today pornography is sexual deviation, perversion and incest at its worst. Behind the doors of an adult only bookstore are more than girlie pictures. Included are books, magazines, films and other literature depicting:

1. Vulgar language. The most filthy language is included that not only takes God's name in vain, but includes every nasty idea possible. The "dirty speech movement" of the sixties has gotten more profane.

2. Incest. Sex is present between brothers and sisters, mothers and sons, and fathers and daughters.

3. Ridicule of the religious. Anything that symbolizes God or purity is debased. Stories of ministers or other religious persons are written to debase and humiliate all that is sacred.

4. Obscene violence. In the quest for new sensations, every form of violence is depicted from rape and murder to sexual sadism.

5. Beastiality. Humans are shown engaging in sexual activity with animals.

6. Eroticising. The display of sex and the human body in every form of unnatural and perverted relationships.

THE SIN AGAINST AMERICA

1. Pornography has distorted women. Women are not bound with sexual hang-ups or is every woman out to seduce men, as the pornographer shows women. A woman is shown as a masculine wish fulfillment. The woman is shown as so lust-driven that she will stop at nothing to satisfy herself.

2. Sex is shown as a physical relationship without love. The pornographer feeds off the lust and presents material to satisfy the lust. There is no true love relationship shown by the pornographer. There is never a marriage, children, or a home.

3. Pornography destroys the privacy of sex. Parents should teach their children that sex is private. Dr. Rollo May expresses it, "The more powerful need is not for sex per se, but for relationship, intimacy, acceptance, and affirmation." What the pornographers would do is force open sex on TV and have us see rape, nudity, homosexual activity and obscene gestures. We all face an "invasion of privacy by the obscene." Incidently, we would not allow the filming and showing of a man hanged or electrocuted because it is shockingly obscene.

4. Pornography has slipped into perversion. People are literally tortured, devoured and mutilated. Women are tortured as a sex act with whips, chains and racks. People are presented with abnormal sex organs. As one author says, "For those who enjoy gazing at animals with five legs, dogs with two heads, pornography offers a field day."

5. Pornography has produced other sins. The sexual permissiveness of the pornographer has produced venereal disease in epidemic proportions, rise in divorce rates, more adultery, spread of massage parlors and growing homosexuality.

THE SIN AGAINST GOD

1. The Bible teaches that we should have a pure mind. A person is not to give himself over to sinful thought. Matthew 5:28, But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Temptation comes through the mind. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ (II Corinthians 11:3).

2. The Bible teaches that we are not to feed the lust. When we look at pictures that stimulate the sexual desire, we stimulate the lust in us. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death (James 1:14,15). "Avoid sexual looseness like the plague" (I Corinthians 6:18, Phillips Translation).

3. The Bible teaches that we are to maintain a pure body. A Christian must be more than pure in his soul; he must have a clean body. We cannot commit sex outside of marriage (I Corinthians 6:15-18):

Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ and make them the members of a harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to a harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh ...

The seventh commandment demanded sexual purity. Thou shalt not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14).

The pornographer has repeatedly said his greatest enemy is the person who holds to the Protestant/puritan ethic. This ethical system is the foundation of our nation. It holds that a person must attempt to not think impure thoughts and not give in to the lust of the flesh. He must discipline his speech, action, and way of life to live according to the Bible.

Then, the final answer to the pornographer is the man and woman who fall in love within the will of God. They control their physical desires and give themselves unreservedly in marriage. Then in the act of true physical love, they conceive children and introduce children into a loving home.

The Proper Method of Praying

Prayer is a matter involving the spirit and no specific method of prayer can be of any avail which does not recognize this fact. In order for prayer to be a happy and abiding experience, we must seek out methods which are reasonable and essential. We must pray to God, through the Holy Spirit, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We should regard prayer as being as essential to our souls as is our daily meals are to our bodies. For every child of God some time should be reserved for private communion with Him. What time it should be, or for how long, is a matter only you can determine. Perhaps it could be early when you first arise. It might be at bedtime; or perhaps it could be both times.

However, we can also pause in the course of a day's activities when a special need to pray arises or when we just feel like we need to pray or give a praise and silently pray. We do not have to close our eyes. We do not have to leave our work and seek out a place we can kneel. Certainly God hears and honors these prayers. Dr. Falwell frequently speaks of talking with the Lord when he is alone, driving down the highway.

Do you have a designated time each day to get alone and study your Bible and pray? If you do not, we would urge you to establish a specific time and get into this habit. You might start with just a few words of prayer, asking God to bless the reading of His precious Word. Then begin to read and meditate on the His Word, searching out each verse for a blessing for the sake of obtaining food for your soul. As you read and meditate on the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will intercede and reveal to you how you should pray.

God will always hear and answer our prayers (regardless of whether we are sitting, standing, or kneeling; regardless of whether our eyes are open or closed, and regardless of when we pray)--IF we do not have unconfessed sin in our hearts, and IF we pray with faith. However, we must not forget that His answer may not be the same answer we desire because He knows our needs better than we know them. We should always pray "If it be Thy will."

The complete idea of prayer should include: 1) Adoration (the worship of God) 2) Confession (the acknowledgment of sin)

3) Petition (faith's claim for personal need)

4)Intercession (our sincere prayer on behalf of others)

5) Thanksgiving (the heart's expression of joy in God)

How best these various precepts of prayer may be included in your prayer time can only be determined by you. If time does not permit you to cover each idea at every prayer session, then focus on each precept on a regular basis.

Also practice pausing momentarily during the day and silently praying for a specific need or silently praising the Lord for a specific victory or joy. You will find yourself thinking more and more of our precious Savior as a Friend and prayer will become increasingly easier.

The Bible is filled with many examples of men and women who learned how to pray with power.

Prayer is not limited to a select few who have special privileges with God. Prayer is something we can all learn to do. It is the one element of Christian service open to every believer. No matter what your position in life, you can pray. Regardless of any limitations you may possess, you can pray.

Learning to pray has enabled ordinary people to become extraordinary saints of God, bringing them to new heights in their relationship with God and their influence with mankind. You too can learn to pray with power. Let's look at a few examples.

Abraham. The first great intercessor in Scripture was Abraham, the man of faith. As his story opens, God is talking to him, but as it closes, Abraham is talking to God. Yet, throughout his life, Abraham had a lot to learn about how to pray. Many of his early prayers were vain and futile: his request to make his steward his adopted son (Genesis 15:2); his appeal that Ishmael be his heir (Genesis 17:18); and his unsuccessful intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:23-33).

Later in Abraham's life, God spoke of him to Abimelech. He is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live (Genesis 20:7). On several occasions, Abraham built an altar and called there on the name of the Lord (Genesis 21:33). His eldest servant followed his example and prayed for direction while seeking a bride for Abraham's son Isaac (Genesis 24:12).

At the most crucial point of his life. Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac at God's command. As they marched to Mount Moriah, Isaac asked, Where is the lamb for a burnt offering? (Genesis 22:7). Abraham replied by faith, God will provide himself a lamb (Genesis 22:8). When God did intervene, Abraham named the place Jehovah-jireh (The Lord sees and provides). Abraham's journey of faith taught him to have confidence in God.

Moses. The Book of Exodus is filled with Moses' prayers. From the time he stood before the burning bush until he crossed the Red Sea with the children of Israel, Moses learned how to pray.

As with Abraham, Moses' early prayers were filled with excuses: Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh? (Exodus 3:11); Behold they will not believe me (Exodus 4:1); I am not eloquent (Exodus 4:10). But by the time he faced Pharaoh, the Scripture says he was like a god to Pharaoh (Exodus 7:1), meaning that he reflected the power and glory of God.

Later, when Moses received the commandments of God on Mount Sinai, he actually glowed with the glory of God (Exodus 34:35). Time and time again he prayed to God on behalf of the people of Israel, and he finally brought them to the border of the Promised Land.

Hannah. One of the most touching prayers recorded in Scripture is that of Hannah when she begs God for a son and vows to give him back to the Lord (I Samuel 1:10-16). Her prayer was so fervent that Eli mistakenly thought she was drunk. But Hannah replied, I . . . have poured out my soul . . . out of the abundance of my complaint and grief (I Samuel 1:15-16). Eli was so impressed by her sincerity that he told her God would grant her petition.

Some months later Hannah bore Samuel, and while he was still a child she took him to Eli to serve the Lord at the tabernacle. There God revealed himself to Samuel and called him to be a prophet of God (I Samuel 3:1-2 1). Thus, her prayers were answered when she prayed, For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord (I Samuel 1:27-28).

David. The shepherd boy who was destined to become the king of Israel was called a man after God's own heart because he was a man of prayer. The many Psalms he wrote are an expression of the prayers of his heart. In them he prays for guidance, deliverance, protection, and wisdom. His prayers exalt the praise of God: Bless the Lord, 0 my soul (Psalm 104:1). They express thanksgiving: 0 give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name (Psalm 105:I). Psalm 119 is filled with requests: Teach me, give me, make me, remember me, help me.

Many of David's prayers grew out of the experiences of his own life: his persecution by Saul, his sinful failure, the rebellion of his son Absolam. Yet, in each crisis of his life he drew nearer to God than ever before. Out of the depth of his need came some of the greatest prayers ever recorded in Scripture: I will extol thee, 0 Lord; for thou has lifted me up (Psalm 30:1). I acknowledge my sin unto thee . . . . (Psalm 32:5, 7). Have mercy upon me, 0 God . . . Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin (Psalm 51:1-2).

Daniel. Taken captive by the Babylonians as a teenager, Daniel survived the 70-year Exile because he knew how to pray. Early in his experience as a prisoner, Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself (Daniel 1:8). God honored him for that commitment and brought him to a place of prominence in the Babylonian Empire. Later, when his own life was threatened, he and his friends went to prayer to desire mercies of the God of heaven (Daniel 2:18). Time and time again God delivered them.

The greatest story of prayer in the life of Daniel occurred when he was in his eighties. Having lived through the entire Babylonian captivity, Daniel was confronted by a new law passed by Darius the Mede, the new governor of Babylon under the Medes and the Persians. Darius was tricked into passing a law that for 30 days no one could pray to anyone other than himself. By this new law, his advisors hoped to get Daniel in trouble. They knew he prayed regularly three times a day (Daniel 6: 1 0).

Daniel refused to obey the new law and continued praying with his windows open! This led to his being thrown into the den of lions, and to his miraculous deliverance. The story ends with the words, So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius (Daniel 6:28).

Jonah. One of the most unusual prayers recorded in the Bible is that of Jonah, the reluctant prophet who prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly (Jonah 2:1). God had told Jonah to go to Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, to preach repentance. The Scripture says that Jonah rose up to flee (Jonah 1:3). He took a ship for Tarshish (Spain) in the opposite direction from Nineveh. Eventually he was thrown overboard during a great storm, was swallowed by a great fish, and remained in the belly of the fish for three days (Jonah 1:17).

While he was in the fish, Jonah cried unto the Lord. Acknowledging his disobedience and begging for deliverance, He promised God that he would give Him the sacriflce . . . of thanksgiving (Jonah 2:9) for His deliverance.

You probably know the rest of the story. Jonah was deposited on shore by the fish and went on to preach at Nineveh, where the people did indeed repent, even to Jonah's surprise.

Jesus. Our Lord was a man of prayer. Before every major event in His earthly life, He prayed to the Father: before His temptation (Matthew 4:1); before He called the 12 disciples (Luke 6:12); at the Last Supper (Luke 22:19); in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46). Jesus taught His disciples to pray (Matthew 6:5-13) and showed them how to pray by His example.

Jesus' longest prayer is recorded in John 17:1-26, at the end of the Last Supper as He prepared to go to Gethsemane and on to the Cross the next day. In this High Priestly prayer, our Lord prayed for His own.

He called on the Father to glorify Himself and to unify the believers that they all may be one (v. 21). In this prayer our Lord promised eternal life to us and prayed for our sanctification (v. 17). This beautiful prayer expressed the heart of God for His people.

Now consider these examples of prayer for a moment. If leaders like Daniel and Moses needed to pray, do you not need to pray? If men of faith like Abraham and Daniel needed to pray, do you not need to pray? If people as desperate as Hannah and Jonah got their prayers answered, should you not pray? If our Lord prayed often during His earthly ministry, should not we pray often? The truth is all too clear. Men ought always to pray and not to faint (Luke 18:1).

We certainly appreciate your interest in the particular wording of the prayer closure "for Christ's sake" as used by Dr. Falwell. Please examine the following Scripture and note the comments:

" . . . Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy be full" (John 16:23-24)

Until Jesus instructed the disciples, prayer had been made directly to God. Now they were to pray in the merits of the finished work of Christ . . . . Prayer made in Christ's name was not so that Christ could somehow convince the Father to answer the prayers. The Father will answer prayer because of His love for the disciples. (Liberty Bible Commentary, Volume II, p. 249.)

Please understand that Dr. Falwell recognizes the ministry of the Holy Spirit to make " . . . intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26) and that Jesus Christ is the advocate between the Father and the believer (I John 2:1; I Timothy 2:5).

The use of the phrase "for Christ's sake" as a prayer closure is not to take away from any work or quality of Christ but the phrase is simply recognizing that because of Jesus Christ we are privileged to come to God the Father with our prayers. Please see the following Scriptures to verify the use of this phrase: I John 2:12; III John 7; Revelation 2:3; Ephesians 4:32; II Corinthians 4:5, 12:10; Romans 15:30; Acts 9:16; John 15:21.

It should be noted that simply the utterance of a prayer formula . . . "in Jesus name" does not guarantee that the person's prayer will be granted, or even heard by God the Father. Please read the following passage:

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:22-23).

Many Christians have been disturbed by the reports of the discoveries of skeletal remains of prehistoric men, which seem to support the single-protoplasm theory. Popular magazines and some textbooks present pictures of partial skulls that have been discovered, and feature impressive-looking charts that trace man's gradual ascent from an ape-like creature to what he is today. But in reality, claims like these do not pose any threat to the biblical account of man's origin. In fact, there are several arguments that can be given as to why they should not be taken as conclusive evidence for the evolutionary theory.

First argument -- the-dating of skeletal remains is a speculative process. It is usually determined by the layer in which the bones are uncovered. The fact that man has always buried his dead, however, disrupts the system. If the body is interred, the fossils will appear in a different strata than that in which the person lived. In addition, scientists strongly disagree upon the validity of current dating methods. Even the Carbon 14 process can provide only a general date and is not deemed reliable beyond about 10,000 years.

Second argument -- the reconstruction of early man are largely imaginative. While we may be impressed by the elaborate drawing of hairy, ape-like men, we must remember that these sketches are based upon only a few small fragments of bone or a piece of skull. All too often, the scientist's imagination was the determining factor.

Third argument against the pro-evolutionary conclusions drawn from the fossil records -- positive identification of bone fragments is difficult. Even the most skilled anthropologists cannot be certain that the small fragment of bone he is examining came from a human being or an ape.

Fourth argument -- we are inclined to distrust the interpretations drawn from the fossils by atheists because they do not agree among themselves. Some think that behind all the skeletal remains that have been found was a common ancestor, while others believe that evolution produced two separate races of primitive man which merged to become modern man. That is why paleontologists are divided into the polyphyletic (more than one pair) and unilinear (one ancestral pair only) schools of thought. Now, if the data is such that they cannot agree among themselves, how can they speak with certainty against the creationists?

So you can see that the presence of fossil remains of man does not necessarily present a problem for those who hold to the biblical account of man's origin and nature. The simple declaration of Genesis 1:27 [So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them] stands as firmly as it ever did. Nothing in the fossil record has given reason for discrediting it (Excerpts from SCIENCE AND THE BIBLE, by Richard W. DeHaan, pages 10-12).

What is meant by the priesthood of the believer? First, we need to look at the Old Testament example of a priest. We know that God called the nation of Israel to be God's chosen people, that they might witness for Him, but they failed to do it. In Exodus 19:6, God says: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. So this verse explains why He chose a group of people to be His priests.

In Isaiah 61:6, God is speaking to Isaiah concerning the nation of Israel. He says: But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God. The key word here is "minister." Certainly, the priesthood of the believer, first, deals with the fact that we are to be ministers. In I Peter 2:5, Peter says, Yea also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Peter is speaking of the born-again believer, who is now part of a priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God.

In Revelation 1:6, the Word of God, again, talks of the priesthood of the believer, that God has made us kings and priests unto God. In Revelation 20:6, He says that those priests (born-again believers) of God and of Christ ... shall reign with Him a thousand years. So the priesthood of a believer is twofold: first, in the Old Testament, we find that the priest was an intercessor between God and man.

The same thing holds true today, that we, as believers, are to be witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ to the world as His children (priests) in that sense. We also have the responsibility of prayer. This does not get anyone into Heaven, but we are to pray for the lost, and their needs.

Certainly, some people would not come to us as they would come to a priest, as some denominations believe priests have powers to answer prayers. I do not have power to answer prayer, but I do have the power at my disposal to take someone's needs to God. This is the primary purpose of the priesthood of the believer -- that we have direct access to the Lord.

Also, concerning the priesthood of the believer, we know that Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who would guide us into all truth. So, in this respect, we have the ability to study His Word, that God Himself may illumine our hearts and teach us.

As we are told in the Gospel, when Jesus Christ was crucified -- when the veil was rent in the Temple -- that made bare the Holy of Holies. So today we have direct access to God as His children. This, basically, is the priesthood of the believer.

As believers, in relationship to our priesthood, we need to realize that we have a responsibility to each other -- to pray for one another, to assemble ourselves unto God, to worship together. God has set aside the church today -- local assemblies of born-again believers, that we might, in every aspect, be priests through that church -- to reach out to a lost and dying world. We have a responsibility to the lost -- to tell them about Christ. Of course, as believers in Christ, the ultimate responsibility should be our love for the Lord, and our worship of Him. In this, we are priests, a holy nation, separated unto God.

Dr. Falwell and the Old-Time Gospel Hour ministry in no way encourages individuals to forsake their Bible-believing, Bible-preaching churches. Dr. Falwell believes that the church is much like a family that goes through the good times and the bad ties together. Your church, like many others, is in need of constant prayer by each of the persons making up that church. God answers prayers and God will allow your church to go through difficulties if through those difficulties He, God, receives the glory.

Our advice would be for you to earnestly commit your church, your pastor, problems, all to the Lord in prayer. You should seek God's face on what you can do to help remedy the situation or problem in your church. This may entail you and others within your church going to your pastor, sharing the burden upon your heart, and offering yourselves as instruments to be used by God to remedy the problem facing your church.

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God [prophets] spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (II Peter 1:21).

"Prophecy" refers to the total revelation of God which did not originate by human invention but as the writers of Scripture were "moved by the Holy Ghost," meaning they were "borne along" by the Holy Spirit. Thus, He moved upon them in such a way that their words were indeed the very Word of God! (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. II, p. 756)

The biblical meaning of the term "prophet" is: one who speaks forth or openly, a proclaimer of a divine message, hence, in general, a prophet was one upon whom the Spirit of God rested (see Numbers 11:17-29). A prophet is one to whom and through whom God speaks (see Numbers 12:2; Amos 3:7-8). Prophets were both foretellers and forthtellers. They received their message from God and delivered it for God to men. They had deep insight into spiritual truths as they interpreted God's message under the power of the Holy Spirit (see II Peter 1:21).

In the case of the Old Testament prophets their messages were very largely the proclamation of the divine purpose of salvation and glory to be accomplished in the future. Though much of the Old Testament prophecy was purely predictive, prophecy is not necessarily, nor even primarily, foretelling. Prophecy is the declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means, it is the forthtelling of the will of God, whether with reference to the past, the present, or the future.

The prophesying of the New Testament prophets is both a preaching of the divine counsels of grace already accomplished and the foretelling of the purposes of God with reference to the future. The office of the New Testament prophet is of great importance. He appears among the ministry gifts of Ephesians 4:11. The office of the prophet is also included along with Christ and the apostles in forming the foundation upon which the church is built.

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20).

In the New Testament passages of I Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians 2:20, the prophets are placed after the apostles, since not the prophets of Israel are intended, but the 'gifts' of the ascended Lord (see Ephesians 4:8,11; Acts 13:1). The purpose of the New Testament prophet is to edify, to comfort, and to encourage the believers. The New Testament prophets also minister to the unbelievers by showing them that the secrets of a man's heart are known to God, thus convicting the unsaved of their sin, and to constrain them to come to Christ (I Corinthians 14:24,25).

With the completion of the Canon of Scripture prophecy apparently passed away (I Corinthians 13:8,9). In this measure the 'teacher' has taken the place of the prophet (see Ephesians 4:11; II Timothy 3:2). The difference is that, whereas the message of the prophet was a direct revelation of the mind of God for the occasion, the message of the teacher is gathered from the completed Revelation contained in the Scriptures. (VINES EXPOSITORY DICTONARY OF NEW TESTAMENT WORDS, p. 893)

There are many Bible scholars who believe that there were no prophets after Christ. This is basically true in the sense that the unique prophetic ministry of Christ was the consummation of all prophecy, for He came as the greatest Prophet, Priest, and King. He fulfilled the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:15. In this passage a "prophet" would come from among the Jews and be like Moses. This passage denotes only one prophet and no more. However, in that passage the word is also used in a distributive sense ... Consequently, while focussing on that one prophet who was to come, the context leads us to expect a succession of prophets. That is exactly how Peter viewed the passage in Acts 3:21,24 and as did Stephen in Acts 7:37. The line of true prophets was consummated in Jesus Christ. (HANDBOOK OF BIBLICAL PROPHECY, p. 84)

The term "prophet" may be properly used in reference to modern-day preachers such as Dr. Falwell and Jack Van Impie and others who address prophetic themes in their preaching and teaching messages.

PART I -HAPPENINGS IN HEAVEN:

I. Rapture of all Christians--I Thess. 4:14-18; I Cor. 15:51-53- Heb. 9:24-28; Rev. 4:1

A. Meaning of the word Rapture: to transport from one place to another

B. Various Views of the Rapture:

1. Partial Rapture--that only "Spiritual" Christians will be caught up. Refuted by I Cor. 15:51

2. Mid-tribulation Rapture--that all believers will have to endure the first half of the tribulation. Refuted by I Thess. 5:9

C. Mystery of the Rapture: Millions of believers will enter Heaven without dying! See I Cor. 15:51

D. Trumpet of the Rapture: May be for a two-fold purpose:

1. To summon angels to battle 2. To summon believers to worship--See I Cor. 15:52; I Thess. 4:16; Rev. 4:1

E. Challenges of the Rapture: Because of the Rapture, the believer is to:

1. Attend the services--Heb. 10:25 2. Observe the Lord's Supper--I Cor. 11:26 3. Love Believers--I Thess. 3:12, 13 4. Be patient--James 5:8 5. Live a separated life--I John 3:2, 3; Titus 2:12, 13; 1 John 2:28 6. Refrain from judging others--I Cor. 4:5 7. Preach the Word--II Tim. 4:1, 2; I Peter 5:2,4 8. Comfort the bereaved--I Thess. 4:16, 18 9. Win souls--Jude 21-23 10. Be concerned with Heavenly things--Col. 3:1-4

II. Judgment Seat of Christ--I Cor. 3:9-15; II Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10

A. Purpose of the Judgment

1. Negative consideration--not to determine salvation or punishment for sins

2. Positive consideration--to reward believers for their service for Christ

B. Areas Involved in This Judgment

1. How we treat other believers--Heb. 6:10; Matt. 10:41, 42 2. How we exercise our authority over others--Heb. 13:17; James 3:1 3. How we employ our God-given abilities--II Tim. 1:6; I Cor. 12:4, 11; I Peter 4:10; Luke 19:11-26; Matt. 25:14-29 4. How we use our money--I Tim. 6:17-19; II Cor. 9:6,7; I Cor. 16:2 5. How much we suffer for Jesus--Matt. 5:11, 12; I Peter 4:12, 13; Mark 10:29, 30; II Cor. 4:17; Rom. 8:18 6. How we spend our time--Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5; I Peter 1:17; Psa. 90:12 7. How we run that particular race which God has chosen for us-I Cor. 9:24; Phil. 3:13, 14; Heb. 12:1; Phil. 2:16 8. How effectively we control the old nature--I Cor. 9:25-27 9. How many souls we witness to and win for Christ--Prov. 11:30; I Thess. 2:19, 20; Dan. 12:3 10. How we react to temptation--James 1:2, 3; Rev. 2:10 11. How much the doctrine of the Rapture means to us--II Tim. 4:8 12. How faithful we are to the Word of God and the flock of God-I Peter 5:2-4; II Tim. 4:1, 2- Acts 20:26-28

C. Results of the judgment

1. Some will receive rewards--I Cor. 3:14 2. Some will suffer loss--I Cor. 3:15

III. Marriage of the Lamb--II Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:6-8; Matt. 22:1, 2; Eph. 5:23-27

A. Host of the Marriage--The Father! Lk. 14:16-23

B. Bridegroom of the Marriage--The Son! John 3:27-30; Lk. 5:32-35

C. Bride of the 'Marriage--The Church! Eph. 5:22-32; II Cor. 11:2

D. Guests of the Marriage--Israel! Matt. 25:1-13

E. Service Schedule of the Marriage--three separate stages:

1. The betrothal stage--now going on--II Cor. 11:2 2. The presentation stage--at the Rapture--John 14:2, 3 3. The celebration stage--the Millennium--Rev. 19:7, 8

F. Certainty of the Marriage--Acts 1:11; Heb. 10:14; Eph. 5:27; Rom. 8:33-39

IV. Presentation of a Seven-Sealed Book--Rev. 4 & 5

A. The Proclamation--Rev. 5:1, 2

B. The Investigation--Rev. 5:3

C. The Lamentation--Rev. 5:4

D. The Manifestation--Rev. 5:5-7

E. The Adoration--Rev. 5:9-14

PART 2 - EVENTS ON EARTH:

I. Seven Year Tribulation Begins: Dan. 9:24-27; 12:1; Isa. 24; Joel 2; Matt. 24; Rev. 6-20

A. Nature of Tribulation--Isa. 13:6, 7, 10, 11; 2:19; 24:1, 19, 20; 34:2-4; 63:3, 4, 6; Jer. 25:32, 33; Joel 2:1, 2; Zeph. 1:14, 15; Matt. 24:7,11,12,21,22; Lk. 21:25, 26; I Thess. 5:2, 3- Rev. 6:12-17

B. Length of Tribulation--(7 years) See Dan. 9:24-27

C. Purpose of Tribulation:

1. To harvest the crop of humanity--Matt. 13 2. To prove the falseness of Satan's claim that he can bring in world peace--Isa. 14:12-14 3. To prepare a great martyred multitude for Heaven--Rev. 7:9, 14 4. To prepare a great living multitude for the Millennium-Matt. 25:32-34 5. To punish the Gentiles--Rom. 1:18; II Thess. 2:11,12; Rev. 19:15 6. To purge Israel--Ezek. 20:37, 38; Zech. 13:8, 9 7. To purify all nature--Ro-. 8:18-23

D. Personalities Appearing in the Tribulation:

1. The Holy Spirit--Joel 2:28, 30-32 2. The Devil--Rev. 12:12 3. Two special Old Testament (?) witnesses--Rev. 11:3 4. The Antichrist--Dan. 11:36; II Thess. 2:3, 4, 9- I John 2:22; Rev. 6:2; Rev. 13:1, 2, 6 5. The False Prophet--Rev. 13:11; Rev. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10 6. A multitude of specialized angels--Rev. 7:2; 8:3; 10:1,2; 11:l; Rev. 14:6; 14:19; 18:1,21; 19:17; 20:1 7. One-hundred-forty-four thousand Israelite preachers--Rev. 7 8. An army of locust-like demons from the bottomless pit--Rev. 9:1-12 9. An army of horse-and-rider demons from the Euphrates River-Rev. 9:13-21 10. Three evil spirits--Rev. 16:13, 14 11. A cruel, power-mad ruler from the North--Ezek. 38:2 12. A persecuted woman--Rev. 12:1 13. A vile harlot--Rev. 17:1-6 14. An arrogant queen--Rev. 18:1-7 15. A pure Bride--Rev. 19:7, 8 16. A mighty warrior from Heaven--Rev. 19:11-16

E. Chronology of the Tribulation

1. First three and one-half years

a. Formal organization of the super harlot church--Rev. 17; I Tim. 4:1-3; II Tim. 3:1-5 b. Appearance of the Antichrist and his false prophet--Rev. 13 c. Revival of the Roman Empire--Dan. 2:41; 7:7, 8; Rev. 13:1; 17:12 d. The Antichrist's seven-year covenant with Israel--Dan. 9:27; Isa. 28:18 e. Pouring out of the first six seals--Matt. 24:4-8; Rev. 6:1-17 f. Mass return of the Jews to Palestine--Ezek. 37:1-14; 34:11-13; 36:24; Isa. 43:5, 6 g. Conversion and call of the 144,000--Rev. 7:1-4; Matt. 24:14 h. Rebuilding of the Jewish temple--Dan. 9:27; 12:11; Matt. 24:15; II Thess. 2:4; Rev. 13:14, 15; 11:2 i. Ministry of the two witnesses--Rev. 11:3-13

2. Middle part (brief undetermined period)

a. The Gog and Magog invasion into Palestine--Ezek. 38, 39 b. The martyrdom of the two witnesses--Rev. 11:7 c. The martyrdom of the 144,000--Rev. 14:1-5 d. The casting out of Satan from Heaven--Rev. 12:3-15 e. The destruction of the false church--Rev. 17:16

3. Last three and one-half years

a. The full manifestation of the Antichrist--Rev. 13:16-18 b. The worldwide persecution of Israel--Dan. 12:1; Zech. 11:16; Matt. 24:21; Rev. 12:13 c. The pouring out of the last seal judgment--Rev. 8, 9; 11:15-19 d. The messages of three special angels--Rev. 14:6-12 e. The pouring out of the seven vials of judgment--Rev. 16 f. The sudden destruction of economic and political Babylon-Rev. 18 g. The Battle of Armageddon--Rev. 16:16; Psa. 2:1-5, 9; Isa. 34:1-6; 63:3, 4, 6; Joel 3:2, 9-16; Zech. 12:2; 14:2, 3, 12; Rev. 14:14-20; 19:11-21

II. The Sounding of the Seventh Trumpet and the Second Coming of Christ! Matt. 24:29-30; Rev. 11:15; 19:11-16

A. The Chronology of the Second Coming

1. From Heaven to the Mount of Olives--Matt. 24:29; Lk. 21:25, 26; II Thess. 1:7; Zech. 14:4, 8; Acts 1:11 2. From the Mount of Olives to (?) Petra--Isa. 34:6; 63:1 3. From Petra to Armageddon

B. The Purpose of the Second Coming

1. To defeat Satan at Armageddon--Zech. 12:2; 14:13-15; Rev. 14:19, 20; 19:17-21 2. To regather, regenerate, and restore faithful Israel--Isa. 43:5, 6; Jer. 24:6; Ezek. 36:28; 11;17; Amos 9:14, 15; Micah 7:18, 19; Mt. 24:31 3. To judge and punish faithless Israel--Ezek. 20:38; Matt. 25:1-30 4. To separate the Gentile sheep from the goats--Matt. 25:31-46 5. To bind Satan--Rom. 16:20; Rev. 20:1-3 6. To resurrect Old Testament and tribulational saints--Job 19:25, 26; Psa. 49:15; Isa. 25:8-1 26:19; Dan. 12:2; Hosea 13:14; John 5:28, 29; Heb. 11:35; Rev. 20:4, 5 7. To judge fallen angels--I Cor. 6:3- Mark 1:23, 24; 11 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6

III. The Millennium (1,000 Year Reign of Christ) -- Isa. 2:2-4; 25:18; 35:1, 8, 10; 65:20, 25

A. The purpose of the Millennium

1. To reward the saints of God--Psa. 58:11; Isa. 40:10; Prov.11:18; Mt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12 2. To answer the oft-prayed model prayer--Matt. 6:9-13 3. To redeem creation--Rom. 8:19-22 4. To fulfill the Abrahamic Covenant--Gen. 12:1-3- 13:14-17; 15:5, 7, 18-21; 17:7, 8; 22:17, 18; Davidic Covenant--II Chron. 13:5; II Sam. 7:12-16; 23:5; and the New Covenant--Jer. 31:31-34; Isa. 42:6; Heb. 8:7-12

B. The Titles of the Millennium

1. The World to Come--Heb. 2:5 2. The Kingdom of Heaven--Matt. 5:10 3. The Kingdom of God--Mark 1:14 4. The Last Day--John 6:40 5. The Regeneration--Matt. 19:28 6. The Times of Refreshing--Acts 3:19 7. The Restitution of All Things--Acts 3:21 8. The Day of Christ--I Cor. 1:8- 5:5; II Cor. 1:14; Phil. 1:6; 2:16

C. The Nature of the Millenium

1. Peace--Isa. 2:4; 9:4-7; 11:6-9-1 32:17, 18; 33:5, 6, 54:13; 55:12; 60:18; 65:25; 66:12; Ezek. 28:26; 34:25, 28; Hos. 2:18; Mic. 4:2, 3; Zech. 9:10 2. Joy--Isa. 9:3, 4- 12:3-6; 14:7, 8- 25:8, 9; 30:29; 42:1, 10-12; 52:9; 60:15; 61:7, 10; 65:18, 19;'66:10-14; Jer. 30:18, 19; 31:13, 14; Zeph. 3:14-17; Zech. 8:18, 19; 10:6, 7 3. Holiness--Isa. 1:26, 27; 4:3, 4; 29:18-23; 31:6, 7; 35:8, 9; 52:1; 60:21; 61:10; Jer. 31:23; Ezek. 36:24-31; 37:23, 24; 43:7-12; 45:1; Joel 3:21; Zeph. 3:11, 13; Zech. 8:3, 13:1, 2; 14:20, 21 4. Glory--Isa. 24:23; 4:2; 35:2; 40:5; 60:1-9 5. Comfort--Isa. 12:1, 2; 29:22, 23; 30:26; 40:1, 2; 49:13; 51:3; 61:3-7; 66:13, 14; Jet. 31:23-25; Zeph. 3:18-20; Zech. 9:11, 12; Rev. 21:4 6. Justice--Isa. 9:7; 11:5; 32:16; 42:1-4; 65:21-23; Jer. 23:5; 31:23; 31:29, 30 7. Full knowledge--Isa. 11:1, 2, 9; 41:19, 20; 54:13; Hab. 2:14 8. Instruction--Isa. 2:2, 3; 12:3-6; 25:9- 29:17-24; 30:20, 21; 32:3, 4; 49:10; 52:8; Jer. 3:14, 15; 23:1-4; Mic. 4:2 9. The removal of the curse--Isa. 11:6-9; 35:9- 65:25 10. Sickness removed--Isa. 33:24; Jer. 30:17; Ezek. 34:16 11. Healing of the deformed--Isa. 29:17-19, 35:3-6; 61:1, 2; Jer. 31:8; Mic. 4:6, 7; Zeph. 3:19 12. Protection--Isa. 41:8-14; 62:8, 91 Jer. 32:27; 23:6; Ezek. 34:27, Joel 3:16, 17; Amos 9:15; Zech. 8:14, 15- 9:8; 14:10, 11 13. Freedom from oppression--Isa. 14:3-6; 42:6,7; 49:8,9; Zech. 9:11, 12 14. No immaturity--Isa. 65:20 15. Reproduction by the living peoples--Jer. 30:20; 31:29; Ezek. 47:22; Zech. 10:8 16. Labor--Isa. 62:8, 9; 65:21-23; Jer. 31:5; Ezek. 48:18, 19 17. Economic prosperity--Isa. 4:1; 35:1, 2, 7; 30:23-25; 62:8, 9; 65:21-23; Jer. 31:5, 12; Ezek. 34:26; 4ic. 4:1, 4; Zech. 8:11, 12; 9:16, 17; Ezek. 36:29, 30; Joel 2:21-27; Amos 9:13, 14 18. Increase of light--Isa. 4:5; 30:26; 60:19, 20; Zech. 2:5 19. Unified language--Zeph. 3:9 20. Unified worship--Isa. 45:23; 52:1, 7-10; 66:17-23; Zech. 13:2; 14:16; 8:23; 9:7; Zeph. 3:9; Mal. 1:11; Rev. 5:9-14 21. The manifest presence of God--Ezek. 37:27, 28- Zech. 2:2, 10-13; Rev. 21:3 22. The fullness of the Spirit--Isa. 32:13-15; 41:1; 44:3; 59:19,21; 61:1; Ezek. 36:26,27; 37:14; 39:29; Joel 2:28,29; Ezek. 11:19,20

D. The Geography of the Millennium

1. Palestine--to be greatly enlarged--Isa. 26:15; Obad. 1:17-21; Zech. 14:4, 8, 10; Joel 3:18; Ezek. 47:8, 9, 12 2. Jerusalem--to become the worship center of the world--Micah 4:1; Isa. 2:2, 3; Zech. 14:10; Ezek. 45:35; 48:35 E. The Temple in the Millennium--The Last of Seven Great Scriptural Temples --These are: 1. The tabernacle of Moses--Exod. 40 (1500-1000 BC) 2. The temple of Solomon--l Kings 8 (1000-586 BC) 3. The temple of Zerubbabel (rebuilt later by Herod)--Ezra 6; John 2 (516 BC to AD 70) 4. The temple of the Body of Jesus--John 2:21 (4 BC to AD 30) 5. The spiritual temple, the church--Acts 2; 1 Thess. 4 (from Pentecost to the Rapture) 6. The tribulational temple--Rev. 11 (from the Rapture to Armageddon) 7. The Millennial temple--Ezek. 40-48; Joel 3:18; Isa. 2:3- 60:13; Dan. 9:24; Haggai 2:7, 9

PART 3 -FINAL EVENTS

I. The Final Revolt of Satan (Rev. 20:7-10)

II. The Great White Throne Judgment

A. The Fact of This Throne--Heb. 9:27; Rev. 20:11-15; Dan. 7:9, 10

B. The Judge of This Throne--Christ, Himself--John 5:22, 27; 10:40,42; II Tim. 4:1

C. The Jury at This Throne--Five Sets of Books

1. The book of conscience--Rom. 2:15 2. The book of words--Matt. 12:36, 37 3. The book of secret works--Rom. 2:16; Eccles. 12:14 4. The book of public works--II Cor. 11:15; Matt. 16:27 5. The book of life--Exod. 32:32, 33; Psa. 69:28; Dan. 12:1-1 Phil 4:3; Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19

D. The Judged at This Throne--Psa. 9:17

E. The Judgment at This Throne--The Eternal Lake of Fire--Rev. 20:14,15 Matt. 25:41, 46

III. The Destruction of This Present Earth and Heave---Matt. 24:35; Heb. 1:10-12; 11 Peter 3:3-12

IV. The Creation of a New Heaven and Earth--Isa. 65:17; 66:22; II Peter 3:13, 14; Rev. 21:1

V. Eternity!--Eph. 2:7

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. The prophecy of Joel 2 has been interpreted by some to give credence to the modern charismatic/Pentecostal practices of speaking in tongues and continuous revelation (prophecy-visions). However, in light of proper Biblical hermeneutical interpretation of Joel 2, one may readily see that this prophecy involves the nation Israel as the principal benefactor of the Spirit's outpouring. Let us examine the Joel 2 prophecy in light of the immediate content in which Joel spake the prophecy itself and in the light of the apostle Peter's reference to the Joel 2 prophecy on the day of Pentecost: But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel (Acts 2:16).

"It is this prophecy for which Joel has become most famous in modern days. It must be considered in light of its context and in the light of its New Testament usage. And it shall come to pass afterward (vs. 28) relates this passage to the immediate restoration following the locust plague mentioned by Joel in verse 25. This differentiates the locust plague from the Day of the Lord. The locust plague was preceded by nothing; the Day of the Lord follows the locust plague and will be preceded by the outpouring of the Spirit of God upon all flesh.

"Verse 28 reveals that the promised outpouring of the Spirit is to be universal: Sons and daughters will prophesy, old men will dream dreams, young men will see visions. Verse 29 indicates that the Spirit will be poured out even upon male and female servants--not even the most lowly people in society will be exempt from the outpouring of the Spirit. Verses 30 and 31 indicate that the signs and wonders in nature will be manifested in conjunction with the outpouring of the Spirit. All of this will be preliminary to the coming of the Day of the Lord. Verse 32 indicates that salvation, or deliverance, from the Day of the Lord will be possible; because of the outpouring of the Spirit, he will move men to call upon the name of the Lord.

"... in its context Joel has compressed together, in true prophetic fashion, events separated by millennia. The crucial points of history are the events of the locust plague, 836 BC- the day of Pentecost on which the Holy Spirit was indeed poured out universally and made available for all mankind, AD 33; the event of the Great Tribulation (separated from the day of Pentecost by at least 2000 years); and the establishment of the earthly Davidic millennial kingdom that follows the events of the Great Tribulation.

In his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter quotes this passage in order to explain the phenomenon of speaking in tongues, which some were attributing to drunkenness. In doing so, he said, "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet, Joel" (Acts 2:16). There are three ways of understanding what Peter meant: (1) this is like that, i.e., this manifestation is similar to that which was prophesied by the prophet Joel; (2) this is a partial fulfillment of that, i.e., this manifestation is a partial fulfillment of that which Joel prophesied; the ultimate and complete fulfillment will be realized at the time of the establishment of the millennial kingdom; and (3) this is that, i.e., this is the fulfillment of that which Joel prophesied would take place.

"The first view sees untenable because Peter is giving a metaphor, not a simile. If one adopts the second view, then he would hold that only those parts of Joel's prophecy that were prerequisites for the establishment of the church would be fulfilled, while the things pertaining to Israel would not be fulfilled until the end times -- prior to the Millennium. This view has the difficulty of having the church contained, even if ever so obliquely, in Joel's prophecy. The church, however, is a mystery that was not revealed prior to the prophecy of Matthew 16 and is not contained in Old Testament prophecy even in the most oblique sense. It seems best then to view Peter as saying that the outpouring of the Spirit, prompting the phenomena observed in Acts 2, is the fulfillment of that which was prophesied by the prophet Joel.

"Two things were necessary for the establishment of Israel's kingdom: (1) the death of Messiah and (2) the availability of the Holy Spirit. When Peter preached his famous sermon, the death of Christ as an historic fact. All that remained, then, was the provision of the Spirit, which Peter identifies with the outpouring of the Spirit that prompted the speaking in tongues of Acts 2. With the availability of the Holy Spirit, together with the death of Messiah, all that is necessary for the establishment of Israel's kingdom has been provided. Because of unbelief, they cannot enter into these benefits; but when the time comes that they will receive their King and His kingdom, He will not need to die again, nor will the Holy Spirit have to be made available. As to the day of Pentecost, all that remains is for Israel to avail herself in belief of that which has been provided. Zechariah 13:lff shows that just prior to the establishment of the Millennial kingdom, Israel will avail herself of the fountain that cleanses (i.e., the death of Messiah); and the prophecy of Joel 2:28-29 shows that at the same time Israel will avail herself of the availability of the Holy Spirit. Then the provision made by the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy as recorded in Acts 2:16 will be realized, as well as the provision made by the fulfillment of the death of Messiah." (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Volume 1, pp. 1693,1694).

The passage in reference is I Timothy 5:8:

"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

To understand the intent of this passage you should understand the context of the previous verses (1-7). By examining these verses it is clear that Paul is giving instructions regarding the responsibilities of the church to various individuals, i.e., elders (verses 1,2) and widows (verses 3,4,5).

The subject of the care for widows was important to the early church since there was no social security system to aid widows at that time. The families, that is, the children or descendants of verse 4, were to bear the burden of caring for the widows of the church.

The widow who was blameless in meeting the spiritual requirements was to be cared for by her own family. For a believer (family) not to provide (Greek word = Look out for beforehand) for his own house (including a widow) would be worse than in infidel, for even they recognized their obligations to widows. (Liberty Bible Commentary, Vol. II, p. 637.)

Today we see the government social agencies providing the needs of the elderly (widows) that the families and the churches originally were held responsible to provide. However, this does not alleviate the Christian from his responsibility to labor in order to provide for those of his family. To fail in this obligation is to deny the faith and to be worse than one with no faith at all. To the sin of slothfulness is added by hypocrisy because the man is claiming to be a follower of Christ. (Criswell Study Bible, p. 1416.)

The subject of providing for one's own family involves not only the financial support, but also the protection needed by a family. The protection would involve physical as well as moral and spiritual matters.

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thessalonians 4:13-17).

We find in this passage that Paul's purpose was such that he wanted to tell the Thessalonian Christians about the dead. The Greek verb rendering is in the present tense, making possible the translation, "so that ye will not continue to grieve as others do." Paul intended to impart knowledge which they may find comforting concerning their loved ones who had died. The Christian's hope has always been the resurrection. It was the doctrine of the resurrection that provided hope concerning the loved ones who had died.

The certainty of the resurrection for the Christian is based upon the resurrection of Christ our Lord. An obvious parallel is I Corinthians 15. Christ arose according to the Scriptures and appeared to many as indisputable truth. Paul showed the relationship between the resurrection of Christ and that of Christians in I Corinthians 15:20: ... now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. Therefore, since Christ arose from the dead, so we shall rise at His coming (cf. I Corinthians 15:23).

The word rise (I Thessalonians 4:17) denotes the resurrection of the body of those believers who have died, whose spirits are already with the Lord. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them.

It is from the word caught up (Greek harpazo) in the Latin translation we get our word "rapture." The word in the original means "snatch," or "seize," and denoted by a sudden violent taking away. The word pictures being "swept off" into the air as by a tornado. The result of this sweeping away, of course, is that we meet the Lord. Paul points out that these words are to be used by the Thessalonians to comfort one another concerning the welfare of their loved ones who have passed on. They will be reunited at Christ's coming! (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. II, pp. 613-614).

You inquired if it would be all right if you were baptized again. If you were baptized before you were saved you should be re-baptized now that you are saved. Baptism is not essential to salvation. It is for those who have already repented of their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. We are baptized by immersion to show our trust is in the One who was crucified and buried and resurrected again for us. It is simply an act of obedience on our part to the command of Jesus.

All children have a spirit of rebellion. This is certainly not unique with your child. We must be very careful how we discipline our children when they disobey. Sometimes, particularly with children who have strong wills, they seem to disobey all day long. Other times, they behave very well. You must remember that children, like adults, have "good days" and "bad days."

You must be careful to respond always in love and not to badger your child unnecessarily from the Bible. The child, like all of us, has a sin nature. If he is a strong-willed child, he will test you more. This does not mean that he is "worse" than simply his character, given to him from birth, and it must have a father and mother who are especially sensitive to his needs and very loving in dealing with him.

There are many excellent Christian books concerning children and how to rear them which you would be well advised to obtain and study. Two of these are THE STRONG WILLED CHILD by James Dobson, and YOU AND YOUR CHILD by Charles R. Swindoll. These books, and many other excellent books on children, should be available in your local Christian bookstore. It is very critical that you deal correctly with your child's behavior and not overreact, as this may cause him to reject the church and the things of God in his adult life because he had such a negative experience when he was young.

Old-Time Gospel Hour Edition

The "R" placed at the end of each verse is for the convenience of the reader rather than in the more common center column. This stands for the read-along reference and allows for faster, more accurate use of this reference. The "T" also placed at the end of each applicable verse and in italics to set it off from the rest of the text stands for the read-along translations. Such translations are either alternate words, or phrases which clarify or amplify the King James text.

Messianic prophecies are indicated in the Bible by starring the appropriate passage. A solid star is used throughout the Old Testament to indicate a prophecy later fulfilled in Jesus Christ. An outline star is used throughout the New Testament to indicate a prophecy that has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This study edition of the Holy Bible was intended to make it an open book to the reader.

This ministry advises anyone to reject the thought of reincarnation as being the way to achieve salvation. The teachings of reincarnation attempt to replace the true hope of the Christian faith, that is, the resurrection. For the believer in Christ, the resurrection is the promise of eternal life with Jesus Christ.

The Bible gives clear assurance that upon death the soul of a Christian immediately goes to be in the presence of God. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). We are confident ... and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord (II Corinthians 5:8). To leave this body is to be instantly in the presence of Jesus, and not floating around the realms of the spirit world waiting in line for another body to inhabit, as those who teach reincarnation would have you believe.

God's Word, the Bible, gives clear warnings about false teachers (II Peter 2) and shows us we must reject the religious leaders - guru's and others - who claim to be representatives of God's truth, or to be God themselves. It would certainly include His command to reject false religions, such as Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, and other such religious groups who teach reincarnation. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we must reject all religions which do not teach according to the Bible but rather hold up some other god or some other savior, or some other means of achieving eternal life.

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal 1ife (I John 5:20).

The answer to the question--"Can a good person be saved without being religious?", is a definite "yes." Religion, that is the outward formality of attending church and going through the liturgy associated with formal religion is clearly not the way of salvation. Jesus taught: I am is the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6). This passage teaches that salvation is the receiving of the person Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Thus, he who has Christ has life, and conversely, he who is without Christ has no life (I John 5:12).

It should be noted that salvation is not dependent upon one's attendance of church, being baptized, following all the rules and regulations of a church constitution - but salvation is a free gift of God through the believing on and receiving of the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and into your life.

We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations; and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Savior.

How often should a person pray for a particular need? In answer to this question, it is important that we look to the teachings of Jesus Christ concerning the subject of prayer:

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened (Luke 11:9,10).

As Jesus taught His disciples how to pray (Luke 11:1-4), He gave an illustration of a man whose friend came to him at midnight and requested three loaves of bread (Luke 11:5-8). In this, Jesus was explaining the principle of importunity. "Importunity" is a translation of the Greek anaideian, or "shamelessness". The idea is not that God must be badgered into action in behalf of His children, but rather that God responds to the open, confident, trusting approach of His children" (CRISWELL'S STUDY BIBLE, page 1209). The application of Jesus' principle for us today is: God is our Father and desires to give us freely all things.

The Scriptures give us another illustration in which a woman of Canaan came to Christ stating: " ... Have mercy on me ... my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil (Matthew 15:22). Jesus did not respond to her request immediately, but after her persistence her request was granted. Our Lord's attitude was intended to test the woman's faith, which was rewarded by the miraculous healing of the woman's daughter. Thus, we may conclude that often our prayers are not answered immediately, simply because God may be testing our faith. God may desire that we repeat with persistence our request for a specific need before He answers that need.

Of the resurrection, we believe that Christ arose bodily "the third day according to the Scriptures;" that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God;" that He alone is our "merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God;" "That 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" - bodily, personally, and visibly; that the "dead in Christ shall rise first;" that the living saints "shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;" "that the Lord shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David;" and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until he hath put all enemies under his feet."

We believe that, seven years before Christ returns to set feet on the earth and to rule one thousand years over all the peoples of the earth, He will appear in the clouds in the air; "the dead in Christ shall rise;" that "we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air," that the rise and rule of the Antichrist, and terrible judgments of God shall come to pass during the seven-year period of time between the appearing of Christ in the air to call out His saints, living and dead, and his return to earth to rule over all peoples for one thousand years.

(Undisputed Evidence) Since the resurrection of Christ was such a stupendous event, there must have been adequate evidence to confirm the resurrection for unbelieving men.

Although its reality must be received by faith, there are certain facts which argue convincingly for the supernatural resurrection of Jesus.

1. Stone Rolled Away:

The initial evidence was the fact that the door of the sepulchre was open. The rock-hewn tombs in Palestine were usually closed by a circular stone, weighing several tons and set in a slanting groove so that when the stone was released, it would, by its own weight, roll into place over the door. Very little strength would be required to close the door, but the united effort of several men would be necessary to open it. Since the stone was found rolled away, it must have been moved by some powerful force and for a definite purpose. John does not say directly how the stone was moved, but he leaves the impression in the mind of the reader that it was done by Divine intervention.

2. Neatly Laid Grave Clothes:

A second witness to the resurrection of Christ was the appearance of the grave clothes. It would have been practically impossible to remove the wrappings from the body of Christ and to leave them in good order. The probability is that if Christ's body had been stolen, the grave robber would have taken Christ's body, grave clothes and all. He would not have unwrapped the Lord's body and then neatly set the grave clothes in two separate piles. Therefore, the fact that the grave clothes were neat and set in order proves that Christ's body was not stolen. Not only had the grave clothes been left in the tomb, but they were neatly folded. The head cloth, in particular, as rolled up just as if Jesus' head as still in it. The tomb had not been opened to let Jesus out, but to let in the disciples. Transformed by the resurrection, Jesus had passed through the grave clothes as they had been when they had been wrapped around His body.

3. Empty Tomb:

A purely spiritual resurrection is incompatible with the evidence that the tomb as empty. Those who deny the resurrection have never found a satisfactory explanation for the empty tomb. When Peter preached the resurrection on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, the reaction was not derision, nor a trip to the tomb to find out whether the tomb was indeed empty, but instead there was the conversion of 3,000 individuals the assumption must be that these individuals knew that the tomb was empty. If the Jews had been able to find the body of Jesus, they would have vanquished Christianity. No explanation of the evidence is as convincing as the obvious -- that Jesus Christ died and rose again according to the Scriptures. (CRISWELL STUDY BIBLE, p. 1361 footnote) 4. Resurrection Appearances:

There are ten separate post-resurrection appearances of the risen Christ recorded:

1. To Mary Magdalene in the garden (Mark 16:9, John 20:11-18)

2. To the women returning from the tomb (Matthew 28:9,10)

3. To two disciples on the Emmaus Road (Luke 24:13-32; Mark 16:12,13)

4. To Peter in Jerusalem (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5)

5. To ten of His apostles in the upper room (Luke 24:36-43@ John 20:19-23)

6. To eleven of His apostles in the upper room (John 20:24-29)

7. To seven of His apostles by the Galilean Sea (John 21:1-24)

8. To His apostles and 500 believers on Mt. Tabor (Matthew 28:16-20; I Corinthians 15:6)

9. To eleven of His apostles and James, Christ's half-brother, in Jerusalem (Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:44-49- 1 Corinthians 15:7)

10. To the eleven apostles on the Mount of Olives (Luke 24:50-53- Acts 1:3)

5. Subsequent Appearances (in Christ's glorification):

1. To Stephen just prior to his martyrdom (Acts 7:55-56)

2. To Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus (Act- 9:3-6)

3. To Paul in Arabia (Acts 20:24; 26:17; Galatians 1:12,17)

4. To Paul in the Temple at Jerusalem (Acts 22:17-21; 9:26-30; Galatians 1:18)

5. To Paul 'In prison in Caesarea (Acts 23:11)

6. To John at the beginning of the revelation (Revelation 1:12-20)

The resurrection of Christ is the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence of the Christian faith! The sign of Christianity is really not the cross, but an empty tomb! (WILLMINGTON'S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE, pp. 353,629)

The most profound verse concerning God and His creative work, of the 31,173 verses in the Bible, would be Genesis 1:1: in the beginning God created.... The most profound verses concerning the redemption of man would be those few words spoken in Matthew 28:6, Mark 16:6, and Luke 24:6: He is risen....

There have been many religions and religious leaders through the ages. These are gone the way of all men into physical death. There is only one who has died, was buried, rose again (I Corinthians 15:1-4), and still lives, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among men (John 1:1-4), Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, the spotless Lamb, the Lion of Judah, the Savior. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

David predicted the bodily resurrection of Christ in Psalm 16:10. Jesus predicted His resurrection in John 2:19-21: ...destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up ... he spoke of the temple of his body. (See also Matthew 12:39-40; Mark 8:31; 9:9, 31; and Luke 9:22; 18:31-34.) Christ rose bodily from the grave: He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come see the place where the Lord lay.

The angels proclaimed His bodily resurrection. He is not here, for he is risen . . . (Matthew 28:6); . . . he is risen . . . (Mark 16:6); He is not here, but is risen . . . (Luke 24:6). Just as Christ predicted His death (Matthew 17:23), He died ( . . . Father into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus he gave up the ghost -- Luke 23:46). He said He would rise again and He did.

The disciples proclaimed it: And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem . . . saying the Lord is risen indeed . . . (Luke 24:33-34). (See also Matthew 28:8-9; Mark 16:10-14; John 20:1-10, 18.)

His enemies verified His bodily resurrection (Matthew 28:11-15).

The Apostles preached His resurrection: And they went forth and preached everywhere . . . (Mark 16:20). (See also Romans 10:9-10; I Corinthians 15:1-4.)

The ten appearances of Jesus Christ prove His bodily resurrection.

Christ's blood paid the price of our salvation -- His bodily resurrection guarantees our salvation. . . . I will come again . . . (John 14:2). . . . For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven . . . (I Thessalonians 4:14-17). . . . This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner . . . (Acts 1:11).

The question is often asked concerning just what is the nature of the body Christians will receive at the resurrection. There are several Scriptures that present insight into the answer to the question of the nature of the resurrected body:

Now, this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; he shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality (I Corinthians 15:50-53).

This passage of Scripture is actually a statement of a principle, that being the fact that a change is mandatory if the believer is to realize the promised blessings awaiting him in Heaven and the resurrection (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. II, p. 464).

The apostle Paul gives detail as to what is involved in this change. As he wrote in Philippians 3:21, "Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." This change was also mentioned by the apostle John in I John 3:2, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; we shall see him as he is."

These verses tell us that those who die, having trusted Christ as personal Savior, will be given bodies like that of the Lord Jesus Christ. It will be a body that is not subject to disease and death any longer. It will be in all points perfect, as the Lord Jesus Christ's body is also perfect.

A passage that gives a clear description of Christ's resurrected body is found in Luke 24:39, as He appeared unto the disciples: "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." In this passage, Jesus draws attention to His completely physical and yet glorified body. With clear words Jesus instructed His disciples to view His hands and His feet, and even to touch Him, and to see that He had a real physical body and not a spiritual body that could not be touched. With these words, given in the context by Christ Himself, He rids the world of the false view of the nature of Christ's resurrected body as being some mystical "spiritual resurrection." Yet there are those false cults and "isms" that maintain the heresy of a "spiritual resurrection" of Christ.

It should be noted, the fact that Jesus said flesh and bones rather than "flesh and blood" does not necessarily indicate that his body had no blood. One cannot say, but flesh and bones usually do operate with blood. However, the life principle in a resurrected body may not be in its blood, but in the spirit of God. (For further proof of the fact of Christ's material bodily resurrection, Jesus gave public demonstration by eating some broiled fish and part of a honeycomb, as seen in Luke 24:42.) (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. II, p. 209).

It should be noted that the Christian will not receive his glorified body until the time of the rapture and resurrection. Those Christians who die before the rapture must wait until the Lord comes in the clouds to call His church. At that point, those who have died in Christ will have their bodies resurrected, and they will be changed and united with their souls once again. It is at this point that we will receive our glorified bodies.

The Bible gives a clear chronological order for the events and days leading to Christ's crucifixion and His resurrection.

"Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus..." (Matthew 26:17)

The Feast of Unleavened Bread was two days before the Jewish Passover (Nisan 14) or our calendar date--April 12.

From that date (April 12) we know Jesus was taken by the Jewish leaders before the Roman governor, Pilate, and later before Herod the king, and then back to Pilate who issued the order to crucify Jesus (Matthew 27:26). The very day of Christ's crucifixion was the day the Jews were to observe the Passover Paschal (killing the Passover lamb). Christ's death was the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover--the innocent lamb slain and its blood applied to save the firstborn (Exodus 12; Isaiah 53:7).

We know from Scripture that Jesus was buried in a tomb for three days and then He arose on the first day of the week--Sunday.

"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week..." (Matthew 28:1)

Thus you can determine the date of Christ's resurrection by studying the Bible and knowing the Jewish calendar date for the Passover--April 14.

The Bible does not specify any particular age as the age of accountability. God's Word simply teaches that as soon as a child is mentally developed enough to understand he is a sinner and Christ died for his sins, that salvation comes through repentance of his sins and turning to Christ in faith, the child is old enough to be saved. There is no particular age and with some severely retarded children and adults this point may never be reached.

The Bible teaches us very plainly that all little babies and children too young to understand the Gospel message are covered by the blood of Christ and that they go to Heaven when they die. This would be the same for those too retarded to understand God's message of love and repentance. No baby goes to Hell no matter what the spiritual condition of the parents might be and the same is true of mentally retarded persons who will never be able to understand the Gospel.

"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (I Corinthians 15:22).

This verse teaches that Adam's sin caused all men, even those not yet born, potentially to become sinners. This verse also teaches, in like manner, that Christ purchased life for all ever yet to be born, if only they will choose Him. Whatever mankind lost in Adam, Christ regained for us. If we repent of our sins and accept Him as Savior, we certainly know right from wrong; those who are not developed enough to be able to accept or to reject Christ, are thus kept safe by the blood of Christ until they come to know and to choose right or wrong and thus become deliberate, conscious sinners.

See also that David knew his baby was in Heaven:

"But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" (II Samuel 12:23).

There seems to be much confusion over the identity of the 144,000 individuals of Revelation 7.

And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel (Revelation 7:4).

The LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY attempts to resolve the confusion of the identity of the 144,000 with the following comments:

Strangely, at this point there is much divergence of views as to the identity of the company [144,000] in verses 4-8. Some take an allegorical interpretation, but this allows for great latitude for the imagination and provides nothing firm upon which to rest one's interpretation. Some indicate the group must be the first fruits of the church ("the Israel of God," cf. H. Alford, THE GREEK TESTAMENT, Vol. IV, Part 11, pp. 623-625). Still others hold they are the Jewish nation in general. First, that they are of Israel is manifest from their identity (vs. 4); they are from all the tribes of the children of Israel. Second, they cannot be reckoned as the church; for that body is never called Israel ... Third, they cannot be Israel in general; for God would not place His seal upon unbelievers for service to Him. Finally, these servants are from the tribes of Israel, literally so, redeemed by God and sealed for service when the church has been raptured to Heaven (see Revelation 14:4) [page 8081.

In the CRISWELL STUDY BIBLE referring to Revelation 7:4 the following explanation is given:

Seals imply possession and ownership. The 144,000 individuals sealed during the Tribulation are the possession of God. Attempts to represent them as the Church are futile and even absurd in light of their reappearance in the midst of the 24 elders in chapter 14. The text is to be taken as it logically reads. God still has for Israel a program to which He will be faithful. Israel is loved and treasured by God because of God's faithfulness to His promises. The Lord has marvelous last-day purposes for Israel. The 144,000 Jews (12,000 from each tribe) will be wonderfully converted to Christ during the Tribulation after the exodus of the Church [Rapture]. Not only does the text clearly maintain this, but also the care in listing each of the tribes adds validity to the interpretation (see vv. 5-8) [p. 1488].

Dr. John F. Walvoord, President of Dallas Theological Seminary, in his book entitled True Revelation of Jesus Christ, gives the following comments as to the identity of the 144,000 of Revelation 7:4:

... The implication is that the judgment of God is impending and that prior to its infliction on the earth, God wants to set apart and protect His servants. In the verses which follow, 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel are protected by the angelic seal. It is implied that these who are thus sealed have been saved in the time of trouble [tribulation] pictured in the book of Revelation and by this means are being set apart as a special Divine remnant to be a testimony to God's grace and mercy during this time of judgment ... Protection will be given to this group of 144,000 Israelites. The matter is so significant to God that the names of the tribes and the number to be saved from each are given in detail ...

A number of significant details are mentioned in connection with the sealing of the 144,000 in Israel. This Scripture makes it plain that there are twelve tribes in Israel still in existence, as the names of the different tribes are given ... Though Israelites today do not normally know what tribe they belong to, in the mind of God there is no question ... The fact that the twelve tribes of Israel are singled out for special reference in the Tribulation time is another evidence that the term "Israel" as used in the Bible is invariably a reference to the descendants of Jacob, who was first given the name Israel... The word Israel is never used of Gentiles and refers only to those who are racially descendants of Israel or Jacob (pp. 140, 141, 142).

It may be concluded that there is a great deal of controversy surrounding the identity of the 144,000 individuals of Revelation 7. Many people are perplexed by the conflicting views and theories regarding the 144,000. It should be noted there are many unscriptural and often positively heretical sects and cults that identify themselves as the 144,000. The Seventh-Day Adventists apply it to the faithful of their communion, based on their faithful observing of the Jewish Sabbath at the Lord's return. The Jehovah Witnesses teach that the 144,000 include only their own "overcomers," a heretical teaching of the system commonly called "Millennial Dawnism."

Besides these cults, there are many other groups who consider their peculiar followers to be the 144,000 sealed ones at the time of the end. All of these, however, overlook a very simple fact which, if observed, would save them from their folly. That is, the 144,000 are composed of 12,000 from each tribe of the children of Israel! There is not a Gentile among them, nor is there confusion as to the identification of their tribe. Therefore, a proper question to ask anyone identifying themselves as one of the 144,000 would be, "Which tribe do you belong to?" (Excerpts taken from H. A. Ironside's LECTURES ON THE BOOK OF REVELATION, pp. 123, 124, 125).

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that a person becomes righteous only as through faith in Christ and is justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God. All such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse, and this distinction holds among people both in and after death, and suffer everlasting conscious suffering.

What is your position on rock music?

We are very much opposed to rock music. Rock and roll music, as a whole, appeals to very primitive passions and arouses physical lust. The syncopation is usually vulgar and appeals to the base lusts of people. In addition, the words are usually very immoral and un-Christ like. It's almost always associated with dancing; certainly dancing is wrong because it too arouses wrong physical desires between men and women. Jesus said in Matthew 5:27-28 whosoever even lusted in his thoughts had committed adultery. The passionate music of the rock musicians certainly leads to these wicked thoughts.

Another very important factor which should be considered by those who sincerely want to find and do God's will about rock music is to consider who will not participate in rock music. You will not find earnest, successful, regular soulwinners who participate in rock music. Usually it is unsaved people who do these things, or, if they are Christians at all, it would be the type of Christian who is weak and immature spiritually, who is backslidden, and who compromises with worldly things, not Christians who are out and out for Christ, who have family Bible reading and prayer in their home, who are personal soulwinners, who are tithers, and who get prayers answered. We hope this will help to show you that rock and roll music has no part in the Christian's life.

Our ministry has not written any material or produced any cassette tapes dealing specifically with rock music. However, there are other people who have.

I suggest that you contact the following:

Pastor Tom Maharis Manhattan Bible Church 401 West 205th St. 9th Ave. New York, NY 10034 (212) 567-2276 Michael A. Mills, President Mills Productions P.O. Bo. 574 Cold Water, 141 (517) 639-4216

Sketch Erickson Box 960 49036

Bob Larson Ministries Box 36A Denver, CO 80236 (303) 761-2075 Olive's Film Productions, Inc. P.O. Box 9 Madison, AL 35758 (205) 837-4166

Olive's Film Productions produced a film called "Rock: It's Your Decision." Their advertisement describes the film as "A stirring portrayal of teenage conflicts over music."

Mills Productions has cassette tapes on "Hidden and Satanic Messages of Rock Music." Sketch Erickson's ministry is centered around rock music (he made a tremendous impact when he spoke to our high school and college students on this topic).

Both Bob Larson and Tom Maharis were involved in rock music prior to their conversions. Bob Larson has material on rock music; Tom Maharis, to our knowledge, has not written anything on it, but may be able to direct you to some resources.

Parents often find it an eye opening experience to listen to the words of rock music or to look at the album covers or flyers for rock music concerts. Although we don't want to support the sale of such magazines, much can be learned by reading the rock music magazines and "Billboard" magazine from which you can get the words to some of the current songs.

We hope some of these sources will be helpful to you. We believe the keys to helping people make the right choice are prayers and educating people to what rock music says and the influence it has.

The Bible teaches a plurality of elders, as seen in James 5:14; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1; and Acts 20:17. There are at least three ways to interpret the multiple elders.

a. Some Brethren churches believe there should be many elders (pastors) in a local church. They tend to share preaching, and together, administer the church. The modern Body Life view of the church holds to plurality of elders.

b. The Presbyterian or Reformed church believes in ruling elders and teaching elders. The ruling elders are plural and they take care of spiritual matters in the church. The teaching elder is the pastor, responsible for preaching.

c. Baptist or Independent churches believe in a multiple staff of pastors such as a senior pastor and his staff, youth pastor, minister of music, etc. These all function with the title of pastors in the role of elders.

The pastor has several tasks in the church. When he is described as an elder, his duties relate to his spiritual maturity. Just as the original patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, etc.) gave leadership to all. the people in his household, so the elder gives leadership to those in the spiritual household. As such, leadership is given by spiritual example and wise decisions, not by doctrinal decree (i Pet. 5:1-4), or as Peter describes it, "not lording It over the flock."

The second task of the elders is to rule the church. The word exile Is a hard word for some to accept, but nevertheless, it is a biblical command. "Lot the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine" (1 Tim. 5:17). In essence, the one who preaches is to rule. "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man known not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)" (1 Tim. 3:4-5). This implies an elder (bishop) is to rule his family as a requirement to lead the flock. Note, "taking care" is not quite as strong as the previous passage, ruling the house of God. "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind" (1 Pet. 5:1,2). This verse indicates than an elder is to feed and take oversight of the church. "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you" (Heb. 13:7,17). Those who preach the Word are to rule the church. "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you." 1 Thessalonians 5:12 states that those who are over the church are the ones who rule. They are the ones who admonish the church. "That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboreth" (I Cor. 16:15). Because of the harshness associated with the modern definition of rule, the preferred phrase is that the elder/pastor should lead the church.

While some think all Catholics will miss Heaven, neither I nor Dr. Falwell feel that way. We believe that there will be some Roman Catholics that go to Heaven in spite of the Roman Catholic Church. If a person has simple faith in Jesus Christ they will go to Heaven, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved" (Acts 16:31). Obviously we are not Roman Catholics, and there are many things that Roman Catholicism has added to the Gospel. If a person follows everything that the Roman Catholics teach, we do not believe that they will be saved. However, many Roman Catholics just believe in Jesus Christ; we believe they will go to Heaven because of their faith in Christ, not their Roman Catholic alliance.

It should be understood that the issue of the Sabbath Day has been a controversial issue throughout the period known as the Church Age. The Church Age is referred to in the Old Testament prophecies as the "times of the Gentiles" in which Israel is set aside until the Messiah (Christ) should come again (second advent of Christ). During this period of time the Sabbath Day observance has been annulled (see Luke 21:24). (THINGS TO COME, J. D. Pentecost, pp. 314-315)

It is important to observe that the Sabbath was never imposed on the Gentiles, but was particularly a sign between Jehovah God and Israel (see Exodus 31:12-17). Following the resurrection of Christ, there is no injunction given in the law of God to the Jew, the Gentile, or a Christian to observe the Sabbath, nor is Sabbath-breaking once mentioned. The Christian practice was to meet on Sunday, resurrection day, the first day of the week (see Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:2) (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. I, p. 175).

The New Testament does refer to the Sabbath Day issue in the following passages: Galatians 4:9-10 -- condemns the observance of "days, and months, and times, and years"; Colossians 2:16-17 -- plainly instructs the child of God not to be judged with respect to a Sabbath Day; Romans 14:5 -- declares the believer to esteem all days alike -- all days are to be full of devotion to God (SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY, Vol. V, by L. S. Chafer, pp. 255-256).

We, as New Testament believers, are not subject to the Mosaic law. When Christ died for our sins, the entire system of shadows and types associated with the Mosaic law in the Old Testament came to an end. The death of our Savior brought about an end to the legal Sabbath observance. Jesus Christ arose from the dead on the first day of the week -- Sunday. The Bible does not record a single incident when the Lord Jesus observed the seventh-day Sabbath after His resurrection.

Even as the death of our Savior brought about an end to a legal Sabbath observance, so His resurrection marked the beginning of a new and very special day -- the Lord's Day -- the first day of the week -- Sunday. We worship Jesus Christ on Sunday, in the house of the Lord, because Sunday was the day on which Christ was resurrected. We, as New Testament believers, are no longer under the Old Covenant. We are under the New Covenant for the Church Age. We are no longer under bondage to the "do's and don'ts" that surrounded the Mosaic law. We, as Christians, are now liberated by the glories that surround the Lord's Day -- Sunday (see Galatians 5:1).

With regard to the Scriptures noting the reinstatement of the Sabbath Day observance, this will occur immediately upon the completion of the out-calling of the church "times of the Gentiles" and her removal from the world (the Rapture of the Church). For a study of this occurrence, I refer you to the following passages: Matthew 24:20; Isaiah 66:23; Ezekiel 46:1. In full harmony with the New Testament doctrine that the Lord's day is related only to the Church Age, it is prophesied that the Sabbath will be reinstated -- thus superseding the Lord's day (SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY, Vol. V, p. 256).

It should be understood by prophecy that an earthly theocratic kingdom will be instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ at His second advent (after the tribulation period). A great body of Old Testament prophecy is concerned with the restoration of the nation Israel to the land since the covenants could not be fulfilled apart from this regathering of Israel to its Promised Land (see Matthew 24:30-31; Isaiah 27:12; 43:5-7; Jeremiah 12:15; 24:6; Ezekiel 20:42; 28:25-26; Joel 3:1, etc.).

The restored theocracy involves a restored temple at Jerusalem, as well as a worship order similar to the old Aaronic order instituted in the Old Testament. It should be carefully noted, however, that Christ ministers in a new order --the Melchisedec priesthood (see Hebrews 7:11-28). The requirements or rituals of the two orders need not vary appreciably for them to be two different orders. Since both orders point to Christ, it would be expected that similarities should exist (see Ezekiel 43) (THINGS TO COME, by J.D. Pentecost, p. 519).

The Bible says two or three things about Sunday worship. First, from illustration, the church worshiped on Sunday. Second, since the Sabbath was the sign of the law, and the law was put aside, therefore we believe the sign of the law which is that the Sabbath was put aside. Third, the three most important feast days in the Old Testament to the Jews were celebrated on Sunday. Study carefully Leviticus 23, and you will see the Passover was seven days plus one, i.e., the Feast of Firstfruits was celebrated on Sunday. Second, Pentecost was celebrated 50 days after Passover; that means Pentecost was celebrated on Sunday. The third was the Feast of Tabernacles, which was a celebration of seven days plus one. The last day of the Feast of Tabernacles was its greatest day, it was Sunday.

The most important question which you can ask is: "How can I be saved?"

The Bible tells us that God has a special plan of redemption whereby you can know you are saved and on your way to Heaven with your sins forgiven.

The Bible tells us salvation is a free gift and it cannot be earned (Ephesians 2:8, 9; II Timothy 1:9; Romans 4:16). The entire book of Galatians was written to warn us that you cannot mix faith and works as the grounds for justification. Galatians 2:16 tells us: Man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ . . . The last portion of this verse also tells us: . . . for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:21 tells us: I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Forgiveness of sins and justification come from Jesus to all who believe (Acts 13:37-39).

Under the law, God demanded righteousness from man; under grace, God gives righteousness to man (Romans 3:21, 22; Romans 8:4; Philippians 3:9). The law is connected with Moses and works, while grace is connected with Jesus and faith (John 1:17; Romans 10:4-10). Legal obedience is no longer the condition of salvation, but now the condition for salvation is acceptance or rejection of Christ, with good works as a fruit of salvation (John 1:12 and 3:36).

The Bible does not teach that men are inherently good; rather, the Bible teaches that man is inherently sinful. David said in Psalm 51:5: Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

The Bible teaches that we are sinners both by birth and by choice. Please consider the following verses:

Romans 3:10 "As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one."

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

I John 1:9 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

Isaiah 64:6 "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags . . ."

Ecclesiastes 7:20 "For there is not a just an upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."

Romans 5:12 "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."

Galatians 3:22 "... the scripture hath concluded all under sin..."

Is salvation faith or feeling?

It is good to have assurance, the knowledge--the positive knowledge--that we will go to Heaven and not Hell. However, it is faith and not feeling we need.

Sometimes faith in Jesus will lead people to have strong feelings. Some people experience feelings of joy; some experience feelings of tearful joy and they weep profusely. Some people smile and sing and are very happy. But some people simply make a quiet surrender and have no emotional surge whatsoever -only the peace and quiet surrender and assurance they have done what God told them to do in accepting Jesus as their Savior and that God has done what He promised to do -- saved their soul.

So it is faith in God's Word and faith in God's love.

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17).

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

It is faith, not feeling. It is faith in God's love that put Jesus on the cross, and it is faith in God's promise which He has written in John 1:12. If we really want our sins forgiven, our souls saved, and assurance that we will go to Heaven when we die, all we have to do is accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. Then we can depend on God to keep His promise and we can depend on His love which gave Jesus to die on the cross for our salvation.

It is good for us to live as close to the Lord as we possibly can. However, we must trust in Jesus and not in our own goodness to get us to Heaven. We should keep trying to be like Him more and more as long as we live, but we should trust in Him and in His righteousness which He gives us, not in our own.

When in history was Satan cast out of Heaven?

There are two important passages in the Word of God concerning the origin and fall of Satan. The first passage relating to Satan's fall is found in Ezekiel 28:12-19 where Ezekiel describes the creation and judgment of a vile and vicious non-human creature whose name we find out later to be Lucifer. The second passage relating to Satan's fall is found in Isaiah 14:12-14 where the prophet Isaiah presents the origin and fall of Satan. (THE DOCTRINE OF SATAN, by H. L. Willmington, p. 21)

With reference to a "specific" time in history when Satan fell from Heaven, it must be stated that there is no clear revelation as to exactly when Satan fell, but here are limits to the possible time which we may deduce from biblical evidence. ". . . Based upon information gleaned from a comparison of Ezekiel 28:12-19 with Isaiah 14, Jude 6, and II Peter 2:4, and other passages, the following picture of Satan begins to emerge. Satan was created as one of the host of angelic beings . . . an anointed cherub, i.e., the captain of the cherubic hosts. Sometime prior to the creation of the natural order, Satan became vain about his beauty and position, and his heart became rebellious against God. Apparently, he was able to secure a considerable following among the angels, resulting in their expulsion from Heaven (Luke 10:18; II Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:4). Since that day, Satan devotes himself to opposing the work of God in every way possible and to attempting to destroy all of the good that God has created in the natural order. He (Satan) is allowed to continue this way for a period but will ultimately be confined to Hell for eternity" (Revelation 20:10). (THE CRISWELL STUDY BIBLE, p. 948)

If we assume that angels (including Satan) were part of the creation of Genesis 1:1, then their fall (including Satan's) follows that point. However, it may be that angels were created prior to the creation of the heavens and the earth. In either case, angels (including Satan) were present when God "laid the foundation of the earth" and "set its measurements" (Job 38:4, 5), for it was then that the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy (Job 38:7). This involved all the angels rejoicing with God. Satan and his angels fell, then, sometime after the original creation of the heavens and the earth.

It is certain that Satan had fallen before Genesis 3 where the temptation of Adam and Eve is recorded. He fell before man fell; but whether he fell before or after man's creation, we cannot say for certain. (ANGELS ELECT AND EVIL, by C. Fred Dickason, p. 135)

Satan's fall was a direct result of his self-exaltation that was manifested in his pride, the first sin (I Timothy 3:6). Motivated by pride, Satan set out on an irrational course to seize for himself God's authority over the universe (Isaiah 14:12-14). Some commentators believe that this revolt of Satan towards God occurred after the creation week, but before the fall of man (Genesis 1:31; 3:1-6). It appears that the Devil became the prince of this world when he led man (Adam and Eve) to sins against God and thus brought the ruler of earth under his domination (Genesis 1:26:3:1-6; John 12:31; Colossians 1:13; Acts 26:18). (PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY, by Floyd H. Barackman, p. 176)

Satan has been judged by God for his sins, and will be further judged for his sins. There are at least six judgments associated with Satan:

1. He was barred from his original privileged position in Heaven (Ezekiel 28:16).

2. Judgment for his temptation of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:14-15).

3. At the cross of Calvary (John 12:31).

4. Satan will be barred from Heaven during the tribulation period (Revelation 12:13).

5. Satan will be confined to the abyss during the millennium (Revelation 20:2).

6. At the conclusion of the millennium, Satan will be cast into the lake of fire for all eternity (Revelation 20:10). (Excerpts from A SURVEY OF BIBLE DOCTRINE, by Charles C. Ryrie, p. 94)

The Bible gives reference that there are two occasions where Satan is cast out of Heaven; once with his angels, and once in the future. . . . Since the ultimate fall of Satan is actually yet in the future (Revelation 9:1) . . . Lucifer, himself, shall one day fall under the judgment of God. He, too, will be brought down to Hell in the final judgment of God [Revelation 20:10].

A study of the passage of Revelation 12:7, 8, reveals the beginning of the ultimate doom of Satan. In pre-time (before creation of time), Satan's early fall was from the immediate presence of God to the second heaven (cf. Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:12-15; Ephesians 6:10-12). . . . Neither was there place found anymore in Heaven. The weaker the foe (Satan) will be permanently dislodged, never to regain access to Heaven.

Doubtless, Christ foresaw this in Luke 10:17-18. Satan's forceful eviction from Heaven is a chief cause of the Great Tribulation (John 12:31). (LIBERTY BIBLE COMENTARY, Vol. I, p. 1325: Vol. II, pp. 821, 822)

"And the Lord answered me, and said, 'Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry'" (Habakkuk 2:2-3).

America needs a message from God. We need to ask ourselves, What is God's vision for America? Though our text was delivered to Israel's prophet Habakkuk many centuries ago, it still rings in our ears today. We need a national revival resulting in worldwide evangelization. The only hope for America is a spiritual awakening from God. I have asked God to make clear to me His vision for our nation in these last days. It must be simply stated ("make it plain") in written form ("upon tables," or "tablets") and it must be practical and transferable (so "that he may run that readeth it").

The Need for Revival

We desperately need a genuine revival of spiritual righteousness in our land. America needs the healing touch of God because of her sins. Legalized abortion has claimed the lives of 15 million babies since the 1973 Supreme Court decision. The multibillion-dollar pornography industry is demeaning our women and destroying our children. Secular Humanism attempts to elevate man to a place where he has no need of God. Disallowing prayer in our public schools has cut our children off from the right to voluntarily pray to God during school hours. Infanticide and euthanasia are threatening both our children and our aged. The drug epidemic is sweeping our country and perverting our young people. Homosexuality is spreading everywhere, claiming our youth as its victims. The nearly 50 percent divorce rate threatens the very stability of our monogamous culture. America is in trouble and only God can save her.

The Prayer for Revival

Just as the prophet Habakkuk cried out for his nation, "O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years" (3:2), we too must cry out to God for revival in America in these crucial years at the end of the twentieth century.

1. Pray for Revival. We must mobilize multiplied millions of Americans to pray for genuine revival in this critical hour.

2. Preach for Revival. We must preach the necessity of true revival from our pulpits as never before. We cannot remain silent when the need is so great.

3. Repent of Our Sins. As Nehemiah and Ezra repented for the sins of Israel, so must we repent for the sins of America in order to stay the hand of God's judgement in our country.

If we do not have revival, only judgement awaits us! The ominous storm clouds are already gathering on our national horizon: the threat of nuclear holocaust, Soviet-Cuban expansion in the Western Hemisphere, worldwide Communist-inspired terrorism, racism, anti-Semitism, and the imminent financial collapse of the world economic system. At home we face the dangerous impact of groups like the militant homosexuals, feminists, ACLU, NOW, NARAL, Planned Parenthood, NEA, and others who are lowering the dignity and value of human life and are attempting to purge God out of American society altogether. They are trying to steal our religious liberties and eliminate our moral absolutes. America must have revival now!

A Master Plan for Revival

1. We must plant 5,000 new Bible-believing churches in North America. The local church is God's agency for world evangelization. We must plant 5,000 new and/or reactivated churches by A.D. 2000 in order to carry out the Great Commission in our lifetime. We have already established many such churches, pastored by Liberty University graduates. Each of these churches becomes a world missionary headquarters and an evangelistic outreach to its own community. Millions of people will be won to Christ through these churches and their missionary enterprise. Each church must become an incubator to produce dynamic and dedicated young people willing to serve Christ worldwide. The potential is unlimited!

2. We must start 5,000 new Christian day schools. There are already thousands of Christian schools under way in America, training millions of boys and girls. We need at least 5,000 more schools where every teacher is a dedicated, born-again Christian and where academic excellence and Christian principles go hand in hand. Our Christian colleges must train thousands of schoolteachers and hundreds of administrators to meet the coming demand. Think of what it could mean to our country to have 10-15 million children in Christian schools.

3. We must build Liberty University to an enrollment of 50,000 by the next century. We must attract and train Christian young people until Liberty becomes the "Harvard" of Christian schools. We must train preachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists, educators, journalists, politicians, business people, and so forth. We must train the leaders for every sector of society. We must never lower our spiritual or academic standards in training "Champions for Christ." If we are going to save America and evangelize the world, we cannot accommodate secular philosophies that are diametrically opposed to Christian truth. Liberty is not for every student. Our graduates are different. They must be committed to change the world with the message of the crucified and risen Christ!

4. We must establish 1,000 Save-A-Baby centers nationwide. In our prototype Save-A-Baby program in Lynchburg, we prevented 2,500 abortions in the first two years. A large number of pastors have asked for our assistance in helping them to establish such a program in their churches. One thousand such centers could help prevent 500,000 abortions annually. At the same time we must continue to push for judicial and legislative reform to stop all convenience abortions.

5. We must continue to use the media to preach the gospel to every human being. We have been preaching the gospel on radio and television to millions of Americans for many years. We must not be content with past success. We need to increase our daily radio network and weekly television audience. We need to go into prime time where the greatest audience is. We must be ready to adopt every advancement in technology: satellite direct broadcasting, video cassettes, and so forth. We must reach every person possible by every means available.

6. We must publish the gospel message on the printed page. Every kind of publishing media must continue to expand: textbooks, gospel tracts, Christian literature, magazines, and newspapers. We must continually increase the circulation of the LIBERTY JOURNAL, which already reach 1 million homes.

7. We must mobilize 25 million Americans to become activists for traditional and moral values in America's political process. Edmond Burk said, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Bible-believing Christians have remained silent too long while the religious Liberals and Secular Humanists have dominated the political scene. They have expelled God from our schools, legalized abortion, promoted pornography, and brought about the general moral breakdown of society. We have registered 5 million inactive voters in just five years. We must keep up this pace indefinitely. We need to pull out all the stops to recruit and train 25 million Americans to become informed pro-moral activists whose voices can be heard in the halls of Congress.

I am convinced that America can be turned around if we will all get serious about the Master's business. It may be late, but it is never too late to do what is right. We need an old-fashioned, God-honoring, Christ-exalting revival to turn America back to God. America can be saved!

It should be emphasized that countless multitudes will be saved during the tribulation period (Revelation 7:14). The majority of those saved during the tribulation period, however, will die as martyrs. Many will be killed by earthquakes, war, and pestilence. Others will be the object of special persecution by the world ruler--the antichrist, because they will refuse to worship or receive the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:15). The result will be multiplied thousands of martyrs. These will be taken up to Heaven in the presence of the Lamb and God will wipe away all tears resulting from their suffering on earth (Revelation 7:14-17). (The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by John F. Walvoord, pp. 147, 149.)

The Scriptures are silent concerning any Rapture or translation of those persons saved during the tribulation period and who survive the millennium. The subject is a divine mystery, probably based upon the principle that this truth is of no practical application to saints now living. Further light may be cast upon this in the millennium itself as the truth of God is made known (Ibid., p. 3U7.)

We do know that at the end of the millennium the earth will be burned by fire and purged of all former things (II Peter 3:7-l0). Thus, John could see a "... new heaven and new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away..." (Revelation 21: 1 ; Isaiah 65:17) . We understand from Paul's account to the Corinthian believers the necessity for the resurrection of the body, "...flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God..." (I Corinthians 15:50). There must be a change from mortal to immortality. Therefore Paul revealed the mystery, "Behold, I show you a mystery... We shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immorality."

Mystery of the Rapture--First Resurrection

The mystery Paul explained is the revelation that not all believers will face death. Prior the events of the Great Tribulation, Christ will come (Rapture). The dead in Christ shall be raised and glorified. Those who are still living will be caught up in the air and instantaneously changed to the permanent, undecaying, glorified body (immortal) which is like the Lord's resurrected body (see also I Thessalonians 4:14-17). (The Criswell Study Bible, I Corinthians 15:51, footnote p. 1363.)

"The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection" (Revelation 20:5). It is pointless and baseless to speak of a general resurrection in order to avoid the intervening period of 1000 years, as a millennialists do. The order of the resurrection can be gleaned from these Scriptures: I Corinthians 15:23-24; Revelation 20:4-6; Daniel 12:1-3; and Luke 20:34-36. The word "first" is found in verses 5 and 6 of Revelation 20. If this means there is but one resurrection, words are emptied of meaning. There are definite stages in the first resurrection; the chief one is Christ Himself (see also I Corinthians 15:20). (Liberty Bible Commentary, Vol. II, pp. 845-846. )

The first resurrection is composed not of church age saints alone, but of all individuals, of whatever age (even tribulation martyrs), who are raised to eternal life. While this resurrection takes place at different times in reference to different groups, the result is the same in each case--the resurrection to eternal life. (Things to Come, J. D. Pentecost, p. 543.

The New Jerusalem

"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven...Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Revelation 21:2-3).

The holy Jerusalem city comes from Heaven and is to be inhabited by God, by the church (church age saints), by the redeemed of Israel, and by the redeemed of all ages, together with the unfallen angels... The city thus becomes the abode of all the resurrected saints who enter it at the time of their resurrection (eternal glorified state) ... At the expiration of the millennial age, during the renovation of the earth, the dwelling place (New Jerusalem) is removed during the conflagration (from its place above the earth) to find its place after the recreation as the connecting link between the new heavens and the new earth" (Things to Come, pp. 576-577, 580).

As you can see, we will not fully understand all things until we see our Lord Jesus Christ face to face. But isn't it wonderful that we have the blessed assurance of this meeting with our Redeemer. Because of this assurance, we need not worry about those things we cannot fully understand in the Scriptures. The apostle Paul so beautifully stated our position as children of God in I Corinthians 13:12 when he said, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also -I am known."

By Daniel L. Barlow, Ed. D.:

First, what is intended by the proposed school prayer amendment? The founding fathers intended the first amendment to protect religious values from government dictate or interference. They never meant for the first amendment to prohibit prayer in public schools. It was a widespread practice for 170 years before the 1962 Supreme Court decision prohibited it. The White House has stressed that the president intends only to return the situation to what it was before the 1962 decision.

The proposed amendment provides two simple guarantees: (1) "the federal government and constitution will not prohibit individual or group prayers in public schools or other public institutions;" (2) "the rights of those who choose not to participate in school prayer will be guaranteed and no one will be required to participate."

What about the individual student who chooses for whatever reason not to participate? No one is forced into praying. It is totally voluntary. The student who doesn't want to participate can either bow his head out of respect for the prevailing majority, do his own work, or look out the window. Since 75 to 85 percent of the American people (depending on the poll you accept) want voluntary prayer restored to public schools, this is the way in which minorities can be protected while the majority engages in voluntary prayer.

Does this proposed amendment literally mandate to the school board that there must be prayer in their schools? The answer is a definite no. What the amendment really does is restore local option to the community and to the school board. If the local constituency wants prayer, and expresses this desire to the school board, then there would be voluntary prayer in the schools of that area. If the community were predominately Jewish, for example, and a person wished to offer a Jewish prayer, and non-Jewish students were present (a minority in this case), the non-Jewish students would not be coerced into praying a Jewish prayer, but could respond in any one of a number of ways suggested above. The principle would work regardless of what the majority decided in the local community and through the local school board.

As Cal Thomas, editorial writer has commented, "If local option is allowed in liquor by the drink laws and local option is allowed when pornography is defined and regulated, what, pray tell, is wrong with local option for voluntary prayer? Do the courts seriously believe children would be more damaged by prayer than they would by drinking liquor or view pornography?"

Liberal groups conducted a religious lobotomy on this country, seeking to cleanse it from any vestige of religious influence. Such action is clearly in violation of the free exercise laws of the first amendment. It is not the relationship the founding fathers had in mind when they wrote the constitution. One of Thomas Jefferson's principle concerns was how a large and diverse self-governing people could maintain the capacity to govern itself. As one aspect of meeting this concern, Jefferson advocated the association of religion and public education, in the belief it would produce good citizens, who in the carrying out of their own rights, consistently would respect the rights of others.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1:27).

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? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor (Psalm 8:3-5).

Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord.- and the fruit of the womb is his reward (Psalm 12 7:3).

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them (Psalm 139:13-16).

Woe unto him that striveth with his maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say, to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth? Thus saith the Lord, the Holy one of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded (Isaiah 45:9-12).

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations (Jeremiah 1:5).

For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute. judgement between a man and his neighbor; if ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever (Jeremiah 7:5-7).

Thus saith the Lord, Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do not violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place. But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it (Jeremiah 22:3, 17).

Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border (Amos 1:13).

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth ... was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy (Luke 1:39-44).

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb (Luke 2:21).

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (I Corinthians 6:19,20).

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace (Galatians 1: 15).

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be manifest in him (John 9:1-3).

And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God (Luke 18:15,16).

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 18:10).

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (Matthew 25:40).

If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his works? (Proverbs 24:11,12)

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (James 4:17).

You asked about the sealing of the Holy Spirit as found in Ephesians 4:30:

"And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

"Sealed with God's stamp, marking you as God's purchased possession and destined unto the day of complete redemption, when final redemption is realized and we are transformed into His (Christ's) likeness (see Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2)." (Liberty Bible Commentary, Vol. II, p. 554)

"The time of sealing coincides with the time of believing (salvation). A seal indicates possession and security. The presence of the Holy Spirit, the seal, is the believer's guarantee of the security of his salvation." (Ryrie Study Bible, footnote for Ephesians 1:13, p. 1780)

"... by whom you were sealed (marked, branded as Goo's own, secured) for the day of redemption--of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin." (The Amplified Bible, p. 301)

"The Holy Spirit seals the believing sinner (saved one).

"Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts" (II Corinthians 1:22).

"... The presence of the Holy Spirit himself seems to be the seal here, who is given by the Father to assure the believer of his eternal salvation."

What is the Second Coming of Christ?

To understand Bible prophecy in God's Word concerning the future, it is very helpful to consider the three major terminal points or events in the future.

(1) The next event on God's calendar of prophecy is the appearance of Christ in the clouds, without touching His feet to the earth, to take out all Christians who are alive, and to take up into Heaven with Him the resurrected bodies of Christians who have died and whose souls will be coming back with Jesus at that time to re-enter their resurrected bodies. Thus, living Christians, with miraculously changed and glorified bodies, without having to experience death, will be caught up to meet the Lord Jesus in the air and go on to Heaven with Him. At the same time, saved people who have died, their souls, coming back from Heaven, will enter their resurrected and glorified bodies, and will rise up to meet the Lord in the air and go on to Heaven with Him. Scriptures teaching these truths are I Thessalonians 4:13-18 and I Corinthians 15:51-57.

(2) Seven years later Jesus will come back to set His feet on earth and to rule and to reign over the nations and peoples of the world for one thousand years. In the seven-year period of time between the appearing of Christ in the clouds to take out all Christians and the time when He shall return to earth to rule for one thousand years, the terrible judgments and events described in the book of Revelation will transpire. The antichrist will gain ascendancy and will lead into sin the vast majority of the people who were left behind when Christ appeared in the clouds to take out all the Christians.

There are many events in the Near East and in other places in the world which cause many of us to feel the stage is being set for the end time events which, of course, would include the rise of a worldwide ecumenical church, and the terrible divine judgment destruction. In the Revelation, however, the actual end time events, just mentioned, cannot and will not come to pass until the rapture of the saints. The time of this glorious event is not known. The trumpet may sound and Christ may call out His saints anytime. It may be today, it may be tomorrow, or it may be many years from now.

Although the Christians living today will not have to go through the Tribulation, it is wrong for us to assume we will have an easy life to live before the rapture. The Lord may yet call upon us to suffer for His sake in these days. Christians in Africa, in Russia, and in China are no doubt having great persecutions because of their faith. So we, too, must stand prepared to face whatever trials may come.

The trials and persecutions of heathen nations against Christians today and in years gone by are much less severe than those, which will come in the days of the Tribulation. God will pour out His wrath in such a way we cannot even begin to imagine it. But, praise God, He promises to shorten the time for the sake of the Christians during that time--for the elect's sake.

During the one-thousand year reign of Christ's rule on earth, Satan will be confined to the bottomless pit; Jesus will be here in Person in all His glory; Israel will finally fulfill one of God's major purposes for her, in that she will become a nation of spirit-filled evangelists and missionaries taking the Gospel of Christ to those around the world; and there will be no wars during this time. King Jesus will control the governments and the economies of the nations of the world. With such a wonderful environment in which to live during this one-thousand year period of time, people in the world then will have the greatest opportunity of any generation that has ever lived to accept Jesus as Savior and to serve Him. There will be no hope for anyone who rejects such wonderful light and such wonderful power from the Holy Spirit and from Jesus in person. Therefore Jesus says in Revelation 22:11:

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

(3) At the end of Jesus' one thousand year reign on earth, there will be the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20), and creation of new heavens and earth (Revelation 21).

II Peter chapter 3 tells us at this time the physical heavens and earth will be melted with fervent heat and a great noise. We are also told that God will make from this molten matter a new physical universe in which there are no sinners and no sign or taint of sins.

Thus, it is easy to see why, at the end of Jesus' one thousand year rule on the earth, there will be a melting and a purging of the physical heavens and earth in order that a brand new place of perfection can be made for all of God's redeemed children. This will be a wonderful place just as it was when God first made it and before Adam and Eve sinned.

I would like to recommend some books, which may be helpful to you in further studies of the end-time events. They should be available in or through your local Christian bookstore:

THINGS TO COME by J. Dwight Pentecost

THE LATE GREAT PLANET EARTH by Hal Lindsey

THE KING IS COMING by Harold L. Willmington

Can you give me some guidance in seeking a church?

The Bible exhorts us to attend a church where we can be blessed and in which we can serve the Lord.

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is..." (Hebrews 10:25).

It is important to find a church true to the Bible's teachings, active soul-winning, and one which gives you the spiritual food you need.

In Acts 2:41 and 47, the Bible says God Himself added to the membership of the church at Jerusalem. As people were saved, they were added to the congregation. As a Christian, it is a duty as well as a privilege to become a member of a good, fundamental, Bible-believing, soul-winning, Bible-preaching church.

There are a few guidelines which may be helpful when we are trying to find God's will with respect to membership and service in a church:

(1) Is the church under consideration a Bible-believing church? Does the leadership in that particular church preach and teach the verbal inspiration of God's Word; the deity, virgin birth, and sinlessness of Jesus; the substitutionary death and literal resurrection of Christ; the pre-millennial return of Christ; the reality of Hell where all will spend eternity in conscious torment if they die without Christ; and the errors and fallacies of evolution?

(2) In addition to the doctrinal position of a church, it is very helpful to know the position of the church with regard to a separated, dedicated, Christ-like life. Most churches being greatly blessed of the Lord take a loving, but firm, stand against, dancing, tobacco, alcohol, immodest dress, and other types of worldliness which would grieve the Spirit and harm their influence. The Christ-like position is not to be negative only, but to be against those things which the Bible is against and to be for those things which the Bible is for.

(3) Is this a strong, evangelistic work of Christ? It is important to train those who are already saved, aid to mold and motivate them for Christ. However, it is also very important constantly to be on the outreach for others, to bring them to know Christ as Savior and Lord.

(4) Finally, is the leadership as a whole (pastor, deacons, staff workers, Sunday School teachers, and other workers) setting the pace of dedication, doctrine, and fruitfulness? Are the youth of the church being motivated to go out for Christ? Are there adequate facilities for the children and all age groups among the adults?

Many people ask the question: "What is meant by seeking the Lord?" and a natural follow-up question, "How do you seek the Lord?" The answer to these questions may be found in the Scriptures in Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Another Scripture related to this is found in Hebrews 11:6: "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." It should be noted that while people are seeking the Lord, or Heaven, God has made ample provision for these people to find Him. "That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us" (Acts 17:27). God has provided Jesus Christ as the Savior for all men. Jesus came here upon the earth to provide Himself a perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind. The Scripture says that "Jesus came to seek men who were lost in their sin and who were headed for a Christless eternity in Hell: For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).

All people may be assured that God's great love is directed towards them. "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another" (I John 4:9-11).

Salvation is a very personal thing that involves an individual's relationship with Jesus Christ. This personal relationship comes when we realize that God truly loves us and has a wonderful plan for our life, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

We all need to realize that the Bible tells us that we are all sinners and that sin has separated us from God! "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "And because of our sin, we are condemned already to death and Hell - spiritual separation from God: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

Because of our separation from God, we cannot experience a personal fulfillment and peace with God or the peace of God. We originally were created to have fellowship with God, but our self-will and sin have created a vast gulf between us and our Creator. The person of Jesus Christ is the only remedy for sin and the only way to reach God! "Jesus sayeth unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6). "There is no other way for you to develop a personal relationship with God other than through Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

To establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ you must invite Him into your heart as your personal Savior. As Christ comes into your life by personal invitation, you must believe that He will come in--that's faith. You must ask Him to forgive and cleanse you of all your sins--that's repentance. You must ask Him to take total control of your life--that's submission.

When Christ lives in our heart, He will expect to control our life and guide our thoughts and actions. He indwells our hearts with the Holy Spirit to lead us in all things we do or say. He demands that we be willing to completely offer ourselves for His loving control. That's recognizing Jesus Christ as Lord of all.

If you have not already done so, I invite you to receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your life. Let Him be your Savior and cleanse you of your sins. Give Him control of your life.

You can do so by simply praying the following prayer and meaning it with all of your heart: "Dear Lord, I now realize that I am a sinner. I accept the fact that Christ died upon the cross to save me. I now open my heart's door and receive you as my personal Savior. Please forgive me of all my sin. I also receive you as my Lord. I willingly give you full control of my life. Now help me to be the kind of person you want me to be. Guide and direct me from this day forth that I will serve you faithfully in everything I say or do."

If you have prayed this prayer in all sincerity, you are now a child of God, for all eternity. You can look forward to Heaven as your eternal home.

The next step is to grow in grace and knowledge through prayer and studying God's Word.

In reading the book of Psalms people are often puzzled by the words "Selah" and "Higgaion." What do these words mean?

Selah occurs seventy-one times in the Psalms, as well as in Habakkuk 3:3, 9, 13. There are six distinct opinions as to its meaning: (1) a pause; (2) a repetition, like da capo; (3) the end of a strophe; (4) a playing with full power (fortissimo); (5) a bending of the body, an obeisance; and (6) a short, recurring symphony (ritornello). It probably means an orchestral interlude or change from piano to forte (DAVIS DICTIONARY OF THE BIBLE, p. 732).

With reference to the meaning of the word "Higgaion," the DAVIS DICTIONARY OF THE BIBLE provides the following definition: A musical term occurring in Psalm 9:16. The word is used elsewhere in the sense of solemn sound, meditation [see Psalm 19:14; 42:3; Lamentations 3:63] (p. 323). In Psalm 9:16 the word is combined with Selah, which means a pause of unusual duration and solemnity (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. I, p. 994).

by Charles A. Rife:

Every person alive today can rejoice the fact of the value God has given them.

God has shown the value of each person by the individual attention He gives to each person. Psalm 139:13-18 says:

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou has covered me in my mother's womb" (v.13).

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works; and that soul knoweth right well" (v. 14).

"My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth" (v. 15)

"Thine eyes did see a substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there vas none of then" (v. 16).

"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, 0 God! Great is the sum of then! (v. 17).

"If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee" (v. 18).

God created each of us for a very special purpose. Ephesians 2:10 says,

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in then."

Another thing that has given great value to every person is the fact that Jesus died for all people. Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Christ did not die for bugs or beasts. Christ died for people (all people everywhere).

I John 4:9-11 says, "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved Cod, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."

If you are not a Christian, you need to confess that you are a sinner to God and then invite Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Savior. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse you of your sins; the guilt of your sins and give you eternal life in Heaven (Ephesians 1:7- Colossians 1:14, 20-22; 1 John 1:7) May I invite you to trust Jesus as your personal Savior right now? If you will pray the following prayer, Jesus will come into your life and make you a brand new creature, forgive you of your sins and provide you a home in Heaven. "Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me, a sinner, and come into my heart and life as my personal Savior and Lord and forgive me of my sins and save me for Your sake. Amen." Romans 10:13 tells us, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Begin now to view yourself as God does. You are His creation. Then serve Him as a grateful child of the King!

Secular history and tradition tell us that Nimrod married a woman who was as evil and demonic as himself. Her name was Semerimus. Knowing God's promise of a future Savior (Genesis 3:15), Semerimus brazenly claimed that Tammuz, her first son, fulfilled this prophecy. Semerimus thereupon instituted a religious system, which made both her and her son the objects of Divine worship. She herself became the first high priestess. Thus began the mother-child cult which later spread all over the world. The city of Babylon was the seat of Satan worship until it fell, in 539 BC, to the Persians.... What were the teachings of Semerimus' satanic church? That Semerimus herself was the way to God. She actually adopted the title "Queen of Heaven." [The Bible identifies the term "Queen of Heaven" in Jeremiah 7:18; 44:17,18,19, 25. Semerimus' child is identified in the Scriptures as Tammuz--Ezekiel 8:14.] (WILLMINGTON'S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE, pp. 570-571).

Much of the historic and traditional history for Semerimus comes from the writings of Alexander Hislop in his book, THE TWO BABYLONS, published by Lorenzo Loizeaux Brothers. This book should be available at most Christian bookstores. An additional source for information on the harlot of Revelation 17 may be found in the book entitled SHORT PAPER ON CHURCH HISTORY.

Should I become involved with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church?

Let me in all kindness and Christian love advise you not to become involved with the Seventh Day Adventist church. They are guilty of misinterpreting God's Word in many ways. They believe one cannot be sure of his salvation until he dies. The Bible teaches if we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, our eternal destiny is sure; it is not any works or good deeds or obeying the law, which saves us, but our faith in Jesus Christ saves us. We are by the blood of Jesus Christ and our faith in his death, burial and resurrection.

Please read these verses: Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 21; Titus 3:5; John 3:16, 36; 6:35, 40; 10:9, 28-29. These verses are just a few among many, which show salvation comes by faith in Christ and not by anything we may do.

The Seventh-Day Adventists do not believe one can be sure of his salvation, even after he has trusted Christ as his Savior. This is contrary to what God's Word says:

"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:31).

I John 5:13 says:

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

The Seventh-Day Adventists will try to convince you that Christians should be worshipping on the Sabbath; however, we believe the Holy Spirit Himself led the early apostles to worship on Sunday, the day of the Lord's resurrection. This is not a change made by the Catholic church, but one made by God in the days of the New Testament church.

Daniel 12:11-12 gives indication that there will be a period of seventy-five days between the second coming of Christ and the millennial reign.

"And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days" (Daniel 12:11-12).

The entire chapter 12 of Daniel gives three specific time accountings: Number one, in verse 7 the time is referred to as a time, times, and a half, meaning three and one-half years or one thousand two hundred and sixty days; Number two, verse 11, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days; Number three, verse 12, thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. The difference of time between the three and a half years (twelve hundred sixty days) and the thirteen hundred thirty-five days is seventy-five days.

Dr. H. A. Ironside in his commentary on the book of DANIEL gives the following explanation for the seventy-five days of Daniel 12:

. . . the tribulation is to last for a time, times, and a half; equivalent to three and a half years, or twelve hundred and sixty days [Matthew 24; Daniel 12:7). But in Daniel 12:11 we learn that from the beginning of this tribulation, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. The extra thirty days will, doubtless, be devoted to the purging out of the kingdom of all things that offend and do iniquity, though the Lord will appear, on behalf of the remnant and for the destruction of the Beast and Antichrist, at the expiration of the twelve hundred and sixty days. A longer period yet is given [in Daniel 12:12]: Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Some have suggested that this would carry on the time to the celebration of the first millennial feast of the tabernacles, as in Zechariah, chapter 14. At any rate it clearly points us to the full establishment of the kingdom in power and glory (pp. 235-235).

In the LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Volume I, the book of Daniel, we find the following explanation for the seventy-five days:

The twelve hundred ninety days mentioned [in Daniel 12:11] probably refer to the last three and one-half years of the tribulation period, plus an additional thirty days to be used in judging the qualifications of those who will enter the millennium (Matthew 25:31-46).

The thousand three hundred thirty-five days perhaps signify an additional forty-five days before the actual beginning of the millennium that may be required . . . for setting up the governmental machinery of the millennial period. All new governments require a transition period; and the saints who will rule and reign with Christ (Daniel 7:27; Revelation 20:4) must be given their assignments and instructions as to how to operate during the new age (p. 1659).

"Is it possible to consider sex as a pleasure as well as for procreation?"

The Scripture teaches that marriage is a union that implies sexual union as a central obligation in pleasure.

"Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but his wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency" (I Corinthians 7:3-5.)

But sexual union does not necessarily imply marriage. Marriage is different from, bigger than, and inclusive of sexual union, but the two are not the same. In the Bible, marriage is described in terms of companionship. In Proverbs 2:17, for example, we are told that the strange woman "forsaketh the guide [companion] of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God." The word translated "guide" or "companion" signifies a close, intimate relationship that is exactly what marriage companionship is. A companion is one with whom you are intimately united in thoughts, goals, plans, and efforts [and in the case of marriage, in bodies]. The marriage union is the closest, most intimate of all human relationships. Therefore, based upon Scriptural evidence sexual union may be a pleasurable act even in the case where procreation is not the result. (Fundamentalist Journal, "Point and Counterpoint" by Jay Adams, June 1984. p. 16.)

The equality of the sexes is a very true concept and can be supported by examining the Scriptures. One such passage is Galatians 3:28:

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.

The Galatians 3:28 passage is a statement of affirmation concerning the impartial nature of the love of God (see also Acts 10:34,35). Being "in Christ Jesus" removes all race or national distinction, class differences vanish, and sex rivalry disappears. At the foot of the cross all men (and women) are equal, and no one enjoys special privileges. (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. 11, p. 523)

Dr. Falwell has stated: "A fulfilled women is one who finds the will of God for her life and lives according to the Scriptural pattern given for her." Certainly, women are special. They are loved and valued by the God of the Universe.

There are many Scriptures that address the position of women with regard to their role in the family and in the church (see I Corinthians 14:34,35; I Timothy 2:11-15; I Peter 3:7). It should be recognized that God has placed the wife under the authority of her husband (Ephesians 5:22; Colossians 3:18; I Corinthians 11:8,9). God's chain of authority within the family places the husband in authority over the wife and over the children.

The wife is to be the helper (help-mate) for her husband. It should be noted, the chain of authority exists because God instituted it, not because men are superior to women.

We are hearing much these days about prophecy and what the end times will be like. There are many indications that the rapture (the next event on the prophetic calendar) is just around the corner. Eleven of these indicators (signs of the times) are given below by Dr. Falwell.

1. INCREASE OF WARS AND RUMORS OF WAR: (Daniel 9:26; Matthew 24:6): It has been pointed out by the Society of International Law that there have been only 268 years of peace during the last 4,000 years of human history, despite the signing of more than 8,000 separate treaties.

Although the United Nations chose Micah 4:3 as their motto, their selection should have been Joel 3:9, 10, "Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears...."

2. EXTREME MATERIALISM (II Timothy 3:1, 2): Materialism has been defined as "that science of knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing." Someone once asked the late John D. Rockefeller how much money it would take to make a person happy. He responded by saying, "Just a little bit more."

The indictment is upon the church as well, "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17).

3. A DEPARTURE FROM THE CHRISTIAN FAITH: I Timothy 4:1 says, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith...." A leading Chicago newspaper was puzzled over the fact that critics of the Bible did not come from the atheists nor communists, but from liberal theologians. They, for example, were the ones to formulate the ridiculous proposal that "God is dead."

The German theologian, Niebuhr, first expounded this hypothesis. At a "God is Dead" rally some years ago, many were carrying placards reading, "God is Dead--Niebuhr." One small boy carried a placard which read, "Niebuhr is Dead--God."

4. OVERPOPULATION: Bible scholars maintain that the earth had a population of over three billion persons in Noah's time. Not since the days of Noah has the earth sustained such a huge mass of humanity. The teaching of Matthew 24:27-37 is that the Lord will return when the conditions resemble those of the days of Noah.

5. LAWLESSNESS: Perhaps no word better describes the world in which we live today. One needs only to read the daily paper or listen to the news commentators to realize that the words of II Timothy 3:2-4 are true, "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God."

6. AN INCREASE IN SPEED AND KNOWLEDGE: Daniel 12:4 says, "But thou, 0 Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."

With our modern technology we all know the vast speeds at which various rockets, missiles, and airplanes can travel. Further, our educational system has mushroomed. In America we spend billions of dollars to finance our public educational system. In addition, we are currently experiencing an information explosion as a result of the computer age high tech advances of our modern society.

7. INTENSE DEMONIC ACTIVITY: Satan is certainly alive and active in today's world. Satan worshipping churches have sprung up across the country. Any missionary is able to relate stories of the satanic powers at work on the foreign field. The revival of astrology, the use of hard drugs, and the growth of demonic groups, such as the W.I.T.C.H. group (Women's International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell), must make even the skeptic a believer in the power of a real devil.

8. THE UNIFICATION OF THE SYSTEMS OF THIS WORLD: The National Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches, and the Vatican I and II have done much to unify many religious groups throughout the world.

At the 10th anniversary of the United Nations, in 1955, a special "Festival of Faith" was held in San Francisco. In part, the official document of the meeting read, "There were Christians and Jews, Buddhists and Confucianists, Hindus and Moslems...They called God by different names--speaking to Him in different tongues ... The high point of prayer meeting was the recitation together of the Responsive Reading--composed sentences from the sacred books of the six faiths represented-Christian, Jewish, Moslem, Buddhist, Hindu, and Confucian."

Current ecumenical trends continue to emphasize the constant striving for unity among religious, political, and social factions. Revelation 13:4-8, 16, 17 tells us that the antichrist will someday successfully unite the religious, political, and economic systems of the world. It looks like we have given him a head start!

9. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN RUSSIA: Since October of 1917, when Lenin took over Russia with 40,000 followers, that nation has since expanded her domination to over one billion people. Country after country has succumbed to the hammer and the sickle.

The 1970's saw increasing Communist activity throughout much of the world. Particularly the continent of Africa has felt the blow of the hammer and the sickle in recent days.

During the next few years the Middle Eastern world will be sorely tested as the Red armies continue to advance their anti-God philosophies.

Ezekiel foretells how Russia will attack Israel (Ezekiel 38,39). We can see it happening as the great northern power takes an increasing strangle hold upon more and more countries surrounding tiny Israel.

10. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN ISRAEL: There have been many important dates in history since Jesus ascended into heaven. In 324, Constantine came into full power and made Christianity the state religion. In 476, the Roman Empire fell. On August 3, 1492, Columbus set sail. On July 41 1776, the American Declaration of Independence was signed. On July 10, 1969, the first man set foot on the moon. But, in my opinion, the most significant happening in the last 20 centuries, aside from Christ coming to earth, occurred on May 14, 1948 when the remnant of Israel officially became a nation again.

Over the four decades since Israel became a nation, millions of Jews have returned to their "Promised Land," making tender the influence of God, into a world power.

God is certainly at work in Israel, and much more is due to take place in that strategic country.

11. THE ABSENCE OF DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP: Like the days of Samuel when the Israelite people cried, "Give us a king to judge us," mankind has always desired to have qualified leadership. In our day we have seen rulers raised to power and rulers dethroned. People are still looking for a great leader who will direct the affairs of mankind.

In the fullness of time God sent forth His Son to lead the people of the world to repentance. Someday soon, the stage will be set for Jesus to return again in great power and glory to rule and reign from His throne in Jerusalem. What a day that will be!

Now, more than any other time in all of history, we need to take a firm stand against sin and for God. If you are not a Christian, you need to confess to God that you are a sinner, and then invite Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Savior. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse you of your sins; release you from the guilt of your sins; and give you eternal life in Heaven (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14, 20-22; I John 1:7). May I invite you to trust Jesus as your personal Savior right now? If you will pray the following prayer, Jesus will come into your life and make you a brand new creature; forgive you of your sins and provide you a home in Heaven. "Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me as a sinner and come into y heart and life as my personal Savior and Lord, and forgive me of my sins and save me for Your sake. Amen." Romans 10:13 tells us: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Yes, it is possible for a born-again believer to fall into sin. First John writes to believers, "My little children these things write I unto you that ye sin not" (I John 2:1), this means that Christians were sinning, but John exhorts them not to sin.

Second, the Bible says, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and make Him a liar" (I John 1:8). This means that if we say that we do not have a sin nature, or the ability to sin; we deceive ourselves.

Third, the Bible says, "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us" (I John 1:10). This verse says that if we claim that we do not sin at all, that means acts of sin; we are wrong.

You ask about the question in Hebrews, what does it mean "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins" (Hebrews 10:26). The book of Hebrews was written to Hebrew Christians who were still going to the Temple in Jerusalem. Some were going and sacrificing lambs under the old Jewish system, yet they were believers in Jesus Christ and were trusting in His blood to save them. This verse teaches that a believer who was committing sin and then going back to the Temple to sacrifice a lamb under the old Levitical system for cleansing of sin was wrong. There is no more forgiveness or cleansing of sin under the old Jewish system into the Temple.

This verse makes a statement, "There remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Perhaps, there were a few (ignorant but believing) Jews who went to the Temple and sacrificed a lamb on this side of the cross, but they did not know about Jesus and had never heard the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin.

I believe during this transition God in His mercy and grace would have looked upon the faith of the (ignorant) Jew who used the Old Testament sacrifice for forgiveness that his sin was forgiven because he had belief in God and applied the blood in the Temple. However, when a believer in Jesus Christ who has applied the blood of Jesus to his sins goes back into the Temple to try to get cleansing for his sins, the Bible is clear, "There remaineth no more sacrifice for sin."

What does this verse mean? "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who had trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" (Hebrews 12:29). This is the Hebrew believer who was going back into the Temple for the sacrifice of sins, and all the unsaved Jewish community knew that he was a Christian. When he returned to the Temple, he was, "trodding under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant." In essence he has denied the blood of the cross when he goes back into the Temple, this person "hath done despite the Spirit of grace."

What happens to that Hebrew believer? "For we know him that hath said, vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord" (Hebrews 10:30). I believe God will judge that Hebrew believer who has "backslidden" by going back into the Temple to get cleansing for his sin.

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God (I John 3:9).

In this passage the usage of the word sin does not mean that once a person is saved he never sins again! It does mean, however, that once a person is saved he no longer lives in sin (continual, habitual state of sin). His life is no longer characterized by sin. (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. 2 p. 769)

It should be noted concerning the I John 3:9 passage that the verb employed in the Greek for sin (hamartian) is in the present tense, which indicates continual action. When one examines the entire passage (I John 3:6-9) we find that there is total agreement in the usage of the Greek present tense, which indicates continual action. These verses do not claim that a Christian never sins after conversion nor, for that matter, that a believer ever reaches perfection in this life. The present tense indicates the breaking of the perpetual hold of sin in the life of the believer. A better English translation is "whosoever is born of God does not continually and habitually sin." The power to overcome habitual sin is based on the inaccessibility of the believer to the ravages of satanic influence (see I John 5:18) and to his seed [God's] remaining in him (verse 9). The expression "his seed" is a reference to the divine principle of life that abides in a believer after regeneration in Christ. This principle prevents slavery to Satan and sin. (THE CRISWELL STUDY BIBLE, p. 1466)

Let us now examine the usage of the term "sin" as it is found in I John 3:6,8, and 9.

I John 3:6 -- sinneth not (ouch hamartanei) is in the Greek linear present tense meaning continuous action, i.e., "does not keep on sinning," having to do with the habit of sin.

I John 3:8 -- he that doeth sin (no poion ten hamartian) interpreted as "he that keeps on doing sin" (the habit of sin).

I John 3:9 -- doeth no sin (hamartian ou poiei) is in the Greek linear indicative form (same as verses 4 and 8) meaning "the child of God does not have the habit of sin."

And he cannot sin (kai ou dunatai hamartanein) which in the English translation is incorrect ... the proper translation in the Greek present active infinitive (hamartanein) which can only mean "and he cannot go on sinning," which agrees with verses 6 and 8. A great deal of false theology has grown out of a misunderstanding of the tense of hamartanein in I John 3:9 (see parallel teachings of Paul in Romans 6:1,15).

The proper teaching of I John 3:6-9 is that the person who is abiding in Christ is not able to sin habitually. Sin may enter his experience, but it is the exception and not the rule. If sin is the ruling principle of a life, that person is not redeemed (Romans 6); thus a saved person cannot sin as a habit of life. When a Christian does sin, he confesses it (I John 1:9) and perseveres in his purification (I John 3:3). The continuous sinner has not known God and is therefore an unregenerate person. (WYCLIFFE BIBLE COMMENTARY, p. 1473)

A further teaching for I John 3:9 would include the fact that few Christians would dare to claim to be sinless or to be free from the fear of yielding to temptation. The vast majority of Christians would have to honestly confess the fact of their own continuing sinfulness. Many theologians would also recognize that there is no consistent scriptural and theoretical possibility of sinlessness for the believer until they receive their glorified body.

The apostle John in writing I John was not suggesting some group of "super-Christians" living a Christian life on a higher quality than is possible for all other believers. What John was presenting was an "ideal" rather than something that is universally true of all believers. John was depicting the ideal character of the Christian. The simplest form of which depicts what "ought to be the character" of the Christian. The Christian is still subject to temptation, mortality, and imperfection. Yet in the midst of this situation the Christian can grasp the new life of the Spirit and realize that he is being changed into the likeness of Christ (Romans 8:29) which will be achieved only at the consummation (resurrection and glorified body). Thus, John was describing the eschatological reality, the possibility that will be for believers, upon the return of Christ. (Excerpts from THE NEW INTERNATIONAL COMMENTARY ON THE NEW TESTAMENT, THE EPISTLE OF JOHN, pp. 178, 179, 180, 182)

How can it be said that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh and at the same time . . . that flesh is inherently sinful?

1. God is sinless, and Jesus was God in the flesh while He was here on the earth. Therefore, Jesus was sinless.

2. Jesus' choices were perfect and sinless, even when he had to face Satan and temptation.

For we have not a 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 (Hebrews 4:15).

3. Jesus' nature as a man was sinless. He was born of a virgin (as no other person past, present, or future) and did not have the inherited, sinful nature passed down from Adam. God was His Father, not a man.

Jesus' mother, Mary, though a wonderful and godly woman, was a sinner and had to have Jesus as her Savior just the same as everybody else from Adam to the end of time. But her sinful nature was not passed on to Jesus.

The inherited sinful nature comes from the man Adam, not from his wife, the woman, Eve. And so is the sinful nature passed to us from the father and not from the mother. Please notice these verse from Romans 5:

. . . by one man's offense death reigned . . . (v. 17)

. . . by one man's disobedience many were made sinners . . . (v. 19)

God was Jesus' Father, not a man. So Jesus did not have the inherited sinful nature of a man. Jesus, though in the flesh while on earth, was not sinful because: (1) He was God as well as man, and God is sinless; (2) His choices were sinless; (3) His nature as a man was sinless.

A believer can have victory over sin. First, by turning from sin and, second by turning to Jesus. In a picture of holiness, we let go of sin (repentance); God then gives us His power to live for Him. Remember, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: all things are passed away; behold all things are become new" (II Corinthians 5:17). In reality, you need to protect yourself from sin and avoid temptation and evil influences so that you can maintain a strong testimony for Christ.

When we get saved we still have our sin nature; the old Adamic nature is not taken from us. But God expects the Christian to do his best to overcome sin. Striving to overcome sin is called "walking in the light." "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanses us from all sin" (I John 1:7).

As we continue on this earthly pilgrimage, remember God loves you, Christ died for you, you can have a second chance. You can start over. Today, you can take control of your life. You can choose to live for God. "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain? (Philippians 1:21).

Many people are troubled by the expression "sinning away the day of grace." The fact is that this expression is not found in the Scriptures. There are, of course, many references to the term "grace" found throughout the Scriptures. Grace may be defined as "God's response to man's need." Grace refers to the essential character of God and tells us what kind of God He is. God is, first of all, a God of grace, and from a God of grace comes multitudes of graces that meet man's needs. Therefore, we may rightly say, all that comes to us from a God of grace, comes to us because He is a God of grace.

It should be further pointed out that the grace of God is revealed in Jesus Christ. God is the Fountain Head, but Christ is the Channel through which it (grace) flows to all men. In Titus 2:11, the Apostle Paul affirms truth by stating: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Salvation stands as the great demonstration that God -- spontaneously, and apart from the merit and just desserts of the sinner -- pours out mercy because He is a God of grace.

An individual who refuses to appropriate the grace of God through Jesus Christ (rejecting Christ as his personal Savior) obviously dies outside the realm of grace (salvation). This may answer the question concerning can a person "sin away the day of grace."

Please understand that God is a gracious God and spontaneously pours from Himself because He is an infinite provision for the needs of all men. For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8, 9). No man will properly understand the infinite grace of God until he understands, first of all, his own need of salvation. That is why, before we speak on the grace of God, we must speak of the depravity of man. Anyone who looks outside of Jesus Christ will see himself as Scripture sees him: lost, without hope, without God, without promise, without assurance that God could meet his needs. However, when a person sees God spontaneously pouring Himself out (through Jesus Christ suffering at Calvary) to meet the need of salvation in the individual's life, He will have some concept of what it means to have received the grace of God.

When the Scriptures speak of the grace of God that has brought salvation, it includes within the meaning of the term "grace" all the spiritual blessings that the believer has in Christ. We are called by grace; we are justified by grace; we are sanctified by grace; we are sustained and kept by grace; we are equipped by grace; we are liberated from bondage, from sin, and from the law by grace; we are conformed to Christ by grace; we are reconciled by grace. God, in grace, has made a propitiation, a covering for our sins; God has provided redemption for all men through His Son, Jesus Christ. (Excerpts from THINGS WHICH BECOME SOUND DOCTRINE, by J. Dwight Pentecost, pp. 19-20).

For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:26).

The critical term in the above passage is "sin willfully" and is similar to the rebellion against God that is described in the Old Testament as sinning "with a high hand" or "presumptuously" (Numbers 15:30-31). This sin is a sin of premeditation committed only by those who have had the advantage of great light. In the rejecting of Christ's' sacrifice, they discover that there is no other acceptable sacrifice for sin. (The Criswell Study Bible, p. 1438.)

This passage expresses the nature of this particular sin as "willful sin." The passage goes on to describe a two-fold nature of the warning: 1) they set forth the negative condition that there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 2) the positive prospect of a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation (v. 27). Thus, the one who would commit such willful sin (not of ignorance nor of weakness) would be guilty of apostasy--nothing less. The one who would commit this sin of apostasy can no more sacrifice for his sin.

Is the author of Hebrews implying that one can lose his salvation? Several facts disallow that supposition. The author of Hebrews does not say believers have apostatized, nor does he say they would. The author includes himself in the warning--"For if we sin willfully." Surely the author was not on the road to apostasy when he wrote this epistle. He makes that clear in verse 39: "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the world." He describes his readers as saved. Even his description of the apostate concerns one who has a genuine knowledge of Christ. The author clearly does not say that anyone has committed this sin. He clearly describes what would happen, not what has happened. He is therefore describing a hypothetical situation. The severe admonition of this warning, and all others in Scripture, is God's means to ensure our perseverance. (Liberty Home Bible Commentary, pp. 701-702.)

The true believer in Christ is secure because he is sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30). The very moment a person manifests a saving faith, he is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9). The believer is eternally secure, because upon believing, he was promised eternal life. "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand" (John 10:28-29).

As believers we are promised by the Lord Jesus that if we come to Him, He will in no wise cast us out... and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37b). Will the Son of God keep His Word? Is God an Indian giver? Therefore, to speak of losing one's eternal life is a direct contradiction that no honest person would dare to say!

The Scriptures give clear assurance to the believer that it is not he that keeps himself saved but it is the power of God through faith unto salvation, that is God, who does the keeping. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (I Peter 1:5). "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy (Jude 1:24). Therefore we who are in Christ can truly praise the Lord! He ... forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever... (Psalms 37:28).

SIX BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR CHRISTIAN VOTERS

I. Christians are to be involved in the democratic process of voting. (". . . Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." Matthew 22:21).

II. Christians are to pray for their governmental leaders. ("I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority . . ." I Timothy 2:1-3).

III. Christians are admonished to respect and obey their governmental leaders except when they are commanded to be disobedient to the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. ("Let every soul be subject to the higher powers . . ." Romans 13:1-7; and "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29).

IV. Christians should elect to office those candidates who will uphold and mirror, in their personal lives, biblical righteousness. ("Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." Proverbs 14:34).

V. Candidates should reflect biblical righteousness in these areas: 1. The biblical family structure. ("So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Genesis 1:26-28). 2. Local churches should be allowed to remain free from governmental interference. ("That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25-27). 3. The sacredness of human life, from conception to death. (". . . for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalms 139:13-16). 4. The work ethic and thrift. ("For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." II Thessalonians 3:10; "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame." Proverbs 10:4-5). 5. Accepting full and ultimate responsibility for attitudes and behavior. ("For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself . . . So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Romans 14:7-12). 6. Reflect a Christian lifestyle and character. ("I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:1-7; "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Ephesians 4:24-28). 7. Loving others regardless of rejection, race, color, economic status or religion. ("Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth . . . ." I Corinthians 13).

VI. Christian Americans should endeavor to live their lives so that God can and will bless them and their nation. ("For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light . . . ." Ephesians 5:1-11).

The Scripture referring to the "sons of God" is Genesis 6:1,2:

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

This passage, of course, has been a controversial passage. Some Bible scholars have identified the "sons of God" as the "sons of Seth" who married girls who were descendants of Cain. Others, including early Jewish writers, take them to mean fallen angels who committed immoral acts with women. The LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY identifies the "sons of God" as being a reference to men like Lamech, (Genesis 4:23), who were the leaders of the day and were very wicked and violent. These were probably city-state or tribal chiefs, kings, sheiks, despots and tyrants. There are nine reasons for recognizing the "sons of God" as being human men:

(1) Elohim (God) in Scripture is used in reference to human leaders in Exodus 21:6; Psalm 82:1.

(2) "Son of" is an idiom, meaning to bear the character of someone or something.

(3) Elohim is used in an elative sense in the Old Testament in Genesis 23:6, 30:8; Exodus 15:15; Jonah 3:3 meaning "mighty great, or exceeding."

(4) The Aramaic targum Onkelos supports this view with the sons of nobles.

(5) Archaeology attests to the fact that a Near Eastern King would consistently be referred to as the son of his god.

(6) The offspring in Genesis 6:4 are depicted as "mighty men which were of old, men of renown," i.e., men who made a name for themselves, a reputation.

(7) The context provides a proper hermeneutic for understanding this in the light of the culture and language of the day.

(8) The Gilgamesh Epic and Sumerian flood stories/accounts with allusions to the theme of kingship, centering in cities whose kings had their own sons appointed as kings.

(9) The Hebrew word nepilim (translated "giants" in verse 4), actually means, in Arabic, princes born into royal houses. The word nepilim is rendered "fallen ones" in some Hebrew writings.

The view taken by LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY does the most justice to a grammatical, historical, and literal method of interpretation, in addition to exegetical data; and it contains the fewest problems of all the views. Thus, one would have the "sons of God," that is "mighty men," who were warriors and members of the aristocracy, engaged in worldwide violence and warfare (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. I, p. 30).

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7).

In this passage we learn that God breathed the breath of life into the lifeless body of the first man, Adam. Such a breath could only come from God, the Giver of life. And man, therefore, became a living soul. Thus, the soul is not a reference to the concept of body, soul/spirit but rather to the fact that man became a living being. Man is distinguished from animals by being created in the image of God (LIBERTY BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. I, p. 16). An additional Bible passage that refers to the soul being the breath in man is Genesis 7:15, 22.

Psalm 104:29 says: Thou hidest thy face, they are trouble