/2003_04 by Uplook

MAY 2003

THE BOOKS MY GRANDFATHER READ: • F. B. Hole Partial Rupture? • C. H. Mackintosh Three Facts • Walter Scott Christ IS Our Hope • Hogg & Vine The Effect of Our Hope

WE NEED THE BLESSED HOPE We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts (2 Peter 1:19).

Founded in 1927 as Look on the Fields, UPLOOK is published ten times a year by Uplook Ministries, 813 North Ave., N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Phone: (616) 456-9166 Fax: (616) 456-5522 Website: http://www.uplook.org E-mail: uplook@uplook.org ISSN #1055-2642 Printed in USA. © Copyright 2003 Uplook Ministries

C O N T E N T S

UPLOOK

UPLOOK magazine is intended to encourage the people of God in fidelity to His Word, fervency in intercessory prayer, labors more abundant, and love to the Lord. Believing in the practical Headship of Christ and the local autonomy of each assembly, this is not intended to be an official organ of any group or federation of local churches. The editor and authors take responsibility for materials published. For any blessing which accrues, to God be the glory. UPLOOK is copyrighted solely for the purpose of maintaining the integrity of the material. It is not intended to limit the proper use of articles contained in the magazine. Please include the words: “UPLOOK magazine, by permission” on photocopies made for personal use. For large quantities or other purposes, contact UPLOOK.

M A Y

Volume 70 Number 4

2 0 0 3

F E AT U R E S

Submissions Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with all unsolicited material. News items must be submitted at least two months in advance of issue requested. Selected news items will be carried for two issues (if time permits). The editor reserves the right to determine those items best suited for the magazine. Editorial decisions are final. Photos accepted. Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for photos you wish returned. Postal Information US POSTMASTER: (USPS 620-640) Send address changes to UPLOOK, P. O. Box 2041, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2041 Periodical postage paid at Grand Rapids, MI.

THE EFFECT OF OUR HOPE C. F. Hogg and W. E. Vine

INCORRUPTIBLE Elliot Van Ryn

PARTIAL RUPTURE? F. B. Hole

EZEKIEL’S TEMPLE Donald L. Norbie

THE MILLENNIUM: THE COSMIC EMPIRE Chart

THREE FACTS C. H. Mackintosh

CHRIST IS OUR HOPE Walter Scott

IS THE RAPTURE IMMINENT? J. B. N., Jr.

SIGNS OF HIS COMING A Compilation

GOTHARDISM EVALUATED John A. Bjorlie

D E PA RT M E N TS

CANADIAN POSTMASTER: Send address changes to UPLOOK, P. O. Box 427, St. Catharines, ON L2R 6V9 International Publication Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 1064363

EDITORIAL FRONT LINES WHAT’S GOING ON? BOUQUET OF BLESSING: When the Shadows Flee Away

BRITISH POSTMASTER: Send address changes to UPLOOK, P. O. Box 1163, Bristol BS39 4YA

3 8 19 20

Subscription Information: The Uplook magazine mailing list is maintained on a subscription basis. There is no charge for a subscription, however you must renew your subscription annually in order to continue receiving the magazine. An initial subscription is for six issues. Thereafter any time you renew, your subscription will be extended a further ten issues. There are three ways to renew: 1) by using the reminder envelope sent to facilitate your renewal; 2) by using the form on our website at: http://www.gospelcom.net/uplook/magazine_uplook/subscribe.phtml 3) by contacting our office at any time, by phone, fax, mail or e-mail. Please advise us of any address changes at least six weeks in advance and include your customer number from your mailing label.

Donation Information: Uplook Ministries is a tax-exempt corporation looking to the Lord to provide for the needs of this ministry. This magazine is sent freely to those who request it, but evidently is not freely produced. Donations may be made by check or money order denominated in US $, Canadian $ or £ sterling. All checks should be made payable to UPLOOK and sent to one of the above addresses. Donations may also be made by VISA, Mastercard/ACCESS or Discover in US dollars, either by mail or at our website: http://www./uplook.org/home/about_us/contributions.html We do not advise sending credit card numbers by e-mail. Please include your card number, expiry date and the amount in US dollars you wish to donate. Receipts are issued for all donations received and are valid for tax purposes in the US and Canada. Making a donation will automatically renew your Uplook subscription.

•

M A Y

2 0 0 3

O N

M Y

H E A R T

♥

WE NEED THE BLESSED HOPE It’s dark—very dark—without the daystar in our hearts.

M ♥ ♥ ♥

My maternal great-grandparents came to Canada in 1888 from the northeast coast of Scotland where for generations they had been fishermen on the North Sea. They settled in Montreal at first, at that time a city of 175,000. Montreal’s death rate was highest in the country—33 per thousand in 1884. In 1885, over 3,000 died of smallpox. In 1891, a severe epidemic of scarlet fever and diphtheria swept across the city and hundreds, especially little children, died. My great-grandfather was involved in the grim task of making coffins. They could not make them fast enough. And the Last Enemy did not bypass their home. Mary (7 years), Rachel (between 2 and 3), and Maggie (1 year) all died in one week in March of 1891. Richard, an infant, had predeceased them by a few days. Another sister, Helen, was given up for dead but survived. It was a grief never healed in my great-grandmother. Every March opened the wound again. Mary, before the Lord took her, had shown herself to be a child of mature spiritual awareness. As she lay on her deathbed, her mother heard her singing the deeply meaningful words of Mary Shekleton’s hymn, It passeth knowledge, that dear love of Thine, Lord Jesus, Saviour, yet this soul of mine Would of Thy love, in all its breadth and length, Its height and depth, its everlasting strength, Know more and more. Before the disease sapped her life, Mary was a vibrant, happy girl. Early every morning she would skip down the stairs into the kitchen to help her mother prepare breakfast for the growing family. Often, as she pulled back the curtains to let in the sun, she would look into the morning sky and ask, “Do you think He’ll come today, Mommy?” When I was a little boy, it seemed every meeting I attended, every message I heard preached, contained reminders that the Lord was on His way. “Any day,” they would say. “Maranatha; the Lord is coming.” It was indeed a blessed hope. It was a motivating, comforting, separating, purifying, fortifying, stimulating hope. It was real. They didn’t argue eschatology. They looked up and said, “Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.” By the time I was in my teens, things had changed. Preaching on prophecy was the popular thing in evangelicalism. These were the days of The Late, Great Planet Earth and endless chatter in the media of a nuclear war between the superpowers. Christians were captivated about talk of The Beast, a super computer in Brussels, and the rise of the European Union. They were looking for “signs” everywhere. But fewer Christians seemed to be looking for the Son—more looking into the future, less looking for the Saviour. As one preacher told me, “You can fill an auditorium far easier talking about the Antichrist than you can about the Christ.” What can we say about the situation today? Some assemblies never hear a message about the Lord’s return because there are divergent views among the believers as to the timing of His coming. The subject is considered “controversial” and better left alone. Perhaps a more subtle reason is the growing affluence among Christians and the resultant “heaven can wait” attitude. Life is comfy here; why think about leaving? This issue is dedicated to the belief that, while it is good to be busy in the Lord’s service here, leaving is a VERY good idea. The brightest days for the Church are still future. “It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 Jn. 3:2). Do YOU think He’ll come today? He could, you know.

PS: To catch the flavor of my grandfather’s generation I have mostly taken excerpts from the books he read concerning the Lord’s return. w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

•

M A Y

J. B. Nicholson, Jr. 2 0 0 3

C . F.

H O G G

W. E .

V I N E

The Effect of Our Hope Your doctrine should show up in your daily living.

from heaven” (vv. 9-10). They The Christian’s hope of the evidently did not find waiting for Lord’s return is a certain hope, “And every the Lord incompatible with ser“an anchor of the soul, both man that vice to God. Their expectancy sure and steadfast,” a hope “laid hath this did not repress their zeal in the up in the heavens”; “He that spread of the gospel. They were cometh shall come, and shall not hope not star-gazers. Paul speaks of tarry.” But more than this, it is a in him their “work of faith and labor of practical hope, influencing purifieth love,” stimulated by their every part of the life, energizing “patience of hope” (v. 3). and purifying it. It forms, in fact, himself, Paul, who could never be an essential part of that new life even as accused of effortless Christianiimparted by the Spirit of God to He is ty, testified to the practical effect the believer. One who is born of the prospect had on his life. In the Spirit is by Him directed to pure.” his defense before Felix, he the constant expectation of the (1 Jn. boldly declared his hope toward return of the Christ who died for 3:3) God that there shall be a resurhim and rose again. With other rection, and stated, “Herein do I believers he “waits for a Saviour exercise myself to have always a from heaven, the Lord Jesus conscience void of offense toward God, and toward Christ” (Phil. 3:20). It is as much a spiritual instinct men” (Acts 24:16). for the regenerate being to lay hold on the hope set It has been said that towards the end of his life before him as it is natural for the infant to cling to Paul’s expectation of the Lord’s coming diminished. Yet something material. No one is living in the full light in his letter to Titus (the last but one of those under his and power of gospel truth whose heart is not enjoying name in the New Testament, written shortly before his the prospect of the Lord’s coming. Nor can a preacher death), he speaks of “looking for the blessed hope and of the gospel be faithful to his ministry if he omits appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour from it that which constitutes the hope of the gospel. Jesus Christ,” and regards the hope as part and parcel What are some of these effects of this hope on the of a sober, righteous and godly life (Titus 2:12-13). Christian life? How could the knowledge that Christ is coming hinder the work of the Church, or paralyze its efforts? AN INCENTIVE TO DILIGENCE IN SERVICE Those who, like the Thessalonians, wait for God’s Son from heaven, find the expectation of the event an Anticipation of the coming of the Lord is not indulincentive to greater devotion in their Master’s service. gence in a mere spiritual luxury, nor does expectation of His return tend to make Christians impractical. One of the most aggressively evangelical communiA STRENGTH FOR ENDURANCE ties of the first century was the church of the ThessaThe apostle Peter speaks of the second advent as “a lonians. “From you,” says the Apostle, “hath sounded salvation ready to be revealed in the last time,” and forth the Word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and then describes the joy-inspiring power of the prospect Achaia, but in every place your faith to Godward is for the believer in the midst of trial. In this salvation, gone forth” (1 Thess. 1:8). Yet it is of these Christians he says, “ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little that he also writes that they had turned to God from while, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold idols, not only to serve Him, but “to wait for His Son

•

M A Y

2 0 0 3

T H E

trials: that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth, though it is proved by fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:5-8). Two points may be observed. First, the trials are for “a little while.” The phrase suggests expectancy of the Lord’s return. It was frequently on the lips of Christ Himself: “A little while, and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me” (Jn. 16:16; see also vv. 17-19 as well as 7:33; 12:35; 13:33; 14:19). The words remained with Peter, and find an echo in his epistle, both in the passage above quoted and later on when he says, “But the God of all grace, who called you unto His eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall Himself perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Pet. 5:10). Twenty centuries have rolled by and the Lord has not yet returned. However the prospect is always near for the believer. It is still “a little while.” The writer to the Hebrews views the time even more briefly: “yet a very little while (literally, yet a little while, how little! how little!), He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry” (Heb. 10:37). Paul’s way of putting it in 2 Corinthians, “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment,” is briefest of all (4:17). Second, there is a “needs be.” Why it should be so may remain a mystery here. But the faith which itself is undergoing the testing can rest in the assurance of a loving heart and an unerring wisdom which planned the trial. Such faith awaits the Day of Christ when the Lord will make fully known the value He sets on the patient endurance of trial, and will show how all has redounded to His “praise and honor and glory.” This patient endurance in view of resurrection glory was what characterized the faithful of the former age. Some “were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection”—not a different kind of resurrection from that of other saints, but a resurrection which would bring with it a reward proportionate to their faithfulness in enduring hardship and suffering (Heb. 11:33,35). Looking not at the things which are seen, they saw the eternal. Accordingly the writer to the Hebrews, turning from these faithful ones to the Author and Perfecter of faith, and reminding them how for the joy set before Him He endured the cross, and, further, how and why He “suffered without the gate,” exhorts them to go forth unto Him, bearing His reproach (Heb. 12:2 and 13:12-13). And the inducement? The Lord Himself.

E F F E C T

O F

O U R

H O P E

“Unto Him!” He must ever be the great attraction. But with Him there is a further inducement, namely, the future glories, of which He will be the center. With those in view the Apostle speaks of the heavenly Jerusalem. “For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after the city which is to come.” The glory of that city takes its light from the cross, and reflects it in all its spirit-strengthening radiance upon the sufferings of this little while. AN ENCOURAGEMENT IN CONFLICT When Paul exhorts Timothy to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus,” warning him against entangling himself in the affairs of this life, he points him to the reward hereafter, adding the metaphor of the crown received by the victor in the games. To be crowned he must contend lawfully. And Paul not only exhorts, he presents the example of his own life. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give to me at that day; and…to all them that have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-8). True, the Apostle realized that he might be near the end of his earthly course: “The time of my departure is come,” he says. But that did not lessen for him the power of the hope. Clearly, too, he implies that, looking back through his Christian life, he has joy in being of the number of those who love the Lord’s appearing. This love is more than a longing for the great event to take place. Paul evidently implies that it involves fighting the good fight, finishing the course, and keeping the faith. This had all been done in his case with the Lord’s coming and the crown of righteousness in view. The love of His appearing imparted courage in the conflict, steadfastness in the race and faithfulness in adherence to the truth. That the Lord watches constantly, and with a view to their reward, the spiritual conflict in which His servants are engaged is evidenced in a special manner in the letters to the seven churches in Asia, in each of which He addresses the overcomer, reminding him of the time when faithfulness will receive its recompense at His hands. The present opposition is subtle, unremitting, and varied, but the promises are sure: “To him that overcometh will I give....” What seems to be the greatest reward is for the overcomer in the church in Laodicea, the low spiritual condition of which calls

w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

•

M A Y

2 0 0 3

T H E

E F F E C T

O F

O U R

H O P E

forth His most solemn rebuke; the church that was lukewarm, rich in this world, but wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked spiritually. In this church “He that overcometh,” says the Lord, “I will give to him to sit down with Me in My throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with My Father in His Throne” (Rev. 3:21). This is a special identification with Himself as The Great Overcomer, and the reward is that of highest authority in His Kingdom. A COMFORT IN SORROW This is distinctly laid down by Paul both at the beginning and at the close of the fourth chapter of 1 Thessalonians. He prefaces his divinely given assurance of the fact that those who have fallen asleep will have part in the resurrection and rapture at the Lord’s return, by stating that his object is to prevent needless sorrow. “We would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, which have no hope.” Then, having shown how all are to be together again when the promised event takes place, and how all will be caught

up to meet the Lord, he says, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” This hope is given us not to preclude sorrow, but to mitigate it. Grief for the loss of friends is common to all, and is not inconsistent with acceptance of the will of God, neither does it deny the hope of the Christian. The Lord Jesus Himself wept in sympathy with the mourners at the grave of Lazarus (Jn. 11:33-35). Paul, too, was apprehensive of the sorrow into which he would have been plunged had the sickness of Epaphroditus resulted in death (Phil. 2:27). The converts at Thessalonica grieved not merely for their own loss, they grieved also for the loss sustained, as the survivors supposed, by those of their number who had fallen asleep. It was to save them from grief on this account that the Apostle wrote showing them that their fears were groundless…Since, for the believer, to live is Christ, to die is not loss but gain (Phil. 1:21), sorrow on behalf of departed saints is precluded entirely. For our loss we mourn, for their gain we rejoice. —from Notes on the Epistles to the Thessalonians, pp. 129-130

The knowledge that our loved ones who have fallen asleep are “at home with the Lord” should be suffi-

INCORRUPTIBLE! In a 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. 1 Corinthians 15:52 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 Corinthians 9:25 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who…hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible… 1 Peter 1:3-4 At our Lord’s coming, the believing dead will be raised in incorruptible bodies and living believers will have their bodies changed, receiving bodies like the Lord’s own glorious body. And when He comes, He will bring His reward with Him to give to everyone “according as his work shall be.” It pays to serve the Lord Jesus, but it isn’t payday now. Now it costs to serve Him. Athletes are prepared to make immediate sacrifices in view of the ultimate prize. For them it is a corruptible reward. How much more should the Christian be prepared to live sacrificially now in view of the incorruptible crown which Christ will give to those who faithfully serve Him now! The crown is the result of labor for and with Christ, but the incorruptible inheritance is the birthright of every child of God—the fruit of His labor of love for us. That inheritance is kept in heaven for us, while He is presently keeping us until the inheritance is our possession. —ELLIOT VAN RYN Let us then be true and faithful, trusting, serving every day; Just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay.

•

M A Y

2 0 0 3

T H E

cient to satisfy us completely as to their present felicity. To be at home with Him who loved us and gave Himself for us, is to be in the enjoyment of happiness which can be exceeded only by that of reunion in the resurrection and rapture with all the redeemed, and participation in the glories that are to follow. For those who mourn the loss of loved ones, the Lord both lusters the dews of sorrow by His love, and wills that the glory of His promised return should shed its comforting light into the darkness of our bereavements, that the joy of that day should temper the sorrows of separation. A MEANS OF MOULDING CHARACTER Men become like the objects of their worship. The character of the idolater receives an impress from the nature of his idol. “They that make them are like unto them.” He whose heart’s affection is set on Christ, inevitably becomes conformed to His character. “We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are [being] transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18, marg.). There is first the unobscured vision, indicating heart occupation with Christ; then the transformation into His likeness. The more we learn of the Lord by means of the mirror of Scripture, the more we let the vision of His glory operate within us, the more conformed to His likeness we become. But such devotion to the Lord is in Scripture associated with the prospect of His return, and this is definitely stated to be a means of conformity to His character. “Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if He shall be manifested, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him even as He is.” There will be no defect in the image when the resurrection shout has accomplished its work. Meanwhile the transformation of character is gradual: “Everyone that hath this hope set on Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure” (1 Jn. 3:2-3). The Authorized Version “in him” is ambiguous and lends itself readily to the idea that the hope is within the believer. This of course is true, but it is not in the

E F F E C T

O F

O U R

H O P E

verse. Christ is the attraction. The hope is not merely that the event will take place, it is a hope set on Him. The immediate outgoing of the heart to Him is coupled with the joyful anticipation of what we shall find ourselves to be when we see Him even as He is, and share in His resurrection glory. We shall be satisfied, when we “awake with His likeness” (Ps. 17:15). Peter likewise gives testimony to the power of the hope to mould character. “Gird up,” he says, “the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:13). The tense he employs is the vivid present—“is being brought unto you”——as if to make the future event immediately real. Then, presenting the same standard of holiness as John does, he continues, “as children of obedience”— suggesting the likeness of child to parent—“not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance, but like as He who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy, for I am holy.” To set one’s hope perfectly on the Lord’s Second Coming thus produces conformity to His holiness in a life of obedience, with the consequent shaping of a character which is the reflection of His own. In the second epistle, too, he points to the Day of the Lord and the passing away of the heavens, the dissolution of the elements, the destruction of the earth and its works by fire, and exhorts us, in view of that Day, to live in all holiness and godliness, and to look for and earnestly desire “the Parousia of the Day of God.” With this prospect before us we are to “give diligence that we may be found in peace, without spot, and blameless in His sight” (2 Pet. 3:10-14). And when the Lord Himself, in the closing declaration of Holy Writ, predicts His speedy return, He gives solemn admonition as to the effects of His Advent upon character, and points to the recompense which He will administer in person: “He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still: Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to render to each man according as his work is…Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:11-14). —excerpted from Touching the Coming of the Lord

w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

•

M A Y

2 0 0 3

F R O N T

L I N E S

✒

FACING SARS IN HONG KONG Christians there have something to say about it.

S ✒ ✒ ✒

SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, has certainly caught its share of world headlines. Starting in China and Hong Kong last fall, suspected cases are now found in 27 countries. Almost 300 have died, almost 5,000 have been sickened by it, and untold thousands have been quarantined. World health officials are doing what they can to contain the virus. There is no treatment or cure at the present time. Hong Kong has more than its share of cases. At one Hong Kong apartment complex, the Amoy Gardens, more than 300 people fell ill within a few days. Nearly 80% of the people in Hong Kong now wear some kind of “protective” mask. Fear has gripped much of the populace. So several Christian churches decided to say something in response. The South China Morning Post carried the following, entitled “To the Community of Hong Kong.” In times of great uncertainty and fear, we want all of you, and particularly those suffering from SARS, to know that we stand with you and pray that you will be filled with peace and hope. These words from the Bible express our prayer for you: “Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge. Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure. You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence!” (Psalm 16). To the medical doctors, nurses, research teams, cleaning crews, and other staff working around the clock at Hong Kong hospitals and other buildings, THANK YOU for your courage and diligent efforts. You are in our prayers. These words from Isaiah in the Bible express our hope for you: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you” (Isaiah 41:10).

UPSTATE SC CONFERENCE The Piedmont Christian Fellowship (Pendleton, SC) announces a weekend series of special meetings to be held Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. The invited speaker is Jamie Hull (CO) Themes: Worship—the Christian’s Highest Privilege; Cultivating Godly Friendships; and Living a Holy Life in Today’s World. First meeting on Saturday begins at 11. Darryl Jachens at 864-646-9273 djachens@netzero.net

50 YEARS OF FAITHFULNESS Grace Bible Chapel in Springfield, IL is planning to celebrate 50 years of the beginning of the testimony in that city and invite fellow believers to attend. Location: 3335 Woodhaven Drive, corner of Rochester Road, Springfield, IL (one mile east of Lake Springfield on Rochester Road). They expect J. Eddie Schwartz (NC) to bring the messages. Schedule of meetings: conference begins May 30 at 7:00 PM for ministry. On May 31, ministry at 2:00, 3:30, and 6:30 PM with supper provided. On June 1, Breaking of Bread is at 9:00 am and ministry at 10:30. Contact Floyd Pierce: 915 S. 1st St. Springfield, IL 62704 217-544-7419 fpierce@ameritech.net

MYRTLE BEACH CONFERENCE The Myrtle Beach Bible Chapel, 2903 Church Street in Myrtle Beach (SC) is planning a Summer Weekend Conference for June 13-15, 2003, DV. The speaker, Randy Amos (NY), will be addressing the theme: The Assembly—What Is It? U

•

M A Y

2 0 0 3

Also, from July 6-13, 2003, Bill Gustafson (SC) will be speaking on the Tabernacle in the Wilderness at the chapel. A scale model will be on display. Meetings held nightly at 7:00 PM (except for Saturday, July 12). Scott Tucker 843-650-8975 BIBLICAL PROPHECY CONF. The Burke Avenue Fellowship and the Grand Valley Christian Fellowship (metro Grand Rapids, MI) are sponsoring a conference on biblical prophecy, Friday and Saturday, June 27-28, 2003 at Grand Valley Christian Fellowship, 12064 Linden Drive, Marne, MI. Speaker: Jack Fish (IA). Subjects: The Blessed Hope as an Incentive to Holy Living; The Rapture and the Great Tribulation; The Broad Message of Biblical Prophecy; The Judgment Seat of Christ. For

F R O N T

more information and overnight accommodations, contact: Brian & Bernadette Veenstra 616-365-1631 Brian & Carol Wilson 616-457-8658 sanctifiedsurfer@hotmail.com SUMMER CONFERENCE Bethel Bible Chapel, New Richmond, Quebec invites the Lord’s people to their summer conference July 19-24, 2003, Lord willing. Guest speaker: William Burnett (ON). Saturday at 7 PM, Gospel meeting; Sunday at 10 AM, Breaking of Bread; 12 noon, Lunch; 3:30 PM, Gospel meeting; 5 PM, Supper; 7 PM, Gospel meeting. Monday–Thursday at 7 PM, Ministry meetings. Contact: Danny Dugas at 418-392-5723 Donn Harrison at 418-392-6802 d.harrison@globetrotter.net PLAN AHEAD FOR THE FALL The annual Pacific Coast Christian Conference will be held Oct. 6-10 at the Mt. Hermon Conference Center (75 miles south of San Francisco, CA in the Santa Cruz mountains). The conference begins with dinner Monday evening and ends Friday morning. Speakers: Ken Daughters (IA) and Jamie Hull (CO). Contact:

Max Krieger at 323-256-1992 maxnbethk@juno.com NEW ASSEMBLY NEEDS HYMNBOOKS We have been informed of a new assembly meeting in the MontereyCrossville-Cookeville area of Tennessee. They are presently meeting in their homes. They are wondering if anyone would like to donate any used Hymns of Truth and Praise or Hymns of Worship and Remembrance for them to use. Contact: Tom Wilkerson at 931-445-3073 ADDRESS CHANGE Believers Bible Chapel Warren Henderson will no longer be the correspondent for Believers Bible Chapel, Rockford, IL. The new correspondent will be: Will Webber 2759 Savannah Lane Rockford, IL 61102 815-964-6462 wjwebber@earthlink.net WEBSITE Schenectady, NY The Bellevue Gospel Chapel, 2702 Guilderland Ave, Schenectady, NY, has a website that not only gives information about the assembly but

TRACTS: SEED for the SOWING Looking for inexpensive biblical gospel tracts? Robert Surgenor and The Gospel Messenger may have what you are looking for. Two-color, on 70 wt. linen finish paper. Tracts are provided free to individuals as the Lord provides, but postage would be appreciated. Assemblies or individuals who would like to help should know that present cost is $15 per thousand. A sample pack will be sent Priority Mail to the US for $5; Canada for $8; all others $10. Contact: Robert E. Surgenor 4527 West 226 St, Cleveland, OH 44126-2513 440-734-1942 or 440-734-1611 email: surg1928@aol.com

L I N E S

also provides a gospel presentation as well. You can check it out at: http://bellevuegospelchapel.org AT HOME Edwin Fesche Brother Edwin Fesche went to be with the Lord he loved and served February 9 after a bout with pneumonia. He is survived by his two sons, Dr. P. Hudson Fesche and Dr. Marshall Fesche, and their families. His wife, the former Garland Topp, Baltimore, passed away in 1996. Mr. Fesche was born in London, England in 1905 and, at a young age, became a member of the British Merchant Marine. While serving in this capacity, he accepted the Lord as his Saviour. He soon after came to the US, joined the Army, and later attended Philadelphia School of the Bible. In the mid-1930s he moved to the small town of Nokesville, VA, where he helped to establish a young assembly. He never lost his desire to help small, out-of-the-way assemblies. He was both a teacher and an evangelist. Summers were spent in tent meetings in surrounding villages; winters were filled with cottage meetings. He was also a help to the believers in Elkwood and Remington, VA. Even into old age, when his last years were spent in retirement homes in NJ, he continued encouraging young men, writing articles for various publications, and giving a short word of ministry. Brother Fesche was faithful to the finish line. Sam Dalton “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Ps. 116:15). Just at time of printing we received the news that brother Sam Dalton has gone home to be with his Saviour. The funeral service was to be held at Parker Hills Bible FellowM A Y

2 0 0 3

F R O N T

L I N E S

There is no subscription fee. To request a sample copy, contact: Apples of Gold c/o Rachel Kresina 113 Newgate Rd. Oxford, CT 06478-1534 awordfitlyspoken@yahoo.com You may also view articles from the current issue at: http://users.cleanweb.net/heberthome

ship on Thursday, April 24. Please remember Pearl and the family in your prayers. Gloria Welborn Just as we went to press, we heard that our sister Gloria Welborn was ushered Home after a difficult illness. Please remember our brother Don and the family at this time. We hope to have further notice in a subsequent issue of Uplook.

LFV CELEBRATES 40 YEARS Fernand Saint-Louis writes to tell us that La Foi Vivifiante, a gospel broadcast to the French-speaking world, is celebrating forty years of God’s faithfulness this year. They beam the message of God’s love not only across Quebec but also in France, in the French-speaking island of Haiti, and to French stations in the US—one in Miami and the other in New York. They also have a TV program, Toute la Bible en Parle.

APPLES OF GOLD Several young ladies from the Newtown Christian Fellowship assembly in Connecticut are offering a bi-monthly magazine for young Christian ladies 12-18 years of age. It is their desire and prayer that this magazine may be a blessing as young women learn together how to become women of God. Character studies, book reviews, recipes and more.

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY Christian Mission for the Deaf, Detroit, MI needs a godly, experienced Office Manager. He/she should know the Lord and show by daily living his/her commitment to Him; be dependent on the Lord for care through local churches and friends. Job description includes: manage daily correspondence with inquirers, donors, deaf schools and deaf ministries in Africa, etc.; prepare the quarterly newsletter; prepare the annual financial reports for the auditor and IRS; sharing information about the ministry with others. Should be willing to learn signing and deaf culture, if not already familiar. Contact CMD at: P. O. Box 28005, Detroit, MI 48228-0005 cmd@cmdeaf.org phone/fax/TTY 313-933-1424 Website: www.cmdeaf.org

MISSIONS MAGAZINE IS A MUST FOR PRAYER WARRIORS. A woman was overheard to say, “I have no interest in the mission field.” A believer standing by, replied, “You know that you only get interest where you have an investment. How true! This fact-filled monthly resource is available as the Lord provides (through His people). Don’t do without it another month. US subscribers: CMML Inc, PO Box 13, Spring Lake, NJ 07762 CDN subscribers: MSC Canada, 509-3950 14th Ave, Markham, ON L3R 0A9 10

•

M A Y

2 0 0 3

Q&A F.

B .

H O L E

Partial Rupture? Will ALL the saints be caught up when the Lord comes?

Will all the saints be raptured? We answer this question with a decided YES. In doing so, we are quite aware that some earnest believers would reply, NO, and that this contrary assertion is made with Scripture quotations alleged to support it, and urged with a large degree of argumentative skill. Controversy, however, is not the object of this article, but a simple declaration of some reasons for the faith that is in us in relation to this matter. Increasingly the children of God are ranging themselves on the side of those who believe that Christ is coming, and coming soon, so that the expectation of a near fulfillment of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is generally held. This special passage brings before us this tremendous event, and the three distinct actions of which it is composed are clearly discernible. 1. “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.” 2. “The dead in Christ shall rise first.” 3. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.”

The delightful result and conclusion of this threefold action is given us in the words, “And so shall we ever be with the Lord.” The three actions are perfectly clear. They are: descension, resurrection, and translation. The three parties to this great threefold operation are equally clear and explicitly stated. We have: • The descension of the Lord Himself. • The resurrection of the dead in Christ. • The translation of we which are alive and remain together with the dead in Christ. There is no reservation, no qualifying condition, no U

•

thought of some inner selection in any of the three. It will be “the Lord Himself” who comes—not an emanation from Himself; not a putting forth of His power as apart from His presence; not a deputation of angelic beings, nor even the archangel himself. It will be “the dead in Christ” who are raised—not some of the dead in Christ; not the dead in Christ who are of the Church as distinct from saints who lived before Christ came; not the dead of outstanding faithfulness, the “Elijahs” of history as distinguished from the “seven thousand” whose faithfulness consisted in the negative virtue of not bowing the knee to Baal. And it will be “we which are alive and remain”— not some of us, presumably a very few; not those of us who are overcomers according to Revelation 2 and 3; not those who are “watching,” and “looking for Christ.” The “we” is the Christian—“we” qualified and limited by the one and only condition, not that we watch and serve, but that we are alive and remain. Let no one overlook the importance of watching and serving and overcoming. We speak here simply of what this scripture says, and what it does not say. Bearing these simple and obvious facts in mind, we venture to characterize the importation of any such qualifications into the passage as a questionable proceeding—a contention only to be allowed if it could be proved that a later revelation from the Lord exists which shows clearly that the passage is to be read in such a limited manner. Other scriptures allude to the “rapture,” i.e., the catching away of the saints, but this is the one passage that fully unfolds it, and we observe that it contains no hint of a partial or selective rapture. What do other scriptures say? In 1 Corinthians 15, the theme is resurrection, not rapture, but since the resurrection of the saints is preliminary to rapture, verses 23-24 bear on our theme. Who will be raised? “…They M A Y

2 0 0 3

PA R T I A L

R U P T U R E ?

that are Christ’s at His coming.” Paul continues: “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a 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” (1 Cor. 15:50-52). Who shall be changed in a moment? “We shall all be changed”—not merely a select few. Notice Romans 8:23, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, that is, the redemption of our body.” This is a point of primary importance, worthy of careful examination. “We,” i.e., the children of God, are “waiting for the…redemption of our body.” The allusion to the coming of our Lord in this passage is unmistakable. The earlier part of the epistle has laid the foundation for it. The Christian is discovered to be a man justified from his guilt, freed from the dominion of sin and from condemnation by the cross of Christ, which dissociated him from Adam that he might be in Christ; and the Spirit of Christ is seen to be in him. As regards his soul and his spirit, a full redemption has reached him; what remains then but that at the coming of the Lord his body too shall be redeemed. Thus set free—spirit, soul, and body—he may then step into “the liberty of the glory of the sons of God.” This redemption will be effected by the changing of our bodies of humiliation and their fashioning like Christ’s body of glory (see Phil. 3:20-21). In reading these two verses, note that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplishes this great work when He comes from heaven, not as Judge, nor Arbitrator, but as Saviour. Now, let us emphasize that word “redemption.” It gives us in one word the character which everywhere in Scripture is stamped on the coming of the Lord for His people. Subsequent to that coming there is the judgment seat of Christ and His glorious appearing. Responsibility and judgment are as clearly stamped on these. However, we assert without fear of contradiction that redemption is everywhere in Scripture connected with mercy and not with merit. It has to do with the grace of God and not with the faithfulness of man. It is therefore a fact of decisive importance that what will be effected in the saints at the coming of the Lord for them, according to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, is the redemption of their bodies. It renders it perfectly certain that the raising of dead saints, the changing of living saints, and the rapture of both classes is an act of grace, not of judgment. No wonder that, when contem-

•

plating the rising apostasy of the last time, Jude should speak of the Lord’s coming, the true avenue of escape for the saints, as mercy. “Looking for the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (v. 21). It remains now to apply the foregoing facts to the question before us. When the Lord Jesus comes as Saviour to redeem the bodies of His saints, will this crowning mercy extend to all, or only to a few of greater watchfulness or higher attainments than the rest? Is it possible that God extends to us redemption, as to our souls on the ground of His grace, and then as to our bodies on the ground of our deserts? We reply unhesitatingly, it is not possible. To teach a partial or selective rapture on the ground of our faithfulness is to teach that God begins redemption on the “grace” principle and finishes it on the “works” principle. Such teaching is the error of the Galatians. We may well ask the question of such teachers that Paul asked of them: “Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:3). The intentions of many of those who teach a selective rapture we believe to be of the best. Feeling keenly the low practical condition of many of God’s children, they desire some startling truth to shake them out of their apathy, and almost terrify them into lives of devotion and zeal and watchfulness; in that which they advance they believe they have found the needed goad. But have they? No. The truth concerning the judgment seat of Christ and the coming kingdom, if kept in its proper connection, is indeed a mighty incentive to devotedness, but it is not and cannot be its main motive. Much less can such a mistaken view of the rapture be anything of the kind. The only possible foundation upon which Christian devotedness can rest is grace. Not law, nor fear of incurring penalties, but grace teaches us how to live. As Titus 2:11-13 puts it, “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” By the grace then that has saved you, Christian, we call on you to awake from lethargy, and, like Caleb, wholly follow your Lord. As an added incentive we remind you that you have but one life to live! Be in earnest. But let grace be the meat and drink of your heart that you may, like Elijah, have strength for your pilgrimage way to the appointed meeting place. M A Y

2 0 0 3

D O N A L D

L .

N O R B I E

Ezekiel’s Temple Is it literal or symbolic?

What an amazing and exciting book! At times it is tedious, slow going, with detailed instructions for the building of the temple and the restoration of Israel to the land. And to our western, scientific minds much is mysterious, veiled in symbolism. One school of thought believes that Israel has no future as God’s people, that all the OT promises are fulfilled in the Church, God’s people in this age. The dispensationalists disagree with this and hold that while the Church are currently God’s people, that Israel does have a future. When Christ returns and Israel is smitten with grief and repentance, then they will be grafted in again as God’s people nationally (see Zech. 12–13; Rom. 11:23-27). Then the Lord will set up His kingdom and the Millennium will begin. Ezekiel was a priest and a prophet for God to the Jews in Babylon during the exile (606-536 BC). He had

heard the news of the fall of Jerusalem in 586 and of the subsequent destruction of the temple. To a priest whose life centered in the temple, there could be no worse tragedy. The ark of the covenant was gone, the temple furniture plundered, and the sacrifices had ceased. Eight hundred years of tabernacle and temple worship had come to an end. Would the people of Israel ever be back in the land again? Would the temple ever be rebuilt? Ezekiel came as a prophet to encourage God’s people and to tell them that God would see them return to the land. The temple would be rebuilt. God gave Ezekiel this vision about 571 BC. The original tabernacle was built by Moses with detailed instructions. It was designed as a portable sanctuary, fifteen feet wide, forty-five feet long and fifteen feet high. Although small, it was beautifully adorned. It is estimated that one ton of gold, three and a quarter tons of silver and two and a quarter tons of bronze were used in its construction, besides the wood, fabrics and leather. It was the only house God requested them to build. It was used by Israel for around four hundred years, no doubt with many repairs. Solomon built the first temple, although David desired to do this. We do not have as detailed directions for this as for the tabernacle. It was twice the size of the tabernacle, thirty feet wide, ninety feet long and thirty feet high. It also had a vestibule that extended out for thirty feet. It was a magnificent building and was used by Israel until 586 BC when it was razed to the ground. Ezekiel encouraged the people to have faith. God would take them back to the land and they would have another temple. When Persia conquered Babylon, an edict was issued encouraging Jews to return to their homeland. The first group M A Y

2 0 0 3

E Z E K I E L’ S

T E M P L E

mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; returned in 536 and began to rebuild. Under the leadHe will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His ership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, they paths’” (Isa. 2:3, NKJV). The location is Jerusalem: built the altar, reinstituted sacrifices and began to “‘My holy mountain, Jerusalem,’ says the Lord” (Isa. rebuild the temple (Ezra 3). However the work slowed, 66:20). Many believe that it is uncertain whether this and in 520 BC Zechariah and Malachi rose up to prophwill be a literal temple like Herod’s or simply a spirituesy and to urge the people to continue the work. Under al center for the world to come. It is a vision of great their ministry the work prospered and the temple was blessing for a world under the authority and leadership finished by the spring of 515 BC. The temple area was of God in the future. This much we can say. 150 feet by 500 feet, and the temple dimensions were But this leaves us with Ezekiel’s temple. It is apparsimilar to Solomon’s. The Jews once again had a tement that the Jews of that time did not regard it as a patple in which to worship, although it was lacking the tern for the temple they built. Instead they modeled splendor of the first temple. their new temple after Solomon’s. Ezekiel was When Herod the Great came into power in Israel, instructed, “Son of man, describe the temhe determined to make Jerusalem a splenple to the house of Israel, that they did city and engaged in many great These visions may be ashamed of their iniquibuilding projects. He determined to ties; and let them measure the rebuild the temple and make it a are a graphic pattern” (Ezek. 43:10, NKJV). magnificent structure, beginillustration This is followed with a ning the work in 20 BC. He detailed description of the doubled the temple comof the glorious temple and the allotment pound to 600 feet square, future God has of the land to the twelve leveling and filling the area. for His people. tribes, along with the Priests were trained to do revival of the sacrificial the remodeling work in the offerings and priestly rituholy areas and the temple al. The detail becomes quite proper was completed in a wearisome to many who read year and a half. But work conit today. But to the Jew of that tinued on the temple compound, day it was a thrilling vision of a building courts, porches and porglorious future for Israel. Such a ticos for years until the early 60’s. vision of God’s love and faithfulness This was the temple that Jesus knew should have moved them to repentance and a and in which He often taught, called the Secfresh commitment to their God. ond Temple by the Jews. He predicted its complete There are many reasons why Ezekiel’s temple will destruction (Mt. 24) and in 70 AD the Roman armies not see a literal fulfillment and why it will not fit Isacrushed the Jewish rebellion, entered the city and iah’s prophecies. (An article by Harold St. John in destroyed the temple, leveling it to the ground. It was a Uplook, April, 1995, p. 25, takes a similar position.) crushing blow to the Jews. Once again they were withThe location of Ezekiel’s temple was north of out a temple. Jerusalem in Samaria. The land allotments to the tribes Since the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit ignore natural boundaries in Ezekiel 48. Beginning came in power to indwell God’s people, the Church has with Dan in the north, seven tribes are given equal been the temple of God, corporately and individually slices of the land, running from the Jordan to the (1 Cor. 3:16-17; Eph. 2:19-22). This temple is made of Mediterranean Sea. Then a wider section is set apart living stones and is still under construction today for the Lord “with the sanctuary in the center” (Ezek. (1 Pet. 2:5). But the question arises: Will there ever be 48:10). South of this district for the Lord, beginning another temple in Jerusalem and is Ezekiel’s vision that with Benjamin, the five remaining tribes are given parfuture temple? allel slices of the land. No mention is made of Isaiah envisioned a temple in the future that would Jerusalem because this city would be in the area of be a house of prayer for all the nations. “Many peoples Samaria. It is obviously an artificial, symbolic descripshall come and say, ‘Come and let us go up to the

•

M A Y

2 0 0 3

E Z E K I E L’ S

tion. Land could not be divided and assigned in this manner in ancient days. They used natural landmarks to designate boundaries. Ezekiel’s temple stands squarely under the Mosaic Covenant, insisting on separation from the Gentiles: “Thus says the Lord God: ‘No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart of uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter my sanctuary’” (Ezek. 44:9). But the sanctuary of Isaiah is open to all nations. “‘All flesh shall come to worship before Me,’ says the Lord” (Isa. 66:23). And the priesthood is not limited to the sons of Levi; priests are from “all nations” (Isa. 66:20-21). Ezekiel’s vision insists on the reestablishment of the Mosaic sacrificial system. The prince must offer “for himself and for all the people of the land a bull for a sin offering” (Ezek. 45:22). These are not commemorative as some would suggest but are offerings for sin. All of the Jewish festivals beginning with Passover must be celebrated (Ezek. 45:21). The Law of Moses is in full force. But the whole book of Hebrews argues against one going back to the sacrifices and practices of the Old Covenant. “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool, for by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified… Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin” (Heb. 10:12-18). Thank God, there will be no animal offerings for sin in God’s kingdom! The vision was connected in time to Ezekiel and his generation. He himself was commanded to provide and to offer sacrifices for the dedication of the altar and the temple (Ezek. 43:18-27). But we have no record that he ever went back to Israel or even saw the temple built by the returning Jews. The vision then was especially for his time and generation. The temple was to be rebuilt, the priesthood to function again, and the sacrifices to be offered according to the Law of Moses. However, the Jews of that day understood it as a vision and did not attempt to carry out the instructions of Ezekiel literally. Zadok’s family was not given the priesthood and the temple was not built in Samaria. But God did bring His people back to the land. The vision Ezekiel saw of a temple in the land had come true. Over 600 years later another prophet on the isle of Patmos saw glorious visions also. Like Ezekiel, he saw amazing things and students today still wonder: How much is literal and how much is figurative? Many of

T E M P L E

Ezekiel’s images are used by John. “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 21:2). “‘Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God” (Rev. 21:9-11). This city is square, like Ezekiel’s and has twelve gates with the names of the twelve tribes, just like Ezekiel’s. It also has twelve foundations with the names of the apostles inscribed, thus bringing together the saints of the Old Covenant and the New. It is a glorious city with walls built of precious stones and a street of pure gold. As in Ezekiel’s vision, a stream of pure water issues from the city, from the presence of God and from the Lamb, bringing life to all who drink (Rev. 22:1). As in the vision of old, this river heals the land and causes trees to flourish (Ezek. 47:1-12). It brings healing from the curse of sin (Rev. 22:3). That stream of healing water is flowing today from the Lord. “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (Jn. 7:37-38). Ezekiel closes his book with the promise, “And the name of the city from that day shall be THE LORD IS THERE” (Ezek. 48:35). In the New Jerusalem, the Lord is there in all His glory: “They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads” (Rev. 22:4). Glorious vision! But it is picturing the bride of the Lamb, God’s people, and is not to be taken in literal terms. These visions are a graphic illustration of the glorious future God has for His people. The Jews of Ezekiel’s day in Babylon were depressed and discouraged. Was there any future for them? His visions inspired them to press on; God was not through with them. The visions of John are intended to inspire God’s people today who are involved in a fierce conflict with Satanic forces to press on. A glorious future lies ahead! ENDNOTES: 1. The New Bible Dictionary (Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1982), p. 1169. 2. The International Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, Vol. IV (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1988), p. 699.

w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

•

M A Y

2 0 0 3

The MILLENNIUM: Major Events Occurring or Yet to Occur that Lead to Christ’s 1000-year Kingdom 1. The Church Age Draws to a Close: The Bride, the Lamb’s wife-to-be gets ready for the Big Day (2 Cor. 11:2); the Spirit seeks sinners (Jn. 16:11); the Lord adds to the Church those being saved (Acts 2:47). 2. The Redemption of the Saints’ Bodies: Resurrection, transformation, and rapture of “those that are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Cor. 15:23, 51-58; see 1 Thess. 4:13-18). 3. Revival of Ten-Nation Confederacy: re-forming of Roman Empire (Dan. 7:7, 24; Rev. 13:1; 17:3; Rev. 12–13). 4. God of this World Prepares for His Last Stand: “There are many antichrists” since the devil is not omniscient. He always has one ready; but the time comes for the Antichrist, the Man of Sin (Dan. 7:8; Rev. 13:1-8). 5. A Peace Treaty is Signed: Israel who rejected Messiah now deals with Anti-messiah for “one week” (a heptad, or a week of years), seven years before Christ’s second coming to earth—Dan. 9:27; Rev. 19:11-16). 6. The False Church under the False Prophet: A great worldwide religious system established by a false prophet under the Man of Sin uniting the nations to worship Man-as-God (2 Thess. 2:3-4; Rev. 17:1-15). 7. Syria (?) or Assyria (?) Attacks: Army from the north suddenly invades Israel 4 years before Christ’s coming; their supernatural defeat will convince many in Israel “that I am the Lord their God” (Ezek. 38–39). 8. Israel Let Down Again: The Israeli peace treaty is broken at the halfway point in 7-year period. World government swallows up religious system and holds economic domination (Dan. 7:23; Rev. 13:5-8; 15–17). 9. The Tribulation Also a Time of Evangelism: “A great multitude which no man can number” (Rev. 7:9-17) are slaughtered for refusing to worship the Beast’s image (see Rev. 13:15). 10. Divine Judgments Fall: Seven seals, seven trumpets, seven vials or bowls poured out on the earth. One third of the earth wiped out; mass destruction through war, pestilence, famine, etc. (Rev. 6–18). 11. The Last World War: International chaos breaks out: power blocs gathered to Armageddon (from Har megiddon, the hill of Megiddo, on the south flank of Jezreel Valley (Dan. 11:40-45; Rev. 9:13-21; 16:12-16). 12. The Destruction of Babylon: the pseudo-civilization set up in opposition to God and ruled by the false trinity: the god of this world, the anti-Messiah, and the false prophet (Rev. 18).

Some Other Views Briefly Stated 1. AMILLENNIALISM: No literal earthly reign of Christ—the dominant view in Christendom. Some, like Augustine, believe this entire age is the Millennium in a spiritual sense. Others believe it will be fulfilled in eternity in the new heaven and earth. Most who hold this view believe there is no future for Israel. 2. POST-MILLENNIALISM: World civilization is to be Christianized, ushering in a golden age of brotherhood which will prepare humanity to receive the King who arrives at the end of this Millennium. 3. OTHER PREMILLENNIAL VIEWS: a) some events in Revelation 6-18 are being fulfilled now, except the Coming and the events following which will literally occur; b) some downplay the role of Israel to find common ground with Views 1 & 2. A SHORT BIBLIOGRAPHY: • Walvoord, John. The Millennial Kingdom. Grand Rapids: Zondervan; • Walvoord, John. The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook. Wheaton, Illinois: Victor; • Feinberg, Charles. Premillennialism. Grand Rapids: Zondervan; • Ryrie, Charles, C. The Basis of the Premillennial Faith. New Jersey: Loizeaux; • Pentecost, Dwight, J. Things to Come. Findlay, Ohio: Dunham; • Sauer, Erich. From Eternity to Eternity. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

•

M A Y

2 0 0 3

The Cosmic Empire What God has Promised Will Happen During the Millennial Kingdom on Earth 1. The Second Coming of Christ (Rev. 19:11-21): The last that the unbelieving world saw of Christ, He was a battered form on the tree. But God has made that same Jesus “both Lord and Christ.” Of course, it is not to be assumed that this is the beginning of God’s rule over the affairs of earth. The Kingdom of God is everlasting (Dan. 4:3); universal (Ps. 103:19); and spiritual (Jn. 3:3). But by the earthly rule of the Son, the Father will be vindicated in His salvation scheme; the Son, in the horrendous price He paid; and the Spirit in the message He has been preaching to men’s hearts as He reproves “the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on [Christ]; of righteousness, because [Christ went] to [His] Father…of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” (Jn. 16:8-11). And though the world has looked to every other kind of leader and form of government, “the Desire of all nations” (Hag. 2:7) will be just what the planet needed all along! His kingdom is characterized by: righteousness (Isa. 32:1), peace (Mic. 4:3), glory (Isa. 66:18), protection (Isa. 32:2), justice (Rev. 19:15); and knowledge (Isa. 11:11-16). 2. The Rescue of the Remnant: The once-rejected Messiah rescues the Remnant (in Edom? see Isa. 63:1), then, marching north and west, destroys His foes at Armageddon (the very valley where they sought to cast Him from the heights of Nazareth). He then announces “the supper of the great God” (Rev. 19:17). 3. The Sheep and Goats Judgment: In the Valley of Jehoshaphat (“of concision”) the Lord judges the living wicked on earth, both Jews and Gentiles (Ezek. 20:33-38; Mt. 25:31-46; Jude 14-15; Rev. 19:15-21; 20:1-4). 4. The Binding of Satan (Rev. 20:1-3): For 1,000 years he is cast into the bottomless pit (Rev. 20:1-3). “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him…till the thousand years should be fulfilled.” Ah, that’s better! Why didn’t God do it before? The devil is a creature dependent on God for his existence—who does the will of God in spite of himself. Why did God leave Saul on the throne so long? Remember this is the model of the true Kingdom. God always gives people a real choice. 5. Resurrection of the Tribulation Saints (Rev. 20:4-15): First Christ (the Firstfruits), then those that are Christ’s at the rapture (the harvest), and now the gleanings: “…the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast…and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years…This is the first resurrection” (Rev. 20:4-5). 6. Establishing Jerusalem as the World’s Administrative Center (Isa. 2:3): Not merely that the Lord will ascend an earthly throne (of His father David), but He will do it in the very city where He ascended the hill to the cross; not only that He will be acclaimed King, but that it will be done by the nation that there said, “We have no king but Caesar!” Jerusalem will at last live up to its names: Jerusalem—City of Peace; Hephzibah—My Delight is in Her; Zion—Height; The City of the Great King; “the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there (Jehovah Shammah)” (Ezek. 48:35). Christ’s administration will expose the utter failure of man’s rule under any other prophet, priest, judge or king; Jew or Gentile; democracy or despotism. 7. Israel Brought into Prominence as Administrators of His Kingdom (Ezek. 20:33-38; 34:23-24; Jer. 30:9). 8. Earth Shall Keep her Jubilee: Earth will be refurbished, and filled with the Lord’s glory and knowledge; there will be equity; security; and righteousness: all open rebellion will be judged as high treason. 9. The Church will be in the Eternal State and will not need the blessings of the Millennial earth but: we shall “appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:4); we will enter into the good of “the manifestation of the sons of God,” coming into the full privilege and responsibility of the Family Business—God & Sons—of running the universe; (Rom. 8:18-19), having responsibilities here commensurate with the measure of our faithfulness during the days of the King’s rejection (recall David’s mighty men—see Lk. 19:17; 2 Tim. 2:12). 10. The Final Rebellion against Christ (Rev. 20:7-9): The Millennium proves the charge to be false: “If I had been in the Garden of Eden, I wouldn’t have fallen for the Devil’s temptation.” When Satan is released, in spite of 1,000 years of perfect rule, many will again cry, “We will not have this Man to reign over us!” 11. The Casting Out of Satan, the Last Judgment at the Great White Throne, and the ushering in of the Day of God: with new heavens and a new earth. “Behold,” says the Lord, “I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5).

w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

•

M A Y

2 0 0 3

Some Old and New Testament Illustrations of the Millennial Kingdom 1. THE THEOCRATIC KINGDOM IN EDEN (Gen. 1:26) delegated authority to Adam. But man’s disobedience led to setting up a rival kingdom. It teaches us about the Millennium in: the peace of the animal world (Isa. 11:6), the fruitful agricultural world (Isa. 35:1, 6-7), humanity submitting to God’s rule (Rev. 2:27); elongated life-span (Isa. 33:24; 65:20), God comes to earth in establishing a relationship with humanity; and the rebellion of man when Satan appears. The rules of Christ and Adam are compared (1 Cor. 15:22-24, 45). This highlights THE LIVING CONDITIONS during Christ’s earthly reign. 2. THE REIGN OF JOSEPH (Gen. 37–50) is linked to Messiah’s earthly reign, even by the Jews (Messiah ben Joseph). Late in the history of Israel the son was born; his exaltation was predicted (ch. 37), showing Joseph’s rule was no political accident; he was sent by the father to seek the welfare of his brethren, was despised, rejected, sold, falsely accused and punished for other’s sins. Then a 7-year tribulation was predicted (41:54), a “time of Jacob’s trouble,” when the man in glory delivers his brethren. He withholds himself from them till they repent, then reveals himself (45:1-8). Here it is Christ’s RELATION to ISRAEL. 3. THE TABERNACLE IN THE WILDERNESS (Ex. 25–40) is the invitation of God to men to participate in His government. The ark of the covenant was the throne of God on earth; His representatives (the priests) came in and out to do His bidding. The pieces of furniture were “figures of the true” tabernacle in heaven (can you find them in the description of heaven in Revelation?). The GOVERNMENT OF GOD, emphasized here, is marked by judgment (bronze altar), purity (laver), testimony (lampstand), fellowship (table of showbread), communion (golden altar), and the presence of God on earth (Rev. 21:3). 4 & 5. SUCCOT, THE FEAST OF BOOTHS (Lev. 23:34-36) on the 15th day of the 7th month and the following 7 days, & THE JUBILEE (Lev. 25) every 50 years picture the Millennium AS IT RELATES TO RESTORED ISRAEL. It looks back to the great deliverance and divine care on the long journey that brought them to this place. It also enjoys the blessing of again having “the tabernacle of God with men”. In fact, the actual feast is reinstituted, not only for Israel but for the nations (Zech. 14:16-19). 6. THE TAKING OF CANAAN in the days of Joshua (and in a different way in Judges) also pictures our Joshua (Jehovah is salvation). He establishes the kingdom on the Word as a theocracy, executes judgment on the Lord’s sworn enemies, shows mercy to those who seek it (the Lord actually calls to those who evidently wear the Beast’s mark in Babylon, “Come out of her, My people”!) and divides the land for his people, giving them peace. Here the thrust is what the Millennium WILL MEAN TO THE GENTILES. 7. THE REIGN OF DAVID-SOLOMON (and to a lesser degree, other good Jewish kings) is a prototype of the 2 comings of the King, “the Son of David.” The reigns overlap to give the appearance of one rule in two aspects. David, the despised shepherd-king, is presented to his people as their saviour at the place of the skull (with the head of Goliath). Although the common people rejoice, the leadership seeks to kill him. He goes to the Gentiles for a time, while seeking his people’s welfare (though they follow another king). Finally he is recognized as Israel’s king, but even after he rules in Jerusalem, a pretender arises to steal the hearts of the people. The rebellion is short-lived, and the king of glory (Solomon) rules over an increasing kingdom at the center of which is the temple of the Lord, showing CHRIST’S VICTORY in all. 8. THE PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM (Mt. 13) are divided into 4 (by the sea, to the multitude) and 3 (in the house, to the disciples). The first 4 show Satan’s attempts to destroy the work of the King while He is in heaven; the last 3 display the ultimate triumph of the King, no matter how things appear. But the kingdom in mystery form at present is only a shadow of what it will be when the King returns, Satan is bound, the hidden remnant of Israel is displayed, the Church is lifted out of the sea, and the drag-net judgments are enacted. The parables speak of THE TACTICS GOD USES to bring in the Kingdom. 9. THE GLORY OF TRANSFIGURATION MOUNTAIN (Mt. 17) is an obvious preview, a time travel experience for the disciples. Both OT and NT saints are there; with “the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow”; it is something only His disciples understand at present (v. 9). See 2 Pet. 1:16-19. 10. THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY (Jn. 12) is preceded by a) the observation, “Many believed on Him” (10:42), and b) the raising of the one He allowed to die but guarantees his resurrection before the triumphal entry. This is a dress rehearsal of sorts for the real event! But in that Day, the donkey will give way to the white charger, the fickle crowd to true worship, and the carpenter’s homespun to garments of glory!

•

M A Y

2 0 0 3

WGO? W H AT ’ S

G O I N G

O N ?

Christians in the Muslim World Things have deteriorated since September 11, 2001

In the year and a half since September 11, 2001, the situation for local Christians and missionaries in much of the Islamic world has, on the whole, deteriorated. Although in some countries like Bangladesh or Egypt life for Christians and expatriate workers has continued much as before, in others, particularly Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Holy Land, the situation has changed, and in many cases deteriorated. However, although local Christians and missionaries arguably find themselves in conditions more difficult than before, it is also an exciting time to be engaged in missionary work in the Islamic world. As they see many of their contemporaries becoming increasingly radicalised and the surrounding culture becoming more violent, many Muslims are becoming disillusioned with Islam and are searching for the truth elsewhere. Networks of converts from Islam and secret believers exist and are growing. As we continue to draw near to the time of our Lord’s return, Christians and missionaries in the Islamic world are reaping both the persecution and the fruit which He promised us. —Echoes

WHEATON WOBBLES It hit the news when Wheaton College (IL) announced a new “Community Covenant” recently. Associated Press reported that, from now on, faculty members may drink and smoke in private and students may dance off-campus. The school still forbids

alcohol and tobacco use on campus, and undergraduates may only indulge during vacations. HOLY LAND TROUBLES In Israel/Palestine the situation for Christians and missionaries in the Palestinian authority areas has

ANY DAYS u my letter. I am ND AFTER M A … Y A R P time to send yo t … rs g fi y PRAY m is s lly I am lookin ori writes: “Thi efecture. Actua Pr i ity ak rs Gentaro Ishim az ve iy ni M U neer. I live in I was a Tohoku r a Japanese engi moment. When e th at I am looking fo le up co y plain you why ex e a m for a missionar by et L ld … he ai, I met them h class which is student in Send I went to Englis … ai nd h with cheap Se in was to learn Englis d te an w them. When I st ju I I asked many t a Christian. many things… e m ht church. I wasn’ ug ould say ta on know what I sh s Mr. Hamilt t as no cl d e di th I t e. A a Mr. at tim fee… After I left Send ible to him at th r. B e ou th vi t Sa ou y ab m ry things Jesus as y. I regret it ve I think I needed nd him my repl se t a no or ask but now d ve di ha I t d ed an me a letter bu k, I was baptis Hamilton send I began to wor r te I think their af e. h, nc ut tr de e ci y a coin el er m d my much. To tell th is it k in them about it an I don’t th ll … te d ily m an e fa n se tia to t ESS! Chris . I wan ER THE WITN go to a church FT e A m S e R ad A E m Y er pray IVED 17 LETTER ARR thanks.” THIS

w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

•

M A Y

become desperate. As well as suffering alongside their Muslim neighbors as a result of grinding poverty, curfews and movement restrictions imposed by the Israeli army, local Christians have also suffered at the hands of Palestinian Islamic militants. In the past, Islamic gunmen have deliberately chosen to fire at Israelis from Christian houses, so that returning fire would destroy Christian homes and attract international condemnation from Christian communities in the West. In other incidents Christian women have been terrorised and even raped, and Christian converts from Islam have been targeted for assassination. As talk of further strikes in the global “war on terrorism” abounds, and the feelings aroused by the aftermath of 11th September continue to be felt, the situation for local Christians and missionaries in the Holy Land remains volatile. —Echoes 2 0 0 3

B O U Q U E T

o f

B L E S S I N G S

❋

WHEN THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY Of course you will see no shadows when looking at the Son!

You know, beloved…it’s really going to be something, when at last, in a moment, we step on shore, and know we’re home. We’ll set one foot on Main Street and in a moment—a twinkling of an eye—we’ll set the other foot on the streets of gold. We’ll be HOME AT LAST! One of these days it’s really going to happen! —J. Boyd Nicholson, from a message

In heaven after “ages of ages” of growing glory, we shall have to say, as each new wave of the shoreless, sunlit sea bears us onward, “It doth not yet appear what we shall be.” —Alexander MacLaren Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13

The Coming Glory It’s only a step to the glory— A moment and I shall be there, When the voice of my Saviour calls me His heavenly glory to share! And oft when I’m weary and restless, I hear His sweet voice to me say: “I soon will be calling you upwards To realms of eternal day.” Then weariness will all be forgotten I’ll rest in the fullness of love, In spirit at home with the Father In mansions of glory above. I long for the time when Christ’s summons Shall raise from the tomb all His own, When they, to His likeness transformed, Shall sit with the Lamb on His throne; Then the bride to the Bridegroom, united, Eternally with Him shall dwell In a universe filled with His glory, Delighting His praises to tell. —M. J. Lucas 20

•

One day when I was a little boy in Western North Carolina, I carved an inscription on one of the bricks of the old-fashioned chimney of my home. It read, “Heaven I hope to win.” I had been told at home and at Sunday School about a beautiful city. They had read “Pilgrim’s Progress” to me, and I had made up my mind to head heavenward. Not long ago I visited that old spot where the plain little house and the old chimney still stand. I searched for that inscription on the worn old brick, and to my delight I found it. Carved over half a century ago, most of it had been erased by the rains and the snows and the steady erosion of heat and cold. But I could still make out two words: heaven and hope. I, too, have stood the gales, the summers, the winters of all those years, but the ravages of life’s seasons have not removed the hope of heaven from my heart. It is embedded there more securely than my boyish fingers ever carved it into that old brick. The infidels have blown their blast, and Bible critics even in pulpits and seminary chairs have tried to dim that hope. But it burns brighter than ever before. —VANCE HAVNER M A Y

2 0 0 3

Photos: Jack Hazut

❋ ❋ ❋

C .

H .

M A C K I N T O S H

Three Facts On this trilogy of truth the fate of every soul hangs.

The attentive reader of the New Testament will find three solemn and weighty facts presented. First, the Son of God has come into this world and gone away; second, the Holy Spirit has come down to earth, and is here still; and, third, the Lord Jesus is coming again. These are the three great subjects unfolded in the New Testament, and we shall find that each of them has a double bearing. It has a bearing on the world, and a bearing on the church; on the world, as a whole, and upon each unconverted man, woman, and child in particular; on the Church, as a whole, and upon each individual member in particular. It is impossible for anyone to avoid the bearing of these three grand facts on his own personal condition and future destiny. It should be noted we are not speaking of doctrines—though there are doctrines—but of facts, facts presented in the simplest possible manner by the various inspired writers. There is no attempt at garnishing. The facts speak for themselves; they are recorded and left to produce their own powerful effect on the soul. THE FACTS OF CHRIST’S COMING & GOING First of all, let us look at the fact that the Son of God has been in this world of ours. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (Jn. 3:16). “The Son of God has come” (1 Jn. 5:20). He came in perfect love as the very expression of the heart and mind, the nature and character, of God. He was the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person, yet a humble, gracious, social Man—One who was to be seen from day to day about the streets, going from house to house. Kind and affable to all, He was easily approached by the poorest. See Him taking up

BETHLEHEM

w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

little children in His arms in the most tender, winning way; drying the widow’s tears; soothing the sorrowing heart; feeding the hungry, healing the sick; cleansing the leper; meeting every form of human need and misery. “He went about doing good.” He was the unwearied servant of man’s necessities. He never thought of Himself, or sought His own interest in anything. He lived for others. It was His meat and drink to do the will of God, and to gladden the sad and weary hearts of the sons and daughters of men. Here, then, we have a marvellous fact. This world has been visited by the Son of God. The Creator and Sustainer of the universe, the lowly, self-emptied, and loving Son of Man—Jesus of Nazareth—God over all, blessed for ever, came into this world as the expression of perfect love to those who had sinned against God and deserved nothing but eternal perdition. He came not to crush but to heal—not to judge but to save. What has become of this blessed One? How has the world treated Him? It has cast Him out! It would not have Him! The world had its choice. Jesus and a robber were placed before the world, and the question was put, “Which will you have?” What was the answer? “Not this man, but Barabbas.” The religious leaders—the men who ought to have led them in the right way—persuaded the poor ignorant multitude to reject the Son of God, and accept a robber and a murderer instead. Remember, you are in a world that has been guilty of this terrible act. And not only so, but, unless you have truly repented and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, you are part of that world. This is most solemn. The whole world stands charged with the deliberate rejection and murder of the Son of God. We have the testimony of no less than four inspired witnesses to this fact. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all bear record that the whole world—Jew and Gentile—kings and governors, priests and people—all classes, sects, and parties—agreed to crucify the Son of God. All agreed to murder the only perfect Man that ever lived on this earth, the perfect expression of God. We must either pronounce the four Evangelists to be false witnesses or admit that the world is stained with the awful crime of crucifying the Lord of glory. •

M A Y

2 0 0 3

T H R E E

FA C T S

If I want to know what the world is, I have only to reflect that the world is that which stands charged before God with the deliberate murder of His Son. Tremendous fact! A fact which stamps the world in the most solemn manner, and places it before us in characters of appalling blackness. God has a controversy with this world. He has a question to settle with it—an awful question—the mere mention of which should make men’s ears to tingle and their hearts to quake. A righteous God has to avenge the death of His Son. What a reckoning it will be; how red will be the day of vengeance! How utterly vain the notion that the world is improving! Improving!—though stained with the blood of Jesus. Improving!—though under the judgment of God for that act. Improving!—though having to account to a righteous God for its treatment of the Beloved of His soul, sent in love to bless and save. But this fact also bears on the Church as a whole, and on the individual believer. If the world has cast Christ out, the heavens have received Him. If man has rejected Him, God has exalted Him. If man has crucified Him, God has crowned Him. We must carefully distinguish these two things. The death of Christ, viewed as the act of the world, involves nothing but unmitigated judgment. On the other hand, the death of Christ viewed as the act of God involves nothing but full and everlasting blessedness to all who repent and believe. A passage or two will prove this. Psalm 69 vividly presents our Lord suffering at the hand of man and appealing to God for vengeance. Hear Me, O Lord…hide not Thy face from Thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear Me speedily: draw nigh unto My soul, and redeem it: deliver Me because of Mine enemies. Thou hast known My reproach, and My shame, and My dishonor: Mine adversaries are all before Thee. Reproach hath broken My heart, and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave Me also gall for My meat, and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink. Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. Pour out Thine indignation upon them, and let Thy wrathful anger take hold of them (vv. I6-28).

All this is impressively solemn. Every word of this appeal will have its answer. God will assuredly avenge the death of His Son. He will reckon with man for the

•

treatment which His only begotten Son has received at their hands. We deem it right to press this home. How awful the thought of Christ making intercession against people! How appalling to hear Him calling on God for vengeance upon His enemies! How terrible will be the divine response to the cry of the injured Son! But look on the other side of the picture. Psalm 22 presents the blessed One suffering under the hand of God. Here the result is wholly different. Instead of vengeance, it is everlasting blessedness and glory. I will declare Thy name unto My brethren; in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee.…My praise shall be of Thee in the great congregation; I will pay my vows before them that fear Him. The meek shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the Lord that seek Him; your heart shall live for ever. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord; and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee. For the kingdom is the Lord’s; and He is the Governor among the nations. A seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this (vv. 22-3I).

These two quotations present the two aspects of the death of Christ. He died as a martyr for righteousness under the hand of man. For this, man will have to account to God. But He died as victim for sin under the hand of God. This is the foundation of all blessing to those that believe in His name. His martyr-sufferings bring down judgment on a godless world: His atoning sufferings open up the everlasting wellsprings of life and salvation. The world is stained, and the saved purchased, by the blood of the cross. Such is the double bearing of the first of our three great New Testament facts. Jesus has come and gone— come, because God loved the world—gone, because the world hated God. But, blessed for ever be the God of all grace! The true believer can look up to heaven and say. “My absent Lord is there, and there for me. He is gone from this wretched world, and His absence makes the entire scene around me a desolate waste.” He is not here. This stamps the world with a character unmistakable in the judgment of every loyal heart. THE FACT OF THE SPIRIT’S COMING We must now glance for a moment at our second M A Y

2 0 0 3

T H R E E

weighty fact. God the Holy Spirit has come down to this earth. At the birth of the Church the blessed Spirit descended from heaven and He has been here ever since. There is a divine Person now on this earth OLIVET and His presence—like the absence of Jesus— also has a double bearing. As regards the world, this august Witness descended from heaven to convict it of the terrible crime of rejecting and crucifying the Son of God. As regards the Church, He came as the blessed Comforter, to take the place of the absent Jesus and comfort by His presence and ministry the hearts of His people. Thus, to the world, the Holy Ghost is a powerful Convictor; to the Church, He is a precious Comforter. A passage or two of Scripture will establish these points in the believing heart. Let us turn to John 16. But now I go My way to Him that sent Me…Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. Of sin, because they believe not on Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged (vv. 5-11).

Again in John 14, we read, …I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you (vv. 16-19).

These quotations prove the double bearing of the presence of the Holy Ghost. We cannot dwell on this subject in this brief introduction, but we trust the reader may be led to study it for himself. We are persuaded that the more he studies it, the more deeply he will feel its immense practical importance. Alas! that it should be so little understood; that Christians should so little see what is involved in the personal presence of the

FA C T S

eternal Spirit on this earth—its solemn consequences for the world, and its precious results for the assembly as a whole and each individual in particular! Oh that God’s people everywhere may be led into a deeper understanding of these things; that they may consider what is due to that divine Person who dwells in them and with them; that they may have a jealous care not to “grieve” Him in their private walk, or “quench” Him in their public assemblies! THE FACT OF CHRIST’S COMING AGAIN In approaching this most glorious subject, we feel that we cannot do better than to lay before the reader the distinct testimony of Scripture to the broad fact JERUSALEM itself, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come again—that He will leave the place He now occupies on His Father’s throne, and come in the clouds of heaven, to receive His people to Himself; then to execute judgment upon the wicked and set up His own everlasting and universal kingdom. This fact is as clearly and Photos: Jack Hazut fully set forth in the New Testament as either of the other two facts to which we have already referred. It is as true that the Son of God is coming from heaven as that He is gone to heaven, or that the Holy Ghost is still on this earth. If we admit one fact, we must admit all; and if we deny one, we must deny all. All rest upon precisely the same authority. Are these things true? As true as Scripture can make them. Then just as true is it that our blessed Lord will come again, and set up His kingdom on earth— that He will literally, actually, and personally come from heaven and reign from pole to pole, and from the river to the ends of the earth. When our Lord was about to leave His disciples, He sought to comfort their sorrowing hearts:

w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (Jn. 14:1-3). •

M A Y

2 0 0 3

T H R E E

FA C T S

Here we have something as definite as it is cheering and consolatory. “I will come again.” He does not say, “I will send for you.” To send an angel or a legion of angels would not be the same thing as coming Himself. No doubt it would be very gracious of Him and very glorious for us if a multitude of the heavenly host were sent with horses and chariots of fire to convey us triumphantly to heaven. But it would not be the fulfillment of His own sweet promise, and most surely He will do what He promised to do. Amid the many mansions of the Father’s house there would be no place for us if our Jesus had not gone before; and, lest there should be in the heart any feeling of strangeness at the thought of our entrance into that place, He says, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Nothing short of this can fulfill the gracious promise of our Lord or satisfy the love of His heart. And carefully note that this promise has no reference whatever to the death of the individual believer. Who can imagine that, when our Lord said, “I will come again,” He really meant that we should go to Him through death? How can we presume to take such liberties with the plain words of our Lord? Surely if He meant to speak of our going to Him through death He would have said so. But He has not said so because He did not mean so; nor is it possible that He could say one thing and mean another. His coming for us, and our going to Him, are totally different things. Turn to the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. The blessed Lord had just gone up from this earth, in the presence of His holy apostles. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven, as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven (vv. 10-11).

This is intensely interesting and furnishes a striking proof of our present thesis. From it we learn that the selfsame Jesus who ascended into heaven in the presence of a number of witnesses shall so come in like manner. How did He go? He went up personally, literally, actually, the very same person who had just been conversing with them—whom they had seen with their eyes, heard with their ears, handled with their hands— who had eaten in their presence, and “showed Himself alive after His passion, by many infallible proofs.” Well

•

then, “He shall so come in like manner.” Who saw the blessed Lord as He went up? Did the world? No; not one unconverted, unbelieving, person ever laid his eyes upon our precious Lord from the moment that He was laid in the tomb. The last sight the world got of Jesus was as He hung on the cross, a spectacle to angels, men, and demons. The next sight they will get of Him will be when, like the lightning flash, He shall come forth to execute judgment, and tread, in terrible vengeance, the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God. Tremendous thought! None, therefore, but His own saw the ascending Saviour, as none but they had seen Him from the moment of His resurrection. He showed Himself, blessed be His holy name! to those who were dear to His heart. He assured and comforted, strengthened and encouraged their souls by these “many infallible proofs” of which the inspired narrator speaks to us. He led them to the very confines of the unseen world, just so far as men could go while still in the body; and there He allowed them to see Him ascending into heaven; and while they gazed on this glorious sight, He sent the precious testimony home to their very hearts. “This same Jesus”—no other, no stranger, but the same loving, sympathizing, gracious, unchanging Friend— “whom ye have seen go into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” Could proof be more clear or conclusive? How can any objection be raised? Either these two men in white apparel were false witnesses, or our Jesus shall come again in the exact manner in which He went away. There is no middle ground between those two conclusions. All this, blessed be God, is wrapped up in two little words “as” and “so.” Surely we can never sit down to the Lord’s Supper without being reminded of this glorious hope, so long as those words shine on the page of inspiration “for as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till”—when? Till you die? No; “till He come” (1 Cor. 11:26). How precious is this! The table stands between those two marvellous epochs, the cross and the advent—the death and the glory. The believer can look up from the table and see the beams of the glory gilding the horizon. It is our privilege, as we gather each Lord’s day round the table to show forth the Lord’s death, to be able to say, “This may be the last occasion of celebrating this precious feast. Before another Lord’s day dawns upon us, He Himself may come.” —from The Lord’s Coming by C. H. M. M A Y

2 0 0 3

WA LT E R

S C O T T

Christ is Our Hope “The Lord Himself…” Nothing else would do.

Our hope as believers is the personal return of the Lord to take us to Himself, and afterwards to reign in glory, as He said, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself “ (Jn. 14:3). Ah, that is it. He Himself coming is our “blessed hope,” and He Himself in the Father’s house and we like Him, morally (1 Jn 3:2) and bodily (Phil. 3:21)—these are our richest blessings. THE HOPE OF THE CHURCH He will come to claim “His own.” He comes from heaven into the “air,” and with “shout,” “voice,” and “trump,” He gathers His people from every land and clime, from tomb, earth, and sea. Not one redeemed through the precious blood of Christ will be left behind, whether then alive on the earth, resting in the grave, or the precious dust scattered to the four winds of heaven. The “shout” is to startle. The “voice” is addressed to each, whether awake or asleep. The “trump” is the summons to enter the chariotclouds and meet Him in the air. All are caught “up” in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air—the trysting-place with our adorable Lord and Master (1 Thess. 4:17). He has made the appointment, and He will secure the meeting. Then will the Christ present to Himself His Church all glorious and spotless, without sign of age or decay, holy too and blameless (Eph. 5:25-27; Col. 3:4). What is the hope of the Bride but the coming of the Bridegroom (Rev. 22:I7)? Now espoused to Christ, what is her hope but to have the relationship of wife established? (2 Cor. 11:2, with Rev. 19:7). What a hope! Christ coming personally to take the Church to Himself, displaying her in the coming ages in jointheirship over creation (Eph. 1:10-11), and forming in her everlasting bridal affection and establishing eternal w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

relationship (Rev. 21:2). We wait to take our part in His magnificent future. His is the kingdom, His the dominion, His the inheritance. His Sun will never go down; His glory will never wane. THE HOPE OF THE SERVANT OF GOD The hope of the servant is to find the fruit of his labor in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at His coming (1 Thess. 2:19). “And now, little children, abide in Him; that when He shall appear, we [the servants] may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 Jn. 2:28). The crown of glory will, at the appearing of the Chief Shepherd, be set on the brow of the faithful laborer, now toiling among the flock of God (1 Pet. 5:1-4). The crown of righteousness will be bestowed as reward of service, and to all who love His appearing (2 Tim. 4:7-8). Four crowns are held out as reward and encouragement. Every Christian receives a crown of gold (Rev. 4:4). The faithful witness gains the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). The devoted servant earns the crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8). The crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4) will be a rich recompense to the faithful shepherd. Heralds of the grace and glory of the risen Lord, may we be ready when your Lord comes and knocks, to open to Him “immediately” (Lk. 12:36). THE HOPE OF ISRAEL Jehovah-Jesus, the Saviour, is the only hope of Israel, as said the weeping prophet, “O the hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in time of trouble” (Jer. 14:7-9). “All Israel shall be saved” (Rom. 11:26) but how and when? There is no salvation for Israel as a people until they acknowledge their offense (Hos. 5:15), and turn to their long and bitterly rejected •

M A Y

2 0 0 3

C H R I S T

I S

O U R

H O P E

Messiah, saying, “Blessed is He that cometh (not that came) in the name of the Lord” (Mt. 23:39); then shall they see Him. Through mercy we have believed in Him whom we have not seen (1 Pet. 1:8); Israel, Thomas-like, will believe when they see (Jn. 20:29). The blessing of Israel—effected by looking upon Him whom they have pierced—is yet future, as Zechariah 12 clearly shows. Jerusalem will be besieged—not as before by the Romans, but by the northeastern powers of the closing days; the city having been captured once, a second time it will be assaulted—this is the interesting moment when the Lord interferes by descending from heaven with His heavenly saints (Zech. 14:5) to Mount Olivet, effecting deliverance for His people and destroying their foes. Only the Lord’s personal intervention on behalf of Israel will save them. Israel will then mourn in the presence of her Messiah as did Jacob’s children in the presence of Joseph, of which it is a type. Then will have arrived the times and the seasons when the kingdom is restored “again” to Israel (Acts 1:6-7); when the glorious declarations of prophets, and the theme of bards, will be fulfilled to the very letter. Psalm 72 is an actual and true description of these millennial days. Israel’s hope then, whether for conversion as a people, or for glory of millennial times, is the personal return of her Messiah. “The Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgressions in Jacob, saith the Lord.” Then follows a description of Zion’s glory, which for beauty of language is matchless in the world’s literature (Isa. 60), He delivers Israel from her sins (Mt. 1:21) and from her enemies (Lk. 1:71). “His mercy endureth for ever,” twenty-six times repeated (Ps. 136), will be Israel’s shout of victory. Read the prophets as descriptive of what will actually take place. Alas! that Christians should seek to deny or fritter away the plain and obvious meaning of the numerous predictions in the Old Testament intimating a glorious future for Israel. THE HOPE OF THE WORLD For six thousand years this present creation has been groaning and travailing together in all its parts “in pain until now.” What, then, is creation’s hope? When will it emerge from its long millenaries of bondage, into the “glorious liberty,” rather the “liberty of the glory of the children of God”? Our future glory when displayed will liberate the groaning and suffering creation, and

•

for that revelation creation anxiously awaits: “For the earnest expectation of the creature [creation] waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God” (Rom. 8:1922); that “manifestation” takes place when Christ and we appear in glory (Col. 3:4). Psalm 65 and Hosea 2:18-22 intimate a blessed future for this earth. Its jubilee will be celebrated in the song and dance of the ransomed (Ps. 110). There will be a great calm for one thousand years. THE BLESSED HOPE AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING The Lord Jesus Christ is Himself expressly declared to be “our hope” (1 Tim. 1:1). This “blessed hope,” therefore, is independent of prophetic or other events. It is the subject of divine revelation alone made known in the New Testament (1 Thess. 4:15; 1 Cor. 15:51). Connect prophecy with Israel, and revelation with all that concerns the Church. He will come Himself. Far beyond the glory that will dazzle by its brightness is the infinitely deeper—because distinctly moral— glory in the person of the Lord. We look for a person to come, the One “who delivered us from the wrath to come.” We wait for Jesus: that is our hope. It is neither crown, harp, robe, glory, nor kingdom, but the Lord Himself. It is well termed “that blessed [or happy] hope.” We look for Christ, and He is better far than even the glory He brings. Christ and His glory together form our certain hope. “The glorious appearing” or “appearing of the glory” does not refer to Christ’s coming for His saints, but to the after event—His coming with them. It is called the “appearing of the glory” because the world, the angels, and the Church will witness it. It will be a grand public event, a spectacle worthy of the coming Christ (Rev. 19:12). As saints we wait for the realization of that blessed hope; as servants we look for the appearing of the glory. The former is entirely of grace, the latter is connected with our responsibility. In the one we are immediately occupied with Himself as the morning star; in the other with the glory connected with the kingdom. Between the realization of the hope and the appearing of the glory, at least seven years transpire—Daniel’s seventieth week—but both are embraced in one allencompassing and definite hope—all in Him. “For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Heb. 10:37). —from Prophetic Scenes and Coming Glories M A Y

2 0 0 3

ISSUES J .

B .

N . ,

J R .

Is the Rapture Imminent? The answer is Yes—if we understand the term.

There are two fundamental questions on the issue of imminency. First, did the New Testament saints believe in it? And second, what does imminence really mean? The first question should be easy to answer. If the New Testament believers were waiting expectantly for the Lord to return, surely it would say so in the epistles. And of course they do, in profusion. For example: Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus… (1 Cor. 1:7). For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come (1 Cor. 11:26). For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20). …Ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven… (1 Thess. 1:910). 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 [precede] them which are asleep (1 Thess. 4:15). And…I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 5:23). For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry (Heb. 10:37). Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord…Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh (Jas. 5:7-8). And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming (1 Jn. 2:28). The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John (Rev. 1:1). Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown…Behold, I come quickly… And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be…He

w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come [quickly], Lord Jesus (Rev. 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20).

This sampling should clearly and convincingly indicate the spirit of expectancy in the hearts of the Christians at the dawn of Church history. But, say some, we have some other verses to quote. What about Jesus’ prophesying the destruction of the temple? And what about Peter being told how he would die? And all those signs that had to come to pass? And what about the historical sketch of the Church age given in the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3? Obviously they couldn’t believe in an “anymoment” return of Christ before all these events came to pass, could they? This is the reason why Question 2 is so important. The imminent return of Christ does NOT mean that He could return at any time. The Lord Jesus Himself told us that the Father has a specific time in mind when He will send His Son back to receive His people (Mt. 24:36; Mk. 13:32). God has a specific moment on His calendar set for the return of Christ. When we speak of the imminent return of Christ we mean that as far as we are concerned He could come at any time. But because the Father knows the exact time, He is of course free to reveal—through His Son, His Spirit, or His servants who wrote the Scriptures— events such as were mentioned in the previous paragraph. But that does not abrogate imminency for us. When the Lord Jesus said that “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 4:17), or that “the time is at hand” (Rev. 22:10), what did He mean? Is a period of 2000 years “at hand”? Perhaps, if we use the explanation given in 2 Peter 3:8, making the interval only two days in length. Rather, I think the meaning is this: If I have a glass of water “at hand” I do not necessarily pick it up immediately, but there is nothing to stop me from doing it. So there is no fulfillment of prophecy, no event, no good reason, to keep the Lord from returning for His Church EXCEPT the longsuffering grace of God who is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). •

M A Y

2 0 0 3

C O M P I L AT I O N

Signs of His Coming Of course there are signs—but for the Revelation, not the Rapture

“But thou, O 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” (Dan. 12:4). Commenting on this, Christian scientist Sir Isaac Newton said, “Personally, I cannot but believe these words concerning the end of the times. One sign of the end will be a remarkable increase in methods of getting about. Men will travel from country to country in an unprecedented manner. There may be some inventions which will enable people to travel much more quickly than they do now.” He believed it possible that someone might invent a means of locomotion which would enable people to travel at the astonishing rate of fifteen or twenty miles an hour! The French infidel Voltaire responded, “See what a fool Christianity makes of an otherwise brilliant man. Here a scientist like Newton actually writes that men may travel at the rate of fifteen or twenty miles an hour. Has he forgotten that if a man would travel at the rate of fifteen miles an hour, he would be suffocated? His heart would stand still.” One does well to take the statements of Scripture seriously because in time the Word proves who the fools really are (see Mt. 7:24-27). While there are no signs given to the Church for the time of the rapture, there are many signs given to herald the last days leading up to the triumphant return to earth of the Son of Man. INTERNATIONAL CONDITIONS • Constant rumors of war (Mt. 24:6). • Increasing world conflicts accompanied by pestilence and famine (Mt. 24:7; Isa. 13:4-5). • Economic perils such as the nations have never known (Mt. 24:21-22, Mk. 13:19; Dan. 12:1). • Gold, silver valueless as exchange (Ezek. 7:19). • Disastrous earthquakes (Mt. 24:7) • Increasing commotion within nations (Lk. 21:9). • Fearful sights and great signs (Lk. 21:11, 25). • Hearts failing for fear (Lk. 21:26; Isa. 24:17-18). • Perilous conditions in general (2 Tim. 3:1-5).

•

• Collapse of great fortunes (Jas. 5:1-8). • Days of darkness and gloom (Joel 2:2). • Hebrew language revived (?) after it was long dead (Zeph. 3:9). • Hellish war devices invented (Joel 2:3-5). • Many traitors, “fifth columnists” (Mk. 13:12; Lk. 21:16; 2 Tim. 3:3-4). • A great world empire rises up; restoration of old Roman empire—10 toes of image (Dan. 2:40-45). • National revival of Israel (Mk. 13:28) • Russia (?) and Germany (?) eventually attempt to grab the riches of Israel (Ezek. 38, 39). • Increasing persecution of the people of God (Dan. 7:21-22; Jer. 30:7, 13-16; Mt. 24:9; Mk. 13:13). • Rise of an anti-God world dictator demanding allegiance of all (Dan. 7:24-26; Rev. 13:1-18); he overthrows many nations (Dan. 11:41-42). • Israel cultivated after centuries of barrenness (Isa. 43:19-20; Ezek. 34:26-27; 36:4-10, 30, 34, 35). • Jews return to Israel in large numbers (Isa. 43:5-6; 49:19; Jer. 23:3; 30:3; Ezek. 11:17-18; Hos. 3:4-5). RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS • Organized atheism mocks religion (Jude 18). • Rulers take counsel against God (Ps. 2:2-3). • True faith wanes, iniquity abounds (Mt. 24:1-3, 8). • General apostasy (2 Thess. 3:3). • Increase of spiritualistic practices (1 Tim. 4:1-3). • Religion largely form (2 Tim. 3:5; Rev. 3:16-17). • Many won’t endure sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3-4). • Damnable heresies spring up (2 Pet. 2:1-3). • Religious fakers work seeming miracles, called “lying wonders” (Mk. 13:22). • Preachers ridicule the teaching of Christ’s second coming (2 Pet. 3:3-4). • A world religious federation takes shape, headed by a false prophet of great power (Mt. 24:5, 11, 24; Rev. 13:11-18). Maranatha! M A Y

2 0 0 3

BOOKS J O H N

A .

B J O R L I E

Gothardism Evaluated Is the expert on accountability accountable?

Christians have long wanted a book that seriously reviews the teachings of Bill Gothard (1935– ) and his Institute in Basic Life Principles, originally called the Institute of Basic Youth Conflicts (1966–present). Christians alternately adore and vilify this winsome hermit and the teachings of his Institute. In the heyday of Bill Gothard’s ministry in the early and mid-1970s, there was a book written by a Lutheran clergyman, Wilfred Bockelman, entitled Gothard: The Man and His Ministry—an Evaluation (150 pp., 1976, Quill Publications). The book never had a wide distribution. While Gothard himself had granted Bockelman a four-hour interview, he was displeased with the outcome of the book and thereafter has avoided journalists as one should avoid gossips and scandalmongers. Bockelman does not write from a sympathetic stance as much as someone alarmed at the sweeping influence that Gothard enjoyed in the early 1970s. But why should an American Lutheran minister blame Gothard for being popular? Those mainstream Protestants had largely squandered their opportunity to address the issues that faced the Church. Now it was Gothard’s time to stand up as a man with a message. Bill Gothard addressed issues that were being ignored by the traditional Protestants and by the trendy evangelicals. The evangelicals had been spending their time in front of the mirror blow drying their hair and adjusting their polyester leisure suits, when Gothard stepped forward as a man wearing garments of camel’s hair and who dined on locusts and wild honey. The young people who had survived the Sixties were hungry for a coherent message about a spirituality that touched down on planet earth, and Gothard gave it to them in his seven Basic Life Principles. It was packaged in a weeklong seminar where participants received his teaching in a heavy red loose-leaf binder. Gothard’s rise and impress on the evangelical community is a passing phenomena with dozens of spinoffs and its own lingering monument, reverently referred to as “The Institute” by its subscribers. A second book written about Bill Gothard and the Institute of Basic Life Principles is A Matter of Basic w w w . u p l o o k . o r g

Principles: Bill Gothard & the Christian Life, by Don Veinot, Joy Veinot & Ron Henzel, with a foreword by Ron Rhodes (380 pp., copyrighted by 2002 Midwest Christian Outreach, Inc., published by 21st Century Press). After reading it I am personally disappointed that Dave Hunt has recommended the book in his Berean Call newsletter. This book is unworthy of a Christianity that claims that “the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” (2 Tim. 2:24-25). It is doubtful that this book would help someone who is tied up in knots with “the Institute” with its endless “how-to steps to success.” Those who would enjoy reading the book either don’t know much about Bill Gothard and his Institute and therefore don’t know what they are reading, or else those who are burned out and embittered by the Institute and don’t need more bitterness. When the authors finally begin to discuss the doctrinal ideas of the Institute (around page 90), they do so in an unorganized fashion. Going through this book is like searching for chicken feed in the barnyard; it is all hunt and peck. My advice to Don Veinot, Joy Veinot and Ron Henzel: carve this book down to a 100-page biblical evaluation of the seven basic life principles, then find an editor whose Christian dignity will spare us your sarcastic invectives. This book goes far to prove that Gothard’s dread of journalists is well placed. Use is made of the muck raked by Donald A. Waite, author of several attack articles on the Gothard ministry. Amazingly the Veinots and Henzel are so impressed by Waite’s abilities that they quote him at length in Chapter 1 of the book. The spirit of men like Waite seems to embolden the authors to compare Gothard to the fictitious Charles Foster Kane of the film Citizen Kane, or to the man behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz or to the char•

M A Y

2 0 0 3

G O T H A R D I S M

E VA L U AT E D

ings and Gothard’s political activism run contrary to the pilgrim calling of the saint, but somehow Gothard has these contradictions reconciled in his own mind. But Don and Joy Veinot and Ron Henzel only pity the old fundamentalism, it seems, and instead embrace the new evangelicalism espoused by its advocates like Harold John Ockenga. Bill Gothard and the Institute of Basic Life Principles are like so many other passing phenomena in the Church. He arose in a critical time and stated vital things. What he did say was powerful at the time, but it needed then—and still needs to be—balanced out by other biblical truths. Certainly what is taught by the Institute cannot be the total answer. Some seem to pin all their spirituality on the integrity of Bill Gothard and his Institute. Those who do so are being set up for failure, since only one Man will never disappoint us. Gothardites often appear cultic in their unswerving loyalty to a man and his ministry. Wandering from church to church, they wonder why they are not under authority and can’t seem to resolve conflicts—when the big topic of Gothard’s Institute is how to get “under authority” and how to resolve conflicts. They keep going back for more Gothard teaching, convinced that they didn’t sufficiently engraft the new insights of authority and resolving conflicts. They cannot believe that the problem could be with the inadequacies of the Institute. Our advice to all present and past Gothard listeners is to eat the orange, but spit out the seeds. In the words of Paul, “prove all things, hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). Be sure your eyes are fixed on the Lord Jesus, thus laying claim to the secret of the life that pleases God:

acter Napoleon in Orwell’s Animal Farm. These are ridiculous and juvenile comparisons. All that said, the authors do have legitimate concerns, but they fail in their purpose to express them by their insulting manner. And why this failing? I wonder if it is because they are so out of sympathy with Gothard’s own legitimate concerns with the moral condition of the Christian world. This seems to be evident from their slender praise of Gothard and their shovel loads of blame. The authors have little good to say about Gothard’s encouragement of parental involvement in rearing, education, and courtship. They have little good to say about Gothard’s encouragement to use the Bible practically to solve the dilemmas of life, and to meditate on the Word of God. They have little to say about Gothard’s encouragement to make restitution for past wrongs. Whatever good there might possibly be in Bill Gothard’s ministry, these authors can only measure it in teaspoonsful. What the authors miss is that Bill Gothard just might be a true brother in Christ, and there might be some good gained from some of the Bible teaching he has given. Most of the 2.5 million Basic Seminar attendees have not become glassy-eyed automatons. How many young believers have gone to one of Gothard’s basic seminars, picked up on some practical exhortations, and have gone home rejoicing? Most do not offer their firstborn son to the Institute, or buy into Gothard’s extensive formulaic how-to programs. Bill Gothard comes from the old fundamentalist, dispensational stance with the circa World War II dress codes, and the heavy Keswick deeper life emphasis which men like V. Raymond Edman encouraged at Wheaton College. Gothard’s vocabulary is akin to the inscrutable hyper-spirituality of Oswald Chambers. It is true that Gothard has a convulsive reaction to the Scofield and Chafer dispensationalism that tended to diminish the teaching of the Lord Jesus in the Gospels, and to sharply separate the requirements of the Old Testament law from “the gospel of the grace of God.” Gothard has a legitimate concern about the entrenched antinomianism of many evangelicals. He is still a fundamentalist who believes in personal holiness and a life of self-denial, characteristic of those who hold to a belief in the pilgrim calling of the Church on earth. For instance he still holds to the imminent return of Christ for His Church before the Tribulation period. Of course, the Institute’s enormous real estate hold-

In [Him] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power (Col. 2:3-10). •

M A Y

2 0 0 3

All About the Second Coming Herbert Lockyer

The Rapture Question, Revised Edition X-3342

John F.Walvoord

X-1515

Lockyer writes, The doctrine of the Second Coming is one of the most abused in history. His remedy is a detailed study of Revelation. 241 pgs. Paper RETAIL $14.99 US $22.99 CDN

Examines four views of the church's role in the tribulation: partial pre-tribulationism, mid-tribulationism, and post-tribulationism. 304 pgs. Paper RETAIL $12.99 US $19.99 CDN

SALE $13.88US

SALE $11.88US

$20.88CDN

Dictionary of Premillennial Theology Mal Couch, Editor

Revelation: The Coming King X-3511

More than fifty-six scholars of premillennial theology combine their expertise to present a reference tool for defining historical and topical entries. 442 pgs. Cloth RETAIL $25.99 US $39.99 CDN

SALE $23.88US

$17.88CDN

R. E. Harlow

X-0888

Much of Scripture cannot be understood without the book of the Revelation. Harlow opens it in a way that any believer can understand. 128 pgs. Paper RETAIL $6.99 US $10.99 CDN

SALE $5.88US

$8.88CDN

$36.88CDN

First the Rapture

Visions of Zechariah and the Burdens of the Lord

J. F. Strombeck

X-7776

A thoroughly reverent, scriptural examination of whether or not the rapture will come before the great tribulation. 198 pgs. Paper RETAIL $11.99 US $18.99 CDN

SALE $8.88US

$13.88CDN

Leslie Grant

SALE $6.88US

Heaven: Better by Far X-9725

Here is a rare digest of biblical insights into the timeless topic of heaven, the final work of one who prepared himself for a nearly a century for the day he would experience how heaven is better by far. 154 pgs. Paper RETAIL $10.99 US $16.99 CDN

SALE $9.88US

Maranatha–Our Lord Come Renald Showers

$14.88CDN X-0223

A definitive study of the rapture of the Church that will enrich your knowledge of the Word and enliven your expectancy for His return. 288 pgs. Cloth RETAIL $16.99 US $26.99 CDN

SALE $14.88US

$22.88CDN X-MOL

SALE $10.88US

$18.99 CDN

$16.88CDN

David Baron

X-20903

This exceptional work has been called "the best available book on the subject." Zechariah's focus is on the Person and mission of the Messiah, plus the events surrounding the last days. 568 pgs. Paper RETAIL $22.99 US $35.99 CDN

SALE $19.88US

$30.88CDN

Zechariah: Israel's Messenger of the Messiah's Triumph Fred Hartman

X-0185

Throughout the text of Zechariah, there are compelling, practical lessons for today in living godly lives amid torrents of evil in these last days. 142 pgs. RETAIL $8.99 US $13.99 CDN

SALE $7.88US

$11.88CDN

Prophet of Hope: Studies in Zechariah

Pre-Wrath Rapture Answered Lee Brainard

$10.88CDN

Zechariah: Commentary on his visions & prophecies

J. Oswald Sanders

Also in paperback RETAIL $11.99 US

X-2154

This is the most contemporary of the writers on the prophetic book of Zechariah. It includes both interpretation and application in a succinct format. 115 pgs. Paper RETAIL $7.99 US $11.99 CDN

B-178X

F. B. Meyer

X-728X

This fascinating study of the day of the Lord is the most thorough answer to the pre-wrath rapture theory to appear to date. 256 pgs. Paper RETAIL $17.99 US $27.99 CDN

Gives the important features and lessons, with the object of alluring the Bible student to a deeper acquaintance with this prophet. 128 pgs. Paper RETAIL $8.99 US $13.99 CDN

SALE $15.88US

SALE $7.88US

$24.88CDN

$11.88CDN

TRUE DISCIPLESHIP by William MacDonald This book clearly explains the principles of New Testament discipleship, which really defines true Christianity—an all-out commitment to Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing less than unconditional surrender could ever be a fitting response to His sacrifice at Calvary. Included also are “Where is Your Treasure?”, “Lord, Break Me”, and a now also includes a Study Guide. 208 pgs. Paperback B-1917 RETAIL $6.99US SALE $5.88US RETAIL $10.99CDN SALE $8.88CDN

g GOSPEL FOLIO PRESS By Mail: 304 Killaly St. West, Port Colborne, ON L3K 6A6 Canada By Phone: 905-835-9166 Toll-Free: 800-952-2382 Fax: 905-834-0012 E-mail: orders@gospelfolio.com (Applicable taxes, shipping and handling are additional. Sale prices are in effect until July 31, 2003)

UPLOOK

Alas! when Messiah, the Saviour appointed, In meekness and lowliness stooped to thy need, Thy hatred was spent on Jehovah’s Anointed, But love, strong as death, is still mighty to plead. Oh, say, dost thou e’er in thy exile remember The Lord who alone thy salvation can be? His mercies abide, His compassions are tender, HE WEPT O’ER JERUSALEM, WEPT OVER THEE. Ah, tremble! yet hope! for His tears are recorded; Ah, weep! yet rejoice! for His blood hath been shed; Yes, pardon and peace shall be freely accorded To her, who hath curses and wrath on her head. Thine eyes shall behold Him, the conquering Lion! Thine eyes shall behold Him, the Lamb that was slain! Thy hand that once pierced Him, O daughter of Zion SHALL CROWN HIM WITH JOY AT HIS COMING AGAIN! Quoted without credit in “Surely I Come Quickly” by George Hucklesby

“To you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2).