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People of The Living God |
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June 2019
WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS
SANITY IN THE CHURCH
Curtis Dickinson
It was said of Jesus that He had a demon, that He was beside Himself. In other words, He was insane. Paul was accused of being mad. His learning, according to Festus, had driven him insane (Mark 3:21,22; Acts 26:24).
Jesus warned that His disciples, if they truly followed Him, would be treated with hatred and scorn and falsely accused. The world sees godliness as insanity. Parents who uphold the rights of their children against the secular teaching of evolution, sex education or values clarification are held up to ridicule as paranoid and superstitious. God’s wisdom continues to appear as foolishness in the eyes of men (I Cor. 1:21-23).
The teachings of Christ are accepted as generally worthy in principle, but not to be taken literally. Surely no one is expected to turn the other cheek! And to forgive 490 times the same offense? Who would turn his back on worldly acclaim and give up prestige and power among men in order to be a servant?
The church cites the teachings of Jesus, but in practice agrees with this worldly view. Success is whatever the business and professional world champion says it is. The successful church is the one boasting of the biggest crowds and a multimillion-dollar structure where the stars of TV and Las Vegas feel at home.
In the words of Bernard Iddings Bell: “There is small expectance then that those who belong to the Church will be able to set this reeling civilization of ours right side up and then steady it. The Church and its people too largely conform, uncritically conform, almost automatically, conform to the compulsions of current culture…the world, hurtling on toward political, economic, psychic catastrophe, is not going to be saved, if it is saved at all, by the Church if the Church remains an uncommitted host of politely respectable people, willing to be led by professional ecclesiastics whose methods of promotion and administration are just about as worldly as those of the sick society they say they wish to reform but which, as a matter of fact, deforms them almost as easily as it deforms everybody else. If the Church is to help in restoring the world to moral sanity, there must first be revolt and recovery of moral sanity within the Church.” (quoted from a speech by George C. Roche III of Hillsdale College on October 4, 1981).
The Church has lost its witness to the world precisely because it seeks the world’s approval. We have seen how the Church that confronts the world suffers, and we have no stomach for suffering. Peter followed Jesus into the courtyard, but when he saw the awesome powers aligned against him, he left Jesus and joined the throng around the fire. The Church finds comfort around the fire, from which it can safely denounce abortion and communism. But don’t say anything about usury; we’ve got to sell those bonds, you know.
We follow Jesus to church to sing hymns of praise to His name, but how many follow Him to the poor, the destitute, the prison? Inside the church house there may be a strong sense of commitment and conviction that this is the body of God’s people who stand for truth and holiness against all deception and evil, but when dispensed into the world, the commitment loses its edge. To take a stand against all the deception being presented in the media, and even in religious circles, is to be branded as mad, or at least radical and fanatic. It is one thing to sing hymns about God’s mercy and grace to a lost and condemned world, but it is quite another to forgive the guilty and to speak to affluent and sophisticated men and women about sin, judgment and salvation.
Well, what are we to do? For one thing, we must be willing to break the barriers of traditional thought and begin thinking for ourselves in terms of Christ’s own words and example.
Christians are in the habit of identifying with movements, groups, leaders, denominations and theological systems, almost anything except identifying with Christ! Not one of these systems has a corner on the truth. Christ said it is the truth that sets free, but truth that has to be filtered through any sect or movement or system is defective and powerless. We must be willing to wear the stigma of religious madness, as Paul did, in order to stand free of all human tradition and opinion and let the word of God work His power in our own lives and reach others.
Second, loyalty to the Kingdom of God must take precedence over all other connections. This is not to say that we have no responsibility to the world or in the world. It means that we take our responsibility seriously, because our first responsibility is to tell the world about Christ, His death and resurrection, and their meaning. It is this and only this, which can establish moral, spiritual and social values.
Christians working in organizations advocating moral and political values often must conform to the world of that organization, because its unbelieving members certainly will not conform to Christ. For example, in one such meeting I attended, half of the time was spent in considering how to take advantage of inflation and grow rich while the other half was largely spent in honoring certain persons for their worldly and political exploits. Christians present were being pressed into the world’s culture with no opportunity to witness for Christ. Perhaps this is the worst temptation, to follow the ways of the world in order to establish the order of Christ! But it neutralizes the Christian witness and, therefore, defeats it.
Third, we must return to a view of life as seen in the New Covenant Scriptures. Life is of value only in relation to God. The world is anxious to purchase security at any cost. The major issue of the day is security; how to secure ourselves against economic problems or sickness, or any other kind of loss. The Church has become more concerned with material and physical security than with faith and righteousness. Jesus said, “Whosoever would save his life shall lose it, and whosoever would lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35). Church leaders, preachers, and teachers must return to the faith that says, “I count all (the human and worldly things and attainments) as refuse…that I may gain Christ,” the kind of faith that rejoices in suffering and persecution, that leads one to stand firm with Christ when everyone else takes another course, the faith that looks only to the Lord and not to any system or ecclesiastical body.
Life is of value only if it is considered so in the eyes of God. To save our lives for enjoyment in this world not only will bring failure and emptiness, but it is a sure way of losing life in the world to come.
To adopt such an attitude toward life is foolishness to men, and anyone who does so is considered a bit insane. But if we believe that Christ died and rose again to “redeem us from this present evil world” and give us eternal life in the next, we see it as the only sane way.
Our nation is noted for a great variety of sin and wickedness. Yet, nowhere else in the world are there so many churches and so large a percentage of people professing to be Christian. How can it be? Because Christians, to a large extent, conform to the world. We have escaped the stigma of fanaticism and insanity. But in doing so, we have also missed the joy of bearing light and sprinkling the distinctive flavor of salt into the lives of others that they may be transformed.
If we really mean business, if we actually believe the church to be the remnant that will populate the new creation for eternity, if we believe Christ is Who He said He is, then true sanity is to abandon all that stands in the way of full obedience to Him. Nothing can rob us of security. Christ is our security. Nothing can take away our lives. They are given to Him, already. To return to Christ, truth and faith may be madness to the world, but it is the way of sanity in the Church.
REVIVAL
Alfred King
As many Christians throughout America and the world are sensing a need for revival and are praying and seeking for a return of the glory and power of God to rest again upon His church, it seems that the better we understand what revival means, this understanding will aid us in our quest for the genuine revival of God. The type of revival that is necessary is not merely a revival that affects a few souls in a particular locale (although this is good and should never be undervalued), but a revival that will sweep America from coast to coast and spread from its shores to all the nations around the world. We read in scripture that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which fell upon the early church turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). History records a few revivals which changed nations, and its glory crossed the seas as people were transformed by the power of God. I don’t know if there has ever been a greater need for revival than there is in our world today. The problems that face our nation, as well as all other nations, are beyond the help of men; it will take a work of God to straighten out the mess men have created in America and around the world. Sin is running rampant and unrestrained as men and women are more and more enslaved by sin’s power. While these things are disturbing, we are not without hope, for God is still on the throne; He is sovereign and He hears the cry of His people and responds to their intercession.
Searching for a good definition for revival, I found this definition from a site on the internet called “Got Questions.” “Revival refers to a spiritual reawakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer. It encompasses the resurfacing of a love for God, an appreciation of God's holiness, a passion for His Word and His church, a convicting awareness of personal and corporate sin, a spirit of humility, and a desire for repentance and growth in righteousness. Revival invigorates and sometimes deepens a believer's faith, opening his or her eyes to the truth in a fresh, new way. It generally involves the connotation of a fresh start with a clean slate, marking a new beginning of a life lived in obedience to God. Revival breaks the charm and power of the world, which blinds the eyes of men, and generates both the will and power to live in the world but not of the world.” The only part of this definition I don’t agree with is the inserting of the word “sometimes” in the sentence, “Revival invigorates and (sometimes)”. Revival invigorates and (always) deepens a believer’s faith, etc. All of the things listed here are the ramifications of a true, God inspired revival.
Revival From What?
Sin is a powerful force. Once it gains control of a person, he is unable to free himself from its fetters. But sin is not always seen for what it is; men are blindsided by the world, the lusts of their own hearts, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (I John 2:16). Those of the world emphasize the necessity of what the world has to offer and the happiness it can offer, and men gullibly fall into the snare of the enemy of their souls. Little do men understand that many times those things which they think will make them happy are the very things that steal away happiness and enslave them. We purchase a new home and are so excited and happy. But within a few years, we find the carpet is stained so we put in new hardwood flooring. Then the kitchen sink begins to leak and floods the kitchen and we have to call a plumber to repair the pipes. The roof soon begins to leak, the outside trim needs painting, the driveway starts to crack and sink, the basement begins to mold. Because the utility bills are so high the windows need to be updated to make the home more energy efficient, some of the bushes die in the front yard and need to be replaced, and the list goes on and on. So what do we do? We begin to run faster and faster in our little hamster wheel, churning out the dollars to keep the house from falling down around us. We are in a rat race and, all too often, God falls behind in our devotion as our time is spent trying to maintain all our worldly possessions. I could go on and on about our vehicles, our boats, campers, ATV’s, motorcycles, and all the gear required for hunting, fishing, skiing, football, baseball, tennis, soccer, along with the latest Apple phone and tablet. Each year our vacations have to be better than the year before. And don’t forget we have to have Netflix, Xfinity, cable or Satellite, and we must keep up with the Jones’ by getting several tattoos, jewelry, the latest fashion in clothing, shoes, purses, hair styles, etc.
None of these things may be wrong in themselves, but they tend to take up much of our time and can captivate our hearts so that we drift away from the devotion and love we once had for God. In Revelation, chapters two and three, Jesus commands John the beloved to write letters to the seven churches which were, at that time, in Asia. To six of the churches, He commends them for what good exists in their midst. However, to the church in Laodicea, He has nothing good to say about them. To five of the churches, He specifically spells out some problems that must be addressed or they will suffer complete loss. While these letters were sent to those seven churches, the message they contain are worth considering seriously, because those same faults exist in our churches in the 21st century. (I do not in any way want to leave the impression that People of the Living God is an exception, for we, too, have need of revival.) I would like to consider briefly the faults which existed in these seven churches and see how they apply to our modern churches in order that we might begin to repent and call out to God for revival.
The Letter To The Church In Pergamos
I want to begin with the letter to the church in Pergamos and refer to the problem in Ephesus last. The second letter was to Smyrna, to whom nothing was written of a negative nature. The problems mentioned to Pergamos were two things: 1) There were among them those who held the doctrine of Balaam and: 2) The doctrine of the Nicolaitans.
The doctrine of Balaam, stated in Rev. 2:14, was that he cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel. A stumbling block is intended to cause one to fall down. The account of Balaam is found in Numbers, chapters 22, 23, and 24. Balak, king of the Moabites, was afraid of Israel because he saw how God had fought for Israel. He called upon a man named Balaam to come to the battle field and curse Israel. It appears that Balaam was once a true prophet of God but had begun to barter the gifts he had received from God for his own gain, therefore, God departed from him. Balaam knew how to use enchantments to gain certain power in the spiritual world. Balaam accepted Balak’s offer to curse Israel. He tried three times to curse Israel, but God would not allow him to do so. Instead, each time Balaam tried to curse God’s people, he blessed them instead. Of course this made Balak extremely angry. After Balaam saw that God would not allow him to curse Israel, he told Balak how he (Balak) could get God to bring judgment upon Israel. The stumbling block was to send beautiful women in among the men of Israel who would seduce them to commit fornication. God then would judge Israel. Unfortunately for Israel, Balaam’s scheme worked, the men fell into fornication and God’s judgment fell upon Israel.
The question which arises is: In what manner are stumbling blocks cast before Christians in today’s churches? As the moral decadence has exploded in our modern world, that moral decline has gradually infiltrated Christian churches. A recent example is with the United Methodist Church (UMC), the largest protestant church in the world. According to an article written by Jeremy Steele in the February 26th issue of Christianity Today, it appears the proposition to allow LGBT members to become bishops and minister within the church, failed to pass, mainly because of the votes of those from Africa. That implies that the American UMC would have allowed LGBT members to become ministers in their pulpits. As I read this article (along with several others) it appeared to me that the UMC was not using scripture as the foundation upon which their decision was made. Instead, the focus was placed upon their church creeds and traditions. In critical issues such as UMC is facing, it does not matter what men think, say, promote, or push; what matters is what does the word of God say. (That’s for another article though.)
Where is the stumbling block? The stumbling block is anything which is brought in among God’s people which causes them to veer from the truths contained in scripture. All forms of fornication are strictly forbidden in scripture. It doesn’t matter if it’s premarital sex (whether it be a man and woman or any other combination of persons), “shacking up,” adultery, and to be more scripturally accurate, even looking at one of the opposite sex lustfully, is sin. For years the Christian church has succumbed to the pressures of a worldly and immoral society to dictate who should be accepted, promoted, and set as leaders and pastors in our churches. The world has absolutely no say in what Christians are to accept, who are to become members, or who should be made pastors. Only God has that authority. Not even America’s congress or President has that authority. Ancient Rome did not have authority over Christians, and that is why many Christians in the first couple of centuries AD were martyred, imprisoned, and tortured. And it is why many communist countries and nations with dictators still persecute, torture, and kill Christians around the world today. True Christians, true lovers of Christ, will not be dictated to by the world nor the world’s governments. They will be governed only by God’s word.
The doctrines of Balaam still exist today in our churches, and that is just one reason why the Christian church of the twenty-first century needs a revival.
The doctrine of the Nicolaitans teaches that the leaders, pastors, prophets, deacons, etc. are above the people, that God loves them more, they are more spiritual, etc. and, therefore, they should be exalted above the people. This is false. God loves all His children the same. Leaders, pastors, prophets, etc. should be respected in their position, but they are not to be exalted or worshipped, for they are men of like passions and they are not always right; they make mistakes. The Catholic Church is a prime example of hierarchy in a church. From the Pope down many of these men were and are a disgrace to the office they claim, yet they not only allow, but encourage the masses to bow to them, to exalt them, and they set themselves far above the common members of the church. Jesus never exalted Himself, rather reached out to the poor, the blind, the lame, the children, the widows, and even to prostitutes and those possessed with evil spirits. And Jesus is our Example.
The Letter To The Church At Thyatira
The letter to this church in Thyatira addressed the problem of allowing Jezebel to teach and seduce God’s servants. A quick glimpse of the history of this wicked woman from the book of I Kings (chapters 16-21) reveals several things which are found in today’s American churches. This woman was married to Ahab, the king of Israel. Notice what I Kings 21:25 has to say about her. “But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.” This woman stirred up trouble, stirred the pot of wickedness, and manipulated her husband to sin. Jezebel brought into the land of Israel her god, Baal, whom she worshipped and caused the Israelites to bow before.
How many Godly pastors and preachers have been controlled by their boards, the elders and deacons? How many have had to resign rather than compromise their stand for truth? How many have been manipulated by the wealthy in the church? Pastors have to either compromise their convictions or resign. No longer are they allowed to preach what God gives them to preach; they must first gain the consent of the board or the council. I have read books on how to get your church to grow, and there are all kinds of advice and suggestions, most of which are not worth the paper they are written on. We are told to refrain from preaching on sin. What do we have to preach on if we don’t preach on sin? Why did Jesus come? Why did the Father send Him to be incarnated, suffer so many things, and finally to be hung on a Roman cross? It was because of sin, and all men are sinners. If a person doesn’t know he’s a sinner, he doesn’t know he needs a Savior. If pastors don’t preach on sin, Jesus died in vain, for no purpose. How is a man to understand the value and preciousness of the cross if he doesn’t understand sin? How is a man to find that love which captivates all his heart, all his soul, all his mind, and all his strength if he doesn’t see what it cost God to save him? Why does man need to be saved? Because he is a sinner destined to eternal hell (another topic pastors are not to speak about). But let me warn every pastor, preacher, and “man of the cloth” with what Ezekiel 33:6 declares about not declaring the truth: “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.” Pastors, watch out for the Jezebels in your church!
The Letter To The Church In Sardis
In addressing the church in Sardis, Jesus states a very serious condition. He says in Revelation 3:1 “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” What is the message to this church? It is that while they think they are a living church, they feel they will be in heaven when they die, they are deceived. They should be alive but they are not. However, Jesus does not leave them without hope, for He says, “Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.” This is probably a warning for most every church in America today. Maybe there are some to whom this message does not apply, but we all need to examine our spiritual condition to be certain that we still have life. God desires to revive His church, and this is the purpose of this article; it is to encourage everyone who reads it to begin to seek God and pray for a genuine move of the Holy Spirit throughout His body. We don’t have to die; we can be revived and return to God and see His power once again in His church.
The Letter To The Church In Laodicea
This is the only church to whom Jesus has nothing good to say except, in the end, He encourages them to repent, to purchase gold tried in the fire and white raiment that they may be clothed. The fire purifies the gold and the white raiment is righteous works of God’s people. However, this church had very serious problems. They say they are rich and increased with goods and (notice this last part) have need of nothing. This cocky and haughty attitude is found in many churches, especially in those churches which promote the prosperity doctrine. Their very teachings encourage this false impression and they feel, because they gain certain prosperity, they are being blessed by God. The very idea of “seed faith” is an abomination before God. Jesus never charged people for the blessing He gave them. In fact, He lived in poverty and suffering instead of luxury and bodily comfort. But some may say, “Yes, He lived that way so we can live wealthy and healthy.” Yes, He did live that way so we can live wealthy and healthy, but it was that we live spiritually wealthy, with treasure laid up in heaven, and healthy, strong in the Lord and in His might, not necessarily in the physical body or in this sinful world. Yet this false message has millions of followers who say they are “rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing” and they do not realize that they are “wretched, and poor, and blind, and naked,” and need to buy that gold tried in the fire and white raiment to cover their nakedness.
The Letter To The Church In Ephesus
Now we return to the first letter, that to the church of Ephesus. Jesus told this church that He had something against them because they had left their first love. If one has truly been born again, he remembers that glorious transformation which took place in his heart and in his life. He was a new creation through God’s saving grace. All he wanted to do was serve and please God. However, over time most lose that “first love.” It’s not that the love completely dies out but it not as strong, not as acute, and we’re not as sensitive to it as we once were. Jesus tells this church that they left this first love. It didn’t leave them, they allowed other things to come in which diminished and tamed that original fire of love. The way Jesus states this shows that we didn’t have to leave it. We could have held on to it and kept the fire burning fervently. So His encouragement to us today is that we do the first works and kindle that original flame. It is possible to do so by the grace of God. If we return to this first love and have it burning in our hearts, it will enable us to overcome all the other problems we have pointed out in the other letters to the churches. Paul tells us in Romans 13:10 that love is the fulfilling of the law. Jesus put it this way in Matt. 22:37-40: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” He also said in John 14:23 “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” The truth is that if a man is filled with a love for God, he will obey Him and stand firm in his faith for God’s glory. This is why returning to our first love is so vital to us personally and to the church collectively.
Revival Is Coming
In the book of Joel, we find in the first chapter that God allowed Israel’s enemies to come against them. Those enemies were famine, various insects which had eaten their crops, and war with other nations. Israel was desolate. This was brought upon them because Israel had turned from God and served idols, committed fornication, and other abominations which turned their hearts away from God. However, in chapter two of Joel, God promises to restore the wasted years and to bring a revival to the land. He affirmed that He would cause the rain to come and promised to sweep away the armies which had gathered against Israel. While these prophecies had an application for their day, it is vital that we realize that the heart of this prophecy is for those living under the New Covenant. We see this partially fulfilled in Acts 2:16-18, “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.” Many teach that this was the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, but it is only a partial fulfillment, for not all that Joel prophesied was fulfilled at that time. Notice the rest of Joel’s prophecy which Peter quotes in Acts 2:19-21: “And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
That which took place in Jerusalem and recorded in the book of Acts was the first rain. There is to be a latter rain that will fall just prier to Jesus’ return. The prophet Haggai was shown that the glory of the latter house would be greater than that of the former (Hag. 2:9). This prophecy has two applications. One is that the New Covenant, which is secured through the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, is far superior to the Old Covenant which was established through the blood of bulls and goats. This latter “house” includes all men, races, nations, and people, while the first “house” was established between God and Israel. Haggai’s prophecy also refers to the glory which will fall upon God’s church just before He returns in power and great glory. Before He returns, the church must be made beautiful and glorious, adorned with white robes, free from any spot or wrinkle, and this church will be presented to Jesus Christ as His bride. The power and grace that will bring about this glorious church will be greater than even that which was demonstrated at Pentecost.
But for Christians to sit back and merely trust that God will bring it to pass with no effort or concern on our part is foolish. Daniel read the promise given by Jeremiah that after seventy years of captivity, God would build again Jerusalem and bring His people back to their land. Daniel did not just accept it as done, he read in the book of Jeremiah and he set himself to seek his God. He prayed, sought God, and fasted with sackcloth and ashes that God would build again the temple in Jerusalem. He prayed earnestly that God would free His people from Babylon’s hold and take them again into the land of promise. God honored Daniel with many revelations of the end times, and those revelations unveil some of the events of the last days. Restoration is one of the promises that await God’s people, but let us not be complacent; rather let us diligently seek God and pray for revival so that God will once again rend the heavens and come down as He has done in the past. May He descend upon His people with the glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit and fill His church to overflowing. Let not the church be content to wade in ankle deep water, nor even knee deep or waist deep water, but let us launch out into the waters to swim in, into that river that cannot be crossed over and be moved and controlled by the Spirit of God. May God awaken His people to the glories He has in store for them and that His church be ready to meet Him when He returns.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOICES
Alfred King
“Choice involves decision making. It can include judging the merits of multiple options and selecting one or more of them. One can make a choice between imagined options or between real options followed by the corresponding action” (Wikipedia, the Free Dictionary). We all make choices every day. Some choices are incidental, such as what to wear on a particular day or what to eat for breakfast. Many decisions are much more important, like whether I should skip my morning coffee because I’m running late for work. (That might however, cause problems later on.) Seriously, though, choices we make vary from minor choices to extremely, life-changing choices. Life-changing choices can be things like who to marry, what career to pursue, whether to join the military, etc. Some people make choices easily, almost flippantly while others struggle to make even the simplest decision. Some choices require no contemplation at all, such as whether to pick up your check on payday. That’s not too difficult a choice to make. Choices are a part of everyday life and we make most of them with little thought.
When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, the serpent came to Eve, tempting her to partake of the forbidden fruit. Eve had a choice to make. The serpent convinced her that she would be as the gods, knowing both good and evil, and that she would not actually die. Eve was deceived by the serpent and partook of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, transgressing God’s command. Her choice brought condemnation upon the whole human race. While some choices are negligible, others have grave consequences, and though Eve (along with Adam) had no idea of the repercussions of her choice, the world became a very different place by one choice. The desire to “be as the gods,” that desire which persuaded her to make that fatal choice, accomplished exactly the opposite of what she desired, for she was more like God, being made in His image, before the fall. Now, however, she was cut off from God and died spiritually that very day.
Satan works this way. He convinces men that if they obtain this or that in this world, they will be happy, contented, and live peaceful and prosperous lives. Yet he is the great deceiver. When Cain offered a sacrifice to God from his garden, it was rejected by God. Scripture tells us that Cain was angry and his countenance fell. Let’s read part of this account in Genesis 4:5-7: “But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” God told Cain that if he would offer the proper sacrifice, God would accept his offering. Cain had a choice to make. Sadly, Cain refused God’s admonition and chose to deal with the issue his own way. His anger, jealousy, self-righteousness prevented him from making a wise decision. He made a very foolish decision and slew his brother Abel. God gave Cain a choice and gave him some wise advice. (I say advice because God did not force Cain to slay his brother, God allowed Cain to choose the path he would take.)
We have another account of a man who made a foolish choice recorded in II Kings 8:9-15. In this account, Benhadad, king of Syria was sick and when he heard that Elisha was in the area, he sent his servant Hazael to Elisha, asking Elisha if he was going to die because of his sickness. Hazael brought to Elisha Benhadad’s request and Elisha told Hazael that the king would recover from his sickness. But then he added, “howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die.” Let’s read this account in II Kings 8:9-11. “So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die. And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.” The answer Elisha gave Hazael was very strange, for it seemed contradictory. But Elisha saw something by the Spirit of God that no doubt was unexpected and extremely disturbing, causing Elisha such deep grief that he could not restrain his emotions; he began to weep.
Hazael was confused and asked Elisha why he wept. Continue in II Kings 8:12-13, “And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child. And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The Lord hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.” Elisha had reason to weep, for he saw what many in Israel would suffer because of this man, Hazael. In the next two verses, we read that Hazael returned to Benhadad, killed him and Hazael reigned in Syria and sadly, Israel suffered at his hand just as Elisha had prophesied.
However, we are considering choices. Since the prophecy was given by Elisha, did Hazael have a choice to make? Was he destined to fulfil the prophecy given; was he left without any choice? This is an interesting question. However, according to I Cor. 13:8-9 prophecies can and do, at times, fail. “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.” What never fails is God’s love. There are two types of prophecies, absolute and conditional. A good example of a conditional prophecy is the prophecy of Jonah. He prophesied, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4). Yet if we read the account in Jonah, we find that Nineveh was spared. Why did Jonah’s prophecy fail? Because the people of Nineveh made a choice, repented and cried out to God for mercy. God heard their cry and spared the city. Jonah was not a false prophet; his prophecy was conditional.
Absolute prophesies are certain. They will come to pass and nothing can change it. Prophesies concerning Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection are examples of absolute prophesies. God foreordained certain things and nothing can or will alter them. Jesus’ second coming is certain and sure. The manner of His coming will be exactly as scripture reveals them. Nothing can change the prophecies regarding His second coming. Therefore, we understand that even though a prophecy is given, some of them can be diverted or cancelled.
Returning to our particular case at hand, we find Elisha weeping over what God had revealed to him of the carnage which Hazael would bring upon Israel. A question then arises at this point: Could Hazael have caused this prophesy to fail? Could he have fallen down before Elisha and prayed and asked God to change his evil heart, to beg for God’s mercy and spare him of such evil atrocities? Could he not have asked God to take his very life rather than allow such evil to bud and blossom? Did Hazael have an opportunity to make different choices? Absolutely! When he stands before God’s judgment seat, he will not be able to say he was destined to do what he did. He will not be able to blame anyone but himself. He will be more guilty than if Elisha had never revealed to him what evil he would accomplish, that which grieved Elisha so deeply. If he had gone away ignorant of the future, he would be less guilty than he was, for he had opportunity to repent and call upon God for mercy and did not. Great will be his judgment.
This brings us to where we need to look at ourselves. The Bible is filled with God’s will for us, His commands to us, His instructions for our benefit that we might make good choices. God clearly reveals His love for us in scripture and in many other ways. The greatest way is the offering of His only Son to die upon a Roman cross to bear our sins. What love is this? What mercy is this? What opportunity is this that God would offer to sinful man? The opportunity to choose life, eternal life with God in the glories of heaven. We have choices to make. As we read God’s word, we find there are many choices which we must make, but God gives us instruction and admonition to help us make the right choices. We have the ability to choose to walk with God each day. We have the privilege to abide by God’s instructions (the wise choice) or reject them (a foolish choice). When scripture states, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways” we have a choice to make. If Jesus says, “turn the other cheek,” we have a choice to make. If scripture informs us that the broad way leads to destruction and the narrow way leads to life, we have a choice to make.
Read God’s word: That’s a choice, and as you read it, make the choices that will prepare you to hear those blessed and ever coveted words, “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
NOTE TO OUR READERS
My wife and I recently drove over to Bishopville, SC, for the parole hearing of Brother Jimmy Windham. I had promised Brother Jimmy I would be there, God willing. It was so great to meet this brother face to face, for we have been communicating since early 2012. We began corresponding when he wrote to me after receiving The Testimony of Truth which was sent to him from a friend in Michigan (I believe). Over the years we have discussed many doctrinal issues by mail and, while we did not always agree on everything, I sensed in Brother Jimmy a very tender heart towards God and an appreciation for God’s love and mercy extended to him. God mercifully saved him shortly after being imprisoned and has been with him through the years, and he has seen God work miracles in the prisons where he has been incarcerated.
We also met Brother Jimmy’s son, Jimmy Jr. We arrived early at the prison, so we went to Waffle House and had some time to visit and get to know each other. It was such a privilege to get to know these two men and to hug Brother Jimmy’s neck. What I perceived was a very humble man, a man who truly loves God and strives to honor Him in some of the worst circumstances. I thought, while I was there in the prison, how easily I could have been right beside Brother Jimmy had not God’s hand of grace been stretched out to me. “There, but by the grace of God, go I” is a popular quote from an unknown source, which fits perfectly my case. I have learned some things from Brother Jimmy and his situation, and it makes me more grateful to our blessed Lord, Who made the way that we can be delivered out of darkness, freed from the clutches of sin, and given a life that endures throughout eternity. May God be forever glorified. Following is a letter to our readers, especially those incarcerated in America’s prisons.
A LETTER OF ENCOURAGEMENT
BY A FELLOW PRISONER
Jimmy Windham
Dear Saints of God all across this nation,
I come to speak to you today in our blessed Savior's name, for to Him, Jesus, belongs all glory, honor and praise both now and forever. He alone is Lord!
My name is Jimmy Windham SCDC #127054. I've been incarcerated now in South Carolina for nearly 35 years. Some of y’all know of me from a few articles I have written which my dear friend and pastor Bro. Al King has published in the TOT.
My main reason for writing again today is because Bro. Al told me that some of my articles have been sent to a lot of prisoners in prisons just as I am, and he thought writing to y'all is a good idea.
I finally, after over eight years, got to meet Bro. Al on Wednesday, April 24th when I went up for parole my 18th time. Bro. Al came from Tennessee to support me at my hearing. After years of hearing his voice on the phone every Sabbath (Saturday) morning, I finally can put a face to his kind voice. He always sounded like a pastor should sound, but now I told him that he also looked, to me, like a pastor should look. Meeting Bro. Al was the highlight of my day. My oldest son, Jimmy, also came to support me. We had approximately an hour or so to get acquainted and talk before we were ushered into the parole camera room to present my case to the parole board. One by one, we were allowed to talk to them about why we felt that I should be given a chance to go home to my family. I had all the necessary ingredients that are required to make parole. I had a job, a nice home at my youngest son's home, and plenty of support. My youngest son David couldn't get the day off from his job, so he was unable to be present, but Jimmy told the parole board this. We were then asked to step out so they could make their decision for or against me. Also, I meant to say that before we went into the camera room Bro. Al said a special prayer for God's favor for me.
When the parole examiner, Mr. Gainey, came out, he said, “Mr. Windham, it was a split decision, but it is a ‘No’ this time.” Folks, may I say that if you are a father or a mother and could see the pain, anguish and disappointment on your child's face as I saw on my sweet precious dear son's face, it made my knees get weak and all I could do was hold my son and say, “Don't let them win, Son, don't give up.” He's a strong man who has been through a lot of disappointments in his life, so I know he'll also overcome this, but it shouldn't have happened this way.
I know that after all these years in here, and from all the accomplishments I've obtained, and with a nearly perfect record, I should have been set free many years ago, for now it isn't justice being served on me, it has turned to revenge, and those who always oppose my being given parole are in danger of God's judgment because in God's own word He explicitly said except you forgive men their trespasses against you neither will your heavenly father forgive you your trespasses against Him. If you think that that statement I made sounded bitter, I promise you that it wasn't, for if we as Christians are going to quote and stand on God's word we mustn't simply pick out the scripture that sounds and feels good to us. We must stand on every word that proceeds out of God's mouth. I'm not trying today to exalt myself but listen, folks, I have repented in bitter tears for all my sins against God's laws, and not just for my crime in '84 that brought me to prison. ALL means ALL! So I am no longer guilty in God's eyes, but my opposers are still guilty of unforgiveness. Many of you have also repented before God's throne, but society or others still hold grudges and won't forgive you. You must do as I am doing today. First, you must repent and then you must believe that God has forgiven you and the blood of Jesus not only has washed away your sins, but has also set you free from the guilt of it all. Paul told us to not look back on our sins but to press onward toward the mark of the high calling in Christ. David asked God to not only forgive him for murder and adultery in Psalm 51 but also the guilt of the blood he shed.
I teach a class in prison in my dorm (Character Dorm) called Roommate 101. I drew up the curriculum myself because I have had every type of roommate you can name in these many years, so I know how to teach from my own experiences to these young men on how to overcome any problem that may arise when you have to live in an 8' x 12' box with someone you don't know. The motto of my class is “To every problem there is a solution.” My class grew from only 8 inmates last year to 24 this next semester. It started as a rollover class to now having to put out a signup sheet, because it has gone from an elective class to a support class to the mandatory Character 101 class. I'm not supposed to talk about religion in my class but there are ways around that: for instance, using the scripture “Be not conformed to this world but be transformed” I simply use the word “prison” instead of “this world.” So, let me encourage y'all today in prison also not to be conformed to your environment, for this, too, shall end!
If you have truly repented and have accepted Christ into your life, then prison isn't your reward, Heaven is! I'm not being punished by God or society by being in prison, I'm being transformed into a much better me. After I was rejected on parole I refused to allow my flesh to cause me to feel despair, anguish or depression. Those are by-products of fear's torment. I refused all those feelings trying to come and control me. I stood on God's word in faith that all things work together for my good and in everything to give Him thanks. Did I just acquire this method? No! I grew into it over all those years that I've had to be rejected on parole, for I've learned that it is easier to transform than to conform. Why do we try to carry around anger, worry, bitterness, and think on the things in here that we have no control over and the things we can't change? All our fleshly emotions over those things are just wasted energy when it is so sweet to just think positive. Remember, the past is also something you can't change, so why meditate on your mistakes and failures when you can set positive goals and think on how to accomplish them. Will there be adversities? Of course, there will be, for you know in prison most of those around us want us to be failures or sad or bitter just as they are. When you begin trying to be a much better you it isn't hard to find those set for failure, for you'll see Satan using them to try to stop you. But let me encourage you to press on. If you don't have someone in your life to help you become a better you, then simply do it for yourself.
Not only do I write articles in Bro. Al's church's monthly magazine, I have written my own autobiography that will soon be published and on the worldwide web. Why do I do what I do when it seems that I won't be set free? Because prison may have my body held down, but they can't stop me from writing to you and others. Every one of us who are Christians need encouragement, for we all face our different problems every day. So, it is my hope and prayer that by my steadfast faith in God and His Word that I'm talking about today, that you can find courage, comfort, and love that will help you to continue on pressing forward to the high calling in God. If you're in prison reading this article and you don't know Christ as your Savior, you surely must know the heartaches, sufferings, longings, and pains that are so severe at times. I know exactly how you feel. But I also know that you don't have to carry those things alone, for you're loved by the One that, if you were the only person alive that needed forgiveness, love, peace and strength, His Christ would have still laid down His precious life for you so that you could today give Him your problems to carry for you. My fellow prisoners in these shackles and chains, we must bind together in love and prayer, for only then will personal and societal changes come to us. Again, you don't have to carry your burdens or your cross alone for God, who is love, designed an escape for you and me before the world began. He slew a spotless Lamb, and that Lamb's life and blood is yours and my sacrifice that frees us from all our prisons, for once God's Son sets you free, you are free indeed. God bless you all in Jesus name. Look up, for our redemption from this corrupt body into a new heavenly body draws near.
Pray for me also,
I remain, a prisoner of Jesus Christ
Jimmy Windham
Editor’s note: Brother Jimmy’s Book is now available.
The policy of People of the Living God has always been that we do not ask for donations nor do we sell books, literature, CD’s, DVD’s or any other item through our publication, we offer everything we have free of charge. We trust God to provide and He has always been very faithful. However, Brother Jimmy Windham wrote a book a few years back that we have been working on, along with Sister Becky Britton Volz and Sister Noella Thomas at Bill Britton Ministries located in St. Louis, MO. About a year ago, we asked in “The Testimony of Truth” for donations help get Brother Jimmy’s book published and there were several who contributed to this project. It is because of those donations that the book has finally been completed and printed. It is our hope that this book entitled, “A Prisoner of Jesus Christ” will be available for purchase on line shortly. People of the Living God has ordered several books that we will send out to any who desire to have one for a donation of $10 per book.
The book is about Jimmy’s life as a child and how he ended up being sentenced to a life in prison. It also tells how God changed his life and has been with him throughout his incarceration. The proceeds of this book are to be used to supply some funds to further Brother Jimmy’s desire is to minister to those in prisons where he feels he can have a more effective ministry because he is experiencing the same things that they are. This is all in God’s hands and Brother Jimmy has submitted himself to God’s service, wherever that may be. Any of our readers who wish to obtain a book can send a donation to People of the Living God and the profit from the book will all go to Brother Jimmy for his needs. The book can also be purchased online once it has been processed. It is in the works to have it also available as an e-book. That will probably be a little later on. The book is a paperback book and contains a little over 200 pages. Brother Jimmy wants to thank those who have supported him through prayers, letters, and encouragement and also for those who helped him get this book published.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Alfred King
“Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified” (Mark 15:6-15).
As we read through the events leading up to our Lord’s death, it is puzzling, even astonishing, to see how quickly the multitudes changed their view of Jesus in so few days. Just six days earlier as Jesus had come into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, the people spread their garments and laid palm branches before Him, shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the Highest” (Matt. 21:9). What had happened that such an extreme change of mind and heart could occur in so few days? Were they such a people that were “like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed”? Were they some of the “double minded” James referred to who were “unstable in all their ways” (James 1:8)?
What were some of the events that took place that caused such a radical change of perspective in the eyes of the people? Was it the display of holy wrath that came upon Jesus when He walked into the temple and saw afresh the buying and selling, the merchandizing of holy things? Was it hypocrisy, the unjust dealings of the sellers as they stole from the poor, all in the name of Jehovah? Should such a demonstration, however necessary, have taken place in the temple of God? We all have certain ideas of what is considered “reverent” in the church and when things get out of that area of reverence, we become alarmed and are ready to defend the holiness and respect we desire to see in the house of God.
There were many events which transpired between the time Jesus entered Jerusalem and the time when Pilate took Him before the people, desiring to release Him. All the religious sects in Jerusalem, for once, united and they united against Jesus. The Pharisees had continually harassed Him, threatened Him, and attempted to destroy Him on several occasions and were unsuccessful. The Sadducees equally desired to have Him silenced. The Herodians, who were strong supporters of Herod and the Zealots, had joined hands with the Pharisees and the Sadducees to form one alliance against God’s only Son. The religious world desired Jesus crucified while the sinful Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, desired to release Him. How strange that the chosen race, loved by God, would reject their Messiah, wanting Him crucified, while the Roman governor desired to set Him free.
In those few days preceding His death, Jesus had laid bare the sore which plagued Israel. His words cut deeply into their hypocrisy and exposed the vile and filthy poison which penetrated so deeply into their hearts, so deep that it was certain to bring forth death. Jesus, in tough love, spoke bare and uncompromised truth, hoping to awaken some to the debauchery of their own hearts. In Matthew 23, Jesus holds nothing back, but slices deeply into the very core of the rottenness, the putrid evil which was bringing eternal death to their souls. Perhaps, the unvarnished truth would be the medicine that would penetrate the heart and expose the poison and bring healing to souls bound to an eternal hell.
But what about the people, the multitudes who had exalted Him only days before? What effect was all this having upon them? There is one account found in Matthew 22 that seems to me to have been a major turning point for many. It is found in verses 15-22. The religious leaders had once again come to Jesus in an attempt to entrap Him with His words. In this account, they first flattered Him and then asked a question concerning paying tribute to Caesar or not. The dilemma which this question brought to the table was that it was asked in the midst of a multitude of people with mixed opinions and convictions. The Jewish people were divided over this issue. Some thought that they should give only to God and, to give to their enemies, was compromise at best and treasonous at worse. Others felt they were left without any real option and since God had allowed Rome to govern them, then tribute should be paid to Rome. Certainly, every ear was attentive, desiring to hear the answer of this man who claimed to be God’s Son, the Messiah.
Not only were the common people gathered at this occasion, but the Pharisees, Sadducees, the Herodians, and the Zealots were all present. What answer could Jesus give that would pacify all present? What answer could He give which would not be self-incriminating by at least one group? When these men had left their council chambers with this question, they felt smug in their brilliant intelligence, for they were confident they had Jesus cornered and there was no way out. If Jesus encouraged His listeners to refuse to pay tribute, the Herodians would have rushed to inform Herod of Jesus’ rebellion against Caesar. Herod was promoted by Caesar and they were good friends. Surely, refusal to pay tribute to Caesar would be considered insurrection and Rome would condemn Jesus to death. If Jesus told the people to pay tribute to Rome, it was in conflict with the Sanhedrin and He would be required to answer to them. And such an answer would have spurred the Zealots to take up arms and war against Rome. Yet Jesus’ command to no longer pay tribute would give hope to this multitude that their deliverance from Rome’s dominion was near and that this truly was the promised Messiah.
Scripture tells us that Jesus “perceived their wickedness” and responded by saying, “Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?” (Matt 22:18) He then asks for a penny, which had Caesar’s superscription on it. After examining the coin, He replied, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's” (Matt 22:21). This reply was that which only divine intelligence would provide, for it left all those listening, speechless. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11:33)
As amazing as Jesus’ answer was, yet it left other questions unanswered for many. The Jews taught that when the Messiah came, He would restore Jerusalem to its former glory, the glory it had in the days of David and Solomon. It would mean that Rome would be driven out of their land and the Messiah would rule in power and glory. When Jesus did not begin to fulfil their preconceived ideas, their carnal and fleshly interpretation of scripture, they began to question His Messiahship. Their hopes were dashed, their hearts sank, and they departed with extreme disappointment. Their first great mistake was that they put a carnal, worldly, sensual, human intellectual interpretation upon the prophecies given in scripture. It seems to me that this could very likely have been where they missed the Lord of Glory, the Messiah when He came. So within six days, a total reversal had taken place among the multitudes.
I realize there were other things that entered in which affected this change of attitude and perspective, but all the things which happened in those six days combined to turn multitudes from their salvation.
Listen closely to the message contained in this article. There are false teachings today which are carnal, sensual, fleshly, and of a worldly nature, which will affect multitudes of those who call themselves “Christians,” specifically those living in the latter days. One such teaching is the teaching of a pretribulation rapture. This message prepares people to be confused, disappointed, and hopeless when it does not take place. When Christians who hold to this false teaching find themselves in the midst of the Great Tribulation, they will be like the multitudes in the last six days of Jesus’ life. The teaching of a thousand year reign of Christ upon the earth is another doctrine that attracts a carnal and humanistic multitude. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, but that is not where God’s people will dwell. Jesus very clearly reveals where God’s people spend eternity in His prayer recorded in John 17:3, “where I am, there ye (His disciples, including today’s disciples) may be also”. And John 17:24, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me.” Jesus sits today at the right hand of the Father. He sits with the Father in His throne and Jesus’ disciples, overcomers, will sit with Him in His throne (Rev. 3:21). Jesus’ throne is in heaven, not on this earth and it never will be. He rules from the heavens not from the earth.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). “There are many false prophets gone out into the world” (I John 4:1). And in Matthew 24:11, Jesus warns, “Many false prophets shall arise and shall deceive many.” Notice the word “many.” Many false prophets and many deceived. Let us study God’s word carefully without bias, without preconceived ideas, but with honest hearts, seeking for truth no matter what the cost. Let us not change course in the last six days.
THE HOLY CITY
Harry R. Miller
Abraham “looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10). In this same chapter we are told of Isaac and Jacob, who dwelt in tents, and who also looked for that city. Earthly Jerusalem was not the city, nor was physical Palestine the country for which these men looked. The writer of the book of Hebrews declares that the patriarchs “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
Many people today scoff at the idea of God’s chosen people living somewhere in the realm of the unseen. Some make sport of the Christian’s hope of being with Christ, and mockingly talk of saints “sitting on a cloud” and “playing a harp throughout eternity.” Perhaps there are those who would find even this preferable to spending eternity on earth, sitting under their own vine and fig tree!
The plain statements concerning the Christian’s future life are found in the New Testament, and not one of these promises can be construed to mean that we will spend any portion of eternity here on earth. The promise of our Lord is: “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” (John 14:2,3). And in His prayer to the Father in behalf of His saints, His request was: “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am” (John 17:24).
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians concerning the return of our Lord for His saints: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven…and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thess. 4:17).
The Christian’s hope, and the hope of the patriarchs, are one and the same. The Christian is “not of this world” even as our Lord was not of this world. The true Christian, like the fathers, is a “stranger and pilgrim on the earth;” his hopes, and his treasures are all “in heaven.” “For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Heb. 11:13-16).
The city which God has prepared for His people is not an abstraction or an illusory idea. It is located in a “place,” which has length, breadth, and height. People walk and talk there. It is true that this city of God is not physical, or earthly, but it is far superior in its constitution, and its elements, to anything physical. There is a “terrestrial” body, and a “terrestrial” city; these are of the earth, earthly, and nothing “earthy” shall endure forever. There is also a “celestial” body and a “celestial” city which are not of the earth. The invisible things are the eternal things, for they are of such substance that they “fade not away.”
“Ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant” (Heb. 12:22-24). These verses certainly make plain the nature of this city of God, and also reveal its heavenly character. Surely no one would expect to find such an assembly of spirits and angels on earth?
In the book of Galatians we are given an allegory concerning “two women”: a “bond woman, and her son,” and a “free woman and her son.” The first woman is of the flesh, and “answereth to Jerusalem which now is;” the second woman is the “Jerusalem which is above.” The writer further states that this Jerusalem above is “the mother of us all” (Gal. 4:22-31). In these same verses we find a number of citations from the fifty-fourth chapter of Isaiah where the prophet has declared: “more are the children of the desolate, than the children of the married wife…thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles…thy Maker is thy husband…O thou afflicted…behold I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires…and all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”
“The city which hath foundations” was the one that interested Abraham. It seems that this foundation idea is a most important one. John, in his description of the Holy City, says that it has twelve foundations, and he describes each one, likening them to precious stones (Rev. 21:19,20). The first two verses of this chapter state: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven.” The prophet Isaiah also prophesied of this city, saying: “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered nor come into mind…For behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy…they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord” (Isa. 65:17-25).
Bear in mind that this Holy City is the Lord’s own creation; it is the city that Abraham “looked for;” it also is the city “which is the mother of us all.” There in this Holy City, now, the “spirits of just men made perfect” are enjoying the fellowship of a great company of angels and the presence of our Lord. The apostle Paul said that he desired to be “absent from the body” in order that he might be “present with the Lord.” He also declared to the Philippians that “our citizenship is in heaven” (R.V., Phil. 3:20).
Concerning this new “citizenship” for Gentile Christians, Paul says: “At that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ…Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone. In whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph. 2:12-22). Thus, we are made to know that the “citizenry” and the “temple” are one. Old Testament saints and New Testament saints have one and the same hope, and that hope is that they might be a part of the new temple of God. (“And I saw no temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it” Rev. 21:22.)
Many people have failed to understand the Scriptures because they have not realized that there was a difference between prophecies concerning the two Jerusalems. The Old Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem are two quite different cities. One has been rejected by the Lord as the seat of His government; the other has been chosen and created by the Father, and is now the favored city of God.
Compare the prophecies of John and Isaiah concerning the heavenly city:
John said, “The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof…And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie” (Rev. 21:23,27). Isaiah says: “They shall call thee the city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel…Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory…thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land forever” (Isa. 60:14-21).
The twenty-fourth chapter of Isaiah describes the complete destruction of the earth, and its removal “like a cottage.” Then after the judgment, when the Lord has punished “the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth,” and He gathers them “as prisoners are gathered in the pit,” the prophet says: “the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before His ancients gloriously” (verses 20-23).
In order to fully understand the prophecies concerning Jerusalem it is imperative to learn to “rightly divide” between the Scriptures which have reference to the earthly city, and those which pertain to the heavenly city.