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People of The Living God |
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April 2021
CANCEL CULTURE
Alfred King
What is “Cancel Culture”? This term has become common among news casters and reporters over the past few years, and specifically so in the last ten months with all the protests (many were actually riots) which have taken place. But what does it mean; and how is it affecting the daily lives of average Americans?
Wikipedia defines Cancel Culture: “Cancel Culture (or called-out culture) is a modern form of ostracism in which someone is thrust out of social or professional circles – whether it be online, on social media, or in person. Those who are subject to this ostracism are said to be "cancelled". en.wikipedia.org
Dictionary.com defines it: “Cancel culture refers to the popular practice of withdrawing support for (canceling) public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive. Cancel culture is generally discussed as being performed on social media in the form of group shaming.” (emphasis mine)
Cancel Culture, then, is to shame, ostracize, defame, or basically distance a person, company, or organization from society because one does not approve of what they believe, what they say, what they do, or what they stand for. Fundamentally it is to dissociate them from a particular society because of opinions which differ from the ostracizer(s). In other words, it is denying Americans the freedom of expressing their opinions and thereby silencing those opinions. The agenda of Cancel Culture is the launching of a devious and diabolical movement that will divest and strip away America’s first amendment rights, and it is carefully and meticulously tucked away in a noble but deceitful Trojan Horse of political correctness, respect for the less fortunate, tolerance for the depraved, reparations for those whose forefathers wrongfully suffered, and it is riddled with promises they cannot possibly fulfill. When this Trojan Horse breaks under its own weight of foolishness and irrationality, all will lose and the end will not be pretty. Honestly, the real issue here is that these hate God and His disciples. God so loved the world that He gave Himself to save men; and true Christians also love and desire for men to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
These hate God because they love their life of depravity. They hate God because He created them the color they are. They hate God for creating the gender they don’t want to be. They hate God because of Global Climate Change. This whole movement is a direct attack against God. Yet they can’t openly state this, so it is presented as equality, and inclusion, and exhibited as humane. Therefore, it appears beautiful on the outside, but within it is full of deadly poison. It is the harbinger of greater control and dictatorship by those who desire to destroy America and all she stands for.
Nations that once had great respect and admiration for America no longer maintain that position. For the past twenty-five plus years, America has become a nation despised and hated by nations around the world. While this is disturbing, it is the loathing of America by those within her borders that is more alarming. The enemies without delight and salivate over this division and strife from within, while those within are blinded by their own hatred.
Cancel Culture’s Destiny
In a recent interview on Fox News with Trey Gowdy, former congress woman of Hawaii, Tulsi Gabbard exposed the dangers of Cancel Culture so vividly when she said, “Okay, well, where does this cancel culture lead us? You see the final expression of cancel culture in Islamist terrorist groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda who basically go and behead those who…they deem to be infidels or heretics in order to silence them in order to protect others from being misled by those heretical ideas and in the eyes of an ISIS or Al Qaeda.” (emphasis mine) I don’t know if it could have been said better than Tulsi Gabbard stated it. Cancel Culture is an extremely dangerous path to take, yet here we are taking the path that leads to destruction.
As Christians, we should be somewhat familiar with the history of the Great Reformation which began in Europe a little over 500 years ago. What were the conditions that brought about this great movement, a movement from which Christians around the world still reap its blessings? It was tyranny. The Catholic Church had dominated the Christian religion for centuries and over time became more and more tyrannical. The pope and the Catholic hierarchy of those days ruled with an iron fist. They drifted further and further from any semblance of true Christianity and began to impose more and more ridiculous demands upon men. Anyone who disagreed with the Church’s position were condemned as heretics and many were persecuted, imprisoned, and martyred. One of the greatest abominations of the Catholic Church was what became known as the “Spanish Inquisition” where thousands were killed because they would not accept Catholicism’s demands. This is where Cancel Culture leads. It refuses to allow freedom of opinion and expression.
The Controlling Undercurrent of Cancel Culture
There are two great enemies of the cross of Christ and, consequently, enemies of Christianity. The first is man’s carnal heart, his fallen nature. This nature gravitates toward evil. It has a natural proclivity to sin, and one must resist this tendency or it will gain more and more control over the person. The second great enemy is Satan and his host of evil spirits. It doesn’t take much discernment to realize that there is a move in the world today which is inspired by evil spirits. So many absolutely insane ideas and movements are presenting themselves, things that are asinine and so far beyond all reason that they go beyond men’s mental stupidity to that which is demonically inspired. Examples of this can be: people no longer know what gender they are and think they are what they are not. Children in grammar school are mature enough to have a sex change while they are not mature enough to vote, drive, carry a gun, etc. Or that every poor person in the world can come to America, and everyone’s problems are solved. Or, what about printing money to pay for all the ills in society? Does any of this seem wise to you? Why not? Because it is what used to be called, “Insanity”.
The Testimony of Truth is a Christian publication, and the most important issue here is that this Cancel Culture will be turned against Christians. The whole idea is to block the Gospel of Jesus Christ from being preached and declared throughout the land. Christians should not be speaking or preaching hate, although, unfortunately, sometimes Christians do speak with hate in their hearts. Genuine Christians will speak against specific sins. They do so because they know that the path sinners are on leads to eternal destruction. It is not at all with hatred of heart but compassion and love, and yet with one’s best efforts, it can come across as hate. As Christians, we must examine our hearts and ask ourselves, are my words and opinions motivated by Godly love and compassion? Or are they motivated by the same spirit that moves the unsaved to speak and react as they do? Are we concerned about the souls of men and desire to see them saved, knowing that the Holy Spirit can change them? Or do we shame them and ostracize them, hoping to bring them into our way of thinking and under our doctrinal umbrella? The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a powerful force and, when one comes to really know Christ, it can and will change him. All too often, Christians think it is our duty to change people when, actually, only God can do that. God uses His people to share the Gospel, to present His truths, and to be a light in a dark world, but only God can save a sinner and only God can change one’s heart.
If Cancel Culture continues to gain momentum and is not resisted and exposed for what it truly is and what it brings with it, Christians will reap the consequences. It is time, not to fight against men, but to engage in the spiritual battle against the demonic spirits that control men and are focused on silencing the church. While evil men and demons will never ultimately succeed (God will not allow it), they will bring about times of great tribulation for the people of God. God spoke through Isaiah a wonderful promise of assurance to His people: Isa. 59:19b: “when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” In Revelation 12:15-16, we read, “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.” (emphasis mine)
How the earth helps the woman might be unknown, but the truth is that God will protect His church, for it is His bride. The great need today for every Christian is to seek the Lord and prepare for the battle which is ahead. It is time for the Church to put on the whole armor of God and gird up for battle against these evil spirits which are controlling men throughout this nation and around the world. Evil is increasing as the pit is being opened. Nevertheless, we can be encouraged because God will not suffer His people to be overcome; rather, He will empower them to be overcomers. May God awaken His church and open their eyes to see that her redemption draweth nigh.
THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS
Harry Miller
From the days of Cain until this present hour, lawlessnesshas characterized the stubborn and rebellious heart; the Scriptures plainly teach that the displeasure of God is upon all those who practice the carnal desire to resist the commands of the Lord.
Moral obligation, duty and law are most distasteful to all worldlings, and in this latter day obedienceto divine command is practically unknown. Many scholastic hypocrites who favor their religious clientele for a price have actually produced a philosophy they call “grace,” in which they completely do away with all law of any kind. Many forces are at work trying to remove the idea of guiltfrom the conscience of man, for if the Devil can stifle all feeling of guilt, he then has a vessel through whom he can accomplish the diabolical.
“The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness…God hath shewed it unto them … they are without excuse…their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Rom. 1:18-22). The apostle Paul, whose writings are misused as a foundation for the modern version of the so-called “grace” doctrines, obviously fully believed that the understanding of moral obligation was native in every man. The commandments and implied obligations written in God’s Word are God’s gifts to mankind. He gave these with the object in view of making clear that which brings peace and happiness. Without the written law of God, millions of the heathen needlessly suffer under the burden of an ill-informed conscience plagued with superstitions.
To attempt to relieve modern man from the sense of guilt for his sins by denying the existence of law is to deny every principle of reason and logic. Law is a rule of action; to disregard rules related to activity is to play the fool; there must be law and orderin any sphere of Divine or human activity – if benefit is to follow. “The LAW of the Lord is PERFECT, converting the soul” (Psalm 19:7); here, the nature of God’s law is stated, and so, also, is its potential for good. Anything that has power to convert a soulshould not be despised. Again we quote the apostle Paul: “We know that the law is spiritual”(Rom. 7:14). He didn’t say “the law was spiritual.” He said it “IS SPIRITUAL.” “Do we then make void THE LAW through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish THE LAW” (Rom. 3:31).
If the faith of Christians establishes “the law,” it is certainly time that we define it. We all are certain that Paul did not refer to the law of Moses with the Levitical priesthood, its many “shadows” and ordinances; neither did he refer to the covenant of circumcision given to Abraham, nor the ritualistic law of sacrifice as given to Abel; we may be positive all of these ended with the coming of Christ as the true Lamb of God.
At the death of Christ the terms of the “old covenant” ended; neither God nor man had a further obligation to observe any of its precepts. However, a new covenant (contract, agreement) was made between the Creator and those who would be willing to participate in the benefits of such an agreement; this “new covenant” also has articles of agreement between the two parties involved: all of the promised blessings of God are made conditional upon the obedience of those who enter into contract or agreement with Him.
“Sin” under the old covenant was “the transgression of the law” of that covenant; “sin” under the terms of the new covenant is a transgression of the articles of agreement of the new contract with God. When Paul stated that through faith we “establish the law” he did not refer to the laws of Moses. As a matter of fact, it is not necessary to take any Scriptures from the Old Testament in order to establish the obligation of Christians to the new covenant: our whole duty to God and man is plainly set forth in the New Testament.
The object of divine law is twofold: it defines the proper rule of action, and its nature has been providentially devised to perfect the heart of the creature. Obedience is the essential condition of Divine favor. Reward for man’s proper response to the heavenly command is almost automatic; if it is withheld it is only for the good of the individual, and under such circumstances the reward accumulates compound interest. God will not be in debt to His creatures, for it is His good pleasure to “give good gifts to them that love Him.”
“The commandments” spoken of in the New Testament must be obeyedin order to “have right to the tree of life”(Rev. 22:14). John said, “He that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him” (I John 3:24). He further stated, “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (I John 2:4). These Scriptures and many others make it plain that our relationship with the Lord depends upon our obedience to His commandments.
One of the strangest doctrines of our day is the teaching that salvation can be had by the act of belief or mental assent to a system of philosophical ideas; certainly this is a departure from “the faith once delivered unto the saints.” Some have even gone so far afield that they say the gospel Paul preached to the Gentiles was different from the gospel Peter declared to the Jews; they also state that Paul’s gospel was not the same message as that of Jesus and the twelve apostles. This “other gospel,” which is not another, has the thinking of millions of professing Christians, and upon its basis the powers of darkness have introduced much evil.
It is imperative that weobey Christ: “A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me” (said Moses); “him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people”(Acts 3:22,23). “How shall we escape, if we neglect” to hear? (Heb. 1:1,2 and 2:1-3).
To “hear”involves more than reading the Word of truth, or of hearing audible sounds: “A DOERof the Word, and not a hearer only” (James 1:22-24). “Blessed are they that HEAR the Word of God, and KEEP IT” (Luke 11:28). “An honest and good heart, having heard the Word, KEEP IT” (Luke 8:15).
Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, is God’s commander, and His orders are the commandments of the new covenant: “Teach all nations…to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you”(Matt. 28:19,20). “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14). The implication here is that those who refuse to DO AS HE COMMANDS are not His friends. Again He said: “If ye continue in my Word, then are ye my disciples INDEED” (John 8:31).
Christ’s New Covenant law is described under the following seven titles: “The law of faith” (Rom. 3:27); “The law of righteousness”(Rom. 9:31); “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:2);“The law of Christ”(I Cor. 9:21 and Gal. 6:2); “The perfect law of liberty”(James 1:25); “The royal law”(James 2:8); “The law of liberty” (James 2:12). All of these terms are descriptive of the Saviour’s rule of action for those who testify of Him; they who claim to be Christians and “in works denyHim” (Titus 1:16) are worse than unbelievers, for such are “foes of His own household.” On the other hand, those who obey “the law of righteousness” receive great reward, for by obedience they honor the Great King.
Let it be fully understood that it was impossible to save any soul by the creation of law; neither “the law of Moses” nor “the law of liberty” could possibly give life. All were sinners: pardon alone makes salvation possible; all have human imperfections of character, and continuing merciful grace alone is able to keep the saint; therefore, the “grace” that saves, and the “grace” that keeps is universal grace; it is grace dispensed to all men without exception. The vilest of sinners and the most unworthy of humanity have access to universal grace. Though heaven is fully aware of the fact that certain scoundrels will trample the pearls under foot, yet this grace is extended to all men. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world;” this is an example of universal grace. There is no condition relative to such grace: it is offered to all men; however, when individually appropriated, the work of Calvary becomes an individual and personal affair and requires individual grace.
Individual grace is another matter; this calls for Providence to dispense grace to fit the individual’s personal need – such grace demands justification. God is “no respecter of persons,”and when He Providentially acts in behalf of a certain individual He must be justified. There must be a just cause, a reason for the Divine intervention; otherwise God would be a respecter of persons. If the act of the conversion of a soul is one hundred percent Divine, or a completely Sovereign act, then Why is it that all men are not saved?
The Scriptures state that “He would that none would perish;” if His will alone determines who are to perish and who are to be saved, then would He not be a respecter of persons when He rejects the lost? The doctrine of fatalism has its foundation upon this one point: either man makes the choice, or God makes it. Free moral agency admits that man cannot choose without God, but for God’s choice to be without the consent of the will of man is to make man but a puppet, and also dishonors the Sovereign.
An examination of the five stages of Christian genesis and development furnishes ample proof that God demands obedience before individual grace can rightly be dispensed. Upon the basis of obedience to the Word of the Lord, He is justified in acting in behalf of the individual.
(1) Conviction is a universal grace; the Father of heaven has set many forces in the universe to testify to wayward man: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20). “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Eph. 5:14). God takes the initiative and continually calls to men to repent, but conviction is ineffective where men harden their hearts against its message. Paul said: “I do not frustrate the grace of God” (Gal. 2:21); this plainly indicated that grace can be frustrated. But the apostle said: “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19); the implication is that Paul had the power of choice, and had he not been obedient, he most certainly would not have been healed of blindness and granted a ministry for Christ.
Conviction is Providential evidence to the human heart; it may come as gently as an evening zephyr, and again it may come as a bolt from heaven. It is a rare occasion that man is overwhelmed by an avalanche of Divine evidence (as in the case of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus); conditions must first be such that Providence be justified for such intervention. The law of free moral agency demands privacy for the human soul; if human choice is to be a factor in the destiny of a soul, then one must be perfectly free to make such a choice. If certain individuals are coerced or forced in any manner to make a choice, such an occasion must be justified by the proper circumstances, and the will must still be free to accept or reject.
Bear in mind that conviction alone can save no man: “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:31). “Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess” Christ when the “sign of the Son of man” appears in the heavens, but this awe inspiring sight will not transform the hearts of the wicked; they all will be subdued, but not converted.
(2) Repentance is a condition of heart that God grants to those who properly respond to conviction. This gift is not left to the vagaries of the human will; it is granted upon condition: “if God peradventure will give them repentance”(II Tim. 2:25). God withheld repentance from Esau “though he sought it carefully with tears” (Heb. 12:17); there must have been very good reason for the Lord’s restraint in this man’s case. Esau probably failed to “bring forth fruits meet for repentance”(Matt. 3:8). It will be found that in every benevolent act of Providence, of a personal nature, justice demands man’s proper response or works.
True repentance is a complete right about-face of the soul of man; man surrenders self-will for God’s will. It constitutes a complete change of purpose: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord” (Isa. 55:7).
The Lord is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9); here again we have Scriptural evidence that if men are lost they are lost because they refuse to be saved. The Sovereign will is that all men be saved, but the will of the Almighty is not the deciding factor in a free moral state. Self-willed men refuse to “COME” to repentance; they stubbornly refuse to respond to “the goodness of God that leadeth to repentance,” and so they frustrate the will of God, and are lost.
(3) Regeneration is one hundred percent supernatural; it is the very act of procreation: “Of His own will begat He us” (James 1:18). “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7), Jesus stated to the Pharisee, for only newborn men are able to see the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ died “that the world through Him might be saved”(John 3:17), and it was the will of the Father that none should perish. Heaven made every provision for the salvation of man; the means of the salvation of the whole human race has been amply provided – this is unconditional universal grace. The imparting of personal, individual grace is subject to the will of man; the act of regeneration, though a gift from heaven, is dispensed only to those who qualify: “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God” (John 1:12). Those who refused to receive Him were not given this power of becoming sons.
To “receive” Christ is an act of the human will: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice (step no.1), and open the door(step no.2), I will come in to him” (Rev. 3:20). “Step no.1” is man’s proper response to conviction: he “hears his voice.” “Step no.2” is the voluntary and deliberate act of producing “fruits meet for repentance,” providing Providence with justifiable evidence of the sincerity of the heart’s intention. Notice how Scripture bears out these conclusions: “Ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit” (I Peter 1:22). “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (I John 3:3). Ananias told Saul of Tarsus: “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). The great apostle was overwhelmingly swept off his feet by the force of “step no.1” (conviction); later events in the life of this devoted man justified this righteous act of Providence; this man proved to be a gift to the whole human race, and justice cried louder than mercy to save this soul. However, “step no.2” rested completely in the will of Saul – he did something about his salvation. Later he said: “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision;” it was not likely that he would be disobedient with such overwhelming evidence of the Divine displeasure; nevertheless, his will was free to obey or disobey the Lord.
(4) Sanctification is the relationship that exists between God and the professing Christian; it has its legal aspect and its factual aspect. The word sanctify means to hallow, consecrate for the exclusive use of God, to make holy. Many “holiness” people have often spoken of an “experience” of sanctification; this is un-Scriptural and untrue, for this relationship is more than a physical or emotional experience. A cow can be sanctified as well as a man: “For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast” (Num. 8:17). A house or a field can be sanctified: “When a man shall sanctify his house” (Lev. 27:14). Gold or money can also b e sanctified: “The temple that sanctifieth the gold” (Matt. 23:17).
The Scriptures plainly set forth the fact that anything dedicated to God and accepted by Him is holy, and it no more is to be used for any other purpose except that to which it has been dedicated. When God accepts the offering of the human soul as a “living sacrifice,” that person becomes the property of Christ; as a matter of fact, the members of the apostolic church considered themselves Christ’s bondmen. “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you… and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price” (I Cor. 6:19,20).
At the point of regeneration every soul who touches God surrenders all to Him; upon the basis of this surrender the spirit within man is “born again” and he is “accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6). Being “accepted in the beloved,” the Father accounts the believer’s soul as righteous as Christ is righteous: “We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”(Heb. 10:10). “By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Heb.10:14). This is the legal standing of the sanctified professing Christian, and remains as such so long as there is a covenant relationship between the soul and God. Bear in mind that God accounts the righteousness of Christ to the believer, and this Divinely accounted holiness is upon condition: “IF WE WALK in the light” (I John 1:7); “IF ye continue in the faith” (Col. 1:23). Jesus made it very plain that continued relationship with God depended upon the faithfulness of the believer: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love” (John 15:10); and verse 14: “Ye are my friends, IF ye do whatsoever I command you.”
Between man’s legal standing and his actual state there is a great disparity; however, the work of the Holy Spirit is to provoke man to good works, and by these he purifies himself: “Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (II Cor. 7:1). “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified” (II Tim. 2:21). “We shall be like him…and every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (I John 3:2,3). This process is known as “the perfecting of the saints” (Eph. 4:12).
As the saints reach perfection, they discover that they have the ability to obey every desire and command of the Spirit of God. “The perfect law of liberty” or “royal law” is found to be the ability of the creature to serve the Creator in perfect obedience. Bringing the believer’s actual state up to his legal standing is the desired end of the labors of the Holy Spirit. In the light of these conclusions the meaning of this Scripture is made clear: “I will bring you into the BOND of the covenant” (Ezek. 20:37).
(5) Endurance. Since man was forgiven, converted and labored with upon the strength of his intention to obey the Lord, justice demands that man’s purpose of heart remain steadfast. “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Mark 13:13) are the words of Jesus, and again in another discourse He said: “He that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matt. 10:27).
Many have taught that our salvation is complete when we are born again; this is a great error, for men are saved by faith, and faith is but an “EVIDENCE of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). Paul told Timothy the Lord “HATH saved us” (II Tim. 1:9); and to the saints at Corinth he said: “Ye are saved, IF ye keep in memory what I preached unto you” (I Cor. 15:2); but to the Romans, he promised: “We shall be saved” (Rom. 5:10). The apostle did not contradict himself in these three different statements; it is true, we have been saved, we are now saved and we are yet to be saved. As “new creatures” we were saved from the evils of this world; as overcoming saints we are being saved by our walk with Christ in the Spirit; we have yet to wait for the end of our salvation: “Kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time…at the appearing of Jesus Christ…Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (I Pet. 1:5-9).
THE ORDINANCES OF GOD
Alda Mae Scullin
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15).
There is a crying need for the people of God to heed the above admonition. Each individual must do his own digging in order to be founded upon the rock. The winds will blow, the rains will come, and many will be swept away because they did not make sure of their foundations. God sent the Comforter, not just that men might speak with tongues but, more important, that He might lead them into all truth (John 16:13). Do not build on someone’s explanation of God’s Word, but make the “Thus saith the Lord” the basis for belief.
Many theologians are past masters at dividing God’s Word, and in so doing have also been tools of the devil to divide God’s people and lead them away from truth. One of the most popular methods for dividing the Word of God is to leave the Old Testament out of the picture except as a historical record. Another favorite is: “That’s not for our day.” Better still, from such learned Doctors of Divinity as Dr. Scofield and his cohorts we receive the most convenient system of all for wrongly dividing the Word of truth; for, according to him, anything that refers to law and demands obedience or places responsibility on an individual is “for the Jews” (meaning national Israel or the Jew after the flesh)! But, before we begin relegating everything to the “Jews” that we don’t want, let’s see where we stand concerning some of the things we claim as our own.
Our God is definitely the God of Israel, as well as of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Son of God was the deliverer of Israel in the Old Testament, as well as in the New, and the Gospel was preached unto them before it was preached unto us. When He came in the flesh, He came as a Jew, and, according to His own words, was sent unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. To the woman of Samaria He said, “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22).
If we want to reap the benefits of the promises of God and partake of His salvation we may as well recognize that the promises were to Israel, and we are grafted into the olive tree, which is Israel, and as “children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Then look again at the Scriptures which men say are only for natural Israel and discover God’s plan for His people, apply these things to our lives and reap the blessings that are the rewards of obeying His Words.
How many times Israel of old were overcome by their enemies and sold into slavery because they neglected God’s laws. They were robbed of their heritage in God through their own failures. Then, periodically, the book of the law would be found and read, and they were made to realize the error of their ways and would resolve to turn and walk according to God’s Word to them. As long as they did so walk, God blessed and delivered them. These things were written of them not just so we might have a historical record, but for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come, because there is a parallel: because the same things are applicable to OUR lives. Let us labor to enter where they failed, lest we “fall after the same example of unbelief” (Heb. 4:11).
Christian friends, turn back to God’s Word, which is His law, and His will for us who are the seed of Abraham. Cast off the traditions of men and replace them with the ordinances of God. The benefits are eternal.
Of all the traditions of men one of the most beloved is the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, as a day of rest or sabbath. Yet of all God’s ordinances none is more plain than that which concerns the seventh day Sabbath. Why, then, do most Christians hold fast to that which is not pleasing to God or according to His Word? One reason is because they are content to accept the words of preachers and teachers without questioning their veracity. It seems easier that way, but it is the way to blindness. They have been told that the day is not important, just so one day is kept holy. Others say that all days should be kept holy, and still others say Jesus did away with all such observances, or that it was only for the “Jews.” According to the Word of God these statements are all lies.
Long before there was an Israelite God blessed and sanctified (set apart to God) the seventh day (Gen. 2:3). In Isaiah 58:13 He refers to it as “My holy day.” Only God’s presence in a thing can make it holy. Only HIS day is holy: not all of the days. As for Jesus’ attitude toward the Sabbath, He said that it “was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27,28). It was one of God’s gifts to us. Jesus also proclaimed Himself to be the Lord of the Sabbath day (Matt. 12:8).
The Sabbath is a weekly reminder that there remains a rest for the people of God and that we must labour to enter into it. The death of Jesus did not do away with the Sabbath, or with the rest to which it points.
Why should anyone prefer man’s day to God’s? Surely only the perverseness of human nature and the carnal mind which is at enmity against Him could find a reason for such a choice.
If men have labeled the Sabbath Jewish, how much more will they shun the observance of the Passover, and the feast of unleavened bread, as belonging strictly to Israel? Yet the God of Israel called it the Lord’s Passover (Lev. 23:5), and He commanded that it be observed FOREVER as a memorial (Ex. 12:14,17,24).
The ordinances of God were not given to burden His people, but they have great significance and, as reminders, are great blessings. The Lord told Moses, “when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses” (Ex. 12:26,27).
The blood of the lamb protected them from the death angel, and the Lord delivered them from Egypt and its bondage to lead them into the promised land.
We, too, have been delivered by the blood of the Lamb: the Lord, our Passover. We are pilgrims and strangers in this world, on a journey to the land of promise. No longer is it necessary to shed the blood of animals for atonement, since the Lamb of God has given His. When Jesus ate His last Passover supper before His death, He gave His disciples the wine and said, “…This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28). He had greatly desired to eat this Passover with them, for He said, “I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God” (Luke 22:15,16).
There is still a future aspect to our deliverance, of which the Passover is a memorial. We have not yet reached the promised land. There is a definite purpose in this deliverance. God has an end in view. The whole purpose of creation was to bring forth the family of God, who would be one, even as Jesus and the Father are one. When the Sons of God are manifest as one in Him, then the world will know that the Father sent Him (John 17:21), and His people will have entered into the rest which Israel, of old, missed because of unbelief.
An Israelite was delivered that night in Egypt if the blood had been applied to the door posts of his house, but it was not a guarantee that he would reach the promised land, and many bleached their bones in the wilderness. Though they put leaven out of their houses, many failed to put it out of their lives. Israel, today, is not any different. We are just as weak and fallible as they, and need the reminders to help keep us in the way. In writing to the Corinthians, Paul admonished, “Therefore let us keep the feast…with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (I Cor. 5:8).
God WILL have a perfected people, for He said, “Some must enter therein” (Heb. 4:6). They will be those who have walked in His statutes. From Genesis to Revelation the obedient found favor with God (Gen. 26:5; Rev. 22:14).
When the people of God restore the ordinances of God to their mode of worship, then the glory of God will again be seen upon God’s people.
“THINGS NOT SEEN AS YET”
Harold Scullin
“Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (Herb. 11:7).
Noah was divinely instructed by God of things and conditions that were yet to come upon the earth – the like of which had never been seen before. In the face of ridicule and an unbelieving generation, Noah responded to the Words of the Lord by obeying God’s instruction. By his obedience, his testimony condemned the world, and also saved his own family.
Noah is not the only individual to whom God has spoken and warned of impending judgment. The city of Nineveh repented at the warning of Jonah – “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4). Israel did not repent at the repeated warnings of God’s messengers to them. “And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, till there was no remedy” (II Chron. 36:15,16).
The scriptures are replete with instances of God’s warnings to individuals and nations. The fact that God spoke to Noah and warned him of judgment is not the outstanding part of God’s instruction to Noah. The content of God’s message to Noah was of such magnitude and meaning that it extended down through the years even unto our day – Noah was warned of God of things not seen as yet. The words of Jesus clearly show the seriousness attached to these words, “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:26,30).
The Lord had informed Noah that it would rain for forty days and forty nights, and that all living substance would be destroyed. No doubt many thought this was preposterous. It had been two thousand years since Adam, and there had been no rain during all that time. Why should it rain now? Did not the scripture say, “the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth…there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground” (Gen. 2:5,6)? So reasoned the carnal mind. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Cor. 2:14). The earthly mind of man in the days of Noah had neither “eyes to see” nor “ears to hear” nor the ability to comprehend the message of Noah. “The carnal mind is enmity against God” (Rom. 8:7). Spiritual blindness so darkened and clouded their spiritual perception that they were not able to see to understand and to know that the same Lord God “who caused it not to rain” was able to, and did, cause it to rain. In fact, He sent the rain, the flood, and the wind.
The Warning
Even as Noah was warned of “things not seen as yet” – just so has this generation been warned by the message of Jesus. “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man” (Luke 17:26). Read the words of our Lord as He warns of this impending storm. “Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock” (Matt. 7:24,25). Observe the characteristics of those who are wise:
“They hear and do the sayings of Jesus.”
“They build upon a rock.”
They redeem the time, for the “days are evil” (Eph. 5:15,16).
They awake from slumber, they trim their lamps, they buy oil (Matt. 25:7,8,9).
They “shall shine as the brightness of the firmament;” they shall “turn many to righteousness” (Dan. 12:3).
They give “meat in due season” (Matt. 24:45).
“Every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it” (Matt. 7:26,27). Observe the characteristics of those who are foolish:
They hear and do not the sayings of Jesus.
They build “upon sand.”
They do not redeem the time. They are foolish (Eph. 5:15,16).
They do not buy the oil. They are foolish (Matt. 25:7-9).
They have no meat to give in due season (Matt. 25:45).
Two classes of people – THE WISE and THE FOOLISH – are portrayed in this plain direct statement of facts by the Saviour. The same storm which consisted of the rain, the flood, and the wind beat upon each house. Luke describes this storm by saying it beat vehemently (ferociously, fiercely, intensely) against each house (Luke 6:48,49).
Here is a paradox – Jesus said many will say in that day – that they have performed miracles in His name, they have had supernatural power, they were very religious, they were ministers, they professed Jesus as their Saviour – yet He will say: “I never knew you, depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21-23). What is wrong? Where did they miss it? Another group that will seek entrance into the Kingdom of God after the door has been shut will give this testimony – “We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets” – His indictment will be the same – “workers of iniquity” (Luke 13:25-27). Another instance: the master gave, or delivered, unto his servants his goods. The servant to whom one talent had been given hid his talent in the earth. The master said that he was an unprofitable servant – cast him into outer darkness (Matt. 25:14-30). Workers of iniquity are those who work lawlessness – they are not working the will of the Father.
Here is truth that is vital to the salvation and deliverance of individuals in these last days. Truth that is so plain and yet so very fundamental that it will save, separate, and sanctify those who obey its precepts. This is the time to examine the structure and foundation of the system you are in, or of those with whom you are associated. For “every man’s work” (his foundation) shall be “tried” as “by fire.” “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 3:11,13). The floods, the wind, and the rain are building up and will soon break forth in all their fury.
The Flood
This “flood” that is just ahead will be of such proportions and magnitude that Jesus said, “There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matt. 24:24). Flesh and blood, human reasoning, human judgment, human planning, human provision will not deliver any individual from this onslaught of evil forces. Only as each one abides in the provision made by the Saviour will he escape. “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36).
There is every indication that this flood is about to break forth upon the inhabitants of the earth. It will come – make certain of that. The Lord God Himself has decreed it to be so. In Daniel’s prophecy of the end-time, he said, “and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined” (Dan. 9:26). Again, in Isaiah, “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring” (Isa. 44:3). Joel states: “…and he will cause to come down for you the rain…and the latter rain in the first month…and it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 2:23,28). Will all flesh be able to receive this deluge?
Isaiah gives us an answer as he foretells God’s judgment and destruction by flood – “Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand…For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken and snared, and taken” (Isa. 28:2,11,12,13).
Are you ready for this flood that is just ahead as described in the scriptures? “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood” (Rev. 12:15). Notice it was out of the mouth of the serpent that waters, as a flood, came. “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon…For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Rev. 16:13,14). Don’t think you are going to be able to detect and label these miracle-working spirits by their works. Heed the words of Jesus – “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matt. 7:15). “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (II Cor. 11:13-15). Our Lord gave us an account of these diabolical miracle workers – “many will say…in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:22,23).
Friends, there is the real, the genuine, the scriptural, the true supernatural working power of the Holy Spirit. The scriptures teach this; we believe this; we should look for it and pray for it. Our discussion has to do with the spurious, the counterfeit, that which is evil – anti-christ. Jesus said it would come as a flood – a flood that has yet to be seen.
The Devastation
You may not realize it, but the rain has begun to fall. Just a few years ago the majority of churches and denominations labeled the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as fanaticism, emotionalism, or the work of the devil. Today, many of these churches and denominations: The Baptists, The Lutherans, The Catholics, The Episcopalians, and others, are witnessing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their very own midst. They are receiving a supernatural testimony by the Holy Spirit through their own lips. What are they doing or how are they responding to this heavenly witness? Is there fruit or evidence of the transforming power of the work of the Spirit of God in their lives? Just how has it changed their way of life? According to the writings of some of these institutions, they use this heavenly gift as evidence and proof that God’s favor is upon them.
In the early church, when the Holy Spirit was poured out, the city of Jerusalem and environs knew about it. It was “noised abroad” (Acts 2:6). “They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship…and fear came upon every soul…and all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods,” and they continued “daily with one accord” (Acts 2:42-47). So great was the change in their lives as the Holy Spirit worked in and through them that it was said of them, “…these…have turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). Is this the kind of testimony that is given from those who testify that they have been filled with the Spirit of God? If it is not, Isaiah said, “Yet they would not hear…that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken” (Isa. 28:12,13). Hebrews says, “It is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Heb. 6:4-6).
Jesus has given us a fuller understanding of this condition and the class of people who will be swept away by the flood – Those that hear His sayings and do them not (Matt. 7:26). Those whose house (temple) has been swept, cleansed, and garnished – but remains empty – there is no growth or development, no walk in truth – they shall be overcome by evil forces, making their last state seven times worse that at the first. “Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation” (Matt. 12:43-45). Two events must precede the second coming of Jesus: the “falling away” and the revelation of the “man of sin…who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God…so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (II Thess. 2:3,4).
The Aftermath
After the storm passed:
The house of the foolish man was destroyed.
The house of the wise man remained intact and was unscathed.
NONE had escaped the flood.
A FEW escaped the snare of the flood.
“For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth” (Luke 21:35).
“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee” (Rev. 3:3).
“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame” (Rev. 16:15).
“Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger” (Zeph. 2:3).
ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
A.W. Tozer
Demetrius, the silversmith, could offer no other proof of the truth of his religion than to shout, “Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth…Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” He encouraged Diana-worship for economic reasons.
An economic interest in religion is deadly. As soon as a man becomes thus entangled in the snare of economic interest, he is a true prophet no longer, but a son of mammon. His heart degenerates and his spirit begins to die. Let him perform a religious duty, do a moral act, advocate a reform, or preach a doctrine because he must do so to guarantee his income, and he is no true shepherd now, but a hireling.
That the church should support its ministers as a country supports its soldiers to free them for the battle is taken for granted by almost all Christians. This arrangement is found in the Old Testament and is carried over into the church with little change. It is a wise and sound procedure and is above reproach so long as both priest and people are true children of God.
A grave obligation lies upon the church to keep the minister financially free to teach what he, from the heart, believes. The economic boycott is a weapon sometimes used against the man who insists upon preaching unwelcome truth, and pity the man who is caught in it. Pity more, however, the church that would stoop to exercise it.
Paul had a trade upon which he could fall back when and if the need arose, and I am not sure but it would be a good idea for every preacher to keep a needle and thread handy in case of emergency. Anything is better than to do obeisance to mammon.
A few preachers have found a happy solution to the economic problem in the simple plan of living by faith. No one can put the economic squeeze on such a man; for as he is accountable to God alone for his ministry, God is, by the same token, responsible for his daily bread. It is impossible to starve a man into submission under this arrangement, for the servant of God lives on manna, and manna can be found wherever faith can see it.
PASSOVER 2021
People of the Living God will be observing Passover this year beginning April 25th. We realize that this is not when most Passover observers will be celebrating this feast. The accounting of time for the Passover revolves around the vernal equinox and the new moon. People of the Living God always begin the count from the first new moon after the vernal equinox whereas many others begin their count from the closest new moon to the vernal equinox. This year March’s new moon fell on March 13th which was before the vernal equinox. Counting 14 days from the 13th brings one to March 27th. This is when most Christians will be observing the Passover feast.
Since this feast was the Feast of Firstfruits, which was an offering of thanksgiving to God for the first ripe barley to be offered at Passover, it seems very unlikely that there would be any ripe barley for harvest to offer this early in the season. By the end of April however, there would be some barley ready to present in thanksgiving to God in the Passover Feast.
Since we believe that counting should begin with the first new moon after the vernal equinox, we count from April’s new moon, which falls this year on April 11th. Counting 14 days from April 11th brings us to April 25th. People of the Living God will begin our Passover celebration at sundown on April 25th and it will last for seven days, ending on Sunday May 2nd. We hope this explains why we will be observing the Passover at a different time than what many others will be keeping this feast. May God richly bless all those who celebrate God’s great deliverance, first to Israel in delivering them from Egypt, and even more importantly, to all who have experienced God’s deliverance from the bondage of sin through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. All glory, honor, and power belong to Him.