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People of The Living God |
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November 2022
WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS
“WHY DO THE HEATHEN RAGE?”
James Sanderson
The second psalm, the most frequently quoted psalm in the New Testament, presents a message of particular importance to God's people in these last days. This psalm, attributed to King David by the Apostle Peter (Acts4:25), is one of a group of psalms known as the Royal Psalms. These psalms deal with “the spiritual role of kings” and “make explicit reference to their subject, the king.” This group of psalms often carry “an eschatological and messianic sense” (“Royal Psalms,” Wikipedia). Scripture references in the New Testament reveal that the King, “his anointed,” in this psalm is the Lord Jesus Christ: Acts4:26; Acts13:33; Heb.1:5; Heb.5:5. Other New Testament Scripture references relate prophetically to future events leading up to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Rev.2:26-27; Rev.12:5; Rev.19:15. One may divide Psalm 2 into 3 major sections: (1) The shocking worldwide rebellion against God Himself, (2) God's response and final judgment of that rebellion, and (3) The psalmist's warning to any who would consider participating in this rebellion.
The Worldwide Rebellion
“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us” (Psalm 2:1-3). The first three verses of this psalm vividly describe the open and deliberate revolt mounted by God's enemies against His authority in this end time. Since the Fall, sin has always existed. Throughout the ages, man has consistently rebelled against God's rule in their lives. What stands out in this particular psalm is the strident nature of this rebellion, its extent, and the depths of evil lurking in the hearts of men in these last days. People hate God's law. “This is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord” (Isa.30:9). The rallying cry of this generation is “We will not have this man to reign over us!” (Luke19:14). Witness, as an example, the raging response of the raucous crowd to the recent Supreme Court decision regarding Roe vs. Wade. “It's my body, and no one is going to tell me what to do with it!”
One of the most significant babysignposts of the end and the consequent appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ is the dramatic increase in lawlessness. Jesus stated, “Iniquity shall abound” (Matt.24:12). Iniquity in Greek means lawlessness. The word abound is a verb that means multiply. According to Vine, this portion of Scripture literally means, “Iniquity shall be multiplied” (Vine, pg. 773). Iniquity is definitely multiplying. An unimaginable tide of evil is now inundating the world. Western Civilization, especially, was shaped in large part by its historic roots in the Christian faith along with its Biblical principles of godly living. Statistics reveal that there has been a wholesale renunciation of those principles in much of Western culture. Lawlessness, moral decay, and violence have now become the norm. Many are engaging in immoral practices that would never have been considered possible two or three decades ago.
Consider the following: (1) Mutilating teens and young adults thus effecting permanent gender change is rapidly becoming a billion dollar industry. Furthermore, the federal government is the greatest supporter of this end time horror (“The transgender movement brings the horrors of Frankenstein to life,” The Christian Post, September 1, 2022). (2) “Children – as young as 5 – are being encouraged to disregard their anatomy, and choose their gender based on their feelings” (Betty McCaughey, “How public schools brainwash young kids with harmful transgender ideology,” The New York Post, Sept. 26, 2022). (3) The homosexual lobby is pushing a specific agenda. It is often called the 'gay agenda'. At its core is a concerted effort to remove from society all traditional notions of sexual morality and replace them with the post-modern concept of sexual relativism” (Matt Barber, “Unmasking the 'Gay' Agenda,” Townhall.com, Feb. 13, 2008). (4) Five states now allow doctor assisted suicide (Christian Post, Sept. 8, 2022). (5) “According to newly released documents from a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have been harvesting the organs of aborted babies while the babies still have a beating heart. More disturbingly, the organ harvesting was made possible due to millions of dollars in federal grants” (“Millions in Federal Funding Granted for Organ Harvesting of Aborted Babies,” AMAC, by Parker Bono) [see also, “UCSF accused of 'callous' experiments on aborted babies,” Christian Post, 7/8/2021.] Public debate on many of these far-reaching issues is not even considered by the powers that be.
One must wonder, “Where is all of this headed? What kind of society have we become?” The Apostle Paul wrote, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof” IITim3:1-5). Isaiah, also, prophesied of these days, “Darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people” (Isa.60:2). Multitudes have become so blinded by the forces of darkness that they are unable to discern right from wrong. Jesus stated, “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John3:19).
God's Word reveals the close association between rebellion and witchcraft. “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (I Sam.15:23). In other words, rebellion is inspired from beneath. God has endowed each individual with a moral compass. Those who continually rebel against God's authority sear their consciences (I Tim.4:2) and disable that compass, thus opening their spirits to the control of the powers of darkness.
Jesus, also, likened conditions prevalent in these end times to those that existed in the days of Noah. “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man” (Luke 17:26). The Bible presents a rather clear description of the depths of evil that existed in those days. “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence” (Gen 6:5, 11). Those who stood for righteousness in those days were, evidently, few in number. Only eight souls endured a worldwide flood and lived to tell about it (I Peter 4:20).
God's Response
Rebellion, in reality, is a heart condition. As we have seen, this end time rebellion reveals a heart that has rejected the overtures of God and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. “The kings of the earth” are bent on rebellion against the authority of God. Their goal is to overthrow the kingship of Jesus Christ. In his epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul presents a vivid account of these people and their spiritual condition before God, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Rom.1:28).
According to Psalm 2, God's response is swift and decisive. He scoffs at their arrogant belief that they can dethrone the God of heaven and earth. “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision” (vs 4). “In His wrath,” He will then rebuke the unruly crowd. Furthermore, the account declares that He will vex them in His “sore (deep) displeasure” (vs.5). The word vex means “to be suddenly seized with fear, trouble” (Wilson, Old Testament Word Studies, pg.467). The NASB states, He will “terrify them in His fury.” Finally, He will subject them to everlasting judgment with His scepter, an unbending rod of iron. “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel” (vs.9). “And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit” (Isa.30:14).
Throughout the Word of God, the rod is used as an instrument of judgment and a symbol of strength and authority. “The Lord said unto my Lord. Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath” (Psalm 110:1-2,5). “But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked” (Isa.11:4). Moses and Aaron used a rod to bring the plagues upon Egypt and deliver the people of God. The Apostle Paul presented the Corinthian church with a choice, “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. What will ye? Shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?” (ICor.4:20-21). God's final judgment against this rebellion in these last days will be thorough and complete.
The Psalmist's Warning
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (II Cor.5:11). In light of the shocking nature of this rebellion and the unbearable consequences in store for those who participate, the psalmist issues this dire warning to the kings, judges, and all who would give heed, “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (Psalm 2:10-12). Adam Clarke, on “Kiss the Son,” states, “The kiss was used in ancient times as the emblem of love, religious reverence, subjection, and supplication.” He continues, “Embrace affectionately, the offers of mercy made unto you through Christ Jesus, lest he (the Lord) be angry with you, and ye perish” (Emphasis in the original, Adam Clarke Bible Commentary).
When a nation turns its back on God and continually disregards His standards of righteousness, that nation invites the judgment of God. “Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel” (Isa.5:24).
There are at least three lessons that one can learn from this psalm: (1) It is fruitless and a “vain thing” to defy the living God. (2) Oppose God and perish; surrender to the Lord and be blessed. (3) The ultimate victory belongs to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, in this worldwide conflict between the forces of good and evil, because He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords (Rev.19:11-16).
These are sobering times in which we live. There will be no fence-sitters, no neutrality, in this end time struggle. Jesus stated, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad” (Matt.12:30). “Choose you this day whom ye shall serve.” (Joshua 24:15).
A TIME TO GIVE THANKS
The Editor
November is a month which most Americans look forward to, because it is the time of year when we count the many blessings we have been given and when our families get together for some leisure time and is topped off with Thanksgiving dinner. We, who are privileged to live in America, have many things for which to be thankful, especially if we are aware of the poverty, privations, lack of freedoms, and government oppression that multitudes in our world experience daily. There are those who live in nations which are continuously engaged in civil, ethnic and religious wars, where fear is experienced daily and peace is something only hoped for.
It is vividly clear to all who will study America’s beginning that God has blessed America because it was established upon principles and concepts drawn from the Bible. Many of the founding fathers were believers, and those who did not profess any religious convictions understood that freedom could only exist among a moral and ethical people. The Bible was found to be the best source of moral principles for a government of freedom.
The Thanksgiving tradition is generally considered to have come into practice in honor of the Pilgrims, who gathered together and gave thanks to God for their safety in coming to America and for God’s blessings upon their harvest. However, giving thanks for the blessings of a good harvest is an ancient custom and was commonly practiced by Christians before, during, and after the Protestant Reformation. It is very probable that the giving of thanks among the Pilgrims and Puritans was a tradition brought with them from the old country.
George Washington proclaimed November 26, 1789, as the first national Thanksgiving Day. Although it was observed by most states afterward, a specific date was not established nationwide until 1863 when Abraham Lincoln set the day for its observance to be the last Thursday in November. This was later changed to the fourth Thursday in November by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941.
There is certainly nothing wrong with having a special day each year when we all pause from our busy lifestyles and consider the many blessings we, as Americans, have and turn our hearts to God in appreciation and praise. We tend to get so wrapped up in our daily activities that we sometimes forget to remember Him Who “daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation” (Psalm 68:19). Scripture admonishes us to be continually thankful, always rejoicing in the Lord, for it is in Christ that we “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
We who have been washed in the precious blood of Christ are those who have the most for which to be thankful, for we have experienced both the life of sin as well as God’s deliverance from that past life and the wonderful forgiveness and cleansing provided in the Lord Jesus Christ. We have tasted that the Lord is truly “good: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 107:1), for it is no longer just a verse couched in the midst of scripture but is a living reality in the life. Not just life but abundant life is what Jesus promised to those who would believe, repent and surrender their lives to Him. The greatest blessing a man can possess in this life is to find salvation, peace and joy in Christ Jesus and to experience a life in the Spirit, which only God can give. Jesus proclaims good news to those who will listen. In John10:10 He declares, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” While the “thief” (devil) has come and is presently destroying the lives of millions around us, Jesus offers those who turn to Him and believe “abundant life.” What is this abundant life?
Life means to be alive, not comatose or dead. Abundant life is to live one’s life to the full or loving every minute of it. It is enjoyable, rich, full, meaningful, exciting, free, flavored and seasoned with love, joy and peace. It is a life filled with activity and abounding with pleasures and contentment. When Jesus said He came to give abundant life, He was speaking of exactly these characteristics of life, not just in some future realm or dispensation, but now, here on this earth. Yet, He was not referring merely to the physical, material and earthly but the spiritual blessing which Christ provided for every believer. For, if a man has found Christ, the door has been opened by which he can grow, mature and walk in an intimate relationship with Christ, and in that relationship find and experience abundant spiritual life. That life found in Jesus will spill over into his life here on earth, so that he not only enjoys the things of God in the spiritual realm but will also enjoy the physical blessings given as well, no matter how meager they may appear in the eyes of the world. The abundant life is the life of God in the soul that springs up within one’s heart into everlasting life.
Let us then be especially thankful this year, that while the world and America is in turmoil and confusion, those who know Christ have abundant life which the world cannot take away.
LETTER FROM A READER
Dear Pastor Alfred King,
Hello to you and your congregation. The purpose of this letter is in response to your article in the August 2022 issue of the TOT. Whereas most of your article was biblically grounded. However per the bible and basic biology, we know how women get pregnant, and it’s not alone. So therefore your question, “why do women get pregnant if they do not want to?” and that Sin is the real issue here.” But that very sin of fornication involves both males and females as in ICorinthians6:18, “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body: but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” A woman cannot get pregnant without the seed of the man. So, it’s both of their responsibility, as God will judge them both. It is an abomination unto the Lord in Proverbs 6:17b, and hands that shed innocent blood.” Therefore, reason and common sense should apply to both a woman and man for their consequences for their illicit activity. Romans 6:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” And yes, the salvation of America does begin with you and me. Glory to God.
Your sister in Christ Jesus, L.M.D.
Dear Sister L.M.D.
I appreciate your letter very much and desire to respond to your concerns. It is possible that others who have read the article, “Roe v Wade” in the recent issue of “The Testimony of Truth”, may have questions or concerns relative to the issue you brought to my attention. I read the article over myself with your concerns about the absence of including men in the topic of pregnancy. It is true that men are just as guilty getting a woman pregnant as the woman and maybe even more responsible, since they many times are the ones who are pushing for the affair. Neither are guiltless.
I do not want to justify myself in what was written if it was unclear but, reading over the article, I see that men were also included in the matter of sin. For instance, on page 24 the question is asked, “Why do women get pregnant to begin with?” The question automatically includes the male in the affair, as you so adequately expressed, “… we know how women get pregnant, it’s not alone.”
On page 25 it reads, “Men and women want to fornicate with no consequences.” This statement includes men in the fornication, which is sin. Men and women are equally guilty when they decide to violate God’s commands and commit fornication.
The article mentioned contraceptives, which allows one to be sexually loose and, yet, a means to prohibit pregnancy in most cases. While People of the Living God does not suggest their use nor condone their use, it is the world’s way to sin without the consequences.
Sister, it seems to me that, except in the case of rape or faulty contraceptives, no woman need become pregnant. However, the focus of the article was that, when one aborts a baby it is murder, and it is adding sin to sin. One sin must be covered by another sin, and the latter sin is greater than the first. I still hold that position.
In closing, let me give scripture to support my last statement in the previous paragraph that some sins are greater than others, as I have been questioned about this many times. In John 19 Jesus is standing trial before Pilate. Pilate states that he has the power to convict Jesus or release Him. In verse 11 Jesus answered, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.” The religious leaders’ sins were greater than Pilate’s although Pilate gave the order for His crucifixion.
Another scripture to support this claim is found in Matthew 5:28, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” The question I ask: “Is it no worse to commit adultery than to lust after a woman?” I was told once by a man that, since he could not keep from lusting after women, he was going to just go ahead and commit fornication. He said the sin was equal. This same principle or idea can be used with hatred and murder. Which is the greater sin?
Thank you again for writing to us, and I pray that God will bless you as you walk with Him. We are blessed to have Christ in our lives, His word to guide us and His love and strength to sustain us in these evil days.
Your brother in Christ, Alfred King
THE TRINITY
Alfred King
Understanding the Godhead is something that we will never fully understand in this life and, even in eternity, we may never fully grasp it. Nevertheless, we must at least consider it and prayerfully ask for understanding, as it is critical in its relationship to believers. Many Christians flippantly say, “I believe in the Trinity,” or “I believe Jesus only,” or some version of a duality of the Godhead and never delve into it for greater understanding. Some of these positions divide God’s people. For instance, I recently read where an author stated dogmatically that if one does not believe in the Trinity, he is not saved. That’s pretty serious. I’ve heard similar statements from the Jesus Only crowd and even from some who hold to a duality of some sort. It’s like, “If you don’t believe as I do, you’re lost.”
Some who reject the idea of a triune God will blame the Catholic Church for the doctrine of the Trinity. They believe that Catholicism created the doctrine of the Trinity and did so in order to justify their worship of their many different idols, saints, Mary, statues, and Jesus (when it fits their catechism). These claim that the Trinity doctrine began in the Catholic Church, and it was picked up by Protestants; therefore, they believe it to be a doctrine of error. As Christians, we must realize that not everything Catholicism teaches is false. They do boast about some doctrines which they produced and are in error, such as the Sunday Sabbath, December 25th being the day of Jesus’ birth and Easter Sunday being the day of His resurrection. Yet, I have never read, heard, nor come across any boasting about them being the author of the doctrine of the Trinity. But let us, as the Reformers did over five hundred years ago, go to scripture (solo scriptura) and see if we can find an answer to this issue that will at least give us some understanding of the Godhead.
The Lord Our God Is One Lord
“The Lord our God is one Lord” is a quote from Deut.6:4 and, of course, were spoken by Moses under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Israel was distinct from other nations by the fact that they served only one God, a God who was sufficient for all their needs and needed not have a god for war, another god for the weather, another for their harvests, a god for fertility, etc. etc.
Jesus quoted this verse from Deuteronomy when asked which was the greatest commandment in the law (Matt.12:29). We cannot disregard this statement in scripture merely because we hold a different view or opinion, while at the same time we cannot build our foundation upon one portion of scripture. We must consider all scripture in our search for truth.
Duality In The Godhead
There are many believers who recognize that there are more than one being in the Godhead but do not embrace the Trinity. They hold to the idea that there are two members that make up the Godhead; they are the Father and the Son (Jesus Christ). These do not consider the Holy Spirit as a person but simply an influence. The Holy Spirit is more like how we might be influenced by being around certain people. As mortals, we are influenced and shaped by our families, our schools, our society and so forth. A person then, according to this premise, can be influenced by the Holy Spirit by being around Christians or attending a religious gathering. One might say, “The Holy Spirit really moved in our church service today,” meaning that God was there and His presence prompted people to go to the altar or give testimony of God moving in their hearts. But the Holy Spirit’s prompting was not God, rather it was the effect of God’s presence.
The Trinity: God In Three Persons
As those who believe that God is in two persons, the Father and the Son, there are those who have the conviction that God exists in three persons, each separate and distinct and yet one. This is no more difficult to conceive than the duality is. Let us, therefore, go to the scriptures and draw out which of these three views is correct or, at least, endeavor to gain a greater knowledge of the God we serve so that we might give honor and glory to Him as He so deserves.
It seems that in searching this topic out, we ought to go to the very beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth. This, of course, is found in Genesis chapter one. “In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth.” From the Hebrew text, the word translated ‘God’ in this verse is Eloliym (Elohim). Elohim is the plural of El (God). El is the singular form of Elohim. Why would scripture use the plural form of God if God was singular? It appears from this verse that the Godhead consists of at least two entities.
Dropping down in Genesis one to verse 26 we find God referring to Himself in the plural. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” The word ‘God’ used here is again Elohim (plural). But take special notice that God says, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” All the places where the word ‘God’ is used in Genesis, chapters one and two are Elohim, God in the plural.
The question that might immediately arise at this point is: “What about ‘The Lord our God is one Lord’?” We will look into that after we have supplied more scriptural evidence that the Godhead consists of more than one.
Three Bear Record In Heaven
Moving into the New Testament, we find in I John 5:7a, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (all emphasis in this article are mine) The “Word” as used here is unquestionably referring to Jesus (Consider John1:1). This verse is about as clear as any of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is linked inseparably with the Father and the Word (Jesus). He is not spoken of as an influence but as a person or a being. The Holy Spirit bears record just as does the Father and the Son.
If we go back to creation in Genesis 1:2 we find that “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” The Spirit that moved upon the face of the waters was more than an influence; it was the third person in the Godhead that moved. So the Spirit was involved in the creation of the earth.
For those who claim that the Spirit is only the influence of God and not an actual being or person, I offer these points:
The Holy Spirit speaks: “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot” (Acts8:29). The Holy Spirit is recorded “giving utterance” on the day of Pentecost when He fell upon each of those gathered in the upper room and they “all…began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts2:4). A person or a being can speak, but an influence does not verbally speak.
Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as “He”. In John 16:7 Jesus identifies the Holy Spirit as “the Comforter.” Verse eight reads: “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” The Greek bears out that the pronoun Jesus used is “he” and not “it.” He is a pronoun which denotes a person, not an influence or some type of prompting. Again, in John16 verses 13-14 Jesus said, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” Eight times in these two verses Jesus uses the masculine pronoun ‘He’ in reference to the Holy Spirit. (He also says, “He shall not speak of himself…” another personal pronoun.) Take special notice that Jesus distinguishes Himself from the Holy Spirit in the phrase, “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”
Plurality And Oneness In The Godhead
Many have difficulty in aligning the scripture which states, “The Lord our God is one Lord” (Deut.6:4; Mark 12:29) with the trinity. We need always remember that God is far beyond our understanding. We only are able to catch a glimpse of who He is and what He is. Jesus’ prayer in John 17 presents the truth of this topic to us about as clearly as we will probably know on this side of the veil. (One important point here is that the heathen nations had many gods, and they believed that some of those gods fought against one another. In stating that Israel’s God was one, was in reference to their unity which was so unlike the heathen nations around them.)
Note carefully how Jesus presents the oneness of His Father and Himself and also how He incorporates His disciples and those who afterward believe into that oneness. Jesus prayed in John 17 that His disciples might all be one even as He and the Father are one. “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:21-22). There is a unity or oneness in God that we don’t fully comprehend and yet existsnevertheless. That oneness includes the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. “These three are one.” (I John 5:7) Scripture speaks of three being one, which refers to their perfect unity. There was absolutely no division, no disputes, no variance but perfect harmony and unanimous purpose and desire.
I once had a minister explain the oneness of God to me with the following example, which may help us understand this unity of the trinity in creation. A man has a desire and intention to build a building. He gets with an architect to draw up the plans he has in mind. The architect creates the blueprints. He then gives the blueprints to a contractor who then erects the building. They all three had their part in erecting the building.
Using this illustration can aid us in understanding how the Trinity worked in unity to create the heavens and the earth. The Father had the desire and plan. Jesus laid out the design and the Holy Spirit moved to make it that which was in the Father’s heart. Each person in the Godhead had a part in creation, and they each have a part in the final product for which this universe was created. The Father so loved the world; God loved man who was created in God’s image but fell from that heavenly state through sin. God still desires that fellowship with man be restored. Jesus paid the price for man’s redemption and reconciliation. The Holy Spirit is sent to dwell in the hearts of every believer, teaching, guiding, encouraging, and strengthening them “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph.4:13). And then we shall be one with the Trinity, and Jesus’ prayer will be fulfilled.
SIGNS & WONDERS
Randall Walton
Nicodemus, the Jewish ruler who came to Jesus one night, apparently knew very little about the ways of God. He was overwhelmed by Jesus' declaration that a person must be “born again” before he could either see or enter the kingdom of God. This was a new doctrine to this religious zealot who knew nothing about the Spirit and the kingdom of God. He, along with the rest of Jewry, looked for the restoration of a material, physical, earthly kingdom with an ivory throne occupied by the prophesied Messiah.
Jesus punctured that balloon with His statement that, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). The kingdom of which Jesus spoke was a spiritual kingdom about which Nicodemus should have known since he was a Master in Israel.”
But his ignorance of things spiritual was not confined to the kingdom and the New Birth; he began his discourse with Jesus with an uninformed assumption: “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:2).
This belief is prevalent in most religious circles yet today. There is no question about the existence of miracles at the present time, but let it be known that the working of miracles is not a badge of merit, nor proof that the miracle worker is in touch with God! This “master in Israel” made the same mistake that a multitude of people make even yet. And we have heard many preachers who use these words of Nicodemus as authenticity for their own ministry!
Jesus Told the Truth
“For 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). Here is proof positive that miracles (signs and wonders) are no proof that the miracle worker is genuine. A false prophet who works miracles is still a false prophet and is not to be believed nor followed. A false Christ (an “anointed” person) who performs great signs and wonders is counterfeit irrespective of his show of power. God is not with him; neither is he anointed of God!
By no means are we suggesting that the days of genuine miracles are past – not at all. God's power and ability to do the supernatural has never waned nor fluctuated. He is still the Healer and the Master of the universe; His miracle working power is unlimited.
But we are living in a day of great deception on a world-wide scale when people are moved and entranced by anything supernormal, or which appears to be such. Ungodly hucksters are quick to recognize and take advantage of people's naivete! What a tragic scenario this is.
Rip-offs in the name of Jesus are quite common nowadays. People pay great sums to support these pseudo-power players who succeed in separating the gullible from their life savings.
“All That Glitters Is Not Gold,” a song used to say. Perhaps it is more accurate to state that hardly anything that glitters is gold. Nowhere in the Scriptures is there any evidence that the multitudes were hyped up with a contemporary rock band which was adept at working up people's emotions to a high fever pitch before a professional performer came on stage to go through his routine of zany acts.
Can you, for a moment, imagine Peter the fisherman in the limelight, blowing in people's faces, and conducting a massive fall-down with a coterie of accomplices to catch the “slain” as they fall? Can you picture Paul and Barnabas with a giant tent and huge signs proclaiming the “Paul & Barnabas Ministries Crusade”? Or Jesus sending the Twelve with baskets to gather up the offerings?
The point is that there is so much fakery going on which is being accepted as genuine. You hear little or nothing about walking in obedience (a detested word) to the words of the Master. You hear pitifully little about the necessity of growth and maturity, and the fruits of the Spirit. The emphasis is on visual experience of outward manifestations.
Truth is considered irrelevant, unimportant and divisive. The alternative to this is ecumenism, the cure-all, supposedly, for the troubles which plague organized religion.
The Scriptures do not support the idea that signs and wonders are proof that a person is from God. While it is true that the Lord confirmed “the word with signs following” (Mark 16:20), it is also true that the WORD was preached and practiced!
How Can We Know?
“A tree is known by its own fruit,” Jesus said. Yet, it is not always possible to observe the “fruit” of every professed man of God. If you do not live within a close proximity of a person, or do not know him personally, it is difficult, if not impossible, to see the fruit which is produced.
However, there are a few standards to gauge by without being judgmental or biased.
For one thing, is the “ministry” in question compatible with the world? In dress, in showmanship, in format, in appearance? We have observed many of the popular programs (literally, “shows”) of some of the leading personalities who have become celebrities in the style of Hollywood. Some of the women on those “shows” looked as if they would have been right at home on Bourbon Street (New Orleans). The men, also, were well-coiffed and sporting some of the most expensive suits available. If someone had not said “Lord” or “Jesus” occasionally, those shows could have passed as nothing more than worldly entertainment.
The music (this term is used loosely) was as worldly, or earthly, as it's possible to be. The only difference between it and pop/rock/rap/jazz was the use of religious words. Words alone are not the basis for sacred, God-anointed music.
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you OUT OF the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:18,19).
“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world” (John 17:14).
The world does not hate the modern religious entertainer who performs in the name of the Lord. They apparently happily march the same path arm in arm. Beware!
Another important issue is, money. We readily understand the necessity of paying due bills: utilities, rent, maintenance of facilities, etc. But when emphasis is placed upon the lifting of hundreds of thousands, and even millions of dollars from clients, you know something is eerily amiss.
Jesus said it this way: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matt.7:15). The word “ravening” means to “prey or plunder,” to “devour hungrily,” “to extort.” Extortion is the use of devious means to extract money from people. If you have ever observed the average “collection” service (also called the offertory), you have most likely witnessed some professional extortionism. Many ministers will rant and rave on the theme of, “Will a man rob God?” Their real concern is not God's welfare, but their own!
There is nothing wrong with people giving offerings and tithes to the Lord's work, but when money becomes one of the chief concerns of a religious effort, then look out for the ravening wolf. He will appear as a sheep in sheep's clothing, but he is a false prophet.
Jesus drove the money-changers and the merchants out of the temple saying they had made it a den of thieves. Jesus unquestionably showed His displeasure with those who would use God’s teachings or His works to squeeze money out of His people. He offered the Gospel free. “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isa. 55:1) Whenever the Gospel is merchandized: Beware!
Another important issue is glory, self-glory that is. How many “miracle workers” draw attention to themselves, or make their ministry appear as if they themselves are special, outstanding, or that they are somewhat above the rest of the crowd?
Jesus said this concerning the Holy Spirit: “when he, the Spirit of truth, is come…He shall glorify me…” (John 16:13,14). Any ministry which does not glorify Jesus Christ is spurious! Most gospelers will acknowledge Jesus and will admit that He is Lord, but, in truth, they will only make that admission as a means of glorifying themselves. They want to appear as unique channelers by which God does mighty wonders. Self-glorification: Beware!
One more point which is very important revolves around the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures; that is, the teaching of sound doctrine and the defense of the Bible as the very word of the living God.
Doctrine is important, for it is the means of attaining unto LIGHT. But the false prophet will attempt to discount the importance of doctrinal truth and the infallibility of God's word. To him, he is more important than anything else; his ability to do signs and miracles is the all-important issue to him.
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1:7).
The Antichrist
Paul informed us that the “man of sin” who is to be revealed in the last days will come “after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (II Thess.2:8-9). The object of these miracles is to deceive people. He will appear as an angel of light and will “prove” his authenticity by his marvelous works. Remember, there could be no counterfeit if there were no genuine, but we must be able to distinguish between the two.
We are living in a day of expanding spirit activity when we are seeing a greater display of supernormal/supernatural manifestations. And with this there is a greater number of wonder workers, some bona fide (?), and many false. It is imperative that every person be informed and be aware of what is taking place. Remember, the objective behind all the show and glitzy is the ultimate deception of people, even the very elect, if possible. It need not happen to you, friend.
THANK YOU, LORD
Armando Montes
I recently came across this statement, “To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything” (Thomas Merton). And many years ago, Bro. Paul commanded the church at Thessalonica, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (IThess.5:18). We often testify that we want to do God’s will. Here we have a part of it!
To help you understand what is in my heart today, I will be referring to some events in my personal life that, in other circumstances, I would prefer not to disclose.
I come from a country where we don’t have Thanksgiving Day celebration as a holiday. We do not have a history of Thanksgiving, Pilgrims or the Mayflower. We know nothing of men, women, and children crossing, a few hundred years ago, the stormy Atlantic looking for a free land where they could worship Almighty God according to their beliefs. The beginning of Thanksgiving is an inspiring story. It tells us about thankful hearts giving praise and honor to “that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be” (George Washington).
Thanksgiving is grounded in the Scriptures. We have been commanded to give thanks so many times:
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise, be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4).
“To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God. I will give thanks unto thee for ever” (Psalm 30:12).
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Heb.13:15).
I like languages. Our group was still in the city port of New Orleans, and we used to have what we called a “ship ministry.” Some of our men went to the docks to visit some ships, and we talked to sailors about the things of God. We invited them to Bible classes. We met so many people of so many nationalities. God put in my heart to learn how to say “thank you” in different languages. Then, in my personal prayers, I expressed my gratitude to our Heavenly Father in these different languages. Oh the sweet Presence of our Heavenly Father! I knew that Almighty God was pleased with the attitude of my heart. He is omniscient. He understands all languages; He made them all, anyway. Revelation5:9 tells us, “And they sung a new song, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and has redeemed us to God by thy blood out of EVERY KINDRED, and TONGUE, and PEOPLE, and NATION” (emphasis mine). But you know what? I lost that intimate fellowship with the Lord. However, He is a RESTORER. He is working to bring me back to that sweet communion with Him. He’s still working on me!
By the way, the Spanish word for ‘thank you’ is ‘gracias’. If we drop the final ‘s’ we have ‘gracia’ that also means ‘grace’. So, let us give ‘gracias’ to our Heavenly Father for His ‘gracia.’ “But where sin abounded, GRACIA did much more abound” (Rom.5:20).
Thanksgiving is truly a special day. It is true that we enjoy visiting with family and friends. We also enjoy the turkey dinners with all the holiday trimmings. It should be a precious opportunity to remember the bountiful blessings that God has poured out upon our family, our church and our nation. Thanksgiving should not end after prayers and meditation have been devoted to thank the great Creator for what He has done and is doing for us. It should remain as a part of our daily lives. God inhabits the praises of His people. Praise and thanksgiving go hand in hand. Giving thanks is not based on circumstances or how we feel about it. As believers, we are to give thanks to Almighty God for who He is and for the great things He has done.
Thanksgiving time has a personal and precious meaning to me. My memory reminds me of wonderful blessings bestowed upon me on Thanksgiving 1976. At that time, I didn’t know Jesus yet. In plain language, I had not been born again yet. The god of this world had blinded my eyes and I could not see. A few months later, the Lord opened my eyes and I saw the light. I flew to Washington, D.C., because I needed to get an important paper from the Colombian Embassy. And God granted complete victory and met my needs. I stayed with some friends in Alexandria, Virginia, not too far from Washington, D.C. Our Lord had compassion on me. God even talked to me through His creation. I saw leaves changing color and falling from trees. Something completely new to me. I knew that the great Creator was with me, but not living yet in me; I was getting closer to Him. My memory fails me to describe what I was experiencing. Let me tell you it was wonderful!
As we sit down to dinner this Thanksgiving, let us spend time giving thanks “to Him who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and power for ever.” Let us exalt His name, for He has done great things. Let us praise God from whom all blessings flow. He is worthy!!! However, our praises and thanksgivings should not end at the dinner table. They should become part of our daily lives. After all, God loves a cheerful giver.
“O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:1-3).
THE LAW
J. Grant Swank, Jr.
God gave the law. It is eternal. It has not been discounted with the New Covenant. This moral law is in operation as long as human history continues on planet earth.
Yet, today, the moral law is being discounted in favor of accommodation. Compromise is the order of the day throughout much of Christendom. This is evidenced in the overemphasis of Pollyanna preaching which tickles ears rather than biblical preaching which convicts of sin. With the Pollyanna preaching running rampant, the biblical truths of evil, Satan, hell and the judgment of God have been practically negated. Accenting such eternal truths from the pulpits is considered out of style in many churches.
Nevertheless, because the moral law was meant for all time, it cannot be discounted without awesome penalty. The punishment will come particularly severely upon the religious leaders who have not been faithful to the divine call of proclaiming, not only grace, but also law.
Psalm 19:7-9 reads: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.”
To discount the moral law is to snub the perfection of God. His law is perfect; therefore, to negate such perfect mandates is the height of egotism. The human mind then concludes that it can manufacture a more comfortable religion – one which is perfect by its own accommodations.
When one does adhere to the divine law, one comes to the personal realization of divine rest. Such rest is heaven's blessing upon the soul because of the believer's simple but persistent obedience to the law. God loves those who trust His law; therefore, He smiles upon their faith in His perfect law rather than their yielding to the sham of human religious manufacturings.
Therefore, the church in too many places has lost its godly fear. “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.” When the fear of God is absent, the cleanliness is gone. In place of holiness is outright sin – sophisticatedly condoned, paraded as righteousness. Such is the present state in much of the mainline denominations, and it is becoming increasingly worse with each year's rounds of annual conferences of church bodies.
Such awful plight within much of Christendom is due to the purposeful neglect of the divine moral law. Even to hint that we must return to the law is to be regarded as archaic to the ultimate degree. It is to bring ridicule of the harshest sort, especially if proclaimed publicly at some of the churchly gatherings for religious business.
Yet, the righteous remnant, realizing that allegiance is to the eternal law alone, will never waver, for their ultimate victory is certain. The law given by God will be defended by God. Those who defend God and His law will triumph. It is merely a matter of time and eternity.
The Word guarantees it.