SEPTEMBER, 1963 B IO L A F E L L O W S H IP (With features from August broadcasts)
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Monthly Publication o f the BIOLA FELLOWSHIP Vol. 3 No. 9 September, 1963 CONTENTS PROPHECY: GOD'S TORCH OF TRUTH ......................... 3 HOW THE BIBLE C AN PREDICT .. 5 HOW LATE IS IT? .................. 7 GOD'S DEALINGS W ITH M A N .... 9 ISRAEL IN PROPHECY ..............11 THE CHURCH IN P RO PH EC Y .... 13 GOD'S PROPHETIC PLAN .......... 14 PANEL DISCUSSIONS ............... 15 PARABLES A N D PEARLS .......... 19 THE BIOLA FELLOWSHIP PLAN..22 SCRIPTURAL PRAYING ........... 23 THE CONDUCT A N D DUTY OF THE CHURCH ........... 25 (Tuesday-Thursday Bible Studies) KBBI INCREASES POWER ..........28 THE TIMES OF GOD'S HOLY PLAN ........................31 THE PURPOSE OF GOD'S PLAN ..32 NUGGETS OF GOLD .................34 YOUR CHRI STI AN WI LL Did you know that there is a way to invest in Biola for the training of students while saving costly estate taxes. Ultimately you may be able to leave mere money ter your loved ones. As a Fellowship member you are under no obligations when you write ter information or counsel. BIOLA STEWARDSHIP DEPARTMENT STAFF President___________ S. H. Sutherland E d ito r....................................Al Sanders Production ...............Virginia Schwepker Printing ...........................Church Press Published monthly by the Radio Dept. BIBLE INSTITUTE OF LOS ANGELES 558 S. Hope St., Los Angeles 17, Cal. Controlled circulation postage paid at Los Angeles, California.
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G od ’ s W ord is composed of no less than 25 per cent prophetic truth. As an example, the Apostle Peter de clares, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (II Peter 1:19). Basically, the word prophecy has reference to God speaking some declarative truth relative to the future. This is the man ner in which His prophets speak for Him. A two-fold aspect is brought into view with God being spoken for and
with that which is going to take place. The apostle points out the importance of these things in our need to give heed to them. Today we are living in the world’s midnight; in perhaps her dark est hour. People are confused mentally and spiritually. Even our national and international leaders cannot tell us what the hours ahead will bring and what decisions must be made. Those of us who know the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, however, realize that our destiny is in the hands of God Himself. The question many people want to (continued on next page) 3
Long before Peter’s ministry, Isaiah wrote, “To the law and to the testi mony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20). How authorita tive is this “sure word.” There are three courts of appeal which the world is using today. The first is experience, wherein its propon ents state, “As long as I experience a given thing, it must be true. If it hadn’t come into my experience it doesn’t exist; it has no importance. The second is that of human reason suggesting that if a thing is rational, reasonable, or logical it can be be lieved. There may be a certain value to both of these means of authority but they are far from that which is Supreme. This is based upon the in fallibility and inerrancy of divine rev elation. At best, most of our experienc es stem from sinfulness. With reason ings, we find they must be weighed with our bias and prejudices. Revela tion, as recorded in the Holy Scriptures, gives us the mind of Almighty God. That is what Isaiah meant when he wrote for God, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways.” It is also vital to point out that pro phecy is a word of integrity. “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19). This is, of course, a world of great leader ship with outstanding statesmen and politicians on a world-wide scale. The same is true in science, philosophy, and even religion. Yet all of these-are lim ited by lack of a fullness of wisdom and understanding. They are victims of bias because of passions and pride. The Lord has never had to retract any thing, for He-is all knowledge. So, as far as prophecy is concerned, the “sure Word” is established. Next it is a word of authority upon which we may de pend. Then, it is a true word that can be trusted. How wonderful to know that, in these changing times, we serve a changeless Christ. Is this true with your life today? 4
Prophecy (continued) know today is how long we will have to wait for the Lord’s return. The an swer comes back from this verse in which we are told, “Until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your heart.” Here we see God’s foretelling a great and mighty event which will change this foreboding midnight dark ness into the brightness of midday. The “day star” is a very interesting figure of speech. Most of us are famil iar with the morning star which her alds the new day. So the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ will herald the new day of earthly existence. The rule TO BE A VESSEL Lord, "how I long with eager mind Men's souls to save and bless In self-dictated haste to serve, With prayerless zeal to run; Then weep with weary mind and nerve To find so little done. Lord, clear my misted eyes to see That nothing can avail Until I learn, alone with Thee, Through praying to prevail. What means my busy work to Thee, If done in vain self will? What power or guidance can there be, Till Thou Thy servant fill? Lord help me learn to wait until Thy will I clearly see; Then fill me, guide me, and fulfill Thy perfect will through me. of men will be transformed to the rule of God. Until that day comes, however, we are to give heed to the prophetic Word of God. Peter calls it a “sure” word of prophecy. The Holy Spirit makes every word of significance. “Sure” means that we have a certain absolute word upon which we can rest assured. It is not the words of men to which we look but rather the very Word of God. Let us not become vic tims of opinion and slaves of the con fusion of thought which is abroad in the world today. Our high privilege is to put our confidence in the assurance, “Thus saith the Lord.” But yet, alas, how oft I find Much failure, small success!
any of God’s decrees in any manner. Again Isaiah declares for God, “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? And the things that are coming, and shall come, let them ,shew unto them” (Isaiah 44:6, 7). "Here the Lord makes a challenge on the basis of His prophetic truth, He says in effect, “If there are any other gods, if they can predict, bring them forth and let them prophesy to see if it will come to pass.” Absolute silence has and always-will be the mute re sponse. “Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any” (Isaiah 44:8). We do not need to be afraid to trust completely the Word of God, for we shall never be deceived. How important it is to trust the Word of God for the words and thoughts of men are entirely undependable. Men do their best to find a way out of their problems and dilemmas. Man’s knowl edge is limited; he has vast areas of ignorance. Man is not omniscient ,a$ is God. Man has no power. Because he is sinful man is proud, vain, and ar rogant. There is a great difference be tween the words of men and the Word of God as this portion of Isaiah’s pro phecy shows us. The Lord not only shows us accurate ly how the world began but also ex- (continued on next page) 5
F requently people w ill ask , ’“ H o w is it possible for the Bible to pre dict things to come? There is no other book which can do this.” At the outset of our study it is important to verify the answer to this important question. The answer is simply because God knows the end even from the begin ning. God, being the Creator of the world and the Author of history, can predict with complete reliability what is to come. God spoke through His pro phet Isaiah, “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done* say ing, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:9, 10). Here God asks Isaiah to turn the atten tion of the Israelites to the beginning of their history. God foretold things which would occur to His people way back in Gene sis and Exodus. Since the prophecies had already taken place it should have been clearly evident to them that God’s truth and predictions could be trusted. The trouble is most of us have good “forgetteries.” Who could remember and predict with such accuracy but God? The Lord is omniscient which means simply that His all knowledge encompasses the beginning to the end of everything. There are many brilliant men living among us today. Each of them, however, is limited by his own ignorance. God does not suffer from this human weakness. His omnipotence gives this truth reality. No individual, whether human or angelic, can break
Prophecy (continued) actly how it will end. Yet, with all of this truth evident before us, the great est news is the fact that a Saviour has come, the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son. The key to the prophetic Word is the Saviour. Unless you have PRAY— ONE FOR ANOTHER I cannot tell why there should come to me A thought of someone miles and miles away. In swift insistence on the memory, Unless a need there be that I should pray. Too hurried oft are we to spare the thought For days together, of some friends away; Perhaps God does it for us, and we ought To read His signal as a call to pray. Perhaps, just then, my friend has fiercer fight, And more appalling weakness, and decay Of courage, darkness; some lost sense of right, And so, in case he needs my prayer, I pray. Friend, do the same for me, if I in trude Unasked upon you on some crowded day; Give me a moments' prayer as inter lude; Be very sure I need it, therefore pray. And when thou prayest, friend, I ask of thee That thou wilt seek of God not mine own way, Not what I want, but His best thought for me; Do thou through Jesus Christ im plore, I pray. — Marianne Farrriingham the key you will be unable to unlock the door to the future and rest in the assurance that your destiny will be eternal life. Why not come to know Him as your Saviour that He may en lighten your heart and mind as you study His blessed truth?
An upright man will never be a downright failure. * * * Unfortunately, some church mem bers have heaven on the tip of their tongue and the world at the tip of their fingers. * * * We may first make our habits but then our habits will make us. * * * DUAL CITIZENSHIP This past year a very memorable event took place for a member of the British Isles. In April, Sir Winston Churchill became the first man in his tory to be made an honorary American citizen by an act of Congress. One of his biographers states, “For 65 years Sir Winston searched for acceptance, starting when he was a child. His quest for that acceptance lasted for a num ber of years until finally the door opened and he became a cherished figure of history.” Our government has given even greater recognition to him with this honor. 6ut what is true with Mr. Churchill on a human level, is even more supremely evidenced for the believer with the knowledge, as Scrip ture states, that we are accepted in the beloved through Christ Jesus. So we can say with the apostle Paul, 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heav enly places in Christ.” Sir Winston Churchill now enjoys dual citizenship. Yet, when by faith we receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour, we become both citizens of heaven as well as citi zens of this earth. May the Lord speak to our hearts and cause us to rejoice knowing that our citizenship is in heaven from whence also we look for the Saviour, our Lord JesusChrist. * The first screw that comesloose in the head seems to be the one that controls the tongue. * * * More people get crooked by dodg ing hard work than by being bent on honest toil. * *
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surance they were given is the same reason we are bringing this series of prophetic messages. Look to the world and you will be wretched and filled with distress. Look to the Word of prophecy and find the peace and comfort that passes all hu man understanding. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (I Peter 5:10). The prophetic word will make us perfect. This does BUT WE SEE JESUS " I don't look back, God knows the fruitless efforts. The wasted hours, the sinning, the regrets, I leave them all with Him who blots the record, And mercifully forgives, and then forgets. I don't look forward, God sees all the future, The road that, short or long, will lead me home, And He will face with me its every trial, And bear for me the burdens that may come. But I look up— into the face of Jesus, For there my heart can rest, my fears are stilled, For there is joy, and love, and light for darkness. And perfect peace, and every hope fulfilled." not mean sinlessly perfect. The word perfect carries the idea of spiritual maturity. No longer will we be adoles cents' in the faith but we will be able to take things in stride as we are rooted and grounded in the things of the Lord. We shall not be tom by winds o f' doctrine; not lost in the gales of confusion. We will be settled in the truth, not moving here and there, to and fro, without an abiding city. Are you resting in “Thus saith the Lord”? You are if you are receiving His Word finding assurance, peace and encour agement in your daily life. 8
Prophecy (continued) might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (verse 33). Our Lord knew that believers, begin ning with the disciples, would live in a world of great turmoil, trouble, and THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO YOU There's a sweet old story translated for man. But writ in the long, long ago, The Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Of Christ and His mission below. You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day, By deeds that you do, by words that you say. Men read what you write whether faithless or true— Say, what is the gospel according to you? 'Tis a wonderful story, that gospel of love, As if shines in the Christ-life di vine, And oh, that its truth might be told again In the story of your life and mine. Unselfishness mirrors in every scene, Love blossoms on every sod, And back from its vision the heart comes to tell The wonderful goodness of God. You are writing each day a letter to men Take care that the writing is true; 'Tis the only gospel some men will read, That gospel according to you. trial. That is why the only comfort the disciples, or any of us, could have is the Word of God. That is why God predicts things which are to come to pass. This is the reason for His pro phetic Word. When the Saviour was crucified the disciples remembered His Wo r d . Doing so didn’t take away the trials, distress, and wretchedness but it did give them comfort. The as
FEATURED AUGUST RADIO BROADCAST
God’s
Dealings With Man
by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper
created He him: male and female cre ated he them” (Genesis 1:26, 27). God made man far superior to all of His other creations. The Bible says that we have been maple in the likeness of al mighty God. Some have felt that this must mean that we carry the same physical characteristics. This, however, is not what “image” means. In Ephesians 4:23, 24, Paul points out that the new creation is made in righteousness and true holiness. These factors immediately tell us that the image or likeness is not a physical rep resentation but rather all of man’s spir itual representation. Man has the abil ity to be moral, the ability to be spirit ual and to partake of God’s nature at these points. Colossians 3:10 reveals that we are in His likeness “and re newed in knowledge.” God intended that man should rule the earth, and everything that it contained, for Him. But unfortunately man desired to be the creator not the created. Man was not satisfied to rule with God he want ed to be equal with Him. History re cords the tragic consequences as man falls and is banished from the garden. Instead of being the master of nature, man became its victim. “And unto Adam he said, because thou hast heark ened to the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I com manded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy (continued on next page) 9
H istory is best and most simply de fined as the story and events of people. In God’s prophetic truth there are certain people involved. Ordinarily as we think of people we aré prone to think of races or col or. Then again when we think of peo ple it may be of their professions, busi ness occupations or even political affili ations.. But God’s only differentiation is whether they are saved or lost. There are three main groups of people with whom God is concerned in His great prophetic plan. Scripture defines them for us, “Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God” (I Corinthians 10: 32). Why was there this three-fold di vision? First God’s relation to the Gen tiles, second, His relation to the Jews (Israel, His ancient people), and third, His relation to the church (those re deemed through the blood of the Lord Jesus' Christ). To what does the term “Gentiles” refer? The Latin is the word for people. It is a general t Prophecy (continued) sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat of the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 3:17-19). Man now becomes an exile from God, deprived of the many privileges which would have been his. God, as far as individual man is concerned, is not STANDING ON THE ROCK We are standing on th'e Rock, Firmly anchored to the Rock, Held securely by the Hand that can not fail. We are trusting in the Lord, Calmly resting on His Word And we never shall be moved, what- e'er assail. There's a Church established here By the mighty Son of God, It was founded on the Rock so long ago; And though fiery darts were cast, It has stood through ages past, And will ever stand the wildest winds that blow. Spread the tidings far and wide With their Words of Peace and Love, Cast it on the rolling waves beyond the shore; Over hills and valleys din. It will cancel every sin, While the Church triumphant stands for evermore, for evermore. — Mrs. Z. A. Beverly able to use him for His glory. This is because man has rejected the Lord and turned his back on Him. But we re joice that the story does not end here because God in His marvelous grace, and through' His knowledge, He knew what man would do. The Lord has made full provision to redeem fallen man as we will see in our next study. God speaks to Abraham so that he will bring forth a people who will be a witness to His name and for His hon or and glory. RADIO BIBLE TEACHER Dr. Ralph L. Keiper Editorial Research Director, Evangelical Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. MAKING YOUR WEATHER How strange that we who have finite minds try to influence the infinite grace and goodness of our God. We want our way rather than using the words of our blessed Saviour when He said, “Nevertheless, not my w ill but thine be done.” A maid in a certain home was preparing to take her night out. Just before she left her employer asked, “Bertha, have you been med dling with the barometer again?” She immediately confessed declaring, “Yes, maam! You see, tonight is my night off. 1 have a very important engagement and I don’t want anything to go wrong. So, 1 set the barometer to ‘fine’.” A lot of people would like to change the Bible; to rule out such subjects as sin, judgment upon unrightequsness, and eternal punishment. But thank God, as believers, we can rest in the blessed promise of His glorious truth. Yes, “the foundation of'God standeth sure, having this seal, the' Lord knoweth them that are h it” (11 Timothy 2:19). 10 A s the G entiles comprise the first group of three peoples in whom God’s eternal and prophetic truth is revealed we come to the second which is Israel. It is interesting to note that God’s .ancient people are popularly known to us by three terms. There is the word Hebrew which may have come from Heber, one of the forebear ers of Abraham. The second is the word “Jews.” This is no doubt an abbreviation of the tribe of Judah, the royal tribe of David. This was the human household from which our Lord Jesus Christ derived His lineage after the flesh. The third word is “Israel.” We have a modem term today known as Israeli, which signifies the land of Palestine. In the Old Testament Jacob is given this new name by the Lord which means, “Prince with God.” Now, why did God choose a special people; a nation? Was it because of their race? Scripture gives us the clear answer, and it is a great prophetic truth. “Now the Lord said unto Abra ham, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy fa ther’s house, unto a land that I will show thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” Abraham was to leave his kindred' and his home country. It is interesting to find that when God introduces a pro phetic truth He invariably does it in outline. Later on, in subsequent chap ters, He fills in the outline so that by the time the Old Testament is complet ed we have the full details. Think 0f the fact that the Jews were to be a great nation. This has literally come true. How many Jews in the world today bear the name of their father Abraham? Whenever the Jewish na tion has been ill-treated, misfortune has come to that oppressive nation. Whenever nations have been thought ful and kind to Israel, God has attend ed His blessing as He promised. If it were not for Israel we would not have the Holy Bible. God chose His prophets of old from the Jewish nation to be His human agents. We who are believers today, who have come from Gentile stock, can be su premely thankful to the nation of Israel (continued on next page) 11 Prophecy (continued) for this and for many other reasons. Again it was through the tribe of Judah, in the family of Israel, that the Lord Jesus Christ, Israel’s Messiah, has come to be our Saviour. So, after, the flesh, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Mes siah, made it possible for you and for me to have eternal salvation through faith in Him. Recently, in some of our publications, a discussion has been go ing on as to just who the Jews really area. Are they a race? Are they a cul ture? Are they a religion? There doesn’t seem to be any agreement as to who they1are. God specifically tells us, however, how that they are a people of His special attention, elected by sov- What will today's youngsters be able to tell their children they had to do without? SERVING SATAN Dr. Billy Graham tells the refresh ing story about a little boy who, with his sister, went to visit the grandpar ents' farm one summer. One day, while Johnny was playing with his slingshot, he aimed, hit, and killed his grand mothers pet duck; one she greatly prized and treasured. He was fright ened, but since no one had evidentally seen him, he ran off with it into the woods and buried it so that it couldn’t be found. That night after dinner, Mary, his sister said, “Johnny, you do the dishes tonight.” The lad re sponded, “You must be crazy. It’s your turn, why should I do your work?” She answered quietly, “ You’d better do as I say. I saw you kill grandmother’s duck this afternoon. I’ll tell unless you do my work.” So, without a word, and fearful that someone would find out, the boy served his sister’s every wish. Finally, after about a week of this treatment, he could stand it no longer. He said, “/ have something I must con fess. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, Granny. A week ago, I was play ing with my slingshot and . . . and'. . . / killed your prize duck.” Wiping a tear from her eye, she reached out her arms and said, “Come here, son. You know, l was sitting here by the window and saw what you did. I wondere ’ how ’ong you were going to take this bond age to your sister when all you would have to do is confess.” The Lord sees our hearts, He knows every thought as well as deed. Satan delights to keep us in bondage to himself, when all we need to do for restored fellowship is to come to Christ, for if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness! Dr. Louis T. Talbot, Biola Chancellor, talks with Dr. Keiper. lereign love and grace, redeemed out of death into life. “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any pec pie; for ye were the fewest of all peo ple: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fa thers, hath the LORD brought you’out with a mighty hand, and redeemed'you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt” (Deu teronomy 7:8). No wonder it is im possible for the world to identify the Jew. This is a miraculous people, elect ed by God, because of special favor. It is simply and wholly the result of divine .grace. The man who is self-centered is completely "off" centered. 12 T hree groups of people are brought into sharp focus through the study of Biblical prophecy: the Gentiles, Is rael and the Church. The latter group is described in I Peter 1:2, “Elect ac cording to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprin kling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multi plied.” The word “elect” applied to Israel because God chose them. It was not because of any virtue of their own, but rather because of His great love for them. What was true of Israel is also true of us as the Church. This is the term used to define all those who have been bom again through Christ Jesus as personal Saviour from all sin. We have been elected by God and are redeemed. One who is elect has been called out; selected for a specific service. “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love” (Ephesians 1:4). God has elected this special people that we might be a wit ness for Him. As the Lord looked down through the years He saw nothing but rebellion from the time of Adam to the time of the atom. The natural man is always against God, he is not sub ject to -the law of God neither indeed can be. So God, in His marvelous grace, found a way whereby he could bring men to Himself. This is the knowledge of God the Father, through the sanctification of the Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit plays an important part in those who are members of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God is pressed to the hearts of men by the Holy Spirit and by faith he is new bom in Christ. “So then, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” God could not elect a people, especially a sinful people, without a purposeful cause or reason. The Bible tells us, “The wages of sin is death.” All men are sinners and are constantly falling short of the glory of God. As sinners all men have to collect the wages of sin. In order for God to bring people to Himself, these wages have to be paid in full. The Lord is not only gracious, He is also just. In His own mercy and provi dence He ordained that in the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the wages of sin should be collected. This is why the Saviour came to die on the cross of Calvary. But what is the purpose of this special people, the Church? Just as Israel was to be holy, so we, too, are to be holy. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy: for I am holy. And if ye call on the Fa ther, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear” (I Peter 1:15-17). So, in the midst of an unholy people, we are to walk as the sons of God among the sons of men. Paul declares that as believers we are to be holy and immaculate; absolutely without spot before the Lord. Peter has pointed out for the church that we are merely “sojourning” here. This world is not our home for our citizen ship is in heaven. The fear mentioned here, with which we are to travel in this world, is not a sense of terror, but, realizing the gravity of our' position and solemnity of the work, we are to do nothing to bring reproach on the name of the Lord. We are to show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. We are a chosen gen eration and a royal priesthood. As it is the function of a priest to bring the need of the people before God, so it is our high privilege to pray for the lost. We, the elect of God, have been given a message. May we be true to our witness. We do not desire to be set aside, as were the Gentiles and Israel. So let us be true to Him. Let us live for Him who died for us. GOD’S PROPHETIC PLAN by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper P rophecy deals specifically with history, or as it is something de fined more accurately, prewritten his tory. All history is made up of three important things: a beginning, a con tinuance, and an ending. So it is with God’s prophetic word. God carries forth His dealings in various steps which are appropriately known as dispensa tions. This is a term which is peculiar to prophetic truth. It is used in both the Gospels and in the letters of Paul. “Whereof I am made a minister, ac cording to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God” (Colossians 1:25). The word “dispensation” signifies something which is given forth. For example, in New York and Philadel phia, our subway platforms have coffee dispensers in them. Put in a dime, push a button, and out comes a cup of liquid coffee, cream and sugar, if you desire it. This mechanical device administers coffee. From the Greek word translated “dispensation” we get our word “economy,” that by which something is managed-’or administered. The Latin is translated by steward ship. In Luke 12:42 we read, “And the Lord said, Who then is that faith ful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season.” Here, the one who is a faithful dispenser is made ruler over the household and administers its af fairs. The English word “steward” is very interesting for it comes from two older terms in our vocabulary: “stye” (where pigs are kept), and “ward,” or one who has charge of the hogs; the guardi an of the pen. Now, however, it is one who becomes the steward and manages the household. Bringing this word into Scriptural witness we are stewards of His grace .(I Peter 4:10). ‘Dispensa tion” is a good word for it occurs in the Gospels and the epistles. It has to do with administration or a law of management. God, in planning the world, has set up various ways in which this world is to be managed for given purposes. On occasion He has given this stewardship, this manage ment, to the Gentiles. On other occa sions He has given it to Israel. On still other occasions He has, even now in our present time, given this direction and oversight management to the Church (I Corinthians 4:1). Each of us, as believers, have the high privilege of being a manager of the Gospel. THE LAZY CHURCH MEMBER I’ve been a dead weight many years Around the church's neck; I've had my name upon the rolls. For years and years gone by; I've criticized and grumbled too— Nothing could satisfy. I've been a dead weight long enough Upon the church's back. Beginning now, I'm going to take A wholly different track. I'm going to pray and pay and work And carry loads instead; And not have others carry me As people do the dead! Everytime you see a mechanical dis penser it should remind you that you have the high privilege of dispensing the cream of the Word of God and of telling the Gospel story to all. This means, however, that we must know His grace and love. We must have the supreme realization that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. A continuation of Dr. Keiper’s messages begins on page 51. 14 I've let the others carry me, And always pay the check. PANEL DISCUSSIONS w ith D n Samuel H. Sutherland and Dr. Charles L. Feinberg Q. “W ill you please explain John 3:5, ‘Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be bom of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God’.” A. Some people have erroneously in ferred from this passage that water baptism is necessary to salvation. Three principal views of this Scripture are as follows. Being bom of water and of the Spirit has reference to physical birth. (That is not a generally accept ed view..) The next is that the Lord Jesus is requiring traditional baptism with water of Nicodemus. If this were so then the order would he wrong. Throughout the New Testament it is always that we are to believe and then to be baptized in water. The Lord asked, “Are you a teacher in Israel and yet you do not know these basic spiritual truths?” Whence did our Sav iour expect Nicodemus to know these things? R e m e m b e r Ezekiel 36:25, “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.” This is God’s purg ing and cleansing Word through His Holy Spirit. Notice the order of clean water and then the Spirit. The verse here in John’s Gospel refers to the Word when it mentions water. Again, when the Lord referred to the man who believes He said that out of his innermost being there would flow riv ers of living water. In this case, water refers to the Holy Spirit. This third view is the proper Scriptural meaning of the passage. Q . Pony, Montana — “How can one tell which is the correct religion?” A. The word “religion” is being very loosely translated today. It does not refer to denominations but to the major beliefs such as Mohammedanism, Bud dhism, Shintoism and others. Religion is pictured as man groping and reach ing out to find God. Christianity on the other hand is God reaching down to man in the person of His only be gotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the vital difference between Chris tianity and world religions. As to which is correct, as one example, look at the status of women and see how they are degraded in lands where true Christianity is not practiced. Another external evidence is that of the Jew. Read the accurate fulfillments of prophecy relative to them. The Jew has been portrayed and pictured in de tail in both the Old and New Testa ments. This race is one of the greatest miracles of all mankind. The Word of God tells us what is the true religion and that all others compared with it are false (I John 4:1). Q . Albany, Oregon — “Please give me your position on capital punishment.” A. There is only one Scriptural posi tion on capital punishment, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man” (Genesis 9:6). There is a great deal of modern sentimentalism that is in the world today but this does (continued on next page) 15 Questions (continued) not change God’s pattern or statutes. In the New Testament the Word of God tells us that the ruler, or gover nor, is a “minister of God.” Again, “he beareth not the sword in vain.” Per haps our readers have heard of the society matron who was asked what she thought about capital punishment. Her answer is typical of the sentimen tality so often seen today as she said, “I’m for it, just as long as it isn’t too severe!” Q . Sun Valley, California — “W ill you please explain ‘the burden of the Lard! (Jeremiah 23:33).” A. This is a very vital part of Jere miah’s prophecy. He saw the people of God committing such offensive be haviour with their apostasy and moral declension that he spoke of the visita tion of God’s wrath upon the nation. The Lord does not willingly grieve or afflict the children of men. When He has to punish His own, the Lord does it with a great deal of sorrow and it is a literal burden upon His heart. Hence, the burden upon the heart of the Lord and His prophet. A. Woodburn, Oregon — “What is a Jew? Is there a difference between a Jew and a Hebrew? Is it proper to refer to one who has been converted as a ‘Hebrew Christian’?” A. Yes, one who has come to know the Lord from among Israel is properly called a Hebrew Christian. The differ ence between a Jew and a Hebrew is merely technical. In most Biblical ref erences they are equivalent. Abraham is called a Hebrew because he passed over from Mesopotamia into the land of Canaan. The word “Jew” comes from Judah, one of the tribes of Jacob. The name soon spread to include all of the nation. (Just as the word “Yan kee” once had a localized meaning in the United States. Today it would refer to all Americans.) Romans 2:28 gives us the correct Biblical definition, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outward ly; neither is that circumcision, which BIBLE TEACHER RETURNS Dr. Walter L. Wilson, beloved Bible teach er, returns to the Biola Hour soon with a brand new series on “Strange Lessons from Nature." Standing is Mr. Ed Steele, Biola Extension Director. is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and cir cumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” God views an individual as a Jew when he trusts Christ, when the Holy Spirit resides by faith, and when the Lord is given the praise, honor and glory. Q . Madera, California — “Did God create two worlds?” A. In II Peter 3:6, 7 we read, “Where by the world that then was, being over flowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store.” This may possibly lead someone to think there are two worlds. The con text, however, clearly reveals that it was not two worlds but simply the world that existed before,the flood as compared with the world that exists today. Another possibility might be Genesis 1:2, “And the earth was with out form and void.” Some translators make it to read, “The earth became without form and void.” But this was still the same world which had been put back into order. There is no Scrip- 16 upon all those who are unredeemed. At the crucifixion, it was the first and last time in all eternity that the face of God the Father was turned from the face of the Son. Absolute fellow ship was broken, a fellowship of the Trinity. This was the thought about which our Lord Jesus Christ was pray ing. With our feeble finite minds, we cannot begin to comprehend such a pic ture. We also need to remember that this was a temptation, for our Lord was tempted in all points like as we are, yet He was without sin. It is not a sin to be tempted. Sin enters when, as the' Gospel song rightly suggests, we yield to temptation. The Saviour did not yield for even a moment. He ex claimed, “Nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done.” Think of the in finite cost Christ paid when He died on Calvary’s cross. It was necessary for the Lord Jesus Christ Himself to go through this separation to bear our sins in His own body on the tree. He was willing to make this supreme sacrifice because He so loved us. “Hallelujah, what a Saviour!” Q . San Diego, California — “If God in tends partial blindness to remain on Israel until He relieves them of it, can we step in between w ith what our wish is and what God’s w ill is?” A. God has predicted that partial blind ness would remain on Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Yet, please understand that it is not God’s will that any individual in Israel should remain in blindness. “But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away” (II Corin thians 3:15, 16). The Lord is not will ing that any should perish. Our zeal in reaching the Jews will not be inter posing our wish against God’s will. This desire to witness to them is a spiritual urge wrought by the Spirit of God (Romans 11:25-27). Q . Miamisburg, Ohio — “W ill Russia in- (continued on next page) 17 tural indication that God created two worlds. Q . Sacramento, California — “I have heard, some preachers make such a point of the statement ‘To the Jew first.’ Who actually does come first, especially in the light of the fact that in the first chapter of Romans the Bible says that God gave them up?” A. Reading through Romans 1:18 to 32, the Holy Spirit is referring to how God gives up those who have had only the light of nature and who do not in that realm respond to Him. This does not even refer to Gentile moralists, and certainly not to the Jewish religionists. Actually, this part of the question has nothing to do with the Scriptural in junction, “to the Jew first.” It is not correct to give special emphasis on reaching Jews in exclusion of the Gen tiles. The Bible clearly tells us, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Again Paul points out that all must be reached, “For there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11); “Both Jews and Gentiles . . . are all under sin” (Romans 3:9). As far as the availability of Christ is concerned, as well as His efficacious salvation, Jew and Gentile are alike. God does all things in order, however, and there is a reason why He has set this order in getting out the Gospel. “To the Jew first” is a matter of order, not one necessarily of priority. The 'Lord has promised a special blessing upon those who are concerned for the salvation of the children of Israel. Q . Roseburg, Oregon — “W hy does Jesus pray, ‘If it be possible, let this cup pass from me’ (Matthew 26:59). Didn’t He say before, ‘To this end was 1 born, knowing all things’?” A. Some have erroneously surmised from this that our blessed Lord might have been afraid to die. This is not what the “cup” refers to. In the book of the Revelation we read of the cup filled with the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out in judgment Questions (continued) vade Israel before or after the rap ture?” A. The name “Russia” is not given in Scripture as such. Some feel that Rosh in Ezekiel 38 is its equivalent, however, the geographical description doesn’t require us to make a “play on words.” It is plain that Scripture refers to that large kingdom on the north. As Bible students we believe in literal prophecy and yet there are five differ ent views as to when Russia will in vade the Holy Land. Some say before the rapture, others immediately after. Some declare in the middle of the trib ulation, others at the end. The fifth view is that it will take place at the beginning of the millennium. From the whole context of Ezekiel 38 and 39, especially the use of the phrase “in the latter days,” compared with Isaiah 2 and other portions of Old Testament prophecy, it means the consummation of Israel’s earthly history. Therefore, the timing would be at the end of the tribulation. Q, San Luis Obispo, California — “Is one’s conscience a trustworthy guide? Some say it is, but I’d really like to know.” A. Romans 2:14, 15 tells us, “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law are a law unto themselves; Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile ac cusing or else ex'cusing one another.” In this case, even those who have never heard the Gospel have an inner sense of what is right and wrong. So, for the one who has never heard the Gospel, or who does not know the Bible, the con- sience may be a relatively safe guide. But, there is only one sure guide for the Christian and that is the Word of God as interpreted to our own' hearts by the Holy Spirit. Q. Los Angeles, California — “How do you explain the Holy Spirit to one’s grandchild?” SAN DIEGO RADIO VIEWS Above, KBBW Manager Phill Butler inter views M r.%Paul Sutherland, member of station’s Advisory Board. Below, Mr. A l Sanders, Biola staff, speaks at dedication of A. That is enough of a task to tax the greatest theologian in the world. Yet, sometimes it is much easier to do so with a child who will believe what he can understand, and what he can not he accepts by faith. This is where the Bible begins. Speak of God’s mar velous attributes and character. Just as in the home there is a father, mother, and children as a closely knit group, so there is One Person who is supreme over all others and that is God the Father. Then concerning Jesus Chris! it should be pointed out in the same manner in which we have a fellowship with our parents. The third One, who is also God, is a Spirit. That is why we cannot see Him, while we may have communion with Him, giving Him our love and devotion. The prob lem of explaining the Holy Spirit to a little child is no doubt far greater in the mind of an adult than it is in the mind of a little child. This is one rea son why the Lord Jesus said we should become as little children that we might accept His truth by faith. 18 HE COULD NOT SAVE HIMSELF It was at the end of World War II when a detachment of English soldiers entered a small village in France. Suddenly, a soldier ran out of a build ing shouting a warning. A second later rifles barked and machine guns chat tered. His body was completely rid dled. But his sacrifical warning saved the entire company from ambush. The men took cover and fought back until the enemy was subdued. When it was over they checked to see who the man was who had given the warning. He turned out to be a private in the Royal Irish guards. He had been taken pris oner by the Germans earlier. Knowing of the ambush he waited until the proper moment and then sacrificed his own life for all of the others. The British soldiers gave a proper burial inscribing the words, “He saved others, himself he could not save.” Unbeliev ers flung those same words at Christ as He hung upon the cross. Our Sav iour w illingly chose to sacrifice Him self. The just for the unjust that He might redeem us to God. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed w ith corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation re ceived by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and with out spot.” * * * Parents who live muddled lives cannot raise model children. SERMON IN A WHITE* LINE Each year we drive many miles on behalf of the Lord’s work here at Biola. I don’t mind driving in the rain, but one thing that is particularly difficult is the heavy fog which at various times of the year covers Southern California. The only thing one can do in such circumstances is to keep his eyes on the white line down the center of the road. Without doubt, many a life has been saved as a result of that impor tant stripe. Think of the- significant sermon the white line provides. Often the road of daily living is obscured by a heavy fog; frustrations, difficulties, perplexities, and heartaches come. We are reduced to creeping along. Yet, we need not fear if we follow the perfect Example our blessed Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ left us. He was tempted and tested in all points like as we are. He does know the feelings each of us have. The white line of faith may not always be easy to follow, but if we focus our eyes upon the Lord Jesus Christ, rather than the fog about us, we?II have no difficulty. The Word of God tells us, And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left?’ (Isaiah 30:21). “Trust in the IXJRD w ith all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5, 6). ♦ * * We are saved toserve but we can* not serve inorder to be saved. * * * THE WEST POINT PRAYER Each day at the West Point M ilitary Academy a prayer is offered by the cadets petitioning a desire that they may select just the right path of life. It reads, “Make us choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be contented w ith half the (continued on next page) 19
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