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LLOYD HAM ILL: managing editor LUCY BARAJIKIAN: editorial assistant STELLA KINTER: circulation manager SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION — "The King's Business" is published monthly: $2.50, one year; $1.25, six months; 25 cents, single copy. .Clubs of three or more at special rates. Write for details. Canadian and foreign subscriptions 25 cents extra. It requires one month for a change of address to become effective. Please send both old and new addresses. REMITTANCES — Payable in advance, should be made by bank draft, express, or post office money order payable to "The King's Business." Date ot expira­ tion will show plainly on outside of wrapper or cover of magazine. ADVERTISING — For information address the Advertising Manager, 558 South Hope Street, Los Angeles 17, California.

ROSE HARDIE: copy editor

MILTON R. SUE: advertising manager J. RUSSELL ALLDER: business manager MANUSCRIPTS — "The King's Business" cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to manuscripts mailed to us for consideration. Entered as second-class matter November 7, 1938, at the Post Office of Los An­ geles, California, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in the Act of February 28, 1925, em­ bodied in paragraph 4, section 538, P.L. and R., authorized October 1, 1918, and November 13, 1938. Printed in U.S.A. by Church Press, Glendale, California. ADDRESS: The King's Business, 558 S. Hope St., Los Angeles 17, California.

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JULY, 1956

DO YOU HAVE $30 , $500 or $1,000?

A monthly column of names in the news In Los Angeles a fortnight ago fast­ selling Christian writer Eugenia Price (Th e Burden is Light , Never a Dull M om ent) was the feature speaker at

Th is w i l l in te re s t YOU . . . Our field representatives meet Christian men and women quite frequently who are looking for places to invest their money. Most of them need a return on their savings. Some are considering investments in stocks. But because of their limited knowledge of stocks and bonds, they are reluctant to buy. Others hesitate because of market fluctua­ tions, uncertainty of dividends, etc. And some tell us of disappointing experi­ ences on their investments. * * * Without exception, all are looking for security . . . a guarantee that they will be as­ sured of a generous income. Something they can count on as long as they live . . . in good times or bad . . . regardless of whether the stock market is up or down. But they’re interested in something else, too. * * * You should see their faces light u p . . . when we tell them about the DOUBLE d iv id e n d s provided by Moody Annuities. When we tell them that Moody Annuities assure them of a generous, guaranteed income as long as they live (up to 814% depending on their age) . . . plus a share in the Lord’s work . . . they’re overjoyed! And when we tell them that every annuity is backed by all the resources of Moody Bible Institute, and that MBI has never missed a single payment in almost 50 years . . . they are convinced that it’s the plan for them!

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E ugenia P rice & C yrus N elson In Los Angeles, a banquet.

the inaugural Christian Book and Au­ thor Banquet. More than 450 people jammed the banquet room to hear Miss Price and meet 42 book authors and 12 book publishers. The get- together was sparked by Tom McGowan of the Biola Book Room in Los An­ geles and was under the auspices of the Christian Booksellers Association with headquarters in Chicago. The three-hour program was m.c.’d by Gospel Light Press President Cyrus Nelson. In Minneapolis, Northwestern Pilot became the third Christian magazine in a little more than a year to cease publication. Once edited by Evange­ list Billy Graham, the magazine was a publication of Northwestern Schools. Meanwhile Carl F. H. Henry and asso­ ciates were busy with plans to start a new magazine in Washington, D.C. this fall ( People, May). Titled Chris­ tianity Today, the new magazine will be slanted to pastors. And in Chi­ cago the Methodist church in Octo­ ber will bring out a splashy, 80-page magazine that will make generous use of full-color illustrations.

W O U L D Y O U L I K E TO R E C E I V E D O U B L E D I V I D E N D S ON Y O U R M O N E Y ?

We’ll be happy to send you the f r e e booklet, DOUBLE DIVIDENDS, which explains the Moody Annuity Plan in detail. Contains a chart showing income rates for all ages, explains tax benefits and tells you all about the many ministries of Moody Bible Institute in which you’ll have a share. C L IP AND M A IL COUPON T O D A Y ! Write: Carl J. Frixen, Stewardship Department MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE 820 N. LaSalle Street * Chicago 10, Illinois send me, without obligation, double dividends , story of Moody Annuity send folder, Where There’s a Will, relating to stewardship. _________________________________________________________ Age ____________________ Dept. K-56-30-1

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THE KING'S BUSINESS

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Now’s the time to plan your summer vacation. Enjoy the great outdoors, make new friends, tempt your palate with delicious well prepared meals . . . and most of all delve deeply into God’s Word. Write to any of the beautiful well- equipped-to-meet-your-need confer­ ence grounds below for information about coming conferences.

lit tíl/fr(jj&flt ífó Hume Lake Season, June 11th through Sept. 9th HUME LAKE CONFERENCE CENTER Mail: 155M Van Ness Avenue Fresno, California or Mount Hermon Leadership Training Conference, Aug. 5th-11th MOUNT HERMON ASSOCIATION Mail: Box 413B Mount Hermon, California or Forest Home College Briefing Conference, Aug. 26th-Sept. 3rd FOREST HOME CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE CENTER Mail: 4940K Vineland Avenue North Hollywood, California

JULY, 1956

7

Under the Parsonage Roof by Althea S. Miller STANDARDS

TWO PROPHETIC CONFERENCES for Pacific Coast 1 L0S ANGELES, CALIF. OCT. 7-14 at Church of the Open Door Sponsored by 100 area churches Chairman: Dr. James Henry Hutchins Co-chairmen: Dr. J. Vernon McGee Dr. S. H. Sutherland SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Drs. Hyman Appelman, Martin DeHaan, Alva McClain, Jack Mitchell, Wilbur Smith and many others PORTLAND, ORE. OCT. 21-28 L at Hinson Memorial Baptist Church Sponsored by the evangelical ministers of Portland Chairman: Dr. Ernest Malyon Under the auspices of the American Association for Jewish Evangelism, Inc. For full information write: Dr. A. B. Machlin, Executive Director THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JEWISH EVANGELISM, INC. Dept. K Winona Lake, Indiana Secretary: Rev. Bill Adams meAccatt --------------- MESSIANIC FELLOWSHIP Formerly Chicago Hebrew Mission Radio to the State of Israel Daily 8:30-9 P.M. Workers in Jerusalem and many Amer­ ican cities. Hear how God is working! Write today to: MILTON B. LINDBERG — or ARCHIE A. MACKINNEY 7448 N. Damen Ave., Chicago 45, III. G r e a t Need !

B ob will be home tomorrow, the Lord willing. I’ll be so glad to see him.” Mother almost sang the words to the children that Saturday morn­ ing. “ So will I,” Dorotheann agreed. “ Do you want me to make an apple­ sauce cake for him? That’s his favor­ ite cake.” “ That is a good idea, dear.” “ I betcha none of us will be any happier to see Bob than Betty,” Shar­ on chimed in as she dusted the piano. “ I’m not gonna fall in love when I get big. I want to be a missionary doctor, and if I’d get married I’d have to look after my husband and children which would keep me from doing the doctor work.” “ That’s quite some sober thinking for a 10-year-old,” Mother comment­ ed. “ If you always keep the goal of serving the Lord before you, He will work out the problems of love and marriage. You’re not in any hurry on that score, sweetie.” Kent had been taking in the con­ versation as he worked at a snail’s pace on the breakfast dishes. Now he asked, “Why is Bob coming home? Can’t he stay at school?” “ He’s coming home for the holi­ days,” Sharon answered sharply. “ I’ll be glad to see him; won’t you?” “Ugh,” the little fellow sighed. In spite of herself Mother had to laugh. She knew the reason the eight- year-old didn’t relish having big brother home. Bob makes him “ stand around” ; he brooks no nonsense from Kent. How like the little fellow many Christians are in their attitude to­ ward the Word of God. “Ugh” they say if its standards and edicts are above their willingness to comply. “ Thus saith the Lord” spells death to self and its ways. “ But I keep under my body” (1 Cor. 9:27). “ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). “ Submit yourselves therefore to God” (James 4:7). Lord, make us joyful in the presence of Thy Word and in obedi­ ence to its commands.

K ß Thrilling te sti­ monies • Outstanding fd fi features ; m * - m■ I . ¡1 : i : ■ • Inspiring music

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Pray for the evangelizing of Uruguay, little known and long neglected field. Our faith work has established an Indigenous Church and includes the first Bi­ ble School in the country training National workers; also Radio, Col- portage and unique Prison min­ istry, etc. Doors are Open

STATION LOG write to BIBLE INSTITUTE HOUR LOS ANGELES 17, CALIF. &

Rev. F.V. Dabold Founder-Director

Many hungry hearts waiting for the Word, little opposition. Splendid group of full time workers in the field. Hold up their hands— swell their number with your prayers and gifts. W rite fo r FR EE news letter today EVANGELICAL MISSION TO URUGUAY, INC. BOX 70-K, FRESNO, CALIFORNIA

Send to Prayer Time, The King’s Business maga­ zine, 558 So. Hope, Los Angeles 17, California.

8

THE KING'S BUSINESS

IN CHRIST IS LIFE

GOD & AUTOMOBILES & YOU

I n thinking about the claims of Jesus Christ it often helps to draw illustrations from everyday life. I once was managing editor of the largest automotive magazine in America. During that period I made it my business to find out as much as I could about automobiles. From this information one item stands out with startling clarity: the almost complete lack of safety devices on modern cars. Test after test by safety engineers prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that today’s automobile is a perfectly engineered death trap. But it need not be. The safety experts have proved that about 70 to 90 percent of all deaths from auto accidents would he prevented if the manufac­ turers would incorporate a few simple safety devices. The list would include: padded dash boards, collapsible steering column, pop-out windshields and adequate seat belts. It’s just that simple. But instead of design­ ing cars with these basic life-saving features the manufacturers go blindly ahead to build a car with super horsepower and a choice of 76 color combinations. Of course there’s a reason. Americans haven’t demanded safety in their cars but they have < demanded power and decorator colors. As much as I detest gov­ ernment controls I think the day will soon come when the government will be forced to legislate humanitarian safety controls. There’s our illustration. We have a life and

death problem. An adequate solution has been found to meet that problem. But we don’t take advantage of the solution. Why? Well, I sup­ pose it’s just a part of human nature. We don’t openly, intentionally avoid the solution to this life and death problem. The problem is somewhat unpleasant so we just shove it back into a dim corner of our mind and hope because it’s back there it can’t hurt us. This ignoring the solution isn’t done just by ig­ norant people. It’s done by intelligent, well- meaning people. It’s done by all of us at some time or another. Now if we do this side-step­ ping of the solution of a problem that we can see and handle, think how much more easily it is for us to side-step the solution to spiritual problems. Each of us wants a right relationship with God. Jesus Christ said He was the only way to God. Millions have placed their faith in Christ and attest to the fact that in Christ is abundant life. It is a life with complete for­ giveness for our past and full-orbed meaning for our today. This is what each of us wants. And it is right that we should want it. I think we owe it to ourselves to make the experiment of placing our faith in Christ. It was 14 cen­ turies ago that Augustine said, “ Thou hast made us for Thyself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” This deep inner peace is for you today. — L. H.

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JULY, 1956

H O W CHR IST IAN ITY WORKS

Mary Wesbrook . . I guess it’s about the hardest work I ever d id ” " I t ’s awfully hard work to keep seeking .

I guess each of us goes through different stages in our thinking about religion. At least I have. I grew up in Excelsior Springs, Mo. It’s a health resort town and a nice place to live. My parents were Christians but they never talked about Christianity in our home. I have two brothers and the three of us went more or less faithfully to Sunday school until we were old enough to know better. By the time I was out of high school I felt sorry for anyone who went to church or read the Bible. I had life figured out. If you wanted fun you had to live. And living meant going at a fast pace with the fastest crowd I could find. Long before I was out of high school I was smoking a lot and drinking a lot. I didn’t give myself time to think about God. Some­ times . . . but not too often . . . I’d feel I was in the wrong place but I’d get over it in a hurry. Another drink would do that. But then a different stage of my philosophy of life started taking shape. I found out a strange thing. Though I was doing exactly as I wanted I had a feeling of unrest. Nothing seemed to satisfy and so I sought satisfaction in more activity in the sins of the world. The more I gulped in pleasure the less I had. It’s awfully hard work to keep seeking . . . I guess it’s about the hardest work I ever did. Finally a new concept emerged. If indulging myself brought no happiness then I’d deny myself. So I quit everything I considered a bad habit. But still I didn’t have any peace. I got to the point where I was afraid to go to bed at night because I was so afraid of dying. I was starting to think now about my relationship with God and somehow I knew I wasn’t ready to die. Still seeking, I moved to California. But my problem was within and moving half way

across the nation didn’t help a bit. Up to this time I don’t recall anyone ever telling me about God’s way of salvation through Jesus Christ. The days I felt the most depressed I’d read the Bible but I didn’t understand it at all. I knew there must be something to it but I couldn’t find out what it was. By this time I knew I had to find the answer to my unrest. I guess I was just physically and men­ tally tired. I knew there must be an answer and I knew God entered somewhere in that answer. So I started going to church. I tried most of the churches in Los Angeles. The only thing I remember about this period of seeking is that each minister took up an offering and I thought it was a racket. But I did meet some wonderful girls at the Salvation Army and they started praying for me. Then I moved up the coast to San Luis Obispo and started going to a church there. Each sermon seemed directed especially for me. It was almost as if the minister knew all about my life and my seeking heart. It was there that I finally understood that Christ died for my sins. But even after I found the answer I wouldn’t give in and come to Christ for for­ giveness. I felt I’d be making a fool of myself. I wanted to reform first. This went on for about two months until I read a wonderful book by Dr. H. A. Ironsides titled, Full As­ surance. That book seemed to answer all the questions that were bothering me. In a sweet and calm and wonderful way I knew my years of seeking were over. I had the answer in Jesus Christ. That was 10 years ago so I know it was no passing fancy. And through my experience my two brothers came to know the Lord as their Saviour and my parents who had long been indifferent came back to a closer walk with God.

For each real-life, unpublished account of How Christianity Works, The King’s Business will pay $10 upon publication. Entries mould be under 1,000 words in length and addressed to: How Christianity Works The King’s Business, 5 58 So. Hope St., Los Angeles 17, Calif.

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THE KING'S BUSINESS

by Gerald B. Stanton

A mounting wave of interest is sweeping across America on the subject of the return of Christ. At the crest of the wave is the tur­ bulent question being asked with an ever-increasing in tensity : “Will Christ return before the Tribula­ tion, or must the Church pass through that dread hour?” Present world unrest—the after- math of two world wars, agitated and resentful nations, uncertain in­ ternational leadership, the dread portent of intercontinental missiles with nuclear warheads—these are some of the clouds looming on the world horizon. Christians are won­ dering if the earth is ripe for anti­

christ—if the Tribulation period lies beyond these clouds. Reason enough for the *solemn inquiry: “Will the rapture of the Church

precede the Tribulation? Will the believer be kept from this hour of trial?” This is the issue being consid­ ered with increasing urgency across the land. Walvoord of Dallas and Ockenga of Boston debate the ques­ tion in, the pages of Christian Life, and Christians far and wide reflect their interest. Conservative Baptists face the issue in national conven­ tion, their churches and seminaries called upon to declare their stand. Prophetic conferences give major emphasis to the return of Christ with its attendant problems. An occasional book appears to clarify or to justify the position held, the CONTINUED

A bout the A uthor Gerald B. Stanton holds the B.S. d e­ gree from Wheaton College and the Th.M. and Th.D. degrees in Theology from the Dallas Theological Seminary. He has traveled widely in the evangelistic minis­ try and is a popular Bible teacher and conference speaker. He is completing his fourth year as Professor of Systematic Theology at the Talbot Theological Sem­ inary, and writes the regular “ Theologi­ cally Thinking” column for T he K ing ’ s B usiness .

JULY, 1956

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is it important? continued most recent being a posttribula- tional defense from the pen of George Ladd at Fuller. Is there value to all this widespread dis­ cussion? Meanwhile, churches are being divided. Mission boards and church schools are feeling the heat of the debate. These are important con­ sequences. Certainly they provide sufficient reason for inquiring into the value of prophetic themes. Where will all this discussion lead us? How dogmatic may one’s con­ clusion be? Does it matter whether we are pre- or posttribulational? After all, is it important? Significance of Prophecy

ecy (Rev. 1:3; 22:7). Is the book obscure and this blessing unattain­ able? We dare not so conclude. Furthermore, it is a specific min­ istry of the Holy Spirit to reveal things to come (John 16:13). Spir­ it-taught believers are always inter­ ested in prophecy. Elsewhere, it is plainly declared that we should not be ignorant concerning the rapture (1 Thes. 4:13). The Thessalonians were mere babes in Christ, yet they had been instructed in prophetic themes, some of which they knew perfectly (1 Thes. 5 :1 ,2 ). Even to the world, prophecy is of importance. It confirms the au­ thority of the Bible and the fact that God speaks with finality con­ cerning things to come. Prophecy demonstrates the wisdom of our God. It proves the claim that He knows all things from the begin­ ning. It affirms that He does have a plan for the future. “ . . . I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it” (Isa. 46:11). All the evidence points to one certain conclusion, that prophecy is vitally important and is written for our understanding. The Place of the Rapture All premillennialists agree that the second coming of Christ is of supreme importance. It is one of the two major pillars of history, prewritten to give direction and meaning to human experience. Practically all are agreed that the first phase of Christ’s coming is for the catching up of the saints, gen­ erally called the “ rapture of the Church.” D isagreement centers over the time of the rapture and its importance to our theology. Posttribulationalists m in im ize the' rapture experience and deny the imminent return of our Lord. To them, even though the Tribula­ tion were to start today, Christ could not come for yet another seven years. The rapture and the revelation will he synchronous, all “ In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye . . .” (1 Cor. 15:52), the saints being caught up to meet

Christ as He sweeps earthward. But it is more than slightly inconven­ ient to their system that the saints are raptured at all! Certainly, this view allows little time for the en­ joyment of the heavenly mansions Christ Himself associated with His coming (John 14:2,3). Alexander Reese, posttribulation- alism’s outstanding exponent, sets forth his conviction that “ It is a sentimental delusion that a secret Rapture, or a pretribulational Rap­ ture, is the hope of the Church . . . . The Rapture is a mere incident of the Appearing, spoken of in order to show the relation of the sleep­ ing to the living saints at the one Advent in glory . . . . It is a stupid obsession to make the Rapture the touchstone of everything.” He speaks of the pretribulational hope as a “ rapture craze, fathered by theorists,” and traces the origin of an any moment coming to the “woman-prophets of Irving’s assem­ bly [who] gave it out in those awful days of demoniac delusion.” These are serious charges! For­ tunately, they are answered by the plain statements of Scripture. The rapture is the blessed hope of the Church ' (Titus 2:13), but if the Tribulation must come first, death would become our hope (2 Cor. 5:8). The rapture is the comforting hope of the believer (1 Thes. 4:18), but it would be of doubtful comfort to tell suffering saints that worse things were in store! The rapture is also a purifying hope (1 John 3:3), used in Scripture “ to arm the ap­ peals, to point the arguments, and to enforce the exhortations” (Black- stone) of the entire New Testa­ ment. What is there more practical in any other doctrine, particularly if Christ may momentarily appear? Does not the removal of the Holy Spirit as Restrainer set the time of the rapture as pretribulational (2 Thes. 2:6-8; John 14:16)? Do not the Scriptures exhort the believer to look, watch, and wait for His appearing, these commands attain­ ing full significance only if the rapture is imminent? Do not the 24 elders of the Apoc- THE KING'S BUSINESS

Many Christians today are say­ ing that prophecy is unimportant. “Preach the gospel” is their watch­ word, for the future will take care of itself. Basically this is the amil- lennial approach (the denial of the millennial kingdom leading inevi­ tably to a denial of the value of prophecy), but it is strange lan­ guage when it falls from the lips of a premillennialist. The reasons are obvious. As much as one-third of the Bible was prophetic when first written, with almost 20 of its books given over to prophecy as their primary theme. Both Testaments close with proph­ ecy, and one of the three major discourses of Christ instructs con­ cerning things to come. Surely it is not the mind of the Spirit that all of this should be ignored. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable . . .” (2 Tim. 3:16). Premillennialism is rooted in the earnest investigation of prophecy. More than any other, the last book of the Bible is occupied with things to come. This cap-stone of Scripture gives major emphasis to the Tribulation and the outpoured wrath of God. Note that the book is a revelation not an obscuration. It does not hide; it clarifies. More­ over, it is the only portion of the Word of God with a promise of special blessing upon all who read and keep the sayings of its proph- 12

At the time of the Reformation, the flaming issue was justification by faith, the very heart of our soteri­ ology. With the rise of the great denominations and the modem mis­ sionary movement, the stress fell largely in the area of ecdesiology. This changing and progressive emphasis over the course of cen­ turies has served to give the details of Christian theology a progressive refinement. It is not strange that the end of the age should give its greatest prominence to eschatology, the doctrine of last things. Church history and church doctrine have traveled in lines roughly parallel. Nineteen centuries of scrutiny and debate over Christian doctrine has helped to purify the details of our faith. Past ages have debated theology and left the Church more strong for so doing. We need not be afraid of the area of investiga­ tion committed to our present age! Many readers will be interested in a new book by Dr. Stanton, “ Kept From the Hour,” scheduled for publication this month by Zondervan. The culmination of some six years of research and writing, the book discusses all thè major problems and Scripture passages. It gives consider­ ation to all known works on the subject, both published and unpublished, both Brit­ ish and American. Well indexed , the book includes many quotations and inter­ esting sidelights from the men of God who have debated the issue in the past. A slightly oversized book of 320 pages, it is a real study volume on Biblical prophecy. Vital themes discussed include the dispensational problem, the Tribula­ tion and the wrath of God, the Church and Israel, the Restrainer and the Man of Sin, imminency and the blessed hope, the figures and symbols of the Revelation, the partial-rapture theory, mid- and post- tribulationalism, the historical problem, the resurrection of the saints, the seventh trumpet and the “ last trump,” the 24 elders of the Apocalypse, the differences between rapture and revelation, and the practical value of the second coming. The book will be the most complete volume thus far in print on the subject of the pre- tribulational return of Christ. W e take pleasure in commending it to the readers of T he K ing ’ s B usiness . Autographed, postpaid copies may be ordered for $3.95. Send your order to: “ Kept From the Hour,” Box 635, 558 So. Hope St., Los Angeles 17, Calif. — ED. END.

Will It Divide the Church? In a certain sense, the issue has already begun to divide us. Argu­ mentation over the rapture already has caused some serious and far- reaching dissension. Rut in a larg­ er sense, it will not divide us. This is a family quarrel—a difference of opinion within the larger agree­ ment of premillennialism. The bonds which unite us are more strong by far than the differences which tend to drive us apart. We are united in common love for Christ. All involved in this partic­ ular controversy are fundamental and evangelical. All anticipate the sure return of Christ and His mil­ lennial reign over a redeemed earth. We do need to place more stress upon what we hold in com­ mon. We must.learn to disagree without being disagreeable. Debate must center upon doctrinal posi­ tions, upon theological ideas, rath­ er than upon personalities. Oppo­ nents are still men “ of like pre­ cious faith” ! The present emphasis upon es­ chatology is not an unhealthy thing. Rather, it is to be expected, and for this reason: There is a close and interesting parallel be­ tween the theological controversies of the Church and the order of doc­ trine found in Systematic Theolo­ gy. Early centuries were occupied primarily with problems of inspira­ tion and canonicity, with the deity of Christ and the personality of the Holy Spirit. Later centuries de­ bated anthropology and angelology. OF TERMS of Christ; teaches that it may be mo­ mentarily expected; not necessarily soon, but the next clearly scheduled event. Pretribulationalism: The belief that the return of Christ is imminent, that He will remove the Church from the earth before the Tribulation period. Pcsttribulationalism: The belief that the rapture of the Church will follow the Trib­ ulation, the Church being allowed to pass through that time of trouble. Soteriology: The doctrine of salvation. Ecdesiology: The doctrine of the Church. Eschatology: The doctrine of last things.

alypse teach us that the Church will be glorified before a seal is broken, before a trumpet of judg­ ment sounds, before a vial of wrath is poured out upon a rebellious world? Do not Romans 5:9, 1 Thes- salonians 1:10 and 5:9, and other Scriptures, exempt the Church from any period of divine wrath (Rev. 6:16,17)? Does not Revela­ tion 3:10 expressly promise that His own wdll be kept out of the hour of trial which shall fall upon the dwellers of the earth? Are there not many vital distinc­ tions between the coming of Christ for His saints (1 Cor. 15:51,52; 1 Thes. 4:13-18) and His return to earth in power with His saints (Rev. 19:11-16; 2 Thes. 1:6-10)? Does not the presence of interven­ ing events, such as the bema seat of Christ and the marriage supper of the Lamb, force the conclusion that rapture and revelation cannot be synchronous? These are the topics which must occupy the thinking of the Church, if she is to purify her doctrine rel­ ative to the second coming of Christ. Rather than arguing general concepts and undefined ideas, or even worse, the merits of certain individuals who happen to agree with the favored position—let there be diligent study of the pertinent Scriptures, then free and open dis­ cussion of the conclusions drawn therefrom. Let debate be conducted with due restraint and with Chris­ tian charity. Then we shall see how much we can learn together! GLOSSARY Premillennial: Affirms that Christ will re­ turn to earth before His literal 1,000- year kingdom reign. Amillennial: Denies that there will be any literal earthly reign of Christ; generally links the kingdom with this present age. Rapture: The first phase of Christ's com­ ing, when the righteous dead and the living saints together meet the Lord in the air. Revelation: The second1 phase of Christ's coming when He returns to earth with His saints. Imminent: Generally applied to the return JULY, 1956

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When Prayer is Pain I n Exodus 32:31,32 is the al­ most unparalleled prayer of Moses as he intercedes on behalf of his people. “ And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin . . . .” And here occurs a pause in­ dicated by a dash after the word “ sin” as if Moses waited to hear God’s answer before saying more, “ . . . if thou wilt forgive their sin . . .” he prays. And in the pause that follows, his heart overwhelmed with grief, he listens for God’s re­ ply; but in vain he waits for an answer; there is no response. Then, with a burden that crushes him al­ most to death and a love that strug­ gles up in his heart on behalf of his people, he continues his inter­ cession: . and if not,” he prays, “ blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” truth in Christ,” he exclaims, “ I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (Rom. 9:1-3).. What a picture of the heart of Paul. We think of him as a man filled with joy, not only rejoicing himself but bidding others to do the same. Yet here he declares that he has great heaviness and contin­ ual heart sorrow, that he is under tremendous pressure, that he car­ ries a burden every moment of the day and night. And oh, what a burden! How it crushes him! So great is it that he declares himself willing to be accursed, eternally separated from Christ, for the sake of his kinsmen according to the flesh. In other words, Paul feels ex­ actly the same as Moses felt. So wonderful is his love for his own people Israel that, after counting the cost, he is willing to lose all in order that they might gain all. And the only relief he can find is in prayer, mighty, unceasing inter­ cession for his brethren, the Jews. And now with such examples of intercession bom out of a broken, burdened heart, how lamentably weak and unreal are our prayers! Would to God we too might be thus burdened for others, that we might have power with God in the min­ istry of intercession. Oh, what prayer. How marvel­ ously this servant of God interceded for his people! What a burden rest­ ed upon his heart! It is almost im­ possible for us to comprehend the hitter anguish of his soul as he pleaded. How deep was his love! Did ever man pass through such an experience? And how feeble are our petitions in comparison with this great intercessor’s! Moses was willing to he forever separated from God, to have his name blotted out of the book of life and be eternally lost, if only his people might be saved. But Moses does not stand alone. There is one other who passed through the same experience, felt the same burden, endured the same agony and made the same offer. TTiat one was Paul, the mighty apostle to the Gentiles. “ I say the The highest form of Christian service is intercessory prayer. I state this without fear of contradic­ tion. And what I am going to say now is applicable to every Christian in the world, for all may have a part. You may not be able to

preach, but you can pray. It is your privilege to become an inter­ cessor if you choose to and thus accomplish the greatest work that God has committed to man. Now I want to mention some things which are necessary to re­ member if we are to engage in this, the highest form of Christian serv­ ice. First of all, it means that we must be standing on praying ground. That is to say, we must be certain that everything is right be­ tween us and God. Unless this is the case it is useless to even attempt to pray. “ If I regard iniquity in my heart,” declares the inspired Word, “ the Lord will not hear me.” That means that God will not even listen to my prayer, let alone answer it. To be standing on praying ground is to have put away every sin, to turn from anything that grieves the Holy Spirit and to separate myself from all that is displeasing to God. And so as we think of this, the highest form of Christian service and resolve to become intercessors, let us make sure first of all that we are standing on praying ground and that there is nothing between us and God. In the second place, intercessory prayer means that we have gotten beyond ourselves, our needs and problems and that we are in a place and position spiritually to enter in­ to this blessed ministry with Jesus Christ, taking upon us the burden for others in a real soul-travail and allowing the Holy Spirit to pray the will of God through us. Most of the prayers recorded in the Bible are for others. Moses and Paul, as we have already seen, thought only of Israel. Our Lord Himself seldom prayed for His own

14

THE KING'S BUSINESS

by OSWALD J. SM ITH

realization of his presence and op­ position. Interruptions innumer­ able will come. The telephone will ring, visitors will call and a hun­ dred other things that never would have bothered otherwise will have to be taken into account. We are living in the 20th century. Never have we known such bustle and rush and hurry. The whole world is forging ahead at a terrific pace. Hours of quietness and retirement are becoming more and more dif­ ficult to observe. Thus the work of intercession becomes hard. Then, too, discouragement will cross our pathway. Again and again we will feel like giving up. No wonder the Lord gave the par­ able of the friend at midnight. Im­ portunity is one of the greatest requisites. We pray on for a cer­ tain time and then because the an­ swer does not come, we grow dis­ couraged and give up. Thus Satan uses his most successful weapon against us and breaks down our de­ termination to become intercessors. Then, when all else has failed, Satan will burden us with Chris­ tian work and fill our lives so full of service for God that we will be driven from our place of real pow­ er and thus our intercessory minis­ try will be destroyed. Satan would rather have us work than pray any time. Full well he knows that prayerless work will be powerless and fruitless. Hence if he can only keep us busy so that we do not have time to pray he will have ac­ complished his purpose. Away with work that hinders prayer, ’Twere best to lay it down; For prayerless work, however good, W ill fail to win the crown.

is not an intercessor such a state­ ment seems absurd. Prayer to most people is looked upon as an easy occupation . Difficulties are un­ known. But that is because they know nothing at all of the minis­ try of intercession. Their prayers for the most part are centered upon themselves, their loved ones and their own personal interests with an occasional petition for the per­ ishing heathen. They spend per­ chance 5 to 15 minutes of prayer in the morning and the same again at night. To set aside a special hour during the day or to wait before Your Prayer Requests Each morning at eight the editorial staff of T he K ing ’ s B usiness magazine gathers for prayer. Over the years God has answered the heartcry of thousands. Should you have a request we would count it a privilege to take it to the throne of grace. Your request will be held in the strictest confidence. Address: The Editors, T he K ing ’ s B usiness , 55 8 So. Hope St., Los Angeles 17, Calif. God for half a night never enters their mind. Their prayer life is spasmodic. It is considered a side issue and is readily neglected if other things demand attention. Such a person is in no way affect­ ing the kingdom of Satan. Hence prayer, so-called, is easy. But the Christian who enters upon the ministry of intercession will pass through a very different experience. Satan will do every­ thing in his power to hinder and obstruct. There will be a conscious

needs. His burden was always for the multitudes that thronged Him on every side. Intercessory prayer is prayer for others. That means that we put our­ selves alongside the Lord Jesus Christ, seek to know the burden of His heart, find out the plan, the program that He wants carried out and then pray with that in mind. So often we do not think of this. The whole burden of our prayer is centered upon ourselves. It is our needs, our desires that are upper­ most in our prayers. We must get past this. We must pray until we have dealt with everything that concerns ourselves and then launch out in intercession on behalf of others. What does God want done? What is His plan for this work or that work? How best can we serve the interests of the Lord Jesus Christ and glorify Him? These are the questions that must be asked. Let us therefore wait before Him until He reveals the burden of His heart, and then, putting ourselves alongside Jesus Christ, let us inter­ cede and bring His program to pass. That means that we must take into account the enablement of the Holy Spirit for He alone knows the mind of God. The life yielded to Him will be directed, guided and illuminated so that the petitions of­ fered will not miss the mark. He will lead us to pray along the line of God’s plan and God’s purpose if we but trust Him and place our­ selves entirely at His disposal. Oh, the joy of praying with Jesus Christ! That is a different thing than praying for ourselves. Intercessory prayer is without doubt not only the highest form of Christian service but also the hard­ est kind of work. To the person who

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