only incidental to the theme of the book, which is the coming of Christ in power and great glory. The brief rise and fall of the Antichrist and his helpers serve only to high light the fact that this is counterfeit while Christ is genuine. Any child of God who sincerely loves his Lord will be tremendously interested in the vin dication which God will give Him. The last look that the world had of Christ was when they saw Him hang ing upon a cross of shame, dying be tween two thieves. Thank God, there is to be another look at Him—every knee shall bow and every tongue con fess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father. The third reason that every Chris tian should be definitely interested in a study of the Book of Revelation is that Revelation furnishes the cap stone and completion for all the great trunk lines of truth running through the Scripture. In the Book of Genesis we have the beginning of all things. In the Book of Revelation we have the consummation of all things. Without Revelation truths, numerous important questions in life are left hanging—as it were—mid-air. For the complete picture of God’s deal ings with the sons of men, a knowl edge of the truths that only Revela tion holds is essential. So, while it may be true that the book requires more than ordinary study and while it is .certainly true that there are some things which perhaps will never be known in their entirety, encouragement should be given to all Christians, to not neglect the study of this book. Petition should be made for Divine wisdom and understanding in order that the apprehension of this glorious truth may be from God and not from men. New Catholic Bible J UST published is the Holy Family Edition of the Catholic Bible, a massive 1700-page volume designed for family reading. This book con tains 335 handsome plates reproduced in color, large-size type with a 300,000 word Bible dictionary quite heavily imbued with Roman Catholic doc trine. It is a little difficult to understand the attitude of the Roman Catholic church. Ostensibly they claim to quite believe in the authority of the Holy Scriptures, and just as ostensibly (Continued on Page 22)
automobiles, refrigerators, television sets and various gadgets. What must God think of the way in which America divided her money. It is good to remember, however, that God views not only the lump sum of America’s billion dollars, but also God takes note of the individual per son’s contributions. Let us be found faithful in this regard. Blueprint for Union I T IS no news to readers that a tremendous amount of planning is being done to bring about a formula for church union. The idea seems to be for all denominations to agree on some basic plan for a united church which would not interfere with the particular differences of the separate groups. It is not all easy sailing and there are many rough places to be made smooth before the eventual union will be consummated. But the very fact that a great deal of effort is being expended is in itself a com mentary on a vast trend in Protes tant circles. Without a doubt there will come to pass some sort of a united front by the larger denomina tions which will have more influence and power as the years unfold. Many Scriptures seem to indicate this to be one of the signs of the times. Ap parently, from a study of the 13th and 17th chapters of the Book of Revelation we would be led to be lieve that not only will Protestantism unite, but Protestantism and Catholi cism eventually will find a common ground of union. The coming union, however, will not take place until after the emergence of the Anti christ and his false prophet. But as coming events cast their shadows be fore, so this world-wide church is already seen in the trend for union in Protestantism today. We should not be discouraged or perturbed about these matters. They are as sure to come as God’s Word is sure, and happy is that person who is well enough informed so that these portentous movements do not cause him to fear. One thing, however, ought to be made clear and that is that the eventual coming world union is not to include the true church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Rather, these saints of God are to be caught up to meet Christ in the air according to First Thessalonians, chapter four. Then will take place this ecclesiastical world organization with the great enemy of God as its head.
Blessings Promised T HERE are 66 books in the sa cred canon. Each of these books has its own separate character and each can be read with great profit. But there is one book out of the 66 that has at its very portals a promise of blessing to those who read or to those who hear. This promise refers to the last book in the Bible, the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Why is this promise so given? It is the experience of many Bible teachers that there is a tragic igno rance on the part of Christian people concerning the truths of this Book of Revelation. Admittedly the book is a difficult one and full of signs and symbols. It may be because of the difficult character of the book that many Christians have thrown up their hands and refused to study its contents. As they have glanced through the volume they have been discouraged by the material found therein, and sb their Christian lives have been stunted and lacking in the essential elements that only this por tion of God’s Word can provide. It is quite conceivable that God, foreseeing all this; has placed in verse three of chapter one, the promise of blessing which is to be found no where else in Scripture, as a means of encouragement for careful study and for divine enlightenment. There are three great reasons why the people of this day and generation should be familiar with the truths contained in this last book of the Bible. The first reason is that it is the last book in the Bible, and its very position in the canon coincides with the heart convictions of many servants of God today that we are living in the last times. If the present age is about to come to its consum mation, and if that chain of events culminating in the return of Christ is about to be begun, then surely the Book of Revelation would be of the greatest possible moment to the thoughtful Christian. It is unwise for any of God’s children, living in this closing period of the age of grace, to be ignorant of the events and happenings which are. just around the corner. The second reason a study of the Book of Revelation should be under taken is its essential character. As the title sets forth, the book is con cerned with the revelation of Christ, or His unveiling, or the laying bare of the glorious facts concerning His coronation; the judgments and sor rows of the tribulation period are
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A P R I L . 1951
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