IN TH IS SPECIAL ISSUE Russian Communism and God's Timetable" by Martin R. DeHaan ’What's Wrong with Moral
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T 3 n e > K i n g © B u s i n e s s A publication of the Bible Institute o f Los Angeles, Inc. Louis T . Talbot, Chancellor S. H. Sutherland, President Ray A. Myers, Chairman of the Board OCTOBER, in the year o f our Saviour Vol. 52, No. 10 Nineteen Hundred and Sixty-one Established 1910 Dedicated in the spiritual development of the Christian home
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Martin R. DeHaan ...... ........................................................................ 8 A PROPHETIC BASIS FOR THE LORD'S RETURN — Roy L. Aldrich ............ ...................-.................................................. 10 COMMUNISM OR CHRIST — George Sweeting ............................ 11 W H A T'S WRONG W ITH MORAL RE-ARMAMENT — Louis T . Talbot .................................................................................... 12 TH E PLAN FOR REVIVAL — Robert Shuler ........................................ 16 I PLANTED A SIN — J. Arthur Mouw ................................................ 18 PROTESTANT PRESS M ON TH — Special Feature ............................ 21 A RAY OF HOPE AM ID TH E DARKNESS — King's Business Picture Story ....................................................... 40 Featum PERSONAL EVANGELISM — Benjamin Weiss ................................. 5 MESSAGE FROM TH E EDITOR — Samuel H. Sutherland .............. 6 DR. TALBO T'S QUESTION BOX — Louis T . Talbot ....................... 24 TA LK ING IT OVER — Clyde M . Narramore .................................... 26 BOOK REVIEWS — Arnold Ehlert ............................. ........................... 28 TH E CHRISTIAN HOME — Paul Bayles ............................................. 30 UNDER TH E PARSONAGE ROOF — Althea Miller ...... ................... 31 WORLD NEWSGRAMS — James O. Henry ........................................ 32 SCIENCE AND THE BIBLE — Bolton Davidheiser .......... ................. 33 PEARLS FROM M A N Y SEAS — T . J. Bach ........................................ 34 CULTS CRITIQUE — Betty Bruechert ................................................ 35 ALUMN I NEWS — Inez McGahey ...................................................... 39 Column READER REACTION ............................................. 4 HOM ILETICAL HELPS .................................................................................. 25 NUGGETS OF GOLD .................................................................................... 27 TOW N AND CAMPUS NEWS ................................................................. 38 PEOPLE IN TH E NEWS ............................................................................. 42 — All Rights Reserved —
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OCTOBER, 1961
Charting the Scripture’s glorious highway — THE EXPANDED PANORAM A
READER REACTION
COMMENTS ON EDITORIAL Your message from the editor on “The Ecumenical Movement” is too valuable to remain in just one issue for publication as too few people especially ministers will not see it. May I suggest that you issue it in pamphlet form. I would like to send it to many pastors in the western part of the United States who need to be enlightened on the true facts mentioned in your article. A . G. Shriver, Carson City, Nevada E d it o r ’ s N o t e : W e are planning to publish in the near future 8 or 10 of the “Messages from the Editor ■” in booklet form. Appropriate an nouncement w ill be made of this when the book is available. I have just read with a feeling of thanksgiving your editorial of the movement for church unity. I hearti ly agree with you in this regard. My belief is that all churches who rec ognize the crucified, risen Christ as Saviour and Lord are one in Him. To insist that they agree on the form of service and method of government, would be to ask the impossible and would be completely unnecessary. Even identical twins in the human sense sometimes have different tastes in food and clothing. What does dis tress me is the “falling away” of some of the Protestant leaders of the denominations. This seems to he the sign Paul warned of in 2nd Thessa- lonians, chapter 2 and of which Christ Himself warned in Matthew 24:24. Mary E. Hall, Los Angeles MORE COMM EN T ON EDITOR'S NOTE I take several Christian magazines but none that I would give up for THE KING’S BUSINESS. It is true to the Word of God and keeps us in formed in our churches these days. It really shocked me to read about the mergers of the different churches. I have never like what the National Council of Churches was doing. The merger undoubtedly is a product of men. Mrs. M. B. Thorn, Alberton, Montana DISLIKES MAGAZINE 'S STAND I am not interested in any maga zine that will stoop so low as to pro mote its columns to he used to at tack any church, as your magazine did with the DeHaan article some
time ago*. I like your magazine and would like to have it in my home. The church that your magazine at tacked pays more tithe, has more printing presses, more hospitals, more welfare work and is spreading Jesus Christ better than any denomination today on a per capita basis (member ship-wise). I take several religious magazines and would like to have yours. Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it from sin. When you can convince me that you will blow your own horn and let others blow theirs, let me know and I will try to subscribe again. Charles D. Wagner, Red Bluff, Calif. * E d it o r ’ s N o t e : Dr. DeHaan wrote on the subject of the fallacy of the Seventh-Day Adventism cult. COVER PICTURE BRINGS REMINISCENCE THE KING’S BUSINESS continues to furnish inspirational reading and this month’s beautiful cover set some of us old timers to reminiscing (Au gust, 1961). How many times I have filled our old kerosene lamps and shined the chimneys. One time I broke one and slashed my thumb. I still have a sliver of it healed in: a rather troublesome souvenir of the “ good old days” back east. Dr. Walter Wilson is an old friend of mine from the days and nights when we sat at his feet in Chicago. Once, when he was our guest at dinner, we discov ered that he did not like carrots and pickles. His messages are precious to us. The Lord bless you in His match less service. Jeanette M. Brissey, Alhambra, Calif. MAGAZ INE USED IN DOCTOR'S OFFICE After reading THE KING’S BUSI NESS, which we enjoy, we take it to the doctor’s office which is the big gest in San Jose and where they seem to have only Catholic and Christian Science reading, so I see to it THE KING’S BUSINESS is in full view. Miss Dorothy Werdman, Los Gatos, Calif. NEW SUBSCRIBER Please begin my subscription to THE KING’S BUSINESS immediate ly. This is the finest Christian maga zine available today in my opinion and I don’t want to miss another issue of it. Richard A. Seymour, Miami, Florida
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TH E KING'S BUSINESS
WinterisBitterinKorea Rescue a Needy Orphan from its Rigors
personal evangelism by Benjamin Weiss A t w h a t a g e did you receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour? This question was asked of several dedi cated, dynamic spiritual leaders. Their answers were “nine,” “ eleven,” “ six,” “ eight,” and one was only five years of age. None was more then twelve. People are saved at all ages. No where in the Bible does it say that there is an age deadline after which a person cannot come to God and have his sins forgiven and become a child of God. Those who are active in personal evangelism have seen people find Christ at every age. Jesus said, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6: 37). The condition is always ■— come A prominent minister asked a con gregation of truly saved Christians to give the age when they were saved. There were approximately one thou sand Christians in the same audience. The results were amazing: Saved before 20 years of age 548 or 54.8% Saved between 20 and 30 years 337 or 33.% Saved between 30 and 40 years 86 or 8.6% Saved between 40 and 50 years 50 or 1.5% Saved between 50 and 60 years 13 or 1.3% Saved between 60 and 70 years 1 or 0.1% It is natural for children to respond to an invitation to receive Christ as their Saviour. They have not gathered up doubts and adverse ideas. Their friends do not hinder them in the Christian way of life. Neither have they formed many sinful habits which are in opposition to the Chris tian life. Jesus said, “ Suffer the little chil dren, and forbid them not to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19: 14). He also said, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18: 3). Jesus understood the hinderances which come with the passing years and also the hardness of heart. Youth is the time of greatest enlist ment for service and dedication of life. It is the time of dynamic activity; of strong emotions and momentous decisions. The life of youth is like springtime — there is a throbbing of new life. They are anxiously waiting to be challenged for the greatest of all decisions — the decision to receive Christ as Saviour. “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth . . .” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).
YOU C A N —For Only Pennies a Day SPONSOR ONE OF THESE BEREFT WAIFS AS "MOMM IE OR DADDY " You will be blessed, as many have been, knowing that loving Christian care is being given a Korean boy or girl through your efforts and interest. Just 26 pennies a d a y « or $8 a month — provides all necessities in our Orphanages, including school tuition which is charged for in Korea. Ask a friend to be a co-sponsor, $4 each, or in terest your Sunday School or other Church or organization groups. The orphan you select will know you as sponsor. You get the child’s picture, life story and mailing address. You can write or send parcels any time you wash. Replies are prompt and in English. Sponsors are indeed THRILLED with this personal con tact. Many new sponsors are desperately needed now, before winter begins, to take in many more desolate children wandering the streets. Heartbreaking Stories of Tragic Lives You will find this true when you get the life story of the orphan you may select. Number S-l above is little Lee Ok Ja at our Seaside Christian Orphanage. Her father, a Korean, deserted her mother and secretly married another woman, then disappeared. The mother, a Japanese, left Ok Ja at the police station and fled to her homeland, Japan. The police brought Ok Ja to our Orphanage. Number S-12 pictured above is An Ung Sub. His father, a farmer, was killed by a bomb during the Korean war. His mother, missing since, deserted him. Ung Sub lived as a beggar from door to door with no place to stay. Finally he was brought into our Eternal Light Orphanage where now he is doing well. Each day the children at all our Orphanages are taught the Bible, sing Christian songs, earnestly pray. They all attend Church and Sunday School and are led to re ceive Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Here you have a God-given opportunity to help in bringing up a child to be a Christian leader in Korea where such are sorely needed.
THE EVERETT SW A N S O N EVANGELISTIC A S S 'N . INC. 4 8 4 8 N orth Leonard D rive D ept. K -1 0 C h ica g o 3 1 , III. j----------------------------------- CLIP AND MAIL TODAY — ----------------------------- ; □ YES I want to sponsor an orphan for one year. My choice is ' Number ............. If this child has already been “ adopted,” I I agree to support another whom you will select. With God’s | ■ help I will send $8 a month to your office. Please let me have , mv child’s name, picture, address and story. I understand I may continue as long as I wish. Enclosed is support for • □ first month, □ one year. SEND FULL PARTICULARS. I I □ I cannot “ adopt” a child but want to help by giving $........ I | □ Please mail folder, “ Information About Sponsoring Korean i Orphans.” I Name ______________ ________........_____________ ___________ ____ ...___ i Address _____________________________________ ______________________ ' City ------------------------------------------ Z o n e ____ State ____ _______....__ j Gifts of any amount are welcome. A ll gifts and sponsorings are . income tax deductible. The Everett Swanson Evangelistic Ass'n. Inc. An Interdenominational Non-Profit Corporation | Dept. K-10, 4848 No. Leonard Dr., Chicago 31, III., GL. 6-6181
The ESEA is caring for over 10,000 orphans, children of lep ers and war widows. Its work is known widely because its messages have gone out month after month in various ways including publicity in this and numerous religious and secu lar magazines. It serves more than 12 million meals each year. Help us expand our 106 Homes. Each one is a Chris tian institution with Bible-be- lieving Staff and Board mem bers. Sponsors are needed to take many more ragged, for saken children into our Homes ahead of Korea’s winter. Write or phone NOW!
OCTOBER, 1961
5
Is ThisAnotherShadow of the Antichrists by Dr. S. H. Sutherland
STONY BROOK SCHOOL.
In the August, 1961, issue of Redbook magazine, an article appeared entitled, "The Surprising Beliefs of Our Future Min isters." If this report represents a fair cross-section of the theological students of today, who will become the ministers of tomorrow, it is not only surprising— it is tragic ! Thirty percent of those ministerial stu dents questioned were Methodists, fifteen percent Baptists, eleven percent Episcopa lians, ten percent Presbyterians, six per cent Congregationalists and six percent Lu therans ; the remaining twenty-two percent included theological students belonging to the Church of God, Church of the Brethren, Pentecostal and others who were uncommit ted. About half of these ■students agree with Dean Pike who has achieved such wide spread notoriety because of his completely heretical views on the great historic doc trines of the Protestant church. Only forty-four percent believe in the virgin birth of Christ ; twenty-nine percent be lieve that there is a real heaven and a real hell; forty-six percent believe that Jesus actually arose from the dead and ascended into heaven after His crucifixion. Eighty- nine percent stated that they believe in the "divinity" of Jesus Christ ; however, this does not mean anything because so many of them said, in one way or another, that they believe there is a spark of divinity in every human being and Jesus merely had more of that spark than most other human beings. Only two percent of those inter viewed are seriously interested in the sub ject of "original sin," only two percent consider the "immortality of man" as a ma jor tenet, and only one percent believe that the Lord will return in person. These students are quite critical of the present condition of the Protestant church as a whole. They declare that today's churches are too social, too "clubby"; at least half of the young men feel that the present Protestant church-going boom rep resents only "skin-deep religion." As an an tidote to this socializing of the churches, they urge a passionate concern for the problems of the present day. They demand that the church do something about world integra tion, world peace and disarmament, crooked-
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TH E KING'S BUSINESS
ness in governmental positions, clearance of the slums of our large cities, putting an end to capital punishment, curb ing materialism, the problem of automation which is forcing more and more individuals into unemployment, the labor- management situation, etc. All of this could add up to a com plete collapse of the real purpose of the church's existence, which is the preaching of the Gospel. One is appalled at the utter ignorance of or disregard for the Word of God and the great truths which are to be found therein. A few generations ago, Christian leaders allowed hereti cal doctrines to be sounded at will in the theological semi nary classrooms, under the guise of Christian forebear— anee. Thus, deniers of the faith were privileged to teach their devilish heresies. Sound, faithful church leaders shouted from the housetops words of warning and poured out impassioned pleas to the churches not to allow such heresies to be taught. But their voices were silenced with accusa tions of "heresy hunters", "uncharitable", "un-Christ like", and the doctrinal deviates were encouraged to teach what they believed. At that time the wind was sown; now we are reaping the whirlwind. Instead of Bible-believing Christian leaders winning the false religious leaders by love, they themselves were overwhelmed. Now it is they whose voice is silenced and the very fountainheads of Chris tian doctrine and leadership have been completely polluted. The only things young men in many seminaries are taught have to do with racial integration, world peace, payola, and slum clearance. Of themselves, all of these are worthy causes and all rightminded individuals are in favor of them. But the tragedy is that this social program is all these ministers-to-be know. They have no comprehension of the preaching of the Gospel. The central doctrine of Chris tianity, namely salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, or the doctrine of atonement, are not even men tioned by those interviewed in this survey. The authority of the Word of God is quite foreign to their thinking, and only two percent of the men interviewed were admittedly interested in the subject of "original sin." No doubt there are many of you who read this article who become quite disturbed at the conditions in the church at large, and well you might. You ask yourself the question, "But what can I do?" May I say that there are three things you can do: (1) You can pray. The church of Jesus Christ needs the prayers of real saints in its behalf more than ever before, (2) You can stop supporting liberal churches, seminaries and causes— either denominational or otherwise — both at home and abroad, and (3) You can give or increase your attendance and giving to churches and schools which are standing for the truth, proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ and making every possible effort to indoctrinate the young people of today in the great truths of our blessed faith. If God's people everywhere would see to it that not one penny of theirs gets into modernistic, Christ-denying programs, churches and schools true to the Word of God would increase their facilities for training ministers and missionaries. Thus together we will be able to do our part in stemming this devastating tide of ration alistic unbelief which is sweeping over this beloved land of ours. May God help us, every one, to be faithful to the task to which He has called us. This indication of apostasy among our future ministers is but another shadow of the coming antichrist and the world church to be established after the Lord takes us to be with Himself.
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OCTOBER, 1961
russian communism
by Martin R. DeHaan, M.D., Director, Radio Bible Class 'S TIMETABLE
T h e n a t io n s described in Ezekiel 38 and 39 are called I “ Gog and Magog.” So the primary question we shall answer is the question of the identity of Gog and Magog. Here is the record in Ezekiel 38: “ And the word of the Lord came unto me, say ing, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, 0 Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I w ill turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I w ill bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even h great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.” Ezekiel 38:1-4 In identifying Gog and Magog, we desire to have you notice five definite things mentioned by God in these chapters: 1. The meaning of the words, “ Gog and Magog.” From the very earliest religious writings we find that Bible students have identified Gog as the end-time ruler, or the Prince of Russia, and Magog as the land of Gog, or the land of the Prince of Russia. My pulpit commen tary suggests this interpretation, and the great scholar, Gesenius, makes Gog and Magog to be the Ruler of Russia, and the land of Russia. My Bible encyclopedia definitely identifies Gog and Magog as the farthermost northern nations dwelling in the regions of the Caucasus and the Volga. A more accurate translation, it is pointed out, for the expression, “ Gog and Magog the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal,” would be “ Gog of the land Magog, the Prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.” The word, “ chief” , is the word “ Rosh” in the original, so that Gog is actually called “ the Prince of Russia.” Magog refers to the country of Russia, and Gog is the Prince of the Russia of the last days. History further reveals that Magog (the second son of Japheth in Genesis 2. The regions from which they come. 3. Her allies in this great struggle. 4. Her policy, aims and program. 5. The time of her rise. The Meaning of The Name, Gog
10:1-2) and his descendants migrated early to the north in the region now occupied by Russia. The two other names, Meshech and Tubal, apply to the two chief cities of Magog, namely Moscow and the ancient Tobolsk. This has been the consensus of Bible expositors’ opinion from its very earliest days. Magog is Russia; Gog its ruler of the latter days. Its Location We come now to the second identification of Gog as the prince, and Magog as the land of Russia. The loca tion from which Gog comes in Ezekiel 38 and 39, defin itely describes Russia, and can apply to no other nation. Quoting just a few passages will make this clear. In Ezekiel 39:2 we read that God will: “ Cause thee to come up from the north parts, ana w ill bring thee upon the mountains of Israel.” In verse six of chapter 38, they are said to come from the north quarters. Again, in verse 15 we read: “And thou shalt come from thy place out of tne north parts, thou, and many people with thee, alt of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a m ighty army.” Ezekiel 38:15 Gog will, according to the Word of God descend upon the land of Israel from the extreme north. Remember in this connection, that directions in Scripture are always in relation to Israel and Palestine. North in the Bible is always “North of Palestine.” South is “ South of Pales tine,” and so with East and with West. We now have two identification marks: 1. Gog means Russia. 2. He comes from the extreme north, in the region where Russia today is holding forth. Its Allies
We come now to the third revelation in these chap ters. Russia’s allies are identified and called, “ Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer and Togarmah. The first to strike our attention is Persia. In 1932, only 29 years ago, Mos cow signed a treaty with Persia, providing in the event of war, free access of Russia through the land of Persia to the Middle East and to Palestine. In 1935, three years after this treaty, the name of Persia was changed to Iran, so prominent in the news today. The next nation mentioned is Ethiopia. This evident- t h e s c r i p t u r a l i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f 8 TH E KING'S BUSINESS
ly does not refer to the African Ethiopia, for there was also an ancient Ethiopia, called in Scripture, “ Cush,” and was located in the region of Babylon adjoining the land of Persia. This is most likely, in the light of recent events, the Ethiopia of Ezekiel 38. The same is true of Libya, the third nation mentioned as being allied with Gog. The old name for Libya was “ Phut,” another ancient Bible land in the same geo graphical location as Persia, and Ethiopia, to the south of Russia. The next nation, Gomer, offers no difficulty, as prac tically all expositors agree that it has reference to Eastern Germany. And then the last nation mentioned is Togar- mah, identified as the nations of central Asia, traditional enemies of Israel and closely allied to Russia throughout their history. A few years ago this prophecy of Ezekiel seemed re mote. Yet today, we have seen these countries silently infiltrated and taken over by Russia, and brought under the hammer and the sickle together with the other Slavic people to the north of Palestine. This, then, said Ezekiel 2,500 years ago, would comprise the great northern federa tion of Gog and Magog, and we are today living in the very day of the fulfillment of these prophecies. The name, Gog means Russia, the location identifies Russia, its allies are the nations today already under the sway, or almost so, of Russia, and the evidence is most complete. Russia's Policy The fourth thing in these chapters which identifies Gog and Magog is the description given by Ezekiel of the policies and the program of Russia today. Ezekiel tells us about this in chapter 38:10-12: “ Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:” And then the next verse goes on to tell what this evil thought of Russia would be. Here it is, astounding and arresting in the light of Russia’s program in the past few years: “ And thou shalt say, I w ill go up to the land of unwalled villages; I w ill go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates.” Ezekiel 38:11 How easy it is to see Russia’s policy in these words! Her program has been, and is one o f aggression against weak and defenseless nations. They are described as lands of unprotected villages, without walls and defenses. By subtle propaganda and infiltration she will seek to over run and overpower her weaker neighbors; by fifth column activities, false promises, propaganda, and by intimidation. This prophecy is utterly amazing in the light of recent years. We have but to mention Russia’s taking over Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Yugoslavia, and a host of other smaller nations, and now more recent ly China, Korea, Indo-china, and still Russia marches on. God has clearly foretold that Russia will meet her doom, only in Palestine, when she meets up with the Western Alliance of nations under the leadership of a Super-man upon the mountains of Israel. That is the place where God says the defeat of Russia will take place. Watch Palestine and the Middle East, for God has spoken, and when God speaks, He carries out His pro gram. We are, and dare to be, dogmatic about this fact, for we have the clear teaching of the Word of God in
this matter. Russia’s program of aggression, bit by bit, is running true to form according to prophecy. What a wonderful book—the Book— the Bible. Oh, that men would turn to this Book for their information and guid ance in dealing with the present Russian crisis. Thank God, we need not as Christians, with an open Bible before us, be in darkness concerning the outcome of the pres ent crisis. So far, then, we have been able to definitely identify Gog as Russia, first by the name which is given to it, second its geographic location, third its allies, and fourth its policies and program. The Time of Russia's Rise We call your attention to just one other positive iden tification, given in the Word of God, namely the time when this rise of Russia shall occur. First w ill you notice the position of Ezekiel 38 and 39 in the Scriptures. The preceding chapter, (Ezekiel 37) contains the prophecy of the valley of dry bones. It tells of Israel’s restoration first back into the land of Palestine, Then Chapter 40, the chapter which follows 38 and 39, describes Israel’s Kingdom rest and blessing after the second coming of Christ. Read those chapters and see in Chapter 37 Israel returning to Palestine, and then in Chapter 40 Israel at rest in Palestine, and then amazingly enough between these two chapters, we have Russia’s final attack upon Israel and her utter defeat. But in addition to this, the time is definitely stated by Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 38:8 we read: “A fter many days thou shalt be visited: in the LATTER YEARS thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gath ered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste.” And again, in verse 16, we read this: “ And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the LATTER DAYS, and l w ill bring thee against my land.” In perfect harmony with this, notice verse 14: “ Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord God; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? “And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts.” These quotations identify the time when Russia shall make her attack upon Israel with absolute certainty. It will be after Israel is back in the land of Palestine. Now Israel is already in the land, and it is following Israel’s restoration that these things shall come to pass, accord ing to the Word of God.
But this final battle described in these chapters will not occur until after the Rapture of the Church, and during the tribulation period. We, therefore, have to look for the imminent return of our Lord as the next event in the program of God with the nations. The stage is all set, Israel is in the land, Russia is on the march, the United Nations described in Ezekiel 38 are seeking to organize, waiting only for one man, the Super-man of the last days to unite them against the King of the North. But before this Super-man, the Son of Perdition can appear, the Son of God will first come to take the Church of Jesus Christ to Himself before the final battle. Who knows how near that day may be? EVEN SO COME LORD JESUS. g o g a n d m a g o g i n t h e e n d t i m e s OCTOBER, 1961 9
KING'S BUSINESS PROPHECY FEATURE Edited by Dr. Charles L. Feinberg, Dean, Talbot Theological Seminary
a prophetic basis for the LORDS RETURN by Roy L. Aldrich, Th.D., President, Detroit Bible College
T h e y e a r - d a y theory is the simple proposition that some prophetic time periods of the Bible expressed in terms of days should be interpreted to mean years. In other words a day stands for a year in certain time sched ules of Scripture. By this device many have attempted to figure the time for the end of the age and the second coming of Christ. The Scriptural validity for the year- day theory is supposed to be establish ed by the following pasages: Nu. 14: 33, 34; Ezek. 4.T-6; and Dan. 9:24-27. The passage in Numbers records God’s judgment for the failure to enter the land at Kadesh-bamea: “ After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of prom ise” (Nu. 14:34). There is a day for a year principle here to emphasize the severity of the punishment. However, it should be noted that the forty days and forty years of this passage are literal days and literal years. There is no authority here for confusing the meaning of the terms; much less for applying confusion to other passages. The passage in Ezekiel describes one of the prophet’s symbolic actions. He was to lie on his left side 390 days to represent 390 years punishment for Israel, and then forty days on his right side to represent forty years punishment for Judah. There is a year-day idea in this passage but no authorization except imagination to apply it elsewhere. However, with such tenuous author ity the Millerites and others believed that Daniel’s prophecy of 2300 days (Dan. 8: 14) means there would be 2300 years from Daniel’s day to the coming of the Lord, and they figured the period would end in 1944. Act ually, Daniel 8: 14 mentions the time to the cleansing of the sanctuary, not to the coming of Christ. By the same logic the literal days of New Testa ment prophecy should be counted years, and the Lord’s resurrection should have come three years after his death (Jno. 2: 19). It is also believed by the date setters that the year-day principle was cer
their theory to find the length of Israel’s punishment, they multiply seven by 360 days of a prophetic year and arrive at the figure of 2,520. This is believed to represent the years from the beginning of the Babylonian cap tivity to the coming of Christ to estab lish His kingdom. Neither days nor years are mentioned in connection with the “ seven times” punishment. They list all the punishments threat ened in Leviticus 26 and multiply twenty-eight or thirty by 360. This would mean that the Lord’s coming would be millenniums in the future. If the 2520 year period is figured from the Babylonian captivity, it means that the end of the age should have arrived somewhere between 1914 and 1934. The reason for the latitude in the closing date is that authorities differ as to the time of the beginning of the captivity. Jerusalem was de stroyed after a series of invasions by the Babylonians. However, no ingen uity can stretch the close of the 2520 year period beyond about 1936. This means that the twentieth century date setters have also experienced their “bitter disappointment.” But never fear, they will come up with a new or ammended theory. The Anglo-Israelites and prophetic writers of many denominations in addition to the Adventists, have been brought to error and disappointment through the use of the year-day theory. It is too bad that it is yet defended as a standard device for prophetic interp retation. Apart from any argument, it has already been refuted by the simple application of this Scriptural test: When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presum ptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him (Deu. 18:22). It is time that the year-day theory was recognized for what it is: a prin ciple of error not only without Script ural basis, but actually contrary to the clear teaching of Christ that the time of His coming is secret.
tified by the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy of the seventy weeks.. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgres sion, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for in iquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to an oint the most Holy (Dan. 9: 24). This prophecy has correctly been interpreted to measure the time from the close of Babylonian captivity to the crucifixion of Christ. We believe the last of the seventy weeks is still future. But no year-day theory is needed for the interpretation of this passage. The Hebrew word for week is the same as the Hebrew word for seven. Thus Daniel said, “ Seventy sevens are determined upon thy people.” There is no mention of hours, days, or years as the unit of this time period. Prophetic students believe the time unit is years, because Daniel had just written about the seventy years of the Babylonian captivity (Dan. 9: 2). But, more conclusively, it is be lieved that years are meant, because only this unit accurately measures the period from Daniel to the Messiah. There is no proof of a year-day theory in this passage, and most expositors interpret it without any reference to such an idea. One of the most common uses of the year-day theory to predict the end of this age is based upon its applica tion to the “ seven times” punishments of Lev. 26. In this chapter God pro nounces the conditions of both blessing and chastisement in the land. If cer tain threatened chastisements do not bring correction, God warns that he will punish Israel “ seven times more” (Lev. 26: 18). It should be noted that this “ seven times” warning is repeat ed in verses 21, 24, and 28. In each case the “ seven times” punishment is in addition to the preceding series. In other words, God actually warns that He will punish Israel twenty-eight more times for continued disobedience. However, the year-day adherents not ice only one series of “ seven times” punishment in this chapter. Applying
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by George Sweeting
A YOUNG c o m m u n is t shook his fist and shouted: “To- morrow the world will be ours.” In one genera tion communism has mushroomed from a small number to 800 million people— one-third of the world’s popula tion. Someone objects that communism maintains power by force. This is partly true, but remember there are nearly 30 million communist party members living outside Iron Curtain countries. Remember, too, that only a handful took over Russia and now they have invaded the most dis tant lands. In fact, the F.B.I. has estimated that there are 25,000 communists in the United States with ten fellow- travelers for every party member. You see, every com munist is a convert-maker. For communism he gives up amusements, social life and even takes an inferior job in order to bring his message into a new place. Commu nism has become the greatest missionary movement of the day. The Communists have given more dedication to Karl Marx than we have to the Lord Jesus Christ. Com munists have taken over the methods Christ used and meant His church to use. As a result, it occupies in the hearts of many the place that Christ should have. If we are to stop this phenomenal advance, the church must awaken and get back to the task of soul-winning. Jesus Christ is our supreme example in this. Soul-win ning was His first concern.“ The Son of man is come to OCTOBER, 1961
seek and. to save that which was lo st" (Luke 19:10). Paul the apostle adds: “ Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). Concerning the apostolic church, we read: “ And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42). There must be an honest interest in the spiritual needs of others; every believer must be a soul- winner. When the church loses compassion, Christianity con fines itself to acts of worship; but when it is filled with love for a needy world, it grows from worship to activity. This is the hour for action. We must take the offensive. We must mobilize an all-out crusade to win the lost. We can have apostolic success, if we follow the plan laid down by Christ. This is one task from which no Christian should consider himself exempt. No one speak ing to you, or working with you, should fail to receive from you a ray of Christian light and witness of what Jesus Christ can do. Jesus said: “ Ye shall be witnesses unto md, (Acts 1:8). Soul-winning is every Christian’s job. The hammer and the sickle demand a lot, but Christ and His cross demand all. Available In printed form from the American Tract Society, 513 West 166th Street, New York 32, N.Y. 11
such emphasis placed upon the crucifixion and resurrec tion of the Saviour. Also such references would be antici pated in an article purporting to contain an answer to the ills of the world. However, a thorough perusal of this long, four-column wide message fails to turn up a single verse from the Bible, a mention of the Scriptures, or any reference whatsoever to God, Christ, salvation or the cross. What is said of the increase of immorality in the world, of the inroads of Communism in many nations, and other evils that are undermining our civilization, is beyond dispute. But what we as believers in God and the Bible are searching for is the answer to all of these conditions. What remedy does Dr. Buchman propose? Mention is made of Japanese youth leaders, French Catholics, Tuni sian Moslems, police chiefs throughout the world, mili tary leaders everywhere, the chancellor of Germany, political heads in Rangoon and Burma, dock workers in Brazil,— to name a few—all of whom are represented as having found in Moral Re-Armament the solution to all of their problems. Nations are claiming that through this Group alone they have discovered the deterrent to the infiltration of the Communistic ideology in their lands. Hollywood is quoted as propagandists of the new Moral Re-Armament ideology. Differences between such fac tions as capital and labor are said to be resolved by this Group. Even in the Congo, according to a quotation from
I n t h e A p r il 2, 1961 Los Angeles Times there appeared a full-page advertisement bearing a large-type head ing: “An Easter Message for the Whole World,” with the by-line “ Dr. Frank N. D. Buchman.” This advertisement was signed “Moral Re-Armament” and carried the ex planation that it had been paid for by men and women interested in giving this particular message to “ America and the World.” Similar huge advertisements have been published by newspapers across the country within the last year or so. Moral Re-Armament is readily identified with the old Oxford Group, by which name it is still known in many quarters, particularly in Great Britain. The original name was First Century Christian Fellowship, and its ad herents have been designated variously as Groupists, New Groupers, and Buchmanites. However, “Moral Re-Arma ment” which began as q slogan, apparently has ended up as .their favorite designation. Nevertheless, it is neces sary to add “ Oxford Group” for proper identification. Frank Nathan Daniel Buchman, was the founder of the Group. Now, as this organization claims to be Christian, pri marily interested in the spiritual welfare of mankind, one would naturally expect to find in this impressive and expensive newspaper spread a declaration of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Particularly would this be looked for at the Easter season when in all Christendom there is
With this issue we begin a three-part series on What's Wrong with Moral Re-Arma ment (Oxford Group)? by^ the well-known expert in such matters, Dr. Louis T. Talbot, Biola's Chancellor. The first article is introductory. The second will cover origin and organization; and the third will deal with teachings and techniques of this group. These articles will be published in a booklet which will be obtainable in the near future.
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