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ÉL^ML" - 5 . B S .; K @E h i I 1 :lal4to*Ny8g B ^ r a y l - "'\pïji úiSWBfr&ff* P B S r^ r k^íS®?;: TheBibleInstituteHour CALIFORNIA Arroyo Grande-San Luis Obispo KCJH I B IO L A b ro a d c a s te r Monthly Publication of the BIOLA FELLOWSHIP V o l. 4 N o . 11 N O V E M B E R , 1 9 6 4 CONTENTS THE OLIVET DISCOURSE ............. 3 THE AGE Of TERROR .................. 5 TIME OF TRAVAIL ....................... 7 FAITH UNDER FIRE ..................... 9 FROZEN LOVE .................................11 THE KINGDOM GOSPEL .................13 THE ABOMINATION ..................... 15 EXODUS OF DESPAIR ..................... 17 GREAT TRIBULATION ...................19 PARABLES AND PEARLS ..............21 HEBREWS: VERSE BY VERSE ...... 25 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS .......31 THE BIOLA FELLOWSHIP PLAN ..33 COVER: Courtesy Union Pacific Rail road. Scene is Great White Throne/ Zion National Park, Southern Utah. 1280 9:00 A.M. MTWTF 550 7:30 A.M. Sun. 1050 9:30 A.M. MTWTF 1290 8:30 A.M. 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KARI Seat+le-Tacoma KGDN Spokane KCFA Walla Walla KTEL Yakima KBBO Albuquerque, New Mexico KARA 1310 KARA 99.5 (FM) Billings, Montana KURL 730 Caldwell-Boise KBFM 94.1 (FM) KBGN 910 Denver, Colorado KLIR 990 KLIR 100.3 (FM) Kansas City, Missouri KCCV 1510 Lapeer, Michigan WMPC 1230 7:00 A.M. MTWTF 7:00 A.M. MTWTF 8:00 A.M. MTWTF 8:30 A.M. MTWTF 8:30 A.M. MTWTF 12:00 Noon MTWTF 12:00 Noon MTWTF 11:00 A.M. MTWTF 3:30 P.M. Tues. 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. Miamisburg, Ohio WFCJ 11:00 P.M. MTWTF (Radio Log continued on page 18) 93.7 (FM) A fter the questions asked by His disciples, the Lord now begins His great Olivet discourse. The first and paramount thing the Saviour points out to them is that they are not to be deceived or frightened. In the face of cataclysmic events they are not to be troubled or agitated. They would see horrible things and yet they were ever to keep in mind that the time was not yet. It is well for us to remember that there should be no confusion between signs and tendencies. Whenever this is done, Bible students come to grief. Some groups have gone into great disrepute because they have fallen in to the error of misidentifying signs and tendencies. As an example, some Bible teachers absolutely identified Hitler as the man of sin and Musso lini as the anti-Christ. Both these men are dead and the teachers are most embarrassed. We, too, must not be frightened by events which occur in the world to day. It is true that they are dreadful and world-shaking. But, let us not be troubled. We are not to be led astray from the Word of God. Our authority is, “Thus saith the Lord.” In the opening verses of His dis course (Matthew 24:4-8) the Lord Jesus points out to us that the times shall have a three-fold flavor. First of all there will be a time of decep tion, then a time of distress, and then a time of travail. In the fifth verse we read, “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” These deceivers know their craft well. They appear as the Lord’s ministers and disciples. A counterfeit is only as valuable as the amount of truth it contains. No one has ever endeavored to counterfeit paper in which meat is wrapped. Money is copied since it is of value. So it is with religious things. To the degree that a thing appears true, to that degree it can be of great value or deception. The Greek word for “deceive” is very interesting. From it we get our English word “planet.” According to Greek astronomers a planet was a wandering star. See the subtility with which deception is carried out? It will not be bold and brutal but rather cunning and subtle. It will be so like Then why need I fear, Though the testing be hard. And the trial severe? He tempers each wind That upon me doth blow, And tenderly whispers, "Thy Father doth know." His power is sufficient, Then why should I quail, Though the storm clouds hang low, And though wild is the gale? His strength will not falter, Whatever betide, And safe on His bosom He bids me to hide. His love is sufficient, Yea, boundless and free; As high as the mountains, As deep as the sea. Ah, there will I rest Till the darkness is o'er, And wake in His likeness, To dwell evermore. , —Avis B. Christiansen In the 24th verse we read, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24). The words “signs and wonders” are im portant for us. If we were working 3 SUFFICIENCY His grace is sufficient, the truth that it will be hard to make a distinction. crossword puzzles we could use them as synonyms. Yet there is still a dif ference between them. The word “sign” is used as a signal or a code. For example, when I broadcast from my desk, the engineer in the control room signals me with a light or a sign. One light means I have two minutes to go. Another light indicates I have one minute to go. When he gives me two lights at once, it means to stop. This is the code for the pre-arranged sign between us. The word “wonder” is interesting because this has to do with omens or foretastes. The Greeks of old took ad vantage of the ignorance of people. They used that which was mystical. This is the manner in which deception will be forced upon the people in the day of which our Lord speaks. People are always impressed with the mirac ulous, instead of with the Word of God. What was true in that day is unfortunately true in our day as well. Men have a tendency to ignore the Word of God. They never look to the authority, “Thus saith the Lord.” Satan is at work. The devil seeks to transform himself into an angel of light. Paul says that since this is true, we ought not to be surprised if he should transform his ministers similarly. Why did Israel suffer this judg ment? Because they ignored the Word of God. Jeremiah declares, “Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart” (Jeremiah 14:14). But not only in Jeremiah is this wa r n i ng given. Look at Ezekiel, Isaiah, the minor p r oph e t s , and thoughout Scripture. The authority is not to be our experience but only the Word of God. May I ask in what you are trusting? Do you rely on your feelings? Do you look back to some great experience? Or is every avenue of life tested with, “Thus said the Lord.” Myers Hall, key structureof the TalbotTheo logical Seminary, is thefirstbuilding onesees when entering the Blola Campus. It houses clasroms, faculty and administrative offices, and otherfacilities for the rapidly growing Seminary. PRESCRIPTION FOR JOY I t was Charles Haddon Spurgeon who wrote, “The first thing for our soul’s health, the first thing for His glory, the first thing for our own use fulness, is to keep ourselves in per petual (constant, unbroken) commun ion with the Lord Jesus, and to see that the vital spirituality is main tained over and above everything else in the world.” This is truly the secret of joy in the Christian life. Although our Biola students are in an atmos phere of Christian environment, yet that in itself is not a guarantee of spiritual maturity and growth. Fre quently, a professor in a class may completely set aside his prescribed course presentation in order that he may deal with some spiritual truth. It may be a timely thought or that which the Holy Spirit may be suggest ing to him. Biola has two text books for each course, the prescribed volume for the subject being taught, and the all-important Word of God. This is the type of training in which we be lieve you are interested. This is the way you would want to see your own children or grandchildren prepared for the Lord’s service. That is why we invite you to invest in these minis tries so that we may thrust forth others to the whitened harvest fields of the world. 4 by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper THE AGE OF TERROR I N G od ’ s W ord we find the clear prophecy concerning the fact that in addition to the sign of deception as a forerunner of Christ’s coming, there is also going to be a time of great distress and hostility. In Matthew 24:6 we read, “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” The Lord warns us not to confuse times and signs with ten dencies. While the end is definitely approaching it is not now here. It is interesting to take the history of war and note how much it is on the increase. From the 16th century down to the present age there have been more than 276 wars. The tragic thing about it is that these conflicts are becoming more universal and widespread in the destruction of hu man lives, to say nothing of the ex pense involved. With a thermoneu- clear war there is serious doubt as to the possibility of any survivors. Yet as we think of the dangers of atomic power in the wrong hands and other similar horrible prospects, we are not to be unsettled. The word “troubled” is a very forceful descrip tion. It means we are not to shrink, to be terrified, to cry out. “After all,” the Lord says, “your times are in the hands of God.” It is comforting to know that if you and I were to be in the destruc tive range of an atomic bomb, the only thing which could happen to us is that we would be blown into glory. We would immediately be translated into the Lord’s presence. The time will come, however, when judgment will severely visit the earth. Now the judgments you and I experience in this day of grace are those projected by man because of his sinfulness. When God speaks and the earth keeps silence, however, no one will be able to escape. People will often ask, “Must we al ways have war? Can’t we be educated away from it?” The Word of God shows us that war is not a matter of the mind but a matter of the human heart. In James 4:1, 2 we read, “For whence come wars a n d fightings among you ? come they not hence, even of your lusts (desires) that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not; ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” James tells us that our first difficulty is that we desire the things which are not ours. Second, within the world there are 'A little while!" and He shall come, The hour draws on, the pace, The blessed hour, the glorious Lord, When we shall see His face: How light our trials then will seem! How short our pilgrim way! Our life on earth, a fitful dream, Dispelled by dawning day! A little while, with patience, Lord, those who have and there are those who have not. The “haves” are try ing to keep what they have and the “have nots” are trying to get what they don’t have. Consequently there is this consistant turmoil. In the history of war it has been thought that as each instrument has been invented, it would have the po tential of halting any future disturb ance between men and nations. Such has never been the case. Russia and the United States know the mighty power in each’s hand to destroy one another. If war were of the mind, there might be a possibility that these 5 I fain would ask, "How long?" For how can I with such a hope Of glory and of home, With such a joy, awaiting me, Not wish the hour would come? How can I keep the longing back, And how suppress the groan?" two great nations could bring peace upon the earth. But, unfortunately, war is of the heart. To the end of time, even as from its beginning, men will ever be at each other’s throats. It is because of greed, lust, and an inordinate desire to have that which is not theirs. Going on in our study, the 7th verse of Matthew 24 tells us, “For nation shall rise against nation, and king dom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earth quakes, in divers places.” The verbs here are actually in the passive voice. Literally, it is a nation stirred up against another nation. This shows that outside forces will come in and start treachery within to stir up one nation against another. Time maga zine carried a story on the turbulence in Africa. The writer said that of the 32 African n a t i on s wh i ch have achieved independence since the end of World War II, more than half have been wrecked by severe political and economic convulsions ranging from bloody civil wars to virtual bank ruptcy. Africa may also be observed in other parts of the globe. The world today is in ferment. But added to wars and revolutions will be such natural calamities as earthquakes, famines, and pestilences. These, too, will become universal and more prevalent. US News & World Report declares that the earth now sustains more than 1,000,000 earth quakes every year. Yet, in the face of all this, we are to rest in the Lord Jesus Christ. How comforting it is, when we look out upon the world, finding it to be absolutely hopeless, to turn to the Word of God and thereby find our hope. Seeing the events of the world we might well be restless were it not for God’s assuring prom ises. We may find our rest in Christ and truly our hearts begin to sing. “My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand.” Maintrainingcenterfor Biola is thisimportant building containing classro ms, faculty andad ministrative offices,and the Bible hall seating more than800 young people. GOD'S PLAN Sometimes, as we look at things with our limited vision, it is hard to understand for we cannot see the end from the beginning. This, of course, is God’s vantage point. As a little girl watched her father, who was a sculp tor, she was concerned with how he was using his hammer and chisel al most wrecklessly, or so it seemed to her, with a new block of marble. She asked pensively, “Daddy, why do you waste so much stone?” His answer has been beautifully captured by the poet in the words: “It is,” he said, “with accents mild, By strokes and heavy blows, That as the marble wastes, my child, The more the statue grows.” Let us never try to take the chisel away from the Lord’s hand for He will never strike our life with random blows. He has an ordained plan which may hurt us now, but later which we can see has been for a divine purpose, bringing glory to His holy name. May we say with Paul, “Most gladly will I therefore glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” He knows, He loves, He cares, Nothing this truth can dim. God gives the best to them Who leave the choice with Him! 6 TIME OF TRAVAIL by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper S ome of t h e signs which precede the Lord’s return are those we have discussed involving deception and distress. In Matthew 24:8 we read, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” This reveals that there will be a time of great travail and that now is only the beginning of sorrow. This expression, “great travail,” is very interesting. It has an Old Testa ment background carrying the idea of the pain which birth brings to wom en. Again and again the Old Testa ment prophets have said to Israel that the ushering in of the Messiah’s com ing would be preceded by great judg ments. Israel would suffer greatly, even as a woman in childbirth. Yet we know that when a child is born there is also great joy; the suffering is soon forgotten. Paul writes in I Thessalonians 5 :3, “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sud den destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” In the process of childbearing a woman knows, about when her child will be delivered. She may not know the exact moment when labor will start, but all of a sudden the day comes. For a moment, for an hour, for even a protracted time, there is intense suffering preceding the great joy of deliverance. So it will be with the judgment upon Israel. There will be those spasms of suffering and trib ulation. Doubtless those who are not familiar with the Word of God will not know exaclty what is taking place. Of the Lord Jesus, looking forward to the cross, it is written, “But for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross.” The same thing is said about us for, “We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be glorified together.” The sufferings of this present world are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to follow. Things may go very very well and the world may ignore the spiritual qualities and their responsibility toward God. After all, they can trust their own strength. But suddenly there will be a great catas trophe, a crisis will occur and this judgment will come upon man. In Leviticus, the guide book of the priests, the 26th chapter outlines the history of Israel in its relationship to God. The first 13 verses describe what ON TITHING I wonder why the' Lord did ask, For tithes, from you and me: When all the treasures of the earth, Are His— eternally? And why should He depend on us, n To fill His house with meat: When we have so very little And His storehouse is replete? But He said to bring our little And He would add His much: Then oil and heavenly windows, Would be opened at His touch. And blessings running over— Even more than has been told— Will be ours: but there's no promise If His portion we withhold. Are we afraid to prove him? Is our faith and love so small. That we tightly grasp our little When He freely gave His all? God will do if Israel walks in the light of His Word. There would be great prosperity for this ancient na tion. Beginning at the 14th verse, however, down to the end of the chap ter, God solemnly warns this people what He will do if they don’t walk in His light. Judgment is again severely sounded. In I Peter 4:17-18 the apostle points out that judgment always be- 7 — Roselyn C. Steere This month the Biola Alumni Asociation beginsitsdrive to raisefunds in order to construct this im portant building whichwil also include much-needed classro ms and ofices.Dr. Milfon C. Gould, pastor of the FirstBaptist Church of Downey, and president of thoAlumni, makes the announcement on the October 13th broadcast of "The Biola Hour." marily given to Israel, mean to us? Will we have a day of judgment and travail ? As a corporate group we may not. But as individuals, growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, we ought to realize that when we are out of the will of God we suffer a personal judgment and travail. God is going to have His way with us. Paul assures us of this for in Philippians 1:6 we read, “Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” We are put on notice that what God has begun He intends to finish. Thus, it behooves us to walk in the light of God’s Word. With the many false things around us, we must always turn to the Word of God. Let the test be, “Thus saith the Lord.” This is the only safe ground on which to stand. Let the Holy Spirit say, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” When we walk with the Lord In the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds o’er our way. While we do His good will He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. gins at the house of God. If the right eous hardly escape what will it be for those who do not know the Lord? So this principle goes through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. We, too, must walk in the light of God’s holy Word. In Deuteronomy 28:15 and 20 there is a wonderful passage beginning, “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doing, whereby thou hast for saken me.” Three things are brought to our attention here. First, Israel did not listen to the Lord. In the sec ond place they did not obey Him. Finally, as a result, it was necessary for them to be judged by their God. What was true of Israel historical ly will also be true of Israel prophet ically. But their hopelessness can be turned to hope, their sorrow to joy. This is why the future of travail is used. After the suffering, the deliver ance, and the sorrow, will be the joy. Now what does this message, pri FAITH UNDER FIRE by Dr. Ralph L Keiper I N t h e W ord of God, we have some definite signs given by the Lord Jesus Christ concerning that future portion of the world’s history which prophetic Scripture refers to as the Great Tribulation. In His Olivet Dis course three s e p a r a t e s i gns are brought to our attention by the Sav iour. First of all it will be a time of persecution as indicated in Matthew 24:9 and 10. Then it will be a time of great indifference, spoken of in the same chapter, verses 11 through 13. Finally, it will be a time of great proclamation. The Gospel of the king dom will be preached throughout the world, as indicated in the 14th verse of Matthew 24. In the first portion it is “faith under fire.” The Lord points out to His disciples, as representatives of the Jewish race, that Israel for her faith, will endure great persecution. This is in the end time, after the Lord Jesus has come and removed His Church from the earth. Many of Israel will become the missionaries of that day. We read in Matthew 24:9, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.” One of the great tragedies of Gen tile history has been its unfortunate hatred for the Jew. Any well instruct ed Christian will never be anti-Semi tic in any way whasoever. An individ ual who knows the Lord Jesus Christ as his own personal Saviour has a great place in his heart for those who are of the house of Israel. Then, prophetically, the persecution will be caused because Israel will be faithful to the God of their fathers. For notice the expression “and ye shall be hated of all nations.” The reason they will be hated in this com ing day is not only because they are Jews but also because, as the text says, “for my name’s sake.” It is interesting to study the history of the world from the time of our Lord to the present hour and to see how many times this great people have been persecuted by one another. The term “tribulation” or “afflic tion,” as we have it in the authorized text, is an agricultural term. It has to do with the flailing of wheat in order that the kernels might be sepa rated from the chaff. The parallel pas sage in Luke 21:12 states, “But be- THE BREVITY OF OUR OPPORTUNITY Father, I scarcely dare to pray, So clear I see, now it is done, That I have wasted half my day, And left rpy work but just begun. So clear I see that things I thought Were right or harmless were a sin: So clear I see that I have sought, Unconscious, selfish aims to win. So clear I see that I have hurt The souls I might have helped to save, That I have slothful been, inert Deaf to the calls Thy leaders gave. In outskirts of Thy Kingdom vast, Father, the humblest spot give me: Set me the lowliest task Thou hast, Let me repentant, work for Thee. — Helen Hunt Jackson (It was just jour days after she wrote these words that the author went into the presence of the Lord. Could we say the same thing without hypocrisy in our hearts?) fore all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, de livering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought be fore kings and rulers for my name’s sake.” This refers to the great cata- cylsmic events which are to occur upon the earth spoken of in this en tire important prophetic chapter. The intensity of this persecution is indi cated by the verbs. The first one is “they shall lay their hands upon you.” The words “lay their hands” comes from the Greek meaning “to strike violently.” It is the picture of an on- rushing mob trying to mow down their innocent victims. Our English word “persecute” comes from a Greek word which means “to drive away,” “to pursue.” It is as a wild dog chas- THINGS JUST DON'T HAPPEN Things just don't happen to us who love God They are planned by His own dear hands Then molded and shaped, and timed by His clock. Things just don't happen, they are planned. We just don't guess on the issues of life We Christians just rest in our Lord, We are directed by His sovereign will, In the light of His Holy Word. We who love Jesus are walking by faith, Not seeing one step that's ahead, Not doubting one moment what our lot may be, But looking to Jesus instead. We praise our dear Saviour for loving us so, For planning each care for our life, Then giving us faith to trust Him for all, The blessings as well as the strife. Things just don't happen to us who love God, To us that have taken our stand, No matter the lot, the course, or the price. Things jusl don't happen, they are planned. ing a little innocent child. This verse suggests that there will be a union between priesthood and politics, be tween state and church, between re ligion and government. All will be aligned against God’s faithful people who because of their witness shall be imprisoned and receive tribulation. Returning to Matthew 24:10, we discover that this persecution shall not always be from enemies without, but also from enemies within the household of Israel itself. “And then shall many be offended (scandalized), and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” Words fail to describe the tremendous ferment of evil and hatred which will be mani fested in that day. Think of the distrust already in the world. I can remember the day when one could go to a library, sign out a book, take it home, read it, and bring it back. Not so any longer. Here in the city of Philadelphia no one is allowed to carry any brief case or other container into the stack rooms for fear he will walk out with some concealed volumes. This is just a com mon ordinary instance of men not trusting one another. Things may be difficult now but imagine what they will be in this end time which our text describes. But in the midst of this hopelessness and complete treach ery, there can be great hope. For it is but the hour of travail which signals the soon deliverance of Israel when they shall come to the full saving knowledge of their Messiah. The promises which God gave to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be completely and literally fulfilled.. BOAT PEOPLE One from the Orient sagely de clared, “There are three types of peo ple in organizations: rowboat people, sailboat people and steamboat people. Rowboat people need to be pushed or shoved along. Sailboat people move when a favorable wind is blowing. But steamboat people go ahead continuous ly through calm or storm. They usual ly master their surroundings because of what they have inside of them.” Into which category would you fit? * Middle age has been defined, among other things, as the time when a narrow waist and a broad mind begin to change places. 10 * * FROZEN LOVE I N addition to the Great Tribulation being a time of persecution, the second sign given by the Lord Jesus Christ is that it Will be a time of great indifference. If we were looking for a popular title, we might well call this “Frozen Love.” One foreign translation really has this, “And their love will become refrigerated.” In Matthew 24:11 we read, “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall de ceive many.” Earlier in this chapter the Lord warned against being de ceived by false teachers. Here again the caution sign is hoisted. All of us have a tendency to live by sight and not by faith. This is why it is so often difficult for you and me to grow in grace and in the knowl edge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If we can see a thing, we be lieve it. If we experience a thing, we know it to be true. But the things we can’t appreciate with the senses, we very rarely believe. Many times our experiences go contrary to the Word of God. Since we live in this world and God is in heaven, it is very diffi cult to bring our experience and God together. As a result, there are those who take advantage of our weakness. They know how to play on our doubts and to capitalize on our fears. Many times they do this for their own ad vantage. Thus we become deceived and are led astray. This is especially true in times of great persecution. When we are under tremendous pres sures, suffering great pain and an guish, we seek a way out. We may not even consider God’s Word. Our Lord here is bringing to mind that no matter how adverse the circum stances may be, we must always act in the light of His truth. The word “deceive” doesn’t suggest that we are going to be told a bold faced lie. Deception is so close to the truth that the real is hardly discem- able. We need to have spiritual dis by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper cernment sharpened by the Word of God. Otherwise we will become vic tims of this type of deception. Going on in our Lord’s Olivet Dis course, we find that following decep tion is another consequence. “And be cause iniquity shall abound (lawless ness shall increase), the love of many shall wax cold (freeze). Many times people profess a love for Lord Jesus not because of Him, but because of what they can receive from Him. There are many people who have the mistaken idea that God is some kind of a Santa Claus to whom we can come, ask favors, and expect that prayer is sort of a “sanctified gim mick.” When God doesn’t give us what we want, we become discouraged and disappointed. It is not long before He is abandoned. Recently there was a song from a famous Broadway musical that de scribes such an attitude. The words ran, “0 what a beautiful morning, 0 what a wonderful day, I have a mar velous feeling, everything’s going my way.” Notice the personal pronoun, “Everything’s going my way.” But when just the reverse happens the morning is no longer beautiful. We rather have a horrible feeling. We become blue and downhearted. Now if we truly know the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we should have this attitude. The purpose of our salvation is not profit, but rather so that we might praise Him. In the Westminster Shorter Catech ism, the first question is, “What is the chief end of man?” The answer is, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him (not to endure Him).” The song should be, “0 what a beautiful morning, 0 what wonder ful day, I have a glorious feeling, everything’s going His way.” When we have made this the principle of our life, no matter how adverse the circumstances may be, we will be the 11 recipients of great blessing and our love will never cool. Such was not true with the church at Ephesus, al though it was fundamental in its doc trine, the Spirit of the Lord caused John to write this scathing and pene trating condemnation against it, “You have left your first love.” Their love for God had cooled. The Greek here is very graphic. It isn’t so much that they lost their first love, but rather that they left Him in pursuit of their own selfish goals. I wonder how many of us are in different because things haven’t gone our way. This will be one of the great signs in that day. Again in Matthew 24:13 we read, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” We need to keep in mind that our Lord is speaking to His dis ciples as representatives of Israel. This is not a question of losing their salvation. After the suffering will come the deliverance. After the sor row will come the joy. After the pain will come the peace. There will be deliverance, for all Israel shall be saved. The word “salvation” means salvation is the spiritual sense, as well as salvation in the physical sense. For that reason we might better translate the word here as “deliver ance.” God will not forget the cove nants He made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In the midst of the stormy sky and the lowering clouds, the time will come when the blue will again be seen being the harbinger of that fair day for which all Israel waits. GRUDGING One of the greatest dangers to the soul is the cancer of grudging; hold ing feelings against others. As far as human nature is concerned, one of the most difficult things to endure is to see another person getting a better break or deal than we are, or perhaps to note that they have less trials and privations. Thereby we conclude that we do not deserve the lot that has been dealt to us and consequently we complain and are disturbed. An un happy woman always seemed to find the world a fitful mess. She was con stantly grouchy. Her neighbors de cided to go on a picnic, and she secret ly hoped that they would invite her. The thought never occured to the family, however, until the last minute. But when she was finally invited, she complained unhappily, “It’s too late; I’ve already prayed that it would rain.” How tragic for some people to feel their talent has to be that of criticism and fault-finding. A dis agreeable spirit should never be a part of our nature. The Bible tells us, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.” Let no evil thought dwell or lurk within your heart. * * * When you flee temptation, make sure that you don't leave a forwarding address. * * * BEGINNING FOR THE END Have you ever tasted the old-fash ioned “upside down berry cobbler”? It is prepared in a very interesting and unique manner. It is a very simple dessert to make. The batter is place in the bottom of the pan and then the berries or cherries on top. But when the delectable substance comes out of the oven, the dough will have all risen to the top and the fru it to the bot tom. This is a result of the prescribed heat from the oven. It doesn’t look like much when it goes into the stove, but when it comes out it is beautiful. A Scriptural truth assures us, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). First re ceiving the Saviour, there is not much in our lives for commendation, and perhaps we appear as this odd batter before it is done. But through the oven of every day experience, and often deepest trials, God brings us forth, at the day when He calls us to be with Himself, as spiritually mature men and women. Are we ready for the Lord’s return? Have we been allow ing Him to effect in us that good work ivhich was begun at the day of our salvation? Or is there a lack of spirit ual growth? God help us to be spirit ually mature Christians through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 12 I n the O livet D iscourse , the disci ples, as representatives of the Jews, are told of the testimony they will promulgate in the end times. We read, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14). One good question to ask is, “How many ‘gospels’ are there?” Let us be quick to answer that while various names are used, there is only one true Gospel. Sometimes it is referred to as “the Gospel of God,” or “the Gos pel of Christ.” Paul, on a number of occasions, refers to it as “my Gos pel.” In the book of the Revelation it is spoken of as “the everlasting Gos pel.” Here in Matthew it is “the Kingdom Gospel.” The various names are given since each writer is giving specific emphasis, under the inspira tion of the Holy Spirit. The word “Gospel” comes from an old English word which simply meant the spelling out of God and His good ness. From the Greek word we get such terms as “evangel.” It means a good message or good news. One of the best definitions is given by Scrip ture itself wherein wexread, “For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all peo ple. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10 and 11). Here we see the reason why it is called “God’s Gospel,” for He it is who introduced us to the marvelous good news. One of the first verses most of us learned was of a similar nature, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3: 16). This makes it Christ’s Gospel because it was the Saviour Himself who came to die for us. In Paul’s great epistle to the Romans, at the very outset, he writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also the Greek” (Ro mans 1:16). WHERE ARE THE REAPERS? "Oh, where are the reapers, my Fa-, ther? And w h/ are the laborers few? The field is so white unto harvest! Oh, Father, there's so much to do" "The reapers are plenty," He an swered; "I have called forth to harvest a host; A few have responded," the others Are sadly neglecting their post. "One lingers at home for a living, For fear that I should not supply: Another shrinks back with '{ Cannot/ And even refuses to try. "Another is lost in earth's pleasures, Forgetting the sorrow and pain Of sad, sinful multitudes dying. Another is bent on earth's gain. I have called, but my call is un heeded," Oh awaken ye slumberers, I pray, Awaken! God hasn't forgotten The call that He gave you. Away! Tear loose from thy puny excuses; For the souls whom your efforts should have Are daily and hourly sinking Down, down to a hopeless grave. Awake, oh, awake! ye slumberers, God hasn't forgotten 'twas you That He called to work in His har vest Nor the task that He gave you to do. Now coming back to our text in the Lord’s prophetic discourse, we con sider the Gospel of the Kingdom. One must always keep in mind the con- 13 text of the verse which he is study ing. Here He reminds His followers that the Gospel is not only for the Gentiles but also for Israel. This means Israel individually as well as Israel as a nation. In our text the Gospel is to be preached throughout the world before the time of the Lord’s earthly kingdom is established. There was a time when this seemed, impossible. Today, with “echo satel lites” and modern means of communi cations, it is totally within the realm of possibility. With days like these it certainly will not be difficult to YOUR PRAYERS FOR ME When the battle is long, and I am weary with strife, When the legions of sin and evil are rife; I feel— and new courage flows into my life— That you are praying for me. When victory comes out of seeming defeat, When the dark lowering clouds shine with rainbows replete, 'Tis then that I know— and the assur ance is sweet— That you are praying for me. I'll gird tighter my armor and ad vance in the fight, With a staunch heart and brave I'll battle for right, I'll retreat at no danger, and fear no might— If you'll keep praying for me. But let us keep in mind that the church will not be the missionaries at this time. The missionaries will be those whom God has elected out of His ancient people Israel. These are the 144,000, the tribulation saints, as Revelation speaks of them, who will go through the world. “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heav en, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation,‘and kin dred, and tongue, and people, saying declare the unsearchable riches of the Gospel so that all men can hear. Mr. Hon Brlghtwell (left) Stewardship Repre sentative for Biola's Arizona Bible College, is interviewed over "The Biota Hour" by Radio Director Al Sanders. Mr. Brightwellis a recent graduate of the Talbot Theological Seminary and makes his home in Phoenix. with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:6, 7). We must note the time element of this Gospel. As born-again members of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ we are preach ing the Gospel of grace, the story of man’s complete ruin in sin and God’s perfect remedy, day by day. The age of grace is drawing rapid ly to a close, however, and then the Church will be taken to glory with Christ. We do not proclaim this mes sage spoken of in Revelation. This is concerning the a p p r o a c h i n g judg ment. God will deliver Israel as a na tion on the basis of grace, even as to day by grace He is calling out for Himself individuals of both Jewish and Gentile extraction. Speaking of ourselves as His personal elect, there is a certain sense in which Israel will become His national elect. So we can say on their behalf even as upon our own, His oath, His covenant, His blood Support us in the whelming flood. When all around our soul gives way, He then is all our hope and stay. On Christ the solid rock we stand AU, other ground is sinking sand. 14 Israel, for the present, as a nation, has been put on the side lines. God’s time clock is now silent. But when the church has been removed, it will again begin to tick. The end of this verse, at which we have just looked, clearly points this out. In verse 27 we see how this false leader, coming as a counterfeit, seeks to make an alliance with Israel. “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall 'Twas but a breath And yet a woman's fair fame wilted, And friends once fond grew cold and stilled, And life was worse than death. One venomed word. That struck its coward, poisoned blow In craven whispers, hushed and low. And yet the wide world heard. 'Twas but one whispered— one— That muttered low, for very shame, That thing the slanderer dare not name, And yet its work was done. A hint so slight, And yet so mighty in its power, A human soul, In one short hour, Lies crushed beneath its blight. “I f any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, that man’s religion is vain.” cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it deso late, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” In other words, for three and a half years this false prince will be faithful to Israel. Then, he will finally show his wicked hand. The sacrifices will stop, the desolation will begin, and the abomination will take place in the holy place. This will be a sign of great judgment upon Is rael, and this is the background of Matthew 24:15. THE CARELESS WORD CONSISTENT CHRISTIANS You are the only Christian somebody knows. God has put us in a specific work, neighborhood, yes, even home, for a reason. We may be the only ones who can reach the unsaved about us for Christ. It may not be done with words, however, we can make sure we live a consistent, clearcut Christian life. A Sunday school teacher was urging one of her boys to accept the Lard. His sister had already made a profession, so she reasoned with the lad, “You’ll be happier as a Christian. Just look at Susan. My, how that sweet girl does enjoy her salvation.” This puzzled the boy as he shook his head, “Well, maybe Sis does, but nobody else around the house can. You see, she isn’t so sweet at home.” Christianity is not a robe we put on for Sunday. It is a practical application of Christian truth lived out day by day. This is what Paul meant when he wrote, “You, yourselves are our testimonial written in our hearts, and yet open for anyone to inspect and read. You are an open letter about the Christ which we ourselves have written not with pen and ink but with the spirit of the living God. Our messages has been engraved, not in stone, but in living men and women. We Christians have the unmistakable scent of Christ discernible alike to those who are be ing saved and to those who are heading for death. To the latter, it seems like the deathly smell of doom, to the form er it has a refreshing fragrance of the life itself.” To Simplify The Administration of Your Estate Write for a copy of Personal Estate Facts. This Is a booklet for use Irr listing all important data concerning you and your possessions. It will prove invaluable to you personally, and to the executor of your last will and testament. Write: Stewardship Department Biola College 558 South Hope Street Los Angeles, Calif. 90017 16 by Dr. Ralph L, Keiper EXODUS OF DESPAIR I T HAS BEEN intensely interesting to see how the Jewish people have been returning to their national homeland from the nations of the world. But there is yet to be a future and unique exodus of Israel. In the instance to which I refer, they will be fleeing from their land. Matthew de scribes this in Chapter 24, verses 16 through 20. As an example, verse 16 tells us, “Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains.” The whole coun try will feel the effects of this great judgment. They are to hide in the rocks and caves until the time of the indignation has passed. This will be a great day of vengeance. Listen to Luke’s graphic description, “For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be ful filled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people” (Luke 21:22, 23). Jere miah speaks of this event in prophesy ing, “0 ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil ap- peareth out of the north, and great destruction” (Jeremiah 6:1). Next we find a personal warning for Matthew speaks forcefully, “Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes” (Matthew 24:17, 18). We must keep in mind that stairways in Oriental houses were on the outside. The roof was somewhat like our sitting room. It was a place of relaxation. The peo ple, in this time of judgment, were not to take time to come down the stairs into their homes and get their belongings. They were just to get out immediately! They had no choice. The other picture is of workers in the field. The sun is hot and they have stripped themselves of clothing working in the earth. When judgment falls, they are not even to take time to go back and get their clothing. Safety is the only thing of paramount con cern. As for the women, those who are nursing children are urged to give special care. The season of the year, winter, and the religious aspect, “Sabbath,” are both of concern in this time. The law absolutely prohib ited traveling on the sabbath for any purpose whatsoever. Men would be tom between two things: to save their lives or to break the law. Instead of this being an exodus of redemption, it is an exodus of judgment. Someone may ask, “Why is judg ment to fall upon this people? Haven’t they known enough suffering and per secution already?” God gives us the answer. He had promised Israel under the old covenant that if they would obey Him then He would bless them. On the other hand, if they forsook Him then He would curse them. The reason God has to bring judgment upon Israel is because they have for saken Him. Another person inquires, “Is God finished with Israel? Will He break the promises made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?” The answer is an emphatic, indeed, He will not. Paul took nearly three chapters in Romans to prove this. God will restore His people and fulfill the promise of His Word. God desires a holy, pure people. This is the reason for His wrath and anger. He seeks to convince Israel that He alone is their God and their help. In Him alone can they rest and find peace. We may take a great lesson from Israel’s history. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we rejoice that judgment is already behind us. This 17 is because the Lord Jesus Christ be came sin for us. The Saviour de clared, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believ- eth on him that sent me, hath ever lasting life, and shall not come into condemnation ; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). BYLINE: COMMUNIST YOUTH A number of statements have pur portedly been made by communists commenting on the difference be tween the Red system of life and that which we know and love here in our own country. Here is what a communist student has written which should certainly challenge the hike warm, half-hearted, lethar gic dedication so many seem to have today. He writes: “We Communists don’t have the time or the money for movies, con certs, T-bone steaks, or decent homes and new cars. We’ve been described as fanatics. We are fanatics! Our lives are dominated by one great overshadowing factor: the struggle for world Communism. “We Communists have a philoso phy of life which no amount of money can buy. We have a cause to fight for, a definite purpose in life. We subordinate our petty per sonal selves into a great movement of humanity, and if our personal lives seem hard, or our egos appear to suffer through subordination to the party, then we are adequately compensated by the thought that each of us, in his small way, is contributing to something new and true and better for mankind.” “There is one thing in which I am in dead earnest, and that is the Com munist cause. It is my life, my busi ness, my religion, my hobby, my sweetheart, my life, my bread and my meat. I work at it in the daytime and dream of it at night. Its hold on me grows not less as times goes on. Therefore I cannot carry on a friendship, a love affair or even a conversation without relating to this force which both drives and guides my life. I evaluate people, books, ideas and actions according to how they affect the Communist cause and by their attitude towards it. I’ve al ready been in jail because of my ideas, and if necessary, I ’m ready to go before a firing squad!” These, the words of a dedicated Communist student. What a vast con trast to the purpose and commitment of the hundreds of Christ-dedicated Biola students, preparing for world wide Christian service. PRACTICAL SINGING There is one basic difference between the religions of man and true Chris tianity: salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Man says, “Do,” but God says, “Done.” Years ago, before the death of King George, a very wonder ful story came out of Buckingham Palace. Princess Margaret Rose came to her father and said, “Daddy, when everyone else sings, ‘God Save the King’ what do you sing?” Her father thoughtfully smiled, trying to think of an appropriate answer. But the child’s mind went right on to answer her own question. “Oh, I know daddy, you must say, ‘God Save Me!’ ” How right she was. The one prayer God hears an un believer offer is, “Lord be merciful to me a sinner, and save me for Christ’s sake!” The words of Scripture clearly teach, “The face of the Lord is against them that do evil to cut off the remem brance of them from the earth. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open unto their cry” (Psalm 34:15 and 16). BIOLA HOUR RADIO LOG (Continued from insde front cover) Newton, Kansas KJRG 950 Phoenix, Arizona KHEP 1280 Providence, Rhode Island WRIB 1220 Pueblo-Colorado Springs KFEL 970 Springfield, Ohio WEEC 100.7 (FM) Tuscon, Arizona KAIR 1490 KAIR 1490 Windermere, Florida W XIV 1480 Inchon, Korea H LKX 1060 9:00 A.M. MTWTF 9:00 A.M. MTWTF 12:30 P.M. MTWTF 8:30 A.M .M W F 11:30 P.M. MTWTF 8:00 A.M . MTWTF 12:30 P.M. Sun. 10:00 A.M. Sat. 1:30 P.M. Sun. 18
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