■ by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper His people. It shows forth His grace. The word “chambers” can possibly be misunderstood. We may think of it as a room, perhaps generally an over sized one. The Hebrew word, how ever, has to do with an enclosure or that which might protect one from others. It is what could be termed an “inner sanctum.” Since the last war we have been very conscious of air raids and shelters. In our large cities many of the buildings have insignias on them which assure us of a place of refuge. This is the sense of the word. This was an appeal for Israel’s pro tection against false prophets and false messiahs. The greatest form of deceit is in the realm of religion. Satan himself knows how to quote the Word of God. Invariably his appeal is at the point of our greatest need. The only ante- dote and preventative for being de ceived is to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. When the true Messiah comes, there will be no doubt about it. The entire world will know, for He shall come in the power of Jehovah God. Thus, as we meditate upon the Word of God, reading carefully all that the Scrip ture has to say, we can be careful that deception does not overtake us. Operation: Firebrand student, Fidencio Duma- ran, from the Philippine Islands.
LYING TONGUES
G od ’ s W ord is very beautifully and and wonderfully arranged for practical study. In Matthew 24:16, 21 and 23, the little word “then” is used to link together the time seg ments of the Great Tribulation. It literally means “at the same time.” This tells us that everything from verse 15 through 28 has to do with the same period. All of the people who live at that time will experience the events which are described as they occur simultaneously. In the 26th verse the second form of deception is given. This is defined as “lying tongues.” “Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is •in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.” The expressions “desert” and “secret chambers” are very inter esting. Why should they expect the Lord Jesus Christ to be found here? Using a concordance to trace these two expressions, we discover the terms have real significance in the Old Tes tament. Many of Israel’s religious leaders came from the desert. Moses is an example. The same was true with John the Baptist. He. said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilder ness. Make straight the way of the Lord, as saith the prophet Isaiah.” This is quoted from Isaiah 40:3. This gives us the indication as to why these false christs and false prophets might say, “Lo, he is in the desert.” Every one instructed in the Old Testament knew that the Messiah would doubt less be found in such a place. The passage was taken quite literally. As to “secret chambers,” we look at Isaiah 2 6 :20, “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.” God prom ises to protect His people in the day of trials and persecution. Notice that this verse is an invitation by God to
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