-------------------------<BrethrenVoice>------------------------- [which seeks to be guided solely by the NT Biblical pattern, facilitates free flow of Christian info. To God be the glory!] [eMail Moderator: brethrenvoice-owner@...] [<GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY> Archives/Read online: http://associate.com/digests/brethrenvoice/ezmlm.cgi] <GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY> <23 September 2002> Contents: --------- (1) <Exhortational> "Look, what Jesus did for women!" - Connie Giordano (2) <Devotional> "Joseph, beloved of father" Charles E. Wigg (3) <Prophetical> "The Redeemer's Return" (Pt-34)- A.W.Pink (1) <EXHORTATIONAL> LOOK, WHAT JESUS DID FOR WOMEN! Connie Giordano "Christianity has done much to elevate the female sex. It has taught that woman is an heir of the grace of life as well as man; that, while she is inferior in physical vigour, she is equal in the most important respect; that she is a fellow traveller with him to a higher world; and that in every way she is entitled to all the blessings which redemption confers, as much as he is. This single truth has done more than all other things combined to elevate the female sex, and is all that is needful to raise her from degradation all over the world." - Matthew Henry "Why do Hindus teach that woman has no soul and do not permit her to read the Veda or to eat at the same table with her own husband? Why is it that the Muslims do not educate their women, do not permit them to enter a mosque, and make them serve as concubines? Why did Buddha say that a wise man should avoid married life as if it were a pit of burning coals and that the Buddhist religion has 18 hells for its Buddhist women? Why does Confucianism consider women a necessary evil, buy and sell her for domestic services, the stage, and immoral purposes, and let her kill her girl babies? It is because these religions consider women to be far inferior to men. The high honor and respect that the Christian woman enjoys in the church, in the home, and in society wherever Christian influence is felt is due to the Christian teaching that women are coheirs of eternal life with men. Husbands and wives, says Peter, are 'heirs with you of the gracious gift of life.' The Christian religion gives women an important place in the church." - Encyclopaedia of Sermon Illustrations Romans 8:17 - Women are just as important as men. Those who are truly saved are "heirs of God," and "joint heirs with Christ." They play such a vital role in the work of the kingdom of God. How we as women can rejoice in all that the Lord Jesus had done for us on the Cross of Calvary. Imagine for a moment - ...being taught all your life that women have no soul ...not being permitted to eat at the same table with your own husband. ...not being able to go to school and receive an education ...not being able to join with others at a church or religious gathering ...serving all your life as a concubine to satisfy some man's pleasure ...growing up considering married life to be likened unto a pit of burning coals ...facing 18 hells for all eternity because you happened to be born of the female gender ...growing up as a little girl under the teaching that women are a "necessary evil" to be bought and sold like a bunch of cattle, be displayed on a stage, or used to satisfy some man's sexual pleasure. ... or lastly, being pregnant, hoping against all hope that your precious baby does not turn out to be a little girl for she is destined to die at birth. How we as Christian women can shout from the highest rooftops and praise and worship God for all eternity for sending Jesus to straighten out the warped and demented views that many men have had concerning women. Unfortunately, some still hold to these beliefs even to this very day. Thank God for every Bible that fills every nation across this globe. May God send forth His Word this day as a Mighty Sword to cut down every lie of Satan that would demean His female creation. May He command deliverance for every woman who is presently in religious bondage to Satan and man. There is no doubt that God has a special place of honor for women. In fact, the Holy Spirit inspired King Solomon to dedicate an entire chapter in the Book of Proverbs - Chapter 31 - to the dignity of a "virtuous woman." He remarked that "her price is far above rubies" or pearls. "Far above." All the value of all the precious stones could not compare to her worth. She is priceless. She is a woman of strength and power, deriving all her graces from her "fear of the Lord." She is holy and under the command of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. She is honest and industrious, not idle or a busybody in other men's matters. She is a woman of conviction, high standards, and principles. "Strength and honor are her clothing." Contrary to what others may think, she is to be honored and not degraded. The Scriptures abound with example after example of such women who were honored and celebrated by God. Some were even recognized by name. They were recorded in God's Wonderfully Inspired Book - the Bible - so that all would be touched by their lives and examples. Some of them are as follows : 1. Many women at the Crucifixion Matthew 27:55 - "And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto Him: Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children." Mary - the mother of Jesus, Mary Salome(her sister), Mary Magdalene(the one out of whom Jesus cast seven devils), Mary(the sister of Martha and Lazarus), as well as Mary of Zebedee's children(James and John) were at the crucifixion "standing afar off" and "beholding" Jesus as He suffered intense agony for the sins of all mankind. Throughout His ministry, these women ministered unto Him by providing for His wants and physical needs like food and a place to rest and lodge. They weren't about to abandon Him at this hour of need, either. They possibly were standing at such a distance from Him at this time - not because they were afraid - but because of the large gathering of soldiers near the cross as well as for the fact that the three who were being crucified that day were totally naked. But where were the men? Where were Jesus' disciples at this time? Can we only find the women here? Barnes' Notes gives this comment - "While multitudes of people joined in the cry, 'Crucify Him!' and forsook Him in His trying moments, it does not appear that ANY of His female followers were thus unfaithful. In the midst of all His trials, and all the contempt poured upon Him, they adhered to their Redeemer. Never did female constancy shine more brightly, and never was a happier example set for all who should afterward believe on Him!" Adam Clarke said - "To their everlasting honour, these women evinced more courage, and affectionate attachment to their Lord and Master, than the disciples did, who had promised to die with Him rather than forsake Him." Matthew Henry added - "...many women who followed Him from Galilee. Not His apostles(only elsewhere we find John by the cross...), their hearts failed them, they durst not appear, for fear of coming under the same condemnation. But here were a company of women, some would have called them silly women, that boldly stuck to Christ, when the rest of the disciples had basely deserted Him..." 2. A certain poor widow Mark 12:42 - "And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And He called unto Him His disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." On this particular day, many men were casting money into the treasury. But Jesus took notice of one woman's offering. Why? What made hers so special? The others were giving "of their abundance," but she was giving "of her want." Jesus was extremely moved by her liberality. This "certain poor widow" had very little in her possession. A "mite" was considered the smallest of coins. It was broken down in this manner - A penny was marked by an indented cross. If it was cut in half, the pieces became a half-penny. If it was cut into four pieces, they each became a farthing. In order to understand the minute value of a mite, consider this. It took two of them to equal the value of a fourth part of a penny. And to think that this was "her living" - "all that she had." Mast people would hold onto this little amount. At least it was something. But this miserably poor widow gave it up for the Glory of God. Because she honored God in this manner, He honored her and continues to do so even in this very message. Her example of sacrificial giving has been read and studied, noted in innumerable books over the years, as well as preached about in countless pulpits and continues to be so. 3. Mary, the mother of the Messiah Luke 1:28 - "And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that are highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." Every Jewish girl yearned for the honor of one day being the mother of the Messiah. That distinction finally came to a poor peasant girl from Nazareth by the name of Mary. It certainly did not come with a small introduction. She was visited by the Angel Gabriel, announcing the news that she was "highly favoured" of God and that all of the blessings of heaven were upon to descend upon her - "the Lord is with thee." He then announced - "blessed art thou among women" which simply meant that she was the happiest of all women to be selected for such a noble honor. (It certainly did not mean that she was to be worshipped, prayed to, or idolized. The word "blessed" throughout the Scriptures means happy or oh! to be envied. Mary was definitely to be envied by all for this inexpressible honor given to a woman.) 4. Lydia Acts 16:14 - "And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul." Lydia was an educated businesswomen whom God honored in His Word, even mentioning her by name. She was a "seller of purple." Purple was a prominent color worn by princes and the rich. It derived its color from a certain shellfish, whose dye was used for cloth or silk She was born and raised in Thyatira but settled in Philippi due to marriage or business reasons. She was a religious person and a proselyte to the Jewish religion - "which worshipped God." One day, at a prayer meeting by a river side outside of the city, she heard the Apostle Paul preach the Gospel, and the Lord opened her heart to believe in and receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She became the first convert to Christianity in that area. 5. Phebe Romans 16:1 - "I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also." The Apostle Paul gives Phebe an honorable commendation here. Rightfully so, for she was a deaconess in the church who maintained a dignified reputation among the believers. She was a "succourer of many," including Paul himself. She was a "patron" who helped others in need and defended them in their cause before the courts. She was highly qualified to teach and instruct others. She held a notable position in the church. That is why the Apostle bid others to "receive her." In other words, acknowledge her position in the church and resultantly, "assist her in whatever business she hath need of..." 6. Priscilla Romans 16:3 - "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles." Here we have a husband and wife team of apostles who worked together in the ministry. Priscilla was recognized by Paul along with her husband Aquila. Both of them were considered as "helpers in Christ Jesus" - fellow workers with him. They both received recognition from Paul for they "laid down their own necks" for his sake. "Laid down their necks" is terminology taken from the actual practice of one laying his head on a block with the neck exposed so the executioner could cut it off using a long sword. Actually, what it means is that Priscilla and Aquila hazarded, endangered, and risked their own lives in order to save Paul's. For such noble deeds, they were recognized by him and all of the Gentile churches. 7. Lois & Eunice 2 Timothy 1:5 - "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." How many preachers attribute the success of their ministry to the prayers and faith of their Christian grandmother or mother. Timothy was no exception. His grandmother Lois was the first convert to Christianity in their household with his mother following afterwards. They had an "unfeigned faith" - one that was real, genuine, without hypocrisy, and able to stand up against the fiercest of tests or trials. What these women had, spiritually speaking, they were sure to pass it on to their grandson and son, Timothy. Paul commended them both for this. Christianity, or the preaching of the Gospel, has elevated the female sex wherever it has been received into the hearts of the people. Galatians 3:28 - Throughout the Scriptures, we see that there is "...neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." 1 Peter 3:7 - Husbands and wives are "...heirs together of the grace of life..." God loves women. He has a very special place for each one in His kingdom. Just as He uses men, He uses women as well, and sometimes even more so, for they are the "weaker vessel" who can bring greater glory to His name because of it. They are never to be demeaned, mistreated, abused, deprived, or considered as being less than men. The Bible forbids this treatment. May every woman reading this message feel encouraged and uplifted today by the Word of the Lord. May they strive like never before to be the Woman of God whom He ordained for them to be. And may every man have a deeper honor, respect, and appreciation for the women in their lives. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 - As the Body of Christ, may we also pray ever so fervently that this Gospel will be preached in every nation - "have free course and be glorified" - so that women across the globe may be liberated by the Mighty Word of God from all bondages and come to know their rightful place of honor in Christ Jesus. Let's never forget - When the Lord Jesus - the Creator of heaven and earth - is in control of a people, there is liberty. When Satan and men have control, there is bondage. 2 Corinthians 3:17 - "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." May God Bless His Word. Connie --- Copyright 2002 by Connie Giordano _______________________________________________________________________ (2) <DEVOTIONAL> JOSEPH, BELOVED OF THE FATHER (PART 2) Charles E. Wigg .... Hatred envy jealousy - When Joseph's brothers came to notice the unique place that he occupied in Israel's affections, and that he had been made the heir by his father they hated him. From the very first chapter of his Gospel to its end, John exposes these very same things in the hearts of the Jews towards the Lord Jesus. He begins with the statement, "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not". (Verse 11). The first "His own", is a reference to His creation, the second, to His "Brethren", the Jews. Their causeless hatred towards Him comes to light right throughout that book. It is possible that Joseph may have provoked the hatred of his brothers towards himself, but it was not so with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through the Psalmist He says "They that hate me without a cause, are more than the hairs of my head". (Psalm 69;4). Joseph's dreams: At a time when Joseph's brothers were obviously displaying their animosity towards him, it pleased God to give him a vision of the future that God had planned for him. Joseph's dreams are acknowledged by the Jews to be a type of Messiah, and His brethren and their future blessing. There is a distinct contrast in the dreams, one is an earthly scene, and the second is a heavenly one. This reminds us of both the earthly and the heavenly glory of our Lord Jesus. The first clearly connects with His brethren, (Israel), the second with the Church, and those who are partakers of the heavenly calling. In the first they were binding sheaves in the field. A sheaf before it can be bound, must first be cut off. We are told by Isaiah that He was cut off from the land of the living Isaiah, (53;8), and in Daniel that Messiah shall be cut off, (Dan. 9;26). Here then is a reference to the death of Christ, but like Joseph's sheaf He arose and remains standing. The sheaves of Joseph's brethren were also cut off, but nationally they will undergo a resurrection, in a day soon to come. In that day, the godly remnant, humbled, repentant will look on Him whom they have pierced, and will bow down to Him and acknowledge that He is both their Saviour, Messiah and their God. Before the Lord Jesus went into death, He knew that it was not the end. He had the assurance that God would not leave His soul in sheol, nor suffer Him to see corruption. (Psalm 16;9-11). Peter quotes this on the day of Pentecost, as prophetic of the resurrection of Christ. The passage in Ephesians 1;20-23, describes the fulfilment of the type brought before us in the second dream. The setting there is a heavenly one, for there the Lord Jesus is said to be set down in heavenly places superior to every power, might, dominion and every name named. Given to Head over all things to the Church, His fullness. The contemplation of the suffering, humiliation, death, burial, resurrection and exaltation; moves the hearts of His lovers to worship and to adore Him. [To be concluded] --- [Reproduced with permission] _______________________________________________________________________ (3) <PROPHETICAL> "THE REDEEMER'S RETURN" (PART-34) POST AND PRE-MILLENNIALISM EXAMINED Arthur W. Pink .... 1. An examination of Post-millennialism. Post-millennialists teach that the only Kingdom over which Christ will ever reign is a spiritual and celestial one. They say that those Jews who expected their Messiah to set up a visible and material Kingdom on the earth were mistaken, that they erred in the interpretation of their prophetic Scriptures and cherished a carnal and unworthy hope. Let us examine this assertion in the light of God's Word. In Psalm 132:11 we read "The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it: Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne." This was one of many Messianic prophecies scattered throughout the Old Testament Scriptures. It is a prophecy which has never yet been fulfilled. When our Lord Jesus was here upon earth He did not sit upon any "throne," instead of occupying a Throne He was nailed to a cross. True, He is now seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high, but this is not the fulfillment of what Jehovah "swore in truth." David never occupied a heavenly throne; his throne was an earthly one, he reigned in Jerusalem; and God has declared that the Lord Jesus shall sit upon David's throne. This Old Testament prophecy was confirmed in New Testament times. In Luke one we learn that an angel appeared unto Mary and said, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1:30-33). The above is not a single prophecy but a compound one. It is made up of five separate items. Mary, the "virgin," was to conceive and bring forth a son; her son's name was to be called "Jesus;" Jesus was to become great and recognized as the Son of God; the Lord promised to give unto Him the "throne of David," and over the "House of Jacob" He was to reign for ever. Utterly unlikely as it appeared to human wisdom at the time, part of this prophecy has already been fulfilled--literally fulfilled. There was a literal birth, Mary's son was literally named "Jesus," and a literal "greatness" has become His portion; by what sleight of hand then can the exegetical knife be run through this prophecy and a literal reign over the "House of Jacob" be denied? Post-millennialists teach that Christ is reigning as King to-day and that He will continue to reign thus, unseen, until He has subdued and won all His enemies. But the first part of this assertion is altogether lacking in scriptural authority. Nowhere in the New Testament are we told that Christ has already begun His Kingly reign, and nowhere in the Epistles is He denominated the "King of the Church." It is true that Christ is now seated upon a "throne," but not upon His own Throne. Christ is seated on the Throne of His Father, but His own Throne and the Father's Throne are clearly distinguished in Scripture--To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His Throne" (Rev. 3:21). It is not until after He has vacated His Father's Throne and returns to this earth that He will occupy His own throne as is clear from Matt. 25:31--"When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the Throne of His glory." Post-millennialists teach that the world is to be conquered by the Church. Their favorite slogan is "The world for Christ." It is supposed that in order to capture the world the Church must make concessions to and compromises with the world. Post-millennialists insist that it is the bounden duty of all Christians to help forward every movement which makes for civic and social righteousness. But of such it may be said, yea, it has been said by the Holy Spirit Himself--"For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Rom. 10:3). The New Testament knows no righteousness apart from the Cross and places no value upon a reformation which is divorced from regeneration. Post-millennialists argue that believers ought to take part in politics and that it is their business to look after the regulation of legislation. But politics gave Christ no place and where Christ has no place His followers must have none. The Lord Jesus has left us an example that we should follow His steps, but we search the records of His earthly life in vain to discover any mention of Him taking part in the politics of Palestine in His day. Post-millennialists teach that the Gospel is yet to convert the world and that before Christ returns to earth all men will know Him from the least unto the greatest. A captivating concept surely, but upon what is it based? Certainly not upon the declarations of the New Testament. We are commanded to preach the Gospel to every creature, but nowhere is there a promise that the time will come when every creature will believe the Gospel. The Lord Jesus taught that "As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matt. 24:37). What were the conditions in Noah's days? Did all men then receive the messengers of God's servants? Nay verily: On another occasion Christ said, "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be when the Son of Man is revealed" (Luke 17:28-30)--do these words present the picture of our Lord returning to a world which has been won by the Gospel? Nay verily. Our Lord very plainly intimated that He did not expect to return to a world where Christianity had universally triumphed: "When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?' (Luke 18:8)! Post-millennialists teach that our Lord will not return until the close of the Millennium and that then there will be a general resurrection of the dead, followed by a general judgment, at which every member of the human race will stand before the great Judge to have his eternal destiny decided. Such a conception is anti-scriptural in every part of it. In the nineteenth chapter of Revelation we see Heaven opened and the Lord Jesus coming forth seated on a white horse and with Him are the "armies which are in heaven." Accompanied by His saints the King of Kings and Lord of lords returns to this earth as is evident from the next verse, for there we are told that He shall "smite the nations and rule them with a rod of iron." In Rev. 19 Christ is seen making a footstool of His enemies preparatory to the inauguration of His reign of blessing, and in the next chapter we read, "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled" (Rev. 20:1-3). In the verses that follow we are told that those who have part in the first resurrection shall reign with Christ throughout the thousand years. Thus we learn that Christ leaves heaven and returns to the earth before the Millennium commences. The concept of a general resurrection and a general judgment is equally un-scriptural as we shall show later. [To be concluded] _____________________<BrethrenVoice>_____________________ Subscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-subscribe@...> Unsubscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-unsubscribe@...> FAQs/Faith Statement, eMail: <brethrenvoice-faq@...> <BrethrenVoice> Home: http://associate.com/digests/brethrenvoice/ <eFellowship> Home: http://groups.msn.com/BrethrenChristiansForum/ "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith." 2 Cor 13:5 "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Jn 8:32 _______________________________________________________