-------------------------<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> <26 November 2002> Contents: ---------- 1) <Devotional> "The defenseless among us" - Ravi Zacharias 2) <Bible-Study> "Morning oblation" (Pt-18)- Charles Wigg 3) <Prophecy> "The Redeemer's Return" (Pt-89)- A.W.Pink 1) <DEVOTIONAL> <SLICE-OF-INFINITY> "THE DEFENSELESS AMONG US" Ravi Zacharias The ultimate test of any civilization is what we do with our children. What we do with the most defenseless among us speaks to the soul of a people. Interestingly enough, every culture today claims, in theory, to place the highest value on its love of its children. Some time ago when one Middle Eastern leader was asked when the fighting in that part of the world would stop, she answered, "When they love their children more than they hate us." I have little doubt that the opposing side would say the same. There is a profound expression of values in that statement. In our own prisons those whose crime was against a child are kept from other prisoners, as even criminals draw a line of civility. In any course on ethics, the bottom-line illustration is still, "Is it all right to torture babies?" rhetorically stated, of course, and always eliciting a thunderous "Of course not!" If this, then, is the ultimate test of a civilization, how are we doing in ours? What is it we live for, and what, in that pursuit, are we doing to our children? One look at the world we are giving to them spells horror. All over the globe, the statistics of war are staggering, so much so as to be nearly incomprehensible. The statistics in America may be different because we are not engaged in civil war. Yet we are certainly involved in a moral war that is even more insidious, for it ravages the souls of our children. What are we doing to our children when we tell them there are no boundaries—when we say, in the words of our Supreme Court in its famous Planned Parenthood v. Casey ruling, that it is up to them to decide "their own concept of existence"? What about when we ridicule sacred things? When we leave them vulnerable to any philosophy of life that comes around? When we walk out on marital commitments and leave them defenseless in a predatory world? What have we done? We have prepared them for a life of individualized meaning, which means anything goes. Children want to be valued, but they also want to know the reason for that value, and there is no surer way to instill it than to impart to them that they are a gift from God, entrusted to us by Him. Only then will we be able to offer these precious lives the wisdom and guidance they so desperately need. Then we can pass the test of civility. --- Copyright (p)(c) 2001 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. A Slice of Infinity is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. _______________________________________________________________________ 2) <BIBLE-STUDY> " THE TIME OF THE MORNING OBLATION!" (PART-18) Charles E. Wigg .... This is so strange, two Kings one Pagan, the other half Pagan, half biblical, yet the practice of offering the morning oblation was continued, probably at the insistence of Jehoshaphat. It is to be regretted that today, in most Western homes, even in the homes of genuine believers, there is no longer any time for the offering of the morning ‘meat offering’. Life has become so busy; the children have to go to school, and the parents to work, so there is no time for the things that are really important. Once it was the practice for the whole family to gather in the early morning, to sing the praises of God, to read His word, and for the head of the house to bow in worship; to commit each member to the Lord in believing prayer. But sadly this is not the practice any more. Is it any wonder that our young people go astray? It is significant to notice that it was at that time that the water came. It was at that time that the Moabites marshalled their forces, ‘all who were able to put on armor’, and stood in the border, prepared to defend their territory. But as the sun rose, and shone upon the water that had filled the ditches, it appeared to be red and looked like blood. They knew that the alliance between these three kings and their people was a very loose one, and they presumed that they had quarrelled and that they had slain one another. They assumed that all that they had to do, was to take the spoil, but they were in for a great shock. God had seen their wicked, immoral, drunken and idolatrous way of living, and had determined to pour out His judgment on these descendants of Lot. So refreshed by the waters of blessing that had come, the confederate army rose to attack. The victory that followed, was not the result of any bravery or skill on the pert of the confederate army; but the Almighty Jehovah had given them the victory, had given the Moabites into their hands. They were now acting under His orders, and fulfilling His will, thus victory was assured. Not only did they slaughter the people, but they under divine orders, ruined the land as well. This thwarted the design of the King of Israel, as he wished only to punish the people, and to make them resume the provision of his revenue. But now, when the people were slain and the land was ruined, he could never again expect any revenue from those people, or from that land. It would take several lifetimes to restore the terrible damage that was done at the command of God. In one last desperate bid the king of Moab tried without success to break through to the King of Edom. They were his neighbours and an idolatrous people like himself. Perhaps he thought that he would get kindness and sympathy from them? When this attempt failed, he took his eldest son, the heir to his throne, and offered him as a burnt offering to the demons that he worshipped. By this fanaticism he sought to arouse the powers of hell, and to get them on his side. All he did was to bring their great indignation against the people of Israel. The people that belonged to God, and in a half-hearted way claimed to be his and to worship Him. Yet they were under great bondage to the very powers the Moabite king sought to provoke, and to get on his side. Thus chastened and humbled Jehoram returned with his army to his own land. There he was to be later murdered by one of his own captains, (Jehu), who had probably fought in this engagement. [To be concluded] --- [Reproduced with permission] _____________________________________________________________________ 3) <PROPHECY> "THE REDEEMER'S RETURN" (PART-89) THE REVELATION AND CAREER OF THE ANTI-CHRIST 5/9 WHO IS ANTI-CHRIST? Arthur W. Pink .... The remarkable career of the Anti-christ is sketched in a number of different Scriptures, some of which we shall now briefly consider. In Daniel 7 the prophet is given a vision of the four great world-empires--Babylonish, Medo-Persian, Grecian and Roman--which are symbolized by as many "beasts." The fourth beast is described in verse 7--"After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces (referring to the conquests under the Caesars), and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it (entirely different in its form of government); and it had ten horns." In verse 24 these "ten horns" are said to be "ten kings that shall arise" which corresponds with Rev. 17:12 where the Roman Empire revived and in its final form is again in view. In Dan. 7:8 we read, "I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots; and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things." The "little horn," which occupies a prominent place in this chapter, symbolizes the Anti-christ who will be the Head of the revived Roman Empire. The part that he will play is described in verses 20 to 26 in this same chapter. "And of the ten horns that were in his head (i.e., of the beast which represents the Roman Empire), and of the other (the Anti-christ) which came up, and before whom three fell (three of the kings); even of that horn that had eyes (symbol of intelligence), and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most high; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom (which looks forward to the Millennium). Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom on earth (i.e., the fourth universal kingdom after the Times of the Gentiles had begun), which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns are ten kings that shall arise (in the Tribulation period): and another shall rise after them: and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the Saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws: and they (the "times and laws") shall be given into his hand until a time (a year) and times (two years) and the dividing of time (half a year--three and a half years in all). But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end." Here we are told, first, that the Anti-christ will "have a mouth speaking very great things: which we know from 2 Thess. 2 refers to his audacious claim to be God Himself. Second, that he will "make war with the saints." These "saints" are the godly Jewish remnant which will refuse to render him homage and in consequence will be slain (cf. Rev. 20:4). Third, he will "speak great words against the Most High" which clearly identifies him with the Man of Sin. Fourth, he will "think (purpose) to change times and laws," the reference being to the religious feasts and festivals of Israel which the Anti-christ will abolish, for everything which bears testimony to God he will seek to destroy. Fifth, his "dominion" shall be taken away from him, for at the close of the Tribulation period he will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:20). [To be concluded] ---------------------------<BrethrenVoice>--------------------------- Subscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-subscribe@...> Unsubscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-unsubscribe@...> FAQs/Faith Statement, eMail: <brethrenvoice-faq@...> <BrethrenVoice> Home: www.brethrenvoice.com <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 _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus