-------------------------<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> <2 December 2002> Contents: ---------- 1) <Devotional> "A cure for faith...?" - Ravi Zacharias 2) <Bible-Study> "Tragedy strikes" (Pt-24)-Charles Wigg 3) <Prophecy> "The Redeemer's Return" (Pt-95)- A.W.Pink 1) <DEVOTIONAL> <SLICE-OF-INFINITY> "A CURE FOR FAITH - OR FAITH THE CURE?" Ravi Zacharias With the loss of community and ever-increasing social maladies, it seems that religion is receiving renewed attention in unlikely places. Even our two major presidential candidates are each touting the potential of "faith-based" reforms, yet many disagree if this relatively new phenomenon is positive or negative. At the other extreme, Richard Dawkins, professor at Oxford and author of The Blind Watchmaker, has made the statement that faith is "one of the world's great evils, comparable to the smallpox virus, but harder to eradicate." Is he right? In a fascinating article in the April 2000 issue of 'Christianity Today', psychology professor David G. Myers sifted through evidence to see if it indicated whether faith more often uplifts or debilitates. He writes, "We now have massive evidence that people in active faith communities are happier and healthier than their unchurched peers. Recent epidemiological studies reveal they even outlive their unchurched peers by several years." After paragraphs of citing statistics gathered from the United States and abroad, he concludes that the correlation between faith and morality is more commonsensical than one might think. If your car broke down in a crime ridden area and some strapping teenage boys approached you, asks commentator Dennis Prager, wouldn't you feel better to know they had just come from a Bible study? Although the 18th century writer Voltaire is widely recognized as an opponent of religion, calling Christianity an "infamy" to be destroyed, even he found the influence of faith to be useful. He wrote, "I want my attorney, my tailor, my servants, even my wife to believe in God. . . then I shall be robbed and cuckolded less often." Myers tells of how Voltaire once silenced a discussion on atheism until he had excused his servants, lest in forfeiting their faith they might lose their morality. At the end of it all, the issue is not really one of feeling or happiness—it is the question of truth. If you have tuned in to this program for any length of time, you are well aware that I find the person of Jesus Christ to be the most compelling of all claimants to divine status. He alone satisfies both the demands of the intellect and the cries of the heart. May I urge you to consider His claims. The mockers mock on, but history has mocked their cynicism and hearts still hunger for God. When Christ fills your heart, and satisfies your mind, no mockery will diminish your fullness. His truth rises up to outlive its pallbearers. ---- 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> "TRAGEDY STRIKES" (PART-24) Charles E. Wigg .... Years of blissful happiness passed by, and that precious child grew on to adolescence. It seemed that his father lacked in both wisdom and discernment, because he encouraged the child to try to do things that were meant for those who had skill and experience. The child though grown now, was still a child, and was foolishly exposed to the heat and burden of the day. This was beyond his ability and experience, and he suffered sunstroke. The father did not show the care and concern that he should have done. He did not care for the boy himself, as he did not want the work of reaping to be hindered, but instructed one of the servants to carry the lad to his mother. Then the worst happened; the boy sat on his mother’s knee till noon, then died. The mother then took the lifeless boy up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door and went out. Thus the dark clouds of tragedy blackened the sky of her life. She called her husband and requested one of the servants and an ass, so that she could run to the man of God. Still the husband did not discern the seriousness of the situation, and questioned the need of such haste. But the woman testified to her faith in that she said, “It shall be well”. However she did not consider for her own comfort, but urged the servant to make the journey as quickly as he could. The fact that she knew where to find Elisha shows one of two things. She either followed the movements of the prophet with prayerful interest, or else she had been before God in earnest prayer, and He had revealed the whereabouts of the prophet. Both are commendable and desirable at all times, but specially at a time of crisis. The fact that Elisha was at Mount Carmel was significant. It was on that Mountain that he had seen the display of the power of Jehovah, he needed to see another display of that power now. He recognised the woman from a distance and sent Gehazi to inquire about their welfare. She gave an illusive answer, as she would not be content merely to deal with the servant, she must get to the feet of his master. So she came and caught Elisha by the feet, she took the lowly, the humble place. Gehazi thought that her importunity was not in keeping with his master’s official greatness, and drew near to thrust her away. The prophet rebuked him with the words, “Let her alone”. He knew that it was not time for officialdom, or to stand on ceremony, but added, “Her soul is bitter, (troubled) within her, and the Lord has not told me.” This shows that the Lord does not tell His servants everything. He may reveal much to them from His word, but not one can claim to know the mind of God in every situation. No matter how great a person may think themselves to be, we are all human at best, and can make mistakes. [To be concluded] --- [Reproduced with permission] _____________________________________________________________________ 3) <PROPHECY> "THE REDEEMER'S RETURN" (PART-95) THE SITUATION OF THE JEWS DURING THIS PERIOD PART 2/2 Arthur W. Pink .... It has also been pointed out that considerable numbers of the Jews have recently turned their faces Zionward and returned to the land of their fathers, but before the revelation and rise of the Anti-christ to temporal power, many others will also have returned to Palestine. This is clear from Dan. 9:27, where we learn that Anti-christ (the "prince" or head of the restored Roman Empire) will ratify a treaty with Israel for seven years, under which he guarantees them protection and allows them to rebuild their Temple and restore its ancient ritual. It is to this Covenant between Anti-christ and the Jews that Is. 28:18 refers, "And your covenant with Death (a title of Anti-christ, in contradistinction to the true Christ who is "the Life") shall be disannulled, and your agreement with Hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shell be trodden down by it (probably a reference to Zech. 14:1, 2).** For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, He shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act." It is to be noted that this "Covenant" between Anti-christ and Israel is established during the early part of his reign, or certainly, at the very commencement of Daniel's seventieth week (see Dan. 9:24-27--a most important passage), while he is posing as the true Christ and before he throws off his mask and denies both the Father and the Son. It is in the midst of this final seven years that he openly defied heaven and earth, breaks his covenant with the Jews in Palestine, causes their sacrifices to cease and in their place demands that they shall set up an image to himself which, like Nebuchadnezzar and his image, he will require to be worshipped by all under pain of death. It is to the setting up of this "image" in the Temple that our Lord had reference when He said, "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation (for the meaning of "abomination" see 1 Kings 11:5-7--it is an "image" to a false god), spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whose readeth, let him understand). Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains: 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. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day: For then shall be (the) great Tribulation such as was not from the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh he saved: but for the elect's sake (i.e. for the sake of the godly Jewish remnant) those days shall be shortened." The above Scripture is a warning from our Lord to the godly Jews who will be on earth subsequent to the Rapture of the Church, and who are informed that when they see Anti-christ's image se up in their re-built Temple then let them know the time for the outpouring of God's wrath is at hand. The part of wisdom for them in that day will be to flee from Jerusalem lest they share its judgment. Be it noted it is those who read--i.e., the Holy Scriptures, and particularly Daniel and the Revelation 0 who will "understand." Following this timely warning- by which, doubtless, many godly Jews will profit in that day--our Lord continues, "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false christs and false prophets (observe false "prophets" as well as false christs; and note the order--false christs which is headed up in the Anti-christ the first "beast" of Rev. 13, and "false prophets" which is headed up in the False Prophet the second "beast" of Rev. 13!), and shall show great signs and wonders (even make the "image" speak, see Rev. 13:15; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect (but it will not be possible, for the elect will "read" and "understand"). Behold, I have told you before" (vss. 23-25). A small minority of the Jews (typified by the three "Hebrew children" in the days of Nebuchadnezzar), a godly remnant, will refuse to receive the Beast and worship his image and, in consequence, will be subjected to fierce persecution. This pious "remnant" forms the subject of numerous Old Testament prophecies. We single out but one--"In that day (the Tribulation period) shalt thou not be ashamed for a all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against Me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of My holy mountain. I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies (profess allegiance to The Lie): for they shall fed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid"(Zech. 3:11-13, and cf. Is. 10:20, 21; Joel 2:32; 3:1, 2 etc.). Many of the Jews who comprise this remnant will be slain by the Anti-christ, but at least 144,000 of them (see Rev. 7) will be miraculously preserved by God. Jehovah will undertake for them as He did for the three "Hebrew children" of old. Then it shall be seen that "He that dwelleth in the secret place (compare Rev. 12:6!!) of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Then will they find the Lord their "refuge" and "fortress." And then will be fulfilled His promise--"Surely He shall deliver thee from the Snare of the Fowler (the Anti-christ), and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers and under His wings shalt thou trust." And then will they behold with their eyes and "see the reward of the Wicked One" (see the whole of Ps. 91). Many of the Psalms record the experiences and prayers of the godly Jewish remnant during this period: see Psalms 10 (which vividly pictures the Anti-christ), 37 (which contains words of admonition and encouragement for them; see especially verse 10!) 43 (note verse 1!), 44 (which reveals their hope in God, 55 (and note particularly verses 20, 21!), 74 (and note verse 10!), 80 (their cry for deliverance, etc.) We may add that many of the later Psalms view Israel in the Millennium. It is during the Tribulation period that Elijah the prophet returns to the earth and Mal. 4:5, 6 is fulfilled--"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming the great and dreadful day of the Lord (i.e. before the final three and a half years); and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers." Doubtless Elijah is one of the "two witnesses" of Rev. 11 who testify for God twelve hundred and sixty days in Jerusalem; after which they are slain, resurrected, and translated to heave. At the close of the Tribulation period Anti-christ marshals his forces and goes up to besiege Jerusalem, and this leads us to consider, [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 _________________________________________________________________ Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail