-------------------------<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/groups/brethrenvoice/ezmlm.cgi] <GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY> <26 December 2002> Contents: ------------ 1) <Devotional> "A good life" - Ravi Zacharias 2) <Bible-Study> "Will we see our loved ones?" (Pt-4/4)-Charles Wigg 3) <Prophecy> "The Redeemer's Return" (Pt-112)- A.W.Pink 1) <DEVOTIONAL> <SLICE-OF-INFINITY> "A GOOD LIFE" Ravi Zacharias The modern rejection of God has increasingly become not so much a matter of His existing, but a matter of whether or not His existing really matters. With our busy lives, we have condensed our morality to "living a good life," arguing, "Surely, if there is a God, He will not punish a good person for honest mistakes." But honestly, why is this all we are willing to think about? C.S. Lewis once commented that what distinguishes humans from the animals is the human desire to know things—to find out what reality is like—simply for the sake of knowing. Are you willing to risk working in the dark all your life with the possibility of infinite harm? The question posed to me again and again across campuses, across religious traditions, across the globe is this: "Can't a person lead a good life without Christianity?" But friends, this is not really the question. The question is, "Do I need to bother with Christianity at all? Can't I evade the issue and get on with just living a good life?" These questions mark our very real intention to avoid that fearsome knock on Christianity's door—the knock that would make certain there is or isn't Someone on the other side. It is a deliberate attempt not to know whether Christianity is true or false because of the uncomfortable predicament if it does turn out to be true. How is this an honest mistake? I once heard a story about a man who absolutely refused to try bananas for fear that he would like them and would have to alter his grocery list! This is the sort of person that avoids that knock in fear of an answer. It is the man refusing to go to the doctor despite the inexplicable pain, not wanting to know what he might find out; or the college student avoiding her bank statement for fear of seeing reality as it really is. You see, rejecting Christianity on the grounds that it might not matter is by no means an honest mistake. You may not know whether or not you want to become a Christian, but you do know you are interested in living a good life. Living a good life is a mere shadow of the reality you were made for. Morality is a mountain we were not meant to climb alone—we may reach a certain point, but we will lack the vision needed for the truest part of the journey. You see, in God's economy, we learn of a very important truth: One cannot really be good until one is first redeemed. --- 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. _______________________________________________________________________ 3) <DOCTRINAL> "WILL WE SEE OUR LOVED ONES?" (PART-4 OF 4) Charles E. Wigg ... The once rich man, (I say once rich, because he could not take any of his riches with him when he died); prayed that Abraham might send Lazarus to warn his five brothers not to join him in that place of torment. The sufferer reasoned that if a miracle took place, and Lazarus rose from the dead, his brothers would then repent and believe. But Abraham replied that they have Moses and the prophets, let them listen to them, and that if they would not heed the warnings of those prophets, then they would refuse to heed even the voice of one that came back from the dead. The gospel is presented to lost men in the holy word of God, and faithful men and women preach it, all over the world. This gospel is the only message of salvation, today and the lost are expected to listen and repent, and exercise faith in Christ. There is no other way! There are further proofs in both Old Testament and New; that we will see and recognize our loved ones that have died in Christ. Take as an example, 2 Sam. 12:23. David had the assurance that he would see his dead child again. He knew that he had gone to a place of blessing, and that he would join him there. Then in the New Testament, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Luke 9:28-36 Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking to the Transfigured Lord Jesus. Peter was able to recognize these two great saints of old, though he had never seen them, or even photographs, or drawings of them. Paul describes his own experience in 2Cor. 12:2-4. His experience then was so vivid, that he was not able to tell whether he was in his body, or out of it. He is probably referring to what took place in Acts. 14:19-21, when he was stoned to death. He tells us that he then was caught up into Paradise, and that he heard 'unspeakable things'. I do not think that he was forbidden to tell what he heard and saw, but it was so surpassingly wonderful, that he could find no words to describe it. In writing his first letter to the Corinthians, he quotes from Isaiah, telling, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered the heart of man, the things that God has prepared for them that love Him". 1Cor. 2:9. So se have everything to look forward to! Often people speak of the wonder of what is mentioned in Revelation about the Holy City etc. But these are only symbols of a much greater reality that no human language can describe! This is the testimony of Holy Scripture. Whereas Lazarus was carried at death, by the angels into the bosom of Abraham, yet now that Christ has died, been buried, risen again, and ascended on high. This privilege is no longer entrusted to angels, but at the believers death the Lord Jesus comes Himself to convey His loved one to Glory. John, 14:3. Neither do we rest in the bosom of Abraham, but immediately we are "Absent from the body, and present with the Lord", and "with Christ which is far better", Phil. 1:23, & 2Cor. 5:8. Then we may consider the testimony of departing saints, (believers). A brother translated for me a number of times in Andhra Pradesh, and he once took me to his home, on an island in the Godavari River, named Kana Kai Lanka. He told me that when he was a boy, he was alone on the island with his aged grandmother, as his mother had left the island to purchase food etc. His grandmother became violently ill, and he could see that she was about to die. He was a backslider at the time, and the prospect filled him with great fear. He wanted to say some words of comfort to his dying grandmother, but all he could do was to ask her if she was afraid. She was surprised that he should ask her this, and she replied; "Afraid, why should I be afraid, can you not see my Lord standing here?", and in a few moments she was gone. Then there is the case of a brother in Sydney, (Australia), who had gone to hospital for a seemingly minor operation. He was getting on well, and his wife went to visit him on the Sunday afternoon. (He was expected to be discharged from hospital on the Monday). While his wife was talking with him, a nurse came to take his blood pressure, temperature etc. While she was recording the details on the chart that hung on the end of his bed, such a look of surpassing ecstasy passed over his face. This was noticed by the nurse, and she said to his wife, "Did you see that?", to which his wife replied, "Yes I saw that, it means that he will not be coming home now, because he has seen the face of his Lord and Master". In a few moments the brother was "absent from the body, and present with the Lord. In Madras (India) there lived a very godly brother named Theophilus; he was an elder of the Jehovah Shamma Assembly. This brother had formed a very close relationship with Arthur, the brother of a dear sister Dr. P. Chandy. Arthur died and went to be with the Lord Jesus. Some time later, when Bro. Theophilus lay dying, and his bed was surrounded by his family, he suddenly threw his arms in the air, and called out "O Arthur, Arthur!," and with in a short time he too was with Christ. When dear Dr Chandy had reached the end of her life, she too was very sick, but she had a very close relationship with the wife of Bro. Theophilus, (sister Rosy.) Sister Rosy went to be with the Lord Jesus, and afterwards her family went to visit Dr. Chandy. As the dear sister was so sick, it was felt that it was best not to mention the death and burial of sister Rosy. When Dr. Chandy asked about sister Rosy, her family gave evasive answers. This did not satisfy Dr. Chandy, so she asked that a chair be brought, and insisted that Brother Bobby sit down. She then asked him directly, "Is your mother here or there?". To this brother Bobby replied, "She is with the Lord, He has called her home, but we thought that as you are so sick, it was best not to tell you". To this Dr. Chandy replied, that she was glad to know, that sister Rosy's sufferings were now over. But she added that she had seen her, and that she had been calling her. Soon afterwards Dr. Chandy also joined sister Rosy, in the presence of their Lord and Master. I will cite another case, and this is of a little girl about 11 years of age, who was dying with an inoperable brain tumor. This girl had been to an evangelical Sunday School, and had trusted the Lord Jesus as her Savior. The family was standing around her dying bed, and all were weeping, deeply grieving the fact that they were about to lose their sister and daughter. As the dying girl saw their sorrow, she said, "Please don't cry for me. I know where I am going, I have had a look inside there, and it is O so wonderful. If only you could see, you would not want to keep me here. But if you are to see me again if you are to join me there, then you will have to do what I did, you will have to repent of you sin, and put your trust in my Savior too." That dear girl soon afterwards went to be with the Lord Jesus, and her parents were saved as the result of her testimony. The cases are endless, but I will give another, that of a dear brother in our local Assembly. He was apparently quite well, and had gone with his daughter in law and son, to visit his wife who was in hospital for a minor operation. They had said goodbye, and were leaving to go home to attend to the milking of the cows. When about to turn the corner of the hospital building, this dear brother fell down in an unconscious state. A stretcher was hurriedly called, and he was admitted to the intensive care unit of the very same hospital. He did recover, returned home and also attended some meetings. But he was of little use thereafter. Later he became sick again, and he said to his family (that he loved dearly), "If I go again, please don't bring me back again". It seems that he too had had a glimpse of the glory, and it spoiled everything for him, as far as this world is concerned. He never left the hospital again, but from there he entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior. I hope that these few thoughts, and testimonies will serve to answer the question, "Will we see our loved ones again?" May it also serve to bring comfort and assurance to those believers that have been temporarily separated form a dear wife, husband, son, or daughter, mother or father, brother or sister. We feel the parting, and the years since our loved ones left us seem to drag, but they feel no parting. For them there is no time to drag. But all is eternal joy. Even so, Come Lord Jesus! [Concluded] --- [Reproduced by permission] _______________________________________________________________________ 4) <PROPHECY> "THE REDEEMER'S RETURN" (PART-112) THE MILLENNIUM IN RELATION TO ISRAEL (PART 3 OF 5) Arthur W. Pink .... Now, it is evident that the nation of Israel has been preserved for a purpose, and what that purpose is, God's Word makes known. A marvelous future yet awaits these descendants of Abraham. Jerusalem is not trodden down of the Gentiles, but it is only to continue thus "Until the Times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (Luke 21:24). The tabernacle of David, now fallen down, is to be restored (Acts 15:16), and the one who has been for so long the sport of the nations shall yet become its "head" (Deut. 28:13). The restoration of Israel occupies a most prominent place in the Scriptures of truth and three things should be particularly noted in connect therewith. First, the restoration of Israel cannot take place until after the Church has been removed from the earth. Second, the restoration of the entire nation will be a gradual one. Third, restored Israel will occupy a much more exalted and glorious position than any it has held in the past, not excepting the reign of Solomon. The first of these three statements is based upon Acts 15:14-17 where we are expressly told that it is not until "after" God has taken out of the Gentiles a people for His name that He will return and build again the tabernacle of David. The second and third statements, above, will now be considered at more length. In Zech. 12:9, 10 we are told, "And I will pour upon the House of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." Here is the starting-point of Israel's moral restoration, namely, the repentance of Juhah. Be it noted that this prophecy contemplates the House of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem only, for it is not until a later date that God deals with the Ten Tribes. With the above Scripture should be linked 2 Cor. 3:15, 16--"But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it (Israel) shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away." One of the first consequences of Judah's turning unto the Lord in repentance will be the removal of the veil now upon their heart. The restoration of the Ten Tribes is brought before us in Ezek. 34--the whole chapter should be read--"For thus saith the Lord God; behold, I, even I, will both search My sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed My flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God" (vss. 11-15). The Ten Tribes restored to Palestine shall be united to the House of Judah and the two Houses become one again--"Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the Children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side and bring them into their own land: And I will make them a nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel; and one King shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so they shall be My people, and I will be their God. And David My Servant shall be King over them; and they all shall have one Shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments, and observe My statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land which I have given unto Jacob My Servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and My Servant David shall be their Prince for ever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them: it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and will multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore" (Ezek. 37:21-28). [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 _________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 3 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail&xAPID=42&PS=47575&PI=7324&DI=7474&SU= http://www.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/getmsg&HL=1216hotmailtaglines_stopmorespam_3mf