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<GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY>
<8 January 2002>


Contents:
------------

1) <Devotional> "Covering the lamp" - Ravi Zacharias
2) <Bible-Study> ""Ruth the Moabitess" (Pt-6/10)-Charles Wigg
3) <Prophecy> "The Redeemer's Return" (Pt-118)- A.W.Pink


1) <DEVOTIONAL> <SLICE-OF-INFINITY>
"THE COMFORT ZONE"
Ravi Zacharias


1) <DEVOTIONAL> <SLICE-OF-INFINITY>
"COVERING THE LAMP"
Ravi Zacharias

If you had access to a treasure, would you not want to live with its
practical benefit rather than just have it in theory and nothing more?  In
the Bible God asked the prophet Jonah to cry out to the people of Nineveh,
but he was not only out of touch with their real need, he was out of touch
with his own message.  He could not get the wealth of God’s grace to be
applicable for others.  He was so close to the grand truth of the Gospel
but lost contact with its purpose.

Let me tell you an incredible story.  Some years ago, I was visiting the
town of Bedford in England.  The reason most tourists go to Bedford is
because it was the home of the famed 17th Century writer John Bunyan who
penned his immortal Pilgrim’s Progress.  In fact, in the heart of Bedford
is a gigantic statue of Bunyan.  Some prankster has painted giant
footsteps from the statue to the public restrooms, as if to say Bunyan
still lives.  Well, that aside, his book still lives in the hearts of
millions.  It allegorically tells the story of how Pilgrim struggled and
wandered through life’s pitfalls, until he  found the marvelous message of
the Gospel.  Every culture could relate to it.  We visited the museum that
housed a translation of every language into which Pilgrim’s Progress has
been translated.  You need to know, that outside of the Bible, that book
is in more languages than any other.  After we visited the museum, I
commented to the woman at the front hall who sells the tickets to the
museum, “Isn’t it amazing that an ordinary mender of pots and pans wrote a
book of such profound impact around the world.”  She paused and said, “I
suppose so.  I haven’t read it.”  I just about fainted.  How amazing that
one can be so close to a treasure and go for the wrapping instead.

I think of the possibilities in the western world today—from the voice on
the radio, to the television screen, to the printed page and indeed the
churches that are in abundance around us.  How close we can be to the
truth and yet not have its reality in our lives.  But to be even more
direct: Jonah was a prophet and should have known what the message was all
about.  Maybe the book of Jonah has a greater warning to the church than
it does to the world.  I sometimes wonder: How many churches and preachers
have lost the message while in the ministry?  Every preacher and church
needs to take note.  Our treasure is the Gospel, not our buildings.  Think
of yourself. The Gospel of Jesus Christ that can change your life is so
close to you. Have you missed it, while surrounded by it?  Go for the gift
and ignore the wrapping.
---
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>
"RUTH THE MOABITESS - RUTH THE GLEANER" (PART-6/10)
Charles E. Wigg
....
Ruth asked permission of Naomi first to go and glean, and having received
her permission and blessing, was guided sovereignly by God to the field of
Boaz. Perhaps Naomi had told her of the provision that God had made in His
law for the widow, the fatherless and the stranger. It is possible also
that they were in some need. Gleaning was a hot and tiring work, with
little reward. It involved picking up the straws of grain that were missed
by the reapers. She was very diligent in this work, and has become an
example that should be followed by all young believers.

When we are saved, there comes a desire to learn, and to understand the
word of God. Usually new believers begin to read the scriptures, but find
them difficult to understand. This sometimes leads to them being
discouraged. However God does not make the scriptures difficult to
understand so that we might be discouraged, but rather to test our
sincerity. To gain an understanding of the teaching of the word of God
calls for diligence and patience. It must have seemed to be a slow, heavy
boring work for Ruth, as she picked up straw after straw. However she kept
at it, and was determined not to give up. She did not waste her time by
lazily sitting in the cool of the 'house' or shelter provided for the
workers in the field. I remember when the Lord brought me back to Himself
after a period of wandering. I determined that I would waste no more time.
So I attended all the Bible readings, (a form of discussional Bible
studies), that I could. I also concentrated on what was being said, and
tried my hardest to take things in. But I became frustrated with myself,
and would often rebuke myself for being so slow to learn. It seemed that
all that I heard went in one ear, and out the other. However I discovered
in later years, that all had not gone out the other ear at all. Much of it
had gone down into my subconscious mind, and in later years, when
ministering the word to others, the Holy Spirit would bring to my mind,
what I thought that I had forgotten. I record this for the encouragement
of my fellow believers. Don't be discouraged keep at it. Paul said to
Timothy, "Consider what I say; and the Lord will give you understanding in
all things". 2Tim. 2:7 Remember the promise of the Lord Jesus, John, 7:17,
and claim it by faith as your own.

THE VISIT OF BOAZ

Ruth must have been impressed with the happy relationship that existed
between Boaz and his workers. When he entered the field, he encouraged his
workers by seeking for them the greatest blessing, the presence, (and
help) of Jehovah. They responded by seeking to call down upon their master
the blessing of Jehovah. Boaz then said to the overseer, "Whose damsel is
this?" He then received a full history of Ruth, and a commendation of her
diligence.

Here we have some teaching for Elders or overseers. This man had been
watching Ruth; he had seen her diligence and devotion to the task of
gleaning, even though the rewards were so meagre. This should be our
attitude also to those that the Lord saves and sends amongst us. He
commended her attitude; she humbly asked permission to glean amongst the
sheaves. She was not like many today, insisting on her rights, and
demanding this or that. Here we see the attitude that the Lord will bless.

Boaz received the commendation given by his overseer, then turned to the
newcomer and spoke directly to her, with words of encouragement. The One
whom Boaz represents loves to take account of every one that turns to Him
in faith. He loves to provide for them, and to encourage them in every
right action and desire. "Hearest thou not my daughter", let my young
brothers and sisters rake this to their own hearts. Let us daily listen to
His voice as He speaks to us. He is just as interested in you as Boaz was
in Ruth.

The hand of God had guided her to the field of Boaz, and he exhorts her
not to leave his field. It sometimes is a real question for new converts
once they come to Christ. Where will I meet? With whom shall I gather?
Which Church shall I attend?

It is important to meet with those that gather to the name of Christ
alone. To gather with those that acknowledge the rights of God over them,
who accept the absolute authority of Christ and the word of God. Once you
find such a company, then don't leave them. "Go not to glean in another
field", would be the words of our Boaz to you. Seek the company of those
that are truly His. The fellowship of true believers, as we are told in
2Tim 2:22-23. There are many today that look for 'lively entertainment',
but Boaz' exhortation to Ruth was "Let thine eyes be on the field that
they do reap, and go thou after them". If our eyes are on the world, or
even on worldly Christians, we may readily go astray. True Christianity is
a serious business, not a matter of light-hearted entertainment. If our
eye be single, then our whole body will be full of light. Matt. 6:22. Keep
your eye on 'Christ the first fruits' as we have seen earlier.   [To be
concluded]
---
[Reproduced by permission]
_______________________________________________________________________

3) <PROPHECY>
"THE REDEEMER'S RETURN" (PART-118)
THE MILLENNIUM IN RELATION TO SIN
Arthur W. Pink

In spite of the fact that Satan will have been removed from the earth, and
that Christ reigns in person over it, yet conditions here will not be
perfect even in the Millennium.

Unregenerate human nature will remain unchanged. Sin will still be
present, though much of its outward manifestation will be restrained.
Discontent and wickedness will not be eradicated from the hearts of men,
but will be kept beneath the surface by means of the Iron Rod. Multitudes
will yield to Christ nothing but a "feigned obedience" (Ps. 18:44,
margin). This "feigned obedience" will be the product of power not grace;
it will be the fruit of fear not love.

In Psalm 72, which gives a graphic picture of millennial conditions, we
read, "They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before Him; and His
enemies shall lick the dust" (vs. 9). Again, we are told in Psalm 110:2
that the Lord shall rule in the midst of "enemies." In Psalm 149, wherein
the children of Zion are bidden to "be joyful in their King," we are told
that His saints shall "execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments
upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with
fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor
have all His saints. Praise ye the Lord" (vss. 7-9). In Micah 5, where we
have another description of the judgments which the remnant of Jacob will
execute upon the Gentiles, we are told, "And the remnant of Jacob shall be
in the midst of many people, as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as
a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both
treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. Thine hand
shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be
cut off" (vss. 8-10). These verses do not conflict with those Scriptures
which speak of great blessings, spiritual as well as temporal, coming upon
the Gentiles during the Millennium, but warn us that the Kingdom age is
not the Perfect State, and that while most if not all will worship
outwardly, yet at heart many are still the enemies of the Lord.

At the close of the Millennium Satan will be temporarily released from his
prison in order to test humanity: "And when the thousand years are
expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to
deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and
Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the
sand of the sea. And they went upon the breadth of the earth, and
compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city" (Rev.
20:7-9). Thus will be fully and finally demonstrated the incurable evil of
the human heart. Even a thousand years of millennial blessedness, with
Satan away from the earth, will not effect any change in man. Let Satan be
loosed and allowed to go forth once more and deceive the nations, and it
shall be seen that the carnal mind is still enmity against God, and
prefers a Murderer to the Lord Jesus. Nothing avails short of a new
creation.

Miracles, a beneficent environment, temporal blessings--nothing without,
can alter fallen and depraved human nature. "Except a man be born of water
(the Word) and of the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John
3:5).The final revolt of man under the leadership of the Devil will meet
with swift judgment--"And fire came down from God out of heaven and
devoured them" (Rev. 20:9). What follows is told us in few words. Satan
himself is cast into the Lake of Fire where the Beast and the False
Prophet are, and all of the unsaved dead from Cain onwards will be raised
from their graves, to stand before the great white Throne and be judged
according to their works. The purpose of this judgment is to determine
their respective sentences, for there will be degrees of punishment among
the lost, as there will be degrees of glory among the redeemed. "And
whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the Lake
of Fire" (Rev. 20:15). Oh, my reader, is your name written in the book of
life? If it is not, there is nothing before you but a hopeless and endless
eternity of suffering, of suffering so fearful that no human pen or tongue
can adequately depict it.

"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the
Lake of Fire." Unsaved reader, what an awful prospect is thing! The day of
reckoning fast hastens on. God is yet going to call you to account and
take full satisfaction to His justice. Long have you defied Him, but soon
He will put forth His power and deal with you in judgment. What He has
threatened that will He most surely perform. The Lake of Fire! Eternal
suffering! Tormented day and night for ever and ever! Such a portion will
be unendurable, and yet it will have to be a endured by every
Christ-rejector, and endured for ever and ever. "Can thine heart endure,
or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I
the Lord have spoken it, and will do it" (Ezek. 22:14).Following the great
white Throne judgment and the casting of the host into the Lake of Fire,
Christ will deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, "when He shall
have put down all rule, and all authority, and power. For He must reign,
till He hath put all enemies under His feet. And when all things be
subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that
put all things under Him, that God may be all in all" (1 Cor. 15:24, 25,
28; and see further Rev. 21:1-5). [To be concluded]

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