-------------------------<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: ben@...] [<GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY> archives/read online: http://associate.com/groups/brethrenvoice/ezmlm.cgi] <GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY> <20 January 2003> Contents: ------------ 1) <Devotional> "Omnipresence" - (Pt-1) - Keith Cox 2) <Bible-Study> "Be wise as serpents..." (Pt-3/6} - Charles E. Wigg 3) <Prophecy> "Outline of prophetic events" (Pt-2) - B. Anstey 1) <DEVOTIONAL> <SLICE-OF-INFINITY> "OMNIPRESENCE" (PART-1) Keith Cox Omnipresence -does that big theological term mean anything to you? Working it into a conversation might make you sound smart, but does it have any real import in your life? Webster defines omnipresence as something or someone present everywhere at all times . Stuffy definitions don't usually capture such powerful notions -so consider a contrast to flesh this term out. Neither you nor I are omnipresent. (Certainly, this is not news to you.) We are quite the opposite. We are spatially and temporally located. I am always in one place at one time. Spatially, I am always here or there. Temporally, I am always located at right now. Yes, I can think back to yesterday or ahead to tomorrow, but I do so from the vantage of right now. Consider how our locatedness determines how we can relate and know others. If I want to see my friend I must go to him. To be with him I must share the same space with him. And so space separates my friend and me until we arrive at the same space at the same time. Temporally, I am also constrained. I cannot snap my fingers and automatically have a ten-year relationship with someone. I must spend ten years, or travel through ten years, with them to obtain that. Nor can I just immediately get to my meeting tomorrow. I must wait until tomorrow for that. Now an omnipresent entity would not face these limitations. It would be everywhere for all times. It would not have to travel to meet someone. It would not have to wait for an appointment. It would already and always be there. Is there such a thing in the universe? No, but there is such a Person. Our word for Him is God, and He is everywhere we ever are. This can be either a terrifying or comforting truth. For with all others you have the choice to be with them or leave them, spend time with them or depart, but with the omnipresent Person you have no such luxury. He is always with You, there, attentive to your thoughts, your emotions, and your actions. David, the poet-King, puts it this way, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" This is terrifying if you do not trust Him, or know that He loves you. Christ tells us that God loves us, and Christ shows us that God is trustworthy. If you don't believe me, simply ask Him; He is there with you now. --- Copyright(c) 2003 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. A Slice of Infinity is a ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries _______________________________________________________________________ 2) <BIBLE-STUDY> "BE AS WISE AS SERPENTS, AND AS HARMLESS AS DOVES" - (PART 3 OF 6) Charles E. Wigg A SHEEP IS DEFENCELESS: A sheep is unable to protect itself. Sheep have horns, but they are so placed on the animal's head, that they are useless in defence. The only use of those horns is in bluff. We read of a sheep that was caught by it's horns in a thicket, Gen. 22:13. Once more the truth is brought home to us, that if we are to survive, or to be useful in the service of Him that sends us, then we must be absolutely dependant upon Him. I have seen rams fighting with each other, and it seems that is the only use that they make of their horns. I have watched them fighting, and they will back away from each other, then rush at full speed towards each other, until their heads meet with a resounding 'KONK'. Then they will shake their heads, and then go back and do it again. I could not help but think of some Brethren, who seem determined to fight with each other, no matter what injury they may cause. Our Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He has laid down His life for us. "He stood between us and the foe, and laid down His life in our stead". We are safe in His hands-, and neither man, demon, or angel can pluck us from that mighty hand. Now that He has risen from the dead, when He sends us, then He is with us all the days. Matt. 28:19-20. Let us then cast ourselves completely upon Him. He is all that we could ever need, whatever the circumstances we may face. IN THE MIDST OF WOLVES: Wolves are perhaps the fiercest, and most cunning of the predatory animals. To send one wolf into the midst of sheep would be disastrous. The carnage would be terrible. But to send sheep into the midst of wolves would seem like sending the sheep to a certain death, normally they would be torn to pieces. However when our Master sends, then He himself is with those that He sends, and He will protect them. If they are wise enough to rely wholly upon Him, then the purpose of His sending will be accomplished. Wolves live in mountainous and Arctic regions. As winter approaches, huge herds of deer migrate to warmer climates further south for the winter. The wolves though driven almost mad with hunger will follow these herds, until one of the deer shows signs of weakness, and gets behind the mob. They are able to control their hunger, until this animal gets sufficiently far behind the herd, then they will attack and kill the weak animal. They will then tear it to pieces, and eat every bit of it. They will not leave that place until it is all eaten. Such are the ways of wolves. They are called by Paul, "Greivous wolves", and he says that they do not spare the flock. Acts, 20:29. I recall hearing the story of one sister Gladys Aylward. She was from a poor family, and had almost no education. She worked as a charwoman, in a London Hotel. But the Lord Jesus saved her. After this she used to attend conventions missionary meetings etc. She often attended the Keswick Convention, and began to be very burdened for China. It troubled her deeply to think of millions in that country, that were perishing with out the knowledge of Christ and His salvation. She used to accost young men, and challenge them as to why they did not go and take the gospel to China. She was an embarrassment to many, when one day a young man challenged her as to why she did not go to that country. This made her to think, "Me go to China?" "I could not go to China!" But eventually she did go. She bought third class ticket on the Trans-Siberian railway and she went. She had travelled for weeks, then the train came to a stop at a station, and she was told by the conductor to get down. She asked "Is this Vladivostok?" (her destination), and when told that it was not, she refused to leave the train. However the train did not move all that day, so she decided that she would walk. She walked on until darkness was approaching, then decide to pitch her tent on the centre of the railway line itself. The place was covered with snow, but after taking food she laid down to sleep. During the night, she dreamed that she was back in London, and was disturbed by the noise of dogs barking. IN her sleep she was complaining, and asking why people must keep such dogs and not feed them, as they were disturbing her sleep. When she awoke in the morning and looked out of her tent, she saw the footprints of a pack of hunting wolves around her tent. All that was between her and those wolves, was a thin calico tent, yet they had not touched her. The Lord Jesus had sent her, He was with her, and He protected her. He will do this for all that He sends that rely totally upon Him, and His sufficiency. [To be concluded] --- [Reproduced by permission] _______________________________________________________________________ 3) <PROPHECY> "OUTLINE OF PROPHETIC EVENTS" (PART-2) B. Anstey THE INTERPRETATION OF PROPHECY An important principle in interpreting Scripture is that when we interpret a particular verse, or series of verses, it must be done in the light of all other Scripture. The prophetic Scriptures are no exception. The interpretation of a prophecy is not arrived at through an isolated passage having its own meaning and solution. We have to carefully weigh each verse of Scripture in the light of all others. "No prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Pet. 1:20-21) J. N. Darby said, "One might almost say, no prophecy explains itself." Moreover God uses many figures and symbols in prophecy to convey His mind concerning a subject. This necessitates care on our part to distinguish between what is symbolic and what is literal. Notwithstanding, whatever figures the Spirit of God may use in depicting the ways of God, the subject of prophecy is never a figure. It is always literal. The Spirit of God also uses types to illustrate God's dealings in prophecy. When a type is referred to in this book it will be marked with an asterisk (*) so as to help the reader distinguish between what is the letter of prophecy and what is typical teaching. In addition to this, many prophecies in the old Testament have both a near application that was usually fulfilled in the prophet's life time or shortly thereafter, and an extended application that reaches down to the end of the age. It is important therefore, to distinguish between what part of the passage refers to those circumstances which were near at hand, and what part speaks of Israel's full and final deliverance in the end times. THE PRACTICAL EFFECT OF PROPHECY There is perhaps a three-fold effect that prophecy will have on us when it is taken up rightly. Firstly, it makes the "day dawn" in our hearts. (2 Pet. 1:19) This refers to the superior brightness of Christian truth in the New Testament. The apostle Peter puts it in contrast to the "lamp" that shines in a dark place, which refers to the prophetic Scriptures in the Old Testament. A brighter guide has now been given in the body of New Testament truth. This does not mean we are to neglect the Old Testament Scriptures. Peter speaks quite to the contrary, for he says we would do well to take heed to them. In reading those Old Testament prophecies, New Testament truth will stand out in contrast more distinctly, just as broad daylight supersedes the light from a lamp. As a result we are given to see just how great the contrast is between Israel's blessings and the heavenly blessings and privileges of the church. The practical effect of understanding our Christian blessings will make us value what is rightly ours. Secondly, the learning of prophecy causes the "day star" to arise in our hearts. (2 Pet. 1:19) This refers to Christ's coming for His bride, the church at the rapture. When we realize that before all those things in prophecy will come to pass, the Lord must first come and take us home to heaven. Hence His coming for us becomes more imminent. Thirdly, reading prophecy gives us to see the end of this world. When we see that it is all going to come under the judgment of God, we realize how utterly futile it is to be expending our energies on building up something that is doomed. The practical effect will cause us to be more separated from the world now. "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" (2 Pet. 3:11-12) THE AIM OF THIS [STUDY] This book is not an attempt to align current events in the news with Scripture prophecies, because prophecy properly speaking, is not being fulfilled today. The aim of this book rather, is to provide the reader with a concise outline of events that will "shortly come to pass." (Rev. 1:1) The writer makes no claim to the originality of the truth herein compiled. It is simply what godly men gathered to the Lord's Name (Matt. 18:20) have enjoyed and taught for the past 150 years. Although we cannot be dogmatic as to the exact chronology of every single event, a careful attempt has been made to follow a sequential order. This, in places has been difficult, because some things happen at the same time. The references used in this book are from the King James Version. Where the wording is different, it is because the references have been taken from the New Translation of J. N. Darby. May the effect of these prophetic things draw us closer to the Lord Jesus Christ and cause us to look up in joyful expectation of His near return. [To be concluded] --- [*Reproduced by permission] ---------------------------<BrethrenVoice>--------------------------- Subscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-subscribe@...> Unsubscribe, eMail:<brethrenvoice-unsubscribe@...> FAQs/Faith Statement, eMail: <brethrenvoice-faq@...> <BrethrenVoice> Home: www.brethrenvoice.net <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