-------------------------<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> <24 January 2003> Contents: ------------ 1) <Devotional> "Labelling the evil among us" - Jill Carattini 2) <Bible-Study> "The letters to the 7 churches in Asia" (Pt-1) - C.E.Wigg 3) <Prophecy> "Outline of prophetic events" (Pt-6) - B. Anstey 4) <Poem> - "And the Lord went His way" - C.M. J. Heart 1) <DEVOTIONAL> "LABELLING THE EVIL AMONG US" Jill Carattini A major television network recently aired a documentary featuring the music of bands formed behind the bars of maximum-security prisons. The producers actually went inside the prisons to film the videos that featured the inmates. Now this is hard to take in on many different levels. But one thing is more obvious: It is absolutely clear that the great modern crime is to prevent people from doing whatever it is they want to do. One reviewer mentioned the rights of the inmates to get their music heard. Another cited the rights of viewers to know what goes on inside those walls. But now listen to a comment made by the producer after the filming: "The first thing that surprised me," he said, "was the air… Floating in the air, palpable and just out of reach was the unmistakable stench of evil." (Footnote 1: VH1 News, Oct. 23, 2003) What he did not specify was whether that stench of evil came from the inmates, the music, or the producers. When morality is carelessly sacrificed on the altars of art and information, mention of evil seems strangely out of place. Ironically, before terrorism became a household word, mention of evil on national programming would have seemed out of place, too. As a country, we have grown far more comfortable using the word evil, and with due reason. And recognition of evil is good, in that it leads to a knowledge of the Good, for how could we recognize evil if good did not exist? This is why Lewis called evil a parasite: Evil cannot exist without good. But there is a danger in labelling evil without understanding our need for the Ultimate Good. When God is taken out of the picture, evil is misunderstood. Apart from God, evil becomes reasonable. You see, Lewis also reasoned that wickedness is the pursuit of some good in a wrong way. You can be good simply for the sake of goodness. But you would not do something wrong simply because it is wrong, but because it was in some way satisfying or useful. The lesson in this must be clear: Apart from God, we readily forget that this same evil, prevalent in the hearts of prison inmates, is present in the hearts of all. I am reminded of Reinhold Niebuhr's ripe warning: "The final enigma of history is therefore not how the righteous will gain victory over the unrighteous, but how the evil in every good and the unrighteousness of the righteous is to be overcome." (Footnote 2: Reinhold Niebuhr, The Nature and Destiny of Man: A Christian Interpretation, Volume II. Human Destiny (New York: Scribner's Sons, 1964), pp. 43.) God has done what we cannot do. Jesus Christ is the only man ever to live a perfect life. As a stream becomes stagnant when it is cut off from the spring, good things, like morality, apart from the Source of Goodness become something less. He is our righteousness. In Him alone can we overcome. 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> "THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN ASIA" - (PART 1) Charles E. Wigg Recently I was asked a question as to what basis there is for the interpretation that some Bible teachers place on the letters to the seven Churches in Asia. That is, that we see in them a prophetic disclosure of the whole history of the New Testament Church. Though I am convinced of the rightness of such teaching, yet it has caused me much thought, and to ponder what the scripture teaches. There are several things that we can learn from these letters, some of which follow. (1st.) Though these Churches were placed within a radius of about fifty miles, yet not one Church was commanded to interfere with the affairs of another. This deals a deathblow to any pretence of the Episcopalian theory. That is that each Church is in fellowship with the other, and that what is done in one Church, (especially in matters of discipline), must be accepted by all others, (whether it is right or wrong). It clearly shows that each Church has to answer to the Lord Jesus alone. The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand. We hear Him say repeatedly, I know, I know, I know. This shows us that not one thing escapes His jealous and watchful eye. Where the leaders of one Church, seek to interfere in the affairs of another, this is the operation of Nicholaitinism, and is hated by the One to whom the Church belongs. For such a system to work a Papal figure is necessary, and woe betide any that are bold enough to challenge the edicts of such a one. It is sad to note that this situation exists in many circles of Brethren Assemblies, and is to be seen in its full-blown evil character in the Exclusive system. [To be concluded] --- [Reproduced by permission] _______________________________________________________________________ 3) <PROPHECY> "OUTLINE OF PROPHETIC EVENTS" (PART-6) B. Anstey THREE MAIN REASONS FOR THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST There are perhaps three reasons for the judgment seat of Christ. Firstly, to magnify the grace of God in meeting the believer's need. When the Lord reviews their lives and brings to light their sins and failures, He will show them just how great a debt they really had before God. In that day the saints will learn the ultimate badness of their flesh, and they will also learn how great His grace has been in rising over it all. "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." (Rom. 5:20) Secondly, to reveal the perfect wisdom of God in all the ways He has taken with His people. The Lord will, so to speak, put His arm around the believer and go through his or her life step by step. It will reveal the story of His patient grace, perfect wisdom, and boundless love that has followed them through their whole lives. All of the hard questions that they have had as to why certain things happened to them will be answered then. He will show them the reason why those troublesome and difficult things they passed through were necessary. In the end they will say, "His way is perfect." (Ps. 18:30) Thirdly, to determine the rewards of the saints and the place they will consequently occupy in the kingdom. (Lk. 19:16-19 The believer's deeds (2 Cor. 5:10), works of service for the Lord (1 Cor. 3:9-15), motives (1 Cor. 4:4-5, Rom. 2:15-16), words (Mt. 12:36-37), and personal exercises (Rom. 14:1-12), will all pass into review before the holy eye of the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything in their life will be manifested in that day, both before and after conversion, for the Scripture says, "According to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Cor. 5:10) When I stand before the throne, Clad in beauty, not my own, Then Lord shall I fully know, Not till then how much I owe. All will come out at the judgment seat of Christ as a matter between each saint and God. It apparently will not be a public exposure before others. Those things which the saints have done in their lives that are not according to the Lord's approval will be burnt up and they will receive no reward for it. (1 Cor. 3:14-15) When I stand at the judgment seat of Christ, And He shows His plan for me, The plan of my life as it might have been Had He had His way, and I see How I blocked Him here, And checked Him there, And I would not yield my will, Will there be grief in my Saviour's eyes, Grief though He loves me still? He would have me rich, but I stand there poor, Robbed of all but His grace; While my memory runs like a hunted thing, Down the paths I cannot retrace. Lord, of the years that are left to me, I give them to Thy hand; Take me, break me, and mould me, To the pattern Thou hast planned. The results of the judgment seat of Christ will stimulate the eternal praise of the saints of God. (Rev. 19:7) SEVEN CROWNS All will receive a reward. "Every man shall have praise from God." (1 Cor. 4:5, Mt. 25:21-23). There are perhaps 7 crowns that will be given as rewards. The "incorruptible crown" (1 Cor. 9:25), the "crown of rejoicing" (1 Thes. 2:19), the "crown of righteousness" (2 Tim. 4:8), the "crown of life" (Jam. 1:12, Rev. 2:10), the "crown of glory" (1 Pet. 5:4), the crown of "gold" (Rev. 4:4) and the "overcomer's" crown. (Rev. 3:11) All the heavenly saints [referred to under the figure of the 24 elders] will take their place on thrones around the Lord in the midst of heaven. As they will look upon the Lord in all of His creatorial and redemptive glory, they will cast their crowns and themselves at His feet in adoration and worship. (Rev. 4-5) THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB The marriage of the Lamb (Christ) will take place in heaven. The bride is the church. The guests at the marriage supper will be the friends of the Bridegroom (Jn. 3:29), the Old Testament saints. (Rev. 19:6-10) [To be concluded] --- [Reproduced by permission] _______________________________________________________________________ 4) <POEM> "AND THE LORD WENT HIS WAY" GEN 18:33 C.M. J. HART "And the Lord went his way." Gen. 18. 33 When Jesus, with his mighty love, Visits my troubled breast, My doubts subside, my fears remove, And I'm completely blest; [I love the Lord with mind and heart, His people and his ways; Envy, and pride, and lust depart, And all his works I praise;] Nothing but Jesus I esteem; My soul is then sincere; And everything that's dear to him, To me is also dear. But ah! when these short visits end, Though not quite left alone, I miss the presence of my Friend, Like one whose comfort's gone. [I to my own sad place return, My wretched state to feel; I tire, and faint, and mope, and mourn, And am but barren still.] More frequent let thy visits be, Or let them longer last; I can do nothing without thee; Make haste, O God, make haste. ---------------------------<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 _________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail