-------------------------------------<BrethrenVoice>------------------------------------- [which seeks to be guided by the New Testament Biblical pattern, is aimed at reaching Christians with words that challenge them know and fulfil God's purpose in their lives. To send a message to the moderator, eMail: Ben@.... Previous issues of the <GLEANINGS> are available from: www.brethrenvoice.com. eFellowship Home: http://groups.msn.com/BrethrenChristiansForum --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <GLEANINGS-FOR-THE-DAY> <30 January 2003> Contents: ------------ 1) <Devotion> "Worldviews, Whistling, and Opened Eyes" - Jim Carattini 2) <Bible-Study> "The letters to the 7 churches in Asia (Pt-5) - C.E.Wigg 3) <Prophecy> "Outline of Prophetic events" (Pt-10) - B.Anstey 4) <Poem> "Walking with God" - William Cowper 1) <DEVOTIONAL><SLICE-OF-INFINITY> "WORLDVIEWS, WHISTLING, AND OPENED EYES" C.S. Lewis once noted that if one had to choose between reading old books and new books, you should choose the old. "Not because they are better," he says, "but because they contain precisely those truths of which our own age is neglectful." Lewis was well aware that there are truths spoken through other worldviews that we are blinded from simply because we exist in our own. Our worldview is no exception. Every thought and experience, every book and idea that crosses our path, has been shaped within the caldron of postmodern thought, a mindset ruled by the eyes. And when orientation to life is based on one's own perspective, and truth discerned by personal preference, blindness is a difficult concept to swallow. But that doesn't make it less real. Blindness is as natural to humankind as the desire to understand. We are blind to our own faults; blind to truths we don't want to hear. It is the cure that is important. What do you do to see authentically? May I suggest, it is worship that opens our eyes-worship of the One who first saw and declared it good. Listen to this true story. Many years ago an American man was visiting Romania, walking along with his coat bundled up tightly. It was a blustery day; still one Romanian walked contentedly whistling a tune. He wondered how this fellow could whistle in that cold, and then he noticed the tune. He was whistling a Christian hymn. Catching up with the man, he said excitedly, "You know Christ?" The fellow shrugged; he didn't speak English. So he whistled the hymn. Immediately, those eyes lit up, each man pointed to the heavens, touched their hearts, and embraced. Waving good-byes, they went their separate ways-whistling. Do you see that? Without a word spoken, two worlds were bridged because a tune resounded the transcending truth both hearts knew deeply. It is the mystery of worship. And if a whistled hymn can cause strangers to embrace as brothers, imagine what happens when you worship God Himself, who brings together the divergent areas of your life and lets you see the composite whole. It is worship of the living God that brings meaning into lives even worldviews apart, and sight to the blind. Through worship we stand with the hymn writer who boldly prayed, "Open my eyes, that I may see, Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; Open my eyes-illumine me, Spirit Divine!" May that Spirit be a vision that comforts you today. --- © 2000 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-5) Charles E. Wigg .... THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS In each case the letter is addressed to "the angel" of the Church. We are not to think of this as referring to a literal angel, but rather to the person through whom God spoke to His Church, the 'messenger'. The Greek word Aggelos, simply means messenger, or one by whom a message is sent. This person would be the leading Elder in each Assembly. These persons were held in the right hand of the Lord Jesus. 1:20. The Church at Ephesus had a very bright beginning, when those that were saved by the grace of God, brought out the books of charms that were worth a very great sum, and burnt them before all men, Acts, 19:18-20. They evidently grew spiritually, and it was to that Church that Paul wrote his greatest epistle. It was in the Epistle to the Ephesians, that he revealed the most exalted truths of the New Testament. However it seems that they did not continue in that bold expression of their love for Christ that marked their beginning. It is to be noted that they burned their books of curious arts, they did not sell them to others, though they could have readily done so, and gained a huge sum as well. They publicly testified to their complete break with the powers of darkness that had held them up to that time. The reality of their devotion was therein testified to all, but the warm glow of that first love did not continue. Paul warned the elders as to what was going to happen. That grievous wolves would enter in, and would not spare the flock. Perhaps those wolves were dressed in sheep's clothing, and the unsuspecting believers were willing to receive them, and allow them to do their evil work. Even some of the Elders, were led astray by these people, and they sought a following, a place of prominence and power. Acts 20:28-30. It seems that they quickly forgot the fine example that Paul had shown them. He was not concerned about place, material profit or power. He had laboured with his own hands, to supply his own needs, and the needs of those that laboured with him. How sad it was that they so quickly forgot such a wonderful example! Yet for all that they had not slacked in their works for the Lord. He knew full well what they had done, and were doing, their labour and their patience. Those that remained had developed some spiritual discernment. Those imposters that had made great claims for themselves, claiming to be Apostles. They put them to the test, and found them to be liars. It would be good if many today were to do the same. Because there are so many that are dazzled by the false miracles, and the lofty claims of the so-called, great faith preachers of today. These deluded believers almost worship such men, turn up in large numbers to their meetings, and pour large sums of money into their pockets. [To be concluded] --- [Reproduced by permission] _______________________________________________________________________ 3) <PROPHECY> "OUTLINE OF PROPHETIC EVENTS" (PART-10) B. Anstey .... THE ANTICHRIST At about this time another man will rise up in the land of Israel who will also be energized by Satan (2 Thes. 2:9). He will be an Israelite perhaps from the tribe of Dan. (Dan. 11:37, Gen. 49:16-17. Note, the tribe of Dan is also omitted in Rev. 7) He will work conjunctively with the first Beast, the "little horn," and be like his Prime Minister. This man is the "Antichrist." (1 Jn. 2:18) He is also known as "the King" (Dan. 11:36, Isa. 8:21, 30:33, 57:9), "the Man of Sin" (2 Thes. 2:3), "the Son of Perdition" (2 Thes. 2:3), "the Wicked or Lawless One" (2 Thes. 2:8 JND Trans.), "the Fallen Star" (Rev. 9:1), "the 2nd Beast" (Rev. 13:11-18), "the False Prophet" (Rev. 16:13, 19:20, 20:10), "the Foolish and Idol Shepherd" (Zec. 11:15-17, Ps. 14:1, Ps. 53:1), "the Bloody and Deceitful Man" (Ps. 5:6, etc.), "the Profane Wicked Prince of Israel" (Ezk. 21:25), and "the Prince of Tyrus" (Ezk. 28:2). Psalm 10 gives a moral description of the character of this man. The Man of sin [Antichrist] will present himself to the Jews as their Messiah, and they will as a nation, receive him without credentials and make him their king. He will reign over the Jews in the land of Israel. (Jn. 5:43, Dan. 11:36-39, 2 Sam. 15:2-6,11*) Antichrist will establish his seat of government in Jerusalem, and will promote his partisans and devotees to positions of rule in the land of Israel. Jerusalem will be thoroughly given over to wickedness. (Isa. 1:21-23, Dan. 11:39, Isa. 28:14, 1 Sam. 22:7-8*) The moral description of the apostate Jews that will follow Antichrist can be seen in the following Scriptures: Ps. 14, Ps. 35-36, Ps. 73:3-12, Isa. 58-59. THE COVENANT BROKEN The Beast with the help of Antichrist will then break the covenant that the empire has had with the Jews. They will abolish all religious activity in their realm [the western part of the earth including the land of Israel], causing the false worship in both corrupt Christendom and Judaism to cease. They will do this to make way for their plan to force all in their realm to worship the Beast and his image. (Dan. 9:27, Rev. 17:16, Ps. 55:20) [To be concluded] --- [Reproduced by permission] _______________________________________________________________________ 4) <POEM> "WALKING WITH GOD" GEN 5:24 William Cowper OH! for a closer walk with God, A calm and heavenly frame; A light to shine upon the road That leads me to the Lamb! Where is the blessedness I knew When first I saw the Lord? Where is the soul-refreshing view Of Jesus and his word? What peaceful hours I once enjoy'd! How sweet their memory still! But they have left an aching void, The world can never fill. Return, O holy Dove, return! Sweet messenger of rest: I hate the sins that made thee mourn, And drove thee from my breast. The dearest idol I have known, Whate'er that idol be, Help me to tear it from thy throne, And worship only thee. So shall my walk be close with God, Calm and serene my frame: So purer light shall mark the road That leads me to the Lamb. -------------------------------<BrethrenVoice>------------------------------- To be removed from the mailing list, send a blank eMail to: <brethrenvoice-unsubscribe@...> If you know of others who would enjoy receiving the <GLEANINGS> in their email box every day, please could you tell them to send a blank email to: <brethrenvoice-subscribe@...>. To receive a statement of what we believe, please send a blank eMail to: <brethrenvoice-faq@...> "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