Table of ContentsGlobal Church News - May - June 1995 |
| Open Letter |
| Editorial by Roderick C. Meredith |
| What Kind of Difference Does the Holy Spirit Make in Your Life? |
| The Work of God Through the Ages... |
| Elijah's Showdown and the Identity of God's Church |
| Will There Be a Place of Refuge? |
Greetings from San Diego! Thank you all so much for your loyalty and prayers. God's Work around the globe continues to GROW in every way.
Reports are just now coming in on the response to The World Ahead television program on the VISION Cable Network in Canada. It appears that hundreds of people called in, and the Canadian brethren and ministers are very enthusiastic over the first telecast and appreciated its hard-hitting message. There were quite a number of calls in the United States as well and we are grateful that television is already under way as a vehicle we can use to do God's Work. It will take a few more days for us to determine the exact number of calls received from the first telecast, so I will try to give you this information in greater detail in next month's co-worker letter.
About 35 new churches or video groups have been formed within the last nine weeks! Also 885 new people began attending services within the last eight-week period. This averages over 100 new attendees a week! We're pleased to officially announce that Mr. Gerald Weston and his wife—pastoring churches in Kansas City—have come with the Global Church of God along with nearly 200 brethren! Congratulations to you all for standing up for God's Truth!
Another long-time minister in God's Work, Mr. Charles Bryce, currently pastoring in Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, has also come with the Global Church. Mr. and Mrs. Bryce have served for about 30 years in the ministry—17 of those years were in Canada.
Mr. Bryce was a Canadian area coordinator supervising many ministers for 11 years. We thank God for such news! Why? Because when men of vision and understanding decide to assist us in doing God's Work, they will build the brethren "till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph 4:13).
Also; Mr. Randy Kobernat and his wife have chosen to join the servant leadership ranks of the Global Church of God s ministry. Mr. Kobernat has served churches all over the United States for 25 years. Currently, he is pastoring in Tallahassee, Florida.
So we are very grateful for what Christ is doing in His Work. I just ask all of you to pray, especially at this time, that God would grant us even greater television coverage across the United States! We've had this wonderful start in Canada, but so far our coverage in the U.S. is tiny. Please pray fervently that God will open up WGN or one of the other big cable TV networks for The World Ahead program. Jesus Christ says to us, "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name" (Rev. 3:8). Your prayers are really needed!
Recently, a number of Sabbath-keeping Church of God groups have been organized, to a greater or lesser extent, by brethren fed up with Pasadena's apostasy. Thousands of these brethren are questioning, searching and looking at what to do next. What makes the Global Church of God special or distinctive among the various off shoots of the Churches of God?
First of all, it is NOT Global's policy to attack other Churches of God nor the personalities involved in another church’s leadership. Many of these people are very sincere, and we have friends and loved ones among these brethren. "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ" (Rom. 14:10).
Yet, each one of us will also stand before God as profitable or unprofitable servants on the basis of what we have done to further God's Work in upholding the full Truth. "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He will reward each according to his works" (Matt. 16:27). Your Christian works are important!
I'm sure that the Living Jesus Christ is well pleased that so many of you brethren prayed for the understanding, the faith and the courage to stand up for God's TRUTH when you did. It took courage. You had to research and really be sure what you believed. You certainly were not just "following the crowd"; otherwise you would have stayed at our former affiliation. So God will honor you for that. And He will also honor you greatly if you zealously desire to get involved in doing His Work.
Again, among the Churches of God, what distinguishes the Global Church of God?
1. As Herbert W. Armstrong believed, we believe and teach the FULL Truth of the Bible! Incorporated in our Constitution and By-Laws is a statement saying "all" major doctrines are those which existed in the Worldwide Church of God at the death of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong on January 16, 1986. We intend to follow those basic fundamentals and have already set up a Council of Elders as a safeguard to protect them.
We intend to have a biblical basis for everything. Therefore, we will not be ambiguous in explaining the nature of God and His Holy Spirit. God is a Family (Eph. 3:15). We are the sons of God, having received His very Spirit (Rom. 8:14-17). We will NOT teach or propound any form of the Trinity! The Global Church of God's beliefs on this subject are available for all to read. Request your copy of our informative brochure, The God You Can Know
Regarding "born again," divine healing, the Kingdom of God and Christ's temptation, we continue to teach the Truth on these subjects according to the Scriptures, just as Mr. Armstrong did.
We believe that abortion is fundamentally WRONG. Although we will not condemn or disfellowship individual members seeking medical attention in cases of forcible rape or other unusual circumstances, we feel that once a baby starts forming in a mother's body it is, in fact, a human being. A human being must NOT be murdered (Ex. 20:13). We have already gone on record on. this subject (The World Ahead, April 1995, p. 24) and we will continue a thorough discussion of abortion and other similar topics in future literature.
In like manner, we follow the clear biblical teaching on homosexuality and other "vile passions " The Apostle Paul was inspired by God to write these verses: "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due" (Rom. 1:26-27). Also see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 where the Apostle Paul states that neither "homosexuals, nor sodomites" will inherit the Kingdom of God. We will certainly work with, and try to help and serve, repentant people in these categories. We want to help and pray for all those who wish to come out of this sin as well as any other sin. But we do not countenance the idea that you are "born" to stay that way or to practice that kind of sin and still call yourself a Christian. God hates sin, but He loves sinners.
Additionally, brethren, we believe that "Joseph has been found,” imparting an understanding to Americans, British-descended peoples and other related peoples of Northwest European origin, as to their true ancestry and their covenant responsibilities that this implies (Deut. 28; Lev. 26). Again, we are on record in many of our publications that we do indeed teach this. This ancestral understanding gives the Global Church of God a vital key in preaching and proclaiming the powerful end-time prophecies (Ezek. 33:2) and prophetic warnings recorded in the Bible which we are commanded to give all humanity (Matt. 24)!
2. We believe and practice God's form of church government! From Genesis to Revelation, it should be very clear that God always chose His servants through appointment, miracles or unusual fruits that made their appointment by God clear indeed (Num. 17:5; 1 Sam. 2:28; John 6:70; Acts 9:15).
There is NOT ONE positive example of the modem sense or practice of voting or democracy in the Bible when it came to choosing godly leaders. This is not to say there was no feedback or voluntary concurrence between the people of God and their leaders. "Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, `Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD said to you, “You shall shepherd My people Israel [cf. 1 Sam. 16:1-13], and be ruler over Israel." Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel'” (2 Sam. 5:1-3).
A similar sort of appropriate feedback between God's leaders and His people is recorded in the New Testament, yet it is not voting in the modern sense: "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business" (Acts 6:3).
In the New Testament certainly—especially in Acts 15—we find a great deal of open discussion, hearty counsel, brotherly input among the elders, but no voting! There is not a single solitary example in the Old or New Testaments of ANY minister of God ever being either installed or removed by voting! Rather, we see the Apostle Paul setting the qualifications for Timothy or Titus to help them in choosing the leaders of God's people ( 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1:5-9). Paul's point of view on leadership in the Church was: "And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings; helps, administrations, varieties of tongues" (1 Cor. 12:28).
Brethren, we must be careful not to copy the ways of the world around us. As the children of God, we are called to have faith in our heavenly Father to provide faithful, godly leaders. If you read the classic story of a people's leadership crisis in 1 Samuel 8:1-22, you will see a great lesson. The problem was not merely in the people wanting to get rid of Samuel's dishonest sons—or of Samuel himself. It was the fact that they were rejecting the basic structure of government which God had been using down through time! "And the LORD said to Samuel, `Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected ME, that I should not reign over them'” (1 Sam. 8:7).
The Global Church of God follows the basic form of government that God's servants always followed and which WILL be followed when Christ returns to earth in a few years! It will be to the Church's and our individual benefit to practice this form of government now to prepare us to be in that government in the World Ahead!
Certainly, trusting God to guide His Church does require a degree of FAITH. However, Jesus Christ also said that we are to observe and evaluate our leaders to see if they are indeed approved by God: "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matt. 7:16-21 ).
Some have felt disillusioned because of recent events. Perhaps they failed to realize that Christ had already made it clear what to do through His servant, Herbert Armstrong, who explained repeatedly how he had to leave the "Sardis" Church when basic truths were no longer permitted to be taught. We follow a form of government which could be likened to a constitutional monarchy in the Global Church of God. It is hierarchical. Christ is the Head of the Church and soon coming King. Our constitution, the covenant between God's leaders and His people is the Holy Bible. The shepherds and God's flock have the duty to live according to the Scriptures. All alike are subject to this discipline if they wish to remain part of the people of God.
As I explained in the last issue of the Global Church News, we have established a Council of Elders with real authority to block any wrong changes in doctrine or misuse of authority among the leaders of the Church. If you haven't done so, read that issue carefully. And let it be known, again, that we do have an open and receptive atmosphere, and intend to get multitude of counsel to conduct God's Work in this Church. But in order to get a job done, we deeply feel that the biblical teaching is contrary to this society's democracy with its politicking and voting. It will not work effectively to do the Work of God. Democracy leads to politics and politics requires compromise. Should the Church of God compromise the Truth?
If you would like to know what Mr. Herbert Armstrong's perspective on voting within the Church of God was, I recommend you read his article, "Shall We All Leave the Church of God and Join `The Church of People,'” published in the Good News of September 1980. Clearly, Mr. Armstrong was against it. Of course, it is God's opinion which is authoritative. Mr. Armstrong understood this and, accordingly, he based his views on the Scriptures.
I'm sure that most of us feel that God used Mr. Armstrong more than any man in modern times to do His true Work. He used him in His ministry for about 55 years. So I hope—with that in mind—that you will thoughtfully and prayerfully consider Mr. Armstrong's conclusion. Again, brethren, the Global Church of God intends to follow the consistent pattern revealed in the Bible in our approach to church government.
3. We believe in doing the Work that God's true Church is commanded to do! We are commanded to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the WHOLE WORLD. So we devote MAJOR time and resources to doing this! We remember Mr. Herbert Armstrong's instruction and warning about how, when people get their minds off doing the Work and get involved in local church buildings and activities, they invariably get their mind off the BIG PICTURE—and off of doing God's Work as Christ intended.
We also believe in "feeding the flock" with the whole counsel of God (John 21:15-17; Acts 20:27). Global has devoted a large portion of its budget to feeding the flock. Global's ministry practices servant leadership to uplift, edify and help the brethren. All Global ministers are instructed in godly leadership practices and are held accountable to practice them: giving, helping and serving the brethren!
Global makes it a priority to encourage and strengthen our young people in every possible way. This year the Church is helping to sponsor two separate summer camps. Most of you have read in the GCN about these camps in the mountains of Wyoming and at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. Your prayers and support to make these camps a success will be greatly appreciated.
Also, as time and resources make it possible, we will have special information and seminars to help strengthen the marriages of our people. And we will do everything else we can to help and serve one another as Christians. And; we will join together to give the TRUTH of Almighty God to this entire world while there is time!
That's it! That's the BIG PIGTURE!
With so many changes in the situation occurring almost every week—I felt that a review of our distinctive positions and "reason for being" would be helpful. If any of your friends ask about the Global Church of God, or wonder how we are "different," please show them this letter, or write us and we can send you reprints of it.
Thanks again for your love and support as we carry on the Work of the Living Christ. Please pray fervently that God will bless and empower His Work. And please pray for me, personally, brethren. There is so much to be done, so much energy and time required. But we will do our best, and with your prayers we know that God will be with us, and we shall succeed in being used as instruments to help prepare the way for the return of the King of kings!
Detractors often accuse the members of the Global Church of God of being "legalists.” This, of course, is intended as a big put down—a way of frightening people away from our Church and the Work Jesus Christ is doing through us. WHY are we called this?
Probably people want to imply that we are too strict in teaching and adhering to God's law—especially the letter of the law. We should all examine ourselves carefully to see if we really are being too harsh in some matter when a bit of mercy would be more appropriate during some problem. Certainly in decades past many of God's people—including ministers—were probably too strict in emphasizing the "letter of the law" approach. We all—including ministers—need to REPENT of that.
Nevertheless, a Christian's key consideration on any matter ought to be: What does GOD think? What does GOD want? That is the issue. Certainly God wants us to be far more concerned with His great spiritual LAW—the Ten Commandments—than most people, even most professing Christians, have ever imagined. Jesus Christ said, "If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matt. 19:17).
We know that Jesus also said, "Do not suppose that, if I have appeared, that was with the intention of abolishing the teaching of the law and the prophets. I have made my appearance not to abolish it, but to give full expression to it.... And so, whoever seeks to do away with one of the law's commandments, even though it may be counted among those of the least significance, and teaches others to do the same, that person will be of least significance in the kingdom of heaven. But he who keeps the commandments, and teaches them, will be esteemed to stand high in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:17, 19 Cassirer translation).
In the rest of this passage Jesus went on to magnify the law of God—describing how we are to keep it in its spiritual intent as well as its letter.
Genuine, dedicated Christians are to be obedient to the letter and the spirit of God's law. In fact, in the last book of the Bible, God tells us, "Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:12).
We must try to follow Jesus' example and teaching to be good and merciful to ALL men—like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). We must remember that the Ten Commandments are truly the "law of LIBERTY" (James 2:12). So be careful NOT to impose a lot of "additions" to God's law, such as imposing exact standards of hair styles, skirt lengths, no make-up, etc., on our young people. Use this approach to such personal matters as LONG AS the behavior does not truly violate the spirit of the or cause offense to others.
We should teach our families a healthful way of life based on eating clean, wholesome, natural foods and getting enough sleep and exercise. We should NOT judge other people if they are a little careless in these matters or if they have an extra cup of coffee, put white sugar in their tea, etc. Otherwise, you are definitely acting in a picky AND legalistic fashion!
Be careful to follow Jesus' inspired instructions and err on the side of MERCY when there is a doubt about such a personal matter. We should remind ourselves: "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, `Do not commit adultery,' also said, `Do not murder.' Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.
For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:10-13).
These are lessons all of us have at least partly learned—or should have learned—if we have been in God's Church over the past 20, 30 or 40 years. We do learn by suffering, and age should mellow us all. If we can look back with reasonable objectivity at our own mistakes—and the mistakes of others whom we love and admire—it should make us deeply realize how weak we all are. Indeed, all of us should realize how much mercy and forgiveness we al1 need and so how patient, merciful and forgiving we should be toward one another. This is truly one of the BIG lessons of life—and of true Christianity.
If we can avoid the extremes, then those who us for being legalists will someday be forced to acknowledge that the entire New Covenant is based squarely on God's law, "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put MY LAWS in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people" (Heb. 8:10). .
Our detractors will someday read and understand these inspired words to God's faithful people: "Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law: do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults" (Is. 51:7).
Perhaps, after heartfelt repentance, some of these same people will end up working directly under King David in the World Ahead. Perhaps he will assign them to read his inspired words, "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day" (Ps. 119:97).
So let's try to understand both sides of this argument. Let's get our BALANCE and try with all our hearts to imitate Jesus Christ and His approach to the magnificent law of God.
by John H. Ogwyn
Many people are very confused about the Holy Spirit. They not only don't understand what it is; they have no idea what it is supposed to do in their lives or why they need it. What about you? Do you really understand the answer to these questions?
We live in a world of fear and anxiety. Man is increasingly being forced to come to grips with the limits of his technology. All of our vaunted advances in education and the dissemination of information have not made this world a safer place. What's a person to do in a hostile, crazy world?
What changes can the Holy Spirit make in your thoughts and actions? Is there something that you must do for these changes to take place, or does the Spirit just sort of "take over" a Christian's life? Let's look carefully at the role the Holy Spirit should be playing in our lives and at the changes that should be taking place.
In the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit is presented to us as a GIFT from God. Yet, it is clearly a gift that has strings attached to it. The Apostle Peter in his Pentecost sermon said, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). Two things are clear in Peter's statement. First, the Holy Spirit is a gift from God. You can't earn it. Second, in order to receive the gift, we must repent of sin. Real repentance involves a change of direction in our lives. It means far more than simple remorse or regret for the past. Rather, the very word itself implies a turning away from the past, a changing of the mind.
There are various comparisons drawn to the Holy Spirit in the Bible to help us understand it more clearly. Primarily, the Spirit is compared to wind. After all, the Greek word for spirit, pneuma, means wind or breath. Another common analogy is flowing water (cf. John 7:38-39). Just as air and water are necessary life-giving forces, so the Holy Spirit is the source of eternal life for Christians (Rom. 8:11). Also, just as air and water both flow and have power to affect and change that which they act on, so also does the Holy Spirit. There are, however, additional analogies that the Scriptures use. One of these analogies is that of fire.
Most of us have had some experience with a wood fire, whether with a fireplace in our home, a campfire, or perhaps memories of the old wood heaters of our childhood. The Apostle Paul drew on the common knowledge of people in his day about wood fires when he explained to Timothy: "Stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands" (2 Tim. 1:6).
One important. characteristic of a wood fire is that it must be stirred from time to time. Otherwise an ash layer forms, the flame dies down, and the heat given off diminishes. A fire that was burning well at bedtime often appears to be completely out the next morning, having suffered from hours of neglect. However, by stirring the coals until the ash layer is knocked off and oxygen can reach those last sparks in the coals, it is often possible to reignite a blazing fire. Paul was reminding Timothy that God's Holy Spirit is not a gift to be neglected or ignored. It must be stirred up regularly if it is to function as it ought. If it is neglected long enough, it is even possible to eventually lose that precious gift (Ps. 51:11).
The Holy Spirit, which we receive through the laying on of hands following baptism (Acts 8:17), is intended to change our lives. The Spirit is the means by which God accomplishes His Work in us as well as through us: "And indeed, it is God Himself who is at work within you, as regards both will and deed, in pursuit of His gracious design" (Phil. 2:13 Cassirer translation).
"And indeed, the spirit which God has bestowed upon us is not one that makes us shrink back in fear," Paul told Timothy (2 Tim. 1:7 Cassirer). Fears and anxieties control the lives of many people. Let's face it, the world in which we live can be a pretty frightening place. Sometimes people become immobilized by their fears. They are so fearful of doing the wrong thing that they are unable to come to a conclusion, and often wind up doing nothing. Of course, that in itself, is generally the wrong thing. Other times, however, people become panicked by their fears and make irrational decisions. Such unbalanced decisions can have far-reaching, devastating consequences.
When the Bible speaks of having the fear of God, it is talking about an entirely different kind of "fear." This "fear" refers to the awe and reverence we are to have for the Great Creator and His power. The Greek word translated "fear" in 2 Timothy 1:7. deilias, is never used to refer to the fear of God. It is only used to refer to the kind of fear which results from a lack of faith. It is the term used when the Bible talks about the fearfulness of the disciples during the storm when Christ came walking on the water. It is also used when reference is made to the panic-stricken reaction of the disciples at the time of Christ's arrest.
This cowardice and timidity that either panics or paralyzes a person is the opposite of faith. Paul reminded Timothy that this sort of fear is NOT the result of God's Spirit. Moses through faith "forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king..." (Heb. 11:27). He had the kind of confidence in God and His promises that enabled him to withstand every attempt to intimidate or dissuade him from the proper course of action. The Holy Spirit of God transforms fearful human beings into men and women of faith and courage.
Look at what happened to Peter. On the evening of the Passover he was so overwhelmed by fear that he cursed and swore and denied that he even knew Jesus of Nazareth (Matt. 26:73-74). Just over seven weeks later he stood in the temple and boldly proclaimed the Gospel. And in Acts 4 we read of the absolute confidence with which Peter faced the Jewish religious establishment's threats and intimidation after he and the others "spoke the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31). While human courage has its limits, the boldness that results from God's Spirit has no bounds!
Paul wrote Timothy that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Power. The Greek word for power is dynameos, the root from which we derive our English words dynamic, dynamo, and even dynamite. It means dynamic power and ability, and is often used to refer to miracles.
The Holy Spirit is God's outflowing power (Luke 1:35). It is the means by which He created and brought into existence the very universe (Ps. 104:30). It is the power by which He works in the minds of human beings made in His image (Gen. 6:3). It is the power by which the lame miraculously walked, the blind saw, the deaf heard, and the dead were raised during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ (Luke 5:15-17).
This same power is available to you and me! Christ told the disciples "However, power shall be yours at the time when the Holy Spirit will descend upon you..." (Acts 1:8 Cassirer). Having that power, nevertheless, doesn't mean that we are immune to human fears and discouragements. Paul explained, "Such a treasure [the Holy Spirit] is indeed ours, but it is carried by us in what are but vessels of clay to show that the power exceeding all else is God's and does not belong to ourselves" (2; Cor. 4:7 Cassirer). The apostle goes on to explain, "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet [we are] not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair" (v. 8). Humanly we are still ourselves, with our weaknesses and fears, but we are now "plugged in" to the power source of the universe.
God's power is still available to work miracles, just as it was over 1900 years ago. As a minister of a dynamic, living God, I have literally seen miracles take place under my hands numerous times. I have gone to the home of distraught parents in the middle of the night to anoint and pray for a weakened, fever-racked child. I have seen that little child sit up at the conclusion of the prayer, totally devoid of fever; reach over and begin playing with toys as if nothing had ever been wrong. I have seen the red line of blood poisoning, already extended above the elbow, simply diminish and disappear within minutes after the prayer of faith had been prayed. Those, and thousands of other similar incidents experienced by many of God's people down through time, are evidence of the dynamic, miracle-working power that is the Holy Spirit.
The power of God through the Holy Spirit not only works miracles of healing, but it is the power that enables us to overcome our human nature and become like God. However, this miracle requires our active participation—our willing cooperation with God. Notice how Paul explained it in Colossians 1:27-29.
In verse 27 he explains that having Jesus Christ living His life in us is our hope of glory. In verse 28 he expresses his desire to present those he was ministering to as "perfect," or brought to spiritual completion, in Christ. How is this done? In verse 29 Paul writes, "It is with this end in view that I toil and struggle, in reliance on the very energy of Christ which is powerfully at work within me" (Cassirer). We must strive in accordance with what God is doing in us through His power.
The fundamental characteristic of God is love ( 1 John 4:8). The Holy Spirit is the means by which we actually begin to partake of God's very nature (2 Pet. 1:4). Paul explained in Romans 5:5 that God's love enters into our hearts and minds through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the means by which our "normal" nature and attitude undergoes a transformation. It tunes us into God's "wavelength" and we become receptive to Him. When we "tune in" God we are enabled to begin "tuning out" Satan, who is described as "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2).
The love that flows out from God, in and through us, is not simply an emotion or a good feeling! The Apostle John explained how God's love will manifest itself in the lives of true Christians. "But whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected [brought to completion] in him" (1 John 2:5). God's Word tells us how to show real love, both to God and to our neighbor. If we carefully follow God's Word in its full intent, then genuine godly love will manifest itself in our actions and attitudes.
John explained in 1. John 5:2 that if we really love God and keep His commandments, we will love one another. What does it mean to really love God? Is it a nebulous sentimental feeling we get when we think of "sweet Jesus"? Notice the definition John gives in verse 3: "And indeed, this is what loving God consists in, that we should keep his commandments. Now these commandments are not difficult to fulfill…” (Cassirer).
Most professing Christians think that love and law are opposites. They couldn't be more wrong. Rather, Paul said, "The purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart…” (1 Tim. 1:5). The law defines sin ( 1 John 3:4) and therefore provides guidelines to teach us how to show love. God's law is the channel through which His Spirit flows.
"You can go crazy reading the Bible!" some have been told. The common idea in the world is that a little religion is fine, but those who seek to live their lives by every word of God are a little bit odd, or maybe even "kooky.” What about it? Is God's Spirit going to manifest itself in the emotional excesses of the "holy laugh" currently being evidenced in some Protestant circles. Will it result in people becoming mind-numbed "zombies" as evidenced in the criticism directed against various cults?
Paul explained to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7 that the Holy Spirit is a source of soundmindedness. What exactly is soundmindedness? The meaning of the original Greek word that Paul used, sophronismou, is "to be wise and sensible.” It is rendered into English by such terms as "sober," "self-controlled" and "discreet.” It is the term that Luke uses in Luke 8:35 when he describes a formerly possessed man sitting clothed and in his "right mind" after Christ had cast the demons out.
God's Spirit never leads a person to be out of control: "God is the author of peace, not of disorder. All the assemblies of those consecrated to God give proof of it" (1 Cor. 14:33 Cassirer). One in whom the Holy Spirit is manifested will become more balanced and sound in his thinking. God reveals principles of conduct throughout the Bible dealing with everything from family relations to business and financial management. One who is seeking to live by every word of God will, through effort and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, become increasingly able to apply these principles of sound judgment.
The bitterness and envy that dominate the minds of many people in today's world leads away from soundmindedness. It is totally contrary to Godly wisdom (cf. James 3:14-15). An honest and forgiving heart is the kind of place where God's Spirit thrives. That is the kind of soundminded approach to life that leads to real peace.
Today's world is crazy-making. Violence and lust permeate much of what passes for entertainment, whether in music or at the movies. What we feed our minds is extremely important! People who would never dream of willfully ingesting unclean meat into their stomachs sometimes fill their minds with spiritual uncleanness by the hour. That doesn't promote sound, balanced, wholesome thinking. The Apostle Paul stresses in Philippians 4:8 that we should fill our minds with what is true, lovely, pure, and honorable. These things bring out the best in us. Whether it is in music, literature, painting, sculpture or drama, the arts have a profound effect on our emotions, moods and thoughts that we should never underestimate.
As our minds are directed to thinking about the meaning of the Day of Pentecost, we usually think about the Holy Spirit, which was just poured out on Pentecost, 31 A.D. God offers us His Spirit for a purpose. It is the means by which we come to share in God's power, His attitude and His thinking. However, we must be ever mindful to "stir up" that gift which is in us through the laying on of hands. That stirring is accomplished through regularly studying and meditating on God's Word and through prayer. It is aided by our fasting and going to God humbled and deeply aware of our utter lack of self-sufficiency. It is furthered as we seek to put God's Word into our lives by taking it seriously and trying to make changes in all areas of our lives, big and small.
The Greek word for zeal in the New Testament comes from the verb zeo which literally means "to boil.” To lack zeal means that the fire is going out. It is to be, at best, lukewarm. Our society is geared to promoting lukewarmness, the overriding characteristic of the last stage of the Church of God. As we come ever closer to the climax at the close of this age, we must be deeply mindful of the need that all of us have to continually "stir up the gift of God which is in you…” (2 Tim. 1:6).
by Jonathan. McNair
“Let's focus on doing the Work." "We must put our hearts into doing the Work.” I'm sure that you've heard statements like this many, many times. I have. Through the years, as I grew up in God's Church, I heard the words "the Work" hundreds of times. I' m sure you have too.
But is this just "church-speak"? Have we just made up this phrase to make ourselves feel important? Or does God have a literal "Work" going on ? And more importantly, does our Work fit into a bigger picture of God's Work through the ages?
Genesis 2:1-2 gives us an account of "the Work" that was going on at the beginning. "Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.”
After God performed the work of creation, He presented mankind the opportunity to "have dominion over the works of... [His] hands" (Ps. 8:6). What majestic works they are! This past year was the twenty-fifth anniversary of the first human to step onto the moon. When the astronauts transmitted the first photographs of our blue-green earth hanging in the absolute emptiness of space, millions of people watched in wonder.
So "the Work" that was going on at the beginning was not a work of preaching the Gospel to the world. God's focus, His "Work," was to prepare the earth for the human family. He was involved in preparing the environment of the earth.
In the fifteenth century B.C., God was still at work. But this time, His Work wasn't creating plants and animals. He was establishing a nation. And He was doing it in an extraordinary way.
Exodus 14 relates one chapter in the, story of Israel's miraculous start as a nation. This is the story of the crossing of the Red Sea. The last two verses summarize the experience this way: "So the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Thus Israel saw the great WORK which the LORD had done in Egypt.”
The Work in those days was different from the Work today. But it was a powerful Work. And just like today's Work, it was the most important thing to God on the earth at that time. And the people were excited about it.
When the task at hand changed from crossing the Red Sea to building the Tabernacle to shelter the Ark of the CovenantGod's mercy seat where His divine presence rested among the Israelitesthe people were thrilled to have an opportunity to participate. "And they [Bezaleel and Aholiab, the artisans crafting the tabernacle] received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of making the sanctuary. So they continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. Then all the craftsmen who were doing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work he was doing, and they spoke to Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the WORK which the LORD commanded us to do.' So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.' And the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be doneindeed too much" (Ex. 36:3-7).
What an example of exuberance to do the Work! "Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the LORD which He had done for Israel" (Josh. 24:31 ). Unfortunately, their zeal didn't last.
There was something else that God was accomplishing with Israel. If we step back and take a look at Israel's part in the landscape of history, we see that behind all of this was an even more important Work, the Work of providing a model nation. "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people... And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Ex. 19:5-6). And what would make them special? God's laws and His ways. "Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, `Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people'” (Deut. 4:6).
Through the years, they succeeded in keeping God's laws to a greater or lesser degree, depending upon the leadership at the time. But don't misunderstand what I mean by "model nation.” I don't mean a perfect example of a nation. No, Israel was far from perfect. But Israel provided a model to show us God's laws. God was teaching a whole nation His laws, laying out His system of righteous government in a codified form. Before this time, we get glimpses of God's law but not the detailed explanation that was given to the people of Israel. But through the model of Israel, we can see the results of obedience and disobedience to His law.
Once the people lost the leaders who had the vision of what the Work of God was all about at that time in history, their momentum slowed until “everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). They lost sight of the mission, the crusade, that WORK of God.
It was not until the time of Samuel and David that the Work began to be revived. First Chronicles 11-15 tells the story of David's part in establishing the Kingdom of Israel, establishing his capital at Jerusalem, and bringing the Ark of the Covenant there. The Work at that time was twofold. First, it was to restore order to God's chosen nation. Second, it was to develop the Kingdom of Israel into the example it was supposed to be.
God powerfully used David to this end. Why? Because David was a man with vision. And he had a desire to wholeheartedly please Godand to do His Work. God intended to restore His law and His way to Israel, and He saw in David qualities of one who would do His Work. David was a willing tool in God's hands, accomplishing His Work.
As we travel forward through time, the vision of being part of the Work of God dimmed. Later kings tried to recapture it. Josiah's was a good example in 2 Kings 23. But the Work of God shifted from blessing Israel, to punishing her for her sins. At the same time, God's Work also included the preservation of His Word through the scribes.
In John 4:34, Christ plainly said that He had a job to doa Work to accomplish. He said, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to finish His work.” In John 5:17, even though they were trying to kill Him, He wasn't intimidated. He said, "I'm doing work! Just as my Father does.”
And there was no doubt that Christ had the power to see that His particular part in the Work of God at that time would be done. But the part that other people could play in that work was limited by their faith and desire to be involved.
Mark tells us that when Christ went into His own country, "He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them" (Mark 6:5). Why? Well, the next verse tells us that it was because of unbelief. If more sick people had reflected faith in Christ, they could have been participants in Christ's Work of healing the sick. So faith is an important component in doing the Work. God is quite capable of doing His Work. But our part in it is determined by our faith.
In Matthew 10, Christ called his twelve disciples, and outlined the Work that was in front of them. He said, "Preach, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons" (Matt. 10:7-8).
The last words that we have recorded by Matthew are Christ's words repeating their job, their responsibilitythe Work He had for them to do.
Here's what He told them: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19-20).
Did you ever notice that Christ mentioned that His Work should be carried on until "the end of the age"? He obviously was not implying that they, His disciples, were going to live for hundreds or thousands of years. No, He was saying this for our benefit. So we could read this and be encouraged. We are not alone in doing His Work. Christ will empower us with His Holy Spirit to accomplish the task.
Is Christ doing a Work today? Of course! It's the same Work that He commissioned His disciples to do. But perhaps you are wondering what is your part in God's Work. What should you be focusing on?
l. We al1 should be ready to give an answer (1 Pet. 3:15).
2. We all should BE the right kind of person to encourage other people, within the Church, as well as outsiders (Heb. 6:9-12). Our own personal opinions and selfishness can tear down the Work if we are not vigilant! In Romans 14, Paul addressed this danger: "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for food…” (Rom 14:19-20). Paul taught the brethren not to antagonize each other and debate each other over the subject of vegetarianisma side issue which was of significantly less importance for a Christian. We should focus on the BIG picture.
3. We are all required to shoulder our part in supporting the Work financially. In Philippians 4:10-20, Paul thanked the people for remembering his needs. In Paul's day, supporting the Work financially meant helping Paul, Peter, Barnabas or one of the other ministers, with their basic needs. Today, the rapid advances in travel and communications mean greater opportunities for preaching the Gospel. But using the mass media requires financial backing. Supporting the Work does mean that we will have less money to give to other charities or worthy causes. But, then there is no greater cause than the Work of God!
What about local church buildings? Should our tithes and offerings stay in our community to build a local church building or support other projects? Many years ago, Mr. Armstrong set the policy of NOT constructing local church buildings, in order to focus as much of the finances as possible on preaching the Gospel. That decision was crucial to the success that God gave us for many years. We are not a social club or a charity group. We are part of a great crusade!
4. We all need to pray for the Work. There are many aspects of the Work to pray for. Paul expressed his desire for his brethren to pray for him, the apostle or missionary to the Gentiles (1 Thess. 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1; Heb. 13:18). Mr. Meredith regularly encourages us to pray for different aspects of the Work and, especially, for God's overall guidance.
5. Any work needs workers. We all need to financially support those men and women laboring full-time in God's service. Volunteers can do a lot, but it is not possible for them to do everything. Many functions of the Church would be neglected or only get half-done without people to plug away day in and day out at resolving problems and getting a variety of tasks done.
Today, we occasionally hear of scandals involving people claiming to be servants of God. And I doubt if any minister has a perfect record of conduct. Perhaps you've lost respect for your "favorite minister," or the minister who gave "the most powerful sermons ever," as you watched him crumble under the pressure to teach false doctrine. But while some collapsed when put to the test, others have exercised faith and courage and boldly preached the Truth. Global Church of God ministers may not be perfect, but they have affirmed their commitment to God to teach those truths which God restored to the Church through Mr. Herbert Armstrong.
Global's ministers are taught to practice "servant leadership," faithfully serving God and their brethren in Christ. If we as a body of faithful believers are going to do the Work which God wants done on a Global scale, then we need to support our local, faithful shepherds and the ministry as a whole.
What would the Apostle Paul have to say about those who want to do their own thing? "For this is how things stand. Demas has deserted me, having become a man in love with this present world, and has gone off to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is by my side" (2 Tim. 4:10-11 Cassirer Trans.). Would you, too, abandon the Work of God in your time?
Our minds are on the Work TODAY. You may have never thought of what God's Work was in the past. And perhaps you never thought about what God's Work will be in the future. After Christ's return, there will be a different Work. It won't be preaching the Gospel of Christ's return. He will have already returned. Isaiah introduces the next stage of the Work of God (Is. 10,61 ). The prophet paints a picture of the leaders of that Work bringing a remnant of physical Israel back to their homeland, restoring prosperity to the earth, and rebuilding the old places. And he speaks of God directing their Work in truth.
In Revelation 22:12 (KJV), John was told that work assignments will again be handed out: "I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” God wants to share with us everything, including His Work just like a father and a mother who properly teach their children, or an employer who is training and giving hands-on time to an employee.
If we aren't willing to throw ourselves wholeheartedly into the Work, God will find someone else. Christ warned those who thought they had it made, "And do not think to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these STONES" (Matt. 3:9)!
Have we lost sight of the WORK that God has done during the last 60 years? God raised up a leader for His people, and He led him into radio and TV broadcasting. He called people to join in the Work throughout America, then the world! God did great works. for us. He provided the finances to keep the Work going through rough times, and added to the flock and ministry. He provided a college which trained ministers and educated many in the Church to serve all over the world. God provided opportunities for His Work to be represented to world leaders. And God inspired a beautiful building to be constructed to serve the Church.
God did great works through Mr. Armstrong and those people God called. Unfortunately for some, the organization began to take precedence over the vision. Those people forgot the purpose of what THE WORK is all about todaypreaching and teaching the Gospel of the coming Kingdom of God.
Matthew 24:14 shows us that before Christ returns, there is to be a Work performing the most important activity in the world. That activity involves giving a warning message and a message of hope to the world. This is the most important thing happening on earth today!
Don't allow your focus on God's Work to become dulled! Read the Bible! God has always had a particular "Work" going on at any given time. That Work was the part of His plan that was developing at that point in time. When we see God's Work through the ages, it helps us to appreciate more deeply the opportunity we have to be part of the Work He's doing TODAY!
by Rod McNair
Is your church God's Church? Can you prove it? Hundreds of widely differing "Christian" denominations exist in the world today. Why there is more homogeneity at Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors ice cream stores than in today's religion scene. Can you sort out the devilish chocolate from the divine vanilla? Yet, everyone assumes that his or her church must be "God's Church " Religious confusion abounds today.
Anciently, mass religious confusion also reigned in the days of the Prophet Elijah. Most of the priests of the land had already "fallen away" and were teaching the religion of the pagan god Baal. True servants of God like Elijah, who taught against Baal, were continually in conflict with the secular and religious authorities of their time. The religious apostasy was so great that Elijah thought he was the only true servant of God left in the nation (1 Kings 18:22).
A heated conflict arose concerning who was really "on God's side," who was teaching the true doctrines of God, and who had the authority of God to back them up. The conflict grew until it erupted in a showdown on Mount Carmel that pitted four hundred and fifty prophets of the false religion of Baal against Elijah, alone, a true servant of God.
Elijah decided to publicly challenge his nation's purveyors of ,popular religion to a spiritual showdown: "Now therefore send, and gather me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred... And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let Him be God" (1 Kings 18:19, 24 KJV).
In essence, Elijah also challenged the people to really see where God was working. He challenged the people to prove whether their religion was the religion taught by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, or a false, ineffectual, foreign god pawned off on them by deceit and subtlety.
For many sincere people today it's hard to know who is teaching "the Truth." Most churches profess to be teaching the Truth. Most religions teach their members to be kind, to be nice neighbors, to be helpful and thoughtful. But is this just a "form of godliness," or is it true godliness, as outlined by the God of the Bible? Do you know?
The story of Elijah's famous showdown helps us to identify God's true servants and God's Church!
King Ahab, the king of Israel, blamed the curses plaguing Israel on Elijah! "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" (1 Kings 18:17 KJV). What a paradox! Elijah was ridiculed for having the courage to say that Israel's national problems were caused by their rejection of God.
Jesus taught that those who really followed Him faithfully would not be accepted by the worldin fact, obeying Him would cause great conflict! “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father... And a man's foes shall be they of his own household" (Matt. 10:34-36 KJV). Peter warned us not to think it strange when suffering for doing good. "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled" (1 Pet. 3:14 KJV). "Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings.... If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth up on you" (1 Pet. 4:13-14). God's true servants are those willing to fight for God's Word; they are rejected by the world but rewarded by God.
Elijah put the blame for national troubles where it should beback on the leadership. He said, "I have not troubled Israel; but thou [King Ahab], and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim" (1 Kings 18:18 KJV).
The true servants of God teach that the commandments of God are to be obeyed. Does your church teach that? Do you even know what your church teaches? Have you looked in your Bible to compare what your church teaches with the Scriptures?
Does your church teach that we are commanded to keep the Sabbath day, or does it teach that it doesn't really matter which day we worship God? Does your church teach that we are commanded to worship the true God, as revealed in the Bible, or to worship the unscriptural Triune Godhead of traditional Christianity? Does your church teach that Jesus Christ came not to weaken the law, but to strengthen and magnify it?
Many churches teach that commandment-keeping is not required for salvation. What does the Bible say? "If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matt. 19:17). "He that saith, I know Him [God], and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him" (1 John 2:4-5 KJV).
Don't be fooled and deceived by the modern false prophets of Baal! Elijah's test is simple, and every genuine man or woman of God will agree with Elijah. Paul, the apostle who supposedly taught against the commandments, plainly wrote: "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping of the commandments of God is what matters" (1 Cor. 7:19). God's true servants teach obedience to the commandments of God.
The people of Elijah's day were very confused over which "servants of God" to follow. This is a recurring theme from Genesis to Revelation. Who were they to trust? Elijah forced them to make a decision, to commit to one side or the other: "How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him" (1 Kings 18:21 KJV).
God's true servants teach that there are basically only two waysthe way of life and the way of death. The results of these two opposite ways of personal conduct are: blessings of happiness, prosperity and eternal life for obedience; or cursings of pain, misery and death for disobedience. "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live" (Deut. 30:19 KJV).
Jesus Christ said, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt. 6:24 KJV). Paul said; "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23 KJV). The true servants of God teach that there are only two basic lifestylesthe way of life and the way of death. And each person must choose for himself.
The prophets of Baal spent all day trying to get their "god" to send down fire to accept their sacrifice. They "called on the name of Baal" and when they became desperate, they reverted to cutting themselves "with knives and lancets" (1 Kings 18:26-28 KJV)"sympathetic" methods designed to force the gods to answer a plea. It didn't work. "There was neither voice [from heaven], nor any to answer, nor any that regarded" (v. 29 KJV).
After watching these rituals all day, Elijah offered up a short, simple prayer, asking God to renew a relationship with Israel, showing the people that He was the true and only God. "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou has turned their heart back again" (vv. 36-37 KJV).
The results were fantastic! "Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, He is the God: the LORD, He is the God " (w. 38-39 KJV).
In God's Church today, God does not usually send fire from heaven as a sign of His presence! But He does make it very clear where He is working. His Spirit will be with those who keep His commandments and are preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom (Acts 5:32; Matt. 28:19-20).
The results of Elijah's showdown with Baal's prophets were seriousdeadly serious. Every prophet of Baal was executed by Elijah for teaching the people a false religion. Today we're faced with the same choice: God's way which honors God's commandmentsor a false way of traditional Christianity. The results at stake for us? Our eternal salvation! If we choose to resist God we may lose our chance for eternal life! "Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie" (Rev 22:14-15).
Where is God's Church today? Is your church the true Church that Jesus Christ founded? Can you prove it? If not, where can you find the Church that Jesus founded almost 2000 years ago?
God said long ago that His Church would survive, that the gates of hell would not prevail against it (cf. Matt. 16:18). Elijah's famous showdown with the prophets of Baal is a powerful lesson of history which give us some of the identifying marks of God's true servants and His Church!
by Raymond F. McNair
What does the Bible have to say regarding whether or not God will provide a place of refuge in which He will protect His people during the unprecedented time of human suffering called the "Great Tribulation"? It is not a matter of whether God can provide a place of safety for His people; neither is it a matter of whether God can protect His people, individually, wherever they may happen to be throughout the whole earth. The important thing is: What does God's Word reveal about how He chooses to protect His people in times of great danger?
The Great Tribulation is mentioned in three places in the Bible as being the most horrible period of humanity's entire history (Jer. 30:7; Dan. 12:1 and Matt. 24:21). Jesus Christ pointedly discussed the Great Tribulation in the Olivet Prophecy; recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. After foretelling numerous terrible end-time events, Christ warned His disciples to keep their eyes open so they would recognize, in advance, when those catastrophic events were about to strike the world.
"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day [the Great TribulationMatt 24:7-33] come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth" (Luke 21: 34-35)! Notice that the Great Tribulation will come unexpectedly upon the peoples of the entire earthand those who will be caught off guard will include multitudes of careless, lethargic members of God's Church!
Christ admonished, "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS that will come to pass, and to stand [blamelessly] before the Son of Man" (v. 36)!
Some think Christ was mistaken when He told His disciples to watch and pray that they might escape all the terrible things soon to come. They do not really believe Christ's words. But those who do believe Christ's warnings, and who urge God's people to watch and pray always that they might be accounted worthy to escape, are sometimes falsely accused of preaching a "save-your own-skin" gospel.
Those who follow Christ's command are helping to zealously stir up God's people so they will not fall into a lethargic, Laodicean stupor, and be caught napping when the Great Tribulation suddenly, like a gigantic steel trap, springs upon an unsuspecting world!
The past often reveals the future. The Old Testament accounts of Israel's disobedience to God and the many punishments they brought upon themselves are examples for us all to look to in order to learn important lessons (1 Cor. 10:1-11).
On numerous occasions Almighty God sent His judgments upon cities, nations, or even upon the whole world, as in the time of Noah (Gen. 6-8). However, before God destroyed all humanity in the Great Flood, He first sent Noah, "a preacher of righteousness" (2 Pet. 2:5), to warn mankind that Almighty God was about to destroy themif they did not turn away from their evil ways.
But how would a loving God save a righteous man like Noah and his household? First, God commanded Noah to build a huge Ark (Gen. 6). Later, He brought all the animals, birds and the eight persons of Noah's family into the Ark, thereby saving them from impending destruction.
In the case of Noah and his family, God separated them from the rest of the wicked inhabitants of the earth and protected them in the Arkbefore the Great Deluge began. When the torrential rains fell, the great Ark was soon lifted up above the treetops, the high hills and the loftiest mountains (Gen. 7:17-24). Noah and his wife, plus their three sons and their wives, were all saved by being given sanctuary in the Ark, while those who rejected God's warning message of repentance were destroyed.
Sadly, Mankind did not learn the vital lessons God intended to impress upon their minds by the Flood experience. People soon forgot that there is a penalty for evil, plunging headlong once again into wickedness and violence.
Not long after the Great Flood, the moral stench of Sodom and Gomorrah caught God's attention as they grew increasingly corrupt. Finally, a holy God would no longer tolerate them.
However, before God destroyed those exceedingly wicked cities, He sent His angels to warn a righteous man and his family"and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed with the filthy conduct of the wicked" (2 Pet. 2:7). Genesis 19 gives a vivid account of God's deliverance of Lot, his wife (who later looked back and perishedGen. 19:17, 26) and his two daughters from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by an all-consuming fire.
Notice that it was before God burned up Sodom and Gomorrah that He took Lot and his family out of those wicked citiestelling them to quickly flee from Sodom and Gomorrahlest they perish along with the wicked. One of the two angels who helped drag a lingering Lot and his family out of Sodom and Gomorrah told them, "Hurry, escape there [Zoar, a small, distant town]. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there" (Gen. 19:22)!
The LORD did not protect Lot and his family while still living among the wicked people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Neither did God attempt to protect Noah and his family while living among the evildoers at the time of the Great Flood. Rather, in both instances, a merciful Deliverer took the people He planned to save out ofaway fromthe rebellious populations who refused to listen to His divine warning and live according to His will.
During Jesus Christ's three-and-a-half year ministry, He did not just preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14; Acts 10:36-38). The Son of Man also warned His own people, the Jews, that unless they would amend their ways, the Romans would soon come and destroy their beautiful Temple, their fair city of Jerusalem and their nation.
"Now as He drew near, He saw the city [Jerusalem] and wept over it, saying, `If you had known, even you, especially in this your day; the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies [the Romans] will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation" (Luke 19:41-44). Christ gave the Jews of His day numerous other warnings showing that an awful calamity would soon befall their nationunless they turned away from their wickedness.
But it was to His own intimate disciples that Jesus revealed how they could escape from the slaughter and destruction which He foretold would soon befall their people living in Judea, Galilee and throughout much of the Middle East by the hand of the Romans.
Notice the warning signs which Christ gave His disciples as mentioned in Matthew 24. Jesus said there would be wars, rumors of wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes (Matt. 24:6-7). The true Gospel of the Kingdom would be preached globally (v. 14), followed by an abominable desolation of the "holy place" in Jerusalem (v. 15).
"Then let those who are in Judea, flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those with nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be GREAT TRIBULATION, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the ELECT'S sake those days will be shortened" (vv. 16-22).
Jesus admonished His disciples to pray that God would not allow this Great Tribulation to occur at such a time as would cause them greater danger or hardship, such as fleeing in the winter or on God's holy Sabbath, which in a Sabbath-keeping society would draw unwanted attention and make access to transportation difficult.
Notice Luke's account of this same Great Tribulation period: "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled" (Luke 21:20-22).
Christ continued His warning, "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled" (vv. 23-24).
What happened to Jerusalem in 70 A.D. was merely a forerunner of a much greater end-time slaughter and devastation which will yet occur in the land of the modern State of Israel and, by extension, will also occur in all of the lands of the modern-day descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israelthe sons of Jacobthereby bringing about the long-prophesied day called "Jacob's Trouble" (Jer. 30:7).
Some fail to understand this latter-day significance behind Christ's Olivet Prophecy. What He said was to have a dual fulfillment: 1) The terrible destruction and slaughter which happened in 66-70 A.D. was merely a type or forerunner of what would happen in the end time; 2) But what happened in 66-70 A.D. would not be anywhere near so violent and destructive as the desolation and butchery which would occur at the close of this age.
It is a crucial error to assume that what Christ said to His disciples in circa 31 A.D. was to be the only fulfillment of His prophecies. Those who draw such an erroneous conclusion will overlook the secondary, yet main, prophetic fulfillment to occur in the terrible time of the end.
Christ's early disciples heeded His admonition to flee out of Jerusalem and headed for the mountains when they saw Jerusalem surrounded by the Roman armies, circa 66-67 A.D. History reveals that the Christians fled from Jerusalem before the final butchery occurred in 70 A.D. "Late in 66 [A.D.], Vespasian was sent by Nero to crush a rebellion in Judea. What was unusual was the appointment of Titus to control one of His father's three legions.... Titus was prominent in four sieges during 67 [A.D.] Jotapata, Japha, Tarichaeae, and Gamala.... On Nero's death (June 9, 68), Titus' diplomatic expertise was once again in demand. He was sent to Rome on a delicate mission, ostensibly to pay his respects to [the new Emperor] Galba, but in fact to assess his family's standing with the new emperor. However; on reaching Corinth, he heard of Galba's death, openly advocated that his father [Vespasian] seize power...and returned to Judea. His role in Vespasian's ultimate success (he was proclaimed emperor on July l, 69) was again essentially diplomatic, involving constant negotiations with Flavian supporters in Egypt, Judea, and Syria. As a reward, he was made consul in absentia and replaced Vespasian as supreme commander of the Jewish war. Victory came quickly: by July 70 [A.D.] the Antonia [fortress in Jerusalem] had fallen and in August the temple was taken and destroyed" (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Vol. VI, pp. 580-581).
History reveals that the Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem, circa 66 A.D., and were then withdrawn to deal with problems elsewhere in the Empire, before returning to totally demolish the city of Jerusalem in August 70 A.D.! When the Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem, then withdrew not long afterward (according to Christ's words in Luke 21:20-21), the Christians took that as a clear-cut indication that they ought to flee from Jerusalembefore it was too late!
The Christians fled to a not-too-well-known city, Pella, situated in the "mountains," a few miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee. "PELLA...an ancient city situated in the foothills of the Transjordanian plateau, a little less than 5 km [c. 3 miles] E. of the Jordan river and 32 km [20 miles] S. of the Sea of Galilee" (Anchor, Vol. V, p. 219).
This .same article also says, "Pella is not mentioned by name in the NT, but Jesus certainly would have known of the city, and could have visited it on His travels in the region of the Decapolis and Peraea (Mark 5:1-20; 7:31-37; 10:1-16 and par.). A few decades later Pella played a distinctive part in the history of the nascent church. Around A.D. 67, when the Roman army began to threaten Jewish insurgents in Jerusalem during the First Jewish Revolt, the Christians of that city are reported to have fled to Pella in obedience to an oracle [divine word] delivered by a prophet active in the [Jerusalem] Church. It is possible that the apocalyptic passage in Mark 13:3-37 and parallels, which includes Jesus' instruction that when Jerusalem is desecrated His followers in Judea should `flee to the hills' (v. 14), is related to the oracle which prompted Jerusalem Christians to seek refuge at Pella. That Pella would have been considered an appropriate REFUGE is plausible if one considers that the Christians who fled to Pella may have been primarily Hellenists [Greek-speaking Jews], of which there were many in the Jerusalem church from the earliest days (cf. Acts 6:1). Precisely because Pella was known as a non-Jewish city, it could be presumed to be safe from Roman aggression during the Revolt.... The length of time that these early Christians stayed at Pella is not recorded. Perhaps some of the refugees chose never to return to Jerusalem" (Anchor, p. 220).
Clearly, history reveals that the Christians did flee from Jerusalem shortly before the Roman legions totally destroyed the city and decimated many of its people, sending scores of thousands of Jews into slavery throughout the Roman Empire.
A careful perusal of the Olivet Prophecy reveals that the main fulfillment of Christ's words were to take place, not during the First Jewish Revolt (66-70 A.D.), but at the very end of this terrible age of violence and genocide.
Two important events yet to occur will apparently signal that we are at the beginning of the Great Tribulation: The first event, will be the surrounding of Jerusalem by Gentile armies, according to Christ's prophecy found in Luke 21:20 at which point He says to flee. The second event is the "abomination of desolation" which will be established in Jerusalem three and a half years prior to Christ's Second Coming (Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14; Dan. 11:31-45).
Will God prepare only one place of refuge for His people or numerous places of refuge for His people during the Tribulation period? What does the Bible say about this?
"And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the DRAGON; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world, he was cast to the earth; and his angels were cast out with him" (Rev. 12:7-9).
The Bible reveals that, after being hurled back to this earth, an enraged Satan will seek to annihilate God's peoplethose who really believe His Word and keep His COMMANDMENTS! God says, "Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time" (v. 12). At that time a furious devil will go rampaging through the earth in an all-out effort to totally destroy God's Churchthe "woman" mentioned in Revelation 12:1-17, 19:1-9 and Ephesians 5:22-33.
"Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to HER PLACE [singular], where she is nourished for a time [1 year] and times [2 years] and half a time [half a year], from the presence of the serpent" (Rev. 12:13-14). The total time mentioned here is three and a half years. The Scriptures reveal that, when speaking prophetically, each day equals one year (Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:6). Notice that this last quoted verse does not say there will be several places which God will prepare as a refuge for His Church during the soon-coming Great Tribulation.
What are the "two wings of a great eagle" by which God will convey His Church to a place of safety? Compare this verse with Exodus 19:4. The LORD told the Israelites, "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself" (Ex. 19:4). Clearly, God supernaturally guided and protected His people, Israel, as they fled Pharaoh's army, crossed through the Red Sea, and headed toward the Promised Land. Nonetheless they walked from Egypt to the Promised land!
God will guide and protect His Church as He leads it to the place which He will have prepared for His Church as a refuge during the Great Tribulation. But they will not necessarily be miraculously airlifted to a place of safety. God's people may experience quite a bit of difficult travel before reaching the place of refuge.
After God's Church flees to her "place," then what? "So the serpent [Satan] spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth" (Rev.12:15-16).
Now what can this "flood" represent in this prophecy? Remember, we must always let the Bible interpret itself. "Knowing this first, that , no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved [inspired] by the Holy Spirit" (2 Pet. 1:20-21 ). Men are forbidden to put their own private interpretations on any verse of Scripture. Rather, we must always be careful to let Scripture interpret Scripture. God interprets His own Word.
Notice God's interpretation of "flood": "Who is this coming up like a flood, whose waters move like the rivers? Egypt rises up like a ,flood, and its waters move like the rivers; and he says, `I will go up and cover the earth, I will destroy the city [of Carchemish on the Euphrates Riverv. 2] and its inhabitants" (Jer. 46:7-8)! A careful study of Jeremiah 46 verifies these verses' historical fulfillment. In the year 605 B.C., an Egyptian Pharaoh joined battle with the Babylonians at the famous city of Carchemish. Pharaoh was defeated. His "flood" or army was scattered to the winds.
When we compare this Scripture in Jeremiah 46 with the "flood" mentioned in Revelation 12, the word "flood" undoubtedly refers to an army which Satan will control. (See also Isaiah 59:19.) When Satan sees that the "woman," the Church, has taken refuge in her place of safety, he will command the political power serving him to destroy God's Church. But, just as God opened up the Red Sea and swallowed up Pharaoh's army at the time of the Exodus, so He will cause the "earth" to "open its mouth and swallow up the flood." So God will prevent Satan from destroying God's people who will have taken refuge from the Great Tribulation!
Revelation 12:14 plainly states that God will prepare a “place" in which His Church will take refuge during the Great Tribulation. Nothing is said about God preparing more than one place!
What will happen to those sleepy, foolish virgins (Matt. 25:1-12) who do not think they must flee to the place which God will prepare for His people? What will happen to those who say, "Well, God can protect me, and all of His people, wherever they may happen to be?"
Does the Bible plainly tell us what will happen to those in God's Church who do not flee to a place of refuge before the Great Tribulation begins! It certainly does: "And the DRAGON was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 12:17).
Satan will first attempt to destroy those of God's people who got up and departed to the place of refuge. But any who are not safely settled in God's place of safety will experience the full fury of an enraged Devil. There will be such fiendish persecution and slaughter that the examples listed in Fox's Book of Martyrs may seem tame by comparison!
This prophecy reveals that some will not flee into God's place of refuge, but will remain without that place of safety. It is they who will suffer the full fury of Satan. Many, if not most, of them will give up their lives for their beliefs at that time!
Jesus Christ, our Savior, said His disciples should "watch and pray" that they might be accounted worthy to escape all the fiendish horrors of Satan. Will your chances for deliverance be just as good if you decide that you don't need to heed His instructions?
What will happen to those who, for one reason or another, are not able to take refuge with the people of God in a "place of safety" before the Tribulation begins? "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" (Ps. 46:1-2). It is true that God can protect any of His children even if they do go into the Great Tribulation.
Many of the wiser Jews saw what was coming and fled Hitler's Nazi Europe before it was too late! Some six millions of those who remained behind suffered indescribable humiliation, hunger, torture and gruesome deaths. A few Jews who went thorough the Nazi death camps did escapebut at a horrible price!
When you look at all the Scriptures, you cannot help but conclude that God means what He saysthere will be a PLACE (singular) OF REFUGE for His people during that awful period of time known as the Great Tribulation! Those who are not in that refuge when the Tribulation strikes will suffer terriblyeven though some of them may have their lives spared during the time of great TRIAL and testing (Ezek. 5:1-4, 12-13).
Notice what Christ promises to those who have a Philadelphian-like attitude of loving God's Word and of zealously doing His Work: "Because you have kept My command ["Word"KJV} to persevere; I also will keep you from the HOUR OF TRIAL [Great Tribulation] which shall come upon the WHOLE WORLD, to test those who dwell on the earth" (Rev. 3:10).
It is not a matter of whether or not God can protect His faithful people in their homes or places of business in their own locale; rather, it is a matter of what the Scriptures plainly say about a place of refuge. Clearly, as we have seen, the Bible only speaks of one "place" of refuge in which His people will be granted divine protection during the Great Tribulation.
God has not yet revealed where the place of refuge will be! He has not shown when His people are to flee to that place of safety! Neither has He made known how God's people will travel to that place of refuge! And we don't yet know who will be counted worthy in God's sight to be granted asylum in that place of safety during the Great Tribulation! God will make all of these things known to His people at the proper time.
If each and every one of us will truly love, obey and please Godthen we can rest assured that He will count us worthy of escaping the worst of the end-of the-age horrors, AND God will grant us blamelessness before His Son, Jesus Christ, at His Second Comingreceiving our eternal reward (Rev. 22:12)!
We must all remain vigilant, with our lamps full of oil (the Holy Spirit) and our lights always burningever ready to joyfully greet the Bridegroom when He returns to marry His bride (Matt. 25; Rev. 19)!
"And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep.... The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts" (Rom. 13:11-14)!
The Prophet Zephaniah wrote, "Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD's anger" (Zeph. 2:3).
Truly, Jesus Christ knew what He was talking about when He commanded, "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36)!
According to Josephus, the Roman General Cestius led a Roman army to Jerusalem and surrounded the cityapparently, in the early part of 66 A.D. Then "he retired from the city, without any reason in the world.…” (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, Book II, chap. xix). "After this calamity [the Jew's had inflicted heavy losses on Cestius' retreating army], many of the most eminent of the Jews swam away from the city, as from a ship when it was going to sink" (Wars of the Jews, Book II, chap. xx). Was that when the Christians fled to Pella?
Subsequently, the Roman General Vespasian (later made Emperor) led a second Roman Army to break the back of the First Jewish Revolt. But when the brutal Roman Emperor, Nero, died in 68 A.D., he was quickly followed by a succession of four new Emperors during the next year or so: Galba (68-69 A.D.), Otho (69 A.D.), Vitelius (69 A.D.) and Vespasian (69-79 A.D.). Vespasian had withdrawn his Roman army from Judea because of the problem of succession, but after he was made Emperor in 69 A.D., he sent his son, Titus, to crush the Jewish rebellion.
Josephus says that numerous divine warnings were given the Jews before the Romans butchered the inhabitants of Jerusalem. "Moreover, at that feast which we call Pentecost, as the priests were going by night into the inner [court of the] Temple, as their custom was, to perform their sacred ministrations, they said that, in the first place, they felt a quaking, and heard a great noise, and after that they heard a sound as of a great multitude, saying, `Let us remove hence"' (Wars of the Jews, Book VI, chap. v).