"And ye 'shall know the truth, and the .tFyth shan_make you tree" ........Jno. 8:32.

SEPTEMBER, 1967

"Of His own V(ill begat He us wit.h the" Word of Trl,lth, t,hatwe might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures" (James 1:'"18).

THE IND'ISPENSIBILITY OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESSHow refreshing to the soul to hear the clarion call to spiritual mindedness

amidst a religious world that is taken up with appearance, programming, andconformity to that which is pleasing unto men. The Lord is calling His childrento a state whe're they be "like-minded" not only with one another, but withthe Lord Jews Christ Himself (Phil. 2:2, 5). To be like-minded with our LordJesus is not an optional matter - it is essential in the manifestation of the sons ofGod! It is true that some benighted religious professors are prone to cast shameupon those whom they declare to be "too spiritual"; but I had rather have theepitaph "too spiritual" over my life than "too carnal"; for the Lord alwaysspeaks highly of spirituality, but only disparagingly of carnality. Now, we in-tend in this short article to encourage your hearts toward spirituality by decdaring the truth "as it is in Christ Jesus" upon this matter. Our Father hathchosen a people unto Himself, and the end of that choice is manifested in theirpeculiarity and zealousness for good works (Titus 2: 14). If the manifestation benot there, it is wholly an assumption to suppose that the Sovereign choice of Godhas been made in that case. Thus, we find that efforts expended towards spiritu-ality, and the development of it, form a test for the believer whereby he may"examine himself to see if he be in the faith; for ye know that Christ is in you,except ye be reprobates." (II Cor. 13:5).

It is vital at this point that we properly define spirituality. It is not theproduct of human initiative, nor the accomplishment of mortal wisdom. Men arenot spiritual because they have made themselves so; it is not the fruitage offinite activity! Spirituality is not at all synonymous with church-activity, churchattendance, winning souls, evangelism, loyalty to the fellowship, Bible-knowledge,or desires of a religious nature. While any or all of these things may be foundin the truly spiritual individual, they are not that which comprises his spirituality.To be spiritual-minded is to possess a mind that is controlled by and instructedby the Holy Spirit of God (I John 2:20, 27). A spiritual person is one that has a"sound mind" (II Tim. 1:7), being able to think properly in the Spirit, and notbecoming entangled with the smallness of earth-reasonings. The spiritual mindis that mind which is receptive and responsive to the Lord, that is found inhearty agreement with the Law of God, and desires only to dwell with the Lordin His tabernacle, and inquire within His Temple, while beholding His beauty.Such a mind finds that the yoke of Christ is "easy, and His burden light" (Matt.11 :27-29), and that "His commandments are not grievious" (I John 5:3).

Spirituality is not a profession, it is a possession; something that has been, bygrace, imputed to the believer by our "Father which is in heoven." It is thatwhich accompanies, in embyro, the new birth, forgiveness of sins, or justification(all of which are but facets of the same precious jewel of salvation). The "newman" (or the "new creation in Christ Jesus" - II Cor. 5:17), is actually "renewed

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The Great Tribulation - Page 3

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The Word of Truth

SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS(From page 1)

in knowledge after the image of Him that createdhim" (Col. 3: 10), so that the thoughts of God areactually entertained by those whose minds arespiritual (Psa. 139:17). Spirituality is a state ofcharacter, a refinement of the nature by themighty power of God, whereby the veil is liftedfrom eternal verities and the Kingdom of God,and men are given to see "the truth as it is inChrist Jesus" (Eph. 4:20-21). Spiritual-minded-ness is an accomplishment of Deity, wholly apartfrom merit, and entirely "by grace through faith."If one does not possess it, he is to seek it fromthe Father, not attempt to develop it in his owninadequate wisdom and strength. To be spiritual-ly minded means that you have been brought intoaccord with the Law and decrees of God, so thatthey are no longer contrary to your nature, but inone accord with you as well as with the Lord whodecreed them.

Now, it would be well for each of you to testyour own spirituality, to see if ye be in he faith.How is your heart in relation to God's Law? Areyou in agreement with it, or are you at variancewith it? What are your desires in relation to be-holding the Lord in His beauty? Do you fear it,or are you living in anxious expectation of that"great and notable day of the Lord"? Are youable to see the spiritual reasonings behind yoursalvation? to give God the glory for aU things?to acknowledge your own inability? and to recog-nize the effectual work of grace within your heart?If so, then you are truly spiritually minded, andthus have been afforded "great grace!" But ifsuch be not the case with you, then we are dealingwith no small matter, for this is necessary to alife that pleases the Lord. Those that possess nota spiritual mind (i.e., a mind that is not in accordwith the Holy Spirit of God) are totally unable toplease the Lord. As it is written: "For to be car-nally minded is DEATH,but to be spiritually mind-ed is life and peace. Because the carnal mind isPage 2

enmity against God: for it is not subject to thelaw of God, neither indeed can be. "SO THENTHEY THAT ARE IN THE FLESH CANNOTPLEASE GOD" (Romans 8:6-8).

The carnal mind, or the mind of the flesh, isthat mind which has at its disposal no super-natural resources. The natural man is wholly aproduct of nature, and endued not with the truelife from God which is unto everlasting. The mindof the flesh is limited in its appropriations to therealm of earth, unable to rise above the capabili-ties and endowments of flesh and blood. But, thespiri tual mind has access to the very throne ofGod, and possesses within itself the very Seed ofGod (I John 3:9). The difference between thecarnal mind and the spiritual mind is the differ-ence between the Holy Spirit and the spirit ofman, between Heaven and earth, Christ and Satan,life and death! Those that have no more thanmortal strength and human wisdom, who possessnothing that earth cannot give, are rendered to-tally and completely displeasing to God; yea, asit is declared, they "CANNOTPLEASEGOD" - itis an impossibility. God cannot be pleased withthat which issues forth from earth, from unin-spired and unendowed men, from the realm whichis filled with sin, and where man "drinketh iniquitylike water" (Job 15:16). The only things thatplease the Lord are those things which He himselfperforms. This is why His will is called the "goodpleasure of His will" (Eph. 1:5, 9). It is only asthe Lord Himself "works in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight" (Heb. 13:21) that you your-self will be pleasing and acceptable to Him. Thatperson which is experiencing this glorious work islikewise spiritually minded - he which is a strangerto this grace is a stranger also to the mind ofthe Spirit, and thus rendered an active enemy ofGod. The carnal (fleshly or UNspiritual) mind is"ENMITY (itself) against God" (Rom. 8: 7); i.e., itdoes not merely author things that are inimicalto God, but that very mind is of itself abhorred,loathed, hated, and rejected by the Lord God ofheaven and earth. It ought to be obvious to allthat God cannot be pleased by that which He hasHimself declared to be evil, and which is at vari-ance with His own Nature. Just as "two cannotwalk together unless they be agreed" (Amos 3:3),so the Lord cannot form an alliance with thosewhose thoughts are contrary to His own; and allsuch must, of necessity, be rejected finally by Him.Thus, the necessity of spiritual-mindedness isclearly seen. Those that cannot please God, andwhose minds are an enmity with God's law, who"mind earthly things" (Phil 3:19) - unless theirstate be changed by Sovereign decree of God - shallforever perish in that state, for they are, in thatcondition opposites to the Lord of all!

"TO BE SPIRITUALLYMINDEDIS LIFE ... "There is a most wonderful grace; "LIFE" ! Itspeaks of a state of reciprocity to the Lord, ofhearing His VOice,seeing the "lighting down ofHis arm" (Isa. 30:30). This speaks of that mostblessed condition of the soul whereby one is madesensitive, by grace, to the presence of the other-wise imperceptible God. Hallelujah! Though Godfills all the earth, yet only those that are alive inthe Spirit are sensible to Him. They possess thatgift of faith which enables them to see beyond theseen to those things which are eternal. As it is

written: "While we look not at the things whichare seen, but at the things which are not seen;for the things which are seen are temporal, butthe things which are not seen are eternal" (II Cor.4: 18). By the words, "things that are not seen",the Spirit means "those things which are not per-cepttble to' the natural senses." By using the term"things that are seen", He means, "those thingswhich are plainly evident to the flesh, or whichmay be perceived alone with the natural facul-ties, and which require no supernatural vision."Now, it is a great benefit to see beyond what meremortals may see; to have a scope of vision thatextends beyond the temporal and into the eter-nal. Surely, none but a fool would suppose thatsuch glorious vision could be developed or begunby man! No! "It is the gift of God", given at Hisdiscretion to whomsoever He would; "At that timeJesus answered and said, I thank Thee, 0 Father,LORD OF HEAVENAND EARTH, because Thouhast hid these things from the wise and prudent,and hast revealed them unto babes. EVEN SO,FATHER: FOR SO IT SEEMED GOOD IN THYSIGHT" (Matt. 11:25-26).

The "babes" are those that are not wise ofthemselves, who are wholly depending upon theLord of glory for their instruction and tutelage.The "wise and prudent" are those who attempt towade to glory in the brine of their own wisdom,refusing grace, and desiring only that which makesfor flesh-glory. But, alas, they shall not havetheir desires, for the Lord must reveal these thingsbefore they can be known - and unless He revealthem, men shall be doomed to everlasting destruc-tion; "for if our Gospel be hid, IT IS HID TOTHEMTHATARELOST, in whom the god of thisworld hath blinded the minds of them which be-lieve not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel ofChrist, who is the Image of God should shine up-on them" (II Cor. 4:3-4). The only remedy tothis situation is given in verse 6 of thissame text; "FOR GOD, who commanded thelight to shine out of darkness (wholly un-solicited), hath shined in our hearts (just asfree from solicitation as in the creation of visiblelight), to give the light of the knowledge of theglory of God in the Face of Christ Jesus". Thisis a view of spiritual-mindednes.s; it is the lightof the knowledge of the glory of God being beamedinto the soul through the medium of contact withand participation in the Lord .Jesus Christ. The"light of the knowledge of the glory of God" isthat work whereby the soul is enlightened to theGodhood of God, His greatness and majesty, andis thereby brought to contrition and adorationbefore Him. It is that work whereby the soul hasimpressed upon it the very spiritual image of God,and therein is brought into conformity to the"Lord's Christ" in affection, will, and purpose.This is spiritual-mindedness. It is the meanswhich the Lord has chosen to fulfill His counselsconcerning salvation. All who possess dt are saved,all who do not are lost. There is no such thing asan unspiritual Christian, or a carnal Christian -such terms and admixtures; they cannot be min-gled together! One is either spiritual or carnal,not a combination of both. If spiritual, he shalllive with the Lord; if carnal - unless his statebe changed - 'he shall be "destroyed from the pres-ence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power"(II Thess. 1:9). And now, oh reader, what is yourstate? How is it with your soul?

THE GREAT TRIBULATIONThe subject of Christ's coming is of intrensic

interest to true believers and worshippers; notbecause of its appeal to the intellect or curiosity,but rather, because of its SIGNIFICANCE to thesaved. The coming of the Lord is truly the "blessedhope" of the church, and so do we view it (Titus2:11-13). Our hearts are truly comforted by medi-tation and communication on this noble theme offaith, for then shall we "ever be with the Lord" -glad contemplation. Because of the utility of thisdoctrine in comforting, encouraging, and stim-ulating the saints to pureness of spirit (I John3:1-3), Satan has coloured it with heresies andsurmisings in order that its true value might notbe derived by the needy people of God - of whichwe all are a number. We rejoice in Christ Jesus,however, that we may be delivered from such"strong delusion", and be brought to truly benefitwithin by the truth" as it is in Christ Jesus" con-cerning His coming. Praise the Lord! It is ourhearts desire to pass on to Christ's brethren thosethings which have assisted us, according to provi-dential grace, in rising above such wicked decep-tion as pervades the world of our day.

Not the least of the many points of confusionwhich touches on the Lord's return is the subjectof (what is commonly called among fundamen-talists) "the great tribulation". A whole host ofdoctrine has arisen on this subject which meritsexposure because of its defiling effect upon thehearts and minds of God's people. It verily dotheat as the words of Philitus and Hymanaeus -"as a canker" - eroding and corrupting the soulsof those who give ear to it. To begin with, theterm "THE great tribulation" is not a Scripturalone, and hence cannot connote a Scriptural con-cept. The Holy Spirit uses the terms "great tribu-lation" (the article "the" is not present) Matt.24:21; "the tribulation of those days" (Matt.24:29); "that tribulation" (Mk. 13:24). The sameperiod is called "affliction" in Mark 13:19, and ispictured as a type of distress which had not beenexperienced before, nor ever after, upon the earth.Matthew 24:21 makes the same point, declaring:"such as was not since the beginning of the worldto this time, no, nor ever shall be." Now, there isa primary, or first meaning to this prophecy, anda more general or secondary meaning. We shallconcern ourselves with the first or primary oneat this point. We stand with the men and peopleof God in these matters, not wishing to be diversfrom those saints of old that have spoken underthe inspiration of the Holy Spirit. At this pointwe are swift to point out that a great source ofconfusion on this, as well as other maj or doctrinesof Scripture, is the Scofield reference Bible. Inour persuasion, the church should be the betterwithout this bit of literature, even though we un-derstand that it is well reverenced among manyof our fellows - but that is only because they haveno understanding of their own, and thus mustborrow from another.

The fact that people revert to men to gatherin their doctrines is an evident token of their ownspiritual bankruptcy. The Word of the Lord de-clares that "... a good man shall be satisfied fromhimself" (Prov. 14:14), i.e., that out of his ownperson there flows "rivers of living water" (John

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7:37-38) so that he does not require that "any manteach him, but as the same Anointing teachethyou of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, andeven as it hath taught you, so shall ye abide inHim" (I John 2:27). God has placed life within us,not merely external to us, and thus we may deriveeverlasting benefits from within, though we bedeprived of much outward helps and tnstruetlons.The truth and verity of the Kingdom, togetherwith a real sensitivity to it, is brought by a com-munion with the Lord. The instruction that isgiven us by holy men is raw material which is tobe refined within our spirits by the Holy Spiritsent down from heaven. Men can but sow andwater; the increase is always of God. Now,it is ourcontention, and if pressed to the case, we are wellable to defend it, that much of the teachings ofMr. Scofield on the subject of the Lord's coming,the great tribulation, and other eschatologicalstudies, cannot be refined to the benefit of thesaints, because it is "contrary to sound doctrine."To his own master Mr. Scofield stands or falls, to-gether with us all - but we are not bound to ac-cept him, any more than you be bound to acceptus. We pray your indulgence on this matter, formany of the doctrines which have arisen from,and been fortified by his teachings have causedgreat spreads of carnal theology among thechurches. The common view that the great tribu-lation is a period of great and stupendous calamitythat shall befall the earth AFTER the saints havebeen gathered out of the world by the Lord, iswholly unsupported by Scrfpture, It will do nogood to fit together some scattered and remotetexts and form a doctrine of "private interpreta-tion" - the apostles did not teach such a doctrine,and thus we totally repudiate it, for we continuein "the apostles doctrine"; and if they did notteach this, neither do we - praise the Lord! Weare persuaded that it is our duty as stewards ofthe mystery of God in Christ to sound the warn-ing concerning false doctrines, as Paul did in hisday, concerning that grievous error of Hymaneusand Philetus (I Tim. 1:20; II Tim. 2:17). Thedoctrines that have arisen concerning, what iscommonly termed "the great tribulation" are de-structive to faith, and prevail upon men to becomecarnal in their thoughts and in their expectations.The fruitage of this doctrine of things abundantlyevidences its corruption - and thus will we spendno more time in calling your attention to them,but shall set ourselves to declare the "truth as itis in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 4:20-21).

Matthew, chapter 24, is a chapter of greatdepth. It is twofold in its application, dealingboth with the destruction of Jerusalem, whichwas to follow some forty years later, and with theend of time when the Lord Jesus shall come in"power and great glory." It appears from the textthat Jesus purposely mingled the prophecies inorder to prevail upon His disciples to live in aconstant expectation of His coming, and in a readyfear of the anger .ofthe Lord against their nation.We shall in this portion deal with Matthew 24,verses 21 through 31. It is here that Jesus men-tions "great tribulation." Observe the referencesthe Son of man made to this period specified.(1. It is a distinctive period - "such as was notsince the beginning of the world to this time, no,

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nor never shall be" (verse 21). (2. It is a danger-ous period - "except those days should be short-ened, no flesh should be saved" (verse 22a). (3. Itis a determined period - "but for the elect's sake,those days shall be shortened." (verse 22b). (4.There shall be a period of delusion - "for thereshall be false Ghrist's and false prophets" (verse24a). (5. It is a period of exceptional delusion -"and shall show GREAT signs and wonders: inso-much that, IF IT WEREPOSSIBLE, they shall de-ceive the very elect" (verse 24b). (6. It is describedas a period of deceptiveness concerning the pres-ence of the Lord, declaring that His coming issecret - "they shall say unto you, Behold, He is inthe desert ... behold, He is in the secret cham-bers" (verse 26). This is delusion, as Jesus de-clares in verse 27, stating thaf His coming is notsecret, but open, even as the lightning that "shin-eth even unto the west: so shall the coming of theSon of man be." There is nothing secret aboutthe coming of the' Lord - it is public, open, evenas the lightning of heaven; let none deceive you onthis point. 7. Immediately following the tribula-tion of those days, there shall be great disturb-ances in the heavens - "... and the powers of theheaven shall be shaken" (verse 29). This is, to myunderstanding, speaking of the shaking of thespiritual powers that rule the world - the hosts ofwickedness, that are mentioned in Ephesians 6:12;I Peter 3:21, etc. (8. It is then (after the men-tioned tribulation) that the Son of man shall ap-pear with great '''power and glory", sending forthHis holy angels to gather up His people from thefour winds, "from one end of heaven to the other"(verse 31), or, as Mark puts it, "from the uttermostpart of earth to the uttermost part of heaven"(Mark 13:27).

The immediate application of this propheticutterance concerning a tribulation, doubtless re-fers to the great destruction of the city of Jeru-salem in 70 AD by Titus of the Romans. As Jose-phus records, there was never a devastation likethat before that day, and after reading accountsof it, it is difficult to conceive that there has beensuch an one since that time. There were 1,000,000Jews slaughtered in that great destruction, as wellas approximately 97,000 carried away captive.There was dire famine within, as well as sore de-struction by the Romans - so much so that theparents began to eat and consume their own chil-dren. There were numerous dissensions, violence,and continual bloodshed and murder, and greatpestilence. As Ohrysostom puts it: "Whence camethere thus upon them wrath from God intolerable,and more sore than all that had befallen afore-time, not in Judea only, but in any part of theworld? Is it not quite clear that it was for thedeed of the cross, and for this rej ection? Mark,I pray thee, the exceeding greatness of the ills,when not only compared with the time that ispast, they appear more grievous, but also withall the time to come. For not in all the world,neither in all time that is past, and that is tocome, shall anyone be able to say that such illshave been. And very naturally; for neither hadany man perpetrated, not of these that ever havebeen, nor those to come, a deed so wicked andhorrible" (Hom., in loc.) Because the Jewish peo-ple committed the most dastardly crime ever

wrought upon the earth in crucifying "the Lordof glory", and justly suffered the greatest of alltribulations in the flesh, surpassing all that passedbefore, or shall come thereafter. The afflictionthat was spoken of here by our Lord, however, wasnot only in the body, but included the great an-guish of mind whi-chaccompanied a forsaken andpersecuted people. When the people of Israelcried out in Pilate's hall of judgement, "His bloodbe on us and on our children" (Matt. 27:25), neverdid any other people invoke such an awful curseupon themselves, and upon no other nation didsuch a judgment fall. We read in Josephus' ac-count of Jews being crucified until there was nomore wood for making crosses; of thousands ofpeople slaying one another in the fierce faction-fights within the city; and of so many of thembeing sold as slaves in the market, until their liveswere finally counted valueless. Then came thefearful carnage of the Romans, which blood-curd-ling story exactly bears out the words of ourSavior, uttered some forty years before it was ful-filled and these terrible events occurred, Jesusgave no hope for the situation, but told them topray fervently that their flight would not be onthe Sabbath, or in the winter, because it wouldthen be accompanied by many difficulties. Thewomen were to pray that they would not be heavywith child, but more free in their bodies to makeswift flight, and get away from the terrible judg-ment of the Lord God Almighty, as He was in-censed beyond imagination by the rejection ofHis Son by His own chosen people. T'ruly, a trum-pet sound to the sllothful and indolent in theirspirits today, who would reject and turn aside theLord Jesus Christ, trod ding under foot the bloodof the covenant, and doing despite unto the Splritof grace (Heb. 10:27-31).

There is a second application of this truth -one that is taught throughout the Scriptures, andwhich merits our earnest attention. The tribula-tion spoken of posed a threat, in this sense, to theentire scope of the earth; "and except those daysshould be shortened, no flesh should be saved"(Mk. 13:20). It is only the Lord's consideration of"the elect" that brings a shortening of these days:and thus are we brought to glory in election (Rom.11:5-7). The word "flesh", in this sense, has adifferent meaning than is ordinarily conceived.There are several different usages of the word inthe sacred oracles. It is used to denote the adarnicor natural part of man which is condemned, andrepudiated by God (Rom. 8:3, 8, 9; Gal. 2:17, 24;Eph. 2:3; Rom. 7:25). Again, it is used to describethe external or outward part of our being; thebody (Gen. 17:11, 24; Lev. 15:7; II Kgs. 4:34).Again, it is used in describing the nature of ani-mal sacrifices under the law (Judges 6:20; I Sam.2:15). But, another meaning is that which refersto race of men themselves; the word "flesh" is re-repeatedly used in reference to men in general(Isa. 40:5; 49:26; Ezek. 21:5; Isa. 66:16, 23; Jer.25:31; 45:5; Ezek. 20:48; Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17;Zech. 2:13; Ik. 3:6; Psa. 65:2; 145:21; Gal. 2:16).In my understanding, Jesus uses the term in thissense here (in Matthew 24 and Mark 13). He usedit in the same way in John 17:2, when He prayed;"Thou (the Father) hast given Him power overALLFLESH, that He should give eternal life to asmany as Thou hast given Him." While it may well

be alarming to many religionists of this day, itis probable that the trfbulaaaon mentioned in ourtexts is, in this secondary application, a tribula-tion of the soul, in which doctrinal delusion be-comes the chief force of the Devil. There hasnever been, until our present day, a world-wideand divers fabrication of Gospel truth. While theearly Roman church with all of its vanity and liesdeceived the whole world, its chief weapon wasthat of fear and physical hostility - not mere doc-trinal delusion. There was nothing suave aboutthat early harlot - she was a beast in every senseof the word, and thousands, yea millions, of faith-ful saints were martyred at her hand, and theirblood yet cries forth from the ground. With herdoctrine of works in the stead of grace, and ofmerit in the stead of mercy, she yet threatenedpeople's lives if they conformed not unto her vile-ness, For those that were acquainted with theScriptures, her ways were evident. But the trfbu-lation of which we speak is far more subtle thanthis, and uses for its groundwork great doctrinesof Biblical statement, perverted and wrested tomean what they contain not. This affliction ofsoul is so fierce and strong, that were it not abatedby Sovereign grace, no one could be saved, theGospel of truth being so perverted as to renderit totally obscured.

The distinctiveness of spiritual delusion ismentioned by the apostles frequently, as theywarned the early church of the coming of fiercedeception and apostasy. There is mentioned"strong delusion" (II Thess. 2:9-12), and a fallingaway from the truth (II Tess. 2:3); also a de-parture from the faith (I Tim. 4:1). This gives usa picture of the great power of delusion, that iteven compels some to relinquish truth and faith!While I am not certain that these prophetic state-ments should be limited to the specific time ofwhich I now speak, it is clear that they speak ofa tribulation of spirit far stronger than manyhave imagined. It is, to my understanding, thissort of tribulation that is prophesied in generalby our Lord.

Now, it is my conviction that we are truly liv-ing in just such a tribulation. The Gospel hasbeen so utterly perverted that it is scarcely pos-sible to hear it anywhere declared in all of itspureness. Spiritual assaults are being made uponthe faith from all avenues, and few are able towithstand the evil day. Institutionalism, sectar-ianism, and traditionalism are mingled togetherand sprinkled with a few remote Gospel truths -so much so, that the Scriptures and the "ever-lasting Gospel" even possess a strange ring inmost all religious assemblies. Religion has becomebig business, with gigantic temples, educationalunits, sophisticated clergymen called "doctors",efficiently trained personnel that are basicallyignorant of even the fundamental doctrines givenus by the apostles, and men wise in the ways ofthe world. Preachers have a continual stream ofvain tradition flowing from their mouths, and reli-gious gatherings are more for spectacle and re-cruitment than for worship and edification. Thewhole picture is appalling to the spiritual mind,and brings great grief of soul. Further, those whodo not subscribe to such a conception of things arenot permitted to gospelize in those circles. It isverily a fulfillment of the word in Revelation;

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"..• no man may buy or sell, save he that hasthe mark, or the name of the beast, or the numberof his name" (Rev. 13:16-17). That text speaks ofspiritual trafficing, and of the limitation placedupon it by spurious religion. Qualifications forleaders, as well as followers, are laid down, rangingfrom Bible college or seminary training, to sub-scription to traditional creeds and dogmas of men.Men are held aloof from God and His Word, andgiven interpretations for truth and tradition forprecept. Those who wish to minister in such cir-cles must receive the mark of identification whichis acceptable to all false religionists. It is not avisible or tangible mark, but rather a concept ofthings. There may be general differences in doc-trine, but there is a basic unity among all - a com-mon unseen and unknown devilish purpose to de-stroy the faith. The center of all these religions isthe church or institution, and not Christ Himself.Men work for the institution, contribute to her,and adore her. The pre-eminent activity is thatof building up the organization, which is nothingmore than demon-worship and doctrines of devils(II Tim. 4:1-4). The Roman church started thisapostasy around the third or fourth century, andhas since mothered many smaller and more insig-nificant "harlots" (Rev. 18). The institution in allsuch systems takes the place of Christ who Him-self possesses "all the fullness of the Godheadbodily" (Col. 2). The members of these instttu-tions, or religious businesses, acknowledge to alltrue worshippers (John 4:24-25) that they knowvery little about such things as spiritual worship,"communion of the Holy Ghost" (II Cor. 13:14),walking "unto a pleasing" (Col. 1:10), or "know-ing what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. ,5:17). Theirknowledge of the Scripture is small; they possesslittle or no knowledge of God (thus confessingtheir lack of participation in the new birth (Heb.8:11); they are strangers to true grace, and havelittle appetite for the real things of the Kingdomof God. Yet, they are well accepted in their or-ganization, ~nd considered as very spiritual peo-ple. Such are victims of great tribulation!

The continual spew of religious garbage on theliterature market, the virtual flood of false andtraditional emphases - these beat as a mightystorm and flood upon the child of God, causinggrief, and many times, virtual despair. Few areable to bear up under the viciousness of the on-slaught. Delusion binds the minds of these peo-ple to such an extent that they many times sup-pose themselves to be in the grace of God, whenactually they are laboring under a system of law.They are estranged from God in their affection,and yet suppose the Lord to be tolerant of theircontemptible state. May the Lord raise up labor-ers and send them into these white fields to bearthe "glad tidings of the Gospel of peace", andmay there be a swift fall of all popular religionas we see it, and a resurrection of the old Jeru-s-alem Gospel and its true fruits.

We address those of you that are caught insuch systems and institutions. The word to youfrom the Lord is "Come out from her my people,and touch not the unclean thing" (II Cor. 6:16-17).Is it not trying upon your soul? Can you not feelthe greatness of the tribulation? Is it not exceed-ingly greater than physical death? It wears andtears with heartless relentlessness upon yourPage 6

hearts, making you weak and spiritually vascil-lating unless you leave it. Why do you stay theresucking upon the asps hole? What can you gainbut damnation to your soul? You cannot hope toreform the situation - it has already been cursedwith a great curse, which shall not be reversed."Let everyone that nameth the name of Christdepart from iniquity" (II Tim. 2:19); both moraland religious iniquity.

We anticipate, praise the Lord, the fall of reli-gious systems void of life, under the powerfulspread of the Gospel in God's due time. You wholanguish because of such oppression, be of goodcheer! Our King shall yet bring an end to thistribulation. Until He does, have no fellowshipwith it, and "keep the faith", pressing "towardthe mark." "In patience possess ye your souls."God hears the desire of your very heart, and is in-terested in your preservation in the truth faithonce delivered to the saints. Cleave unto Himwith purpose of heart, laying up for yourselvestreasures in heaven, where moth nor rust dothcorrupt, and where thieves do not break throughand steal. Finally, when there is a conflict be-tween your faith and fellowship with the Lord,and the traditions and emphases of your "church",abandon the allegiance to the institution, lettingGod be true, and every man a liar (Rom. 3:4). Donot permit any man to dampen your spirits un-necessarily. It is better to withdraw and be clean,than to fellowship and be filthy. Be a goad inthe side of the false prophets of the land. Insistthat they speak as oracles of God (I Pet. 4:11), andupbraid them when they do not - praying all thewhile that the will of the Lord be done. We com-mit you unto the Lord, and to the Word of Hisgrace, which is able to build you up, and give youan inheritance among all them which are sancti-fied by faith in Christ. Amen.

---0---Wives are to obey their husbands as "it is fit

in the Lord" (Col. 3:18) whether they are ideal ornot. Husbands are to love their wives and care forthem whether they are obedient in all of theirrelationships or not. Children are to honor theirparents and love them, whether they be "up-to-date" or not. Wives are to "guide the house, bekeepers at home, love their children, and lovetheir husbands"; husbands are to provide "fortheir own, and especially those of their ownhouses", be not bitter against their wives, andprovoke not their children to wrath. While thesemay appear more earthly relationships, they arenot! These are matters between God and man!His will for the family! Whosoever refuses to bowthe knee to Him as LORD in these relationshipsis as liable to condemnation as the murderer orthe drunkard, for they are both immoral and dis-obedient, as well as unspiritual!

---0---We cannot divorce grace from conduct of life!

It is by grace that our lives are CHANGED, andour conduct altered. Grace is effectual and con-forms us to Jesus Christ, so that our actions,words, thoughts, and deeds, become a declarationand representation of the purity of our hearts. Ifmy external life has not been changed, I dogreatly error in assuming that I have had achange of heart; for it is out of the heart that theissues of life flow forth (Prov. 4:23).

REAL RIGHTEOUSNESS

The righteousness which we possess in Jesus(I Cor. 1:30; Jer. 23:6) is a real one. It is notmerely legal, although, halleluj ah, it is certainlythat! It is also, however EFFECTUAL, and trans-missible to our beings and spirit. John the be-loved, speaking of these things, said; "Little chil-dren let no man deceive you; he that DOETHrighteousness is righteous, even as He (Jesus) isrighteous" (I John 3:7). By this, John means thatthe individual whose life is characterized byrighteousness is actually the man that has al-ready been made righteous in Christ Jesus. Theclear implication is that he that does not dorighteousness does not do it because he has notreceived the righteousness of Christ by faith.Christ's righteousness is imputed to me by faith,and diffuses itself into my character and being,so that I actually and personally become involvedin true servitude to "righteousness unto holiness"(Rom. 6:19). Let no man delude you on thispoint! An ineffectual righteousness is no right-eousness at all! You may expect a changed and aholy life after the experience of grace and re-demption; and if such be not there, you mustimmediately question the reality of your profes-sion. God does not work in ambiguous fashions!

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"The Lord accepteth no man's person"; i.e., Hedoes not measure men according to their fleshlydistinctions and attainments. Those who are chil-dren of the Lord possess the same mind on thematter! Their evaluations of men are based upontheir contribution to their faith - not on their"person". Their love for them is founded upontheir sonship and acceptance in the Beloved, notupon tlheir achievements or attainments in theflesh - or even in the Spirit. Paul expressed thisprinciple in Gal 2:6: "But of these who SEEMEDto be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it makethno matter to me: God accepteth no man's per-son:) for they who SEEMED to be somewhat inconference added nothing to me". Seeming to besomewhat (i.e., outward appearance - perceptibleto the senses) is not enough, though men wouldhave you believe so. Men are to be esteemed for"their work's sake" (I Thess. 5:13), not for theirperson's sake. Though in speech they may be"contemptible" and their "bodily presence weak",yet if they are used of the Lord to establish youin the faith within the "truth as it is in ChristJesus", there is every reason to highly esteemthem, and above all to give abundant thanks tothe Lord for them (see II Cor. 10:10).

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The regenerative process is called the newbirth because it is wrought by God, and involvesa separate life. God's personal life is imparted tothose whom He "begat with the Word of truth"(James 1:18), thus making them "new" and di-verse from the world order. They are "born" inthat they proceed out of the concealment of earthinto the enlightened realm of heaven; from dark-ness into His marvelous light." This birth cannotbe accomplished by men, because it is "fromabove" (John 3:3, 5 ASV). It is clear evidence ofDIVINE ACTIVITY and good pleasure, and is in-tended to rejoice the hearts of all who see andknow the truth as it is in Christ Jesus,

THE UNQUESTIONABLE RIGHTOF GOD

While it is true that the Lord needs no defensefrom the mouths of we feeble mortals, it is equal-ly as true that He has graciously ordained that wewho have been made "partakers of the Divinenature" (II Pet. 1:4) may announce and publishthe truth concerning Himself. It is with this inmind that I am presently devoting myself to aproclamation of the unquestionable right of theLord. The Lord God ALMIGHTY possesses allthings, made all things, and upholds all things"by the word of His power." The attitude thatmen take toward this truth has no bearing uponit whatsoever, for it is not relative or true only tothe measure of its acceptance. What we declareof the Lord is truth - uniquivecal truth. It hasbeen "settled forever in the heavens", and we butproclaim, or announce it, that you might learnmore fully of Him "with whom we have to do." Bythe very essence of the case, whatsoever the Lordsays or does partakes of His own immutable na-ture - it is unchangeable, eternal, and truth!Nothing can be put to it or taken from it in orderto make it finer or more palatable! How gloriousit is to worship and adore the Lord of all theearth, who "doth whatsoever He hath pleased" inheaven and in earth (Psa. 115:3; 135:6). He is byHis very nature GOD in all of His purposes, words,and works! No man may question Him or say"what doest Thou?" (Job 9:12). Verily, it is truethat "Where the word of the King is, there is power(or authority): and you may say unto Him, Whatdoest Thou?" (Eccl. 8:4). It was declared by kingNebuchadnezzar of old, after that he had spentseven whole years in the fields, wandering andeating as a Least, with hair like eagles fen-ther.s,and nails like birds claws; ".. , all the inhabitantsof the earth are reputed as nothing: and He (theLord God) doeth according to His will in the armyof heaven, and among the inhabitants of theearth: and none can stay His hand, or say untoHim, What doest Thou?" (Daniel 4:35). It oftenappears to me that a similar experience as that ofNebuchadnezzar would convince many a religioussophist that the Lord, He is God, and besides Him,there is none other. When it comes to the matterof plans, purposes, and counsels, the entire earthwith all of its inhabitants are reputed as nothingbefore the Lord. He consults with none of thembefore working His own will, nor does He seek theirapproval, or attempt to work so as to be easilyinterpretable by mortals. Whatever He performsis right, and therefore cannot be questioned; elseHe is not God!

Now, while this may seem evident to the head,it is the heart that often recoils from an accep-tance of this great truth. Men will honor Godwith their mouths, but when it comes to the mat-ter of "justifying God" (Luke 7:29), or of insistingthat the Lord "be justified in His saying" (Rom.3:4), at the expense of men themselves becomingliars - ah, then it is, that the carnality of menbegins to assert itself, and they obstinately refuseto acknowledge that He is Lord of all! When godlymen speak forth such great truths as, "Whom theLord foreknew, them He also PREDESTINATEDto be conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom.

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8:29-30), and "Ye have not chosen me, but I havechosen you" (John 15:19), and "From the begin-ning God hath chosen you unto salvation" (II(II Thess. 2:14), or "Jesus Christ ... a stone ofstumbling, and a rock of offense, even to themwhich stumble at the Word, being disobedient;WHEREUNTOTHEY WERE APPOINTED" (I Pet.2:8) - then the chaff begin to wave themselves be-fore all, asserting the authority of man, and therights of men, and the injustice of God--thusmanifesting their "gross darkness" of heart!

Now, it is not our purpose in THE WORD OFTRUTH to merely defend these great truths ofelection, surety, and God's Sovereignty - but ratherto declare them as the Lord hath spoken. We carenot whether some are not disposed to accept them;they are truth, and we rest in them with greatjoy! The whole crux of the matter hinges onwhether or not God is right in making choicesindependent of man's initiative. It is plainly de-clared in Scripture that God chooses in just sucha fashion; but lest there be some that are notacquainted with the Word of God on this matter(and I suspect that legion is your name), we shallhere attempt to familiarize you with some of thedeclarations made by the Holy Spirit concerningthe rights, prerogatives, purposes, and works ofthe Lord God of heaven and earth; "Thou hastcreated all things, AND FOR THY PLEASUREthey ARE ANDWERE created" (Rev. 4:11); "Is itnot lawful for me to do what I WILL with MINEOWN? Is thine eye evil, because I AM GOOD?"(Matt. 20:15); "Jesus answered (to Pilate), Thoucouldest have no power at all against Me, EX-CEPT IT WERE GIVEN THEE FROM ABOVE"(John 19:11); "For the children (Jacob and Esau)being not yet born, neither having done any goodor evil, THAT THE PURPOSE OF GOD ACCORD-ING TO ELECTIONMIGHT STAND,not of works,but of Him that calleth" (Rom. 9: 11); "For theScripture saith to Pharaoh, Even for this samepurpose have I RAISED THEE UP, that I MIGHTSHOWMYPOWER IN THEE, and that MYNAMEmight be declared throughout the earth. THERE-FORE HATHHE MERCYUPON WHOMHE WILLHAVEMERCY,ANDWHOMHE WILL HE HARD-ENETH" (Rom. 9:17-18); "Hath not the Potterpower over the clay; of the same lump to make'One vessel unto honor and another unto dis-honor?" (Rom. 9:21); "Promotion cometh neitherfrom the east nor from the west, nor from thesouth. But GOD IS THE JUDGE: HE PUTTETHDOWNONE,ANDSETTETH UP ANOTHER'"(Psa.75:6-7). These references could be multipliedmany times, but this ought to be sufficient tobring out of your soul of what spirit you are. Doyou really worship the Lord God, who rules ac-cording to His own purpose and will? Or do youpay homage to a God that is governed and re-stricted by men - the creatures of His own hand?Are you disposed to think of yourself as sufficient?Then come to the knowledge of 'the truth, and-confess with the saints of all ages; "Not that weare sufficient of ourselves to think (or purpose ordecree) anything 'Ofourselves; but our sufficiencyis of God" (II Cor. 3:5). Is it not declared byGod Himself concerning Himself; "I form thelight, and create darkness: I make peace, andcreate evil: I the Lord do ALL THESE THINGS"(Isa. 47:7). Does that text seem strange to you?Difficult to receive? Does your theology or church-doctrine place restrictions upon your spirit when

it comes to ,these eternal assertions of the Godyou profess to worship? If so, hear Him speakagain; "The Lord killeth, and maketh alive:He bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up.The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: Hebrtngeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up thepoor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggarfrom the dughill, to set them among princesand to make them inherit the throne of glory:for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and Hehath set the world upon them" (I Sam. 2:6-8).What God performs is not only unquestionable, sothat no man may inquire as to the legality or pro-perness of it, but it is irresistible, as is declaredin the Word; "... rulest Thou not over all thekingdoms of the heathen, and is there not powerand might, SO THAT NONE IS ABLE TO WITH-STAND THEE?" (II Chron. 20:6). Again, whenJob was deprived of all of his Children, his oxen,and asses, sheep, and servants, he declared intruth: "Behold, He taketh away, who can hinderHim? who will say unto Him, What doest Thou"(Job 9:12). Job, who lived centuries before thegiving of the Law and Moses, and whose historywas recorded by inspiration in later years by Moseshimself, declared to the consternation of many an"enlightened" theological student today; "WHOKNOWETH NOT THAT IN ALL OF THESETHINGS THAT THE HANDOF THE LORDHATHWROUGHT THIS? In whose hand is the soul ofevery living thing, and the breath of all mankind"(Job 12:9-10). Must we not answer the patriarchof old, gifted with patience, that there be veryfew indeed today who possess even a small measureof the perception that he had? Has not the reli-gious institutions of our day managed to obscurethese truths to their constituents, so that in timesof trial and calamity, instead of recognizing thehand of God, they are brought to dismay and blas-pheme the Lord?

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Our "peculiarity" does not consist of abnormalpsychological behavior, but in a changed mannerof life which is motivated from within. God'schildren (by faith in Jesus Christ) are zealous for(spiritually) good works. His grace has taughtthem to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts be-cause they have come to hate and abhor them.Such new creations (II Cor. 5:17) are undiscerni-ble to the natural man because saints are con-strained and motivated by unseen and hiddenimpulses which flow from the Throne of God. It isthis undiscernible portion of their life that consti-tutes them peculiar to the world. Without it, menare destined to be but common and most assuredly"children of wrath."

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Those who will not worship God in spirit andin truth are prone to feign worship by form andritual - thus increasing their abomination beforethe eyes of our Lord.