Christian Treasury: Volume 6

Marriage was instituted in the Garden of Eden, and it vividly displays the nearness of relationship into which believers are to be brought to Christ as His Church and bride. Moreover, the familiarity of our minds with the marriage relationship makes us understand better the place to which we are brought in the gracious affections of Christ.

Many of the blessed and substantial revelations of God we cannot understand so clearly. For example, the reign of Christ in glory, and our association with Him in that reign, however blessed it may be, can hardly be definitely familiarized to the mind. But everything around the Christian, in this world, serves to illustrate what this blessed relationship is between Christ and the Church.

Eve was to Adam the companion of his home, and the object of his affections. So Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for it. The fact that she becomes the object and witness of His affections is more deeply touching than all the glory which will be her endowment as allied to Christ.

The purpose of Christ's ministry toward His Church is "that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." The end of that ministry is "that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." Just as Eve was for Adam himself, so is the Church to be for Christ Himself.

G. V. Wigram

EDITORIAL:What's Going to Happen Next?

EYES are focused on the Middle East and people are wondering what will happen next. Who is the king of the north? Just where will he arise? These and many other questions are grave concerns of many today.

The Bible is the only book that can tell us the future. It was written by the Spirit of God and can only be rightly interpreted by that same Spirit of God.

A general thought of many is that doomsday is coming for this earth, and what the Spirit of God has written agrees well with this. Judgment is determined. "Now is the judgment of this world." John 12:31. When the world rejected Christ, who came in grace to be a Savior, it sealed its doom.

Who will be the judge? John 5:22 and 27 tell us: "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.... And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man.”

In Dan. 11 we read of three kings; the first is the willful king abruptly announced in verse 36. This is the Antichrist, the false messiah. The second is the king of the south who at the time of the end pushes at the first king, the Antichrist. Then the third king is aroused, the king of the north who comes like a whirlwind. Two attacks on Jerusalem are the result.

What is generating much interest in Christian circles now is what can we expect from the horrible hatred and fighting particularly to the north and east of Israel at this time? We will say this: it will get worse.

The three kings mentioned will arise, but as Christians we do not expect to see or know who they are. After we-the Church, or the bride-are "caught up" it will not be long before these kings make their power and presence felt.

The Armageddon judgments of Rev. 16 and 19 then take place. While we as believers are expectantly waiting for our Lord and Savior (Deliverer) to come and snatch us from great danger, the tribulation, we should be interested in preparatory happenings in the Middle East. Two countries that we might well observe are Syria and Turkey. These are the countries to the north of Israel, and it is from this region that the king of the north will come. Egypt, the country from which the king of the south comes, is already in place and showing increasing signs of power. The turmoil of these past few years in the Persian Gulf area increases the importance of Turkey. This country is strategically situated with borders on Syria, Iran, and Iraq as well as countries in Europe. She has an army of 800,000. It may be that we will yet see a shift of power in the Middle East toward Syria and Turkey.

C. Buchanan

The Hope Set before Us

The hope set before us" (Heb. 6:18) is the expectation of heavenly glory as secured and displayed in Christ exalted on high. Of course, the "hope" implies something yet to be done or manifested, though, being of God in Christ, it has not the smallest shade of uncertainty about it like what men call hope. This hope has present effects too, causing us to "draw nigh to God." If you compare Heb. 10:23, which ought to be "hope" rather than "faith" as in the Authorized Version, it should fill us with joy (Heb. 3:6). It is clearly in the future alone that all will be realized, and therefore it is justly called "hope." Still, the work being finished, and Christ having entered within the veil, our hope is said to penetrate there too. That is, besides being sure for us and steadfast in itself, it is heavenly as entering into the immediate presence of God on the basis of the precious blood of Christ. It counts upon God fulfilling all He has promised, according to the faithfulness which has raised up Christ from the dead (like Isaac in the type), and set Him in the atmosphere of unchangeable blessing inside the veil. As Abraham had his son given back and the promise confirmed by an oath, so we have our hopes confirmed in a yet more precious way in Christ glorified above, though still having need of patience.

Bible Witness and Review

Consider Him

Heb. 3:1 -6; 1 2:1 -3

Man's superiority over other creatures is in mind and heart. The angels excel in strength, and it is never said that they are made in the image of God. Man's heart is very large and there is only One who can fill it. When the Lord is before us, we have One who can and does fill the heart and mind.

The above two scriptures bring the Lord before us in two different ways, perhaps three. He is brought before us in many ways in Scripture. Sometimes we see Him in His eternal glory, then again in His manhood, then back to glory. His glory is great, and His glories are many. Joseph's father loved him, and made him a coat of many colors. Apply this in type to the Lord Jesus. He has personal glories, and glories that have been given Him.

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling." How much there is in these few words! "Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession [confession]." His apostleship was on earth; His high priesthood is in heaven. Let us consider these two things: first, what is our confession? It is this-God is known, is revealed, is no longer concealed, no longer in darkness. "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." In 1 John 4 we get "God is love” twice, but in the first chapter it is "God is light.”

The next thing to consider is, where God is, that is, "in the light." Then as to our confession, it is walking "in the light." He told the prophets of old a great deal about Himself, but when He is revealed, it is alone in the person of His Son (John 1:18).

The Apostle of Our Confession

Heb. 1, where we have the Lord as the Apostle of our confession, begins: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us" in the person of "His Son." And after our attention has been called to that person it says, "Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." Such is our confession, of which the Lord is the Apostle. What a subject for consideration!

High Priest

As High Priest we see Him in heaven, as the One who is qualified to sustain us in the circumstances of faith. We also see Him as the One who lives within the veil, and is touched with the feelings of our infirmities.

His advocacy (1 John 2:1) is another thing; it is the grace which restores our souls if we wander and sin. "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." There, it is the Lord as restorer of our souls. He brings the soul back into communion of the relationship into which we have been brought.

His high priestly service is another thing. It is His sustaining us in the midst of difficulties, and we are exhorted to consider Him in this capacity. In Heb. 5 the priesthood is the position to which He has been called, and there He sustains us. How precious that makes the Lord to us; He who has felt what we feel, has entered into all that we pass through. Do we know what it is to consider the Lord in that way? It is a wonderfully sustaining truth in sorrow to know Him thus, who lives in sympathizing love for us.

Son over the House of God

Another thing is the position He occupies in the house of God. God has a house on the earth. "That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God." God's dwelling place on earth is in the midst of His people. The place that the Lord Jesus occupies in the house is not as a servant in the house, but He is a Son over it. Moses was a servant in it, and was faithful to Him who called him. The Lord Jesus is a Son over the house, and "faithful to Him that appointed Him." We get Him in Revelation, chapters 1-3, as Son over the house in addresses to the churches. "I have not found thy works perfect before God," etc. The Lord is maintaining what is becoming to the house of God.

Beginner and Completer of Faith

In Heb. 12 we find the Lord, not as Apostle and not as High Priest, but as the beginner and completer of faith. He began and completed that path in all perfection.

In these three ways we are called upon to consider Him: as Apostle, as High Priest, and as beginner and completer of faith, "who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

He was sustained in that path of faith. What sustained Him? That which was at the end-"who for the joy," etc. What can sustain us in the path of faith so charged with difficulties from beginning to end? One way to be overcome is to get occupied with the difficulties. We need to look at Him. So "consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." If we get occupied with the circumstances, we faint in our minds; we need an object before us.

Paul said, "If by any means I might attain." The object was before him. In going up a steep hill, if the mind gets occupied with something else, one is soon there. Keep the eye on Christ, and the heart is sustained.

If we go back to the first chapter, we find Him at the right hand of the Majesty on high. This is another viewpoint.

With these few thoughts before us, let us consider Him: the Apostle, High Priest, and the One who endured, lest we be weary and faint in our minds. Long or short, the way is difficult. What enables us to endure is to consider that One who has gone before and has reached the goal.

W. Potter

Melchisedec

Heb. 7:8

"It is witnessed that he liveth.”

There is really no solid ground for denying that Melchisedec was a man as simply as Abram, Lot, or any other personage that figures in the description of Gen. 14.

The mystery consists not in the person, but in the way in which the Spirit of God records his appearance and action in the scene, so as to make of him a suitable type of the Lord Jesus. Thus not a word is said of his birth, or of his death. There is total silence as to his ancestors, and no hint is given of the lapse of his office, or of any successor.

The Holy Spirit by Paul argues from this silence, which is so much the more striking as contrasted with the well-known pedigree and succession of Aaron. And it thus illustrates Christ's priesthood, which really had those features that are here shown to be typically foreshadowed in Melchisedec. For instance, while verse 8 refers to Melchisedec, the testimony Scripture renders is to his life, not to his death, whereas it frequently speaks of the death of Aaron and his sons. The same principle applies to his abiding "a priest continually.”

The Bible does not speak of his institution, nor of his resignation. When first we hear of Melchisedec he is a priest, and as such we leave him; no son, no successor appears. Each of the following are obviously and eminently typical:

(1) The name, "King of righteousness";

(2) The place, "King of Salem";

(3) His sacerdotal office (especially in connection with so peculiar a title of God), "priest of the most high God";

(4) The circumstances, "met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings";

(5) The character of his actions, "blessed him" (and not merely sacrifice and intercession).

There is scarcely more difficulty as to Melchisedec than as to Jethro, priest and king of a later day, though of course the latter could not furnish so apt an illustration in the circumstances of the case as the former. Both were real, historical persons and not merely mystical.

Two remarks may be made towards the better understanding of this chapter and epistle. The first is that if the order of Christ's priesthood is that of Melchisedec, the exercise is that of Aaron (Heb. 9:11). The second is that in verses 18 and 19 of our chapter, we must take "for the law made nothing perfect" parenthetically. The word "did" is in italics and ought to be left out of the Authorized Version.

Bible Witness and Review

God’s Way of Blessing and Fruitfulness

by Dan Hayhoe

There is one brief episode in the life of Abraham that gives us the pattern for blessing and fruitfulness. Also in the book of Ezra there is a pattern that Satan follows when he attacks God's people to prevent that blessing and fruitfulness. We shall begin with the positive aspect: an example in Scripture which tells us of Abraham who did indeed enjoy blessing in his life. Then we shall see how Satan methodically, step by step, attacks those who seek to go on in faithfulness to God.

First, in Gen. 14, Lot and his family and all his goods were taken captive, but Abram goes out with his armed servants and his household, wins a great victory, and recovers Lot and his household. Now what we are going to see is what happens immediately following that victory. Often in the Christian life, God, by His grace, allows us to win a victory, not through our own power but through the power of God and the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Then there is going to be a test, a major decision and a confrontation with Satan himself immediately after that victory. That is exactly what we find in Abram's life.

The victory has been won and in verses 17 through 20 we read, "And the king of Sodom went out to meet him.... And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: and blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand." But notice in verses 21-23, "And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lifted up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoe latchet, and that I will not take anything that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich.”

Let us lay this out in very clear terms. The victory has been won. Abram has a desire to go on for God, and now he's met by two opposing forces, the king of Sodom and the king of Salem. A decision is now going to be made. He faces the attraction of family, because Lot had affiliated himself with Sodom by going back there again, and was there just prior to the ultimate judgment upon that city. Now Abram faces these two men, the king of Sodom and the king of Salem.

King of Salem

Let us look first of all at the king of Salem in verse 18, "Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine." I believe this is a picture of what Christ would offer to the believer in his or her Christian pathway. The Lord Jesus Christ is typified by the king of Salem. Salem means "peace" and we read in Isa. 9:6, "His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Melchizedek was the priest of the most high God.

We find the Lord Jesus Christ is our great High Priest in the glory for us. He is the Prince of Peace, not perhaps acting in that character towards the world at this point in time, but nevertheless this king of Salem brings Christ before us. And what is it that the king of Salem would bring to Abram's attention? He would give Abram bread and wine. He does not take from Abram; he gives to Abram. That is the Christian pathway; that is what Christianity is. It has often been mentioned that Christianity is not known by what it finds, but by what it brings. The Lord Jesus Christ wants to bring Himself into our lives to give blessing, peace, joy and happiness to us.

The wine would speak of the joy that we find in Christ and the bread speaks of Christ Himself. We could trace that from Genesis to Revelation. In Genesis we find Joseph, a type of Christ, with all around starving for lack of food, but where Joseph was there was bread. (Gen. 41:54.) Where the Lord Jesus is, there always will be bread. The children of Israel went through the wilderness and they were fed with manna from heaven. This speaks of Christ in His humanity, Christ in His manhood and the privilege of feeding on Christ for the daily pathway.

In the book of Ruth, we find Naomi who had gone from Bethlehem, "the house of bread." She had gone into the world, Moab, and there was famine. Finally, in restoration she comes back to Bethlehem again and hangs her head in shame and says, "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me." When she returns to Bethlehem, "the house of bread," we find immediately that it's the beginning of barley harvest. And so where there is restoration, there is bread and nourishment.

Bread of Life

We go on to John 6:48 and the Lord Jesus Christ says, "I am that bread of life." Christ is the bread. We could go right on through to the book of Revelation and find in Pergamos that the Church and the world are united, a particular temptation to the believer. The privilege of the overcomer is to eat of the hidden manna, feeding secretly on Christ in his own soul regardless of the state of the Church around us, and regardless of the difficulties and the problems in our families. In Gen. 14 Abram's own nephew had gone off into the world and he had to go out physically and bring him back again. He is met by the king of Sodom trying to entice him back into Sodom. With all these difficulties arising in our lives and families, the hidden manna and feeding on Christ in our own soul are what will keep us.

The king of Salem does not ask for anything from Abram; he gives. And the Lord Jesus Christ gives; He gives everything. He gave Himself. "The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." He gave everything for us and all He wants in return is our affection and to have us walking in communion with Him. If, by His grace, He gives us a little service to do for Him, it is a wonderful privilege to be involved in that, but He does not demand it of us.

King of Sodom

What about the king of Sodom? Sodom means "an abundance of dew." It also means "their secret" and "burning." It was a wicked and sinful place. We look around and we see what appears to be blessing in this wicked world around us, an abundance of dew, perhaps, but don't forget He "sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Do not let that fool us because Sodom also means "their secret." The secret sin of Sodom soon spilled out into the open and then what happened? Burning, the judgment of God upon that city. And what does the king of Sodom say? "Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.”

Satan says: Give me the souls; you take the goods. In fact, I will help you get them Go ahead with your education; go ahead with your plans for advancement in the business world. Go ahead with your plans for accumulating wealth. Take it all, but give me the souls.

Here is the decision: maybe you've won a great victory, a spiritual victory in your life. Maybe you have been used for the restoration of someone in your own family like Abram was for Lot. But now the decision comes: are you going to go on for Christ, the King of Salem? Or are you going to be drawn by Satan, the king of Sodom who says, "Give me the souls, and take the goods to thyself." v. 21, margin. That is the challenge for all of us. Satan says: Give me the souls; you take the goods. In fact, I will help you get them. Go ahead with your education; go ahead with your plans for advancement in the business world. Go ahead with your plans for accumulating wealth. Take it all, but give me the souls. We have fallen into that trap of accumulating "goods" while millions of souls are perishing without Christ.

What was Abram's response? Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoe-latchet, and that I will not take anything that is thine." A thread speaks to us of our clothes, how we present ourselves to the world and those around us at work and school. The shoe-latchet would speak to us of our walk, our association with this world and our pathway through this world. Abram says that he would not take anything; he would be completely separate, sanctified, and meet for the

Master's use (2 Tim. 2:20, 21). That is the beginning of a pathway of blessing and fruitfulness for the Lord Jesus Christ.

“After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." What is the prize? Christ! "For to me to live is Christ." Phil. 1:21. "I... count them but dung [refuse], that I may win Christ." Phil. 3:8. Every link formed with the world weakens the testimony and saps spiritual strength.

Steps to Fruitfulness

First Step

In Gen. 17:1, we see several specific steps leading up to verse 6, which says, "I will make thee exceeding fruitful." I know that every one of us wants fruitfulness for Christ. The primary evidence of divine life is fruit. The pattern for fruitfulness is in Gen. 17:1, "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God." The first step is a revelation and the realization of who God is.

Second Step

The next step is, "Walk before Me, and be thou perfect." We begin with a knowledge of God as revealed in Christ and go on to a walk in communion with God. "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3. That is fellowship and communion. There is no true fellowship apart from the fellowship that is based on a knowledge of Christ as revealed from God the Father.

Third Step

The third step is, "Be thou perfect"; the margin says, "Be thou sincere." The word "sincere" comes from two Latin words—sine cera—"without wax." Phil. 1:10 says, "that ye may be sincere... till the day of Christ." In the days when this scripture was written at the time of the Roman empire, the potters would make their clay pots and sometimes the pots would crack during the firing process. A potter who was not honest would take wax and seal up the crack and color it so that when you looked at it you could not see the cracks unless you held it up to the light. Then you would find that there was actually wax filler in it. A potter who was honest and did good work would turn his finished product upside down and stamp on the bottom "sine cera"—without wax. That's what "sincere" means.

Fourth Step

The fourth step is in verse 3, "Abram fell on his face." It tells us in 1 Peter 5:6, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time." If we start the pattern of our early life in stubbornness and self-will, in refusing to bow under the hand of God, it will plague us for the rest of our lives. And then when we are older and someone in the assembly says something that hurts us, or is not true about us, we will react in self-defense and self-vindication. That will bring sorrow and sadness into our lives and our families' lives, and division and sorrow among the people of God. If we can do like Abram did and fall on our faces and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, there will be blessing.

Fifth Step

The next step is that God talked with him in communion. That may go beyond our selfish thoughts about what is God's will for our life; it is really an understanding of God's thoughts for His people. Perhaps you say, "I wonder why I cannot understand prophecy?" Those are God's thoughts with respect to His people. If we do not understand it, one of the reasons may be because our thoughts are so selfish and narrow that they don't include the purposes of God.

Sixth Step

The next step is in verse 5, "Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham." A new name really brings before us a complete change, leaving behind everything that was before. We become a new creature [creation] in Christ. (2 Cor. 5:17.) That happens when we are born again. But I believe there is a time in our lives, too, as we go along for the Lord, that we have to remind ourselves to walk in the good of that position in which we have been placed.

Satan's Pattern for Attack

We have seen God's pattern for blessing. Now we're going to see Satan's pattern for attacking God's people. In Ezra's day the Lord stirred up the hearts of some of His own people who had been in captivity. There was a restoration and they began to rebuild the temple. And when that happens, Satan always attacks. We have seen the positive side-the pathway to blessing in the life of Abraham. Now we're going to see the negative side and how Satan attacks in the time of Ezra.

The temple, which was being rebuilt, was God's center on earth. God's Church, the assembly, is how God manifests Himself on earth today. Those who are willing to put their heart, soul and energy into identification with God's assembly are going to face a tremendous onslaught of Satan. "Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel; then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do." Ezra 4:1, 2. The answer is in verse 3: "Ye have nothing to do with us.”

First Tactic

Satan's first attack is to introduce those who were really Samaritans, who would say, "We are with you; we are one of you," but they were enemies and adversaries. Take that as a warning not to join hands with the world even if it is to accomplish something that may seem to be for the glory of God. If it is not done according to the Word of God, it cannot have the blessing of God in our lives. The children of Israel were faithful; they refused that.

Second Tactic

The second tactic of Satan is in verse 4: "Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building." Satan is going to weaken our hands; he is going to trouble us and bring all kinds of things into our lives that are going to sap our energy and take away our strength.

In the book of Haggai we find they left building the temple; instead they went back to building their own houses. If we turn to Ezra 6:11, we find the result. "Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this." If we turn our energies to ourselves rather than God, it is going to bring down God's judgment on our own heads.

Third Tactic

Let us see Satan's next tactic in Ezra 5:3, 4. They had questioned God's authority. "Who hath commanded you to build this house?... What are the names of the men that make this building?" There is a tremendous movement in Christendom to question the inerrant authority of the Word of God. And there will be many who will come to us and say, "Who gave you the authority to meet in that simple way around the Person of Christ?" The authority comes from God Himself and the Word of God, and from the Holy Spirit who has the liberty to guide and direct our thoughts to Christ in the midst. The authority does not come from man.

Fourth Tactic

We will find Satan's last tactic in Ezra 9:2. "For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass." That was Satan's final tactic and the one that worked. That was the one that wrought havoc and brought in this awful mixture. The command in 2 Cor. 6:14,15 is so clear: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.... What concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel [unbeliever]?”

May the Lord preserve us from Satan's tactics and give us the courage to follow the pattern for blessing and fruitfulness.

Questions and Answers: "The Father Worketh Herein and the Son Also?"

QUESTION: Is there anything on earth about which we can say, according to the truth of God and with certainty in our own minds, "The Father worketh herein and the Son also"?

ANSWER: Most assuredly, yes. The Church of the living God is still upon earth, and that Church is the workmanship of God—is the subject of the operations of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Yes, God is working upon the earth. It is a work, too, which was counseled from everlasting, which is for God's own eternity and for Himself and His Son in that eternity. When man sees this as to the

Church, he (the renewed, saved man) will see how near he is to the work of God. Questions will surely follow to each one—questions such as, "How far do I understand God's thoughts as to the Church?”

“How far am I practically working together with God in this matter?" or "How far is my life here below, practically inconsistent with the present aim and the present object of God in His work?”

The Spirit of God dwells in a body, the Church upon earth, and that body is made responsible for the honor and the glory of the Lord. Eternal salvation to each soul individually is through faith in the Lord Jesus. But the individuals so saved were to be gathered together in each place under the present guidance, corporately, of the Holy Spirit, and be the body which is responsible for the truth and the honor of the Lord.

Bible Challenger-01-January V.06: Something Which Cannot Be Made Perfect By Offerings and Sacrifice

The first letter of each of the following responses will form the word that defines something which cannot be made perfect through the offerings of gifts and sacrifices. [The number in brackets indicates the number of words in the answer.]

1. The natural consequence emanating from something that is pure and something that is good [1].

2. A desirable void in each believer's life as to that which relates to both God and man [1].

3. A descriptive word of things pure in the lives of the defiled and unbelieving [1].

4. A catastrophic end to the pathway of faith when something, once good, is put aside [1].

5. Something both young and old felt within themselves after receiving a down-to-earth message [1].

6. A place in which one having knowledge could be a bad influence on someone weak in faith [2].

7. Something Christians might do that is thankworthy even though wrong is involved [2].

8. The frequency of prayer remembrance of an apostle for his own son in the faith [3].

9. A character of walk to be avoided when truth is fully manifested [1].

10. Something Christians' hearts are sprinkled from when there is the full assurance of faith [2].

Answers to these questions will be found in the next issue of Christian Treasury. R. Erisman

Bible Challenger-00-December Answers to V.05

1. M ake my refuge Psa. 57:1

2. E vil to come [so. 57:1

3. R opes 1 Kings 20:31

4. C ruel Prov. 11:17

5. I ntegrity Psa. 26:11

6. F aithful Heb. 2:17

7. U nrighteousness Heb. 8:12

8. L ot Gen. 19:15,16

"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be MERCIFUL to me a sinner."

Luke 18:13.

The Bible in Two Parts

The Old and New Testaments are perfectly harmonious! There is not a line or word of one that contradicts the other, but they are not and do not say the same things.

God takes particular pains to mark the difference; in fact, He writes each in a different tongue—the one, Hebrew, having its groundwork in the family of Abraham after the flesh. The other is in Greek, used when God was sending the gospel to the Gentiles as such. Thus the Greek was just as much a representative of Gentile objects, as the Hebrew found its fitting object in Israel. But, for all that, God shows His mind in both.

The distinctive feature of the Old Testament is His government, while the distinctive feature of the New Testament is His grace. Government and grace are totally distinct. Government is always a dealing with man, whereas grace is the revelation of what God is and does. Consequently, the one invariably supposes judgment, and the other is the full display of mercy and goodness. Both find their meeting point in Christ.

As He is the King, He consequently is the head of the government. As He is the Son of God, full of grace and truth, He consequently is the one channel for all the blessing peculiar to the New Testament. His glory, now that the mighty work of redemption is done, accounts for all our characteristic privileges.

W. Kelly

Old Creation

Dead to sin, to the world, to the law-this I find in Scripture but not dead to the old creation. This is the place of every Christian, and he is to hold himself so. But God does not say dead to the old creation, for it is God's creation, and every creature of God is good. Live above it. In its present state all is well, if it be given to us, but death to the first creation, and breaking every link with it, is not true, while we are in the body. Scripture does not say so, and Scripture, I say again, is much wiser than we are. There is a new creation, and, as in Christ, we are of it-I think we may say, the firstfruits of it-"of His creatures," at any rate.

Out of His Treasure

Christ was witnessing while Peter was denying, but Christ had been praying while Peter was sleeping. The armor should be put on before the battle, not just during the battle.

Waiting is readiness; watching is expectation.

We can never be said to have outlived our usefulness unless we have outlived our spirituality.

The source of real strength is in the sense of the Lord's being gracious. The natural man in us always disbelieves Christ as the only source of strength and every blessing.

To learn, and yet to learn, while life goes by,
So pass the student's days;
And thus be great, and do great things, and die,
And lie embalmed with praise.

My work is but to lose and to forget,
Thus small, despised to be;
All to unlearn-this task before me set;
Unlearn all else but Thee.

G. T. S.

Mischief

Whatever (Satan seeks to do, as he has done from the beginning, must ultimately tend to the divine glory.

A large part of the New Testament epistles owe their origin to the mischief Satan did in the Church. Examples are the epistles to the Corinthians, Thessalonians and Galatians. The mischief was permitted that the folly of these things might be made manifest, and that the full glory of the truth might be brought out. "These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you." They were persons of the highest pretensions that would seduce them.

The attack of the enemy brought out in the epistle to the Corinthians was the truth of the resurrection; in Thessalonians, the coming of the Lord; in Galatians, justification by faith. This was hardly the case in Philippians, because Paul was comforted by the love of those at Philippi.

Whatever Satan seeks to do, as he has done from the beginning, must ultimately tend to the divine glory, and the comfort and blessing of the souls of those who seek to serve God. The fall itself is the occasion of God's introducing greater blessing than before. Of course, man gets humbled in it, but God overrules it for greater good.

EDITORIAL: Israel: Whose Land Is It?

The land now occupied by Israel is claimed by the Palestinians and also by the Jordanians. Syria would like to have it as well. To whom does it rightly belong?

It is the Holy Land of the Bible. Judaism and Christianity began in Palestine, but Islam claims it as their sacred place. Today it is about the same size as Kuwait, and likely it soon will be the center of a greater conflict than Kuwait is experiencing at this time.

In promise, the Lord made a covenant with Abram saying, "Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates." Gen. 15:18. This promise has never been completely fulfilled, but it shall be in Christ. In the second Psalm the Lord emphatically states it as done, as He alone can speak saying, "Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion." More is added in Psa. 132:13, 14, "For the Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation. This is My rest forever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.”

All this is future and certain, but what about the present state of uneasy possession by Israel of the part they forcibly control? Under David, the Lord gave Israel much of the land of promise. It began in the day of Joshua and reached its peak under Solomon. Israel had to drive out the heathen idolaters and to walk upon all that they possessed. Never were the Philistines fully conquered, nor did Israel gain possession of all the large territory that the Lord promised to Abram.

Instead, the kingdom was divided and the ten tribes soon turned to idolatry themselves. For this they were carried away captive by the Assyrians and their identity is lost.

A little later because of idolatry, the kingly line of David with the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin were taken captive to Babylon. A little remnant was brought back to the land, and about 2000 years ago their Messiah was presented to them. Did they receive Him? No! Nationally, they rejected and crucified Him. Will that nation be punished for their crime? They said, "His blood be on us and on our children." This is why the children have been allowed to come back, in measure, to the site of their crime.

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. Man proposes, God disposes. The Gentiles and the Jews were at the cross led by Satan against "the Lord, and against His Christ." Acts 4:26. The present state of affairs in and around Israel surely is a preparation for the judgment of this guilty world which crucified God's Son, sent in grace to be a Savior.

After these judgments which last for 7 years at least, there will be that wonderful 1000-year reign of Christ. He will gather all Israel and they shall be in the land in peace, and the nations all around enjoying that righteous reign of great earthly blessing. (Zech. 14:9-11.)

C. Buchanan

The Shout

"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout." 1 Thess. 4:16.

I want to tell you something very interesting about that word "shout." This is the only place in the New Testament where the Greek word here translated "shout" occurs, and it does not mean a shout of terror, a startling shout; it is a word of encouragement. It is the word that was used in olden times to encourage the rowers manning the oars on the galleys. It is the shout of encouragement for the people of God, the word that calls them, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. The One who loves us, who has done so much for us, will be there on the threshold of the glory, and will take us in. What a scene that will be!

A Christian

Before God a Christian is seen in Christ as holy and without blame in love, and such a character should mark him now.

A Christian, everyone will admit, ought to be a Christian in conduct and walk, as well as in name. How else is the life of Christ to be seen in him?

In these days of worldliness and declension we have to leave with the Lord the question of whether a person is really a Christian or not. We know that "the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His" (2 Tim. 2:19), but it is incumbent on everyone who names the name of the Lord to depart from iniquity. It is not the walk which makes the Christian, though to walk in some measure as Christ walked entitles such a one to the name, for what a Christian is before God should be reproduced in his walk. Before God he is seen in Christ as holy and without blame in love (Eph. 1:4), and such a character should mark him now.

The Christian is in the same position before God as Christ is; he has no other standing, for he is in it as the effect of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. He knows it by the Holy Spirit which dwells in him, through whom he enjoys all the results of that death and resurrection, whether present or future. His sins have been forgiven for His name's sake. He is in Christ, saved forever from judgment, for love with him has been made perfect, so that it can be said, "As He [Christ] is, so are we [Christians] in this world." God sees each believer as such absolutely; he is perfect in Christ.

Has the state of Christendom, which is a witness of the ruin of Christian profession, altered one bit what a Christian is, and consequently what his walk should be? No! We ought to be true to what, through God's grace, we are.

As He Is

God's perfect love casts out fear, for "as He is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17). Look at these nine monosyllables. Exactly as Christ is, so is the Christian. When he dies? No. When he has attained to a state of perfection? No. "In this world." I know nothing sweeter to the heart than to see that peerless Man who was in death, but has gone back to heaven, at the right hand of God, and God says, "As He is, so are we in this world.”

See Him, the Father's delight from all eternity. How is He? Is He on the other side of death? So are we. Is He where no sin can touch Him? So are we. Is He the Father's delight? So are we. If you believe this, you will have life, peace, power, and boldness in the day of judgment. I shall be at His side in that day of judgment. He is the One who took my judgment on the Cross.

“Bold shall I stand in that great day,
For who aught to my charge shall lay?”

He has given us His place—"As He is, so are we in this world." May the Lord lead us to rest in Himself, and thus to walk in the enjoyment of His love till we see Him face to face. W. T. P. Wolston

Paul’s Manner at All Seasons

Whether there be conditions as cold as winter, as promising as spring, as bright as summer, or as overcast as autumn, Paul's ministry is appropriate for us.

Paul's closing words to the elders at Ephesus tell the proper spirit and character of a true servant of God. Paul passed through all manner of conditions with respect to the assembly, which indicates his ministry is suitable for any condition among the people of God today. Whether there be conditions as cold as winter, as promising as spring, as bright as summer, or as overcast as autumn, Paul's ministry is appropriate for us.

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house.

Acts 20:17-20.

Winter

Winter begins our year and illustrates the condition of man's heart untouched and unmoved by the love and grace of Christ.

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about Him, and said unto Him, How long dost Thou make us to doubt? If Thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. John 10:22-24.

The Jews had asked Jesus to tell them plainly if He were the Christ. He had already abundantly proved this. When He stated the truth that He and His Father were one, they took up stones to stone Him. They were filled with coldness and hatred for Christ. Paul also experienced this same response from the Jews. (Acts 9:23, 24.) Religious flesh will always be opposed to Paul's ministry

Spring

Spring is characterized by freshness, growth, and life out of death. Paul wrote to the assembly at Thessalonica commending them for their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope. He also recalled how they had turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven. Whether an assembly or individual is characterized by the features seen in the Thessalonian believers, the encouragement and testimony to others is indisputable.

How refreshing to see a believer, young or old, hungering after fellowship, anxious to gain a fresh thought of Christ, desiring better understanding of Scripture, fervently engaged in the gospel, and sincerely concerned for the welfare of all men. The coldness and barrenness of winter are left behind as spring arrives. Worldly wisdom and ways fade away as love for Christ moves one to willing obedience to Him.

Summer

Summer is known for warmth, long days, and blooming vegetation. The epistle to the Ephesians tells us we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ. No greater blessing could be ours. The believer should be enjoying the fullness of the blessing he has in Christ. It is not material wealth and abundance, but a spiritual treasure that belongs to us.

There is a walk that corresponds to these truths and so the Ephesians were exhorted to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they were called. As intelligence in divine things increases, so should godliness. What has begun in spring, matures in summer. What has matured in summer, falls away in autumn and the chills that characterize winter are occasionally felt.

Autumn

Autumn may be compared to the end of one's natural life, but it also indicates the last days of the assembly's history on earth. It was in autumn when Paul wrote:

The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.... Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. Do thy diligence to come before winter. 2 Tim. 4:13, 20, 21.

No doubt Paul felt the need of warmth in his prison cell as the chilling gusts of autumn wind pierced his skin. But what bit more deeply than the cold winds was the realization that many had forsaken him. "Notwithstanding," he said, "the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me." v. 17. We have the same resource today.

Trophimus was sick and in the last days many are spiritually ill and weak. Paul desired Timothy to come before winter set in. Timothy's coming would warm the soul of this venerable servant of God. It must have done his heart good to see a younger brother who still cared for him and his ministry. Paul's writings from the prison in Rome give needed truth for the days of autumn, a day of falling away and giving up.

Soon the icy conditions of winter will prevail again as all who love the Lord Jesus will be caught up to be with Him. The principles of opposition to the truth which will rise to their peak after the assembly is gone are felt even now.

Still, there is encouragement, even in a day of decline. Ephraim will say upon his restoration, "I am like a green fir tree." Hos. 14:8. May we be as an evergreen tree even in the days of autumn. When all around is giving evidence of death, we may enjoy communion with the Lord and be characterized by the very life of Christ. He will say, "From Me is thy fruit found.”

Autumn is similar to sunset. On the positive side, some of the most beautiful sights and colors are seen just before the leaves fall, or the sun sets. Many older saints give the richest display of Christ in their lives just before they are called home.

It is good to recognize that though we live in the days of autumn, we may be characterized by spring and summer. Paul's ministry is not only appropriate, but necessary for us in all seasons.

W. Brockmeier

His Love

Not to shield my path from sorrows
Is His care and thought;
Not to make the dark world brighter
Where Himself is not.

But to have me there beside
Him In the love and light,
There to tell my heart how precious
I am in His sight.

Youth

The blessing of giving the Lord the best days.

“I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth." 1 Kings 18:12. What a blessed statement of Obadiah's! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and if we start our Christian life with this, our path will be a happy one in serving Him.

A dear brother once said to a group of young Christians: "You, dear young people, in all the freshness and bloom of youth, remind me of a very beautiful bouquet of flowers. Suppose you desire to present a very beautiful bouquet to a good friend. You purchase it, and it is so beautiful that you wish to keep it. But the third day you notice it is beginning to wither, and you hasten to give the faded bouquet to your friend. Do not treat the Lord this way. Give yourselves to Him while in your vigor and strength. Serve Him with your whole heart. Remember what He has done for you.”

Oh, how little do Christian young men and women appreciate the blessing of giving God their youth—their best days—the strongest and heartiest time of their short life. "In thy youth," give yourself to God for His service and honor. "In thy youth," be out and out for Christ, a good soldier for Him. Do not say in your heart, Why should I not enjoy the world and its joys as others do? Jesus, the Son of God beckons you to a nobler life; He calls you to self-sacrifice and devotion, in which you shall have joys beyond all that this poor world ever gave to its servants.

Dear young Christians, the truly happy life is the one that is given to the Lord. There are more joys found in the service of Christ than in all the pleasures of the world. We appeal to you now, in your youth, to devote yourselves to Him.

Understanding Scripture

What is it that renders all Scripture so difficult? It is not the language. A striking proof of it is found in this: if anyone were to ask what part of the New Testament I think to be the most profound of all, I should refer to the epistles of John. Yet, if there be any part more than others put in language of the greatest simplicity, it is these very epistles. The words are not those of the scribes of this world. Neither are the thoughts enigmatical or full of foreign or difficult-to-comprehend allusions.

The difficulty of Scripture lies in this: it is the revelation of Christ for the souls that have their hearts opened by grace to receive and to value Him. Now John, of all the disciples, was most favored in intimacy of communion with Christ. He is used of the Holy Spirit to give us the deepest thoughts of Christ's love and personal glory.

The real difficulty of Scripture consists in its thoughts being so infinitely above our natural mind.

We must give up self in order to understand the Bible. We must have a heart and an eye for Christ, or Scripture becomes an unintelligible thing for our souls. But when the eye is single, the whole body is full of light. Hence we see every day a learned man completely at fault, though he may be a Christian—stopping short at the epistles of John or at the Revelation as being too deep for him to enter into.

On the other hand, you may find a simple man, who, if he cannot altogether understand these scriptures or explain every portion of them correctly, can at any rate well enjoy them. They convey intelligible thoughts to his soul and comfort, guidance, and profit too. Even if it be about coming events, or Babylon and the beast, he finds there great principles of God which, even though they may be found in what is considered the most obscure of all the books of Scripture, yet have a practical bearing for his soul.

The reason is that Christ is before him, and Christ is the wisdom of God in every sense. It is not, of course, because he is ignorant, but in spite of his ignorance he can understand it. Nor is it because a man is learned, that he is capable of entering into the thoughts of God. Whether ignorant or learned, there is but one way—the eye to see what concerns Christ. Where Christ is firmly fixed before the soul, I believe that He becomes the light of spiritual intelligence as He is the light of salvation.

It is the Spirit of God who is the power for us to apprehend Scripture, but He never gives that light except through Christ. Otherwise man has an object before him that is not Christ, and therefore cannot understand Scripture which reveals Christ. He is endeavoring to force the Scriptures to bear upon his own objects and thus Scripture is perverted.

Such is the real key to all mistakes of Scripture. Man takes his own thoughts to the Word of God, and builds up a system which has no divine foundation.

W. Kelly

Under God's Hand

Learning to Enjoy Christ

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel." Phil. 1:12.

In the circumstances to which the Apostle here alludes, we get the result of the overruling hand of God in His power and ways toward us in the Church. There is nothing so good for us as the hand of God coming in and leading us, as He did Paul, in a path altogether contrary to our will. But the flesh always runs away from the hand of God.

There is nothing that we more shrink from than from the hand of God. When Paul wrote this epistle, it was exactly his case. If the things which happened to him fell out for the furtherance of the gospel as he says, nothing at this time happened to him, according to his prayers, but there was the hand of God upon him, keeping him from his longed-for service. This very thing is used of God to set the saint in Christ far above the service he is occupied in—precious in its place as that may be-and to give the greater blessedness of the enjoyment of Christ Himself.

Paul, at Tarsus, for a while rested from service; afterward he labored more abundantly than they all. The early part of his course sent him into activity, and he "conferred not with flesh and blood," but he went on in the power of the Spirit in him. Here we see him the subject of another process in his soul.

In Romans we find him saying, "Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; that I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea." Rom. 15:30, 31. He prayed to be delivered from ungodly men, yet they put his feet in the stocks. While there was service to be done, there was another matter with Paul. He was idle from service for two whole years at Caesarea. He was a prisoner, but as a prisoner was able to teach them all. All this time the hand of God was upon Paul. The Lord was meeting the remainder of self-will in his servant. The value of being with the Lord alone is that one gets more thoroughly into the presence of God. From being himself in the presence of God, he knows what the saints are before God. Paul advances in the joy of being with the Lord, that he might know the difference in the joy of being with the Lord and in service here. He uses the joy of being there as "far better," and so dwelt in God's love that when he saw service to the Church, he says, "I shall abide and continue with you." Though in a strait, yet he had no doubt, because he knew what was in God. It was far better to depart and be with Him, but in seeing the other principle of God's active love, "to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

God is ever acting in love; therefore we should never be disturbed at anything which occurs, as though some strange thing happened to us. The things which happen to us always are of God, and are all perfect as being of God. There was never a time when God more deferred acting in Paul than the two years at Caesarea. Paul was entirely and painfully set aside by these circumstances. If your soul is in communion with God, you will know God's mind about the saints. But you are not to be content unless "changed into the same image." That which is well pleasing to God should be wrought in us.

Is the Testimony Our Object?

Wherever Christians set up to be a
testimony they get full of
themselves...

The question is to my mind a profound mistake, that the testimony they bear is the governing object of the mind of saints. It is no new thought to me, but what I have insisted on. I know not how long-some 30 or 40 years—that wherever an assembly, or those in an assembly, are set to bear a testimony, they will be a testimony to their own weakness and inefficiency, because the object of their walk cannot be one which efficiently forms a Christian. When they have a right one, they will be a testimony, but to be one is never the first object.

To have Christ (I mean practically to walk with Him and after Him), to have communion with the Father and the Son, to walk in unfeigned obedience and lowliness, to live in realized dependence on Christ and have His secret with us, and realize the Father's love, to have our affections set on things above, to walk in patience and yet confidence through this world-this is what we have to seek. If we realize it we shall be a testimony, whether individually or collectively, but in possessing the things themselves, and they form us through grace, and so we are a testimony: but seeking or setting up to be a testimony does not. Moses did not seek to have his face shine nor even know when it did, but when he had been before God it did so.

Wherever Christians, as far as I have seen, set up to be a testimony they get full of themselves, and lose the sense that they are so [full of themselves], and fancy that it is having much of Christ. A shining face never sees itself. The true heart is occupied with Christ, and in a certain sense and measure, self is gone.

J. N. Darby

Guidance

I have no doubt that if we kept close to Christ, His Spirit would guide us in our intercourse with others. We are not always conscious of divine guidance even when it is there, but the word comes from Christ to the souls we have to say to, even if rejected.... But our part is to keep close to Christ, so that it should be "not I, but Christ liveth in me," and thus He acts in our thoughts and ways without our, at the moment, thinking of Him directly, but we always have the consciousness of speaking for Him, and of His presence.

He Loved Them unto the End

The precious words "He loved them unto the end" are found in John 13:1. Most of us know that "to the end" means on and on, through every day. That is, He has loved and loves us with a love that nothing can stop; nothing can make Him cease to love us.

It is remarkable too, that we find a passage in Heb. 13 which says, "Let brotherly love continue." What does that mean? Just exactly what it says: that it is to continue—never to cease. Our brethren cannot act worse toward us, nor we toward them, than the disciples did toward the Lord. "This in My commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you." John 15:12. This means that we are to love our brethren in the same way—the same manner—on and on, through and through in spite of everything.

Peter and John—Restoration and Communion

The way in which this love is to manifest itself, of course, has to do with the way in which others conduct themselves. We find John lying on the

Savior's breast, and we find Peter denying Him with oaths and cursing. He loved them both with the same love, but that love had to manifest itself according to the ways of each. I speak of the principle now. Of John it is written: "He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto Him, Lord, who is it?" John 13:25. Here is communion.

What about Peter's denying Him with oaths and cursing? Is there communion there? Oh, no. The cock crows and he remembers the words that Jesus spoke to him, and their eyes meet. What is the result? The poor failing one went out and wept bitterly. The Lord's love to Peter was not one whit less when he was denying Him than at any other time.

Martha—Service a Burden

Martha's service to the Lord had become a burden. (Luke 10:40-42.) When service to the Lord becomes a burden, it loses its worth in His sight. And when does it become a burden? It is when love to Himself is not the spring, so we hear Martha saying, "Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me." She wants help. Her service has become a burden because He is not known as He should be, though in a sense He is the object of service; nevertheless it is a burden.

Elijah—a Hard Thing to Ask

Then there is that wonderful servant of God, Elijah. It is very interesting to note when we first meet him and when we leave him. He comes before us first directly from the presence of the Lord. He comes out of a hidden place to speak; no one ever heard of him before, according to the record given in Scripture. He comes before us in this way: "As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." 1 Kings 17:1.

From James 5:17 we learn that he had been in communion with God about it. It was his love to the Lord's people, and his love to the Lord that led him to say in substance: Lord, if nothing else will bring the people to their senses, to a sense of their sin, withhold the rain. It was a hard thing to ask, yet it was love that led to it. He got the answer.

Elijah goes on, and after a while we find him leaving this world, and oh, what a departure! He is carried to heaven in a chariot of fire. Next we see him, not going to heaven, but in the glory itself, and there with the Lord and with Moses. (Matt. 17:3.)

What preceded his going to heaven that way? He was overcome with evil. Was a man that went to heaven in a chariot of fire, and was seen on the mount of glory, and in the glory with the Lord and Moses, really overcome of evil? What do we find him doing? Making intercession against Israel. (Rom. 11:2.) "Lord, they have killed Thy prophets, and digged down Thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life." Then he asked to die. He was overcome of evil in that way. (See Rom. 11:2,3.)

We are told not to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:21.) The love with which we are loved, and the love with which we are to love, is the love of Christ-it never can be overcome of evil. Do we not feel the danger of being overcome with evil, being cast down, when we see evil coming in like a flood?

The Lord Jesus—Love That Never Forgets Its Object

In John 13:1 it says, "Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end." Then what did He do? He laid aside His garments, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He had girded Himself. Instead of being occupied with Himself and the thought that now He was going to leave the world and depart to the Father, He was thinking of them. He says, as it were, I know I will be up there, but I will not be happy without their fellowship and communion, and without My services I cannot have it. So I will take a position toward them that will maintain them in fellowship with Me while I am absent from them, until they do not need that kind of service anymore.

His love never for a moment forgets its object. What a humbling, blessed truth! How we feel more and more our utter unworthiness of it. Nothing humbles like grace, like love. That is the love with which we are loved.

After He had performed that service for them, a type of the service in which He is now engaged in order to sustain us in communion with Himself, He sat down. All this took place in that upper chamber.

This is the only place that I remember where the Lord calls the attention of the disciples to the fact that He is their Lord and Master. "Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet." vv. 12-14. He had never said this before.

Then He says, "If ye know these things." What? Happy are ye? No, it does not say that. There is a little word of two letters in there that is important: "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." Do what? Wash one another's feet.

Now we all know, if we know what communion with Christ is, that there is no going on with Him without His doing for us what He did for His disciples. It is utterly impossible for us to restore our souls. "He restoreth my soul." We are as dependent on Him for the restoration of the soul as we are for its salvation. We cannot get on without this service—we cannot get on without the Lord. There is another thing: we cannot get on with one another without knowing how to do it with one another.

He says distinctly, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me." And how often have we felt the communion broken, a cloud between. How is it going to be removed? There is just one way, and that is to put the feet into His hands. That is all. We will never get the cloud removed in any other way. "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me." Just so, unless there is this service one to another, there is no going on with one another. Think of the love with which we are loved: the love of Christ.

What the heart feels the need of is personal communion with Christ. What He looks for and values above everything else is personal devotedness to Himself. No amount of service can ever compensate for lack of communion with Himself. If there is devotedness, there will be communion; if there is communion, there will be service.

W. Potter

Bible Challenger-02-February V.06: The Source of Light Emanating from the Lord's Person

The first letter of each of the following responses will form the word identifying the source of light emanating from the Lord's person that guides a people attracted to joyfulness. [The number in brackets indicates the number of words in the answer.]

1. A one word description of the appearance of a certain "dove that had a pleasant voice [1].

2. What man looks on in contradistinction to how the Lord views an individual [2].

3. Who are they that the eyes of the righteous Lord beholds [1]?

4. What physical element is used to illustrate the interaction of a sharp tongue and an angry appearance [2]?

5. What troubled a mighty king when his festive mood was dramatically changed [1]?

6. That which a king, who trusted in the Lord's strength, recognized that His presence had made him [2].

7. The name of a churlish man whose wife was wise and of a goodly appearance [1].

8. The likeness of a special messenger that appeared to an unnamed wife concerning a son yet to be born [3].

9. The changed appearance of a woman after the reason for her silent speech was understood [3].

10. An outward appearance resulting from an inward manifestation of by [2].

11. The appearance of one who was likened to a country famous for its trees [4].

Answers to these questions will be found in the next issue of Christian Treasury. R. Erisman 0

Bible Challenger-01-January Answers V.06

1. C harity 1 Tim. 1:5

2. O ffense Acts 24:16

3. N othing Titus 1:15

4. S hipwreck 1 Tim. 1:19

5. C onvicted John 8:9

6. I dot's temple 1 Cor. 8:10

7. E ndure grief 1 Peter 2:19

8. N ight and day 2 Tim. 1:3

9. C raftiness 2 Con 4:2

10. E vil conscience Heb. 10:22

"Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the CONSCIENCE." Heb. 9:9.

Unspiritual and Unprofitable Discussions

"Shun profane and vain babblings." "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes." 2 Tim. 2:16,23. We need to guard against anything that would tread down the pastures, or foul the waters, by unspiritual and unprofitable discussions, thus depriving the sheep of the flock of the rich and healthful nourishment provided (see Ezek. 34:18,19).

Be Careful for Nothing

God gives us peace in Himself which is beyond our understanding

We are in relationship with God; He is our refuge in all things, and events do not disturb Him. He knows everything and He knows it beforehand. Events shake neither His throne nor His heart; they always accomplish His purposes. But to us He is love; we are, through grace, the objects of His tender care.

He listens to us and bows down His ear to hear us. In all things, therefore, instead of worrying and weighing everything in our own hearts, we ought to present our requests to God in prayer, with supplication and with a heart that makes itself known. We are human beings with knowledge of the heart of God and we know that He loves us perfectly, so that even while making our petition to Him, we can already give thanks, because we are sure of the answer of His grace, whatever it may be. It is our requests that we are to present to Him. Nor is it a cold commandment to find out His will and then come before Him; we are to go to Him with our requests. It does not say that you will have what you ask, but that God's peace will keep your hearts.

We trust Him, and His peace, the peace of God

Himself, shall keep our hearts. It does not say that our hearts shall keep the peace of God, but having cast our burden on Him whose peace nothing can disturb, His peace keeps our hearts.

We cast our trouble before Him who takes charge of everything and knows all beforehand. The constant peace of the God of love quiets our hearts. He imparts to us the peace which is in Himself, and which is above all understanding (or at least keeps our hearts by it), even as He Himself is above all the circumstances that can disturb us, and above the poor human heart that is troubled by them.

O, what grace! Even our anxieties are a means of our being filled with this marvelous peace, if we know how to bring them to God. How true He is. "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7.

Young Christian

EDITORIAL: Israel and Edom Twins at War

Twins—formed together in the womb of their mother, and then brought up together in the home of their parents—are indeed in a very special relationship. Can such nearness be broken or spoiled? Yes! Such is the case with Esau and Jacob. Their history is well traced even down to this present time and there are lessons for us to learn from them.

Because of the present-day situation in the area from Israel and Lebanon eastward to the Persian Gulf, we mention one verse to show where some of the hatred began. "And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob." Gen. 27:41.

Earlier in the history it says in Gen. 25:34, "Esau despised his birthright." That means that he despised the promise of God. In 1 Sam. 2:30 it says, "Them that honor Me I will honor, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed." Surely we should always value the Word of God and His promises.

All of the Psalms are prophetic. They especially take up the feelings of the godly remnant after the

Church has been caught up to heaven. This godly remnant will believe the gospel of the kingdom. They will suffer along with the ungodly during the tribulation period of 7 years. In the 83rd Psalm, many enemies of Israel are listed, of which Esau, which is Edom, is the first. The children of Lot are mentioned later. What these enemies of Israel say is very interesting to notice in light of what these tribes in the same area are saying now.

“They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against Thee." Psa. 83:4, 5. Already the nations in the Middle East seem to be poised for the great conflicts to take place during the tribulation period.

What will happen to Israel? Will she be "cut... off from being a nation"? Jer. 30:7 tells us the answer. "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it." This is confirmed in Rom. 9:27, 28. "Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: for He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.”

Now the question arises: What about Iraq? Where will she be at the end of those 7 years of judgments which God brings down upon this world? The judgments will fall not only upon Israel, but upon the nations of this world and particularly those around Israel. One thing sure about Iraq is that at the end of those sore years of God's judgments, Iraq will not possess the land she now occupies. That territory is all promised to Israel. In Gen. 28:13 the Lord says to Jacob, "I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed.”

In the days of Joshua, the extent of that land of promise is described in this way: "From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast." Josh. 1:4.

A further prophecy of promise from God that applies at that time is found in Deut. 4:30,31: "When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto His voice; (for the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers, which He sware unto them.”

So we see that Jacob (Israel) shall inherit the promises. They are unconditional. Because of deceit and selfishness, Jacob inherited what he personally had through much trouble. Such is the history of the whole nation of Israel these 3500 years. Yet the promises of God never fail. Israel shall be blessed under the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ, the true Seed for the 1000-year kingdom period that follows the tribulation.

C. Buchanan

Young Men in the Book of Acts

by W. Brockmeier

Teaching us by their example

The book of The Acts teaches us more by example than by commandment. It does not so much set forth precepts to obey as patterns to follow. It is one thing to be correct in doctrine; it is quite another to be correct in our walk, although these two should never be separated.

We may notice things in Scripture, enjoy them, and even speak of them, yet their real impact and force is usually not realized until there is a practical testing with regard to them. Perhaps young men are more prone to observe certain truths and take them up in an intellectual way than others. But in the book of Acts we find several young men who gained valuable instruction, not by theorems but by experience. The benefit of any experience is in measure to our having God's thoughts about it. Experience should never be given greater weight than the revealed truth of God, but it is through experience the truth of God is practically learned. With respect to the young men in the book of Acts, we observe very important moral lessons being taught.

Hypocrisy

Ananias and Sapphira were exposed by Peter as having lied to the Holy Spirit. Outwardly their devotion was greater than it was inwardly. In a word, they were guilty of hypocrisy. Who of us can plead exemption from this? We must walk in self-judgment because of our subtle, treacherous hearts. God unmistakably expressed His mind with respect to this evil among the people of God. There were young men present who were eye-witnesses of God's solemn judgment upon the two who were guilty of the leaven of the Pharisees (Luke 12:1).

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.... Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Acts 5:5-11.

In a day when the saints of God are encouraged to speak of themselves and their involvement in the Lord's service, may we take heed to the sobering lesson of Ananias and Sapphira who were smitten by God for their pretense of doing and giving more than they actually were. No doubt these young men never forgot this experience. What a preserving effect this incident should have on us when tempted to exaggerate or call attention to our feeble efforts to serve the Lord. "He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory." John 7:18.

These young men had firsthand experience in the Lord's work—burying two hypocrites. This was needful work and it is still needful today to bury our pretensions to any level of spirituality or achievement. If we are filled with a sense of accomplishment because of our service, we have little understood the Lord's words, "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." Luke 17:10.

Zeal without Knowledge

Another danger young men are perhaps more vulnerable to is that of having "zeal of God, but not according to knowledge." Rom. 10:2. The Apostle Paul in his unconverted days, known then as Saul of Tarsus, was a very zealous young man (Acts 22:3; Phil. 3:6). As a young man, he stood by at the stoning of Stephen. "The witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul." Acts 7:58. Perhaps he threw no stones, yet he approved of Stephen's murder.

The Jews had run out of options with respect to Stephen. He assailed their consciences, convicting them by the Spirit of their guilt and rebellion. Also the spirit in which he spoke was without defect. "They were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." Acts 6:10. Often among ourselves today the truth of God is discounted because of blemishes in the spirit, or failures in the walk, of those who present it. The Jews did not have this escape clause. All they could do was repent or get rid of the one who faithfully showed them their proper position before God.

The last words of Stephen must have resounded in Paul's ears for his entire life. Stephen cried out, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." Acts 7:60. At the end of Paul's life, when referring to the time when no man stood by him during Alexander's opposition, he almost echoed Stephen's words, "I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.”

2 Tim. 4:16. How like their Master were Stephen and Paul. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34.

We need to learn that a right spirit is of more value than zeal. Nothing is said of Stephen's zeal, though obviously he was zealous for the Lord's glory. The last recorded words of Paul are, "The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen." 2 Tim. 4:22.

Indifference

In reference to Saul of Tarsus, we see a young man antagonistic to the truth of God. In Acts 20 we see a young man indifferent to the truth of God, specifically Paul's ministry which sets forth our Christian blessings, privileges, and responsibilities, both individually and collectively.

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. Acts 20:7-12.

While this passage is full of instruction for us, there are some obvious points we may overlook in searching for deeper thoughts. Eutychus fell away from Paul's ministry. Paul recovered Eutychus and he recovered him to the place where he could once again hear Paul's ministry.

It is one thing to talk about restoration, but how blessed to know the sweetness of it in our own souls. How often we have "fallen" after becoming indifferent to Paul's ministry. Yet it is often that same ministry we have ignored that is used in our restoration to a state of soul in which we can again enjoy Paul's doctrine. True restoration does not stop short of the third loft. We might well question the professed restoration of one who has little interest in the ministry of the Scriptures. Here was a young man who knew what it was to be restored in a very meaningful way. No doubt Eutychus had a fresh appreciation for Paul after his recovery.

Appreciation for Paul's Doctrine

Paul had a nephew who also valued him. How encouraging to see a young man in the midst of religious opposition who valued Paul. The Jews were not content in restricting Paul, they wanted to exterminate him.

And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.... And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee. Acts 23:12-18.

It is only natural for young men to want to be popular, or at least, to be accepted. Paul's nephew realized as a young man that Paul's heavenly ministry was not appreciated. Likewise, it will bring us into direct conflict with religious flesh. Additionally, Paul's nephew entered into practical knowledge of

Paul the prisoner. Paul "the apostle" sets forth his authority, but the thought of "the prisoner" brings out his rejection and restriction.

The castle Paul was in may be a little picture of the house of God in its present condition being likened to a great house (2 Tim. 2:20). In this, Paul was a prisoner. So today, Paul's doctrine is often restricted within the confines of Christendom. The fullness of his teaching is not wanted in many Christian places and is attacked and undermined in others.

Despite his imprisonment, Paul was preserved in these conditions. The manner in which he was kept from the Jews is most interesting, but as far as the young man was concerned, his only responsibility was to follow Paul's instruction. If the body of truth Paul unfolded is to be preserved, we must follow his direction. We cannot alter circumstances-that is God's prerogative-but we can obey.

Paul in writing to the Thessalonians, a youthful assembly assaulted by bad teaching, encourages them to "stand fast, and hold the traditions [instructions] which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle [letter]." 2 Thess. 2:15. Following Paul's instructions will preserve us and maintain us when clever and plausible but wrong concepts are introduced.

To learn experimentally that religious man is opposed to Paul's doctrine, to recognize Paul as a prisoner, and realize that following his instructions is the only means of maintaining his doctrine and resultant testimony are all vital lessons. Paul's nephew did not take up his cause by warfare and confrontation, but by submission to the conditions in which he was placed.

These four incidents regarding young men in the book of Acts would impress upon us the need of understanding practically God's demand for reality, the moral power that comes in having a right spirit, and the importance of valuing Paul's ministry and following his instructions while submitting to present conditions.

Only a Tool

The following is a quotation from John Duncan,

known as the Apostle of Alaska.

I do not believe in putting my personality to the front. The work is what counts. If I by the grace of God have been allowed to accomplish anything for His glory, mention the work if you must, but leave my personality out. "I will be glorified, saith the Lord." I have only been an unworthy tool in His hand. If an artisan has done a fine piece of work, you would praise him, and the cunning of his handicraft. No one would think of extolling the tool in his hand. The place for the tool is on the floor, or at best on the bench; there I prefer to remain. It is the gospel that has done the work. As for me I have done nothing. I am only a tool in the Master's hand. Let us forget the tool.

Uzziah Strengthened and Strong

The danger of thinking ‘I have arrived’

Uzziah, we learn from 2 Chron. 26:5, "sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper." He went forth to war and the Lord helped him.

“He strengthened himself exceedingly." He built towers in Jerusalem and fortified them; he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells. He had husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains and in Carmel. He also had a host of fighting men who went out to war by bands:

The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valor were two thousand and six hundred. And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones. And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal.

We do not need to dwell upon the description of the numerous army of King Uzziah We will turn to God's instruction for ourselves about it.

And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction.

There are few phrases more remarkable than these. One would have thought that the very object to be gained by Uzziah was to be strong. The strength we naturally covet, however, is independence of God. Saints are found mourning over their weakness, and what do they mean? Is it not that they have no resources in themselves? We forget that all real strength is derived from the fullness that is in Jesus, otherwise we should always be able to say with Paul, "When I am weak, then am I strong." We need to be deprived of every resource in ourselves, that we may know our strength to be in Him.

When Uzziah felt himself to be strong, he transgressed against the Lord God. There is great danger of our putting multiplied means in the place of the Lord Himself. We may rely on the means, and forget that they are not the source of supply.

This has been the history of the Church. She was marvelously helped till she was strong, and then when she was strong her heart became lifted up. The saints at Corinth had multiplied resources: men, wealth, and wisdom, and were tempted to think that by the exercise of this wisdom they could refute the heathen. But they were told by the Apostle that true wisdom only comes by the bringing in of the wisdom of God which is foolishness with man, and the strength of God which is weakness with man.

The Spirit of God shows us in The Acts that the Church, though few in number, is marvelously helped. But how soon did the Church begin to look to itself and to its own resources and greatness, instead of to the Lord. Has this no voice for ourselves? Our blessing is in taking the place of weakness so that God may help us for His own name's sake.

There is danger in saying or even supposing that we have attained to something. It is a mark of failure when a Christian (or a number of Christians) considers his own honor and credit instead of the honor of the Lord; the great thing is to be mindful of His name. A single eye will be occupied with Christ.

It is a very strong word that we have here in reference to a saint: "his heart was lifted up to his destruction." But there is as strong a word in the New Testament: "He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption." If any, even a saint of God, "soweth to his flesh," he will reap only a sorrowful harvest of corruption, having misspent all his time. We need to give heed to the searching words of Scripture, not turning away the point of them from ourselves under the supposition that they cannot apply to us. This thought has been the source of much mischief in the Church. That soul will prosper which trembles at God's Word, and is willing to face the most searching parts of it. The saint of God can sow to the flesh, can walk "according to the flesh," can "war after the flesh," but the miserable end will be that he will "of the flesh reap corruption.”

When Uzziah was strong, his strength being in his own resources, his heart became "lifted up" and more like King Nebuchadnezzar's heart (Dan. 4:30), than that of God's anointed king of Judah. A heart that is lifted up is in a dangerous state, and almost always on the eve of a fall.

Although Uzziah was God's anointed king, he was not God's anointed priest. But he would have nothing restrained from him, and we find him transgressing against the Lord his God. He went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense which was not his prerogative, but that of the priests only. The sons of Aaron were consecrated to burn incense.

Let us, too, beware of dealing with the Lord in unholy familiarity; a humble spirit is always a confident spirit, but a humble spirit can trust only in the blood of Jesus. It does not rush into God's presence as the man who is lifted up in heart does. We can only come there through the incense of the Lord Jesus, not on the credit of our own graces or devotedness or in fleshly fervor.

Azariah the priest, with the fourscore priests that were valiant men, said to Uzziah:

It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honor from the Lord God. Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar.

This history of King Uzziah is written for our admonition. "Lifting up" of heart is always self-seeking, not God-seeking. We have, blessed be God, liberty to enter into the holiest, for we are priests unto God by the blood of Jesus, but it is always through the incense of our great High Priest.

In 2 Chron. 27:6 we have mention of Jotham's great army; he "became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God." This is the way for the saint to grow in practical strength. Thus was it with the Thessalonians; their "work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope" was "in the sight of God and our Father." Jotham set the Lord always before him, and went on in an even tenor of conduct. In the eyes of man, he might not be as mighty as Uzziah, but the Holy Spirit records his name as that of one "mighty" in the eyes of God.

Josiah and Jehoiakim

2 Kings 22; Jer. 36

It was when Israel mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and misused His prophets that the wrath of the Lord arose against His people till there was no remedy. Josiah and Jehoiakim reigned over Judah just before the Babylonian captivity. The judgments of God were at the door.

We have in the history of these two kings the important contrast in the way each received the testimony given to them. In Josiah we have the subjection of heart which God always honors, and in Jehoiakim that insubjection which He always judges. The history of man proves that whether God speaks in the way of commandment, or in the way of threatening, or in mercy, His words are despised. There are many exceptions as in the case of Josiah, the inhabitants of Nineveh, etc., but generally rebellion is the course man takes. This has been the case from the beginning, and continues to be so and will continue so long as the god of this world blinds the minds of men.

Josiah—Finding God a Refuge

There is something deeply interesting in the whole of Josiah's reign, but especially so when the message was conveyed to him that the book of the law was found in the house of the Lord. "Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes." His heart was not unmoved; he trembled at God's Word. In that light, what were his circumstances? That law made manifest Israel's rebellion, brought to light their guilt, revealed the judgment of God against sin, and filled Josiah's heart with sadness. Where could he flee for help? Only to God. It is blessed when the heart is made truly conscious of its condition by seeing it in God's light; there is a refuge in God. "There is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared.... Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption." Psa. 130:4, 7. Josiah sends to inquire of the Lord and receives this answer:

Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read.... But to the king of Judah which sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. (2 Kings 22:16-20.)

Such is the grace of our God! The bruised reed He will not break. He gives grace to the humble, and blessed is the man that makes the Lord his trust! Josiah might use the language of the Psalmist,

He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.

Jehoiakim—God’s Testimony Rejected

The contrast is painful in turning to the history of Josiah's son. Of him it may be said, "Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness." Psa. 52:7.

The 36th chapter of Jeremiah opens with the goodness of God towards His poor rebellious people. He presses upon their attention the solemn condition in which they were. He causes a roll to be written containing all the words Jeremiah had spoken against Israel saying, "It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin" (v. 3). This roll of a book reaches the ears of Jehoiakim.

So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll; and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king. Now the king sat in the winter house in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him. And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words. (Jer. 36:21-24.)

How solemn all this is after seeing the tenderness of heart in Josiah. Jehoiakim rushes from the sound of God's Word into the darkness of infidelity. He supposes he can escape the judgment of God by disbelieving the testimony concerning it. This is where Satan is fast leading the world into open rejection of the Word of God today. Men are like Jehoiakim. He was not afraid, nor rent his garments. "Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." Jehoiakim had quietness, but it was not that peace which Josiah knew: the peace of condemnation put away and of sin forgiven. There is a message for him in verses 30 and 31:

Therefore thus saith the Lord of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost. And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not.

Pride and unbelief shut out from all blessing, and leave their victims exposed to the wrath of God.

“Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord." Jer. 17:5. The only place of blessing is that which Josiah took. There the Lord ceases to have a controversy. He knows the claims of His own truth. He will not relinquish them. "Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name." Psa. 138:2.

Saul sought to uphold his own integrity when the word of God was against him. His heart did not bow before the truth and the Lord cast him off. It is a vain thing to strive with God. May the Lord guard His children in this day of evil! Let us have tenderness of heart to all His truth so that we may hold our proper place of testimony for Him.

Present Testimony Vol. 2

Questions and Answers: How/When Will the Lost Ten Tribes Be Restored?

QUESTION: How and when will the lost ten tribes be restored, and can they presently be identified?

ANSWER: Israel, or the ten tribes, was taken to Assyria (2 Kings 17) about 130 years before Judah, or the Jews, was taken to Babylon. Idolatry and turning to Assyria for help, instead of to God, were the immediate causes of the deportation of the ten tribes to Assyria (see Hosea). Not being involved in the guilt of Judah in rejecting and crucifying the Messiah, their restoration to the land of their fathers will be accomplished in a special way. They will not pass through the awful trials under the Antichrist which their brethren of Judah will. Ezek. 20:33-39 records the restoration of the ten tribes by the Lord Himself. The mass of Judah will be restored by the aid of a seafaring nation (Isa. 18).

Whatever human instruments may be employed in assisting the return of the ten tribes, they are hid in the meantime, and God Himself is presented as the source and power of their return. It is to be noted, too, that God deals with the conscience of Israel, or the ten tribes, in the wilderness, not in the land. As the unbelieving and disobedient fell in the wilderness, and only the faithful entered the land, so will it be in the return of these tribes. The rebels and disobedient will be first purged out, and then the godly will be brought into the land to rejoin their converted brethren of Judah. This sifting will take place while the Jews are suffering under the Antichrist in the land. The wondrous meeting of the long-scattered tribes of all Israel is most touchingly described in Jer. 31:8, 9.

There is a later return of any scattered among the nations, whether of Jews or Israelites, when the Lord comes. It is He who sends out His messengers to gather His elect (Matt. 24:31; Isa. 66:19, 20).

There was a return of certain remnants of Judah from Babylon to Jerusalem after the seventy years of captivity (see Ezra and Nehemiah), but there has been no return of Ephraim or the ten tribes. God has His eye upon them; He knows where they are, for He scattered them.

It is most remarkable that people will pretend to tell who and where the descendants of these long-lost tribes are. The truth is, no single people or nation can claim to be their descendants, for they were to be scattered among the heathen and dispersed through the countries. Their scattering and dispersion were to be world-wide (Ezek. 20:34; 34:12, 13).

God further declares them to be "lost" and that He will "search" and "seek them out." What God says, He will do. Man is daring enough to say he has done it. God says He will search for, and seek the lost sheep of Israel. Man says he has searched them out, and can tell you who and where they are.

You have only to read carefully Ezekiel chapters 20 and 34 to have all such thoughts dispelled. There is nothing like the sure and unerring testimony of God's blessed Word in meeting the foolish thoughts and vain speculations of men.

Young Christian

Bible Challenger-03-March V.06: Something Profound, Yet Little Ones Used to Describe It

The first letter of each of the following responses will form the words of something quite profound, yet, those who were little were used as an object lesson to describe it. [The number in brackets indicates the number of words in the answer.]

1. The words of understanding relating the surety of a coming prophetic event with the changing of the seasons. [2]

2. Many things witnessing to the truth of the Lord's resurrection for a period of 40 days. [2]

3. Something having a small eye which might well speak to those with large wallets. [1]

4. Something that was proclaimed by words and actions in every city and village, being witnessed by a select group of twelve. [2]

5. The way one of the scribes answered, implying his proximity to a desired haven. [1]

6. Something remaining after a drastic severance to ensure a desired entrance. [2]

7. The measure of time during which an apostle expounded to his own countrymen a subject of national interest. [3]

8. The manner by which the coming of this month's challenger subject is not to be heralded. [1]

9. A title shared by Aristarchus, Marcus and Justus who brought comfort to an apostle of renown. [2]

10. Something that one who is least can be accounted when compared to someone who was great. [1]

11. The itinerary of the Lord Jesus which those of Capernaum learned when they desired Him to remain with them. [2]

12. The time frame in which Satan operates to accuse the brethren before our God. [3]

Answers to these questions will be found in the next issue of Christian Treasury.

R. Erisman

Bible Challenger-02-February Answers V.06

1. C omely

2. O utward appearance

3. U pright

4. N orth wind

5. T houghts

6. E xceeding glad

7. N abal

8. A ngel of God

9. N o more sad

10. C heerful countenance

11. E xcellent as the cedars

S. of Sol. 2:14

1 Sam. 16:7

Psa. 11:7

Prov. 25:23

Dan. 5:6

Psa. 21:6

1 Sam. 25:3

Judges 13:6

1 Sam. 1:18

Prov. 15:13

S. of Sol. 5:15

"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, 0 Lord, in the light of Thy COUNTENANCE."

Psa. 89:15.

An Honest and Good Heart

A heart that finds Christ more precious than anything else

AN honest and good heart is the heart that loves Christ. We find Christ so precious that we would not give Him up for anything. We may have to suffer for Christ's sake in this world, but no suffering can take away any of the blessings that we have in Him.

We have all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor anything can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

They who received the seed on the stony ground did not have an honest and good heart, for they gave up Christ in the time of persecution and affliction. They who received the seed among thorns did not have an honest and good heart, for they tried to keep the love of money and of pleasure in their hearts together with the love of Christ, but this cannot be. The love of money and of pleasure will prevail over the love of Christ if we try to keep them both in our hearts at the same time. Neither money nor pleasure can get for us what Christ has for us; therefore, they should never be allowed to have a place together in the same heart.

We could not by pleasure or money get pardon and life, but we have them through Christ. We could not by money or pleasure get a treasure in heaven, but we have it through Christ. He is the Word, which is the seed of life to us. No man can have an honest and good heart who does not keep Christ in his heart as the Word of life. But if he keeps Christ in his heart, then he will bring forth fruit.

Fruit is everything we do that shows that Christ is precious to us.

To confess His name is fruit.

To give thanks to Him is fruit.

To suffer for His sake is fruit.

To show kindness to one of His disciples for His sake is fruit.

To forgive for His name's sake is fruit.

This fruit is brought forth with patience, because we have to bear His cross and endure many things.

T. T.

Questions and Answers: "I Am the Son of God" vs. "I Am God"?

QUESTION: In John 10:36 Jesus said, "I said, I am the Son of God." Is that identical to saying "I am God?”

ANSWER: Verse 30 clearly answers this where Jesus says, "I and My Father are one." God the Father and God the Son are both God. We also include God the Holy Spirit, and so believe in the Trinity.

EDITORIAL: Where Is Your Faith?

THE wind and rain that spoiled your picnic very likely brought relief to many, and a greater production from nearby farmers' fields. An old saying goes this way: "It's an ill wind that blows nobody good." God's Word says, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Eccl. 3:1.

Hurricane season is nearly always in the late summer or early fall. Tropical cyclones in the western hemisphere are called hurricanes, and in the eastern hemisphere they are called typhoons. Tropical storms are spawned in low atmospheric pressure areas over very warm seas. In the northern hemisphere the Coriolis effect deflects the winds to the right, but to the left in the southern hemisphere.

Although God uses nature, He is above it and not bound by it. He works all things according to the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11). The psalmist says, "Stormy wind fulfilling His word." Psa. 148:8. Sometimes nature is used to test man, as we see in the case of Job. "While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: and, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee." Job 1:18, 19.

The Lord tries the hearts, and Job was surely tested in many ways, but the little book of James fully explains all this. "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." James 5:11. This is also stated in Job 42:12-17 where it says, "The Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning," etc.

Are there storms in your life and in mine? Most of us will agree to this, and we need to rest in God and know that He is in full control. He always has His end in view for the blessing of His children.

Other reasons for God's permitting storms such as tornadoes are found in Job 37:9-13. The last verse mentions "correction" but it ends with "for mercy." Sometimes in the "tornado alley" of the Midwest U.S.A. we have seen that the samples of God's judgment "correction" have caused men to think seriously of eternal things. If so, there is God's mercy available to all, for He is rich in mercy and not willing that any should perish.

The question the Lord asked of those that were in the ship with Him after He had rebuked the wind and the raging water, was "Where is your faith?" Luke 8:25. Do we have faith in that same Lord who has full control over everything around us as we, who are in fellowship with Him, are in our passage through life? Nothing happens by chance to the believer. Instead, "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Rom. 8:28.

“He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven." Psa. 107:29, 30.

Nineteen hundred years ago a tropical storm lasted for two weeks in the Mediterranean Sea. Two hundred and seventy-six souls were in a ship in that tempest. One of them was the Apostle Paul who said, "I believe God," the One who had given him the lives of all that sailed with him in the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safe to land.

Storms there are, and as believers we all are tested, but let us remember our Lord's question, "Where is your faith?”

C. Buchanan

A Remark on the Righteousness of God

God has displayed His righteousness not only in the judgment of sin on the cross, but also in setting Jesus at His own right hand in glory. When He suffered for sins and died, it was for us. Therefore, God must have us in glory with Him in divine righteousness. We shall be the continual witness in glory to the worth and eternal efficacy of what Christ has done. Christ would not have the fruit of the travail of His soul unless He had us there.

And now a righteousness divine
Is all my glory, all my trust;
Nor will I fear, since that is mine,
While Jesus lives, and God is just.

The Meekness and Gentleness of Christ

Nearing the end of his second letter to the Corinthians, the beloved Apostle uses these pleading words: "Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ." 2 Cor. 10:1.

Here was the sovereign remedy for softening hard hearts, calming angry spirits, and humbling proud wills. Meekness is a treasure to be sought. "Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth... seek righteousness, seek meekness." Zeph. 2:3.

If we feel that in us there is a deficiency of meekness, and perhaps an excess of pride, what shall we do but seek Him in whom all meekness dwells. And is it not also true that gentleness is the result of a meek spirit, the fruit of a plant rooted in the nature of that meek and lowly One, whose yoke we share?

“The fruit of the Spirit is... meekness." Gal. 5:22, 23. Paul taught the Galatians this, and then, in his practical way, bade them make use of it in dealing with a brother overtaken by a fault: "Restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Gal. 6:1. Meekness will aim at restoration, rather than indulge in condemnation. It will be saying, "I must be gentle, because tomorrow I may be in this same strait.”

Meekness in the Household of God

Nowhere is the need of meekness and gentleness more urgent than in the circle of fellowship in the household of God. At no time is it harder to exhibit and practice meekness than when dealing with the disorderly, faint-hearted and weak members of the family. Only by wearing it constantly as one of the beautiful garments of grace, can we expect to be able to manifest it when specific occasion requires.

In days when great gifts are so coveted and esteemed, and are so dangerous, let us not undervalue the meekness that He so highly prizes.

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved... meekness.... And above all these things put on charity [love], which is the bond of perfectness." Col. 3:12-14. This is the Christian's judicial robe in which forbearance and forgiveness will be granted on a heavenly scale. "Even as Christ forgave you." With the garment goes the interior adornment for the eye which looks for more than outward beauty: "The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:4.

In days when great gifts are so coveted and esteemed, and are so dangerous, let us not undervalue the meekness that He so highly prizes. It is a grace equally becoming to the young and old sister or brother in Christ.

Meekness is connected with keeping the unity of the Spirit. "With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Eph. 4:2, 3. Without these things there can be no practical expression of the oneness of the body of Christ. With them, how could heresy, high-mindedness, and other disruptive forces ever exist? The Lord knows them that are His in all the strange associations around us. If we desire to manifest to them the preciousness of the place and portion which we through grace enjoy, meekness and wisdom far beyond our natural powers are necessary and available.

Meekness before the World

If we consider the largest circle of our testimony, the world at large, those quiet virtues have their place. We are to speak evil of no man, and to be no brawlers, but be gentle, showing all meekness unto all. (Titus 3:2.) Why? Because "we ourselves also were sometime foolish." Titus 3:3.

All we possess we owe to the kindness and love of God our Savior. Who are we that we should be anything but meek and gentle? "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." 2 Tim. 2:25.

“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith." 1 Tim. 6:11, 12. First flee as Joseph fled; then follow hard as Caleb followed; then fight as Joshua fought, with full assurance of victory.

To be meek is not to be weak, morally or spiritually. Moses, renowned for his meekness (Num. 12:3), was also renowned for his inflexible faithfulness (v. 7). The gracious lips of Him who is "meek and lowly in heart" blazed with fiery indignation against the scribes and Pharisees. We may safely follow our blessed Lord's steps, but with unshod feet, for we are prone to error. If so be that we must act in judgment, let it be on our knees in meekness and gentleness, for we ourselves need daily mercy as we need our daily bread. "Blessed are the meek." Matt. 5:5. "The servant of the Lord must...be gentle unto all." 2 Tim. 2:24.

The Young Christian

The Welcome

"This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." Luke 15:2.

Sinners Jesus will receive—
Say this word of grace to all
Who the heavenly pathway leave,
All who linger, all who fall!
This can bring them back again,
Christ receiveth sinful men.

Four Dreams of Joseph

How God guides when there are not definite scriptures to direct us

W Brockmeier

Joseph, the son of Jacob, had two dreams that are recorded in Scripture. Joseph, the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus, had four.

God often speaks through dreams. "For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then He openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that He may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man." Job 33:14-17. However, God's primary means of speaking to man today is through His Word. "The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath My word, let him speak My word faithfully." Jer. 23:28. We should never rely upon a dream for direction when God's Word gives definite instruction. To be governed by dreams is to be guided by circumstances and is not walking by faith (2 Cor. 5:7). There are many things in our lives, however, for which we do not have a specific scripture to guide us. To know God's mind requires humility and nearness to the Lord. "The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.... What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose.... The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him." Psa. 25:9-14.

In the four dreams of Joseph who is introduced in Matt. 1:16, we see some principles of Scripture illustrated as to how God guides when there are not definite scriptures to direct us. In each of Joseph's dreams he was directed to do something, and in each case he did not move until he received a word from God. He did not act on impulse, but rather waited patiently upon God.

FIRST DREAM

When Mary, his espoused wife, was found to be with child of the Holy Ghost, Joseph was unaware that she was the chosen vessel to bear "the desire of women," that is, the Messiah. (Dan. 11:37.) "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." Matt. 1:19, 20.

As Joseph pondered the matter before God, he was given instruction that must have thrilled his soul. How tragic it would have been if he had acted hastily and rashly, being guided only by appearances. "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." John 7:24. The evidence seemed indisputable, but Joseph did not act until God spoke to him.

SECOND DREAM

The second dream Joseph received was like the dream the wise men received from God who warned them to return to their country another way. The wise men had been given definite direction from God to return to the East. Joseph did not follow their lead, but waited until God spoke to him by a dream and told him to take Mary and the child Jesus to Egypt.

How often we see others guided in a certain way which may very well be the mind of God for them. We may be tempted to follow them, rather than wait for God's special direction for us. We should not follow others in their exercises, but must be before God ourselves. It may be God will guide us similarly, but the will of God must be taken up individually.

Joseph obeyed the heavenly direction, and as a result Jesus could come forth out of Egypt and so fulfill prophecy (Hos. 11:1).

THIRD DREAM

While Joseph was in Egypt, Herod died. It would seem that Joseph would now feel clear to return to Bethlehem as the threat of danger was past. But again, Joseph waited to be directed of God. How often we presumptuously assume providence is ordering for us because of favorable circumstances. Sometimes this is the case, but sometimes it is not, as seen in Jonah who in disobedience fled to Tarshish. Joseph was not moved by favorable conditions, but waited in dependence upon God. "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Rom. 14:23.

When he arrived back in the land of Israel, he heard Herod's son Archelaus was reigning. This caused him fear, but as he was led of God to return to the land of Israel, not being governed by favorable circumstances, he now waited for another message from God. He did not move in fear because of unfavorable conditions. Often we move in fear and not in faith, but this is not how God guides. "The fear of man bringeth a snare." Prov. 29:25.

FOURTH DREAM

Perhaps it would seem only prudent to go elsewhere, and so it was. Joseph's departure to Nazareth, however, was not merely a move based on sound logic, but in subjection to the Lord.

Joseph was led of God at each step, moving in dependence and obedience. How we need to wait upon God in lowliness and humility seeking His direction rather than being guided by appearances, the movements of others, presumption, or fear.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and
lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and
He shall direct thy paths.

Prov. 3:5, 6

Christ's Kingdom

J. N. Darby

In Psa. 72 we have Christ as King. This takes us back to Psa. 2. Jehovah's determination is to set His kingdom in Zion. The kingdom is not confined to this setting up of the King.

In Matt. 13:43 we have the "kingdom of their Father." There we get its heavenly character, not setting aside the kingdom on earth which is to be established, but it goes farther and higher. "Every scribe... instructed...bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old." The scribes had the old things concerning the kingdom, but they stumbled at the Christ having to suffer. If they had received Christ, man would not have been proved to be such a sinner. But they hated both Him and His Father, and so proved there is no good in flesh. There would have been something good in flesh if they could have received Him. The kingdom was not set up then through their not receiving Him.

What Is the Kingdom?

Two things came out after that: the mystery of the kingdom of heaven, and the Church. What is the kingdom? It is very simple, if we take the word as it is. It is the sphere of the reign, or where the King reigns. If I take the word church as "assembly," which it really means, I can never confound "church" and "kingdom." Compare the word "reign" with "assembly," and the difference is easily seen.

Another thing often not understood is the difference between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God. If the kingdom of God had been accepted on earth, it would not have been the same as now, not the actual form of the kingdom of heaven. Matthew takes up the change in consequence of the King's rejection, and also speaks of the "Father's kingdom" for the heirs who follow Christ in His rejection, because He takes it from His Father when rejected. He is set down, not on His own throne (and so the judgment in this Psalm brought in), but for the present on His Father's throne. Divine righteousness is shown in God's setting Him there and justifying us according to all He had accomplished.

There was righteousness due to set Him on the throne of God. "I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me," etc. Christ then sits down there, and there is no judicial kingdom at all now—it is postponed and known only to faith. The kingdom of the world is not become that of our God and of His Christ.

The Kingdom of Heaven

The kingdom of heaven is likened to a sower, etc. He has altered the ground on which He deals with the people-He sows; He brings something with Him, instead of seeking something from man. The King is obliged to take this mysterious character of sowing in the world. Then, notice, He does not sow only on Jewish ground; as to outward nearness to God, that was gone. God does not look for fruit. He is going on ground that is settled by judgment. Therefore He is not seeking fruit from man. This goes against man's good opinion of himself. Man is cut down as the good-for-nothing tree, in spite of all culture from God. The trial has been made of all men in the Jew. All flesh is grass, and the grass is withered. He sows; He is not exercising His royal title in sowing. It is a new work, different in kind. All are given up (Matt. 12) and He sows (Matt. 13).

The field is not the Jewish people, but "the world." God goes outside guilty Judah to begin a fresh work everywhere. The time of the harvest is the judicial time of the kingdom—not the sowing time. Christ lets all go on as if at the beginning and He saw nothing of the corruption, but then He begins a judicial character. Personally He deals with it on earth. That is the kingdom in the mysteries of it, or hidden. Its outward character is a great tree; the sowing is in the world. Pharaoh was a great tree, and the Assyrian was another. Christendom is now a great tree-an influential power in the earth. It is ruled from heaven, if it be the kingdom of heaven, but the sphere is this earth. The sowing, the field, the harvest, the search for the treasure or the pearl, the net, are not in heaven, but on earth.

The Kingdom of God

When the joy of the kingdom is spoken of, it is the kingdom of God. "The kingdom of God [not of heaven] is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." The kingdom of heaven is dispensational; the kingdom of God is sometimes a moral thing.

Christ is not taking possession of the kingdom on the earth now. He is not sitting on His own throne yet. It is the Father's throne where He is. He is perfectly accepted in divine righteousness, which is now being ministered by the Holy Spirit to faith, and which is better than any other portion, but there is no execution of judgment. If He had executed judgment when He went away, there would have been no dealings in grace. He must have extinguished the wicked from the earth at once.

The word is, "Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." There He is sitting down and doing nothing as to the kingdom, but sowing, etc., in this mysterious way. Meanwhile the mustard tree, in which the birds of the air (the emissaries of Satan) may lodge, is being produced. The leaven is spreading in the three measures of meal; that is, formal doctrine extends itself through Christendom. At the close Christ brings in the execution of His power.

Where Does the Church Fit in?

This has nothing to do with the Church. Instead of His having immediate power on earth, He is "expecting till His enemies be made His footstool." During this time of waiting the Church is being gathered, and when He comes in judgment His glorified ones come with Him. He has accomplished righteousness before this gathering began, and has sent down the Holy Spirit, by whom we have the revelation of that righteousness. We are "made the righteousness of God in Him." This divine righteousness is established on the throne and revealed to us in the gospel and therefore by faith.

While the kingdom is in abeyance, the Holy Spirit has come down to make us know the righteousness of God in Christ, which is fit for the throne of God. We share that righteousness; we do not sit on the throne of the Father where He is now. This seat He has by virtue of His personal title as the Son of God, and God Himself indeed.

The kingdom of heaven in mystery takes in all Christendom, professors as well as true Christians. Now there are no signs of the kingdom. What sign is it for a king to suffer? But if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him. Suffering is no sign of a kingdom at all, but it is likeness to the King. The same thing that made Him suffer on earth made Him glorified in heaven. So it is with us. But instead of His reigning over the Church, the Church will reign with Him. He is the Bridegroom of the Church, not the King of the Church.

We have the same place as Christ Himself, and when we shall see Him, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. We could not now see Him as He is and live, but then we shall be like Him, and therefore can see Him. We shall appear with Him and be glorified together with Him. The heavenly saints are to be like Christ and be with Him forever. We shall take the heavenly places which spiritual wickedness has now (Eph. 6). We shall be "caught up... to meet the Lord in the air." In the parable of the talents in Matt. 25, there is no allusion to the rule of the kingdom, while in Luke, the use of the pounds is rewarded with cities to reign over. In Matthew all the servant's reward centers in the joy of his Lord.

The King Reigns

Jude speaks of the Lord coming with ten thousands of His saints. So in Rev. 19:14, "The armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses." The saints come with Him when He comes to execute judgment. (See Rev. 17:14.) They are associated with Him in the glory He brings, as also in what is much better, in the Father's house. While He is on the Father's throne, the Church has no throne, but suffers with Him. When He takes His own throne, we shall be with Him and share His glory when He appears.

It is wonderful to be associated with Him in His glory, but better to be associated with Himself. It is better to be thinking about Himself than about Him as a King or a Lord, important as this too may be. When Christ comes to reign, there will be perfect human righteousness, because Christ will execute it. But now it is divine righteousness, ministered by the Spirit in grace (2 Cor. 3), grace which associates us in the effect of divine righteousness. When He comes back as King, at first it will be the David character of reign. So it is in Psa. 101, "I will sing of mercy and judgment"; mercy always comes first.

Divine Love in Righteousness

Psa. 72 states prophetically the character of Christ's kingdom. When He takes the kingdom, all will be judicially set up in righteousness. It will be seen by all that God has laid hold upon this mighty One for His people's salvation and the world's blessings. There will be real righteousness here below, but human as to its measure, and divinely ministered. It will be Messiah and the new covenant. The law will be written on their hearts. The law never required the death of Christ; this is entirely outside and above all that the law could righteously demand.

By the grace of God He tasted death. Divine love was in it; God (not law) "made Him to be sin for us." It was the unspeakable, unfathomable love of God who was glorified in it about sin. For God to be glorified, everything in God was to be made good in spite of sin, yea, and in respect of sin.

Where and how would love be manifested if all His enemies were destroyed now? The cross glorifies God above all law. The announcement of the Man who was God, dying for sinners, is that righteousness? No, it is beyond right; it is love—infinite, divine and sovereign love.

When once we come really to know God, we know Him as love. Then, knowing that every- thing comes to us from Him, though we be in a desert—no matter where, or what the circumstances—we interpret all by His love. What is deepest is simplest, that is the perfect love of God.

Living Christ in the World

Eph. 4:17-29

The believer, "through the law," as shown by the Apostle Paul, is "dead to the law," that he may "live unto God." He can say, like Paul, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." This is his standing before God, and the result upon his outward conduct should be, as with the Apostle, "The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:19, 20.)

He no longer has the law, but Christ for his standard. To live Christ, that is, to reproduce, as it were, the life of Christ in our own, is true Christian walk. Christ always walked in the Spirit, and if we are walking in the Spirit we "shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh," but shall bring forth the fruit of the Spirit—that "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" which adorn in such rich clusters the life of the blessed Lord. (Gal. 5:16, 22, 23.)

It is impossible to gather grapes from the thorns of the old nature. Christ is the true vine, the one stock from which fruit for God can be brought forth. Only as we are branches abiding in Him can we bear fruit like His own; only thus is it possible for us "so to walk, even as He walked." (John 15:5; 1 John 2:6.)

Conduct of the Believer

These truths are beautifully brought out in the passage now before us. The Apostle, having shown how a believer can walk worthy of the vocation wherewith he is called in the Church, next goes on to indicate how he should carry out the same principle in his conduct toward his fellow men, whether believers or unbelievers. He does not put these Gentile converts under law, but while not bringing them onto Jewish ground, he carefully removes them from the Gentile ground.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness (or hardness] of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Eph. 4:17-19.

Such is man, as fallen and left to the guidance of natural conscience and reason. Truly he is "without excuse," for the ignorance is not a guiltless one. (See Rom. 1:20, 21, 28.)

Another Guide

The Ephesians had, through grace, been brought out of this state of things. They had another guide, as widely removed from mere natural conscience on the one side as from law on the other. The Apostle says in Eph. 4:20-24:

Ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness [holiness of truth].

These Ephesians had learned not law but Christ. They had by faith heard Him and been taught by-or rather in-Him, according to the truth of which His own life as man had been the perfect and divine manifestation. The truth as it is in Jesus does not mean the doctrinal truth of salvation, but the perfect, holy walk of truth as shown in His Person, for when Jesus is spoken of in this way, it refers to His life and walk here in the world.

The Hearing Ear

The Ephesians had "learned Christ" in the only way in which He can be learned. The natural man may learn of Christ; the spiritual man alone can learn Him. For "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor. 2:14. There must be the hearing ear before Christ's words can be understood. As Jesus said to the Pharisees, "Why do ye not understand My speech? even because ye cannot hear My word." John 8:43. The Ephesians had heard Christ, and been instructed in Him. The words that He spoke, "They are spirit, and they are life," and they had produced their quickening power on the hearts of these saints. Hence they knew the truth as it showed itself in the spotless, holy life of Jesus.

This was to be practically manifested in their own lives. They belonged no more to the flesh, and therefore their walk was not to be according to the old model-"the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts." They were finished with the old creation as to their standing before God, and were seen in a new creation as quickened together with Christ. This then was to be their new model. Being "renewed" in the spirit of their mind, they were to walk after a new fashion, not according to the law of the old nature, but as having "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness [holiness of truth].”

The new man is man in the new creation-the creation which has its head in Christ, the creation which draws its character from Christ. To walk as having put on the new man is therefore to walk as Christ walked, for this new man is created according to God's nature in righteousness and holiness suited to His own truth.

Practical Results

This standard once acknowledged, practical results are to follow. It is interesting to see how even the most commonplace acts are submitted to this new test. Thus the Apostle says, "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another." v. 25. Moral philosophers have discussed the question of why men should not lie, and wide differences have existed among them on the subject. But moral philosophy never assigned as a reason anything like what is given here. The life of Christ is to be our rule, not worked out through imitation, but worked out by the fact that we are quickened together with Him, and created anew after His model. This settles the whole question. Who can imagine falsehood from the lips of Him whose words were the words of God, and whose truth was the truth of God? Just as little could falsehood be found in the lips of one who walked in His spirit, showed forth His life.

There is, indeed, another reason given, also characteristic of this epistle: "For we are members one of another." How practical the "one body" is. No man would lie to himself; no man would imagine the hand trying to deceive the foot, or the ears trying to deceive the eyes. Just as little should believers in Christ deceive each other. Being members of Christ, "we are members one of another"-parts, as it were, of the "one new man" which Christ has made us "in Himself."

T. B. Baines

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages.

Eph. 3:20, 21

Bible Challenger-04-April V.06: Habitations for Those Who Are Friends of Unrighteousness

The first letter of each of the following responses will form the word which describes the habitations which await those who have made friends of that which is unrighteous. [The number in brackets indicates the number of words in the answer.]

1. That which some may do at the cost of being maimed because they have refused the alternative. [3]

2. A double affirmation to the truth of how a safe passage from death unto life is secured. [2]

3. The word signifying the first habitation which certain created beings did not keep, resulting in a darksome confinement. [1]

4. That which one is sure to do when the time of sowing to the flesh is completed. [2]

5. A truth of old testifying with what God ever draws His people to Himself. [1]

6. A prophetic truth as to what multitudes who presently sleep in the dust shall yet do. [1]

7. That which is to flee away when the ransomed of the Lord shall return. [3]

8. That which will never be experienced by anyone accepting the spiritual drink given by Jesus. [1]

9. A unique possession of the one abiding in the light which no man can approach. [1]

10. That which Abraham called on after planting many trees. [4]

11. That which is called upon to be lifted up in view of a glorious entrance. [1]

Answers to these questions will be found in the next issue of Christian Treasury. R. Erisman

Bible Challenger-03-March Answers V.06

1. K now ye Luke 21:31

2. I nfallible proofs Acts 1:3

3. N eedle Matt. 19:24

4. G lad tidings Luke 8:1

5. D iscreetly Mark 12:34

6. O ne eye Mark 9:47

7. M orning till evening Acts 28:23

8. O bservation Luke 17:20

9. F ellow workers Col. 4:10,11

10. G reater Luke 7:28

11. O ther cities Luke 4:43

12. D ay and night Rev. 12:10

"But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the KINGDOM OF GOD." Luke18:16.

The Object of Faith

Jesus—the One who revealed God's heart

On the tables of stone, the command was written by the finger of God, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image." Nothing that the mind or heart of man could conceive could be a representation of the everlasting, triune God, "The blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see." The law could not declare God, but pointed onward to One to come who alone could make God known and through whom the heart of God would be manifested, and His sinful creature, man, could be won and held fast in the bonds of eternal love.

The Word became flesh. Jesus in perfect manhood, Son of God and Son of man in humiliation, suffering, shame and death, has told out the heart of God. By His atoning sacrifice He glorified God and obtained eternal redemption. Raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, the fruits of His work are now secured in the glory of His Person. On earth He was the delight of God the Father; now ascended above all the heavens, He is the Father's joy and the object of the faith and love of His redeemed.

He comforted His disciples saying, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me." From His glory He sent the Comforter to abide with His own forever, to occupy their hearts with

Himself and His glories. Sealed with the Holy Spirit, the believer is led into the conscious knowledge of the perfections of the Person and work of Him in whom he is sealed. Even here on earth he is changed to His image, to which, in the purpose of God, he will be fully conformed in glory.

Greatness and Meekness

"The man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of... the people." Ex. 11:3.

“Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." Num. 12:3.

Nothing is more sad than to witness a pushing, bustling, forward, self-confident spirit and style in those who profess to be followers of Him who was meek and lowly in heart. It is utterly impossible for anyone to indulge in this spirit if ever he has really measured himself in the presence of God. To be much alone with God is the sovereign remedy for pride and self-complacency. May the Lord keep us truly humble in all our ways, simply leaning on Himself, and very, very little in our own eyes.

O keep us, love divine, near Thee,
That we our nothingness may know,
And ever to Thy glory be
Walking in faith while here below.

EDITORIAL: The Approaching End of the Age

According to present plans, the "Chunnel"—the rail link between Europe and England—will open in 1993. Already the two tunnels under the English Channel are connected and the huge task of completing the project is going forward. When completed, trains will travel from Paris to the tunnel at 180 miles an hour, and proceed through the tunnel at 100 miles an hour and on to London. Europe will then be all linked together by rail with high speed passenger trains, and freight will move swiftly also.

Surely this will influence the revival of the coming Roman empire. The prophecy of Dan. 7 gives the political view and Rev. 13 shows the moral aspect of this empire. Both the empire and its head are termed "beasts", because like a beast they know not God.

The personal beast, called the little horn in Dan. 7, will take control. His government will be one of the seven forms of government of ancient Rome, but also he will be the eighth as getting his power directly from Satan. For one hour (a short period) he will have contemporary with him the ten horns of Europe. Horns are a symbol of power, and in Dan. 7:24 it says: "The ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise.”

At the present time it seems that action is steadily, and under great pressure, pushing toward the time when prophecies concerning the earth will be fulfilled. European federalism was an influence in bringing down Margaret Thatcher from her position as Prime Minister. For about 12 years she had ruled mostly for England and resisted European power or merging with Europe. But we see that man is driven by his own lusts and fear, and so political power is driven by economics. It is in the economic interest of Europeans to unite.

As the end of the age approaches, we see both in eastern and western Europe the will of the people rising up to have their way. We should remember that this is not to be the spirit of the assembly. In this regard, Margaret Thatcher made a most interesting statement in a speech to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Nowhere in the Bible is the word "democracy" mentioned. Ideally, when Christians meet, as Christians, to take counsel together, their purpose is not (or should not be) to ascertain what is the mind of the majority, but what is the mind of the Holy Spirit-something which may be quite different.

We fully agree with this statement. The Church (assembly) is not a democracy. It is the Lord, by the Spirit, who is in charge and He always guides us by the Scriptures and in them "we have the mind of Christ." 1 Cor. 2:16.

C. Buchanan

Worship in Spirit and in Truth

Ex. 30:34-38

The delicacy of fragrance and the savor of the four principal spices were for God only. We cannot make the same composition for ourselves. It is "holy for the Lord," that ever blessed Lord Jesus, God's own Son. The incense rises when the priest puts it on the fire drawn from the brazen altar. The fourfold perfume, beaten small, was burned upon the golden altar next to the veil.

If we put the symbol of the perfume in New Testament terms, we have a lovely picture to consider. We approach God as saints fit to stand before God in "the holiest". Before that point it is all of self and none of God, but when we are worshipers it is all of God and none of self.

When we are born again, we get a sense of need and we ask for what we want, that is, we pray. Then as His mercies abound and we become conscious of His loving recognition and supply of our need, we thank Him for mercies received. Learning more of our God, the Father of the Son, through the Spirit we recognize His greatness, His glory, the glories of redemption, creation, and preservation, and so we praise.

Higher than prayer is when we are consciously in "the holiest by the blood of Jesus," and God is before us. We bow before Him for what He Himself is, self forgotten, so we do not pray or thank Him, but we worship and adore. We worship when our hearts overflow in adoration to God and Christ. It will be our glad employment in heaven. Our worship here is mingled with praise, its nearest companion, and often, too, with remembrance of self-what He has done for us. So we thank Him also with prayer. Lev. 1:6:12, 13

The brazen altar typifies the cross, which is the ground of all approach to God. To this altar the priest comes and takes the fire, that is, the judgment of a holy God upon sin was borne by His Son our Savior. Upon His own intrinsic holiness the fire can be safely laid, and upon it the incense is placed, and the perfume thereof is God's portion. On that one great day when the high priest went within the veil, his hands full of beaten incense (filled hands mean consecration), its smoke protected him from the judgment of Israel's Holy One, as he presented Israel to his Jehovah.

Now, Jesus—His person and His death—is before us and with but "one mind and one mouth" we glorify God (Rom. 15:6). Our hands are "filled with" Him beaten small, for the apprehension of one may be greater than of another. It is not a question of how much of Jesus we can receive; little as we can hold of Him, we are full. The aged, tried saint who has walked for years with Jesus and knows Him intimately is filled; the babe who has just started on his way is also filled. Jesus fills every capacity great or small.

C. H. Hall

The Second Advent

The second advent is simply the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth, which naturally implies that He has already been here once. "Now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.... And unto them that look for Him shall. He appear the second time without sin [or apart from sin] unto salvation." Heb. 9:26, 28. The second advent therefore is clearly a scriptural expression. Scripture speaks of many momentous and solemn events connected with the second coming of Christ.

Two aspects of the coming of the Lord Jesus should never be confounded: His coming for His saints, and His coming with His saints. These events may be thus illustrated. Suppose a large city revolted from allegiance to its sovereign, and refused to acknowledge his authority. After many warnings the sovereign raises an army to punish the rebels, but he knows that in that city there are many true subjects who loyally acknowledge his title and claims. When approaching the city, he secretly calls out all those loyal ones who gladly go out to meet him. He storms the city, and entering with those who have already joined him, he punishes the rebellious and rewards those who had been faithful.

Now as the coming of the sovereign would be a day of joyful deliverance to one class, so it would be followed by judgment on the others.

We find both these aspects of the coming of the Lord Jesus plainly revealed in the Scripture.

1 Thess. 4:15-18 speaks of Christ coming for His saints to their everlasting joy, and Jude 14,15 speaks of Christ coming to execute judgment on His enemies.

Notice also when Christ comes for His saints, including both the living and the dead, He will not actually come to the earth for them. The passage in 1 Thessalonians says that the saints will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. This is often called the RAPTURE. It will be a meeting far too sacred for the eyes of the wicked to behold—it will be in the clouds. No separation will ever take place: those that are thus caught up will be forever with the Lord.

The important aspect of the resurrection and rapture of the saints is that it is God's answer to those that believe in the all-glorious worth of His own Son. It is the bright hope of the Christian. There is no event revealed in Scripture that must take place before the rapture of the saints. They should, therefore, be expecting the return of the Lord at any moment to catch all His saints away together. (John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 1:9, 10.)

In other Scriptures it is revealed that there will be an interval between the rapture (the catching away of the saints), and the Lord's coming to the earth. For instance, in 2 Thess. 2 we learn that the day of the Lord cannot come till the Antichrist is revealed, because the Lord is going to destroy that wicked one when He comes. Then in Rev. 13 we find that the Antichrist will cooperate with another "beast", the head of the future Roman Empire. In Dan. 9 this latter power will make a covenant with Israel, and will break the covenant in the middle of Daniel's prophetic week. All of this intimates that this apparent triumph of wickedness will spread over at least seven years, otherwise spoken of as the last week of the seventy weeks of Daniel.

That the Lord Jesus will actually come to the earth is plainly revealed in Acts 1:11, "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." In Zech. 14:4 we read that "His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east," and again, "The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple.... But who may abide the day of His coming?" Mal. 3:1, 2.

Bible Dictionary

The Abomination of the Egyptians

The Christian's friendship, service and worship are hated by the world

THREE times in Scripture we read about "the abomination of the Egyptians." (Gen. 43:32; 46:34; Ex. 8:26.) In order to gain a practical application of these three passages, it is helpful to see what the Egyptians represent in a spiritual sense.

In Moses’ day Egypt was marked by learning, pleasures and treasures (Acts 7:22; Heb. 11:25, 26). Surely a parallel can be drawn with the conditions of materialistic lands today. Entertainment, luxury, possessions and education govern the lives of many people. The Nile River was the great water supply which sustained life in this desert land. The people of God in the land of Israel looked heavenward for rain; the Egyptians looked downward to the river for their refreshment.

Today God's people always need to realize that the source of their blessing is from above and to be in present dependence upon God rather than looking for sustainment from this world, which walks in independence from God. While much could be said in regard to Egypt, it is easily ascertained that its general character in Scripture is typical of the world in its boasted but empty glory going on in a course of independence from God.

In writing to the Galatians, Paul speaks of the world's being crucified to him, and he to the world (Gal. 6:14). Any person who was crucified was an object of contempt as well as being one whose career on earth had come to a close. While the force of Paul's expressions in Galatians are primarily in reference to the religious world, this truth can also be applied in broader terms.

In Crucified to the World

The Christian should view the world system in its course of independence of God as an object of contempt. The believer is in the world, but not of it and so should not be seeking to find his pleasure in that which does not want his Savior. Our citizenship is in heaven, not on earth, and we should desire and seek to deliver souls from the coming wrath, rather than link up with them in earthly pursuits.

The world looks upon the Christian with contempt because he belongs to Christ and to heaven, and desires to walk according to the principles of Scripture. Being "crucified to the world" relates to "the abomination of the Egyptians." There were certain things that were abominations to the Egyptians, and so there are with the ungodly today. "An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked." Prov. 29:27.

The first mention of an abomination to the Egyptians is about eating with the Hebrews "They set on for him [Joseph] by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians." Gen. 43:32.

The Hebrews are the same people as Israelites but looked upon with disdain rather than with favor. (Compare 1 Sam. 14:11.) It is quite easy to behave as the godless about us and miss any reproach for Christ's sake. If true to the One who died for us, however, and desirous to walk with Him in separation from this world, it will bring reproach. Eating may be taken literally but it also embraces the thought of social life in general. If we meet the world on its ground, there will be no reproach; but if we stand and speak for God, our company will not be courted for long.

The second reference to abomination is in Gen. 46:34, "For every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians." The Lord Jesus Christ is spoken of as the good Shepherd, the great Shepherd and the chief Shepherd. The announcement of His birth was made to shepherds, and it is to those who faithfully carry on the work of shepherding that a special reward will be granted (1 Peter 5:2-4).

How God values shepherds! But shepherding care is distasteful to the ungodly. Have the opinions and views of this unbelieving world tainted our outlook as well? Selfishness marks this present age and is diametrically opposed to true shepherding care. For one to spend and to be spent for others for the sake of Christ is a manifestation of a shepherd's heart.

The third mention of an abomination to the Egyptians is in Ex. 8:26, and is used in connection with worship to Jehovah. Egypt was filled with idols. For the Israelites to join in this pagan idolatry, they did not need to leave Egypt. Pharaoh sought to detain them in Egypt, not by offering them idols but by suggesting they worship God there. How many dear Christians have, in type, listened to this subtle advice. They have refused the idols, so to speak—empty formalism and ritualism—but have taken up the worship of God without separating from that which is incompatible with the true character of Christianity.

Outside the Camp

The path for true worship and service will lead the believer to go outside the camp, which is Judaism or the parallel of such, and to separate from vessels to dishonor (2 Tim. 2:20, 21; Heb. 13:13). To go along in fellowship with those who do not deem it necessary to judge and deal with evil teaching or immorality is sad compromise. To separate from evil and to follow on with those that call on the Lord out of a pure heart is the path to which God calls us. Such a path will be unpopular, misunderstood, and held in ridicule, but it is the path of obedience and blessing.

May our thoughts, then, be governed by the Word of God as to our social life, our service, and our worship. If such makes us "an abomination to the Egyptians," may we esteem it the reproach of the cross and rejoice to be counted worthy to suffer shame for His name (Acts 5:41).

W. Brockmeier

Christian Blessing

by H.E. Hayhoe

Eph. 1:10, 11

That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.

This 10th verse is the key to all the ways of God: the ultimate, the finality, the consummation, and the eternity that is in the mind of God. The 10th verse gives us the purpose of God; the 11th brings the Church into association with Christ in that coming day of glory. Oh, that wonderful day that is coming!

God as God could not die, but God became a man in the Person of Christ, took a life capable of death (although not subject to it), and yielded up that life on the cross. The pathway of His sufferings is the only way for two things: first, it was the only way that we could really learn the depth of that divine bosom; second, it was the only way that sin could be put away. If the Lord Jesus has not won your heart and mine, what more could He do to win them? For every Christian blessing is a gift, and every child of God on the earth is blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I do not possess more than you, and you do not possess more than I do. Blessing is not attained by our own efforts.

Every Christian blessing is the gift of God and every believer is equally blessed of God, but the enjoyment and apprehension of it depend upon the state of soul. All your happiness and all your intelligence are not the fruit of a brilliant mind. The more brilliant your mind is the more you are going to go wrong if you trust it. A verse to substantiate that is 1 Cor. 3:20, "The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain." The Greek word for "vain" is "vacuum". There is not anything there at all.

Learning God’s Thoughts

“If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise." 1 Cor. 3:18. What does that mean? We get the habit of reading the Bible and we think we have done a nice thing, but we do not stop to think what it means. So to become a fool means to take the place of knowing nothing and letting God teach us.

Do you know why children learn so rapidly? It is because they have nothing to unlearn. When they go to school there is no inner resistance to learning. What about grown-ups? They have to get rid of their own thoughts to get God's thoughts. Always remember this as a principle in the things of God, that even the natural mind in a Christian will always resist the truth. Scripture says the carnal mind is enmity against God. The carnal mind is our own mind. That is true of every unconverted person in the world, no matter what the nationality or who they are, and it is true of every Christian that their natural mind will resist the truth.

Our Coming Glories

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1 Cor. 2:9, 10.

There is not a, glory that Christ has acquired as a man that does not belong to the believer, but your entrance into these things depends upon your state of soul. We need the work of Christ for our consciences; that is, we need to learn that the work was finished on the cross. We need the Person of Christ for our meditation, and we need the coming glories of Christ before us to separate us from this world.

Why is it that Christians go after the world? Because the devil has robbed even Christians of the glory that is coming. We, by the Spirit, should live in heaven before we get there. That is why the Spirit was sent down. It is not a brilliant mind, but a state of soul that enjoys Christ. Each of us gets as much of Christ as we want, and our lives show how much we want. There should be more diligence to learn of Christ and of what is ours in Christ.

Guidance from the Bible

What man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 1 Cor. 2:11, 12.

There is not a man on earth, wonderful though he maybe, who would know the things of God except he be taught of God. The only thing that will pierce through the horizon of this world is the Bible. How much do you read it? You should read the Bible until you are so saturated with it that you think and speak in the very language and wisdom of Scripture.

Many forget that the Bible tells them how to live as husband and wife, how to conduct their family, and how to run their business. There is not a path for the child of God but what the Word of God is there to guide him. If you are reading the Word of God and letting your mind become saturated with it, when any problem confronts you in life, you will have the wisdom of the Word to guide you.

In Prov. 28:14 it says, "Happy is the man that feareth always." This means that we are afraid to take a step without the Word of God to guide us. In Jer. 10:23 it says, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." You cannot take a right step or bring your family up correctly without the wisdom of the Word of God to guide you. Some of the most brilliant people in the world and even some gifted Christians have had most unhappy lives without the Word of God guiding them.

The Divine Guest

“That we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." He wants us in the good of Christian Blessing I these things and has given us the Holy Spirit that we might know. We should be careful how we treat the Divine Guest within us. If we grieve Him, He will not leave us, but we will miss the things that are freely given us of God, for it is the Spirit that unfolds these things to us.

May each of us see that the Bible is the wisdom of God and man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Oh, that each of us could learn that the wisdom of God is the only path for our feet.

God’s Thoughts

"How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God!" This is a blessed theme, the theme of God's thoughts-higher, as the heavens are higher than the earth, than our thoughts, the theme of God's fathomless and illimitable grace. Here is real liberty. Do we know what it is to have our own thoughts, so narrow, so beggared, so mean, beaten down by God's high, generous, liberal thoughts-His thoughts of us as to what we are in Christ? Jesus is the great thought of God-God's thoughts are expressed to us in Him. It is not an unfallen angel but a sinner quickened by the Spirit of God who can thus get into the deep thoughts of God.

Vessel in Potter - Potter in Vessel

God was pleased to create a world, to set it revolving in space among the countless orbs which shine in the heavens around us. He was pleased to allow sin and death to enter that fair scene. Who can argue with God? He was pleased to choose and to call a people out of the world, and to permit them to destroy themselves while He, with long-suffering, bore with them "till there was no remedy." He was pleased to send His Son to endure the cross and to bear His wrath.

Who was before Him in all this? Not one! In all things He wrought, He permitted, He ordered, and it is He who challenges the stubborn heart which would say, "Why doth He yet find fault? For who hath resisted His will?" Rom. 9:19. It is He who deigns to reply, "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, Why hast Thou made me thus?" Rom. 9:20.

Have you ever stood in the potter's house and watched him as he performed on the wheels? The workman takes the lump of clay; he presses it to the wheel; the wheel revolves before his eye. Where is the vessel now? It is in the mind of the potter. Before it is formed, the design is there. His fingers shape the mass before him, and gradually it grows up before his eye. Gradually the thought in his mind is transferred to the clay and it rises up before him, and the thoughts hitherto unexpressed grow into the vessel which his fingers mold.

He sees a flaw, an imperfection in the clay. Others looking on have not detected it as did the artist's eye. He crushes the clay under his hand into a shapeless mass again. Again his fingers mold and fashion it into his design. Again and again defects appear. Again and again the clay is reduced to a shapeless mass until at last it rises in perfection of design before him. His eye surveys it with satisfaction and pride and he removes it from the wheel to take its place with the choice things of the earth around.

Where was the vessel before he began his work? It was in the potter! Where now is the potter? He is seen in the vessel! All that his mind designed and wrought is seen there. The vessel is fit for that which he had intended.

This is the history of man. The clay is in the Potter's hand. God's fingers fashion it but it is marred; the clay needs more of His patient manipulation and skill. It is not yet smooth and even, nor pliable to His hand. He crushes it time after time. The perfect vessel stood before His mind and purpose before His hand had taken the clay and placed it on the wheel. But when all is done, He has transferred His thought with unerring skill to the clay. The Potter is now seen in His own handiwork. It is a vessel of mercy which He has prepared for glory.

How important, as these crushing’s take place, is the need of the interpretation of these skillful workings of the hand of the Potter! How often are the lessons misunderstood or not apprehended at all! In the history of men in the Word of God these actions are seen and the results are reached. In them we read the history of His dealings with our own selves and the handiwork of God. We look, then, for the lines of beauty resulting from His hand. We yield ourselves to the things which happen and see the end of the Lord. We know how it is that all things work together for good to them that love God, who are the called according to His purpose.

As a Potter, the Lord God took of the dust of the ground, in the first creation, and fashioned it into a man. Then "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." But the vessel was marred. Again the divine Potter takes of the same lump and puts forth afresh His skill to form a vessel of mercy for eternal glory: a new creation in Christ.

F. G. Patterson

Cannot I do with you as this potter?
saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in
the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand
Jeremiah 18:6

God Is Love

We cannot always trace the way
Where Thou, our gracious Lord,
dost move;
But we can always surely say,
That God is love.

When fear its gloomy cloud will fling
O'er earth—our souls, to heaven above,
As to their sanctuary, spring,
For God is love.

When clouds hang o'er our darkened path,
We'll check our dread, each doubt reprove;
For here each saint sweet comfort hath,
That God is love.

Yes, Thou art love—a truth like this
Can every gloomy thought remove,
And turn our tears and woes to bliss;
Our God is love.

White as Snow

Good character is nothing with God. There is not a man that would have all he has done, thought, or said written on the wall of his house. But it is all out before God.

An unsaved man, left alone with his thoughts, would never turn them to Jesus Christ. When you come to know the real condition of man's heart, Christ has no place in it. It is not Christ he loves at all. Christ came and passed through this world to carry God's love to everyone. He came to sinners in their sins because they needed Him. Christ comes and shows us what we are. The law shows us what we ought to be. If the light comes in, the person is convicted, but Christ is there in perfect grace. We were under death, sin, the curse, and wrath. He came under death, sin, the curse, and wrath.

When we come before the judgment seat of Christ, whom shall we see there? The Man that put away our sins.

God would have us happy: happy in a holy walk, happy with Himself; in order that we may be happy, He has put away all our sins and made us white as snow. Then we can walk with God happily.

But we all, with open [unveiled] face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor. 3:18.

The glory is in the Person who bore our sins. We like to look at the glory now; every ray of it is the proof that our sins are gone. We look at it, think of it, delight in it, and then we are changed into the same image from glory to glory.

Our hearts have confidence in Him. That is faith, and then we follow Him and see where He is and get practically like Him. God has proved His righteousness by taking Christ to His right hand. Our sins are not only put away, but we are in Christ, made the righteousness of God in Him. We have sins, but God says: "I have righteousness for you." Don't tell me we can't know it. Why, Christ says we shall. "At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you." I believe what Christ says.

Christ is coming, and I believe the moment is hastening on. Supposing He came tonight. Well, I say, "Thank God, His first coming redeemed me. He is coming again to take me to be with Him in the same glory as Himself.”

What we want to learn is the wonderfulness of this love. "We have known and believed the love that God hath to us." 1 John 4:16. We shall see Him face to face whose visage was more marred than any man's. He washed us from our sins the first time He came, and He is only waiting to come and take us to Himself.

Have you seen Christ in glory in this way? God Himself has interfered, and made us as white as snow. Christ took the fruit of what we did, and we get the fruit of what He did. We are the fruit of the travail of Christ's soul. He is our everything, and we must seek to please Him in everything we do. The more we look at Him, the more we shall see what poor, weak creatures we are. But let those of us who are Christians make it our business in everything to glorify Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us.

J. N. Darby

How great is His goodness, and how great is His beauty!

Zech. 9:17

Bible Challenger-05-May V.06: The Habitation for Those Who Are Friends of Unrighteousness