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| 1. | Belshazzar's Banquet |
| There is no doubt at all why God has been pleased to record the scene that we have in this chapter. He has put it down, as a New Testament scripture tells us, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning"; that men and women, you and |
| 2. | Blind Leaders of the Blind: The Editor's Column |
| Our attention was called to a certain greeting card which was used somewhat extensively in Christendom at the end of last year. The message it conveyed was entitled, "No Room in the Inn." It contained some well-turned phrases to express beautiful sentiments which would pass for true Christianity with most |
| 3. | Blind Man Who Did See, The: The Pharisee Who Said, "We See" |
| The moral effect of the mission of Christ is strikingly presented in the 39th verse of this deeply interesting chapter. "And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind." The work which |
| 4. | Bridegroom Comes, The |
| The great truth of the Lord's coming in person the second time will in very deed be found to shine in the pages of inspiration like stars in the midnight sky. Alas, that it should have been so forgotten! But the Lord foresaw this and foretold it in the parable |
| 5. | Broken State of Christendom, The |
| There is no greater danger than forgetting the spirit that becomes those to whom God has shown His mercy in giving true understanding of what suits Him in the actual and broken state of Christendom. Is it not one of the things we need most to look to, that the |
| 6. | Calvinism: Mr. Pink |
| In turning now to the errors of Calvinism, it is not our purpose to examine the works of John Calvin; we will instead take a fairly recent book of this persuasion which has had a large sale, and which has turned many from positive truth into bypaths of error. It |
| 7. | Calvinism: Mr. Pink |
| A concomitant error to Mr. Pink's doctrine of a limited atonement, with its denial of the real truth of propitiation, is the Calvinistic denial of the elementary and basic truth that "God is love." This is seen in Mr. Pink's handling of John 3:16 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16): "God so loved the |
| 8. | Care for Sound Doctrine |
| "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." 1 Tim. 3:9 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. (1 Timothy 3:9). |
| 9. | Christ in Luke's Gospel |
| All, I suppose, realize that what is of ourselves must be put aside. I think I may say more; there is not one single bit which we ever receive into our souls of Christ that is not at the expense of what is of ourselves being judged and put aside. |
| 10. | Christ is Everything |
| God in His grace has centered for us every blessing in Christ. Without Christ we have nothing, nothing but our sins; with Christ we have all things, and therefore want nothing besides Christ. As the Apostle says, "All [things] are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." {vi |
| 11. | Christ Our Food |
| Aaron and his sons were to eat what was not burned in the fire of the meat offering. Christ was the true bread, come down from heaven to give light unto the world, that we through faith, [who are] priests and kings, may eat thereof and not die. It was |
| 12. | Christ the Way |
| This was a momentous word for man -for every man, woman, and child. No words more encouraging were ever uttered, even by the Lord Jesus Himself, for such as felt the need of divine direction—"I am the way." |
| 13. | Christ's Blood |
| The notion that Christ's blood was literally presented in heaven, and will be seen by us when with Him in glory, is utterly baseless and revolting, and shows the danger of speculation by going beyond the New Testament and literalising the Old Testament shadow. It should be met by rebuke, |
| 14. | Conversion and Salvation |
| There are many people who bear the name of Christians who have not got beyond this state [of being converted—turned to God—but who know not salvation]. They are like the prodigal son (Luke 15) when he repents and arises to go to his father. He was on the right |
| 15. | Creation and Redemption |
| Genesis shows the entrance of sin with intimation of redemption. Exodus expands the view of redemption. Till we are introduced to God as redeemer, we never know Him. To know Him merely in creation, is now but idolatry. True, we find traces of the Garden everywhere, but to look at |
| 16. | Daily |
| "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily." Luke 9:23 23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23). "Daily"—this is the trial. A man might heroically do it once for all, and he would have plenty of people to honor him, and have books written about him; but |
| 17. | Dependence |
| The only true attitude for the Christian is that of dependence. The moment we get off the ground of dependence on God we are sure to come to grief. This is true both individually and collectively. |
| 18. | Disorder in the Land |
| I was much struck in reading Luke 3 this morning. There was the Lord's land, with the rightful heir to it lying in a manger, while it was parceled out among the Gentiles, and an anomalous condition existed in the religious polity of Israel—two high priests. Then a voice |
| 19. | Display of Affection: A Word of Warning |
| There are danger spots in this world which should be sedulously avoided by the child of God. One of these, over which we would erect a beacon, is the display of human affection—a thing right and proper in its place, but a most dangerous snare for the unwary. Perhaps there |
| 20. | Enoch's Translation |
| The translation of Enoch was the first formal testimony of the great divine secret, that man was to have a place and inheritance in the heavens. By creation he was formed for the earth. The garden was his habitation, Eden his demesne, and all the earth his estate. But |
| 21. | Ephesians 1:11-12 |
| There are two parts in the mystery: 1. All things shall be put under the headship of Christ. 2. The Church, which is His body, will have part in the inheritance. We shall be before God according to the perfection of His nature. Christ having been put to death, God |
| 22. | Examination of Calvinism |
| Before we take up the subject of reprobation, we should probably first state what it is, and then examine whether it has scriptural soundness or not. Reprobation is a dogma of Calvinism which can be expressed in the words of Arthur W. Pink as illustrative of its proposition; hence |
| 23. | Faith in Enoch |
| "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." Heb. 11:5 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. (Hebrews 11:5). |
| 24. | Father's Love, The |
| "For the Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved Me, and have believed that I came out from God." John 16:27 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. (John 16:27). |
| 25. | Feeding the Multitudes |
| There are two miracles of the Lord's feeding the multitudes. Each has its own characteristics for our instruction. Both prove His ready and almighty resources. Had each miracle appeared in a different gospel only, the skeptics would have insisted on discrepant accounts; but God has cut off such an objection, |
| 26. | Four Consequences of Divine Love: Life, Propitiation, Power, Boldness |
| There are many exceedingly beautiful points in this passage, but I will only touch on four of them. There is little of ourselves here; all is about God—what He is and what He does. |
| 27. | Four Things Forbidden |
| "Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.... That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and |
| 28. | Funerals - Paganish - Ritualistic: The Editor's Column |
| Recently we visited with a Christian funeral director in a large city. We found him rejoicing in the great things God had done for him, and he was ready to give an answer to those who might ask him about his hope in Christ. In fact, he seemed to be |
| 29. | Glories |
| There will be a scene of glories when the kingdom comes. We commonly speak of "glory" as if it stood in that connection only, but this is wrong. Glory will be displayed then, it is true; glory will then be in the circumstances of the scene. But a much more |
| 30. | God Our Justifier |
| "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile." Psalm 32:1, 2 1 <<A Psalm of David, Maschil.>> Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (Psalm 32:1-2). |
| 31. | Godly Exercise in Discipline |
| The thirteenth chapter of Leviticus is a fine study for all who are really interested in the condition of the assembly. We cannot attempt to dwell upon it here, but we earnestly commend it to the attention of our brethren. The priest was not to pronounce judgment hastily in any |
| 32. | God's Sovereignty |
| The assertion of divine sovereignty, though a necessary truth which springs out of the very nature of God, is repulsive to the natural mind. Yet no other thought consists with right, when the subject is duly weighed; and every scheme which man substitutes is unworthy of God and unbecoming to |
| 33. | God's Sovereignty - Man's Responsibility: The Editor's Column |
| It has been our purpose for a long time to discuss the subjects of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility in these pages. The two subjects are often set in opposition to each other, as though they were mutually contradictory, rather than complimentary. Both are true, and they are found side |
| 34. | Grace and Government |
| Among the many names under which it has pleased God to make Himself known none is sweeter to the heart of the Christian than this—"The God of all grace" (1 Pet. 5:10 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (1 Peter 5:10)). To grace we owe everything; it is the parent spring of all blessing. Exclude grace, and you |
| 35. | Have We Really Communion? Martha |
| We have in John 11 what our Lord was as intrinsically in Himself, and yet how He did all things in dependence on His Father, which was His perfection as a man. Martha's faith went further than simply so far seeing the prevention of evil by Jesus' presence. She |
| 36. | Holy Spirit, the Seal, The |
| The Holy Ghost was the seal of Christ's work, not of John's preaching righteousness. The second time He received the Holy Ghost was for the Church. He received for Himself (Matt. 3) at His baptism, but for us when He ascended, having finished the work of our salvation. The |
| 37. | If Need Be |
| Three gracious words! Not one of all my tears shed for naught! Oh, what a pillow on which to rest an aching head! |
| 38. | Israel — Northern Army's Invasion … : The Editor's Column |
| Invasions by various kinds of locusts are not uncommon in the Middle East. Exod. 10 gives the account of one such which came upon the land of Egypt when Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites depart at the call of God. It was of utmost severity, as it was |
| 39. | Israel of God, The |
| "Israel of God" (Gal. 6:16 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. (Galatians 6:16)) seems to be used here, not as a general phrase for every saint, but for the believing ones in Israel—those Jews who had repudiated their own works and found shelter only in Christ Jesus. Two parties are spoken of, and not one only. "As |
| 40. | Jacob or Israel |
| It is interesting to notice the way in which the titles "Jacob" and "Israel" are introduced in the close of the book of Genesis; as, for example, "One told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed." |
| 41. | Jeremiah 31:22, The Correct Meaning of |
| "How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man." Jer. 31:22 22 How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man. (Jeremiah 31:22). |
| 42. | Jesus Risen: The Remedy for Every Trial |
| Deep and varied as are the necessities of the soul, they are all met by the death and resurrection of Christ. If it be a question of sin that affects the soul, the resurrection is the glorious proof of the complete putting away of it. The moment I see Jesus |
| 43. | Jordan - Middle East - Dispensationalism: The Editor's Column |
| When the Lord Jesus was rejected by the Jews as their Messiah, He foretold that Jerusalem would be destroyed (which came to pass in A.D. 70 by the Roman Empire under Titus), and that there would not be left one stone upon another of that beautiful temple which Herod built |
| 44. | Journeys to Jerusalem |
| The journey of the wise men from the east, as we read it in Matt. 2, and the journey of the queen of the south, as we have it in 2 Chron. 9, shine with something of a kindred beauty and significance before us. They, all of them, |
| 45. | Justification |
| There are three parties to my justification: God, Christ, and myself. On God's part there is grace—"Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:24)); on Christ's part there is His blood—"Being now justified by His blood, we shall be |
| 46. | Known and Searched |
| "O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising." And in verse 3, "Thou... art acquainted with all my ways." Now think for a moment of the intimate knowledge God has of all our actions. It is very solemn, and it is not |
| 47. | Labor and Conflict: Exposition on Nehemiah |
| Before entering upon this chapter, it may be helpful to the reader to point out the structure of the book. Up to chapter 7:5, we have Nehemiah's personal narrative from the time he first heard of the affliction and reproach of the remnant in Judea, and of the desolate condition |
| 48. | Labor and Conflict: Exposition on Nehemiah |
| This chapter is divided into two parts: the first, reaching down to verse 26, deals with genealogical matters; the second, extending to verse 3 of chapter 13, contains the account of the dedication of the wall, together with certain reformations that seem either to have been connected with or to |
| 49. | Labor and Conflict: Exposition on Nehemiah |
| It is impossible now to determine the chronological place of the occurrences of this chapter. We are told only that "before this" Eliashib was allied unto Tobiah, and had been on great terms of intimacy with him, and that during this time Nehemiah was not at Jerusalem (v. 6). "Before |
| 50. | Last Adam, The: A Quickening Spirit |
| In the 20th chapter of John's Gospel, we find the Lord Jesus, in resurrection, consummating all the previous chapters of the Gospel. |
| 51. | Law and the Gospel, The: Incompatible |
| As all men before conversion, in every age and country, are imagined to be equally under the law, the Gentile no less than the Jew, so the Christian is put under the same law, not (they say) for justification, but for a rule of life. Every whit of the system |
| 52. | Life of Moses, The: Providence Versus Faith |
| Many saints cling to signs of providences as though they were to be the guide for faith. Nothing could be a more remarkable providence than that which placed Moses in the court of Pharaoh, but it was not the guide for the faith of Moses. Brought up as the |
| 53. | Look |
| The story from beginning to end is "Look and live." As a sinner, I looked to Him and lived. And now, as a saint, I still look on; and every look brings back to me the light, and character, and beauty, and impress of the blessed One at whom I |
| 54. | Lord Jesus Christ, The |
| When the Lord was down here on the earth, His name was Jesus (Matt. 1); but He was also the Christ (John 1:41 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. (John 1:41), etc.). After His death and resurrection, He was made Lord and Christ (Acts 2:3636 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)); and He still retains the name of Jesus ({vi 27176}Acts |
| 55. | Lord Our Shepherd, The |
| It is ever soothing to the spirit to ponder the character of the Lord Jesus as our Shepherd, in whatever aspect of that character we view Him; whether as "the good shepherd," laying down His life for the sheep; "that great shepherd," coming up out of the grave |
| 56. | Lord's Love for His People, The |
| The Lord takes notice of every circumstance, every shade of difference in assemblies, as also in individuals in them, thus showing that He is not indifferent as to the state of His people by the way—their daily steps—because He has secured blessing for them at the end. His love is |
| 57. | Luke 9 |
| In Luke 8, Christ Himself preaches the gospel of the kingdom. In chapter 9, He sends forth His twelve disciples with the same testimony; and in chapter 10, having been rejected as "the Christ," and on the ground of this rejection, and after the declaration of His coming glory |
| 58. | Man: The Generation in the Day of Christ |
| The incorrigibleness of man under all persuasions becomes the ground of the necessity, and the vindication of the righteousness, of God's judgment. |
| 59. | Manna |
| How vain for an Israelite to have searched for a large piece of manna—and yet when all the small pieces (the "small round thing") were put together, they formed a large piece, quite sufficient to each man "according to his eating." While vainly searching for a large piece, he |
| 60. | Ministry of the Apostle Paul, The |
| "A light to lighten the Gentiles" was part of old Simeon's announcement in the sacred enclosure of the temple (Luke 2:32 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. (Luke 2:32)). He held for a moment the Babe in his arms, of whom the prophets had spoken. He saw God's salvation and was satisfied. Years, however, had to pass |
| 61. | Nahum, Excerpts From Lectures on |
| Nahum brings before us the character of God in remarkably vivid terms, and indeed with a majesty of utterance most suitable to the subject God entrusted to him. "The burden of Nineveh" means the heavy sentence of God against that famous city, a phrase customary in the prophets. In Isaiah |
| 62. | Need of Grace, The |
| The whip and the scourge may be righteous, but there is no winning of the heart of man with these. Nor is it righteousness which reigns among the saints of God, but grace, through righteousness, unto eternal life. Alas! how many sins that might have been washed away ({vi 126632}John |
| 63. | Nicodemus |
| We do not find any miracle in John 1. Andrew and his companions—Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel—were all brought to Jesus without miracles. The work was in their souls. The word, "Behold the Lamb of God," had awakened their going to the Lord; and to seek Him as "the Lamb |
| 64. | Nikita Khrushchev - End of the Age: The Editor's Column |
| When Nikita Khrushchev, the great Russian leader, and head of world Communism, visited the United States some weeks ago, he delivered a speech before the United Nations Assembly in New York City, in which he projected himself as the great apostle of peace—a strange role for a master of intrigue |
| 65. | Not of Ourselves |
| "For by grace are ye saved [have been and are] through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8, 9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9). It was not necessary to say that grace was "not of ourselves," for grace means |
| 66. | Ordinances |
| An ordinance may be given by the Lord with power in it; as, for instance, the brazen serpent (Numb. 21:8, 9 8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. (Numbers 21:8-9)). But when the power is gone, holding the piece of brass (2 Kings 18:44 He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. (2 Kings 18:4)) becomes a snare and a trap. It must have |
| 67. | Person of Christ, The |
| The truth concerning the Person of Christ lies at the foundation of Christianity. Apart from what He was, even His death on the cross would not have made atonement for sin. It is necessary, therefore, to be clear on this subject because it is a component part of the Christian |
| 68. | Philippians 1, Brief Thoughts on |
| The epistle to the Philippians has a peculiar character rather distinct from the other epistles, though there are indeed traces of the same in the epistle to Timothy. Taking it characteristically, it is the epistle of Christian experience. |
| 69. | Philippians 2, Brief Thoughts on |
| In this whole epistle is little or no doctrine, but the practical exhibition of Christian walk by the power of the Spirit of God. |
| 70. | Philippians 3, Brief Thoughts on |
| In this chapter we get the energy that carries the Christian on through the wilderness in view of the glory. |
| 71. | Philippians 4, Brief Thoughts on |
| This chapter takes up the entire superiority to circumstances which characterizes the Christian. The Apostle had gone through very trying circumstances; he had been in prison for four years, chained to a heathen soldier-a terrible kind of thing. There he had been to have the experience that no circumstances could |
| 72. | Power in Weakness |
| "And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Cor. 12:9 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9). |
| 73. | Power of Affection, The |
| There is danger nowadays of making the Bible "easy." The clear and full character of revelation in our dispensation is one of its great distinctions. That is true and very blessedly true. "Blessed are your eyes, for they see," said the Lord. But still the facility with which divine knowledge |
| 74. | Praises at Midnight |
| "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God." Acts 16:25 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. (Acts 16:25). |
| 75. | Present Evil World, This |
| "In time past ye walked according to the course of this world." Eph. 2:2 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (Ephesians 2:2). |
| 76. | Prodigal, The |
| The prodigal found a higher place, and tasted higher communion than ever he had known before. "The fatted calf" had never been slain for him before. "The best robe" had never been on him before. And how was this? Was it a question of the prodigal's merit? Oh! no; it |
| 77. | Psalm 150 |
| What a close of the Psalm of David! what a close of the ways of God! Joy indeed has come in the morning, and struck its note for the "one eternal day." Praise ye the Lord! Amen. |
| 78. | Revived Roman Empire - NATO: The Editor's Column |
| In one week at the turn of the year tremendous strides were made toward that which the world has sought since the fall of the Roman Empire—a united Europe. The dissolution and dismemberment of the great Roman Empire of the West in the year 476 A.D. brought considerable chaos to |
| 79. | Rome - Babylon - Demon Worship: The Editor's Column |
| From time to time we have called attention to decided trends in the world which are leading on to those awful days of the tribulation period that are to "come upon all the world" after the Lord has called His heavenly people home to be with Himself. Trends are everywhere |
| 80. | Russia - Red China - Coming of the Lord: The Editor's Column |
| Christians who understand something of the dispensational dealings of God as revealed in His Word, know that this present period is a parenthesis in God's prophetic revelations concerning the earth. This is the time when God is visiting the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name-for |
| 81. | Sceptic and the Jew, The |
| Some years ago, in a place in London where the gospel was often preached by some of the Lord's people to the crowds that gathered there, several stood up and proclaimed the gospel through the Lord Jesus. This was followed by a young man, a skeptic, who made light of |
| 82. | Scope of the Gospel, The |
| Everything we find in the good tidings, or gospel, makes God's side prominent. We like to make the sinner prominent because we are thinking of ourselves; but in the gospel we ever find God's side prominent—God's manner to the sinner. It is the extent of His blessings in Christ |
| 83. | Scripture Testimony to the Deity of Christ: Christ is God Over All |
| 2. Because the voice of inspiration declares, "Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh,... believed on in the world, received up into glory." 1 Tim. 3:16 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16). If Christ were but an inspired teacher, as one of the prophets, how |
| 84. | Scripture Testimony to the Deity of Christ: Christ is God Over All |
| 40. Because we find it is written, every knee shall bow to Him—a homage due to God alone. "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth." Phil. 2:10 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (Philippians 2:10). Compare this language with Rom. 14:1111 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Romans 14:11); "As I |
| 85. | Scripture Testimony to the Deity of Christ: Foreword |
| In these days of increasing apostasy as to the Person of Christ, it is indeed refreshing to read the solid testimony of one who contended for the faith well over a century ago. |
| 86. | Scripture Testimony to the Deity of Christ: Omniscient - Omnipotent - Omnipresent |
| 63. Because He assumes the disposal of the rewards of heaven, the peculiar prerogative of God. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Rev. 2:10 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10). |
| 87. | Scripture Testimony to the Deity of Christ: Upholder of all Things - Summary |
| Because it is not only declared, that all things were created by Him, and for Him, but also that "By Him all things consist [subsist]." Col. 1:17 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:17). is not that Being, who supports all things, God? Then is Christ truly God, for He is the Creator and Supporter of |
| 88. | Seeking the Lost Ones |
| We learn from 2 Cor. 5 that two motives impelled the Apostle Paul to preach the gospel. One was, "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." If he thought of the solemn and awful reality of judgment to come, it urged him to go out to |
| 89. | Service and Communion: A Word to Young Believers |
| If I had the ear of my younger brethren in Christ who seek to serve their gracious Master in the ministry of the Word in Sunday school work, in street preaching, in tract distribution, or any other form of Christian labor, I would say to them in deep affection, See |
| 90. | Serving the Lord |
| It is a very harassing and profitless occupation to lose time asking oneself, What shall I do now? The next thing to be done is always at the very door, for the smallest thing often leads to the greatest results; and it is in neglecting these that the greatest misadventures |
| 91. | Seven Churches - Apostacy: The Editor's Column |
| It is an inescapable conclusion that the Lord's addresses to the seven churches in Revelation (chapters 2 and 3) are written to us for our learning and that we might be exercised thereby, for seven times it is written: "He that bath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit |
| 92. | Still Small Voice, A |
| Elijah was surrounded with violence and impiety on all hands, and this he denounced unsparingly. Consequently, he felt that his message would be unwelcome and his life in jeopardy; but he was at once assured that the Lord would shield him against all opposition. According to his word, "There shall |
| 93. | Suitable Response |
| "The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy." Psalm 147:11 11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. (Psalm 147:11). |
| 94. | Testimony of the Presence of God, The: Power of Assembling and Jouneying |
| In this chapter we get the first movement of the armies of the Lord, but before anything is set in motion the trumpets are brought into use. They were for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camp; this was their proper but not their only |
| 95. | Thy Name is as Ointment Poured Forth |
| In this language is portrayed the preciousness of Christ (as the Bridegroom) to the bride. This will be at once perceived if the context be examined. "Let Him kiss me," cries the bride, "with the kisses of His mouth: for [now addressing Him directly] Thy love is better than wine." |
| 96. | Till the Heavens be no More |
| Job said, "Yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up; so man lieth down, and riseth not." Job 14:10-12 10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? 11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: 12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. (Job 14:10-12). There, people very often stop, but not so the Spirit of God here by |
| 97. | Trials of Faith |
| While trials must be felt, God pledges His faithfulness, that with each temptation He will make a way of escape, that we may be able to bear it. He will never try us above what we are able to bear. Though it may seem that we are shut |
| 98. | Truth Held in Communion |
| There is nothing more dangerous than to use the Word when it has not touched my conscience. I put myself into Satan's hands if I go beyond what I have from God, what is in possession of my soul, and use it in ministry or privately. There is nothing more |
| 99. | Two Night Scenes |
| In the first of these scenes we are introduced to the house of a woman that has a familiar spirit at Endor (1 Sam. 28:7 7 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. (1 Samuel 28:7)). She is a true emissary of Satan—one who has for long carried on her diabolical deceptions by means of witchcraft, and has by some |
| 100. | What is Inspiration? |
| By inspiration we mean that which is God-breathed. We are told, "All [or every] Scripture is given by inspiration of God." It might be rendered, "Every Scripture is God-breathed." (2 Tim. 3:16 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16).) The Scriptures are therefore a revelation from God, and their force or authority to our hearts and |
| 101. | What Perfection! |
| How the whole life of Jesus was the great contradiction of the way of Adam! Adam was nothing, but sought to be as God. Jesus was everything, consciously equal with God, yet made Himself nothing and emptied Himself. The person He assumed, the form of a servant; the station He |
| 102. | When I See the Blood |
| "When I see the blood, I will pass over." It is not a question of my value of that blood, but the conscience rests on the value God finds in it. God looking upon the blood cannot see sin. My heart wants to value it more, but the question |
| 103. | With All Thy Getting Get Understanding |
| The great desire of God is that we should understand every act and leading of His grace toward us. Human parents do much for their children without ever making known to them their intent and pleasure, and therefore much of the lives of the children is spent in misunderstanding the |