Calendar:Nov. 16th to Dec. 15th
DAILY BIBLE READING:……….. Nov. 16th, Heb. 8; Nov. 30th, 1 Pet. 4; Dec. 15th, Rev. 4. MEMORY WORK:……………………… John 16.
GOOD READING:"On the Gospel of John," by J. G. Bellett. (paper covers, 35 cents.)
MONTHLY QUESTION …With whom, and when is the new covenant made? What is its meaning for, or relation to, the Christian?

Our Memory Work

We get, first, the thought of rejection, carried over from the previous chapter. It is, necessarily, the lot of those identified with Christ, who follow in His path. But there is in it a blessed Companion for His people, even the Holy Spirit. He it is who would lead them into the realization of what it means to have fellowship with Christ in the world which persecuted Him. For this it was expedient that He should return to the Father.

The Lord outlines the double testimony of the Spirit here in the world:on the one hand, toward the world (vers. 8-11), and on the other, toward those who are Christ's (vers. 12-15). For the latter it means participation in the things of the Son (ver. 14) and of the Father (ver. IS). The Spirit's ministry is such as makes the Son Himself blessedly real to those who obey the Word. Thus the Lord speaks of His disciples as "seeing Him," because He says, "I go to the Father" (ver. 16, see also ch. 14:18-21). This brings a rejoicing of heart, a joy which none can take away.

Finally, among other things, He speaks of the full liberty of access to the Father, to be known in the day of the Spirit's presence. This shows how the Lord in these chapters is introducing His own to the place He filled in obedience to, and in fellowship with, the Father, when here as a man upon earth.

But let us ask ourselves, How much of these precious things do I really enjoy day by day? Are the things of the Son and the Father being shown to me by the Spirit, through the Word? Don't we occupy ourselves too much with the things about us in the same way as the worldling is occupied with them?-instead of using them only in so far as they may serve the interests of Christ, If the latter attitude marked us, heart and mind would be more open and free' from fretting cares, to be occupied with the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Let us with purpose of heart turn from needless things, and whatever of the world's vain show may attract, to concern ourselves with the worthy and needful things, which we may do heartily as unto the Lord, that we may be more free and undistracted for the enjoyment of our spiritual heritage.

Our Daily Bible Reading

The Epistle to the Hebrews is full of truth which directs our hearts to the Lord Jesus in a most blessed way. In it the deity and humanity of Jesus are both emphasized. He is set before us as the One in whom the types and shadows of the old economy have found perfect fulfilment. His humiliation and sacrifice, with His present exaltation and glory at the Father's right hand, in high priestly character, constitute the basic themes of this epistle. God's people are viewed as in the wilderness with the heavenly rest in view, but constantly receiving ministry from our great Forerunner who has already entered in.

James gives us various practical features of Christianity. Endurance (ch. 1), lowliness (ch. 2), works (ch. 3), submission (ch. 4), patience (ch. 5), may serve as key thoughts. He also presents in a vivid manner the real character and spirit of the world.

In first Peter the thought of heavenly calling and relationship is coupled with the path of suffering incident to Christian faithfulness in a world in which what is of God is not acceptable.

In both 2nd Peter and Jude the departure from the truth and the growing evil of the last days, are treated of. They point us to what abides as the resource for God's people in the last days (which are upon us now), and we do well to take special heed to these epistles, as also to 2nd Timothy, which is of similar import.

"John's epistles also speak of last-day evils; but they chiefly present the blessedness of the life and fellowship which belong to God's people, and which remain unaffected by any breakdown of what is characteristic of the dispensation. He treats of the heavenly family and its life-eternal life, imparted from God to His children. The character of this is fully developed in the first epistle; in the second, it is the obedience and the testimony which are to mark those enjoying this life. In the 3d epistle, we see those who manifest the spirit and life of Christ are rejected.

May we all gather daily refreshment as we read these Scripture portions, which are truly quickening to those who receive them into their hearts.

When you next read Psalm 119 note the many times the psalmist speaks of quickening in connection with God's Word or commandments.

Questions

Explanation of Rev. 2:14 is requested, and in particular what present application can be made of the reference to eating "things sacrificed to idols."

The doctrine of Balaam consists in the counsel he gave, directing the women of Moab and Midian to seduce the people of Israel into association with them in their idolatrous festivities, with which there was a practice of gross moral evil (Num. 31:16). Israel was caught in the snare of these friendly advances, which had behind them the enemy's purpose to destroy the character of God's people as called to "dwell alone," in separation to God, whose holy ways and worship had been fully revealed to them. Doubtless, the seduction was intended to deprive Israel of her distinctive position and favor with God, which Balaam had been compelled to proclaim.

God's thought was that His people should be separate from all the abounding evil of the nations. Balaam's doctrine was that mixture should be effected between them and the Moabites. Fleshly lusts and false religious activities were the instruments used.
This history has been repeated in the relations established between the Church and the world. In the apostolic period the evil of idolatry and its moral corruption touched every sphere of life. As a result, the early Christians of necessity withdrew very largely from all the social and festive activities in which moral evil abounded, and in which they had formerly taken part (1 Pet. 4:1-4). This brought against them much persecution and evil speaking. In those days, to partake of the idol sacrifices came to signify the recantation of Christianity.

But things changed; the world became friendly and sought association with the Church, and, like Israel, she was snared into evil practices. The doctrine of mixture prevailed, and this destroyed the true character and testimony of the Church in the world. Expansion, by compromise with the idolatrous world, became the policy of its leaders. Features and practices of heathendom were incorporated into its life, both publicly and privately. Church history gives evidence of how, with certain parties formed in it, there was a literal fulfilment of these abominable evils. But to-day we do not think of this, because idolatry, as then prevalent, has passed away. Nevertheless it has its lesson for us. This same principle of mixture assailed the returned remnant in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. It wrought havoc and caused much sorrow. It is one of our great, if not the greatest, dangers. The idols' feasts, whether social or religious, with their open immorality, are not about us today as they were in the days of the early Church; but there are still idols to keep from, and fleshly lusts from which to turn away. With the light and knowledge we have, whatever displaces God, or would give us one different! from what He is now known through Christ, or that changes His truth, cannot be followed without some form of moral failure resulting. Truth refused, perverted, or neglected, is accompanied in some degree by moral laxity and spiritual decrepitude. Remember the word:"Covetousness, which is idolatry"-1:e., going beyond the true bounds, to attain any object which should not engage us, is idolatry.

Another question refers to Heb. 12:16. Here we have two characters, of which Esau is given as an example. Fleshly indulgence, to attain which holy things are ruthlessly disregarded, is what the apostle warns against. It is not the failure or sin of a Christian, but the act of an apostate, whose true character is thus revealed. To satisfy his fleshly desires he tramples under foot his birthright. He profanes what should have been cherished as holy and precious. He lost the blessing beyond recall. Such must be the result for all who barter future blessing for present ease or pleasure.

A third question:What crown does the Lord refer to in Rev. 3:11? First, it is the reward for individual faithfulness to Christ. Crown is used with a variety of qualifying words (2 Tim. 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:4; 1 Thess. 2:19), which in such cases give it a special meaning. Here, there is none; it seems simply to refer to the reward Christ will bestow at His coming upon those who have kept His word and not denied His name. Compare Col. 2:18; 3:24; Rev. 22:12.