Foundations of Faith
THE FINALE

This is the 120th and concluding issue of GROWING, Series 1. We pray that the readers of GROWING have truly grown, not only in their knowledge of God’s Word and the major doctrines of Scripture, but also in their love for the Lord and in the closeness of their walk with their Saviour. However, this is not the end of GROWING. The publishers have encouraged the editor to repeat the cycle. So in January 2003, if the rapture has not yet taken place, you will receive the first issue of Series 2 of GROWING.

Running the Race
Assignment 17 (continued from Nov02 GROWING):

3. (Mar.) What is the difference between the rapture and the appearing of Christ?

4. (Apr.) What do we mean when we teach that the rapture is imminent?

5. (May) Write out two Scriptural arguments in support of a pre-tribulation rapture.

6. (June) List six events that will take place during the tribulation period.

7. (July) Write out four features of the millennium.

8. (Aug.) What is the difference between the judgment of the sheep and the goats and the great white throne judgment?

9. (Sept.) Write out three verses that teach that the punishment of the lost is for eternity.

10. (Oct.) Write out four verses that describe different features of heaven.

11. (Nov.) Write out three more verses that describe different features in heaven.

Foundations of Faith
WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE? (II)

When “our earthly house … [is] dissolved, we have a building of God … eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven…. Not that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life” (2 Cor. 5:1-4). The apostle Paul looked forward, not just to being released from the trials, labors, and pain of his earthly life, but to being clothed upon with his new body that would perfectly fit him for heaven. The relationship between our present “natural body” and our future, “spiritual body” is likened to that between a seed that is sown and the plant or tree that grows from that seed (1 Cor. 15:35-44). In other words, our present bodies are like a seed and our future bodies will be like the full-grown plant.

This suggests powers and capabilities that go far beyond those of our present bodies. With our new bodies we may be able to sing with perfect pitch, harmony, and rhythm, and perhaps with a much wider range than we have presently. Similarly, we may have keener hearing and vision and be able to see a much wider spectrum of color and discern more subtle differences among colors.

Our new bodies, if like Christ’s resurrection body, will be capable of eating (Luke 24:43; John 21:13; see also Rev. 22:2; however 1 Cor. 6:13 suggests the contrary thought). If we will eat in heaven, we can well imagine having taste buds that are sensitive to a far greater range of taste experiences than at present. But if it turns out that there is no eating in heaven, not to worry! We can be certain that the Lord has prepared other pleasures so wonderful that they will cause us to forget we used to eat (Psa. 16:11).

While heaven will be a happy place, it is first and foremost a holy place (see Assignment 15 below), dominated by a holy God, His sinless Son, and the Holy Spirit. We have been predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son (Rom. 8:29), and “when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). Just think of it! In heaven there will be no pride, no offenses, no hard feelings, no selfishness, no put downs, no hypocrisy, no disappointment. Every individual will be totally righteous, good, loving, giving, friendly, helpful, patient, kind, meek, and humble.

“You who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight” (Col. 1:21,22). (See Assignment 16)

Far above all the other blessings of heaven mentioned above, we shall “be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8; also Luke 23:43; John 17:24; Phil. 1:23; 1 Thess. 4:16,17; Rev. 20:4); we shall see His face (1 John 3:2; Rev. 1:13-16; 5:6-8), hear His voice (2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 1:17-20), and be united with Christ as bride with Bridegroom (John 3:29; 2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7-9).

What a wonderful future lies ahead of every born again child of God! We are living in very unstable and uncertain times:terrorism, famine, violence, natural disasters, injustice, divorce, child abuse, and widespread immorality abound in our world (see Matt. 24:6-8; 2 Tim. 3:1-5). Instead of despairing over what is happening to this world we live in, let us “rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:2).

May we live out our days on earth as citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20) and with our hearts set upon our eternal home and upon our blessed Lord and Saviour. Let us devote our lives, time, talents, and energies to serving the One who gave His all for us (1 Cor. 6:19,20).

Running the Race
HOW SHALL WE THEN LIVE IN VIEW OF HEAVEN?

Are you looking forward to going to heaven, as the apostle Paul was (2 Cor. 5:2,4,8; Phil. 1:23)? Would you be happy if the Lord came today (1 Thess. 4:17,18)? Do you believe that “in [God’s] presence is fullness of joy; at [His] right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psa 16:11)? Do you truly believe that heaven will be at least a million times more enjoyable than your present life on earth?

If your answer to each of these questions is “yes,” then you will be interested in beginning to enjoy the pleasures of heaven right now. Here are a few suggestions as starters:

1. Singing hymns of redemption with other believers in Christ (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

2. Gaining as much knowledge as possible of the Bible, of God’s attributes, and of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18).

3. Serving the Lord (Psa. 100:2; Rom. 1:9; 14:18; 1 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 9:14).

4. Not sinning, being holy (Rom. 6:11; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Thess. 4:3,4; 2 Tim. 2:21; Heb. 12:10; 1 Pet. 1:16; 2:21-23; 1 John 2:1).

5. Being reconciled with persons from whom we are estranged (Matt. 5:23,24; 6:14; 1 Cor. 7:11; Jas. 5:16).

6. Beholding, communing with, and meditating upon Christ (John 15:4; 2 Cor. 3:18; Col. 3:1-3).

7. Being zealous in spreading the gospel of salvation to as many others as possible before the “day of salvation” comes to a close (2 Cor. 6:2; Eph. 5:16; Luke 19:13).

May “the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ” (2 Thess. 3:5; 1 Thess. 1:10).

CONGRATULATIONS!

Kate Sipple (Pennsylvania) completed all 28 assignments for 2001 with a perfect score.Assignment 17: The following is a review quiz based on the Year-2002 issues of GROWING. Please refer back to the indicated issue when answering each question.

1. (Jan.) Write out four ways believers have been blessed as a result of the ascension of Christ to heaven.

2. (Feb.) What is the difference between the work of Christ as High Priest and His work as Advocate?

Foundations of Faith
WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE? (I)

1. Are you sure you are going to heaven? The Bible says that you can have that assurance:“These things have I written unto you who believe on the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life [who] believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13; see also Apr97, May97, Feb98, Aug02).

2. How do you expect to reach heaven? Those who have placed their trust for eternal salvation in the blood-atoning work of Christ on the cross will go to heaven either by death or by the rapture—the coming of Christ for His people (see Apr02).

3. Are you looking forward to going to heaven? Do your thoughts agree with those of the apostle Paul about it:“To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain…. I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better” (Phil. 1:21,23).

4. Would you be happy if the Lord came today? “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout…. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:16-18).

5. Is there anything you would very much like to do or complete or accomplish before you finish this present life? A familiar hymn addresses this question:“Have I a hope, however dear, Which would defer Thy coming, Lord, Which would detain my spirit here (Where naught can lasting joy afford)? From it, my Saviour, set me free, To look and long and wait for Thee” (G.W. Frazer).

6. Most people think that heaven will be nicer than hell. But do you think that heaven will be more enjoyable than your present life on earth? Is it your desire to eke out all the pleasure you can from this present life before you have to leave it and go to heaven? Can you identify with Moses of old? “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward” (Heb. 11:24-26).

Let us allow these questions to challenge our hearts as we prepare to consider the next question:What is heaven like?

Upon a first reading of the Bible, it may seem that very little information is given about heaven. But as we become familiar with all of Scripture, we begin to find little nuggets about what heaven is like in a number of different places in the Bible.

In three Psalms with prophecies of the sufferings of Christ, we find the resurrected Christ singing and praising God. “In the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee” (Psa. 22:22, 25; Heb. 2:12). “He has put a new song in My mouth, even praise unto our God” (Psa. 40:3). “O God, set Me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving” (Psa. 69:30).

The curtain of heaven is rolled back briefly in Revelation 5 and we find the saved ones (represented by the 24 elders) singing “a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (verses 8,9; see also 14:3 and 15:3).

“The foundations of the wall of the [heavenly] city were garnished with all manner of precious stones,” representing many different colors (Rev. 21:19,20). “The tree of life … bore twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month” (22:2).

“They shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD:for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD” (Jer. 31:34). “Now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Cor. 13:12). We will be with our all-knowing Creator and Saviour throughout eternity. There we will be able to learn everything there is to know about the created Universe, and there we will undoubtedly learn much more about the Man Christ Jesus, especially His love and grace and sufferings for us. However, there may still be knowledge about the Trinity that is beyond man’s comprehension (1 Tim. 6:15,16).

“They who … have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb … are … before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple” (Rev. 7:15). “The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him” (22:3). One aspect of this service is that “the saints shall judge the world” (during the 1,000-year reign of Christ) and “we shall judge angels” (1 Cor. 6:2,3).

It is well to notice here that, contrary to the thought of worshipers of leisure time, work is not a curse of God upon man. God gave Adam work to do in the garden (Gen. 2:15,19, 20). As a result of sin, work became more difficult and complicated (Gen. 3:17-19), and thus, no doubt, less enjoyable and fulfilling. But in heaven, where sin will not be found, enjoyable work will again abound.

There are hints of such activity in several passages (1 Cor. 3:22; Rev. 4:10,11; 21:7). (See Assignment 14)

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:for the former things are passed away…. There shall be no night there” (Rev. 21:4,25).

CONGRATULATIONS!

Four of our readers completed all 28 (16 regular plus 12 review) assignments for 2001:Nkechi Peace Chiedu (Nigeria; perfect score for the year), Drew Johnson (Pennsylvania), John Hope (Virginia), and Lori Spielman (Pennsylvania). Also, during the past year the following have completed the assignments for previous years:Clement Aninga (Kenya, 1993), Joseph Amusuk (Nigeria, 1996, 1997), Nkechi Peace Chiedu (Nigeria, 2000).

Running the Race
Assignment 14: Write out at least two verses in Ephesians 1 that suggest that the heavenly company might have the entire created universe to enjoy.

Foundations of Faith
THE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT OF THE LOST

In this issue we expand upon last month’s study of the final judgment of sinners at the great white throne and look at verses that teach the eternal punishment of the lost.

We hear more and more people saying, “I believe in a loving and tolerant Jesus.” To be sure, Jesus was not only loving, but the highest example and pattern of divine love (John 15:12,13; Eph. 5:2,25). Jesus was also tolerant, far beyond the people of His day. Observe His willingness— as a Jewish man—to receive a drink from a Samaritan woman, something that just wasn’t done in those days (John 4:9). His tolerance of a woman who had a reputation as a sinner was due to her being a sinner saved by grace (Luke 7:36-50; also John 8:3-11). When it came to dealing with people who sinned, and who covered their sin with a cloak of piety, Jesus was probably the most intolerant Person ever to walk this earth (see Matt. 12:34; 23:13-38; John 2:13-17; 8:44).

All this is leading up to the point of this article. People say that a loving and tolerant Jesus surely would not condemn anyone to hell, especially to an eternity in the lake of fire. Many people have the idea that the concept of hell and a lake of fire was invented by the apostles. Let us listen to the Scriptures.

“Broad is the way that leads to destruction” (Matt. 7:13).

“The children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness:there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:11,12).

“Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28).

“The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom … those who do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 13:41,42; also 49,50).

“It is better for you to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched; where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:43-48).

“Then said the king to the servants … Cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 22:13; 25:30).

“Then shall [the King] say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41).

“The rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments…. Cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:19-31).

“He that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).

“Those who have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation [or judgment]” (John 5:29).

“… the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Rom. 2:5; also 1:18; 2:8).

“The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1:8).

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27).

“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet…. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone…. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever…. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20; 20:10-15; 21:8).

Outer darkness, wailing, weeping, gnashing of teeth, hell, lake of fire, unquenchable fire, torment, intense thirst, wrath of God, eternal judgment, vengeance. What a horrible future is in store for those who reject the salvation offered by God through the death and resurrection of His Son. Not all of these verses mention the fact that these judgments are eternal, but enough of them do to convince us of that awful truth! (See Assignment 13)

Who are the authors of these terrible words of judgment? About half of these passages were spoken by Jesus Himself, and additional ones refer to the direct involvement of Jesus in the punishment of sinners. Jesus tolerant of evil? No way!!

A number of “evangelicals” today have given up the truth that God’s judgment of sinners is for eternity. If it does not seem to be fair to punish for eternity one who was a sinner for only 90 years, we need to understand that God’s punishment of man is no more severe than His punishment of His own Son-for our sins (Psa. 22:1,15; 69:3,10,20; 88:7,8,16-18; Lam. 1:12; Matt. 27:45,46; John 19:28).

Running the Race
DO WE REALLY BELIEVE IN HELL?

We may hold proper Biblical teaching about hell. But do we really believe hell is terrible, hell is eternal, and thousands of people around us are doomed to spend eternity there? Have we considered what it would be like to spend eternity in the blackness of darkness, completely separated from God and from all light and all love?

It is rather ironic that the sects which claim that there is no hell (for example, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Mormons, and the Seventh-Day Adventists) are extremely active in evangelism, while many people who hold all the right doctrines seem content to let people go on to hell.

We must have more compassion for the lost. Where are the “weeping prophets” or “weeping preachers” for whom the thought of men and women in hell is so terrible that they will cry to God for the souls of the lost? We must overcome laziness, fear, self-indulgence, or whatever is holding us back from telling to all we can their frightful danger.

We must wrestle in prayer, for we are in conflict with a determined and desperate enemy. Satan knows his time is running out. He is using every weapon to ensnare men’s minds.

If we really believe in hell, let us act as if we believed. Proper doctrine without love, compassion, and action is a cold, useless thing, as offensive to God as to the world.

Assignment 13: Write out verses in Matthew 3 and 18 and one in Jude that show that God’s judgment of unrepentant sinners is forever, or with fire that will never go out.

Foundations of Faith
THE END TIMES (VI)

In Jul02 we saw that at the end of the tribulation period, the 12 tribes of Israel will be restored as God’s special people on earth and the raptured and resurrected believers will reign with Christ over the earth. During this period Satan will be bound and it will be a time of unparalleled righteousness and peace.

Here are a few additional features of the 1,000-year reign of Christ:

8. It will be a time of great beauty and fruitfulness:“The desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose” (Isa. 35:1). “They shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them” (Isa. 65:21).

9. “Weeping shall be no more heard in [Jerusalem], nor the voice of crying” (Isa. 65:19).

10. Open sin will not be tolerated, but will result in death (Isa. 65:20). (Note that sin occurs even when Satan is bound; let us not use the excuse that “the devil made me do it”!)

At the end of the 1,000 years “Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations … to gather them together to battle, the number of whom is as the sand of the sea….
And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone … for ever and ever” (Rev. 20:7-10). These human rebels stirred up by Satan likely will be numbered among those born during the millennium, not the “sheep” of Matthew 25. Such is the human heart that even 1,000 years of peace and righteousness will not endear people to the Lord!

Following the final rebellion at the end of the millennium we read of the judgment of the dead:“And I saw a great white throne, and Him who sat on it…. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened … and the dead were judged … according to their works” (Rev. 20:11,12). This judgment is to be distinguished from the judgment of the sheep and the goats that will occur at the end of the great tribulation (Matt. 25:31-46). On that earlier occasion, the Son of Man shall come in glory and judge all of the living nations, with the “sheep”—the saved ones— inheriting the millennial kingdom on earth and the “goats”— the lost—being sent “into everlasting fire.” At the great white throne, on the other hand, the unsaved dead are raised to stand before the Son of God to be judged according to their works. (See Assignment 11)

“Death and hell [or Hades] delivered up the dead that were in them” (Rev. 20:13). In other words, death (or the grave) will give up the body and Hades will give up the soul of each unsaved dead person to be reunited “unto the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:29). All of the dead who are saved will have been resurrected previously (1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; Rev. 20:4). At the great white throne, the degree of punishment in the lake of fire for those who died unsaved will be determined according to their works. (See Assignment 12)

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15). This brings us to the end of the end times. What a solemn conclusion this is to the history of self-centered, self-loving, self-satisfied, self-confident, Christ-rejecting men and women.

Running the Race
IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE?

How would you answer this question? You think so? You hope so? You are not sure?

Let us review God’s way of salvation and eternal life according to the Scriptures. The Bible has both Bad News and Good News. We need to understand the Bad News about ourselves before we can enter into the Good News of the Bible.

1. You are a sinner. “There is none that does good, no, not one…. All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:10-23).

2. God is holy and hates sin. “[God] is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on iniquity” (Hab. 1:13).

3. One sin is enough to separate you from God and to cause you to be spiritually dead. Your “iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you” (Isa. 59:2). “You … were dead in trespasses and sins … and were by nature the children of wrath” (Eph. 2:1-3).

4. Because of your sins you deserve the death penalty. “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). This is not just physical death, but eternal separation from God. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). “The wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).

Have you, dear friend, come to the point in your life where you realize that you are a lost, helpless sinner who deserves God’s eternal punishment? If so, you are ready to hear the Good News.

1. While God hates your sin (Prov. 8:13; Zech. 8:17), He has great love for you personally.

2. Stop a moment and think about this: What is the greatest way in which God has shown His love for you? Yes, he has kept you alive and safe and healthy all your life. Yes, he has given you a loving family and friends. Yes, he has helped you out of tough situations and has at times answered your prayers. Anything greater yet?

3. “God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:6-8; John 3:16). “[Christ] bore our sins in His own body on the tree” ( 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18; 1 Cor. 15:3).

4. If you place your trust, your dependence for your salvation, not in your own works and merits (Eph. 2:8,9), but in the sufferings, death, and resurrection of Christ for your sins, you will “not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16,36; 5:24).

5. What about “good works”? They are produced through us by the Holy Spirit in appreciation for God’s great love in saving us (Eph. 2:10).

If you have lais hold of the Bad News and Good News of the Bible, you can be sure that your name is “written in the book of life.”Assignment 11: Write out two verses in John 5 that show that “God” in Rev. 20:12 is referring to God the Son.

Assignment 12: Write out a verse in Matthew 11, two verses in Luke 12, and one verse in Romans 2 that show that God’s punishment of the unsaved will be according to their works.

Foundations of Faith
THE END TIMES (V)

The Coming of the Son of Man. As mentioned in Jun02, the seven-year tribulation period will end with the coming of the Son of man to execute judgment upon the earth:“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He who sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war…. And His name is called the Word of God…. And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations; and He shall rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on his vesture and on His thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords…. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet [or Antichrist] … [and] both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone” (Rev. 19:11-21).

It is well to be aware of this side of the “meek and lowly” Lord Jesus. Today, thankful to say, He “is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). We hear people today saying, “I believe in the God of the New Testament” or “I believe in a loving, tolerant Jesus.” He wasn’t always tolerant when He was here on earth (Matt. 21:12,13; 23:13-36), and He is not going to be tolerant when He comes back in judgment upon those who rejected Him and His free offer of salvation.

1. Satan will be bound and shut up in “the bottomless pit” for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:1-3).

2. “The LORD shall be King over all the earth” (Zech. 14:9; also Jer. 33:15; Dan. 7:13-14; 2 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 11:15).

3. The raptured and resurrected saints (including those martyred during the tribulation) will reign with Christ (Rev. 5:10; Luke 19:12-19). (See Assignment 10)

4. All 12 tribes of the nation of Israel will be joined together in their land, God will write His law upon their hearts, and they will become the center of blessing for all the nations of the earth (Isa. 2:1-3; 11:10-13; 60:3,10-22; Jer. 23:3-8; 31:31-34; 33:7-9; Rom. 11:25-27).

5. It will be a time of righteousness. “They shall not build, and another inhabit…. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble” (Isa. 65:22,23).

6. It will be a time of unparalleled peace:“Out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people:and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither, shall they learn war any more” (Isa. 2:4).

7. This peace will extend to the animal kingdom:Wolves, lambs, leopards, kids, lions, calves, bears, snakes, and little children will all live peaceably with one another (Isa. 13:6-9; 65:25).

Running the Race
WHAT ALTERNATIVE DO I HAVE?

We are often faced with dilemmas and decisions in life. It may seem like the only “safe” way is to go along with the crowd, even though we know that the crowd is not following God’s Word and way.

In Noah’s day, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of … of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). Noah and his family could easily have adopted the attitude, “Everyone else is doing it; I might as well do it too.” But because they were willing to stand alone in faithfulness to the LORD, they were saved through the flood while “everyone else” perished (1 Pet. 3:20).

Caleb and Joshua stood apart from all other children of Israel, and they alone, of all who were at least 20 years old, survived the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness to enter into the promised land (Num. 14:29,30; Josh. 14:6-13).

In the times of ancient Babylon, the only way to survive-so it seemed-was to obey king Nebuchadnezzar’s orders to bow down to the image of gold that he had made. After all, the alternative was not very pleasant: being “cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace” (Dan. 3:1,6). But three young men challenged “the only safe way.” And guess what? You already know the rest of the story: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survived the fiery furnace with no hurt and with not even the smell of smoke on them (3:25-27). On the other hand, the men who threw the three young men into the furnace were killed from the intensity of the heat (3:22).

During the coming tribulation period those who are saved will face a similar dilemma. The second beast [Antichrist] will cause “that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causes all … to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; and no man may buy or sell, except he who had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name [666]” (Rev. 13:15-18). Some may be able to avoid a confrontation with the image of the beast, and thus escape with their lives. But what about buying groceries and gasoline, paying the mortgage, and receiving social security and pay checks? To conduct the most ordinary matters of business one will be required to choose between allegiance to God and allegiance to the beast.

The Book of Revelation provides much encouragement to the saved persons who will be challenged with such decisions. Here is a promise to those who remain faithful to the Lord, even unto death: “I saw the souls of those who were beheaded for the witness of Jesus … and who had not worshipped the beast … neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years” (Rev. 20;4; also 15:2). For the rest, “there fell a … grievous sore upon the men who had the mark of the beast” (Rev. 16:2). “The smoke of their torment ascends up forever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast” (Rev. 14:9-11).

Young men and women, you may be faced with similar choices and decisions in your lifetime. Don’t take the easy route. Don’t do what everyone else is doing. Don’t make the choice that appears to be “safe.” The only really safe way is obedience to God’s Word and total allegiance to the Lord.

Assignment 10: Write out a verse in 1 Corinthians 6, one in 2 Timothy 2, and one in Revelation 20 that support the point just made.

Foundations of Faith
THE END TIMES (IV)

Introduction:Tribulation and the Tribulation. All Christians are promised tribulation. Jesus told His disciples, “In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer:I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Paul and Barnabas advised the new believers “that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). These tribulations are not to be “avoided like the plague” but “we glory in tribulations … knowing that tribulation works patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Rom. 5:3,4; 12:12; 2 Thess. 1:4).

In the last issue we showed that Christians will be raptured, that is, taken to heaven out of the world, prior to the seven-year period of tribulation in the last days. We must not allow this truth to give us a false sense of security and safety. Citizens of North America have been quite shielded from the fires of persecution and tribulation that have afflicted Christians in other parts of the world –both past and present. When the Communists gained control of China in the early 1900’s, the persecution of Christians was so intense that many believers feared that the rapture had occurred and somehow they had been left behind to go through the seven-year tribulation. One of the readers of GROWING recently wrote to me of violent persecution of Christians in his city in Nigeria. More and more this persecution is coming to Christians in America. Let us be prepared through prayer and nearness to the Lord. When it comes, “rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings” (1 Pet. 4:12-14).

What Believers Will Be in the Tribulation? If the Church–made up of all true believers in Christ–is raptured prior to the tribulation, and if there is no second chance for unbelievers at the time of the rapture (see Apr02), then who are the 144,000 sealed “servants of our God” and the “great multitude … of all nations” who “came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:1-14)? The Lord is going to raise up a gospel testimony during the tribulation (Rev. 11:3-12). Presumably God will open hearts of children and adults who had never heard the gospel previously. (Amazing as it may seem, I have met some people here in America who had no idea who Jesus Christ is, except being a swear word.) The 144,000 represent those from the 12 tribes of Israel who are saved during the tribulation. Note that these will include not just Jews as are identified today (who are mainly from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi), but descendants of the so-called “lost tribes of Israel” as well (Jer. 30:3). The “great multitude” refers to Gentiles who are converted during this period.

What Will Happen During the Tribulation Period? In Revelation 6 we find the Lamb opening the book with seven seals. This chapter seems to present the unfolding of events in the tribulation period. The Lord’s description of this period in Matthew 24 presents a similar order:(1) war (Matt. 24:6,7; Rev. 6:2-4); (2) famine (24:7; 6:5,6); (3) death (24:7-9; 6:7,8); (4) martyrdom (24:9,10; 6:9-11); (5) the sun and moon darkened and the stars falling (24:29; 6:12-14); (6) the coming of the Son of man to execute judgment upon the earth (24:32-25:46; 6:15-17). Both passages also mention earthquakes (24:7; 6:12).

Items 1-3 above fall under the heading of “the beginning of sorrows” (Matt. 24:8), no doubt referring to the first half of the tribulation period. It is probably during this same period that the Jewish temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem. Also, the alignment of world powers prominent in the tribulation likely takes place at this time. The first beast–a political leader–will head a confederation of ten nations that corresponds in some way to the ancient Roman Empire (see Dan. 7:7,19-25; Rev. 13:1; 17:7,12, 16). The second beast–a religious leader, also called the Antichrist (Rev. 13:11-15; 1 John 2:18) and the False Prophet (Rev. 19:20; 20:10)–will decree that the people worship the first beast … or else be economically discriminated against or killed (Rev. 13:15-18).

The so-called “great tribulation” (Matt. 24:21 and Rev. 7:14) starts at about the middle of the “week” of seven years and is marked by the de- filing of the temple by the first beast (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15). This is referred to in Scripture as the “abomination of desolation.” The Holy Spirit goes to great lengths to reveal the length of the great tribulation (3½ years), no doubt to clarify its link with the 70th week of Daniel 9:27 and to encourage the believers that it will soon be over:It is 1260 days (360×3½; Rev. 11:3; 12:6), 42 months (12×3½; Rev. 11:2; 13:5), and a time, times, and half a time (or 1+2+½ years; Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev. 12:14), along with being half of seven years (Dan. 9:27).

The great tribulation will be a time of vast amounts of death and destruction that will make what happened on September 11, 2001 seem like child’s play. “Four angels were loosed … to slay the third part of men … by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone” (Rev. 9:15-18). The King of the North (perhaps a confederation of Islamic nations such as Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, and some of the Soviet states) and the King of the South (perhaps Egypt) will battle each other, with Israel caught in the middle (Dan. 11:40-45). Toward the end of the tribulation many nations will be gathered together in Israel for the Battle of Armageddon and more judgments from heaven (Rev. 16:14-21). Babylon the Great, generally considered to be Christendom minus the Church, will fall (Rev. 17,18). The tribulation will conclude when the Son of man–the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ– comes “in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him. Then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory; and before Him shall be gathered all nations:and He shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats” (Matt. 25:31, 32). The sheep–those saved during the tribulation and surviving to the end–will join the Lord in His millennial kingdom upon the earth (25:34), while the unsaved goats will be cast into everlasting fire (25:41,46).

Running the Race
Assignment 8: Write out two verses in Isaiah 13, one verse in Jeremiah 30, and two verses in Ezekiel 20 that refer to the tribulation in the last days.

Assignment 9: There are many verses in Revelation 6-18 that give encouragement to believers who are going through tribulation. Find and write out at least one such verse from each of four different chapters in Revelation 6-18.

Foundations of Faith
THE END TIMES (III)

Scriptures That Support a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. One of the most frequently used verses in support of a pre-tribulation rapture is found in the letter to the church in Philadelphia:“Because you have kept the word of My patience, I also will keep you [out of] the hour of temptation [or testing] that shall come upon all the world, to try those who dwell upon the earth” (Rev. 3:10). Temptations and testings are an expected and normal part of every Christian’s life (Acts 20:19; 1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 2:18; 4:15; Jas. 1:2,3). But this verse in Revelation refers to “the hour,” that is, a prescribed period of time rather than an open-ended lifetime of testing. This verse also says that this time of testing “shall come upon all the world.” Even World War II (which many people thought to be the great tribulation) did not come upon all the world. So this verse seems to be referring to the seven-year period of tribulation in the last days. Being kept out of this period of tribulation fits better with a pre-tribulation than a mid- or post-tribulation rapture.

In Revelation 4 and 5 we find two word pictures of heaven. Seated around the heavenly throne are 24 elders with “crowns of gold” on their heads (Rev. 4:4). These elders (1) “cast their crowns before the throne” (4:10); (2) worship the Lord as the Creator of all things (4:11); (3) sing to the Lamb who had redeemed them by His blood (5:9); (4) fall down and worship the Lamb (5:14; 11:16; 19:4); and (5) ask about those “who came out of great tribulation” (7:13,14). The crowns in 4:4 and 4:11 are not the kingly crowns (or diadems) worn by the dragon (12:3), the beast (13:1), and the Lord when coming as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (19:12,16). Rather they correspond to the crowns of life, righteousness, and glory (1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Tim. 4:8; Jas. 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:4; Rev. 2:10; 3:11) given by God to His people in recognition of their faithfulness to the Lord.

What does this have to do with the timing of the rapture? Just this:When Isaiah and Ezekiel received visions of heaven, there was no mention of 24 elders. When the apostle John had a vision of the Son of Man in Revelation 1, there was no mention of 24 elders. But after reading the letters to the seven churches (Rev. 2 and 3) and before reading about the series of judgments to be sent by the Lord upon the earth during the tribulation period (Rev. 6-18), we begin reading about 24 elders gathered around the Lamb singing songs of redemption. Who else could these elders be but the redeemed saints, no doubt including those saved in Old Testament times as well as those of the New Testament Church? The entire picture provides a very strong inference that these saints were raptured prior to the seven-year period of tribulation. In agreement with this picture, there is no mention of the Church on earth in Rev. 6-18 concerning the tribulation period.

Let us now examine an Old Testament passage that gives strong evidence of a pre-tribulation rapture:“Seventy weeks are determined upon your people and upon your holy city. … From the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and 62 weeks:the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after 62 weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself:and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the over-spreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Dan. 9:24-27).

This is a prophecy concerning Jerusalem, “your holy city.” It concerns a period of 70 weeks, or literally 70 periods seven units long. Usually in Scripture these are periods of seven days or one week, but in Daniel’s prophecy it fits best to make these periods of seven years. So the prophecy has to do with 70×7=490 years. The 490 years are divided into periods of 7×7=49 years, 62×7= 434 years, and 1×7=7 years. The period of 490 years begins with “the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem” (Neh. 2:8). After 49 years, “the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.” This corresponds to the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem (Neh. 3-4).

After another 434 years, the Messiah–the Lord Jesus Christ–shall be “cut off” or rejected by His people. After this, “the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary,” referring to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70.

A Bible scholar, Sir Robert Anderson, performed detailed calculations of the 69 weeks and determined that the 69 weeks (or 483 years) ended on the very day of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, five days before His death (Luke 19:28-40). (See Assignment 7)

This leaves one final week of seven years. The coming prince “shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate.” In Matt. 24:15-21 this prophecy is linked with “great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be”; this final week has not yet happened.

We shall see in the next issue that the end of the great tribulation will usher in a brand new beginning for the nation of Israel, with the Messiah coming to reign over the Earth.

Why is there a gap of nearly 2,000 years or perhaps more between the 69th and 70th weeks of Daniel’s prophecy? Because this defines the period of the Church as God’s chosen people (Eph. 1:4). Israel as a nation is, for a time, set aside in God’s purposes while the gospel of salvation is going out to Gentiles and Jews alike throughout the entire world. The fact that the 70th week marks a return to God’s dealings with the nation of Israel strongly suggests that the intervening Church period has come to a close. This would signify a pre-tribulation rapture.

Running the Race
Assignment 7: Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is often spoken of as a “triumphal entry.’ Write out a verse in Matthew 21 that shows it was triumphal and another verse or two that reveal rejection by His people.

Foundations of Faith
THE END TIMES (II)

What Is the Difference Between Dying and Being Raptured? Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes.” Those who are familiar with the Bible know that Ol’ Ben was wrong. Even death is not certain! One of the best known and loved passages of the Bible is where Jesus tells His disciples:“I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3). But to most people, this is no more than a promise of what will happen when they die.

There are two passages that clearly show that the Lord is coming again for the living as well as for those who die:“The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout … and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air:and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16,17). “Behold, I show you a mystery:we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…. The dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we [that is, the living] shall be changed” (1 Cor. 15:51,52). (See Assignment 5)

These two passages show something else:there is something more for the believer than dying and going to heaven. “The dead in Christ shall rise first”; “the dead shall be raised incorruptible.” When a believer dies, the body is placed in a grave where it eventually decays and returns to dust (Gen. 3:19); at the same time, the soul and spirit go to be with the Lord “in paradise” (Luke 23:43). However happy the soul and spirit may be to be “present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8), they are incomplete without the body. At the time of the rapture, the decayed and dusty bodies of dead believers will be resurrected. Our new bodies will have the same identity as our old ones, but they will be changed. Our present body is called “a natural [or ‘soulish’] body,” that is, suited to the interests and desires of our soul. Our new body in heaven is called “a spiritual body,” that is, suited to the interests and desires of our spirit (1 Cor. 15:44, see Dec95 and Sep01 for the distinction between soul and spirit). Furthermore, our new body will be “incorruptible” and “immortal” (1 Cor. 15:52-54), that is, incapable of sickness, growing old, or death.

In 2 Cor. 5:1-4 the apostle Paul refers to four distinct bodily states with regard to death and resurrection:(1) Being alive with our present physical body (“our earthly house”); (2) having died with our soul and spirit separated from our body (“unclothed”); (3) being in heaven with our future resurrected body joined with our soul and spirit (“clothed upon with our house that is from heaven”); and (4) standing before God unsaved, without the covering that He provides for those who have trusted Christ for salvation (“found naked”). Many people today, in their pain, loneliness and distress, cry out, “Oh, that I could die and go to be with the Lord!” However, the apostle wasn’t just looking forward to dying (“unclothed”), but to the rapture when he would receive a new body from heaven to go along with his purified soul and spirit. (We will have more about his later in an issue about heaven.)

When Will the Rapture Occur? As pointed out in the previous issue, there are many different views about this. Most who adopt the Pre-Tribulation Rapture view also believe and teach that the rapture is imminent. We need to examine this word carefully. “Imminent” can mean “likely to happen soon or without delay.” But Christians have been looking for the Lord to come for nearly 2,000 years now, and that doesn’t sound like “soon.” This word “imminent” is used in connection with the rapture in the sense that the rapture is certain to occur at some time, but uncertain as to what time. Another way of looking at it is that while other events may happen before the imminent event, nothing else has to take place before it happens.

There are such things that happen in our world-such as the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 or the tragic events of September 11, 2001-that cause us to exclaim, “The Lord’s coming must be very near!” However, there is nothing in the Bible that says that these or any other events must happen before the Lord comes back for His own.

Will There Be a Second Chance for Those Who Are Unsaved at the Time of the Rapture? A woman who had seen a film about the rapture concluded that she would wait until the rapture occurred and then, knowing what had happened, would put her trust in Christ. This response is foolish for two reasons:(1) She might die before the rapture occurs; and (2) Scripture does not hold out the possibility of a second chance for those who have rejected or neglected Christ’s offer of salvation (Heb. 2:3). Three times in the last chapter of the Bible the Lord declares, “I come quickly” (Rev. 22:7,12,20). This word “quickly” does not mean “soon” but “swiftly, all at once,” that is, before one can make preparations. The rapture will take place “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:52); there will be no “two-minute warning” nor another opportunity after the rapture.

In the next issue, if the Lord does not come before then, we shall examine some of the Scriptural arguments that support a pre-tribulation rapture.

Running the Race
HOW SHOULD WE THEN LIVE (in View of the Imminence of the Lord’s Coming)?

“A certain nobleman … called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:12,13). God has given every believer a spiritual gift to exercise and work to do (see Oct98, Jan99-Aug99). The time to serve the Lord is now! It won’t do any good to wait until after the Lord comes.

“For our [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). Would any of your friends recognize you as a citizen of heaven? (See Assignment 6)

“Be also patient, establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws near” (Jas. 5:8).

Assignment 5: Write out a verse in 1 Thessalonians that shows that the believers were looking for the Lord to come while they were still alive.

Assignment 6: Write out three verses in Philippians 4 that tell how we should live in view of the Lord being at hand.

Foundations of Faith
THE END TIMES (I)

Do the horrible events of September 11, 2001 mean that the Lord is coming soon and that the end of the world is not far off? What is going to happen next? The Bible has quite a bit to say about the end times. In fact there is an entire branch of theology devoted to the study of what the Bible teaches about the end times:it is called eschatology. We will devote this and the next few issues of GROWING to a consideration of what is going to happen in the future to the believers, the unbelievers, and the earth. This will be followed by a study of heaven and hell according to the Scriptures.

Let us lay the groundwork by giving some definitions:

Rapture. A word commonly used in reference to the Lord’s second coming for the believers. This word, which means “being carried away,” is not found in the Bible, but captures the thought of being “caught up together … to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Another word sometimes used for the second coming is “parousia” (par-ou-sea’-a) after the Greek word for “coming” in 1 Thess. 4:15 and elsewhere.

Tribulation. A seven-year period of God’s judgment upon the earth. The last three and one half years of this period are sometimes called “the great tribulation” (Matt. 24:21; Rev. 2:22).

Appearing. A word often used in Scripture to refer to the coming of the Lord to set up His millennial kingdom upon the earth (see 2 Tim. 4:8; Tit. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:7).

Millennium. The 1,000-year reign of the Lord Jesus Christ over the earth (Rev. 20:1-7).

The Beast. A wicked Gentile king or political leader who will head up the western world during the tribulation (Rev. 13:1-8,18; 19:19,20); also known as the “Little Horn” and the “Prince That Shall Come” (Dan. 7:26; 9:26).

The Second Beast. A wicked Jewish man who will pretend to be the promised Messiah and who will work hand in hand with the Gentile Beast (Rev. 13:11-15); also known as “Antichrist” (1 John 2:18) and the “False Prophet” (Rev. 19:20; 20:10).

The King of the North. An ambitious leader of nations to the north of Israel (Dan. 9:40-45) during the tribulation; probably the same as Gog, the political leader of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal (Ezek. 38, 39). Some think this refers to Russia; others think it is a federation of Islamic nations.

There are several different views held by evangelical Christians about the order of events in the end times. I shall present first of all the one that I believe fits most closely with Scripture. After that I shall outline some alternative views as to the end times that we may encounter when talking with other Christians.

Pre-Tribulationism. The following ordering of events places the rapture at the very beginning of the end times, before the tribulation; thus this is referred to as Pre-Tribulationism:

1. The rapture occurs, removing from the world to heaven all true, born-again Christians as well as raising up and giving new bodies to all believers who have died in ages past, including those of Old Testament times (see Heb. 11).

2. With the salt and light influence (Matt. 5:13-16) of Christians removed from the world, evil personages including the Gentile and Jewish Beasts and the King of the North will quickly take charge of the world.

3. While there will be no second chance for Christ-rejectors in this present age, God will raise up believers and evangelists during the tribulation period among those who had never heard the gospel before. There will be believers from all of the original 12 tribes of Israel (Rev. 7:4-8) along with “a great multitude” from “all nations” (Rev. 7:9-17).

4. There will be intense persecution of believers, horrible wars centered in Israel, and severe judgments from heaven upon the entire earth for the seven-year tribulation period.

5. The Lord will return, this time with the large company of His raptured and resurrected saints, to set up a 1000-year reign of peace and righteousness upon the earth (Isa. 11:1-9; Rev. 20).

6. At the end of the 1000 years there will be a final outbreak of rebellion against God, followed by the judgment of the wicked before God (Rev. 20:7-15).

7. The heavens and earth will be cleansed of all evil and renewed for habitation of God’s people for eternity (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 11:15; 21:1).

Mid-Tribulationism. The rapture occurs at the middle of the seven-year period of tribulation. This view is in part based on linking the sounding of the seventh trumpet during the tribulation (Rev. 11:15) with the “last trump” of the rapture (1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:16).

Post-Tribulationism. The Church will go through the Great Tribulation; the rapture will occur at the end of the tribulation period. The saints caught up to be with the Lord will immediately return with Him to the earth to set up the 1000-year reign. This view is based on equating the coming of the Son of man, “immediately after the tribulation,” to “gather together His elect” (Matt. 24:29-31) with the accounts of the rapture in Paul’s epistles (1 Cor. 15:51-54 and 1 Thess. 4:13-18). (See Assignment 4)

Partial Rapturism. This is a modification of Pre-Tribulationism. Only those who are actively looking for the Lord’s coming will be raptured (based on 2 Tim. 4:8; Heb. 9:27; Rev. 3:21).

Post-Millenialism. The Scriptures that speak of the great tribulation were fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem; the millennium will be ushered in by the efforts of the Church; afterward, Christ will come and reward His own, judge His enemies, and establish the new heavens and new earth.

Amillenialism. This view is similar to Post-Millenialism except there is no millennium during which Christ will reign over the earth. Those who hold this view and the preceding one do not distinguish between the nation of Israel (God’s chosen people in the Old Testament) and the Church (God’s called out ones in the New Testament).

Comment. The scope of this publication does not permit a detailed comparison of these various views concerning the Lord’s coming. Please write the editor for more information.

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture view will be discussed in more detail in the next issue.

Running the Race
Assignment 4: Read Matt. 24:29-31 and 1 Thess. 4:13-18. In What ways are these two passages similar? In what ways are they different?

Foundations of Faith
THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST (II)

As noted in the previous issue, one of the benefits of the ascension of Christ into heaven is that He is now our High Priest, Intercessor, and Advocate. We now examine these aspects of Christ’s present work on behalf of His own.

Christ became “a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make [propitiation] for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to [help] those who are tempted (Heb. 2:17,18). “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, who is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a High Priest who cannot [sympathize] with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:14-16). This High Priest “ever lives to make intercession for those” who “come unto God by Him” (Heb. 7:25,26).

The role of the high priest of Israel in the Old Testament was to offer the animal sacrifices necessary to keep the people in a close relationship with God and make it possible for the people to approach God with all their needs. All of these sacrifices pointed forward to the one perfect sacrifice offered by the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. That perfect sacrifice has been offered; the Offerer is risen and ascended into heaven. On the basis of that sacrifice of Himself, Christ as our great High Priest helps and encourages every believer to “come boldly unto the throne of grace … in time of need.”

Many of our needs relate to our trials and temptations. Christ Himself “suffered being tempted.” How so? In the wilderness He was hungry (Matt. 4:2). In the garden He was “in an agony” and His “soul [was] exceeding sorrowful” (Luke 22:44; Matt. 26:38). Before and on the cross He was falsely accused, wrongfully condemned to death, forsaken, denied, mocked, spit upon, slapped, beaten, stripped, nailed, and taunted by man, and then forsaken by God (Matt. 26:56-27:50). Oh, how He suffered—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—far more than we can imagine! So whenever we are tried, tested, or tempted—because of pain, ill-ness, bereavement, depression, loneliness, financial problems, hurtful or difficult people, false accusations, or whatever—we are invited to bring those needs to the throne of grace. There we will find a merciful High Priest who knows perfectly—from His own personal experience—what we are going through, and thus knows perfectly how best to help us in our time of need.

Let us be careful to note that these passages are only referring to so-called “holy temptations,” those that come from outside of us. Christ cannot sympathize with our lusts, sins, and failures. For those we need Christ as our Advocate (see below). But when we are oppressed with trials and temptations, our merciful High Priest helps and strengthens and encourages us to depend upon Him; thus He keeps us from anger, fear, impatience, retaliation, or other sinful responses to our trials.

“If any man sin, we have an Advocate with [or literally, toward] the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 2:1,2). “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever:even the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16,17,26). The words “Advocate” and “Comforter” are exactly the same in the original Greek. That is why the second passage says “another Comforter.” We are blessed with two Advocate-Comforters—the ascended Christ and the Holy Spirit. An advocate or comforter is literally one who comes along side to assist us.

While the work of Christ as High Priest is largely to keep us from sinning, the work of Christ as Advocate is to direct our hearts back toward the Father if we do sin. How does Christ carry out this work? By reminding us that “He is the propitiation for our sins” (see Feb97), that is, by reminding us of how much He suffered for us on the cross for our sins. Such a reminder shames us, humbles us, leads us to confess this fresh outbreak of sin, and results in our restoration to communion with God our Father. (See Assignment 2)

Is there a difference between the work of the ascended Christ as Advocate-Comforter and that of the Holy Spirit as Advocate-Comforter? The work of the Spirit is to remind us of the teachings of Christ (John 14:26) and the things pertaining to Christ, including His Person and work (John 16:14, 15). So it would seem that these activities of the ascended Christ and of the Holy Spirit go hand in hand with each other.

In Jan02 we noted that one of the blessings of Christ’s ascension is the blessed hope that He is coming back to take His waiting people home with Him in heaven. This plus other themes relating to the end times will be topics of consideration in upcoming issues of GROWING.

Running the Race
HOW SHOULD WE THEN LIVE (in View of Christ as Our High Priest, Intercessor, and Advocate)?

God’s purpose for His sons is that we should “be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29). If our risen and ascended Christ is presently occupied with keeping us from sinning and restoring us if we do sin, is this not also a worthy occupation for each of us in our associations with our fellow believers? “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14) “Love covers all sins” (Prov. 10:12).

Assignment 2: (a) Write out a verse in Matthew 26 that illustrates the high priestly activity of trying to keep another person from sinning. (b) Write out a verse in John 21 that illustrates the advocate-like activity of restoring a sinning person to the Lord.

Assignment 3: Write out one verse each in Matthew 18, Galatians 6, and 1 Thessalonians 5 that point out our responsibility to help others not to sin and to restore sinners to the Lord.

Foundations of Faith
THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST (I)

Studies of the Person and work of Christ, including His deity, humanity, sinless perfection, sufferings, atoning death, and resurrection can be found in the Jun94-Oct94 and Dec96-Mar97 issues of GROWING. A further feature of the work of Christ not covered earlier is the ascension of the risen Christ to heaven and His ongoing activities there for us.

For a period of 40 days, the risen Christ “showed Himself alive” to the disciples “by many infallible proofs,” and spent time “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:2, 3). During this period He was seen several times by His disciples as well as by over “500 brethren at once” (1 Cor. 15:4-7), a powerful testimony to the fact of His resurrection. Christ also encouraged His disciples (John 20:15-17,27-29; 21:4-19), taught them from the Old Testament Scriptures “the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:29,44-46), commissioned them to preach the gospel among all nations (Matt. 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 20:21; Acts 1:8), and asked them to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5). Finally, with His disciples watching, Christ ascended into heaven.

Were the disciples depressed or grief-stricken at the departure of their beloved Lord? No, we read that they “returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God” (Luke 24:52, 53), and “in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1:14). They eagerly anticipated what their ascended Lord had in store for them, and they were not disappointed.

Not just the 120 early disciples (Acts 1:15), but believers in Christ ever since have been greatly blessed by the ascension of Christ to heaven.

1. Christ ascended that He might enter “in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Heb. 9:12). This contrasts with Old Testament times when the priests were required every year (on Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement) to bring the blood of a sin offering into the innermost room of the tabernacle, the most holy place. Christ’s ascension signifies that the work of redemption is truly finished and fully accepted by God. This means there is nothing left for us to add by our own efforts and works. Christ has done the whole work necessary for our salvation. All we have to do is reach out, with the empty hands of faith, and receive God’s eternal salvation as a free gift (Eph. 2:8, 9; see Apr97 and May97). Then, and only then, will we be truly able to do good works, for they will be produced by the Holy Spirit and flow out of gratitude and appreciation to our precious Saviour for all that He suffered on the cross for our sakes (2 Cor. 5:14,15; Eph. 2:10; Tit. 2:11-14).

2. Christ ascended that He might send the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of the believers. “The Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:39). “The Father … shall give you another Comforter … the Spirit of truth…. He dwells with you and shall be in you” (John 14:16, 17). Many Christians say that life would be so much better if we could have Christ living with us day in and day out as the 12 disciples did. However, when Christ was on earth He was limited to being in one place at a time. In contrast, the Holy Spirit is with and in every believer in the whole world at all times. The many blessings of the indwelling Spirit have been discussed previously (Nov94-Apr95). (See Assignment 1)

3. Christ ascended that He might give spiritual gifts unto men. “When He ascended up on high, He … gave gifts unto men…. He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:8-12; see Jan99-Aug99). This relates closely to #2 above, being one of the blessings of the Holy Spirit. It is singled out here because of its specific connection with the ascension of Christ.

4. Christ ascended that He might “be Head over all things to the Church.” The apostle Paul prayed that “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ” would show the believers “the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.” It is the same power that raised Christ “from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion … and gave Him to be the head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph. 2:15-23). The Church, the body of Christ made up of all true believers in Christ (Jul98), exists today because of the ascension of Christ. It is always well to keep in mind that the Head of the Church is alive and seated with His Father in heaven. This means that every movement of the body of Christ is to be subjected to the direction and leadership of the Head of that body. The body is not left on its own to devise its operating principles; its Head has provided us with an instruction Book. Also, the Head, in anticipation of His death, resurrection, and ascension, has told us, “where two or three are gathered together unto my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20).

5. Christ ascended that He might become our High Priest, Intercessor, and Advocate in order to help us to deal with the trials and temptations of this life. (This will be expanded upon in the next issue.)

6. Christ ascended in order to prepare a place for us so that we might be with Him and enjoy Him forever. “I go to prepare a place for you, and … I will come again and receive unto Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2, 3).

7. Christ ascended that He might be crowned King of kings in preparation for His return to set up His kingdom upon the earth for 1,000 years. “I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He who sat upon him was called Faithful and True … the Word of God…. And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations and … rule them with a rod of iron…. And He has … a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:11-16). (#6 and #7 will be considered in more detail in later issues this year, should the Lord tarry.)

Running the Race
Assignment 1: Write out a verse in Acts 2 that links Christ’s ascension into heaven with the sending of the Holy Spirit.

Assignment 2001-17: Here are the remaining questions of a review quiz based on the 2001 issues of GROWING. Please refer back to the indicated issue when answering each question.

10. (Oct.) The October issue presents five different theories as to the timing of the creation events in Genesis 1. Select one of these theories and give at least one argument in its favor and at least one argument against it.

11. (Nov.) Give two arguments in opposition to the theory that the universe, life, and man came into existence totally by chance.

12. (Dec.) Give two arguments in opposition to the theory of macroevolution.