POINTS OF TRUTH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

By: Larry R. Lasiter

From a distance they could see the fire as they made their way through the cold waters of the Mediterranean. Victims of shipwreck, these 276 men had been at the mercy of a typhoon for fourteen days. Hungry and suffering from exposure, the small fire served as a beacon of hope and gave them the strength to struggle on to shore.

Many knew that their fortunate escape from a watery grave would be short-lived. Most of them were prisoners of Rome in transit for trial, prison or execution. In fact, had it not been that one of their number had found favor with the Centurion in charge, they all would have been slain before the ship went down. And now with a warm fire in sight they felt the powerful urge to live yet another day.

The natives of this tiny island called Malta had seen the ship from afar. They saw it being tossed about and battered by the surging waves. Realizing the ship could not withstand the beating and that survivors may wash ashore, they quickly kindled a fire, knowing that the men would be terribly cold and in desperate need of warmth. Also, rain had set in and without a fire the survivors would have no means of drying themselves. Certainly, the natives showed extraordinary kindness to these poor men in need of help.

If you are a student of the Bible this story may sound familiar. It is my paraphrase of the Scriptural account where the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked on his journey to Rome. (Acts 27 & 28)

The holy spirit inspired the author of Acts to record that the Natives of Malta had showed "extraordinary kindness" in kindling a fire for these cold men.

In the church today, perhaps there is too much "Be warm and filled" and too little kindling of fires. Notice James 2:15-16,- "If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?"

Certainly, Christians should care about the physical needs of one another, but what about the spiritual needs of each other? There may be spiritual as well as physical cold, and for this the kindling of a fire is also needed.

In his letter to the Hebrew believers, Paul said "See to it that no one comes short of God's saving grace." To the Church at Philippi he said "Don't just look after your own interests, but also for the interests of your brethren." To Rome, he wrote, that "The spiritually strong should bear the weaknesses of the spiritually weak." James wrote,- "My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)

TIMOTHY'S SPECIAL COMMISSION

The young evangelist Timothy served under Paul's guardianship in caring for the needs of the scattered congregations. For his role, Timothy was given a special gift from God through the laying on of the Apostle's hands. Timothy had previously received the gift of the holy spirit, but was now given a special spiritual gift that would give him the ability to combat false teachers and kindle the cleansing fire of the Lord to others. God revealed that Timothy would receive this gift through prophetic utterance.

Notice,- "This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith." (1 Timothy 1:18-19)

KINDLE A FIRE FOR THE CHURCH

Notice also that Paul referred to brethren who had fallen away from the truth as being spiritually "shipwrecked". They had failed to weather a storm in their lives and were now drifting in the cold waters of the sea of sin. Perhaps some would survive and make it back safely to shore; for those a fire must be kindled by those already on dry land. Some might see the flame of a fire burning and be drawn to make their way back to the warm embrace of the Lord.

"I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

The original word used here by Paul denotes the kindling of a fire. This is the precise idea which the Apostle had in his mind, using the term "anazwpurein", which means to stir up the fire, add fresh kindling, or to revive the spark into a flame. He is urging Timothy to set the invincible power of the holy spirit and the special spiritual gift which God had given him, against the storms which were causing so many brethren to suffer spiritual shipwreck.

"Is not My Word like a fire?" (Jeremiah 23:29) Indeed, the Word of God is as a fire. There is power to purify in God's Word. The Word, read or heard has the power to warm the hearts of men; to burn away the hard cold wax that holds the hearts of so many captive. David said,- "Wax melts before the fire." (Psalms 68:2)

The Apostle John tells us that in Jesus, the Word became flesh. The day Jesus rose from the grave, He walked and talked with two men on a country road. The two men did not recognize Him at first but later said to one another,- "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us by the way?" (Luke 24:32)

In carrying this "fire"

Paul instructed Timothy to. . .

Retain the standard of sound words which he had been taught by him, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim.1:13)

Be diligent to present himself approved to God as a workman who accurately handles the Word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15)

Remind the brethren to not wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. (2 Tim. 2:14)

Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. That he must not be quarrelsome, but kind to all and gentle, teaching patiently even when wronged, in the hope that some may "come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil." (2 Tim. 2:23-26)

That he must preach the Word in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction. (2 Tim. 4:2)

The excellent advice which the Apostle Paul gave to young Timothy is applicable to all who minister in the Church of God. That they should not spend much time in disputes or contend about words which have no tendency to make the brethren either wiser or better, but serve only to violate the principles of love and tolerance. Not tolerance of willful sin of course, but of each other's personal and sincere convictions. No serious Bible student has ever found that he was never wrong about a belief previously held. A faithful believer will adjust his beliefs as God reveals and gives him understanding.

Paul argues that these things beget strife and contention in the Church, dividing the brethren into factions and parties, and also causes subversion among the new and weak, opening the door for the devil to engender doubt in the truth of the faith itself.

It is clear that there will always be small differences among the people of God but we need not go to war with one another over every issue. Yes, we must push the devil out of the Church whenever we see that he has made infiltration, but if we spend all our time focusing our warfare on the home front, we will never make inroads into the devil's territory.

Simply put, a house divided cannot stand. Let us focus our attention on delivering the saving message of the gospel of Christ. To allow God through us, to beg the world to be reconciled to their Heavenly Father by receiving Jesus, the sacrifice He has so lovingly provided. (2 Cor.5) It is our Father's business which He has left in our care.

In following Paul's instructions, Timothy would be kindling a warm fire for those brethren who had suffered spiritual shipwreck, and were struggling in the sea of sin and confusion.

Let us pray that God might grant us men today like Timothy, anointing them with special gifts to strengthen and encourage the weak and confused. Men who will not allow Satan to divert them from fulfilling the great commission of spreading the seeds of the gospel. The Seed is the Word, the Word is Jesus and Jesus is life. The Seed of Jesus will bring life to a dying world and release those held in bondage to Satan, the god of this world. Jesus was crushed before the foundation of the world in order that His servants may sow Him as seed, that whoever would receive Him would not perish but have everlasting life.

Let us pray that faithful men and women would sacrifice themselves for the cause of Christ. That some would lay down their lives as kindling, receptive to the fire of the Lord, dedicated to allowing their lives to burn hot enough that their flame might ignite the mighty timbers which could warm the whole house and give light to many.

The kindling must be laid before the consuming fire of the Lord will descend.

And even the mighty and purifying flames of revival must begin with the tiny flames of the kindling.

WHY SATAN WANTS TO DIVIDE

Have you ever tried setting afire one piece of kindling? It will not even consume itself. Or have you attempted to build a fire by burning one stick at a time? Again, it will not work. Kindling must work together to consistently hold a hot enough flame to ignite timbers.

The age-old, tried and proven method is to place a group of dry kindling together, each touching, resting and relying on another. They cannot serve to kindle the timbers before they first serve to kindle each other. Then what begins as a small flame in one piece spreads to another which serves to not only spread its flame, but help keep the first stick burning. The kindling, working together, soon grows into a strong and hot enough flame that large timbers can be added.

THE ROLE OF WEEKLY FELLOWSHIP

That is one reason why fellowship in assemblies is so important. That is why the author of Hebrews tells the brethren to "Stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together" for worship and services. (Hebrews 10:25) Can you keep the Sabbath alone at home? I believe you cannot if you accept what Jesus said,- "The Sabbath was made for man," and "It is right to do good on the Sabbath." It is not only a day of rest but of worship and service, ("Stimulate one another to love and good deeds.")

Sometimes building a fire is difficult because the wood is wet and resistant to flame. Such was the case on the island of Malta where Paul was shipwrecked. Remember, "the rain had set in." Though the fire was built for him, Paul also did his part and gathered kindling. This kindling was wet, so Paul laid it near the fire so that it would dry enough to burn.

Likewise, Christians can be in a spiritual condition much like damp wood, resistant to the fire of the Lord. Unlike the two men who walked with Jesus along the road, cold Christians are not immediately warmed by the Words of Christ. But they can be if they are near a fire already burning. In time, they may dry enough to no longer be resistant to the fire.

Hidden deep within the cold, damp kindling which Paul had gathered, was a deadly serpent, lying dormant. After a few moments it was revived by the warmth of the fire and reached up and bit the only man of God on the island. Of all the hundreds of people there the serpent attacked only the servant of God.

This occasionally happens to Christians when serving spiritually shipwrecked victims who are washed upon our shores in dying circumstances. But as servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were never told that our service would be without danger and peril. So we must not become unduly discouraged when we are sometimes "bit" by those whom we have tried to serve.

Sadly, some of them will suffer the same fate as the serpent when they are cast off into the fiery flames of judgment. Jude, the brother of Jesus tells us that we are to have mercy on some who doubt, being weak in faith, and to attempt to save others, "Snatching them out of the fire." (Jude verses 22-23)

The devil gets very active when he sees that one who has been spiritually cold and inactive, beginning to warm up. Let us remember that though the serpent struck out at Paul, the very fire that revived him, destroyed him when the Apostle shook him off into the flames. Paul remained unharmed, protected by the grace of our Lord.

CHRIST IS UNITED AMID DIVISION

The Body of Christ should not be divided, but should distance itself from those who lay a claim to godliness but live in sin, and who refuse to repent.

Jesus said,- "I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!. . .Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division;" (Luke 12:49-51)

The object of Christ's coming was to rouse men to spiritual conflict, to kindle a fire in the hearts of men which would purify the receptive and destroy the resistant. But the burning of this fire would excite men, stirring up their passions to cause division and discord. The opposition of the Pharisees and Sadducees showed that the fire was beginning to kindle as He spoke. To be sure, these men had become the enemies of God.

Nevertheless, in the beginning of His ministry Jesus offered to kindle a fire for their souls as well, but they preferred to stay in the cold habitation of their traditions.

It is no different today. Where the holy spirit is kindled afresh, and wherever there are groups of kindling on fire for the will of God, the flames of revival have begun to spring forth.

"Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us. He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days. He will raise us up on the third day, that we may live before Him. So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain." (Hosea 6:1-3)

Wherever there are people walking in righteousness and holiness there is also persecution. (2 Tim. 3:12)

There are some in the Church today who prefer to stay in the cold state of tradition, we can't help them. But we can ask God to kindle afresh His fire in us that we may be revived and serve to strengthen and encourage others.

Sometimes the fire must be kindled under difficulties. The sticks may be wet, the hearth may be flooded and the whole atmosphere may be damp and resistant to the spark of God, -yet it must be done, -it will be done, -God will fulfill His promise to bring revival to His people.

The "mighty exploits" attributed to God's people prophesied in Daniel 11 cannot happen without revival. It brings to mind the account where Elijah ordered that the altar of sacrifice be drenched with water before calling upon the Lord to send His fire upon it. Even a water-soaked altar could not withstand the consuming fire of the Lord. Notice,- "Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench." (1 Kings 18:38)

Like the Pharisees and Sadducees, some may not want the fire kindled at all. Those who are numb from cold often find a hot fire painful to be near. It hurts at first when the life forces in the body begin to flow much more actively. Some may leave when the atmosphere gets hotter and more spiritually active.

The flame must be sent from above. Once received, it is necessary to nourish the flame by going down on your knees and breathing upon it with warm and sincere prayers and supplications. It must be fed, fueled, remember the natives built the fire but Paul gathered more kindling to keep the fire burning.

"Ane stick'll never burn! Put more wood on the fire, laddie; ane stick'll never burn!" said an old Scotchman to his grandson. Sometimes, when the fire in the heart burns low, and love of the Savior grows faint, it would grow warm again if it could only touch another stick. What we need next to prayer and communion with our Heavenly Father is communion with each other. Jesus said,- "Where two or three are gathered together, I will be there in their midst" Where the heart burns, love kindles into a holy flame.

God is our consuming fire and He inhabits the praise of His saints. Therefore, let us enter into His gates with thanksgiving, enter His courts with Praise and enter His presence in worship. As the people of God, let us move from thanksgiving and praise into the pure devotion of worship from a simple and pure heart. And let us kindle afresh the purifying fire of the Lord.

The Road Less Traveled

By:Dustin McNeese

As Christians, each day we face many ordinary situations that play an extraordinary part in our spiritual lives. We are asked to choose between two paths that are laid out before us. One path is the easy way out. On this road we don't necessarily feel that we have to take responsibility for our actions, - not immediately anyway. It's always easier to lie, cheat or steal than to face the consequences of poor decisions that we may make. The road may seem easier at the moment, but the end result is death and separation from a loving and caring God.

The other path is not always the easiest, but it is always the more rewarding. In Matthew 7:13, Jesus instructed us to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven through the narrow gate, even though it is usually the more difficult of the two. We must realize that the decisions that we make today will directly affect our circumstances tomorrow. There are times when God may allow us to fall into situations that are unpleasant for the time being, but He always provides a reward on the completion of the trial.

Sometimes He allows us to see a blessing before we are ready for it so that He can build patience in us. James 5:11 recalls the suffering of Job and the outcome that the Lord had prepared for him, - "Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverence of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord - that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful."

We are also told that God will never subject us to anything greater than we can endure. He knows our limits, our strengths and weaknesses. How and Why? Because He is the One who created emotions, desires and feelings. He was also tempted in every way that we are, yet did not sin. He knows that sometimes the pulls of the flesh can be very strong and He is aware that we may slip, but it is for that reason that Jesus became one of us and died that we might live, all who believe and accept Him as their Savior.

We find in Hebrews 7 and Romans 8 that He is even now at the throne of the Father making intercession for us. However, this does not give us the right to let sin have rule in our lives. Instead, we are told to be holy because He is holy. Even the word "Christian" means "Christ-like." We are told that we are to model our lives after the life that He lived. To strive in every way to be more like Him. Notice,- "Likewise, you also, consider yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in it's lusts. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not!" (Romans 6:11-15)

So, in every circumstance we should see things as a choice to live for God knowing that He has set two paths before us. One that leads to death and destruction and the other that leads to life. Therefore, He urges us to be wise and choose life. Example" "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing, therefore choose life that you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord you God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days." (Deut. 30:19-20)

Even now we know that time is of the essence and that the time of Jesus' triumphant return is near. Therefore let us be about our Father's business knowing that is His will for our lives. Notice 2 Peter 3:9, - "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise (to return in glory) as some count slackness, but is patient toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

So let us diligently do the work of our Father and His Son that we may lead those called by Him to repentance, that we may be found before Him in peace without spot or blemish, knowing that the patience of the Lord is toward salvation. And let us always keep in mind that there are only two paths, - a busy "highway" leading to the flames of judgment, and a close "narrow road" which leads to joy, happiness and eternal life. Each one is traveling on one of these paths,- let us carefully examine ourselves and ask,- "Which road am I taking?"

QUOTATIONS

THE FALL OF A REPUBLIC

When the thirteen colonies were still a part of England, Professor Alexander Tyler wrote about the fall of the Athenian republic over two thousand years previous to that time.

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the public treasure. From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most money from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's great civilizations has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through the following sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith . . .From spiritual faith to great courage . . .From courage to liberty --From liberty to abundance . . .From abundance to selfishness . . .From selfishness to complacency . . .From complacency to apathy . . .From apathy to dependency . . .From dependency back to bondage."

"There is a fleet lying in the river, richly laden, but it cannot come up, because the river is blocked up with ice. So I see my Master's love lying out far down the river, and it would gladly come to my poor soul to enrich me and make me holy and heavenly, but the coldness of my heart, like ice, blocks up the channel, and I get not what I might obtain. Come, heavenly love, and melt the ice. Flow, streams of grace, and dissolve every barrier. Come, Jesus, come into my heart, and let thy treasures be mine forevermore!" Charles Spurgeon

"Praise is the rehearsal of our eternal song"

Charles Spurgeon

"The heart of Christ became like a reservoir in the midst of the mountains. All the tributary streams of iniquity, and every drop of the sins of his people, ran down and gathered into one vast lake, deep as hell and shoreless as eternity. All these met, as it were, in Christ's heart, and he endured them all." Charles Spurgeon

"We can learn nothing of the gospel except by feeling its truths. There are some sciences that may be learned by the head, but the science of Christ crucified can only be learned by the heart." Charles Spurgeon

"Worship is the act of rising to a personal, experimental consciousness of the real presence of God which floods the soul with joy and bathes the whole inward spirit with refreshing streams of life." Jones

PROPHETIC UTTERANCES

Summer 2000: "Little children, you are envelopes. Enclosed is the holy message of the King, sealed by the very signet ring, impressed with the image of the invisible God. You are sent forth to proclaim and to release the mystery of an everlasting message of faith. Sent as aliens and strangers in a foreign land, ambassadors for Christ - chosen to carry His Holy Seed, the eternal Word." Sarah Lasiter

Summer 2000: "The fire must be kindled afresh. The waters must be stirred, to produce the mighty waves of flame so desired in the hearts of My people." Sarah Lasiter

November 2000: "When the power of God is released the people will behold. The testimony of the righteous will be restored. Don't fall. Don't be discouraged. For I am nigh, even at the door. Behold, a true witness comes with power." Domenica Gordon

October 2000: "Like Manna from heaven shall I rain upon My people the sweetness of Jesus. And they shall never be the same." Larry Lasiter

Coming Persecution

Jesus promised that all who would follow Him would be persecuted

Christians must learn to rejoice when we share in the sufferings of our Lord

By: Larry R. Lasiter

If you have lived on this planet very long, you will have suffered through some trials. There is simply no doubt about it. It makes little difference whether you are rich or poor, great or small.

Even if you are a faithful Christian ,filled with the holy spirit, you are not exempt from troubles. In fact, faithful Christians are promised trials and persecutions that would serve to test their faith and produce patient endurance in their character.

If we believe the words of Jesus then we must come to understand that these sufferings can actually be a blessing. Notice,- "Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12)

I think I can safely say that we seldom feel we are being blessed when we suffer through the problems of living in this ungodly world. But if we overcome and remain faithful, our trials will yield a bountiful harvest of blessings in time.

As faithful Christians, we are living for our eternal inheritance, not for the pleasures of this present age. We should always keep in mind that this world is presently under the rulership of our enemy, the devil. God has promised a great reward for those who remain faithful, forsaking their own will for the will of God as revealed in the pages of our Bible.

Notice what the Apostle Peter said concerning our life in this world and of the glory to come,- "In this (trials) you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7)

A Christian's faith requires testing,- those who resist the devil and remain faithful to God will be crowned with glory and honor, and will receive eternal life.

It shouldn't seem strange to us that wonderful things can come out of adversity; the pains of labor result in the joy of a newborn.

Learn from this example from the world of insects: A queen bee lays each of her eggs in a six-sided cell filled with the pollen and honey that will nourish the unborn offspring. She then seals the top with wax. Twenty-one days later, its food supply exhausted, the newborn wrestles, squirms and strains to break the wax seal and emerge alive. The tiny insect is prompted into this act by the gnawing pain of hunger.

The opening it makes in exiting is so narrow that it rubs off the membrane covering its wings, enabling it to fly. Should the wax seal be opened prematurely, the bee will emerge without a struggle,- unable to fly since the membrane remains on the wings. It would soon be stung to death by the other bees.

The young bee has no idea that its struggle to remove the membrane will save it from certain death. Likewise, don't we often view adversities and trials as obstacles? Instead, they are often like the opening torn by the exertion of the bee; the means to growth. They can uncover resources, develop strengths and put much needed patient endurance in our character. John Bunyan wrote, "They (adversities) can appear as the lion to Samson; roaring and gnashing; but when subdued, full of honey."

God wisely designed a specific struggle to give the common bee new life, shouldn't we trust Him to provide for each of us the struggles best suited to bring us to the likeness of His glory? If we faithfully obey Him, even when it is difficult, we will grow in spiritual stature and not become a victim of that "roaring lion" we know as Satan, who seeks to devour us. Unlike the bee, we humans are thinking creatures, perhaps we should ask ourselves,- "Do we want to walk in Christ's footsteps?" If the bee must struggle to maturity, should it surprise us if we must endure some hardships to become what Christ is? John said, "It does not yet appear to us what we shall be, but when Jesus appears, we shall be as He is."

Sometimes our trial is sickness. The Bible says that we can claim our healing through the beating Jesus suffered. But sometimes we may have to endure for a time to fulfill a greater purpose.

The Apostle Paul possessed the gift of healing, but was denied the healing of his own body, notice- "And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, -to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. An He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:7-10)

After Paul understood that this problem was serving the purposes of keeping him humble and allowing the power of God to flow in his life, he was content to bear it. Paul was not living for the comforts of the natural man, but was seeking to strengthen his spirit man.

Satan attacks God's people in different ways, because he knows us well as individuals. He knows our weaknesses and our strengths. He may tempt some with riches and some with immoral lust. He may come in as a flood with threatening persecution, or just seek to slowly erode away your faith much like water against a levy. A levy will sometimes give way to a flood because of erosion at its base, deep underwater,- erosion caused by many years of constant water pressure. On the outside the levy appears capable of holding firm, but underneath the unseen damage is devastating. Satan knows well that some will simply wear down and let discouragement overtake them if he keeps the pressure on.

At this very moment, Satan is working to bring Great Tribulation upon the earth! He is raising up the powerful United States of Europe under the leadership of Germany. The Bible calls this end-time union the final resurrection of the fourth "beast." The purpose of this union is to bring about the destruction of the modern nations of Israel, that is why the Bible calls this time period "Jacob's trouble." It will also serve as the final testing and purification of the saints of God.

This United Europe will finally settle into a ten-nation federation. A great leader will eventually emerge as its ruler. This man will be possessed by the devil, himself. The Bible calls this man the "first beast." "Beast" is a term used for the federation and also for its leader. Shortly after this man comes to power with all the working and lying signs of the devil, a second beast will arise, he is the false prophet who will convince the world that the first beast is God! The entire world will worship the beast as God!

This political ruler is also referred to as a "horn" on the beast, notice,- "I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them."

Satan will seek to wear down the patience of the saints,- "And he will speak out against the Most High (God) and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times and half a time." (Verse 25)

A "time, times and half a time" is three and one-half years. This is the period called the Great Tribulation, which is surely soon to come upon this unsuspecting world. Jesus said that this would be a time of trouble like no other since the beginning of time until now! Although the Bible teaches that some of God's people will be protected during this time (Luke 21:36, Rev. 3:10, Rev. 12:14), there will be many who will suffer martyrdom for the cause of Christ and to purify their polluted souls. (Rev. 6:9-11)

As we enter the last days we must learn to see the value of our present trials. If we faithfully overcome them we will be showing God that we are worthy of His divine protection during the coming great tribulation.

Faithful Christians must come to understand that though we will be saved from eternal death, God does not promise that we will always have an easy time during our journey in the devil's territory. Notice,- "They encouraged them to continue in spite of all the persecution, reminding them that they must enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations." (Acts 14:22) The road is narrow and sometimes difficult, but our reward is great.

Faithful Christians are often thought of as fanatics, but they are truly lights in a world that loves darkness. Jesus said, "If they have persecuted Me they will persecute you, for the servant is not greater than his Master." Serious Christians who seek to live holy lives, simply do not fit in this present age and will suffer persecution.

Notice,- "And brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved." (Matthew 10:21-22)

Now notice Verses 36-38,- "And a man's enemies will be the members of his household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me."

Few of us have ever experienced anything remotely like this. But Jesus' words shall not fail, it has and will happen again. Christians often stumble over much lesser trials,- financial trouble, marital and child-rearing difficulties, illness or the loss of a loved one.

The faithful may suffer, but not in vain and not alone. Our Lord may not withhold the fiery furnace from us, but He promises to be in it with us. Let us consider it an honor to share in the sufferings of our Lord, for we will also share in the likeness of His glory. There will be no one wearing a crown in the Kingdom who did not bear his own cross while on earth.

Acts 16 tells the story of Paul and Silas being beaten and imprisoned for the cause of Christ. As they hung on the dungeon wall, blood dripping from their wounds, they began to sing praises to God. They were suffering in their flesh but jubilant in their spirit. Suddenly there was an earthquake and every chain of restraint fell off of them. The prison doors opened wide. Praise from the lips of faithful Christians has the power to move the earth! Free those in bondage! This impressed the jailer so that he and his whole family became converted to Christ.

It was no mere accident that two men of God were imprisoned. It was an act of God designed specifically to put them in contact with the jailer. Had they never suffered the trial of their beating and imprisonment, the jailer would not have come to Christ. Sometimes our sufferings and trials are there to bring us into contact with someone God wants to witness to. What impressed the jailer was that two men, beaten and bloody and hanging in the darkness of a dungeon, had such joy in their God that they could not contain it. The jailer wanted what these two men of God had,- Jesus.

If we are faithful Christians, we are saved from eternal death and fiery flames of the judgment to come! We are promised a crown of honor and the likeness of His glory! We are assured of God's awesome love for us, even bestowing on us the name,- "Children of God." When we think of these things, how can we possibly contain our joy? When the Pharisees told Jesus to quiet the children who were singing praises, He said,- "If I silence them, even the rocks would cry-out!"

In the story of Jonah we find that after he prayed a prayer of thanksgiving the fish spit him out onto shore. Jonah had been in the belly of a great fish for three days and nights because he had run from the will of God. It took three days for him to come to repentance. Surely he believed that he was about to die. But finally Jonah prayed,- "I will sacrifice to Thee with the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord." (Jonah 2:9) Then the Lord commanded the fish to release Jonah onto dry land.

Abraham left the magnificent city of Ur to wander in the desert as a nomad. He was looking for a city not found in this world and whose builder is God. Abraham was after an eternal inheritance. He was living in his day for the world to come. And God calls him the "father of the faithful."

James, the brother of Jesus said that friendship with this present world is enmity against God. (James 4:40)

The Apostle Paul said that the sufferings of this present age are not even worthy to be compared to the glory to come.

And the Apostle Peter said,- "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rest upon you." (1 Peter 4:12-14)

Seek His holiness in your life, live obediently, rejoice in your trials and sufferings, for great is your reward in the Kingdom of God.

The Ten Lepers

By: Larry R. Lasiter

"And it came about while He was on the way to Jerusalem, that He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten leprous men, who stood at a distance; and they raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

"And when He saw them, He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And it came about that as they were going, they were cleansed."

"Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan."

"And Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine, -where are they? Were none found who turned back to give glory to God, except this foreigner?"

Jesus healed all ten lepers only one came back to thank Him and glorify God. In fact, the one who did come back was not only a foreigner, but a hated Samaritan.

Likely, the others were native sons of Israel who believed that they were entitled to their healing because they were "heirs of the promises of Abraham". This was a common attitude among the Israelites at this time,- John the Baptist refused to baptize some saying- "Repent! And bring forth fruits of repentance! Don't say to yourselves "But we are Abraham's children." I say that God is able to make these stones into Abraham's children." (Matthew 3:7-9)

But this Samaritan did return in deep gratitude. It brings to mind the story where another foreigner, this time a Canaanite woman whose daughter was cruelly demon-possessed. (Matt. 15:21-28) She followed Jesus and His disciples crying out for mercy, -"Please, Lord have mercy, help me!"

After ignoring her for a time, Jesus turned and said,- "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel, . . .It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.". . .What a statement! -most people who were told such words would be indignant and terribly offended. But this woman knew the statement was true as she replied,- "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs feed on the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Like the Samaritan leper, this Canaanite woman knew that she did not deserve a miracle, but she trusted in the mercy of the Lord and expressed a thankful heart.

There are times when the love, appreciation and loyalty of someone is so important, without which life can seem pretty empty. But people do not express their appreciation very much. Most are like the nine lepers, they just go on and forget you and the service you have provided for them. For the server this is probably for the better. If we are motivated to serve for the gratitude expressed to us, we are seeking to please men rather than God. Nevertheless, it is still a sad thing when people treat carelessly the sacrifices others make for them.

Samuel Leibowitz, formerly a great criminal lawyer and famous judge, saved seventy-eight men from execution. Sadly, not even one bothered to even send him a word of thanks.

Let us not be like the nine lepers who were healed and the seventy-eight men who were delivered from execution yet did not give thanks. Let us serve with a willing heart and show our appreciation and gratitude to those who render service to us. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Let us ask ourselves how we can give more with a willing heart, "the Lord loves a cheerful giver," and we will "reap what we have sown." Giving from a heart of love is the very character of God.

When seeing His children drowning in the sea of sin, our Heavenly Father held back nothing, not even His only son in order to save us. Jesus willingly subjected Himself to public humility, a horrible beating and death on the cross in sacrifice for us. Let us always be grateful and may thanksgiving and praise be ever on our lips.

Like the story of the ten lepers, there are many stories of people and what they did in the Bible, but I also believe that God has a book of Remembrance (Mal.3:16)

where there are additional accounts of the acts of the people of God. If so, let it say of us, that we served the brethren with a cheerful heart, we supported those who labored for our spiritual growth, and we turned back to thank God and His Son for their loving sacrifice.

NEWS, LETTERS ETC

FROM THE UKRAINE: Question: "Last times" and expectation of returning of Jesus. It is very speculative theme now (in the end of millenium).I have begin to read New Testament carefully and I was amazed by my new finds: first Christians (and Apostles) expected the returning of Jesus during their lives, they thought that He would come back soon!!! Many not clear places in the book become clear if we proceed from such position of Apostles! See Romans- "ALL Israel shall be saved (!!!!)" But generations of Jews died during last centuries! Now I see that Paul expected that Jesus will come back soon during life of his generation!!! Jesus said: For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. But disciples understood these words literally! They expected His returning soon!!! Many other quotes in New Testament shows that they had this expectation? WHY? Why apostles had this illusion? What do you think about it, Larry? I think about it last week and I can't to explain it. It looks as too serious mistake (illusion). May you have articles about it? Or this theme is not "suitable" in Christian theology? God bless you completely!! Vladimir.

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Dear Vladimir, I have long believed that not only the first Christians but all Christians for all ages have believed that they were living in the last days. This need not worry us nor even surprise us, Jesus said no man knows the day or hour, not even the angels of heaven, only the Father knows. We are told to be ready and faithful at all times. Jesus did tell his disciples what events would occur which would lead up to His return in glory. (Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13) It is simply not given to man to know the exact time of the Lord's return. I believe it is helpful that we do not know but believe it is ever at the very door. It keeps us alert and on guard against the devil's strategy. Remember, this is not an illusion from the devil but a veiling from our heavenly Father for our own good. And it appears that not even Jesus Himself knows the exact time the Father will send Him back to earth. "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, NOR THE SON, but the FATHER ALONE." (Matthew 24:36)

In your letter you quoted Romans saying "ALL Israel shall be saved." Why does this surprise you? Although this is the day of salvation, it is not the only day of salvation. In fact there are countless numbers of Israelites who have died and await their resurrection. Read the vision of the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37. Notice verses 11 and 12,- "Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the WHOLE HOUSE OF ISRAEL; behold, they say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off. Therefore prophesy, and say to them, "Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I will OPEN YOUR GRAVES and cause you to come up out of your graves. My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel."

Hebrews chapter 11 tells of many who have lived and died without receiving the gift of the promise but seeing it from afar. These people lived by faith and died in faith, believing that God would someday redeem them from their sins and the curse of the grave by the sacrifice of the promised Seed, Jesus. They did not live to see the birth of Jesus, the Lamb of God who would take away their sins, but they lived righteous lives putting their hope and trust in the God who would deliver His Son as a sacrificial Lamb. Jesus did not die only for those who believed after, but for those who believed without seeing before also. Job asked,- "If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my struggle I will wait, until my change comes." (Job 14:14) They all will be saved. At the death of Jesus, some of the tombs opened and many of the saints who had "fallen asleep" were raised and appeared to many. (Matthew 27:52-53) These saints were in their tombs awaiting the resurrection from the dead.

If you are saying that Paul was wrong when he said "All Israel will be saved" because it didn't happen in his time, nor has it happen yet, I believe you are in error. Paul did not believe that Israel would be saved in his day. He knew that Israel, except for a remnant, would be veiled until after the return of Jesus Christ which is why he wrote to the Hebrews saying that there would come a time when God would gather Israel (northern tribes) and Judah back together in their own land and give them a new covenant based upon better promises. (Hebrews 8 and Hebrews 10) You see, just because generations of Israelites or Jews have died in the last centuries does not mean that they have already been judged and sentenced to the Lake of Fire. They are in their graves awaiting the resurrection. Revelation 20 says that all who have ever lived and not truly known God will be resurrected after the 1000 year reign of Christ on Earth. The Books of the Bible will be opened to their understanding and then they will be judged by how they live their lives, some eventually to life and some eventually to death in the Lake of Fire. Jesus told the unrepentant Israelite cities of Capernaum and Bethsaida that the wicked pagan cities of Tyre and Sidon will rise up at judgment and condemn them for not accepting His Words of salvation. Read, "Is There Hope for the Dead?" at our web site. In Christ's Service, Brother Larry

Email: lasiter@pointsoftruth.com