August                                                                                        October

Isaiah 40:10: "Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him." The definition of work here is to "systematically and habitually work, labor, toil."

Genesis 2:2: "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made." The word work in this scripture does not mean labor and toil; this work is God's creation, and it was not servile labor. The meaning also is "property." All creation is His property by means of His workmanship; and on the seventh day He rested from all his work which He had made.

When the Son of God came into this world he had a work to do which involved much labor of a different manner. His work was before Him and He systematically labored and toiled until He said, "It is finished." With this thought in mind of His work, imagine, not one single moment was wasted or misused. Today, one of our biggest tasks of life, in the business world as well as in other noble endeavors of life, is proper time management. Huge sums of money are spent in finding more effective time management systems. Not so with the Master; every thought was in harmony with that of His Father, without a wasted moment.

The night He was born and rested in the dark manger was time spent in the Master's service and the rapid unfolding of ancient and unfailing prophecy. It brought the shining angels of God not to the religious center of Jerusalem, but to the lowly shepherds watching their flock by night, which no doubt was a reflection of the spiritual darkness that far exceeded that covering the Judean hills. But much work was before Him.

Now consider john 4:34; "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." In the finishing of this work, many struggles and untold sufferings permeate His life. There was no suffering like His suffering, and no sorrows like his sorrows. At the end of the weary day, the dews of the night covered His head. With less earthly accommodations than the birds of the air or the foxes in their holes. He was doing His work.

There are many times when we feel so unworthy of this Man's toils and sufferings. In the normal course of life when troubles come upon us, we need the support of friends, we welcome their encouragement, but Peter said of Him, "I know not the man." My guestion to myself is, "what would I have done?" Would I have slept in the garden while He was in terrible agony? All the indicators say that I would, and had I slept through His terrible ordeal there, the scriptures still record His cryings two thousand years later.

We hear His groans as He does His work. We were not in the judgment hall, we did not hear the unlawful interrogation. We did not see Him in His purple robe with the mark of the whip upon HIs back, the dim lights showing the thorn-crown and oozing His precious blood. But in the bright shining light of the scripture, in the preaching of the gospel, or in the words of a scriptural hymn, we can still see Him clearly doing His work.

Because of Christ's work, we have sweet rest. Hebrews 4:9-11; "There remained therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that

is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief."

None of His labor and toil was in vain, for He made certain that salvation of all whom He came to save. He did not come to make salvation a possibility. He did not leave this earth and go back to His Father having failed in anything. The erroneous thought that Christ is coming back to this earth to literally reign and finish some "unfinished business" is the very bedrock of Arminian theology and has no place in the teachings of the Kingdom of God.

We see Him laboring on the cross, forsaken of God and tortured by man, but the voice of victory cries from the height of Calvary, "It is finished," the war is over, the battle is won. Not another lamb was required of God to be sacrificed because of sin, and a great witness to this was seen by the priest in the temple as he began his evening duties pertaining to the sacrifice, for the mighty veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. Isaiah 40:10: "His work is before Him...", and John 17:4: "I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."

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By Elder Dale E. Magers

God's people are always looking for the coming of the Lord: "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come and will not tarry." [Hebrews 10:37] This is one of the glorious promises to his people. While we are waiting for his coming we are taught that God's people shall live by faith. "Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him." [Hebrews 10:38]

Thank God Paul did not stop here, but continues in verse 39; "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition [destruction]; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." Since He has just stated that the just shall live by faith, We must ask ourselves, who are the just? The just are those chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame before Him in love, predestinated unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, made accepted in Christ, and called by God into spiritual life, God having applied the righteousness of Christ and His obedience to them, will bring them home finally to glory. [Ephesians chapter 1]

We see through this process that faith will not fail, since we are of them that believe to the saving of the soul. The apostle Paul in verses 12-13 of chapter 11, says speaking of Abraham's seed. "Therefore sprang there even of one and him as good as dead so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith not having received the promises but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

Abraham is the father of all believers. In Galatians 3:29 we read, "And if ye be of Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." It is clear that all the just who live by faith shall die in faith, and all that Christ died for shall live with him in glory. [John 6:38] "For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which has sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."

How do God's people receive this faith? It is the gift of God by creation: 1st John 5:4, "

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." Not only is it God's creation through grace, but it overcomes the world and gives us the victory if we use it. But all of God's saints shall triumph in Christ in glory! Faith is one of the three abiding graces bestowed by God upon us, love and hope being the other two. [1st Cor. 13:13] Being a fruit of the Spirit it is created in us by the Spirit when we are regenerated. [born again] [John 6:63]

After we receive it we learn the worlds were framed by the Word of God. God having created the world out of nothing. By this faith we receive the testimony that God loves us and is well pleased with us: By faith the elders obtained a good report, but faith God tells us when we do good and when we do bad, the Holy Spirit that indwells us, speaks to us through faith. Faith teaches us that we are strangers and pilgrims here and that the earth is not our home.

It gives us a better view of a better place. We look for a city that hath foundations whose builder and maker is God. By this faith we know that even the church is a resting place here until we are called home to glory. "All men do not have faith." [2nd Thess. 3:1] "Whatsoever that is not of faith is sin." [Romans 14:23]

Faith not used is like the body being dead without the Spirit, as James tells us, faith without works is dead. Let us use our faith to commune with Christ every day. AMEN:

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"For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption" [Acts 13:36.]

I often think how wonderful it would have been to have served in Kentucky in the early 1800's, during one of the greatest revivals of true religion this continent has ever seen. What must it have been like to have preached when there was a constant hungering to hear it, and when the Lord blessed with power again and again, and hundreds were baptized each year?

It is not the case today. We live in a time of declining morals, when religion is becoming more farcical each day, when man's belly has become his God and even the natural man would find much to attract him in some of that which is called religion. The membership of the true churches of Christ is small, and it seems that they continue to shrink - so much so that any small increase is a matter of great rejoicing, and many in desperation are tempted to adopt the methods of men to turn the tide.

We have so much to be thankful for today, but the general direction of religion today should be a matter of grave concern to any devout and thinking person. Any faithful minister today might understandably become discouraged if he contemplates the situation very much.

We do not choose the generation among whom we labor. We did not choose when or where we were born or born again, nor the fact that we were to be called unto God's service, nor where we were impressed to labor. When Jesus predicted that Peter would be bound and imprisoned in his old age, and Peter asked in reply what John's lot would be, the Lord cautioned, "What is that to thee? Follow thou me."

We serve where and when God calls us to serve. It is our lot today to serve in the midst of a decaying culture, among saints who are being more and more affected by that around them. The love of many is waxing cold-but this is where we were called.

"It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" [1 Cor. 4:2] It is not required that we baptize many, or always have preaching liberty - those are granted, not required. We serve in this generation because that is where God would have us serve-and it is a high privilege to serve so great a people.

If we can give just a word of encouragement, or instruct a puzzled lamb, or correct an erring brother, we have been granted a wonderful mercy by our kind Father, no matter what discouragements may come along the way.

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by Don R. Richards

There has been a lot of speculation regarding the root cause of the horrible terrorist act of September 11 which has left thousands dead and many more injured in the northeastern part of the United States. There remains a lot of concern that this event of terrorism is not over; and that the terrorists have more incidents planned to catch the USA off guard.

My personal, immediate reaction is not much different than from others. I want retribution, now, so that those guilty must pay. I also search to determine why this incident could have harmed so many otherwise innocent people.

There’s is no question that it was the physical act of barbaric men. The issue we hear discussed with great interest in the media is whether this event was the will of God against His people — an act of His punishment for behavior of immorality or disobedience.

We heard a lot from several high-profile ministers who made strong presentations on television and in the media that this was God’s wrath against His people in the form of such punishment. They argue that God’s is directing these activities as punishment, and as an example to all remaining that more will come unless the nation corrects its disobedience.

On one prominent religious TV show, a lot of blame was very specifically directed at certain groups for which the speaker particularly disliked: gays, lesbians, abortionists, feminists, political liberals, etc., indicating much of the blame lies with them and the sin they have brought to the United States by their actions. They point to the examples in the Bible particularly where the Israelites suffered great harm as a result of their failure to follow God’s instructions and commandments. Many people numerous times lost their lives, as well as saw the death of otherwise innocent children and family.

I certainly will make no attempt here to provide reasoning for the heinous attack that left so much pain in so many and terror in the remainder of us. But I am left empty by the accusations of many speakers declaring their very specific knowledge as to the cause of this incident being a direct act of God. I guess I just do not believe that any man possesses that kind of knowledge or interpretation.

First, let me make clear my belief that God cannot be the author of sin. Man brought sin into the world, not God. Romans 5:12. Beyond that, we need to be cautious and judicious in our declarations as to our knowledge of exactly what God has specifically directed and at whom.

I do not know the exact reason for the terrorist attack. My knowledge is not that great. But I know sin is not limited to only the very specific interest groups which are discussed so often. I do agree that the immoral activities engaged in and being discussed do indeed constitute sin against the moral teaching of the Lord. But I also know the Lord teaches us that there are numerous other sins underway in our nation and in other countries that are somehow left out when we start directing the blame to a specific cause or people.

My major issue so often involves the attitude of the speakers. They speak from a high moral post as if the blame always lies elsewhere. We all share in the blame.

I can easily condemn the obvious and publicly-displayed immorality in certain groups. But sin is not limited to those certain specific acts. Sins also include those seven deadly sins in the sixth chapter of Proverbs which start with a "proud look" and a "lying tongue". It includes hands that shed innocent blood, but also a devious heart with wicked imaginations, feet that quickly spread mischief, adultery, and a false witness or a person that "soweth discord among brethren." Proverbs 6:17-19.

Which of these sins is lesser or greater than the specific sins certain of these religious commentators wish to point out over others. We all should approach this with an humble spirit that our sin, even that of a proud look, may be as great in the sight of God as the sins we publicly condemn in others when we cast that first stone that Jesus teaches us about in John 8:7. We clearly need to teach against sin, but let us be careful to wholly blame others for their sin while ignoring our own.

Which of us is not guilty of sin, or which of us is full only of righteousness. The Apostle Paul made it very clear that none of us are righteous. Romans 3:10; King David also said as much. See Psalms 14:3.

I could get great pleasure in blaming these acts on the specific and obvious sins I see in others, but not wanting anyone to look at my own sins, which are many.

There is not a lot of "ranking" among sins as to which ones are greater or lesser than others. It is our own sin and ego which automatically puts other people’s sins as greater than our own.

Since we believe that God does not directly bring sin, what causes bad things to happen, especially to good, innocent people? We get some answers from the examples given to us in Scripture. The sinful acts originate from Satan and the hands of man. We do know that God may choose to pull back His divine hand, thus Satan takes advantage and brings about grief and destruction.

But God’s reasons are His own and we should be careful to allow our pride and ego to attribute our logic to His plan. We see destruction or pain, and we automatically assume sin is involved and God’s punishment is at work. Sin may very well be the case, but it also may not. We need be careful to attribute our interpretations to God’s work.

For example, at the beginning of the 9^th chapter of John, the disciples ask Jesus why a certain young man was blind. They assumed, as we often might, that the pain of blindness was to be attributed to the sin of either the young man or his parents. Jesus teaches us here with His response that neither the young man nor his parents had sinned, but that the man was blind so that "the works of God should be made manifest in him." John 9:1-3.

Actually, the blind man, whom man assumed had sinned, was actually honored in that God had chosen him to be an example of God’s great sovereign will. God’s plan was exactly opposite of our human logic.

Another wonderful example of how we need to careful to attribute our too-simple human logic to God’s plan is in the story of Job. What sin did Job commit to suffer as he did? We are told at Job 1:1 that he was a "perfect" man, upright and one that feared God and eschewed evil. Yet he suffered great pain with loss of all his children and his great wealth.

We know from the book of Job that God had pulled back from Job enough to let Satan loose on him to prove a point to Satan that God wanted to prove as a part of His overall plan. Yet many of us today would look through our human eyes at Job’s suffering and wrongly assume his problems are tied to the fact that he must have committed a great sin to incur such wrath from God. We know that the end result of Job’s faith in the Lord was that God made him stronger and wealthier than before.

As the old song indicates "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform." He has special plans to invoke His sovereign will, as the song states. But we like the song’s line that tells us to "Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace;" and that "His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour, the bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower."

In this time of crisis, our job is very clear, and our focus should be clear. We should be careful of applying our logic and our interpretation to God’s plan, but should instead look solely to God for guidance.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6.

Our job: Let’s acknowledge God in all ways. Let’s trust His sovereign will. Let’s pray for our nation’s leaders that they may properly guide us through this nightmare. Let’s pray for those who grieve and let’s pray for the safety of those that will represent our nation in any capacity as they put their lives in harm’s way. Let’s also pray for our enemies, and that God will deal with them according to His plan, not our logic.

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from God's love

By Elder Lonnie Mozingo, Jr.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long: we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8:35-36)

The tragic and horrifying events of September 11 have sent shock waves of terror through our nation. We watched as evil men slaughtered innocent lives in the most diabolical cruel manner.

As we look to the Lord and His work for help in this hour of national tragedy we find the strength to face the present grief and the challenges ahead. the Psalmist David said, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2)

Jesus Christ our Lord said to the Pharisees, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lust of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning,..." (John 8:44) Murder, even in the name of religion, is still murder. Looking at the horrible scenes of destruction and the reports of the number of deaths, it would appear the disciples of Satan have won a great victory. But our text says in all things, we are more than conquerors. How can one who is killed by evil men be more than a conqueror? The answer, "Through Him that loved us!"

When we understand that God's word says that nothing can separate us from the love of God and that when death comes we are immediately carried by our Saviour into the presence of God never to suffer again, then we can find comfort and strength to face this tragic loss to our nation and ourselves. Even though death has conquered many people, Jesus Christ has conquered death! He arose from the dead and because he lives the children of God who were killed have not been extinguished but live with God in glory this very moment.

They are there in peace, beholding the face of our Lord Jesus Christ, joining the innumerable host of Heaven in praise and worship of their Saviour. Free from sickness and pain, sin and evil, sorrow and death. They are awaiting the resurrection of their bodies, to be fashioned like unto the glorious body of the Son of God. (Ecclesiastes 12:7, Philippians 1:23 and 3:20-21)

And what of we that remain? Shall we allow ourselves to be gripped with terror and immobilized by fear or shall we as David said, "In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, flee as a bird to your mountain?" (Psalm 11:1) Rather than flee as a bird, should we not as Christians look to the Lord, gird up the loins of our mind and be sober in this trying hour?" (1 Peter 1:13)

It is time for us to "let our light so shine" (Matthew 5:14-16) by praying for the families who are grieving the tragic loss of their loved ones; reading to them the comforting words of Thessalonians 4:13-18, assuring them that Jesus Christ's people will see their loved ones again. Let us remember that God's children who lost their lives on September 11 are at peace in heaven's pure world basking in the light of their Savior's presence. (Revelation 21:23)

Let us be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might that God's people in the world may see our calm stability and inquire about the faith that sustains us. It is time for us to be "the salt of the earth" by praying for our president and others in places of authority, that our Lord Jesus Christ will give them the wisdom, strength and courage they need in this hour. (1 Timothy 2:1-3, Matthew 5:13)

Let us pray for our beloved nation and fellow countrymen. Let us pray for the safety of those in the military. Let us assure our families that God is on His throne, that he ruleth in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth and that he is a very present help in the time of trouble (Psalm 11:1-7, Habakkuk 2:20, Daniel 4:34-35, Psalm 46:1)

Let us remember the immortal words of Paul, as he spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor live, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39 Indeed we are more than conquerors through him that loved us!

It is time for us as Primitive Baptists to let our moderation (stability) be known unto all men (Philippians 4:5) by showing them that we are not terrorized by terrorists but trust in the living God who said, "I will never leave thee , nor forsake thee". So that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me (Hebrews 13:5-6)

By Brother Bud Lowrance

The Lord said in Matthew 15:7-9: "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, V. 8, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. V.9, But in vain do they worship me, teaching the doctrines the commandments of men."

In this chapter, the Lord is teaching some of the reasons that men will spread false doctrines-and this is prevailing; more today, than it was in that day; and such doctrines are being practiced, and are prospering, because so many do not want the truth.

In speaking to his Disciples of the end times, the Lord told them in Matt. 24:15-"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, [whoso readeth, let him understand]- "In Mark 13:14, he said:-"standing where it ought not-" and in Luke 21:20, -"when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh."

This prophecy was literally fulfilled in A.D. 70; when the Roman army did just that, and cast down every stone of the temple. But there is a great spiritual parallel to this prophecy, as recorded in the book of Daniel. Please read the book with me, with prayer in your hearts that the Lord God might give us understanding-even Daniel did not understand at first, as he stated in Chapter 8, V. 27; but the angel Gabriel was sent to make the vision known unto him.

In chapter 8, we read of a "he goat" that was moved with choler against the ram, and overcame him, and the he goat waxed very great; but then his horn was broken-[the word "horn" is a symbol of strength, glory, honor, or power]- and for it [the horn] came up four notable ones [horns] toward the four winds of heaven. And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which was waxed very great.

In verse 12, it says-"And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground, and it practiced, and prospered." Now, this host was against the daily sacrifice. They were against it, by reason of transgression, and this host cast down the truth to the ground, and this host practiced and prospered.

The daily sacrifice, in the covenant of grace, is the offering up of praise, and thanksgiving to God; which is just, and right. It is not only our duty to do so, but should also be done with joy in our hearts to the Lord God; for he hath sent redemption unto his people! Psalm 111:9. But the host that was given to the he goat, is against the daily sacrifice, by reason of transgression.

Chap. 8, V. 13 "Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? Here is a "transgression of desolation" - to make desolate means to make uninhabitable, laid waste, in a state of ruin. The sanctuary is the place of worship; and in every little child of God, the sanctuary of strength is the heart, and soul of the worshipper of the Lord. And this host are they which worship him in spirit, and in truth!

In V. 17, the angel Gabriel says -"for at the time of the end shall be the vision." Then in Ch. 9 Vs. 27, he says, "he shall cause the sacrifice, and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate-" Notice that for the "overspreading" of abominations, plural, he shall make it desolate.

The word "oblation" means the giving of thanks. Worldly religious organizations have by their doctrines "overspread" the sanctuary with that which is polluted, or not pure, i.e., not the truth; thereby making it a desolate place.

Ch. 10, V 14, "Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days; for yet the vision is for many days." Ch. 11:31, "And they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate." To defile the sanctuary, and to place things into it that are polluted; or impure, [not the truth,] or to bring them into the house of God, is certainly an abomination and one that will cause the Lord God to make it a desolate place; for there will no longer be a candlestick of the Lord to give light.

Chap. 11:32, "And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall be corrupt by flatteries; but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits. An exploit is an act remarkable for brilliance, or daring. An exploit will also stir up interest among the Lord's children ; and will promote his truth! Therefore, the Lord will strengthen his people that do know Him to do remarkable things, and to promote the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in these latter days; and The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will make his power known to them.

Many sins that are condoned by worldly "churches" are polluting the sanctuary of strength, and thereby they are also placing the abomination that maketh desolate. As a prime example, I have before me a recent newspaper article with the title, church face conflicts for views on gay pastors". They are not only ordaining gay men, but also gay women.

Children, our bodies are the temple of the living God. We are not our own, but we are bought with a price; and that price was the precious blood of Christ. We cannot pollute the sanctuary and still offer up the daily sacrifice unto God, for he will not accept that kind of praise. Therefore, let us pray unto the Lord of Sabaoth [the Lord of the Armies of of Heaven], the God of our Salvation, that as He has left us a seed, which is Christ. Romans 9:29. "And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha."

Let us lift up his Christ, and place him above all things to us; hereby casting down every idol by his mighty power; and shielding us from the worldly doctrines that would seek to flatter us into believing lies about our Lord, and his truth. II Timothy 4:3-4, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; V4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned into fables."

They will tell lies about our Lord, and be like the seven women in Isaiah 4:1, saying, "We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by thy name to take away our approach." This "host" will not lift up the Lord's Christ, by reason of transgression. But the other host, the host that worships him in spirit and in truth, will lift up the Lord's Christ, and will place him above all things in their lives; thereby offering up the daily sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving with gladness! This is just and right.

In His Love, Brother Bud Lowrance

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By Elder Hulan Bass

After 430 years of sojourning in Egypt, the entire twelve tribes of Israel were delivered out of Egyptian bondage and deposited into the wilderness, in which they wandered for 40 years. Ex. 12:41.

Exodus 3:7-8, speaking to Moses, "And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their task masters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey."

So, after much discussion between the Lord and Moses, he sets out on his assignment to appear before Pharaoh, King of Egypt. During the next several chapters in Exodus, we have much dialogue between Moses and Pharaoh. Pharaoh's heart was hardened and would not let the people go. After ten plagues from the lord, he was willing to let them go, and as they assembled on the night of the Passover, they began their trek toward the Red Sea.

Then, as before, Pharaoh changed his mind and he and his army of horses, horsemen and chariots set out in pursuit of Israel, and was gaining on them. At this point of desperation, Moses told Israel - Ex. 14:13,"Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today; for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more forever." Verse 14, "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."

Another important point here is found in Ex, 11:7, pertaining to the 10th Plague [of blood] where all the firstborn of Egypt shall die from Pharaoh down to their animals. "But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast; that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel." This is teaching the principle of Election, as Egypt in the Scriptures teaches the doctrine of Total Depravity and Israel that of the Elect.

Now, in Ex. 15:1 -0 Moses and all Israel sing the song of sweet deliverance, as Pharaoh and his army all died in the very Crossing that delivered or saved Israel. Crossing the Red Sea is a Type or Figure representing the New Birth or Regeneration, from Depravity to Salvation. However, we must notice and be aware that Regeneration does not put anyone in the Promised Land of Canaan, but into the wilderness. There Israel wandered around in the circles for 40 years, a time of testing and temptation. Ex. 16:1-4, during which time the Lord told Moses to tell Israel that they would be providentially provided for during this trek in the Wilderness.

Yet, they complained and chided with Moses, just as all Born-again Elect children of God do today, unhappy with their seemingly dire circumstances of the Wilderness, as they remembered the natural, peace and security, seemingly in Egypt before the first crossing- Num. 11:5-7.

Most born again regenerated elect are dissatisfied in the wilderness of this world, and spent their days in complaining. Doing their own thing, and disobeying the Laws, commandments, statutes, testimonies, ordinances and rules of the Lord, and the end result is, that they live and die in the wilderness and advance no further in this time world. Num. 14:26-29; 32:11--13.

It was during the ending of the 40 years, that the next generation of Israel, received Crossing Instructions of a 2nd crossing. Moses gave these children of the fathers in the 2nd generation his farewell discourse in Deuteronomy, teaching them what to expect in the Promised Land of Canaan after the 2nd crossing. It would be only those 20 years and younger, save Joshua and Caleb, that would make this 2nd Crossing under the new leadership of Joshua- Josh. 1:1-3. Moses was to encourage and strengthen Joshua for the leadership at the 2nd Crossing. Deut. 3:28.

This 2nd Crossing was over the River Jordan into Canaan's Land, flowing with milk and honey. This we will observe is quite different from the 1st Crossing of the Red Sea. At the 1st Crossing, the People were to Stand Still and see the Salvation-Deliverance of the Lord, whereas, at this 2nd Crossing, the People were to become active in the initiation of the Crossing of Jordan.

Let us observe the details. Joshua 3:12--17-Briefly, "Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe of man. And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above, and they shall stand upon an heap.

Yes, the Priesthood, a type or figure of the N.T. Ministers, were to go forth bearing the Ark of the Covenant- a type or figure of Jesus Christ, and as the soles of their feet touched the Water, the River would part an cause a Pathway of Crossing into Canaan's Land, a type or figure of the N.T. Church. The Jordan River was wide and deep at this point, as it was in flood stage. It will not be an easy crossing without entering properly, as the Lord directed, as the Required Rules into the N.T. Church in water baptism.

The 1st Crossing was that of Regeneration-Newbirth, and all Israel, even Joseph's bone were carried out of Egypt. No Israelite graves were left in Egypt..Ex 14:11. No Elect is left in total depravity. 1st Cor. 12:13. Paul even taught that this 1st Crossing was also a baptism in 1st Cor. 10:1-4, V. 5 - "But with many of them God was not well pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

The 2nd Crossing was that of water baptism-and not all Israel made this 2nd Crossing. Only those of the 2nd Generation and a Remnant of the 1st crossed over. 1st Peter 3:21. Not all of these that were qualified and eligible made this 2nd Crossing. Two and one-half tribes did not cross over, Reuben, Gad and a half-tribe of Manasseh remained on the East side of the Jordan River.

The N. T. Church on earth has never been totally occupied by All Israel-Elect. Most of them die in the Wilderness of this world. Even many of those that do come through the wilderness successfully, still do not Cross Jordan-the 2nd Crossing. Yes, all elect are out of Egypt-Total Depravity, but not many ever get much further in this Time World, than the Wilderness. Some make it to Canaan's Land and Cross Over the 2nd Crossing, and even all of them do not remain in the Canaan's Land.

Where are you pertaining to the 2nd Crossing? Take comfort in the good news that all elect will be passively brought to the 1st Crossing, but it takes some obedience on your part to make it through the Wilderness and into Canaan's Land at the Port of Entry at the 2nd Crossing of the River Jordan.

May The Lord Add His Blessing,

Hulan Bass

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The Banner is a way that many who are hungered, and athirst, may come and dine at the Master's table; and be fed of these truths. I would that you be reminded of this constantly; and know that my prayers are with you, that you faint not.

Brother Bud Lowrance

Graham, Texas

Dear Brother Don:

I read the August issue of The Banner with interest and enjoyment. I particularly want to commend you on your editorial, "Dressing up the church." That needs so badly to be pointed out. The Church never has needed a marketing department. The godly

lives of the members and the sound doctrine and simple order of the church are her witnesses. Nothing will corrupt the church faster than for her to yearn to be attractive to the public at large. I fear many have forgotten this fact.

May God bless you richly as you work to bring good, edifying reading material to our dear Old Baptists.

In hope,

Mark Green [Elder]

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We have visitors at Gulf Coast Church, who live in one of the several smaller towns south of Houston. They have lived there for years and did not know of a Primitive Baptist Church in the area. They were so glad to find the church and they are a blessing to us.

I thought there may be others like them, so I would appreciate you publishing this note that they may call our Pastor, Elder Steve Clark, who lives in League City. His phone number is 281/554-2181.

Sister Thelma Atwood

281/331-4025

Dearest ones of the Banner of Love and all readers:

My sincerest sympathy goes out to the ones who lost loved ones. It's been hard on my family. In three months I lost my last living aunt, my niece and a nephew. Though, our grief is bad, our hope is great and God is real.

Our loved ones and friends left behind must go on and our Dear Lord is with us, so we're never alone.

May God bless you all as you continue your Banner of Love. I enjoy it greatly and praise God for the writers and devoted ones to keep it published.

Sincerely,

Darlene McDonald

Houston, Texas

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OUR DEAR LORD WILL SEE US THROUGH

It is our Lord who opens doors

He calms the raging seas

He shuts us in to where it's safe

And fulfills our every need

We have none but Him in which to lean

In Him our needs are all supplied

In sorrow He is our comfort and support

There's none like Him in which to hide

In Him we have lasting peace

And hope beyond today

He comes through doors that have been shut

And calmly shows His Love.

So good to know our lord is faithful

No matter what the case

Throughout the changes in this race

So very precious to know

Our Dear Lord will see us through

......May He strengthen His dear

ones everywhere. 1 Thes. 5:23-24

In dear Hope,

Sister Loretta Lilly

Akron, Ohio

[Written August 26, 2001]

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Good Morning Jesus,

How are you today?

I'm so glad You're always there,

To hear me when I pray.

Thank you God for taking time

to listen to my fears,

Thank you too for helping me

to wipe away my tears.

You and I go along way back,

Since I can't remember when,

I have no idea what I would

have done

Or where I might have been.

I feel a whole lot better each

time we have our talk,

Thank you for showing me the

Godly way to walk.

I'll say goodbye for now Lord,

And I'll be on my way.

To serve and love and praise you,

Each and Every Day.

By Sister Darlene McDonald

Houston, Texas

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[2 TIMOTHY 2:15]

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

The first thing that I notice in the above scripture is that it takes me away from mass thinking, and puts the responsibility directly on the shoulders of me as an individual, when it comes to me rightly dividing the word of truth.

However, I am not so much interested at this time in analyzing the text as I am in showing you the effects the text has on me. The text places such responsibilities, restrictions and boundaries on me that I cannot afford to gamble with the meaning of other scriptures. Being conscious of that fact while searching for the primary meaning or the fundamental principle, dealt me the fatal blow, or the malady of ignorance shall make death inevitable.

It seems to me that the foremost importance of any text is its primary meaning. And if I can discover that primary meaning, then I have found a jewel that the Holy Spirit will bear witness to. Furthermore the jewel of truth shall not contradict other scriptural truths. In case the text may have a secondary meaning, if so be that I have discovered the primary meaning or the fundamental principle, then I stand safely on the solid rock as I search for the secondary meaning.

However, dear brethren, that is not as easy for me as it sounds. For when I search for secondary meanings, there it is that I am confronted with such terns as types, shadows, figures, or allegories, metaphors and antitypes. Brethren, if I fail to understand the difference in those terms, do you believe that I could ever fully understand the secondary meaning of the text?

I am reminded of a judge that I read about. While entering a trial, he stated himself to the attorneys by saying, "I am tired of judges and attorneys making laws." He further said, "We are not legislators, neither is this a legislature. We shall prosecute according to the law that we have, but we are not making any new laws." That very sentiment hovers down close around while searching the scriptures.

Referring to Jacob and Esau in Romans 9:11, let us read: "for the children being not yet born, neither having any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of work, but of him that calleth." To me, it appears very obvious that the primary lesson in the test is, that the purpose of God according to election might stand. If I have any understanding of the context of the subject matter, and especially the verse above, the context of this subject will not allow me to agree with the universalist that election is only timely.

Therefore, the context proves that the election in Romans 9:11 has reference to God electing some people from others to live with him in heaven. Is it possible that Romans 9:11 may have a secondary meaning? If so, may I ask how, and what is it? About 25 or 30 years ago an

Elder, whom I loved, said to me he thought Jacob and Esau there represented the Spirit and the flesh. There may be something wrong with me, but I could not believe it then and I can't believe it now.

If indeed Jacob and Esau do represent the Spirit and flesh, let us get that thing where I can understand it. How do they represent the Spirit and the flesh? Are they a type, antitype, shadow, allusion, figure, allegory or metaphor? Verse 12 says, "It was said unto her, the elder shall serve the younger." Dear reader, please go back to the 25th chapter of Genesis and start reading, and see what you see in the elder serving the younger. Prov. 21:18 says, "The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous."

The point is this. Does Jacob and Esau mean two persons or do they represent two parts of one person? Should you have given birth to them as Rebecca did, perhaps, you would think that they were two persons. And as certain as they were two persons, just that sure God elected Jacob and did not elect Esau. Since one of these well- known men was an elect and the other one was not. God referred to them to explain the doctrine of election. Verse 13: "As it is written, Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated.

Whether the election in our subject is eternal or timely, there is one thing certain and that is that Jacob is the elect in the lesson. If Jacob was a person, then the lesson teaches that God elected some people for salvation in heaven and some people He did not elect. However, if Jacob means the Spirit, the incorruptible seed that cannot sin, did Christ die for the elect.

Who sinned, the Spirit or the flesh? Did Christ redeem any from sin, did He redeem the Spirit that had not sinned, or did He redeem the flesh that had sinned? If the elect, Jacob represents only the sinless Spirit, and Esau represents the sinful flesh, then which did Christ die for, Jacob or Esau? if Christ died for Esau then He did not die for the elect. And if Christ died for Jacob, then he did not die for sins. If Jacob represents the sinless Spirit only, and Christ died for the sins of the elect, then how could Jacob be an elect?

It seems to me that if I should take the position that Jacob and Esau represented only the Spirit and the flesh of man, then I would be denying that God elected people or human beings and furthermore, I would be electing the wrong man, and then more. I would be forced to deny the resurrection of the dead bodies of human beings.

If I believed that all people will finally live in heaven, then I would be forced to believe that both Jacob and Esau were children of God. And by believing that they both were children of God, I would be forced to believe that the election in Romans 9:11 was only a timely affair. And by believing the election to be only a timely affair, then I would be forced to believe that Jacob and Esau only represent two parts of one man, then I am forced to believe that the Spirit is the elect. And in believing that the Spirit is the elect, then I'm forced to deny that the body of man will ever live in heaven.

W. R. Dale

Submitted by Elder Travis Brown, Abilene, Texas

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Voice of the Past...

In a recent issue of the Banner of Love a sister wrote in to ask me to write an article for her in the paper about the new Bible called, "Good News for Modern Man."

Since this is sort of a special item with me, I don't mind trying to fill this request.

First off, I will be quick to say, I am not fond of this book. My for not being particularly fond of it lies as much with the reason for its inception, as for its contents.

The King James version of the Bible, we are told, is the first edition of the Bible complete to be put into the English language.

It was interpreted with much time, study and effort, and was a work of the government, by the scholars, rather than being a work sponsored by theologians. I think that this is better. The scholars who prepared the material for the King James were interested in a true translation of the language rather than getting it interpreted to fit some particular theological line of thought. This is more than I can feel about some of the more modern versions.

I think it is good to have the Bible printed, as near as possible in a true language, and not have it rewritten every few years to conform with a passing change in the language.

Just think how it would sound if we had it written in language that would conform with mid-twentieth century slang. I don't think any of us would like it. But we can all take the good old English language and stay with it, through all the many language fads, and always know what the real English is.

A few years ago a young sister came to me, and wanted to talk to me about the American Revised Version of the Bible. She said a friend told her if she would get one of these new Bibles, she could understand it better, because it was written in plainer language.

I had her to get one of the new Bibles and we hunted out a number of verses that had been changed, and read them side by side. After we had done this for quite awhile, I asked her, "Is there any language anywhere in the new version that makes the teachings any plainer to you. She answered, No.

I told her she could tell her friend this. She said, "No, I will just tell my friend I like the good old King James, and will keep it.

The same is true with the "Good News for Modern Man." I can find no place where it really helps the language.

One of my sons has a Bible he received in college. It is a parallel edition. It has the King James along with three editions other than that, all running side by side on the same opening, for easy comparison. I have compared it quite a bit, and not at any time have I found a place where I think the changes have helped. I guess I can be classed as an "old fogy" in this regard.

Now, to the motive for all the new editions. The Bible is a thing of the spirit. God inspired men to write it as they were moved by the spirit. This being true, only those possessed with the Spirit of God can get the spiritual message it contains, or that is being conveyed in its pages.

They can modernize the language, take out the old tine honored phrases, and do just anything with it they desire, but they just cannot put it in plain enough language to get it to where the alien sinner, one void of spiritual life can read it and get the spiritual message.

You know, this too is important to fit the doctrines of the modern denominations. They believe and teach that the

lost sinner can read the Bible and obey its teachings and thereby be saved, or thereby cause God to give them of His spirit. So, you see how important it would be to them if they could come up with a version

of the Bible that would fit in with such an idea? It would be just great for them. But so far this plan has been a miserable failure. And I feel it will continue to fail.

These are a few of my thoughts about the new versions of the Bible.

Thanks for asking me to write about it.

A. E. Richards, Elder

[The Banner of Love, July 1973]

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