The Remnant of Christ's Ecclesia

Transcription

1 MARCH 1962 A Monthly Magazine issued by The Remnant of Christ's Ecclesia in opposition to the Dogmas of Papal and Protestant Christendom A WITNESS TO THE TRUTH and a warning against the deception in the last days foretold by Christ Take heed ye be not deceived AT THE TABLE OF THE LORD CHRISTENDOM - AND OTHERS - ASTRAY NOW IF ANY MAN HATH NOT THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST SIGNS OF HIS COMING AND OF THE END OF THE WORLD NEWS FROM THE ECCLESIAS All Communications W. V. Butterfield 16 Westfield Road, Cheadle Hulme Stockport, England J. A. DeFries R.D.1. Forestville New York, U.S.A.

2 MARCH 1962 At the Table of the Lord "Let us rise up and build" AS we read of the experiences of Nehemiah and his work with Israel, help is found to sustain in our life of probation. Nehemiah was a man of God, sent to Israel to lead them in the work of restoring the walls and the city of Jerusalem after the seventy years' captivity. He was a man sensitive to the Spirit, feeling reproach, because of Israel's apostasy. He was a man who sought and prayed for the "peace of Jerusalem." With the help of God, the King Artaxerxes was moved, at Nehemiah's appeal, to provide material help for his return to Jerusalem, and in the biulding of the wall. When Nehemiah arrived at Jerusalem, he viewed the walls and the city and grieved in his heart, yet acknowledged God's righteousness in destroying the city because of Israel's wickedness. His appeal to the inhabitants of Jerusalem was... "Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burnt with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach." (Nehemiah 2 : 17). This was an eloquent plea, and it must have touched the people "And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work." (verse 18). Here was a quick response and desire to be engaged in the work, to build up the wall. It was a good work, and their hands were strong to do it. How important a wall was in those days. It was a means of defense, a barrier, a protection against the enemy; a city without a wall was easy prey to any who came against it. The brethren of Nehemiah's time readily saw the need, and were quick to do the work. Today the need is the same, the work is the same, for a wall is a necessary part of our protection in the Truth. It provides a place of refuge, is a barrier to keep out the enemy who would destroy. It is provided of God as a means of separating the brethren and sisters inside the wall from those who are outside and would pull down. Is not our work also the building of this wall, brethren and sisters? It is being built, not by individuals, doing as they see fit; but as in Israel, all working together in the fellowship of the building, in a singleness of purpose. Can we then respond as Israel did, to the stirring up of Nehemiah, "Let us rise up and build."? Do 41

3 we strengthen our hands for the good work, putting forth a determined effort to accomplish the work in accordance with God's requirements and purpose? "A dwelling place in a walled city" A place within a walled city was much sought after and valued in Israel, for it was a protected, cared for position. The law teaches of the value of such "If a man sell a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold;... and if it be not redeemed within a space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city shall be established for ever to him that bought it... it shall not so out in the jubilee." (Leviticus 25 : 29-30). In contrast, a house not in a walled city could be redeemed at any time, and would go out in the jubilee. This law taught that a house in a walled city was to be so valued, that if lost, every effort was made to redeem it quickly. If this were not done, it was lost permanently. How clearly this speaks of the protected position in God's Truth. If the cherished position within His family is lost, it must be quickly, diligently regained, or it is gone for ever. Can we discern, brethren and sisters, how important this wall was to Israel then, and is to ourselves now? If so, will we not be diligent to build it.? It is not easy work; much is present to hinder. Nehemiah found it so, for we read... ".. when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah, the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshom the Arabian, (all adversaries to Israel), heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing ye do?" (Nehemiah 2 : 19). Is this not our experience too, brethren and sisters, for as our work of building progresses, we are despised, scorned, and ridiculed by those outside who hate the witness that this wall provides.. Nehemiah's faith is seen in his answer to the ridicule. "... The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build." (verse 20). Let this be our trust as the work goes on. Let us, as our brethren in Israel did, unite in the work, each one doing his or her part, trusting in God for guidance and help in dealing with the adversary who could hinder. In Israel's experience, all sorts of difficult circumstances were brought to bear to stop the work. At times the brethren had to work with their tools in one hand, and a weapon in the other; they did not cease, and in the end the wall was completed to the confounding of those adversaries. We read in Nehemiah 6 :

4 "So the wall was finished. and it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God." How much God was glorified by the work of the faithful in Israel under Nehemiah's leadership. We too, must realise that the faithfulness of our labours can glorify God in the sight of all, even now perhaps but in a time to come, most certainly. It is God's work in which we are engaged, brethren and sisters, and none can hinder if the builders are true and faithful, subject to God's word and guidance. "Let my Lord speak" Many of those striving to serve God in this work have felt His hand, His help in their zeal to build. Ezra was one also engaged in building the house of God, completed in the face of much opposition; and, as a result, we read in Ezra 6 : 22 that Israel "... kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the Lord had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel." So may our hands be strengthened in the work of His house, if we are determined to work together in unity to build up and strengthen the house, the wall. Another man of faith, Daniel, felt this same strengthening. We read of his experience in Daniel 10: 19, when the angel Gabriel came unto him and said, "... O man greatly beloved, fear not; peace be unto thee, be strong, yea be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my Lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me." Here is help for us, as we experience His strengtheing, as we strive together to be men and women greatly beloved. Is our spirit like that of Daniel, saying in our hearts, "Let my Lord speak," seeking His guidance, alert for His voice, ready to hearken and alter our lives or our building in accordance with His instructions? Let us be ready to respond immediately, "Let us rise up and build." Flow great is our need for strength of spirit to face the demands of the work, the designs of the adversary, the impulses of our own natures which rebel against this work. God in His mercy provides. Paul, in the same work, besought His God for that help for his brethren, praying... "... that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the

5 inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ..." (Ephesians 3 : 16-19). To know this, being strengthened, in a measure is to know and value that wall of God, and as a result, to be zealous in its building. If we are instant in care and action, we shall never lack in strength, for Paul tells us in II. Timothy 4: 17 "... the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me... " "A Plumbline" Nehemiah knew that the wall had to be built swiftly, yet strongly, squarely, according to God's purpose and plan. It could not be a haphazard work, but each stone firmly placed, anchored to the next, fitted together, able to withstand the assault of any possible adversary. We have read in Amos 7 : 7-8, how this wall was measured to see if it met the requirements. "... The Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand." Here in a figure is help; a discerning if the wall is being built plumb, upright, strong. God will judge it with a plumbline; it is all measured in righteousness. We read in Isaiah 28 : 17, "Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet..." This is a judgment in God's hands, to see if the work of those who have been entrusted with building, measures up to the requirements of the Almighty. Brethren and sisters, let us make sure our work is square, and when measured and plumbed, is acceptably done, in zeal and singleness of purpose, to honour our God. Can we enter into the spirit of David's prayer in Psalm 51 : 18, as he entreated his Creator? "Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem." A Spirit work, determined by God, and we have a small part in it, brethren and sisters, if our spirit is kindred with David's. How great the responsibility, and in it, do we not need to remember the words of Psalm 127 : 1, "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." How vain to spend a lifetime building, if the heart, the spirit is not in it, if it is not being done under His guidance, if it is done for personal glory or esteem. Let us examine our work, brethren and sisters, as we know God and His Son do. What do we find? Is it entirely square, established, suitable? Are we becoming meet for His use? The house, the wall, will be built, in spite of all adversaries, in spite of our own possible failure. Will our part be there, will it be _ 44

6 accounted acceptable when measured by the plumbline? The end in God's purpose is sure, determined, but our united work now is what will count for us if we are working in zeal, in humility, in all honesty and sincerity. The words of David, in a song of ascent, come to' mind... "Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together." (Psalm 122 : 3). "Compact" conveys the thought of fellowship, of being joined together, coupled as the curtains of the tablernacle were "coupled together," with taches of gold. How great the need that we join together in the fellowship of the building, working with and for each other, and above all for God; all in sincerity and with determination, that our own wants will never hinder the building. Do we, as Israel of old did, unite in the spirit of Nehemiah's words, "Let us rise up and build."? J. A. DeF. Christendom and others Astray (50) The Spirit of: the Law the Spirit of Christ LJOW many are the witnesses to the purpose of God? The provision of food, clothing, light and warmth, yea, verily life itself tell of the goodness of the great Creator and the plan He has devised for the redemption of the earth and all mankind. As the mind is weaned from the wisdom of men, and begins to appreciate the supreme wisdom of God, a feeling of reverential awe is developed which finds expression in the words of the Apostle Paul "In him we live and move and have our being." Each of the things created by God is a wonder in itself, beyond human power to understand, and a tribute to the wisdom and glory of the Creator. Many of these things are taken for granted. So much so that there is not the appreciation which there should be, until perhaps a withdrawal of some of the gifts, helps the mind to grasp their blessing. Experience of the shortage of water teaches how valuable is the rain from heaven. Wartime lack of food impressed the lesson that this was a gift from the Creator. The enforced "blackout" taught the value of light as never before appreciated. Truly, all these everyday things are precious gifts, reminding us that every gift which can be called good, "cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." 45

7 A moment's reflection will show that although the darkness is removed each day by the light of God that men might see, there is no true appreciation of this by mankind generally. If there were, then the lesson would be learned that only by the light of God as seen in His Word can the problems that afflict the world be solved. God is light, but His light is not esteemed. Daily* men work, play and live by His light; they depend entirely for their existence on His light, yet they are blind to the gracious provision of the light of the Word. It is not the will of God that men should not be able to see what is right for their peace and happiness to the extent that they cry out "We wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men." God sent His Son into the world for the purpose of bringing the much needed and necessary light. Because Jesus was the expression of the Word in all His teaching, because He declared perfectly the Spirit of the Law, He was "The light of the world." This means that all the "light" of men, of philosophers, of statesmen, and of the wise of this world is no light at all, but darkness! When Jesus said that He was the "Light of the world," he performed a remarkable miracle which demonstrated the truth and power of His teaching. "And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth." (John 9 : 1). It was not the fact that Jesus healed this blind man that showed He was the "Light of the world," but the way in which this great miracle was accomplished. Taking clay moistened by that which came from His mouth, He anointed the eyes of the blind. This by itself did not effect the healing. The blind man was told... "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam." (which is by interpretation Sent). (John 9 : 7). This would seem unnecessary seeing that Jesus had all power to heal immediately. However, a lesson was to be taught to help the understanding that Jesus was the light of the world. To give this lesson it was important that the blind man carry out a simple instruction, which he did, with the wonderful result that his sight was restored. "He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing." (John 9 : 7). Israel had refused the waters sent of God, and in consequence were punished as Isaiah records: "Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah (the same word meaning Sent) that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;... behold, the Lord bringeth up upon 46

8 them the waters of... the king of Assysria... which shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel." (Isaiah 8 : 6-8) Jesus was to show in contrast that those very waters "sent" of God were the only means of enabling men to see the light. The way in which the miracle was performed illustrated this in a most powerful way. In a simple figure the blind man received that which came from Jesus' mouth in the moistened clay; then the waters "sent" of God. Could instruction be more plain to show that to receive light from Him who was the Light of the world, it is imperative to have His words, His teaching, from those "waters which go softly," and are "sent" of God in His Word? Israel refused these gentle waters, preferring the waters of the great and became enveloped in darkness to their sorrow, misery and shame. David knew the value of the waters "sent" of God. He knew that in the Word of God, in the Law was light. Deeply appreciative of this, he declares in his "alphabet" Psalm that the Word, the Law is light. This alphabet Psalm in the original in its twenty-two stanzas has the verses of these beginninng with successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet a help to memory of the A B C of the Spirit's teaching. In the fourteenth stanza of this Psalm the heading is the fourteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet "Nun" and its first word "lamp." "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119: 105). Read the rest of this portion, and see how David valued the waters which go softly, (so different from the clamorous words of men); see how he declared that the Word and the Law are the only source of light, and then perhaps we shall be helped to appreciate to a greater degree the blessed heritage of having the Word of God in our midst. Israel rejected this light and became overwhelmed with darkness, and finally became lost in the darkness. Christendom has similarly despised the light. The Bible is freely circulated amongst its adherents, but the light of God's Law is rejected. Hence, Christendom cannot receive the light of this Law seen in Him, who was, and is the "Light of the world." Christendom is astray. Do the "others" those who once had the Truth receive the Law of Moses as light? If they did it would have a much more important place in their teaching, and also a more intimate appli

9 cation to the problems of individual and ecclesial life. The Law of Moses was the light which guided David and the Lord Jesus, so that in His perfect keeping of the Law He became the "Light of the world," This Law, with all its powerful light should then surely guide us, To neglect the Law or to relegate the Law to a second place in divine teaching is a turning from the light. Those who turn from the light must be in darkness. The more the Law is studied, the more there is seen the light which alone can provide an enlightened path in a world in which "darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people." No apology need then be made for a study of the Law and a searching out of its wonderful treasures. And so may we continue our consideration of... The Day of Atonement So far it has been seen that the Day of Atonement spoke of the judgment of God's people that those whose souls had been humbled might receive the reward, while those who were rebellious should be "cut off." The reward was illustrated to the Ecclesia in the land by the time which followed the Day of Atonement, that is on the fifthteen th day, when there was to be a joyful rest for a whole week dwelling in booths constructed of branches of trees in the salubrious clime of Israel's autumn. All are interested in the reward, because death is so certain. Many of those in darkness will show some interest in the possibility of deliverance of the earth from its present distress, but how few there are who will consider the teaching of the Law which shows there can be no reward unless the conditions of the Law are fulfilled. In the portion of the Law dealing with the Day of Atonement this condition is shown clearly those to be accepted must be humbled or "afflicted," bringing them into submission to the requirement of God. These requirements are simple to understand; but the task is not easy because of the pernicious tendencies of our nature to object to the requirements of God as given in His Law. Help can be received in this most difficult task. The Law is not preserved merely to condemn, but to show how strength can be gained to overcome our evil propensities. This will perhaps be seen in the consideration of the necessity that on the Day of Atonement, not only had Israel to be cleansed, but also the Holy place, the Tabernacle, and the Altar. Atonement for the Sanctuary, Tabernacle and Altar It seems difficult to understand that those things which God has said are holy should at any time "bear iniquity." Nevertheless the 48

10 Law clearly says this "And the Lord said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary." (Numbers 18:1). Whatever this may mean it is also made clear in the Law that on the Day of Atonement the Sanctuary, Tabernacle and the Altar must be cleansed. The divine purpose in this will be understood if it is realised what these things represented: what they were to show to the children of Israel. When the dwelling of God had been made in accordance with the instructions given to Moses in the Mount, according to a heavenly pattern, the whole was erected and the various pieces of furniture placed in position. To a Gentile observer the Tabernacle would be a dwelling without a purpose, He would see no plan or scheme of any kind in the building. God intended it to be different from all buildings, and be the means of intructing the brethren and sisters in the wilderness concerning His own purpose. In this respect it was to be the perfect way to teaching over two million people about Yahweh's plans of deliverance from death through the Redeemer, His own beloved Son. The Tabernacle anointed or "Christed" Many know that the name of Christ means "Anointed"; that the Hebrew for the name is the "Messiah." Not many are aware of the divine significance of this title given to Jesus. Without the help of the Law we should be unable to deduce what God had in mind in giving His Son the important description of "the Christ" or the Messiah. In a beautiful way the Law makes this very clear, and in a way which all can readily understand. Look at the Tabernacle pitched in the midst of the tents of Israel in the sandy wastes of the Sinaitic desert. All that could be seen was a small tent of blue rising from the ground and surrounded by a fence of white curtains. Not very impressive from an architectural point of view, but here was the dwelling of the Most High. There was a feature about it which made it distinct from all other buildings and erections of man. At the time of the completion of the Tabernacle the whole was sprinkled with a holy oil. Every part of the dwelling, and each piece of furniture was in accordance with divine instructions contained in the Law, perfumed with the holy anointing oil. Every part was anointed, or as the word is in the Hebrew "Messiahed." This makes clear that every part of the Tabernacle was to tell about the Christ the Anointed. How 49

11 wonderfully and exquisitely simply God works and teaches, that His children might understand. For a moment let the imagination picture the scene and sense the atmosphere which was to tell the Ecclesia about Christ, the Redeemer. Amidst the dwellings of Israel was seen the small erection of blue, arising from the desert, and protected all around by white curtains. As the eye travelled over the wonderful sight, how greatly blessed would the Ecclesia seem to be. For in their midst as seen in the blue central dwelling was a piece of heaven itself. There the blue upon the earth would seem to unite with heaven, telling the mind in a more powerful way than words could convey that here the God of heaven dwelt with His people. Then at the time of the erection of the Tabernacle when the whole was anointed or "Messiahed," what a delightful fragrance would be discerned. There was nothing like it upon earth, nor has been since. In a most telling way, how the purpose of God would be felt. That He intended to raise from the earth those who would be fragrant to Him first in the person of His Son, and then in a multitude like Him. How holy is the calling of God, and truly agreeable to reason. It would be impossible to know fully about the divine teaching concerning the sacrifice of Christ and the way to salvation this opened up, without the help of the Law as seen in the appointments and ordinances of the Tabernacle. None could appreciate the significance of the sacrifice unless consideration were given to the Altar of Burnt Offering and observing how the various offerings made there were efficacious in taking away sin; and in taking away sin were the means, through the mercy of God, of removing the penalty of death. The Altar was inanimate but it spoke of a living one to come; the One who would bear the sins of His people that they might be delivered from death. The prophet Isaiah shows that in Jesus the Christ was the One of whom the Law spake in this way: "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; with his stripes we are healed. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid upon him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53 : 5-6). Although Christ had our nature he never sinned. In Him mercy and justice met, for although He had sinful propensities, He became worthy to receive the gift of life. God in His kindness raised Him 50

12 from the dead to become a "kind of firstfruits of his creatures." Here was the beginning of salvation from death. Jesus was the first to be raised from the dead and given eternal life. Through the loving-kindness of God, mercy was to> be extended to those whose mind was like Christ's, but who through sin merited eternal death. It is here that the Law helps us see the purpose of God in Christ. On the Day of Atonement the High Priest had first to offer for himself and then for his people. The great High Priest, the Lord Jesus likewise offered for Himself, showing that He knew that God was right in condemning Him to die on account of His sinful nature. Then after the teaching of the Law he entered into the Most Holy, not into an earthly tabernacle, but into heaven itself, there to be a faithful High Priest making intercession to God on behalf of His people. As the Apostle Paul says... "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2 : 17). God knows we have all sinned. We all know that we deserve to die according to His Law. But if there be a mind which confesses this truth, and pleads for mercy, there is extended forgiveness and hope for those who become part of the Christ, sharing in a figure in His death, and living as a member of His Body. We cannot remove our own sins; we cannot deliver ourselves from death. But God has been pleased to allow those whose consciences are instructed and made right in His sight to have their sins taken away by the One who is the sin-bearer of all those who come to God by Him. Israel were shown these great truths in the tabernacle. This dwelling of God first represented Christ, and then all those called to be members of Him, and so constituting His house or dwelling. The Day of Atonement was to show in a striking way this purpose of God in Christ. First the High Priest must offer for himself. Then the people must be cleansed. Lastly, the Tabernacle was to be cleansed of "iniquity." That which had been laid upon Christ was in a figure to be taken away, no more to be remembered. How gracious God is. How wonderful are His ways. How beautifully simple His teachings, that frail mortal minds might understand the eternal verities of the purpose in His Son. As previously seen the Day of Atonement speaks in its final significance of the Judgment. What a day this will be for the servants of God. Some "cut off," to be no more. Others permitted to have

13 all their iniquities removed for ever. Every part of the dwelling of God cleansed from sin, and so every part, every living member of His house, made free from sin and death. Well might the Ecclesia rejoice five days after this great Day of Atonement. For a whole cycle of time, for a whole week the brethren and sisters were to rejoice before the Lord, secure and unafraid of their enemies, resting in the wonderful blessings of their God. Soon this Day, the greater day of Atonement will have arrived. Who will receive the blessings of rejoicing with the Creator and His Son for ever? Only those who truly are the dwelling of God: only those who are truly part of His house. May it be realised before it is too late that there are only two positions; to be inside the house or outside. God in His kindness has made the conditions known whereby mortal men and women may become part of the house; also He shows the conditions which must be fulfilled to remain in the house. Sad it is to observe that the "others" seem to know something about the former, but little about the latter. In saying that they "leave Christ to judge in those cases where some leave the Truth," they are plainly saying that they know not the conditions divinely declared for being acknowledged as part of the House in the coming Day of Atonement. If they would look to the Law which is the Spirit of Christ then they would learn something to their possible eternal good. (... to be continued). "Now if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ" "Now if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his." (Romans 8:9). %A/HAT a wonderful privilege then it is to posses this Spirit of Christ, for by this Spirit we can know the mind and purpose of God, yea even the deep things of God. "But as it is written. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. "But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." (I. Corinthians 2 : 9-10). 52

14 How necessary it is to make this Spirit our own. For as the Apostle so plainly says... "If ye live after the flesh ye shall die, but if ye through the Spirit, do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the (natural) body, ye shall live." For, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." with Christ... "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8 : 14-17). What a wonderful prospect is held out, to be glorified by the Almighty. And so we can enter into the mind of the Apostle as he continues: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8 : 18). IF SO BE that we suffer with Him. And does not this suffering with Him entail the subduing of all that appertains to the flesh. For... "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Sipirt the things of the Spirit." (Romans 1 : 1 and 5). What a dreadful thing is the flesh, which if allowed to have, reign will certainly bring death. "For to be carnally minded (fleshly minded) is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Romans 8 : 6). Can we not see now why the Apostle declares, "If any man hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his."? The Spirit is the only power that can overcome the flesh, and so the Spirit of Christ must permeate our whole being, to the total exclusion of all fleshly attributes,

15 We ask ourselves. Are there any of the characteristics of the flesh in us^ Are there? Do we in any degree bear malice? Are we hypocrites? that is, pretending to be what we are not. Do we easily get angry? Are we wrathful? These are but a few simple questions to put ourselves to the test. Do we talk against speak evil of any? The Apostle J ames reminds us... "He that speaketh evil of his brother... speaketh evil of the law." (James 4 : 11). How careful we need to be, to remain in the exalted position to which we have been called. And so the Apostle Peter after reminding us that we have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ exhorts us as a consequence to lay aside the attributes of the flesh says (I. Pet. 3 : 8): "Finally be ye all of one mind." Are we? Are we all of one mind, the Spirit mind? Having compassion one of another? Only if we allow the Spirit word to dwell richly in our heart will we be able to exercise true compassion one of another. Is it reasonable that those who are not of the Spirit mind should exercise compassion on those who are? Having compassion one of another is far deeper than merely being sorry, or having pity for another who is suffering trial. It means suffering with. The natural mind has great difficulty in forgetting self and so cannot really enter into the suffering of another. The word compassion (sympathy) used here by the Apostle is a similar word to that used in Romans 8 : 17. We are the children of God and joint-heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with Him. Suffering with Christ and having compassion one of another are identical, and all because we have the Spirit of Christ. Christ says in Matthew 25 : "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." If any of our brethren are suffering for Christ's sake, if any are in distress, are we all of one mind? Do we suffer together? If we do, and we are truly Christ's servants, if the Spirit of Christ dwells in us, then that which we do in love for our brethren, Christ accepts as done unto Him

16 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." (Romans 8 : 14-16). How necessary then to have the Spirit for... "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his." J.S. " The Signs of His Coming and of the end of the world " "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth." (Jeremiah 25 : 32). ON TACT with people in every day life reveals a general gloom resulting from those things "which are coming on the earth." Some individuals of highly strung disposition are tending to shut themselves away from news of world events. They admit that they do not listen to much of the news that is broadcast because it is "only misery." Certainly there is little to cheer the masses in the newspapers or from radio reports. Recently the words of Christ have been brought forcibly to the attention again by the mass hysteria evident in Great Britain due to the Smallpox threat. Jesus warned... "... great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines AND PESTILENCES; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." (Luke 21 : 11). To the time of writing only a few cases of Smallpox have been reported, but much uneasiness has been expressed by medical spokesmen at the way the disease has been allowed into the country, carried by travellers from Pakistan. Hospitals have been crowded with people desiring preventive vaccination, and queues of people have waited outside doctors' surgeries in the hope that there would still be vaccine left when it came to their turn, of which there has been temporary shortages. The strain on the medical organisation Britain boasts must have been considerable; the doctors have been overworked vaccinating people to the detriment, it has been admitted, of their other sick patients. Though the importation of this 55

17 deadly virus has not resulted in an epidemic it does focus the attention on the epidemic that is evident in Parkistan and reminds the thoughtful of the words of the prophet "... evil shall go forth from nation to nation." (Jeremaih 25 : 32). Unless great care is taken these days there is no containing of a pestilence in one counry, due to the speeding up of travel, indeed with great care there is no certainty of isolating it! Karachi, for example, is only a few hours air journey away from London in these times of swift travel, a few hours can bring a man with the plague among an unsuspecting people. When Jesus said that great earthquakes would be in divers places and then went on to mention famies and pestileces he meant that pestilences would also be in DIVERS PLACES! Where next will Smallpox strike? Only time will tell, but such news reveals that another sign of the Lord Jesus is being fulfilled as here and there disease is being seen in countries which a few years ago were thought to be now safe from such things. Details have also come to light of a new virus disease which has been causing trouble in East Africa. The disease is called "O'nyong-nyong," the name is intended to suggest in an onomatopoeic fashion the painful "breaking of the joints" which it causes among those infected with it. According to the report of the East African Virus Research Laboratory at Entebbe, the virus infection first appeared in the north-west corner of Uganda and swept right across the country until it was brought to a halt by mountain ranges at the Kavirondo Gulf. Inland, the infection travelled around Lake Victoria and is said to be still active to the west of the lake. The symptoms of this "pestilence" that has so far caused a million cases, but no deaths, are fever, an itching rash, crippling joint pains and often painful swollen glands. This news is another example of Christ's prophecies being fulfilled. Pestilences, some peculiarly new in there effect. still spread, even in this age of marvellous new drugs and medicines. "... great signs shall there be from heaven" Once again the attention of the world is being focussed on the American space probes. Towards the end of January on a Friday afternoon the U.S. Ranger III. spacecraft at Cape Canaveral, standing 88 feet high when measured with its rocket, soared like a silver streak into* the cloudless sky, its engines thundering, and the almost white light of the flames quickly becoming a pinpoint in the heavenly aspect as it headed towards the moon. The mind tends to get so used to scientific wonders, the possibility arises that

18 the sign is not appreciated, or is not grasped sufficiently as indicating further evidence of the words of the Lord Jesus coming to pass. When Jesus spoke of signs from heaven He said they would be GREAT signs! When some of the details of the design of the American rocket and spacecraft are considered the whole apparatus is seen as a marvel of scientific engineering. On board the spacecraft there was a viewer designed to transmit television pictures of the moon; there was also other apparatus of very clever construction, capable of measuring the temperature variations between the 14 lunar days and nights, and sending back the information to the earth. It was intended that the spacecraft would crash into the moon at 6,000 m.p.h. after ejecting a specially protected seismometer desgined to send back reports on moonquakes or meteorite impacts for 30 days. At 70,000 feet from the lunar body the seismometer capsule attached to a retro-rocket was to be slowed down by the rocket coming into operation, this rocket was capable of reducing the approach of the capsule from 6,000 m.p.h. to almost a standstill by the time it was 1,100 feet from the moon. Many other gadgets, too many and complex to be considered in this article, had been incorporated in the spacecraft, and were designed to come into operation during the journey. At the time of writing it is evident that the U.S. spacecraft failed to reach its target, approaching to within approximately 20,000 miles of it and passing it. Nevertheless, the details of this rocket demonstrate that a great deal of ingenuity has gone into its construction, and this is indicative of the great development that is taking place in the science laboratories of the large nations. To date, Ranger-'III. is the most complicated rocket yet launched from either the United States or the Soviet Union, and speaks of the possibility of greater "signs from heaven" in the months ahead! "Great earthquakes shall be in clivers places, and famines.." As the months go by, frequently there is news of earth tremors, some relatively mild, some more severe. Usually this news is not given much prominence, but along with other events of which Christ foretold whch are now coming to pass, the news of earthquakes "in divers places" is seen as contributory evidence that this is the time of "the sign of Christ's coming." Famine which is also evident in this machine age of great engineering technique is also contributory evidence. Men have all sorts of machies at their disposal which are able to quickly reclaim land from its wild state into cultivatable soil. They are also able to build great dams to conserve water for irrigation purposes: 57

19 nevertheless because labour for war means more to them than labour for food, and because those who have plenty are not so concerned about those who lack, in sortie parts of the earth are living a grim existence. From Nairobi comes news that 360,000 people have been brought to the point of starvation by successive famine and floods in Kenya; many among the natives are completely destitute. Relief has been sent from other nations, and a National Advisory Council on Nutrition has been arranged for the purposes of planing how such a disaster can be avoided another year. The fact however remains, that though relief work is preventing death by starvation, this crisis could have been prevented by earlier planning. The chairman of the Food Relief Fund committee admitted : "My experience of Kenya is that only through disasters do we get progress." But if Kenya is a problem, China is a vastly greater problem with famine conditions very prevalent and not the same help forthcoming, especially from rich countries in the west! As some people put it, "China is a dragon that awakes," it is just 50 years since the last of China's despotic emperors lost his throne. Since then, this huge nation, with the biggest population of any nation, now numbering 700 million and increasing by 15 million every year, has gone through many changes. The greatest change was brought about by the rise of Communism to power, which is gradually transforming China from a crushed and exploited peasant horde into a potentially vast military and industrial machine. The people however continue to suffer. They are in the cold grip of shortages, some of which are caused by the communist control policies which are designed to make China a great world power but which in the meantime fails to concentrate sufficiently on food and clothing production which would ease the lot of the poorer people. The peasants were the first to suffer from the policies of the government, they found they were having to "tighten their belt" as far back as But in the last 18 months, the industrial workers of the towns and cities who were at first much better fed than the peasants, have also felt the grip of shortages creeping upon them. The coalminers, most privileged of all the workers have also been affected with the result of a drop in coal output, and it is estimated that other factors in turn have caused a huge drop in general industrial output which is estimated to be around 30 per cent. But shortage has not ended with civilians. The misery has now spread to the Chinese Communist Army, the last large group (except the heads of the communist party) that has remained unaffected. The Army's rations have been severely cut. Strange and highly unpopular supplements like seaweed, have had to be introduced in the Army messes. Actual cases of undernourishment in Chinese 58

20 military units are now, it is stated, beng reliably reported. Are these conditions not another example of the famine which Christ predicted would be evident in context with a time when great sights and signs would be manifest in the heaven (sky)? As these evils are contemplated first in one nation and then in another the words of the prophet again come to mind, "Evil shall go forth from nation to nation."! But even greater evil is coming as the word of God predicts, and in connection with this statement quoted, the spirit declares that "... a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts (sides) of the earth." On one side are the great powers of the east and north, on the other is the great power in the west and as they blow upon each other the resultant whirlwind of their cross currents will bring ruin. The words of Jesus however contain comfort for His people. When He gave details of what the "sign of His coming" would be. He also said... "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the son of man." To those who watch and pray always (in every season) and who are found worthy to stand before Christ there will be escape from the evil. D.L. News from the Ecclesias Eden, New York. Grange Hall, Church Street. Sundays: Breaking of Bread Sunday School a.m. Revelation Study 2.0 p.m. Bible Classes: Midweek, Forestville, Hamburg and Buffalo. Correspondence, inquiries and requests for literature continue to come in, and we are privileged and busy in the work provided. There is sincere desire to be a part of the Household's activities and enduring to fellowship in every way. News from a far country is looked for, and letters from those we love fill a real need, as together we face the testings bound to be severe as our probation draws to a close. Let us draw the bands of love ever tighter. J.A.DeF. Pentrip, Black Rock, Portmadoc. Breaking of Bread Sundays S1.30 a.m. Eureka Class Wednesday 7.30 p.m. As the days lengthen the prospect of summer is a joyous one. We eagerly look forward to the visits of our brehren and sisters and to the helpful companionship which these afford. The Station Poster for March proclaims: "God's message of Hope and His offer of salvation." This Poster site in the past has provoked a good deal of interest, and we hope that it will continue to do so. per J.S. 59

21 Nottingham. Meadow's Community Centre, Kirkwhite Street, (Queen's Drive end), Nottingham. Sundays : Breaking of Bread, 11.0 a.m., Bible Class 2.15 p.m., Thursdays: People's Hall, 7.45 p.m.. Eureka and Exhortation alternately. We thank Brother Iago and Brother W. V. Butterfield for their labours among us on January 14th and February 4th respectively. These ministrations are a necessary stimulant that we may know the Spirit of unity, and the Spirit of the Law which was so perfectly exhibited in our Head, the Lord Jesus Christ. We dare not lightly brush aside the exhortation, which a loving Father has preserved for us "Remember ye the law of Moses my servant." H J S Co. Down, Ireland. Newtownards and Bangor, Breaking of Bread Newtownards Sunday a.m., Sunday School a.m. Bible Class Wednesday. Though the day draws nearer when all who are responsible shall give account to God, we get little evidence of heart searching to see "whether they be in the faith" from those we contact, directly and indirectly with the Magazine and "The History of the Truth." We are thankful for the blessing and help of the Spirit, and for the confidence and strength given us. The children greatly enjoyed the Sunday School party in Manchester and it is with gratitude we acknowledge that through the Father's care they were able to be there. j p Manchester. Memorial Hall, Albert Square, Manchester. Sundays: Breaking of Bread a.m. Lecture 3.15 p.m. Thursdays: 7-15 p.m. Onward Hall, Deansgate. Law of Moses Class: Third Saturday each month at 3.45 p.m. There has been some interest in our Lectures, and what is more encouraging one or two seem to be following the conversations of brethren on the Truth with purpose. The power of the Spirit seen in these experiences makes us fearful lest we should fail in any way to make known what He requires from those desiring to be be delivered from the evil and perdition of the present world. The Bible Classes continue to afford much help. Great profit was felt to be obtained from the consideration of the subject "In the multitude of counsellors there is safety." How great is the blessing to have brethren with whom counsel can be taken, knowing that their deliberations, faithfully undertaken, will be blessed. A feature, it is feared that is not always realised. Plans are being made for a Special Effort in Huddersfield in March. W.V.B. 60