Circuit Rider News Tidewater Baptist Evangelistic Association, Inc.

Transcription

1 Volume13Issue4 October2December2013 Circuit Rider News Tidewater Baptist Evangelistic Association, Inc. P. O. Box Home: (757) Mobile: (757) Just Thinking JEWS-GENTILES-CHURCH Continued Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God, I Corinthians 10:32. In the last issue of the Circuit Rider News, I began a message that was too lengthy to cover the subject dealing with three groups of people that we find in the scriptures. Each group has their place in human history as God deals with mankind. They seem to hold the key as to prophetic events that are yet to come. It is my conviction, that each of these groups will be in their places when Jesus returns for His bride, the church. Tidewater Baptist Evangelistic Association, Inc. P. O. Box Home: (757) Mobile: (757)

2 Volume13Issue4 October2December2013 JEWS-GENTILES-CHURCH We examined the long years in which God dealt with the Jews and the captivity of both Israel and Judah. He warned them that disobedience and the worship of other gods would result in judgment but that He would restore them, not as a divided nation but, as one nation. The restoration occurred May 14, They are no longer referred to as Israel and Judah but only as Israel. They are back in the land but there is one more week of years known as Jacob s trouble. Times of the Gentiles Now we need to consider the times of the Gentiles. As you will recall, in the previous issue of the CRN, Israel and Judah were warned that their unbelief and turning to serve other gods would bring severe judgment from God upon both of them. The Northern Kingdom, Israel, that at times is called Ephraim and years later are referred to as the ten lost tribes. They were the first to be brought into captivity by their enemies the Assyrians. They consisted of ten tribes. You can read about the three year siege and their captivity and the evidence brought against them that provoked God s anger and judgment. II Kings 17:4-18. Judah did not learn their lesson from what they saw God do to their sister tribes of Israel. II Kings 23:27, And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there. Later the Prophet Jeremiah writes about Judah s captivity. Jeremiah 52:27, And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land. For more details, read II Chronicles 36:15-21 When Judah, consisting of two tribes, Benjamin and Judah, were brought into captivity, the times of the Gentiles began. The Jews, were eventually scattered around the world and for millenniums there seemed to be no hope. Yet, God had made them a promise. Jeremiah 33:7, And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. That is, they will no longer be two nations but as one as at first. God even explains why He will do this. Psalm 89:30-35, If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my loving kindness will I not C. R. N. 13 th Year The Circuit Rider News has grown from a two-page paper to a twelve-page newsletter. Little did I dream that this would ever happen, nor did I expect to have subscribers in all 50 states. In celebration of this milestone, I continue to ask all that can and will, to send a donation of ten dollars or more to help us in our 13 th year, with a solid foundation to underwrite the constant rising costs in its publication and mailing. I am indebted to my home church, Tidewater Baptist Church, in printing the newsletter without cost, in particular, the Church Secretaries, Cathy Pearson and Amanda Nowak and others for folding and preparing the newsletter for mailing. The CRN is also available by in PDF format. 2

3 Volume13Issue4 October2December2013 JEWS-GENTILES-CHURCH (cont.) utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. Even the New Testament addresses this issue by Paul in his epistle to the Romans. It is a lengthy passage but I suggest you read it. Romans In Daniel chapter 2 and chapter 7 Nebuchadnezzar s forgotten dream is recovered and revealed by Daniel the prophet. There is an image consisting of various types of medals covering the reign of the gentiles. It begins with the head of gold 2:38 that symbolizes the Babylonian Kingdom, of which at the time Nebuchadnezzar is the king. The second world power was that of the Media- Persia Empire. It was made of silver and consisted of the breasts and arms. The third empire was that of the Grecians, it formed the belly and thigh and was made of brass. The Roman Empire was made up of the two legs and is made of iron, representing the Eastern and Western world. The final part of the image is feet and toes which are made of a mixture of iron and clay. The ten toes are believed by many to be the revived Roman Empire by the nations that make up the European Common Market. They usually consist near the number of ten. It is interesting to notice that the metals used in the image described are of descending value. We see the Gentile world power come to its end when the Stone not made with hands will come and strike the image in the iron and clay feet and toes and the time of the gentiles ends. Since the image represents periods of time, it would be both foolish and in fact impossible to strike the image at any other point. Historically, it will be the revival of the Roman empire of the ten-toed nations made in the image by iron and clay. It occurs at the Second Coming of Jesus riding the White Horse to destroy His enemies. It will not be the rapture phase of His Second Coming, but rather the Revelation Period of His Second Coming. It would be helpful to read Revelayion 19: The Church In like manner, God s dealing with the times of the gentiles does not come to an end at the birth of His Church any more than Israel came to an end at their captivity. With differing opinions as to the exact beginning of the Church, some holding to Pentecost and others saying it started when Jesus met with his disciples when Thomas was not present. John 20:21-22, Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: If there is any question as to the precise time of its birth; all will agree that in the book of Acts the church is alive and functioning well. In fact, we find that the beginning years of the church was made up of both Jews and Gentiles. I Corinthians 12:13, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Galatians 3:28, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. The church was promised by Jesus to Peter when Jesus asked him, But whom say ye that I am? Matthew 16:16-18, And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Obviously Peter gave a creditable answer. The Old Testament Jewish believers seem to know little or nothing about the Church age, even though the prophets wrote about it. In Acts chapter fifteen, there was a Council at Jerusalem over the issue of the requirement of Gentile Christians being circumcised. Paul and Barnabas gave reports as to how God did miracles and wonders among the Gentiles through their ministry. The pastor, James, of the church in Jerusalem, gave a report of their findings. 3

4 Volume13Issue4 October2December2013 JEWS-GENTILES-CHURCH (cont.) Acts 15:13-16, And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: This peculiar people that are called out for his name is the Bride of Christ. It is these people that are to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Those that will believe shall be saved and all that believe not shall be dammed. Mark 16:16, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. The gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:1-4, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; There is a parenthetical period of time between the 69 th week of years in Daniel s prophecy and the 70 th week that is yet to come. Paul addresses this period of time when the natural branch (Israel) is broken off and the wild olive tree (Gentiles) grafted in. He warns the Gentiles that if God broke off the natural branch and grafted in the wild branch; it would be no problem for God to cut off the wild and graft in the natural. This is covered well in Romans 11:13-25 but it is a long passage but it would be most helpful for you to read it. I do wish to point out that verse in case you neglect to read the passage. Rom. 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. In like manner, as in the early pages of the book of Genesis in the Old Testament, God promised to send the seed of woman to provide a Saviour; it did not occur immediately, but lingered for thousands of years. It should not surprise us that from the birth of the church until its removal from the earth has already consumed more than two thousand years. We should keep in mind that in the end, we will have a one world government headed up by the antichrist and a one world church, headed up by the false prophet. There have been several movements over the years that seem to be for-runners of the one world government. 1. Continue to pray for my wife, Elizabeth s health. 2. Pray for me with regards to low red blood cells. 3. Pray for our nation. 4. Praise for our son, Don, recovering from a stroke. 5. Pray for revival. 6. Pray for additional subscribers to the Circuit Rider News. 7. Pray for preaching opportunities within driving distance. 8. Praise the Lord for special offerings from churches and individuals. 4

5 Volume13Issue4 October2December2013 JEWS-GENTILES-CHURCH (cont.) President Woodrow Wilson of the United States was involved in what was called the League of Nations. This was formed at the close of WWI for the purpose of avoiding any more wars. The first meeting was conducted January 20, It was a failure and its last meeting was April 21, 1846, just after the close of WWII. That was followed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, known as NATO. President Harry S. Truman is credited as the founder of that organization. Its first meeting was April 4, 1949 in Brussels, Belgium. This group of nations is still in existence and functioning. By far the largest of such movements is the United Nations or the UN. All of these are promoted by the New World or New Age liberal thinkers. Just as the stage was being set for the one world government; the merger of various denominations with longstanding doctrinal differences began to take place. I read recently that the Catholic Church had opened its arms to Protestant churches to return to their mother church. Since Baptists were never in the so-called mother church, it is highly unlikely that any Baptist church will seek to get in. I merely point out the mergers and the invitation offer is casting the shadow of a one-world church in the future. Let us not overlook that the Bride of Christ, the true Church will be removed in the rapture phase of the Second Coming of Christ. In the first phase Jesus comes for His Bride and in the second phase He comes with His Bride. It is repeatedly declared in the scriptures. He is coming back to receive His Bride. John 14:3, And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Look at the testimony of the two men in white apparel. Acts 1:11, Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. There is a lengthy passage you would find helpful if you will read it. I Thessalonians 4: With Israel having become a nation 65 years ago, and in their native land, they are in a position to complete that 70 th week of Daniel s image in chapters 3 and 7. Jeremiah 30:7, Alas for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. Great conversions will take place among the Jews. The Stone cut out without hands will topple the Gentile powers of this world. The Church will have been raptured out of this world to escape the wrath of God during the Tribulation, just as Noah and his family were lifted above and out of the judgment of the flood. My conclusion is, we are near the end. Luke 21:28, And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 2 Timothy 3:1, This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 5

6 Volume13Issue4 October2December2013 DEATHS Rev. Tom Duros of Norfolk, Virginia was promoted to glory in August. He was eighty-six years old and the founder of the Community Church of Norfolk. He was the pastor for 50 years until recently retiring due to his declining health. He leaves behind his wife and six children, several grandchildren and many friends to cherish his memory. The seventh child, a son, was killed in line of duty with the Norfolk Police Department. His oldest son preached his funeral, pointing to several things about his dad, one of which was his constant witnessing for Jesus. One of his daughters expressed this about her dad, We, as his children, did not always please our dad in what we did, but no matter what we did, our daddy was always there for us. The death of Ruth Cooper McGraw brought her to that eternal rest that awaits the children of God. A number of years ago she requested that I preach her funeral. Over those years she reminded me of that request on numerous occasions. She had lived for 82 years on this earth and will now live forever in heaven. I was her pastor at Good News Baptist Church in Norfolk, VA, where she received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour. She leaves behind two daughters, Elaine and Shirley, and four grandchildren. They grieve at the death of Ruth but with personal assurance that she is delivered from a sickly body into the land where there is no more sickness, no more pain, and no more death. They openly confess in my presence that we had a good mother. Her body was carried to South Carolina at her request for burial. 6

7 Volume13Issue4 October2December2013 LETTERS Dear Brother Hardison, We pray this little gift will help you in your work for the Lord. We are still praying for you and sister Hardison. May God bless you for your work with many souls won to Christ. Yours in Christ, E. & B. E. Dr. Hardison, May your birthday be filled with peaceful thoughts of God s everlasting love. Smile, God loves you Have a wonderful birthday and many more. God is so good. Love in Christ, P. W. Dear Dr. Hardison, My hands are not working right, hope you can read this. God bless you and Mrs. Hardison. Pray for us. Love in Christ, The E s Dear Dr. Hardison, Please renew my Circuit Rider News subscription, Thank you You and your wife are in our prayers every day, pray for us. Prayerfully yours, W. & K. M. Brother Hardison, Just a short note to say hello and to let you know you and your family are always on my mind and in my prayers. We serve an awesome God who is always with us. He never will leave us and will always take very good care of us. M.S. (R) Dear Bro. & Sis. Hardison, I pray this note finds you well. I pray this gift will help meet any needs you have. I am praying for both of you. God bless, PF 7

8 Volume13Issue4 October2December2013 LETTERS cont. Dear Bro. Hardison and Mrs. Hardison, I wanted to let you know my best friend, my husband, recently went to be with Jesus. I feel like a part of me went with him. We were married 61 years. It is comforting to know I will meet him some day in heaven. I m so sorry Mrs. Hardison isn t too well. Give her my love and prayers. I do pray the things go good for you both. You both are wonderful people and have served the Lord so long. A small donation is enclosed. Thanks for your letters. With love & prayers, R. F. Dear Dr. Hardison, Thank you for your letter and the CRN. We pray your tests will have positive results. Hope your wife is doing better also. The showers we have been having were much appreciated as well as cooler weather. Now it seems it is getting hot and dry. We are glad you still get to preach some. Keep up the good work. You are always in our prayers. In Christ, D. & S. Dear Bro. Hardison, Here is some cash. I m not much for writing letters but I pray for all preachers each day that God would give them mercy. Sincerely, JK Bro. Hardison, Time is going swiftly. Not many still standing tall and true. I pray that you and your wife are well. We have had some of the greatest revival meetings this year. People are being saved if we preach the true word and remain faithful. God bless, J. & S. D. and MD Bro. Hardison, I enjoy reading the Circuit Rider News. Praying you and your wife are well. I would love to hear you preach again. It is so hard to find any preaching like I heard when I was young so many years ago. Things have changed so. I m sending a small gift and would like for you to send your paper to my sister and her husband. Love in Christ, FJ Dear Dr. Hardison, I always enjoy receiving your Circuit Rider News. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife; may God continue to bless both of you I have en-closed a check. I wish I could send more. Could you send my mother the Circuit Rider News? Thank you very much sir, RW Bro. Hardison, Trust the Lord is granting great grace and wisdom in your wife s needs and your ministry. Job 23:14. SB 8

9 Volume13Issue4 October2December2013 Schedule October 6-9 Chesapeake Baptist Tabernacle October 20 Tidewater Baptist Church October 23 Chapel Welcome Baptist School November 17 Tidewater Baptist Church November 20 Chapel Welcome Baptist School December 1 Tidewater Baptist Church December 18 Chapel Welcome Baptist School tidewaterbaptist.org 9

10 Volume13Issue4 October2December2013 Who Will Face God? For about forty years this nation has made murder a legal act, but only on a certain segment of society. It just so happens that this group of human beings is virtually the most defenseless of all other persons. I am referring to the abortion of babies. It is reported that some fifty-six million of these precious babies have deliberately been put to death since the Roe vs. Wade court case in How can an infant defend themselves against an uncaring mother and a doctor that has the tools, the knowledge, and the support of a law that allows him to butcher such an innocent human? How can the greatest nation in the world, possibly come to such a barbaric, heinous, senseless idea that under the umbrella of women s rights that it is morally and legally appropriate to destroy her baby? In an educated and enlightened society, there are ways to avoid having babies without resorting to murder. Whatever happened to the idea of the United States being a nation, of the people, by the people, and for the people? With all the murders of babies, it has never been with the approval of the majority of its citizens. So, it has not measured up by the people. It has been by the courts; activist Judges which are not elected by the people, have been an obvious obstacle to the pro-life efforts to rid us of this embarrassment to our nation that was long recognized as a Christian Nation. I can tell you there is nothing about murdering babies that is Christian. There has been an ongoing effort to establish, by Congress, the fact that life begins at conception. Science, the bible and good old horse sense has always known that life begins at conception. Recently, Senator Steve Stockman, a republican from Texas, introduced the Sanctity of Life Act in the Senate. Earlier this year, the Life at Conception Act was introduced by Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio in the House of Representatives and Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky in the Senate. Dr. Kermit Gosnell alarmed many when the FBI raided his House of Horrors investigating the charge of prescribing drugs illegally. They found what was described as the abortion clinic as filthy, deplorable, disgusting, with blood stained floors. He was tried and convicted of murder. After his abortion failed to kill the child, and the birth had occurred he would snip the spinal cord that would produce death. As you must know there would be only a few seconds between a successful abortion and the sniping of the spinal cord. The abortion killing would be legal, the other would be murder. They found a fully developed child that was aborted at nineteen weeks in the freezer at the clinic. While this all shocked the nation; it did not seem to bother Nancy Pelosi. She had the nerve to say, the so-called right to a late-term abortion is sacred ground. Seventy-one percent of we the people of America disagree with her. In 2012, Obama directed over $542 million dollars to Planned Parenthood (abortion promoters) even though Federal law forbids Congress from allocating taxpayer money directly to abortions. This money given, amounts to 45 percent of the Planned Parenthood budget, came from taxpayers. They are subsidized by our tax dollars. Congress has the power to over-ride even the Supreme Court if it chooses to do so. It seems to me that it is about time they woke-up and smelled the coffee. So, who will eventually have to face God? The woman will certainly not escape facing God regarding the murder of her child. Many husbands will likewise face God in this matter. The doctor will not be innocent of the blood on his hands even though his act was legal by man s law. The activist judges will have no plea-bargaining power as they face the judgment of Almighty God. The lawmakers by ignorance or by pressure that allowed such foolishness of privacy or woman s rights, bring this lingering blight of barbarian behavior. Finally, Christians will have to face God for voting for politicians that they knew were for abortions because of a political party or because of the color of their skin. 10

11 Volume13Issue4 October December2013 CIRCUIT&RIDER&NEWS& P.&O.&Box&16000& Chesapeake,&VA&23328& Editor&Dr.&D.&M.&Hardison& Subscription&$5&Annually& & Look&for&the&Circuit&Rider&News&on&our&new&website& & & Renew your Subscription and Subscribe for a friend. A donation of $5.00 or more annually is appreciated Previous issues of the Circuit Rider News are available upon request.