The Last Days (Continued)

We herein propose to extend the discussion on four more of the eight passages on "last days"; the first four were used in the June issue of this paper . This theme has more than a curiosity feature, but is vital to our walk as believers. Hence we hope to deal further with the passages touched on in the June 2003 issue.

There were eight passages containing the two words, "last days," three in the old Testament and five in the New. The first New Testament passage (Acts 2:17) quoting from an Old Testament passage which Peter used, on the Pentecost next after the resurrection of the Christ, to explain the outpouring of the Spirit prophesied by Joel (2:28-29). Jesus had taught this, calling it the promise of the Father (Jn. 14 – 17). It was designed to afford the young church the courage and the incentive to go into all the world. He said he would not leave that church "orphans" (comfortless, Jn. 14:18) but would come to them, evidently in the Person of the promised Spirit (Jn. 14:19-21), repeating in a post-resurrection appearance (Mt. 28:20) his promise to be with them "all the days to the finish of the age."

How many religious people have thought of this promise and the significance of the Holy Spirit's presence. More than that, It is the presence of the Christ Himself, meeting with His promised Bride for fellowship, comfort, instruction, and encouragement. Just think! For Him to be present with His church it must be there, alive, in the world. So many groups, organizations, have just not been around all the days from the time of that promise (Mt. 28:20) to the finish of the age.

5. Perilous Times Shall Come

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come" (2 Tim. 3:1).

Our Lord who knows all about us, who is "the Lord of creation," and who desires our faithful obedience throughout our lifetimes, gave the "Comforter." This broad word needs a bit of study. Its natural definition is "summons," that is, called to one's side, actually called to one's aid. One who pleads a cause before a judge, " a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate." Yes, the Christ has such a position before the Father as intercessor. But the "promise of the father" (Acts 1:4), was sent by Jesus to His church to afford them the remembrance of His teachings (Jn. 14:26) and to teach them all things. This Comforter would testify of the Christ, encouraging, explaining, consoling, and strengthening them (Jn. 15:26). This expediency was necessary to develop or mature a people for the kingdom to come (Jn. 14:16; 16:7).

In its widest sense the "Comforter" was a helper, taking the place of the Christ who would be no longer personally present in the body, and strengthening them in preparation for the trials and tests they would undergo in preparation for the kingdom.

God is in charge of all creation, knows all about us, and all about every move Satan the deceiver will make, willingly supplies the comforter to the Bride of Christ so that individually they may withstand the trials and persecutions which are to come upon her. Sadly some of us have to confess that the most painful trials we have had to face in the land of our nativity has come from his brethren. They claim to believe that all professing Christians who have trusted the Savior are in possession of all the strength and wisdom they need, but in their hearts they know this is not true. Yes, we are saved, have eternal life, and the promises of His presence and of the security afforded by the strong arm of the Father. "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand" (Jn. 10:29). How blessed to have such a position! And with Christ with us, pleading our case, affording His rich grace, why should anyone be concerned? Why would one depart from the faith, give heed to deceiving spirits"? (1 Tim. 4:1).

If we say we will never do that, are we remembering how weak we are? Are we remembering the trials, the deceiver, the deceptive means Satan will use as he sees his time for such running out? Remember the "mark" which will persuade many for the sake of being able to buy and sell the necessities of life (Rev. 16:2: 19:20)? Yes, the doom of the deceiver is sealed, but his work will touch the lives of all of us who are still in our natural bodies here on the earth.

House Left Desolate

"Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" (Mt 23:38).

"Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Lk. 13:35).

"What think ye of Christ?" (Mt. 22:42). There is a remarkable progression in the language and the techniques which the Lord Jesus Christ used in bringing the thinking of a tradition bound mind of the people of Israel to face up to their sin and to recognize their Lord. Even the disciples who already believed that He was the Messiah were not always clear on what He said. This question to his disciples and to the multitudes brought this matter to a head. Hence nobody was able to ask him further questions after this query as to the identity of the Christ. "Whose Son is He?" They had a quick answer. The Pharisees were the ones pointedly asked. They had an answer, "The Son of David." Was this not true? Yes, but if so, why did David call Him Lord?

"The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?" (Mt. 22:44-45). If the Christ is David's Son, how is he then his LORD? He was much more than a natural descendant of David. The Pharisees were set up in their own minds as the authority of what the Bible teaches. Jesus said they sat in Moses' seat (Mt. 23:2).

This labeled the Pharisees as hypocritical in their claims to be able to teach the very truth, so Jesus instructed the multitudes to listen to them as they taught, but not to live as they did. They maintained an outward righteousness but their true state is open to the eyes of God, and he said simply that they were not living right.

It appears that the worst kind of sin is that which comes clothed in the language of the Bible but which is not allowed to influence the heart, but which honors man, not God. The whole of Matthew 23 is a description of that which turns God away and brings the woeful hypocrite under God's judgment. He is left outside the kingdom. He cannot inherit it.

This description of the rejection of the Messiah by those who had the most testimony from their prophets enabling them to know Him, explains the full force of that desolate condition. This attitude of rejection of God and His Word, His Son, is a description of trouble. Just when is this trouble evident?

For Israel it follows in gigantic measure the rejection of their Messiah. All the way from the first mention of "last days" the prospect held before them was of a time when all men would turn to God. He would pour out of His Spirit on men and not only Israel would turn to Him, but multitudes from many nations would seek Him. See specially "Last Days" references # 2 and 3 in the June Reminder. Reference # 4 (Acts 2:17) portrays a time when large numbers would be subjects of great grace ministered by the Spirit outpoured through the gifts afforded God's special spiritual people. Soon, however, Satan grabbed the picture where real miracles, healings, languages as a gift and similar magic powers were in the hands of the saints (his church) of the ascended Lord (Eph. 4:7-16). He lost no time in making the gifts the object of men's worship, glorying in their having such powers, and distorting the picture of a mature people able to structure a strong testimony (v. 16) but causing them to be like children tossed to and fro (v. 14), and willful victims of their own folly no longer a reflecting of their Lord's holiness, love and power.

The church was hindered from being "the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15). Though "sleight of men" and "cunning craftiness" toss them about, she lost the evidence of that mature witness which edifies itself in love (v. 16). Repeatedly through the centuries baby Christians, even many of them members of the Lord's church, have turned to the playthings which please the flesh, perverting the gifts which God gave His church. Often a whole congregation would be "baptized in the Spirit," "speak with tongues, and even perform a semblance of miracles. Who of us doubts that God is able to heal, give tongues, move mountains? Jesus spoke of these. Only those who have matured somewhat can see that the magic of these things is a childish quality of fairy tales. No, I do not say a real miracle is of the devil, though the antichrist will be a specialist in this matter when he comes on the scene in the latter days (Rev. 13:14; 16:14; 19:20). Such are those who have not heeded Paul's illustration and warning to put off "childish things" (1 Cor. 13:11). Do note the context in which this was given. Paul even explained that early the gifts began to be abused, some using them to edify themselves. Again, "Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men" (1 Cor. 14:20).

NOTE: The opening sale of a British woman's book, described as the Harry Potter Books, has brought a veritable overflowing of demand for this book. I have not read it, do not expect to, but I have read stories similar to it. Stories of wizards, fairy tales, the supernatural without God, are used to produce a frenzy to turn men's psyche to the acceptance of just such a false prophet, the man of sin, who will make this the drawing power to evil and unbelief in the "last days." Many of God's people rose up and spoke against Harry Potter, a mere stripling of a boy, a few years ago. But now hardly a warning is to be heard. Not only is Satan a liar and the father of it, but he is very subtle in maneuvering in society and in the area of men's activities to create the atmosphere that will be ready for the man of sin when he comes on the scene just prior to the return of Christ.

A measure of the peril in those days is seen in the deception which will characterize those days. Read a description of the times as Jesus gave it in one message (Mt. 24:1-51).

Prepare for this reading by reviewing chapter 23. He was addressing the multitude and His disciples (23:1). It is particularly indicated that he is identifying the Jews, physical seed of Abraham, all along, naming particulars as to their hypocrisy, their open and deliberate rejection of the prophets and holy men who had been sent to them and would continue to be sent (23:1-39). The price of the sin of Israel is here related with the using of the Scribes and Pharisees as representative of the hardness of the hearts of the whole nation. Israel was God's chosen nation, but the history of that people all through the Old Testament tends to show us just what the human heart is like, whether he be Jew or Gentile. Apart from the redemption by the blood all men are such sinners.

We must remember that this assessment of human beings is coming through the eyes of the Lord. It may seem rather severe. Would we not all rather have a lesser standard? On the other hand, are we not glad that it is His view and we know He loves all men. He would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4).

The record of Matthew so far: Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees for sitting in Moses seat (Mt 23:2). This means that they had the responsibility as scribes to give God's Word to Israel. They were the accepted teachers, including the priests. It was their living which was the big error. This lesson could be applied to a number of Baptists. We are the Lord's church, satisfying a number of points of identification. As the "pillar and ground of the truth" the church is authorized, as was Moses, to teach the Word. It is in our lives that we are slack. As Israel of old God's chosen people have accepted the Protestant doctrine of "once saved" all is satisfied. We admit that God asks some to witness, some to preach, and all to support the cause, but individually we seem to walk far off and seldom apply the Scriptures to our daily walk. Do we not see that this allows our lives to become different from our original profession, and we have not matured so as to find the strength to prevail in times of stress and distress.

Placing our dependence upon our initial experience of grace, we feel it is "fixed up with Jesus" years ago. The zeal of the scribes and Pharisees may well show they also had an initial experience. But as they sought the recognition and plaudits of the people they became hypocrites. The harshest language Jesus used seems to be that in Matthew as he described the Pharisees and scribes. We propose observing how such "backsliding" is possible among people who were truly saved.

Jesus' remark following his sitting near the treasury and observing the offerings cast in, the remark which said the poor widow who had given only two mites had given most of all among those giving that day. This remark had peaked the interest of the disciples for they knew that such an amount could hardly begin to pay for the rich building of the temple.

As they left Jerusalem where the temple was, going out on the mount of Olives, they could see this imposing structure, and they pointed out to Jesus its magnificence. He said (Mt. 24:2), "See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

"When Shall These Things Be?"

The close followers of Jesus asked this question. With it they asked two other questions: What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the age? They automatically thought of the destruction of the city and temple in Jerusalem as indicating the end of the age, so they asked about the sign of His coming and the end of man's day. He told them "these things" would come to pass in "this generation." Compare Mt. 24:34: "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." Observe the sense in all these passages: Mt. 1l:16; 12:41. 42; 23:36. I think you can tell what the ordinary sense of the words is in all of these, that is, the normal span of time from one generation to the next. This was between thirty and forty years.

The first thing in his answer was a warning. He used an expression which should have been considered by His Jewish hearers. That would mean that the first question would occur within that many years. In fact, A. D. 70 marked the event as our view of later history shows. The other descriptive events must be weighed in this light. Evidently two applications of the sense must be considered. Some of the things, as we shall see, do not occur until the very end of the age, hence, have not happened yet. However, if we remember that His primary emphasis at the moment was for the nation of Israel; they experienced these events in their lifetimes. Those of us living today must grasp that the whole series of statements are to come to pass within the space of a generation, thirty to forty years.

Consider this example of Divine inspiration. A set of circumstances apply to an event known to those hearing the revelation. A second and primary fulfillment of the example comes years later. Hence, the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in A. D. 70 gives us a picture of a later, primary fulfillment in the end of this age. The series will continue for the length of a generation, that is, thirty to forty years.

Some Of The Events In Series

1. Take heed that no man deceive you (v. 4). The perilous (difficult) times will be characterized by deceptions.

2. Many will come claiming to be the Christ, or his personal representative (v.5; 1 Jn. 4:1). There were already in John's day many antichrists had already come (1 Jn. 2:18). If Jesus' words be considered only as applicable to the Jews in a near fulfillment, in John's day, as he lived into the latter part of the century, the prophecy began to apply to believers in the churches in a far fulfillment, the "last days" begun with the crucifixion of Christ (Heb. 1:2; Acts. 2:17).

3. He shall hear of wars and rumors of wars (v. 6). This simply increases the testimony of Christ, as wars have come in every century since Christ. Each one should remind us that Jesus had taught that such enmity between peoples (nations and kingdoms) would disturb all nations

. It says that God knows about all this, takes note on behalf of His own people, and intercedes for them who are His. The conflicts of men, of nations, is an evidence of sin in the world. God's people are thus constantly reminded to be on their guard and not deceived by the affairs of the culture.

4. Famines, pestilences, and earthquakes (v. 7). These things are allowed in God's economy and he is able to handle them all. We who trust Him must believe they have their part in the course of our lives, and should look to God for grace to serve him faithfully always.

5. Birth-pangs in the beginning (v. 8). As great as the previous troubles seem to us in our comfort, these are but the beginning. How many of today's Baptists at ease in Zion will be able to hold out in these difficulties of the end-times? (cf. Am 6:1) "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came! (Num. 24:20) "And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever."

6. Afflictions, death, persecutions, hated by the nations (v.9). It is not to be doubted that this language fits both the near and the far fulfillment. Ask the Jews if they have known the meaning. They still feel it today, perhaps worse than ever. Beginning early in the "last days" the Lord's church began to experience these things. Who doubts but in the end of the age, the far fulfillment includes us who are a part of that holy people? Isa 13:10, "For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine." It may seem that it will be difficult, and specially as long as we think of this prophecy as applying to the literal heavenly bodies. Do you doubt today that those literal heavens are a testimony as to God's support and aid to His children? But is it not already apparent that we are feeling a lack of such support. Yes, this writer believes that God is beginning to administer his chastening hand upon his people for their coldness, their walking without the light of the Word. It is there for us, but we fumble in the dark, sometimes straining in the flesh to do better, but little heavenly light comes through. Today the Bridegroom beckons (Ps. 19:3-7).

It seems today that there is almost a conspiracy to avoid mentioning Christ, the Bible, and the faithfulness of the few who follow Him. How many have read anything about persecution of Christians today! Possibly sooner than we believe Christians, particularly the true church of the Lord, will be delivered up to courts v. 9) and banishment as the cause of the trouble in the world today. Presently we see a few references in the news implying that "the moral majority" is the element causing the problem with their demands upon the liberals to come over to the conservative position. A president who is not afraid to mention God, or pray, is associated with the pestiferous Christians who are the "burrs under the saddle."

7. Many shall be offended (v. 10). Who is offended when the Word of God is held before them as Truth and making it evident that some are in error? So who shall betray us? Who shall hate us? When we are not spiritual people it is easy for us to measure the "offense" of others as a problem which needs to be condemned. We may not admit that we do not love them, but of course we cannot say that we hate them.

Is there a reader who doubts that those offended, betraying others and hating others are references to professed believers and members of true churches? When Christians are united, agreed, enjoying God's blessings, they do not think thus of one another. Perhaps we should make a special effort to see "who is speaking, to whom, and about what."

8. Many false prophets shall arise and deceive many (v. 11, 24; Mk. 13:9-11). The Apostle Paul warned the church at Ephesus about this happening (Acts. 20:29) which obviously indicated it would be among those who came into the church. (See 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 Jn. 4:1: Jude 1:4). It is as though one feels he is called to straighten out those believers with whom he disagrees. The waxing cold of the love of many (v. 12) may be a reaction of church members to the spirit of the world as they rise up to refute the Truth of the Bible. Any time we tend to resist the calumny of the world our own love for God and for the brethren is threatened. How important it is that we read the Bible much, pray much, and seek the face of our High Priest in resisting this prospect..

Heb 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

2 Tim. 1:15, "This thou know-est, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

2 Tim 4:16, "At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge."

It happened in New Testament days, while the inspired writers were still alive. I doubt not that it will happen on a great extent near the coming of the Christ.

9. He that shall endure ( v. 13). It is unfortunate that our preaching and our use of words has left the impression that "shall be saved" only applies to what happens when one first believes in Jesus. The word means "be delivered", including be healed. Saved here suggests that those enduring maintain a resistance and a continuing of faith and repentance, so that such will not be physically lost as a result of this sin, coldness, and hardness brought on by the continuing pressure. "Enduring hardness" means overcoming.

10. The gospel of the kingdom is (v. 14) to be preached all the way to the end of the age. The disciples had asked for a sign of his coming and of the end of the age (world in AV.). One of the signs, which may be seen and understood, is the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom. As far back as Genesis the hope of the coming of Messiah to sit on a throne and rule the world is promised. Abraham saw that day, the day of Christ, and rejoiced (Jn. 8:56). John the Baptist, and then Jesus, came on the scene announcing the coming of the kingdom. That is the gospel of the kingdom which most Baptists know as the Millennium. This good news of the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ is the gospel which is to be preached in all the world for a witness. It seems that many believers, including leaders among professing Christians, have not recognized this kingdom.. Jesus said, "But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you" (Lk. 11:20). "Finger of God" is a manner of speaking of the power of God. In the last analysis the Kingdom of God and of Christ are references to a dispensation in which God's power will be universal, admitted by all subjects. This has not come yet because of the rebellion of human sinners. His power or authority has always been evident to a limited number of men, but not until it extends over all men is it called the kingdom to come. Where His authority is supreme, there does the King have Dominion and His will is done there. It is so done in heaven. We are to pray that it be so done on earth, but that comes to pass fully when He returns to the earth in power and great glory. We speak accommodatingly in recognizing God's authority on earth today, even without the presence of Christ. But He could say it had come, because in His presence is its power and glory.

15. The Abomination of Desolation, spoken by Daniel the prophet.

Dan. 12:11: "And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days."

Dan. 9:27: "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

Dan. 8:13: "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?"

This area of prophetic truth is not easily understood, so not many are aware of it. But Jesus said, "Whoso readeth, let him under- stand." It is that important, but subject to misunderstanding, because men use their human judgment, but God grants discernment only in his own time. At that time for the abomination of desolation to come is surely at the end of the age, for Jesus in Mt. 24:21 identifies it as at the time of the Great Tribulation, a tribulation greater than any seen prior to Jesus day, and none greater to come after it. This surely seems to identify it with the great tribulation of Rev. 17:14. When Rev. 2:22 mentions "great tribulation" it seems to be an all-inclusive term, touching on all tribulation which is promised to come on the churches of the Lord from their beginning, during His personal ministry on earth, as well as on those who cause her to commit spiritual fornication (Rev. 2:23).

Such language as we find in Mt. 24 descriptive of the latter days, that in 1 Tim. 4:3, certainly show the meaning of "perilous" as descriptive of the last days: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth."

Phrases from the Jewish prophet Daniel seem to differ, but there is enough similarity in the wording to make the words of Jesus (Mt. 24:15) understandable. In the first passage the Angel Michael told Daniel that it would be a long time (Dan. 12:1-13). On the other hand, John, in Revelation, was told that it would be short (Rev. 22:6), so his book was to be open, not sealed. Daniel was told to seal his book. It would not help people back in those days to know just how short the time would be, or how long. (Mk. 24:15-27).

Jesus was pointed in his language regarding knowledge of the last day: Mt 25:13 "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them."

Mr 13:32 "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."

2 Pet. 3:8 "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?"

Rev. 22:20 "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

The second passage from Daniel (9:20-27) seems less difficult. Its referring to the abomination that makes desolate gives it a sense along with the other two containing that same expression.

The meaning extends to the last days of this era, that of man's rebellion against God. This one brings in the last super enemy, the antichrist of the last day, but he is destroyed without hand by the King, Christ. All there passages tell of the opposition which extended to the temple and the sacrifice in Israel. Perilous times indeed! But Victory comes at last by the Lord Jesus Christ.

We hope to visit these passages in a later issue, but soon, and deal with the last three passages which mention "last days," the topic begun in the June Reminder.

This editor expects that many questions have been raised by this discussion. We welcome your questions and also your suggestions. We are convinced that we are in or about to begin seeing that which Jesus said men would see: the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet. q

The Reminder, July 2003

We had thought we might have to skip a month because of the pressure of everyday circumstances on the editor's time, but possibly we will make it, only late. At the moment we have a break down of the printer, my computer printer, with which I make the camera ready copy of this paper.

We are told by a few of our readers that they look forward to this paper each month, so we regret their missing an issue. And we so enjoy the study, the research in the word, until we are loathe to let a month go by without a paper. We do ask that you pray for this editor, for his wife. She suffers through many hours of my being away from things she sees need to be done in the house, in the yard and in the garden. There is just one of us able to get around freely, do the mowing, the setting of plants, including flowers, the watering, not to mention getting a meal occasionally. I do not mind such chores. The only uncomfortable part is my having to stop work on the paper sometime in order to do the household items. I am also taking her for physical therapy three times a week.

This article on the signs of the times, actually the perilous features of the "last days," is something needed now if we are to avail ourselves of the strong faith the saints will need when the antichrist comes on the scene.

If you want this advantage you must become very familiar with the Bible itself. I like the AV. (King James Version) because of long usage and general familiarity. But if you feel you need a more modern language, then get the New King James or one of the other translations. All of the versions will reflect the bias of the translators at times.

I am telling our brethren at Bethel Baptist Church in Harrison, we must center our minds on the Person of Christ. When we look at our situation, or at the situation of the churches in general in this generation, we deprive ourselves of the great benefit of spiritual discernment. Make up your mind that the Bible is true. If you do not see its meaning, realize that it is still true and then ask God to point the way for you. Ours is a jealous God and He is not pleased when we neglect Him and give attention to other things which seem to satisfy our desires. Keep in mind that He is God and knows your every need, your desires, even your thoughts. If you suddenly realize your thoughts are going astray, then you must repent and turn to Him for grace to overcome such weakness.

News of Family and Friends

We welcome all outsiders, those not in our membership, to come to any of our services. Very few show up from local residents. We do not care to blame the times, so we accept the responsibility for not proving to you that our message is from God Himself. Give us a try.

This editor, pastor at Bethel BC, feels the responsibility for our spirituality insofar as the Truth is concerned. The emotions of your own heart may have something to do with your not coming our way.

Several people, pastors, and older brethren, call fairly often. Some only ask about our health, but most want to know how the church is doing. Doing is a better word than progressing.

Sister Byrd did risk the difficulties of riding, sitting long in the car, and being away from home over night in order to attend her family's annual reunion the first week in June. This is an annual event and was uplifting this time possibly more than usual. Older members are dropping out, having gone to their long home (Eccl. 12:5). A few are hindered by failing health. It is an appointment we must all meet in God's good time. Bro. Leo Wilson was one who left this past year. Bro. E. J. Pennington, another brother-in-law, was restrained by illness, but his wife, Mary, was there.

The "long home's" call has depleted the list who receive The Reminder. A few just move and do not tell us, so they get lost. We are thankful for those who stay and are blessed by our efforts.

We are blessed to get reports of pastor callings which means a man who longs to preach has been called to a church which needs his best efforts. Bro. Reed Williams tells me he was called by Oak Grove (White County, Ark. I believe). This brother seems like a late bloomer and we are glad God is able to use him.

Bro. Richard Kamerman, possibly the best memory for birthdays, called this week. When he does, which is often, he brings me up to date on illnesses and such. Bro. Melvin Gray was recently in the Judsonia Ark. area where Bro. Edgar Sullivan lives. Bro. Sullivan was improved enough to make a call on James D. Floyd in Mountain Home, Ark. Bro. Floyd has made some improvement through therapy following a stroke. I purpose to visit Bro. Floyd but wife seldom feels good enough just to take off for an hour's visit, so we have not gone since he had the stroke.

We have a small garden. It does take a lot of time. Radishes, lettuce. cucumbers, turnip and mustard greens, and spinach have been very good. Tomatoes are growing.

E-mail is a way to make economical contact in writing with many people. The letter does not even have to reveal who else receives it other than the primary recipient. By this means I recently heard from Bro. Steve Montgomery. He made a recent trip back to Brazil, renewed contact with brethren, preached for eight churches, and saw responses in several places. He seems to be in good health, though his wife has frequent hindrances. He came to Harrison once, we heard later, but did not contact me. This is a testimony of our dark side which makes me sad.