Truth Magazine

By Mark Mayberry

The coming of Christ is a central theme of the Bible. The Old Testament anticipated the coming of Christ; the Gospels bear witness to the fact that he did come; and the Epistles emphasize that he is coming again. Frequently the question arises, “When will Christ return?” The Bible says “The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (1 Thess. 5:1). In this regard, Jesus said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matt. 24:36). Attempting to reveal the time of Christ’s second coming becomes an obsession with some men. Predictions have been made countless times in the last 2,000 years, but none has come to pass. You would think that folks would learn after a while, but the prognostication continues. Consider some members of “The Date Setter’s Hall of Fame.”

William Miller

William Miller (1782-1849) was one of the founders of the Seventh Day Adventist movement. On the basis of a detailed examination of the Bible, especially the books of Daniel and Revelation, Miller predicted first that March 21, 1844 and later that October 22, 1844 would be the date when Christ would return in glory and the Earth would be cleansed by fire, ushering in the millennium. When the time passed without event, many of his followers drifted away.

At this point Ellen G. White (1827-1915) entered the picture. She claimed a vision in which she saw the followers of the Adventist faith being ushered into heaven. This gave the movement a much needed boost of morale. Then she reinterpreted Miller’s predictions by saying that he was right on the date but wrong on the event. According to Mrs. White, on October 22, 1844 the Lord went into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. There he began to judge and investigate the fives of the believers. She taught that when Jesus finished this “investigative judgment,” he would return to the earth and the millennium would begin. Thus by putting a new spin on Miller’s prophecies, this young woman saved his movement and became the leader of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Charles T. Russell

Charles T. Russell, founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, was also a famous date setter. Down through the years either he or his organization has said the Lord would return in 1874, 1914, 1975, etc. They have been disappointed repeatedly. The Watchtower Society tried to save face by redefining predictions that did not come to pass. For example, after nothing happened in 1914, they said that the Lord did indeed return to earth, but in an invisible state. Nice try, but the Bible says, “behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him” (Rev. 1:7).

Herbert W. Armstrong

In 1956, Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Worldwide Church of published a booklet called 1975 in Prophecy. He predicted that Christ would return in 1975. Furthermore, he claimed the Bible prophesied that one-third of the population of America, the British nations, and the democracies of northwest Europe would die of famine and disease by the middle of 1970s. Another third of the population would die in World War III at the hands of a German-dominated European dictatorship. The remaining third of the population would be transported like cattle as slaves to Europe and South America. Needless to say, none of this ever came to pass.

Hal Lindsey

Hal Lindsey, a graduate of the Dallas Theological Seminary, made himself a wealthy man by popularizing the doctrine of premillennialism. in a series of best selling books in the late 1970s. His most prominent book was The Late Great Planet Earth, which sold an estimated 14 million copies. His book and the subsequent movie applied various Bible prophecies to current events in an attempt to offer a blueprint for the Apocalypse. By playing very loose with the facts and with a number of fantastic leaps in reasoning, Lindsey argued that current events signaled the end of the world. The pollution problem, the world food shortage crisis, and the current Middle East conflicts all were foretold in the Bible. Mr. Lindsey was more cautious than some in setting dates for the second coming of Christ, but he dropped broad hints that 1988 would be a very interesting year (Tampa Tribune, 2-19-79, p. 31); Houston Post, 6-14-81, p. 7A). All I can say is, “Don’t hold your breath.”

Willie Day Smith

Willie Day Smith of Irving, TX announced that the Lord would rapture His saints on April 1, 1980. A Texas Tech graduate with a chemical engineering degree, Smith based his calculations on a study of Bible prophecy and what he called “Hebrew numerics.” Shortly before the target date, he said, “It’s interesting that April I is April Fools’ Day, and the Bible talks about being fools for Christ.” When the date passed without event, newsmen visiting his home found the doors locked, shades drawn and two cars in the driveway. One wag wrote that it could not be determined if the latter-day prophet had indeed been raptured, but it appeared that he was simply ignoring visitors. It is obvious that Willie Day was the one who was fooled (Houston Post, 4-2-80, Sec. 1, p. 3).

Ted Kresge

In St. Petersburg, Florida, a 41 year-old karate instructor named Ted Kresge kicked off a massive advertising campaign in 1981 declaring that the end was near. He took out full-page ads in more than 40 newspapers across the country claiming that he had “absolute proof” that all born-again Christians would be “raptured” to heaven on Saturday, June 20, 1981. This would trigger a seven-year period of tribulation, including global famine, natural disaster, economic collapse, world war, and the emergence of the Anti-Christ. Near the close of that epoch, Christ would return to Earth and defeat the evil-doers in the climactic Battle of Armageddon. Afterwards the earth would enjoy a millennium of peace and prosperity (Houston Post, 6-14-81, p. 7A). This man wasted a lot of good money on newspaper ads, didn’t he?

Bill Maupin

Bill Maupin of Tucson, Arizona, leader of the Lighthouse Gospel Tract Foundation, predicted that the rapture would occur on Sunday, June 28th, 1981. Maupin, who claims that God first began speaking to him in 1965, predicted that a seven year tribulation period would follow. The “Anti-christ” would appear in 1984 and rule the earth until the Battle of Armageddon on May 14, 1988. At this point, Maupin believed, the Lord and his followers would return to Earth to establish his kingdom, bringing about 1,000 years of peace. Some of his 40 to 50 disciples quit their jobs, sold their homes and cars, or declined to renew their apartment leases. On the appointed day, Maupin went to the desert and waited for Jesus to appear and take him to heaven. He didn’t (Houston Post, 6-29-81, p. 5A).

Edgar Whisenant

Most recently, a 56 year old former NASA Rocket Engineer named Edgar Whisenant proclaimed the Lord would return on Tuesday, September 13th, 1988. In his book, 88 Reasons Why The Rapture Will Be In 1988, Whisenant affirmed that the saints would be raptured during the 48 hours of this Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 11-13). This date is considered important because it falls 40 years and 120 days after Israel became a nation on May 14, 1948. He also forecast various other events: Israel will sign a peace treaty with an unnamed Anti-Christ on September 21, 1988. World War III will start on October 4, 1988 and the climatic Battle of Armageddon will be fought exactly 7 years later in 1995. The final battle with Satan will occur on March 17, 2999 A.D., and eternity will commence January 1, 3000 A.D.

The World Bible Society of Nashville, TN printed over 2,000,000 copies of this book. They sold many booklets, but gave away over 700,000 free copies. Reaction varied around the country. Multitudes responded with skepticism, but great excitement was generated in certain quarters of the religious community. “Rapture parties” were held where people gathered for prayer, Bible reading and discussion about the Lord’s second coming. Costly efforts were made by various individuals to inform the public of the Lord’s impending return. A retired Ohio fire-fighter named Ed Koval paid $3,700 to purchase a full page advertisement in a Toledo newspaper to inform people that the day of reckoning was at hand. A couple in Pensacola, FL paid $5,000 to put up a dozen billboards announcing the Lord’s arrival in September (Dallas Morning News, 9-3-88, 45A; The Paris News, 9-12-88 3A; Various UPI News Stories). Once again, these self-appointed harbingers have been revealed to be false prophets.

Having considered these examples, I am reminded of the words of Moses when he pointed out the difference between a true prophet and a false prophet: “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him” (Deut. 18:21-22).

Conclusion

Why are people so quick to believe such predictions? Many who feel anxious and vulnerable by the precipitous state of world affairs find comfort in the premillennial faith. They believe that every crisis reported on the evening news is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. This notion gives order and meaning to the turbulence facing mankind. It gives people a sense of security.

Why are religious leaders so quick to jump on the bandwagon? Many seek to capitalize on the excitement and interest generated by such predictions. Their prime objective is evangelism. They seek converts at any cost, and the end justifies the means. Such an approach is flagrantly manipulative.

The Staunton Street Apostolic Church in Huntington, WV, ran a full-page newspaper ad announcing that Jesus would return on September 13th, 1988. After the ad ran, 165 people showed up at the church to be baptized. “We’re not trying to be alarmist, but if it does happen, it would be crazy not to prepare your heart,” said Edwin Harper, minister of the church (June Preston, UPI Wire Story, September 14, 1988).

Billie Friel, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Mount Juliet, TN, said, “This has become something of a spiritual phenomenon. . . . I think this book has caused people to go back to the Bible.” Friel said that nearly 400 people gathered at his church one Sunday afternoon for a two hour discussion of Edgar Whisenant’s predictions. “About 70 people gave testimonies of how this has changed their lives,” he said. “A deadline is a great motivator, and this deadline has people studying the Bible,” Friel said, “It shakes people up when a deadline is put on something like this” (Frances Meeker, “Christians Prepare To Meet Jesus,” The Nashville Banner, 9/88, P. A-8).

There is a down side, however, that cannot be ignored. The use of such predictions to gain converts is crass and exploitative. In the long run it creates skepticism and disbelief. Many who are unlearned will put their faith in these predictions rather than in the Bible. When such prophecies inevitably fail, the faith of many will be destroyed. They become permanently “turned off” to religion. I am remind ed of the words of Jeremiah:

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture! ” says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the Lord (Jer. 23:1-2, NKIV).

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 24, pp. 752-754
December 15, 1988

By R.J. Evans

Brother John Clark once related a story about a woman who told a preacher she had a bad temper, but that it was over in a minute. “So is a shotgun blast, but it blows everything to pieces,” was the preacher’s reply. And far too many of us who are Christians are triggered by the least little incident, frequently losing our temper. When we lose our temper, we usually do and say things in anger which we later regret. “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly” (Prov. 14:17).

It has been said that “anger is like rain, which breaks itself upon that whereon it falls.” For example, anger usually culminates in bitter words, insults, the revealing of secrets or in the breaking off of relations between two parties. Of the aforementioned, insults are probably the most frequent cause of anger. Most of us had rather be injured physically than insulted. There is something about an insult that makes us want to repay with a worse insult. How many of us possess the magnanimous spirit of Abraham Lincoln when he was insulted? It is reported that when he was told that one of his cabinet members, Edwin Stanton, called him a fool, he replied, “If Stanton says I am a fool, I had better look into the matter, for he is a wise man.” No doubt that worked much better than if he would have retaliated by losing his temper, setting off a chain reaction with much more bitterness and resentment to follow. Incidently, after Lincoln was killed, it was Stanton who remarked in subdued tones of respect, “There lies the greatest leader this country has ever known.”

The Bible teaches us the importance of practicing self-control. It is listed as the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23, and among what we sometimes refer to as the “seven Christian graces” in 2 Peter 1:6. Self-control is one of the Christian’s weapons against the world. And practicing self-control involves controlling our temper. We must follow after Christ’s example – “Who, did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled~ reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Pet. 2:22-23). The person who continually loses his temper is like an undefended city or one in ruins. The wise man Solomon said, “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” (Prov. 25:28). What a sign of weakness when we constantly lose our temper! And it is certainly a poor reflection of Christ in our lives when we “fly off the handle.”

Christians must learn to be calm and serious. James said, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath (Jas. 1:19). This brings to mind the motto: “Think twice before you speak. Losing your temper, blurting out angry words, and speaking your mind excites strife. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Prov. 15:1).

“Angry words! O let them never

From the tongue unbridled slip;

May the heart’s best impulse ever

Check them ere they soil the lip.”

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 24, p. 747
December 15, 1988

By Alan Jones

Steve Freeze, out brother in Christ, an inmate at the Indiana Youth Center, recently pleaded with me to take time out of my busy schedule and do some writing about my work of taking the gospel to the imprisoned. He has a great desire for many brethren to be informed of this tremendous field “white already unto harvest” (Jn. 4:35) so that they may also begin reaping. To this end, therefore, this article.

Primarily, my work with inmates is done at the Indiana State Reformatory at Pendleton, Indiana, though Steve and I are studying evidences together by correspondence. For the history of the teaching of the gospel at Pendleton, see the article written by Kevin Sulc (GOT, Vol. 31, No. 21, pp. 8-9).

Update

At least nine men at Pendleton are servants of Jesus. Approximately twenty men are being studied with weekly by seven preachers, Phil Morgan, Joe McCameron, Rich Gant, Galen Miller, Paul Johnson, Tommy Pledger, and me. Kevin Sulc is now working with the Rivermont congregation in Chester, VA, but continues to be involved in the work through correspondence courses.

Contacts continue to be made faster than they can be followed up, especially because the men who are being taught are referring us to others who they’ve found interested.

There is good prospect for what is called a “count-letter,” a session of worship and study that fifteen inmates could participate in with fifteen of us from “the outside.” The Activities Director is pulling for us to have such an opportunity and the inmates we’re studying with are circulating a petition to show the Administration their interest.

Ken Kersey, a very mature brother in the faith, has begun to do some writing for circulation among the inmates. This may turn into a monthly periodical, “The Word is Not Bound,” which this inmate brother will edit and do most of the writing.

The chaplain has been the Devil’s right-hand man to seek to discourage us and those we’re working with, especially by standing in the way of men’s baptism. James Thompson had to wait ten months to be baptized. We’re thankful for his persistence and for the fact that he’s now a new creature in Christ. Pray for our obstacle with the chaplain to be in some way removed so that he might not continue to, as Elymas, “seek to turn men aside from the faith” (Acts 13:8).

When Kevin wrote his article last November, my support was not yet established on a regular monthly basis. This continued to be the case until April of this year when it was secured. It remains yet intact. The ten months that my wife Jill and I were unsure of how our bills would be paid increased our faith in the providence of God and in our brothers and sisters in Christ who, both congregationally and individually, gave so that our needs were well supplied.

Application

No doubt one of the reasons that I haven’t before now sat down to write of prison evangelism is that there is so much which could be said. Each month I send out a report to those supporting me which is three to six pages. There are many lessons which I could draw from my work, but I’ll just select one for now, one hopefully that will cause one person not now working with the imprisoned to be motivated to take the seed into this fertile area.

All of us are familiar with the laundry detergent commercials on T.V. which are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of a particular brand, especially as compared to their competition. A child is shown getting mud, ketchup, grass, and every imaginable dirty substance on the same shirt. The shirt is then washed, comes out stainless, and the point is made that, if the soap could get out that stain, then it could surely do any of our laundry.

According to Paul, he was the toughest customer the gospel ever faced. He was “before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious,” in his eyes, “chief” of sinners. He told Timothy that this was the reason Jesus extended mercy to him, so that for a times he could serve as an example of his longsuffering. If Jesus was willing to forgive Paul, who was at the least an accomplice to murder, and appoint him to his service – sending him around the world, even before the Emperor of the world, with his gospel; and, through the Holy Spirit, allowing him to write half of our N.T. books – he will forgive and he will be able to use anyone! (1 Tim. 1:12-16)

The apostle declared that it is the gospel which is God’s power to cleanse every stain and to transform a man from a sinner to a servant of righteousness (Rom. 1:16; 6:17-18). The “good news” made the difference in the life of Paul. It continues to convict, convert, and cleanse even criminals like him yet today and make them useful for the Master.

If you have opportunity to teach men (or women) in prison, don’t doubt the power of the gospel. Though they may be bound, the Word of God is not (1 Tim. 2:9). Take them the message of hope found in the example of Paul that they might have opportunity to be saved and to exclaim as he, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Tim. 1:17).

(If you live near Pendleton, Plainfield, Westville, or Michigan City, Indiana and want some contacts to get started, let me know!)

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 24, p. 741
December 15, 1988

By Donald Townsley

From time to time men set forth the doctrine that we should “preach Christ” and leave the controversial subjects of the plan of salvation and the church alone. Some say, “just preach the man and not the plan”; others says, “preach Christ and not the church.” Their idea is that we can get more people to listen to us if we don’t identify ourselves with the church of Christ; people are “turned off” by the church, they say. This doctrine is presently being propagated by some and needs to be examined in light of the word of God. Is it possible to “preach the man and not the plan,” or to “preach Christ and not the church”? Let us see what we can learn from God’s word.

Can One Preach Christ Without Preaching The Plan?

The first lesson we all need to learn is that Jesus Christ is revealed to us in the word of God, and to fully preach Christ is to preach him as he is revealed in that Word. Christ is inseparably connected with the Old Testament (Lk. 24:44); he was foreshadowed by the Law (Heb. 10:1-4). Christ is inseparably connected with every book of the New Testament. He is the one Lawgiver (Jas. 4:12); the one who authorized it (Matt. 28:18). He is inseparably connected with all his commands, his promises, his warnings, his church, his supper (the Lord’s Supper), and his plan of salvation. All this being true, we cannot ignore any pan of what he has said without ignoring that much of Christ. We cannot ignore part of his will and be pleasing in his sight (Jas. 2:10).

Philip is an example of one who preached Christ (Acts 8): “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them” (Acts 8:5). “. . . But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12). This text says Philip “preached Christ”; what did he preach?

1. “Things concerning the kingdom of God” (the church, Matt. 16:18-19);

2. “The name of Jesus Christ” (Christ’s authority, Matt. 28:18);

3. “They believed . . . were baptized. (the plan of salvation, Acts 2:38; Mk. 16:16).

We can see that in preaching Christ, Philip preached the plan of salvation. What did Peter preach on the day of Pentecost? He preached the plan of salvation (Acts 2:22-38). Christ is not fully preached without the plan; man cannot be saved without obedience to that plan (Rom. 6:17; 2 Thess. 1:8), so it is impossible to “preach the man without the plan.”

Can One Preach Christ And Not Preach The Church?

Christ and the church were inseparable in the eternal purpose of God (Eph. 3:9-11), and one cannot preach Christ without preaching his church. When Philip preached Christ in Samaria he preached the church (“the things concerning the kingdom of God, ” Acts 8:5,12).

One cannot preach on the blood of Christ and not preach the church. Paul taught that the church was purchased with the blood of Christ (Eph. 5:25; Acts 20:28). The church, therefore, is inseparably connected with the blood of Christ; to be bought with the blood of Christ is to be in his church. We contact the blood of Christ in baptism (Rom. 6:3) and enter the body, the church, by baptism (1 Cor. 12:13); when we are baptized we are bought with the blood of Christ (1 Cor. 6:20), and are added to his church (Acts 2:47). That which Christ purchased with his blood was his church (Acts 20:28), and one cannot fully preach what the New Testament teaches concerning the blood of Jesus Christ without preaching his church.

One cannot preach salvation in Christ without preaching salvation in the church. The apostle Paul said that salvation is in Christ (2 Tim. 2: 10) and that the church, the body of Christ, is the fulness of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23); so every blessing in Christ is enjoyed in the church. Paul told the Ephesians that Christ is the Savior of the body (Eph. 5:23), and Luke said that the saved are added to the church (Acts 2:47). Since salvation is in Christ (2 Tim. 2:10); the church is the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23); Christ is the Savior of the body (Eph. 5:23); and the saved are added to the church (Acts 2:47), then it follows that salvation is in the church. One cannot, therefore, preach salvation in Christ without preaching salvation in the church.

One cannot preach glory to God in Christ without preaching the church. One cannot give glory to God in Christ without being in the church. Paul said in Ephesian 3:21: “Unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever” (ASV). When one is baptized he is baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27), into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13), and it is God’s will that he (God) be glorified in the church and in Christ.

The importance of the church is seen when we consider that:

1. Christ purchased it – gave himself for it (Eph. 5:25; Acts 20:28).

2. Christ loved it (Eph. 5:25).

3. Christ is the Savior of it (Eph. 5:23).

4. Christ sanctified and cleansed it (Eph. 5:26).

5. Christ is the head of it (Eph. 1:22-23).

6. It is the fulness of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23).

7. Christ and the church are one (Eph. 5:31-32).

8. Christ will present it to himself a glorious church (Eph. 5:27).

I believe you can see from this short examination of the Scriptures that one cannot fully preach Christ without preaching the plan of salvation and the church. To be ashamed of the church is to be ashamed of Christ because the church is his body (Eph. 1:22-23). Let us never think we can preach Christ and not preach his church. The church is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). Let us never be guilty of trying to separate Christ and his church; it is an impossibility if we walk in truth

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 24, pp. 746-747
December 15, 1988