Truth Magazine

By Johnny Stringer

I have often heard covetousness defined as the desire for something that belongs to someone else. I do not believe this definition is correct. Thayer defines Pleonexia, translated “covetousness”) as “a greedy desire.” To covet something is not just to desire it, but to have a greedy desire. It is to desire something too much, attaching so much importance to it that it is an idol to you (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5). You are covetous if you desire something so much that you would sin in order to obtain it or so much that you cannot be content without it. Whether or not the thing you desire belongs to someone else has nothing to do with it.

It is possible to desire something that belongs to someone else, yet not be guilty of covetousness. Did you ever buy anything? Probably so. Why did you buy it? Probably because you desired it. Did it belong to someone else? Yes, it belonged to whomever you bought it from. So you desired something that belonged to someone else; therefore you bought it. If covetousness were merely the desire for something that belonged to someone else, you would have been guilty of covetousness when you desired the thing you later bought. Everything you see in a store belongs to someone. Are you guilty of covetousness any time you want something you see in a store?

I used to hear that if you desire what belongs to someone else, you are covetous. Hence, if someone has something you like, you should not desire his; instead, you should desire another one just like it. But if there is an object like the one that belongs to the other person, it, also, probably belongs to someone else. The real point is, you do not want to take something from someone who does not want to give it up. If you want to take it from him against his will, then you desire it too much; hence, you are guilty of covetousness.

Suppose someone owns some property in just the location where you want to build. You do not want property just like it somewhere else; you want that particular property. Or suppose you collect stamps and you know someone who owns a stamp that is the only one of its kind in the world. You do not want a stamp like that one; you want that particular stamp.

Are you covetous because you desire the property or stamp belonging to someone else? Not necessarily. If the person will not sell you the stamp or the property, are you content without it? Or do you attach so. much importance to it that you will not be content without it, but will resort to whatever means are necessary to get it. The answers to these questions determine whether or not you are covetous. How strong is your desire for the object? How important is it to you? Is it a greedy desire?

Not only can we desire something that belongs to someone else without being covetous, but we can be covetous in our desire for things that do not belong to anyone else. Suppose, for example, the holder of a political office dies leaving the office vacant. A special election is held to fill the office. The office belongs to no one. You want it so badly that you are willing to lie or do just about anything else to get it. In that case, you covet the office; you desire it too much. Your desire for something that does not belong to anyone else is covetous.

So you see, covetousness is not merely the desire for something that belongs to someone else. It is a greedy desire that grows out of thinking a man’s life consists of the things he possesses (Lk. 12:15). “Take heed, and beware of covetousness.”

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 10, p. 301
May 21, 1987

By Kenneth E. Thomas

According to an article in The Bradenton Herald recently, Mr. David B. Barrett, who is styled as a scholar of the Church of England, states that “Currently, of the world’s 4.8 billion people, there are 1.6 billion Christians, 837 million Moslems, 661 million Hindus, 300 million Buddhists, 457 million of other religions, 825 million non-religious and 213 million atheists.”

So many people accept or reject their religious beliefs and practices on the basis of the number who embrace a creed. For example: I have had countless people say to me, “How many people believe as you do on this subject?” My response has always been, “What difference does that make?” The number of people who believe something isn’t the standard by which the truth or falsity of a matter is determined! If a thing is taught in God’s word, it is true if no one believes it! By the same token, if it isn’t taught therein, 837 million believing it doesn’t make it true! Nor is it false because 661 million reject it!

There are all total, if we take Mr. Barrett’s figures lumped together of the Eastern religions (not counting the Jews), 1.798 billion people who reject Jesus as the Christ, and the only prophet of God for these last days as Moses said in Deuteronomy 18:15-18; Acts 3:22-23; Acts 7:37. Do these staggering figures invalidate the biblical facts that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and the world’s only Savior (Matt. 16:16-19; John 14:1-6)? Most believers at this point show an inconsistency because they continue believing on Jesus even in the face of being in such a minority. You and I know that the numbers given above concerning the number of “Christians” in the world doesn’t really tell the tale of how many really are Christians. It lumps together all members of all Protestant and Catholic denominations. One may “join” any and every denomination in town and still not have accepted God’s saving grace through Christ and obedience to the gospel to be forgiven of alien sins and be thereby added to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:22-38, 41, 47; 3:19; 4:11-12; John 3:3-5; Acts 8:26-39; 1 Pet. 3:20-21; Jas. 1:21-25; 2:14-26; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:45-49).

Noah preached to his generation while preparing the giant boat (ark) and most of the world rejected his warning of a great flood which was soon to inundate the whole world (Gen. 6:5-22; 7; 2 Pet. 2:5). Later in speaking of how God blesses those who are obedient to His will, Peter said, “When once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in the which few, that is, eight souls were saved through water. There is an anti-type which now saves us, namely baptism. . . ” (1 Pet. 3:20-21). Only eight believed God’s warning and prepared for the flood. All flesh outside the ark died any way. Few believe baptism is essential to one being saved from alien sins, but still it is true (Acts 2:38; Tit. 3:5).

There are many Bible truths which few believe and accept as recorded in the will of Christ, the New Testament. We hold the views we do based on what the will of, Christ teaches in one of three ways: (1) Command, precept or statement; (2) Approved apostolic example; (3) Necessary inference. Then we recognize two kinds of authority, general and specific. General authority includes all of the items in a class; specific authority restricts to exactly what has been specified.

The following is a partial list of things the Bible teaches which faithful Christians accept as do faithful congregations of the Lord’s people as matters of faith, which the majority of religious people around us in the Protestant and Catholic churches reject. Not only this, so do our “liberal” brethren in a number of these things!

(1) Weekly observance of the Lord’s supper as well as only on Sunday the Lord’s day (Acts 20:6-7; 1 Cor. 11:26-29; Matt. 26:26-29; Luke 22:16-20). Why do you suppose only a few are willing to be guided by what the Scriptures teach in this matter? Does the fact that some partake quarterly or each month or once a year somehow alter God’s will in this matter? No! (2 John 9; Matt. 15:8-9; Col. 2:20-22).

(2) Only vocal music in worship both individually and collectively (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:15; Jas. 5:13; etc.). You see God didn’t say, make music. He said sing! That is specific and may only be obeyed by doing what He has specified. Doing otherwise is to add another kind of music than the music Christ authorizes and this is a serious matter (Rev. 22:18-19; 2 John 9). Now I am aware that only a few of us believe this, but still it is true if the whole world rejects it.

(3) Finance the Lord’s work primarily by a free will offering of the membership into a common treasury on the first day of each week (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8, 9). 1 know denominations around us and some of our “liberal” brethren have a different practice concerning raising of funds on which to operate “their” religious organizations, still tithing and any other method of financing the Lord’s work went out with the close of the Old Testament or when Christ condemned following the doctrines of men (Matt. 15:9; Col. 2:14; Gal. 5:4). Other methods work and the majority of our religious friends practice many methods, still the faithful Christian is willing to “walk by faith” and limit himself to that which is authorized by Christ (2 Cor. 5:7; Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:4).

(4) No organization larger, smaller or other than the local congregation exists by Christ’s authority to function in “church” work (Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28-32; 1 Pet. 5:14; Heb. 13:7, 17). We therefore reject the denominational idea of a head of the church on earth with headquarters to which all member denominations look for direction and doctrinal changes from time to time. We likewise as quickly reject our “liberal” brethren’s “sponsoring church” (eldership) concept which ties churches together in much the same way as do synods, conferences and councils, etc. in the denominations around us (2 John 9-11).

(5) As a proper name, we refuse to be called anything but a Christian. I know that folks are aware that this name is just fine for one to wear and that it is what followers of Christ were originally called by divine decree (Isa. 62:2; 56:5; 1 Tim. 3:15; Acts 11:26b; 1 Pet. 4:16; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Cor. 1: 10- 12; Acts 26:28). Sometimes we say that “we are Christians only and only Christians.” You cannot improve on that! Other names cause the world to see the difference among us. Salvation is only in the name of Christ (Acts 4:12). You cannot glorify God wearing any other name (1 Pet. 4:16). So what if the majority of believers in Christ do not wear this name exclusively, does that make their man-given name right in God’s sight? I know the answer, how about you (1 Pet. 4:11)?

(6) We limit our functions as a collectivity (that which we support from the treasury of the local church) to the things practiced by the first century churches when men guided by the Holy Spirit were among them (Phil. 4:9; 1 Cor. 4:16-17). What did the early churches of Christ do? (1) Preached and supported the preaching of Christ’s word to save sinners and edify the members of the body of Christ. (2) Relieved the physical needs of those among them who were unable to provide for themselves (1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Phil. 4:15-16). That’s it! So what if the most of the religious world about us, including many of our brethren, have opted for the “social gospel”? It is still not that which Christ authorized His churches to support (2 John 9-11)!

(7) As Christians and members of the church of our Lord as a result of being obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7; 2:22-28, 41, 47; 1 Cor. 12:13), we are conscience bound to reject Protestant denominationalism and Catholic tradition and teaching as a system promoting division contrary to the will of Christ and the lovely prayer He prayed in the shadow of the cross as it were (John 17:17, 20-2 1; 1 Cor. 1: 10- 12; Rom. 16:16-17; Eph. 5:11). Never mind the fact that such men as Billy Graham and others advocate the perpetuation of division based on different names, bodies and creeds saying for folks to “join the church of their choice” and practice in essence, the faith of their choice. The Bible still says, “. . . One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God. . . ” (Eph. 4:1-6). See Matthew 15:1-9, 13; Psalms 127: 1; Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Timothy 2:5; Revelation 22:18-19; Ephesians 5:11; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Romans 16:16-18.

(8) As followers of Jesus as our Lord and the Christ of the Old Testament prophecy, we accept the New Testament as His will (John 12:48). We believe that this Testament along with the Old is inerrant and that the original manuscripts were verbally inspired, that is, the very words the Holy Spirit intended to be used were given to those who wrote the New Testament and they did not err in any matter (John 16:7-13; 1 Cor. 2:7-13; 2 Pet. 1:16-21; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3). Now friends and brethren, the number of people who believe as we do about this matter isn’t the determining factor as to whether or not we are right in our beliefs. Nor is the matter of who it is that agrees with us. The determining factor is, is it the truth? I believe there is sufficient evidence internally and externally that it is. My faith rests on that fact.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 10, pp. 296-297
May 21, 1987

By Forrest D. Moyer

Dear Mr. Bakker:

Yours and your wife’s names have been headlines in the newspapers and on television for the past two weeks. The publicity has not been complimentary due to the fact of admitted sin and also concerning the huge financial empire that you have headed. Many different men have made varied pleas and challenges to you. Perhaps none has been made in the way that I want to make one. I want to plead with you to forsake all sin and become just a Christian after the New Testament order. When Agrippa said, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian,” Paul responded by saying, “I would to God that not only you but all who heard me this day were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds” (Acts 26:28-29). Paul was a Christian. No other descriptive terms were used. He was not “fundamentalist,” “charismatic,” “pentecostal,” “Baptist,” or any other kind of a Christian. Will you not consider my simple plea in the same spirit of love in which it is given?

When we read our New Testaments we see what people did to become Christians. They had to hear the word of truth, the gospel of salvation (Eph. 1:13; Rom. 10:17). They had to believe that Jesus was the Son of God (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:37). They were taught to repent – turn from every sin and turn to the Lord in His appointed way (Acts 17:30). You have sinned. I know this not because of your confession of sin, but because God says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). 1 believe that you have not only sinned morally, but even religiously. Please let me tell you why I would make such a seemingly harsh statement. Jesus teaches that to go to Heaven, we must do the will of our Father who is in Heaven (Matt. 7:21). This involves doing our every religious act by the authority of God which is revealed in His word (1 Cor. 2:9-13; Eph. 3:35; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Unless I can turn to the Bible and read of a practice therein, then I dare not engage in that practice lest my worship should be in vain (Matt. 15:9). Throughout the denominations of our day, there are numerous practices that we read nothing about in the New Testament (please allow me to discuss some of these points a little later).

But the fact is that we have sinned and must turn from every sin of every kind. Our Lord Jesus also has prescribed a necessary action in order for us to have our sins forgiven. He says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved-, but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). In language as plain as could every be uttered, Jesus requires us to be baptized in order to be saved. This is His consistent teaching throughout His word. When the people in Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Pentecost cried out, “What shall we do?” Peter answered, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). We can also read such Scriptures as Acts 22:16; Romans 6:1-6; Colossians 2:12-13; 1 Peter 3:21. The Scriptures are consistent: one must be baptized (immersed in water) in order to have his sins forgiven. Yes, we are saved by God’s grace, but it is not by grace only. Yes, we are saved by our faith, but not by faith only. Our faith takes God at His word (Gal. 5:6; James 2:17-26). It is a lack of faith to reject anything that He requires of us and the purpose for which it is required. Baptism is required for the remission of our sins. It is not “because we are saved.” It is not just an outward sign of an inward cleansing. May I plead with you to be baptized for the remission of your sins? And please don’t reason by saying, “Well., I have been baptized.” Both you and I know that the teaching of your denomination is that salvation (the remission of sins) precedes baptism. You cannot be baptized for the remission of sins if you believe that your sins have already been forgiven.

When you are baptized, not only is every sin forgiven you, but God Himself adds you to His church (Acts 2:47). This is not a denomination. It is simply His called out body. Those thus saved associate themselves together in a local congregation – a group of saved people who follow the Bible. We never read of any kind of organization larger or smaller than the local church. There were no denominations, no combine of churches, no earthly headquarters. There were just local churches totally autonomous under qualified overseers called elders, bishops or pastors (1 Tim. 3:1ff; Tit. 1:5ff; Phil. 1:1). Evangelists were simply preachers of the word. There was no “one man pastor system” in the New Testament churches. These early Christians met each “first day of the week” to partake of the Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7). They prayed together, taught and studied together (Acts 2:42). They sang together (without any instrumental accompaniment). They loved God, they loved each other, and they loved the souls of fellow men. There was no pomp or pageantry. They worked to save the souls of people and to edify one another. Shouldn’t churches now strive to be just like that? But alas! People have added so much to what the Bible teaches. They have gotten farther and farther away from His simple plan. Thus, religious error has entered in and religion is not what God intended. Jesus prayed for unity (John 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10). Religious leaders have promoted division. Instead of one body (Eph. 4:4-5) we see many bodies teaching and practicing adverse doctrines. My plea to you is to forsake all these human practices and become just a Christian as we read in the New Testament. Not only will your sins be forgiven you, but you will find thousands of like-minded disciples striving to follow the Bible. Your potential in preaching the pure, simple gospel is great. Brethren will follow the divine injunction to forgive, comfort, and love (2 Cor. 2:6-8). You can serve the Lord Jesus Christ for the rest of your life as a Christian. It doesn’t promise you wealth, but it promises a home in Heaven. It doesn’t promise you popularity, but it promises that He “will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Dear friend, will you please consider this simple plea from a Christian who loves you and wants to see you serve in the greatest relationship there is – the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. I would delight in furthering this correspondence. May I hear from you?

In brotherly love,

Forrest D. Moyer

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 10, pp. 302-303
May 21, 1987

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: Does 666 in Revelation 13:18 refer to a future pope? Is “Babylon the Great” a clear, direct prophecy of the Roman Catholic Church?

Reply:. As to the identity of the number 666 in Revelation 13:18, many interpretations have been given. It has been identified with about every known sinister character in history, from Nero to Mussolini. Futurists see the number 666 as some wicked ruler who will appear just before the final return of Christ and the end of the world.

A method of solving the identity of the number 666 was used by later Jews and early Christians known as Gematria. It is described as “the use of letters of a word so as by means of their combined numerical value to express a name, or a witty association of ideas” (ISBE, Vol. IV, p. 2162). Men have been deciphering the name of the beast for centuries. One theory reduces “Nero Caesar” to the Hebrew consonant equivalent “Nron Ksr.” The Hebrew numerical equivalent is N = 50, R = 200, 0 = 6, N = 50, K = 100, S = 60, R = 200. The total is 666. So, many interpreters believe that the number 666 is Nero. It has been pointed out that “the recent discovery of an Aramaic illustration of Nero Caesar, spelled so as to equal 666 at Qumram gives credence to this as a solution” (J.W. Roberts, The Revelation to John, p. 116).

Irenaeus (120-202 A.D.) introduced the view that the first Roman ruler was named Latinus (spelled Lateinos in Greek). Using the Greek evaluation method, L = 30, A = 1, T = 300, E = 5, 1 = 10, N = 50, 0 = 70, S = 200. The total is 666. So, the number of the beast came to be identified later with the Roman Catholic Church because of its association with Rome and its use of Latin. This has been a very popular view, especially among older expositors. Alexander Campbell, in his debate with bishop Purcell (held in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1837), identified the number with papal Rome. (See Campbell-Purcell Debate, p. 287.) He affirmed that the Roman Catholic Church “is the Babylon of John, the Man of Sin of Paul, and the Empire of the Youngest Horn of Daniel’s Sea Monster” in the third proposition of the debate (Ibid., p. 281).

Systems have been worked out to identify the code 666 with Hitler, by giving numerical equivalents to the letters of our English alphabet. Many names in different languages have been deciphered to solve the code 666. These are but a few examples of these efforts.

We must bear in mind that the book of Revelation is an apocalypse; thus such writings is characterized by imagery, symbols and signs. For this reason, modern readers are in a more difficult position to positively identify codes which were most probably understood by the Christians who lived at that time. They were in peril, their lives being in jeopardy because of persecution; so most likely codes or symbols were used for their protection. The number “6” (Rev. 4:8) and “666” (Rev. 13:18) had significance. In oriental numerology the number “6” indicated doom when by itself. The number “666” denoted greater evil; it was evil intensified (see Pieters, Milligan, et al).

In chapter thirteen, John saw two beasts (one coming up out of the sea, v. 1, and the other coming up out of the earth, v. 11); both are allies of Satan. In harmony with the symbolic use of numbers in the book of Revelation, “six” represents that which is evil. Tripled it would be intensified evil, as we have seen. Being short of the number seven (a symbol of perfection), the number 666 also emphasizes failure or doom. It should be noted here that there is no definite article before man. Therefore, the idea is the number of man, not some specific man. Homer Hailey comments: “the number of the beast stands for the complete and total failure of all human systems and efforts antagonistic to God and His Christ” (Commentary on Revelation, p. 299). This is a reasonable conclusion in view of the context.

To suppose that the number 666 refers to some future pope would be of no significance to those Christians living in John’s day. The purpose of the Apocalypse was to comfort Christians. Portrayed for them is the defeat of their enemies and the ultimate victory of Christ (Rev. 17:14). Neither would “Babylon the Great,” being identified as the Roman Catholic Church, be of any significance or consolation to the saints at the time the book of Revelation was written.

It seems more in harmony with the context to conclude that human devices and systems which oppose Christ and His cause are symbolized by the cryptogram 666, rather than some specific man. “Babylon the Great” more logically refers to Jerusalem, if the Revelation was written before 70 A.D.; or to Rome, if the book was written at a later date, c. 96 A.D. In either case, “Babylon” symbolizes lust and seduction (17:3,4) rather than some specific institution such as the Roman Catholic Church.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 10, p. 293
May 21, 1987