Truth Magazine

By Frank Jamerson

In Hal Lindsey’s speculative book, The Late Great Planet Earth, he says: “God’s kingdom will be characterized by peace and equity, and by universal spirituality and knowledge of the Lord. Even the animals and reptiles will lose their ferocity and no longer be carnivorous” (p. 165).

The error in the last sentence comes from a misunderstanding of Isaiah 11:6-9. The context of the verses shows clearly that this has a spiritual fulfillment. Verse ten says, “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and his rest shall be glorious.” “That day” refers to the day he has just discussed in verses 6 through 9. “The root of Jesse” refers to Jesus and Romans 15:8-12 quotes this prophecy and shows that it has been fulfilled. Gentiles can seek after the Lord, therefore the peaceful kingdom described in this passage is in existence.

The spiritual peace prophesied in Isaiah 11 has been proclaimed through the gospel of Christ. Paul said: “For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself one new man, so making peace” (Eph. 2:14,15). The gospel has its effect upon the hearts of men, not the bodies of wild beasts and reptiles!

Not only does the gospel bring unity between Jews and Gentiles, but it tames the “wildness” in men. James said that the venomous part of a man is his tongue. “For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God” (Jas. 3:7-9). To think of man in the figures of wild animals or poisonous snakes may not bolster our egos, but the failure of man to tame the wildness within causes “biting and devouring” (Gal. 5:15), and destruction (Jas. 3:5). Once you have been attacked by a “wild beast” or “poisonous viper” you can appreciate the need for the application of Isaiah’s prophecy to men!

Paul said, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). As our thoughts and actions are brought under the control of Christ, through the gospel, the “wild beasts” of Isaiah are being tamed. To the extent that the thoughts and passions of man are not brought under control the ferocity and venom remain.

It is not enough to say that the premillennial interpretation of these passages is wrong, we must also interpret them in our lives by being what God would have us be. When God’s truth is applied in our hearts, those formerly hurtful and destructive characteristics are replaced by a peaceful and loving disposition.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 23, p. 725
December 5, 1985

By A Concerned Father

There is an increasing incidence of so-called “shotgun weddings” among members of our Lord’s church. It is apparent that the primary cause of this is fornication. In fact, statistics show that more than I million teenage girls get pregnant each year! But does fornication that leads to conception necessarily demand a wedding? Or do parents (because of social pressures and embarrassment) force young people to get married under such circumstances? It is my conviction that the latter is the case most of the time when there is a shotgun wedding.

I have chosen to write this article without including my name or situation in life to say something that I never heard anyone say before. You see, I was married at an early age because I committed fornication, and she became pregnant. My parents didn’t know about this until the baby was due, and we were not forced by anyone to go ahead with the marriage. But, we felt the social pressures that prevail among “respectable people,” and so we were married. Since that time, I have seen a multiplicity of cases like ours which have ended in divorce. This has caused me to wonder how wise it is to encourage (yea even force!) young people to go ahead and get married when they get “caught” in fornication.

It may be that we are forgetting a very basic, biblical fact: fornication can be forgiven, but a marriage cannot! Perhaps the lax attitudes among some so-called “gospel preachers” these days, would cause some to take issue with this statement, but I firmly believe that the Bible so teaches! Is it not better to endure the shame of bearing a child out of wedlock, than to face the possibility of spending the remaining days of your life alone because of an unscriptural divorce? These are serious questions that are seldom considered by those who are “caught in fornication,” but I am convinced that they should and in fact must be considered by those who truly love the Lord.

I would also like to give attention to some of the cases (many which I know of personally) where God-fearing young people do marry as a result of fornication, and stay together! There can be no doubt that in most of these cases, one or the other partner has felt that he was trapped into the marriage – especially when things aren’t going just right! It is true, that those who care about their souls will work it out, but some will simply throw in the towel and get a divorce!

There is the possibility that some will feel a sense of resentment toward the child conceived in fornication! This can lead to an unwholesome atmosphere in the home and result in emotional problems for the child. I am thankful that this has not been the case in my family!

Then, there are the problems that come from “mathematicians” (even now I can see some with their calculators checking their preacher’s wedding anniversary against the age of his oldest child!). Couples who were married because of fornication, and who have made public acknowledgment of their sin (which I believe is necessary, 1 John 1:9; James 5:16) often live in fear that someone will “add-it-up” and say something about it! This has never happened to us, but we have never said too much about our anniversary date in an effort to avoid such a problem! Again, this does not encourage happiness in a marriage! A wedding anniversary should be a happy time, not a time to dread each year!

And of course, there is the fear of the time when your children reach an accountable age, and you must explain the situation to them. I don’t know how others have deaft with this, but I am thankful that our children have not held this against us. I would like to think that our attempt to live the life that God directs has caused them to respect us for what we are now, and not for the sins we have committed in the past. But this is something that few if any who force marriage on young couples, ever think about!

Without any doubt, the solution to this problem is to avoid fornication! And I am thankful that our children are striving to live after God’s divine plan! But would I force one of them to marry if they were “caught” in fornication? No! And in fact I would discourage it — even if they thought they were hopelessly in love! Why? Because they can always repent of fornication and be forgiven, but they cannot repent and be forgiven of a marriage!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 24, p. 737
December 19, 1985

By Irven Lee

Your plans may be very private property which you do not wish to make public. You have the right of privacy, and you have the right to change your plans as you mature, but you do need to have some purpose in life. Aimlessness is foolishness. Life is more than a bundle of impulses. This message is addressed to the young people who are at an age when they are very capable of building air castles in their dreams. Please plan for, dream of, and work toward a noble future.

Young man, do you plan to marry? Do you have in mind the kind of home you want? Home is where people live, and a happy marriage can be precious beyond any value that can be measured. An unhappy marriage destroys the possibility of a happy home. If you have the proper wisdom you will consider what type person you will need to help you build a happy family, and you will give much thought to the type of person you need to be in order to find life worth living. If no serious thought is put into understanding the law of cause and effect you will likely be captured by some loud chalk doll who lacks character and common sense. Do you plan to look for and be worthy of a good wife or will you just allow lust and animal instinct to get you involved with one who is led by lust and animal instinct?

The man who obtains a good wife obtains favor of the Lord (Prov. 18:22). The price of a good wife is far above rubies for she will bless him for a lifetime (Prov. 31:10-31). This worthy woman is not the loud, gaudy, lust provoking type. She is quiet, chaste, and willing to work. She appeals to that part of man which is in the image of God. The better life is for those who buffet their own bodies and bring them into subjection. People like this have convictions, purposes, and goals. They are not just bundles of accidents and impulses.

Those who have often been at worship where the Bible has been skillfully taught are more likely to find the good life, since the word of God is for our good always (Deut. 6:24). Unfortunately, some who have pleasant association with Christians and have heard many gospel sermons fail miserably in marriage. Were they listening when they were in worship services? Had they been hearing and seeing too much of the ungodly music and drama offered on television? Had they been careful enough of their associates during the week? Had they kept their thoughts and actions pure when they were going about their daily living?

There are sons and daughters of godly people who marry and then soon divorce. So many Americans do not “flee fornication” because there is a common attitude that condones this home-destroying and soul-destroying sin. Please read and re-read 1 Corinthians 6:9-20. Some faithful Christians appear to be afraid to marry since they have seen so many go through the heart-breaking experience of learning that they are married to unfaithful companions. Their concern is understandable, but there are still pure and holy young people who can be found by those who seek diligently with patience, conviction, and determination. Choose carefully and be worthy yourself.

Young man, do you plan to provide properly for your family? Such a plan must include a willingness to work and a skill in some field of labor. Beyond this, it will require restraint and self-control because you will not be able to buy everything that ‘s in the market place. A man cannot provide food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities if he spends his earnings for the useless and unnecessary things. There are those who can earn but cannot provide for their families because they spend their money for things that are not needed by those who look to them for support. For what will you spend your money? Will impulse and selfishness decide what you buy? A man who cannot or will not control his spending habits should not marry.

Young man, will you break your young wife’s heart by scattering things all over the house after she has worked so hard to have everything neat and in order? This is a fair question. She should keep the house with love, but how can she do this without the cooperation of her family? There are men who want good meals, but they do not provide money for the good. They would like a neat house, but they make it next to impossible for any one to keep it that way.

Have you learned to express your gratitude or do you only mention your complaints? Home is to be a happy place day after day for many decades. This cannot be expected if there is a lack of such important things as respect, unselfishness, and gratitude. Cooperation is part of the frame work of a good family. Will your bride love you until the wedding day and for only a little while after that? What about your friends at this time? Do you make and keep friends, or do they soon tire of you? If you get on your friends’ nerves it may be the same for your wife. Learn now to have that calm, unselfish, and orderly personality that people who are with you constantly admire. This is important to a happy marriage.

One of the most important things you can give to your wife and children is some of your time. People who use their money selfishly will likely use their time selfishly also. Demanding sons and daughters will likely be demanding marriage companions. If you lack understanding of the sacrifices a loving parent has made for you, it might be better for you not to marry because understanding, sharing, and gratitude are far more important than beauty, money foolishly spent, and ability that is not properly used.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 24, p. 742
December 19, 1985

By Gary L. Fiscus

My eldest daughter sometimes walks through the house and permeates each hallway and room with her perfume. Frequently, it is “nice.” Other times it smells like “Essence of Dime Store.”

In reading an illustration of how a fragrance lingers in a room, or flower stems stain the hands of the bearer, I thought of a passage in John 12:3. It tells how Mary’s perfume is said to have filled the house with the odor of her ointment.”

I was interested in this phrase and in studying learned that neither Matthew, Mark nor Luke recorded the sentence. (See Mt. 26:6-13; Mk. 13:3-9; and Lk. 7:37-39.) This intrigued me even more. Why did the Holy Spirit see fit to record it at all? Why in John’s account, and no one else’s? I cannot answer the questions, but the sentence has provoked some thought.

The illustration I mentioned above speaks of an adverse odor of the familiar skunk. An attacked skunk certainly leaves his distinctive mark on whomever is around. The same, however, is true of a room filled with roses, as well as anyone touching those flowers. I sometimes give my wife flowers and have noticed that if I hand them to her, they leave a bit of fragrance on me.

I believe John’s record of this one clause suggests that Mary’s ointment had quality; but, it also left a distinctive influence for all who could, shall we say, read between the lines! Jesus Himself, as well as His gospel would be spread throughout the world, and act, therefore, as a sweet smelling savor to all men. Men in turn would offer themselves as spiritual sacrifices to Jehovah, and, thereby as Christians, be “sweet smelling savors!”

In a comment on John 12:3, A.T. Robertson states: “Effective first aorist passive of pleroo and a natural result” (Emph. mine, GLF). When a “sweet smelling” fragrance infiltrates the nostrils of man a pleasant, refreshing reaction takes place. It is good. It is satisfying.

This same reaction is seen on the face of Paul and in the satisfied spirit of God. In Philippians 4:18 the apostle writes: . . . I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. ” This is literally “an odor of fragrance” (Col. note, NASV). The Christian’s liberality in his giving of himself and his means is like “sweet smelling perfume” to Jehovah. (See 2 Cor. 8:1-5; Rom. 12:1-2; 6:13, 16, 19; 1 Cor. 6:20; Heb. 13:15 and I Pet. 2:5.)

The Lord had enjoyed the soothing aroma of sacrifices during Old Testament times (Ex. 29:18, 25; Gen. 8:21; Ezek. 20:41). That law having been fulfilled (Col. 2:14) and we being bound to a “perfect law” (Jas. 1:25), we offer ourselves as that aroma today. This is what Paul was commending the Philippians for in 4:18. Their reward for their care of him was that: “. . God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). All that just for “smelling good” in the Kingdom of God!

How do we “smell” to brethren and aliens? In 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 the old soldier writes: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. . . . ” It is, as Robertson says, “a natural result.” We speak often of our lights shining, but do we speak ever of how “aromatic” we smell?

The secret to successfully casting off a spiritual fragrance is to follow Jesus Christ. Paul writes in Ephesians 5:1-2: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. ” Do you smell good?

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 23, p. 724
December 5, 1985