Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

Recently I watched a thirty-minute Jimmy Swaggert broadcast. Swaggert preached a typical Pentecostal sermon in which he stated that anyone who had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit had not been born again and was lost. In trying to persuade people to accept what he was preaching, he described the typical person who becomes dissatisfied with his religion and finds answers in Pentecostalism. Such a person goes to a church which is dead and unemotional; the members sleep through the services; the singing is dragged to death; the services are dull and boring. The spiritual needs of the members are not met. They begin to look elsewhere and are attracted to Pentecostalism.

Pentecostalism is a false religion. Its doctrines are not found in the word of God. Its emphasis on subjective emotionalism as a testimony of salvation (“I know I am saved because I feel so good”) establishes man as the standard of authority rather than God.

However, I am afraid that we are preparing the soil for the planting of sectarian Pentecostalism by some of the things which are happening in many churches among us. We need to feed the souls of men. That means that the gospel involves that which satisfies the mind, the heart, the soul, and the strength of man. Sometimes our services do not leave men satisfied because part of man’s nature remains unnourished. Because these needs are not met, members of the church look with longing eyes into Pentecostalism or other forms of sectarian denominationalism.

Things Which Cause Members To Look Somewhere Else

I would like to suggest some things which might cause members to look somewhere else to find spiritual satisfaction. Perhaps my observations are too subjective and others would disagree with them. These are but one man’s expression of concern.

1. Lifeless members. Many assemblies are attended by corpses the body is present but the spirit is somewhere else. You can perceive this because of the glaring look in the eyes. While the sermon is being preached, these members sit in a daze with their minds somewhere else. They drag themselves to services, frequently just once a week, and have little or no commitment to what is being done in the congregation.

2. Unemotional services. The services in many congregations leave one emotionally drained; they do not build up the Christian so that he will convert someone to Christ.

I have not attended a congregation in the last decade where one freely said “Amen” when he heard something in the sermon with which he agreed. We have created an atmosphere in our worship where the audience is observing rather than participating in the sermon. The result is that preaching is viewed as a performance by many rather than something designed to bring about change in life.

The sermons themselves are sometimes dry. Sometimes a sermon from an outline book is lifted on Saturday night and a canned lesson is presented. Without having applied himself to the lesson the preacher does not touch the hearts of those in attendance. Too many preachers have become lecturers who present the facts without the least indication that their hearts are touched by the facts. One does not see a burning fire within them which must speak because of their deep convictions. There is no urgency to act upon what is preached. The pulpit is dry which never has a preacher who emphatically makes his point and calls on the audience to respond to what has been preached.

Sometimes the matters are made even worse by preachers who preach their doubts rather than what they know. Such sermons leave the audience in a state of doubt and uncertainty. We have not been sent by God to preach our doubts; we have been sent to preach the Gospel – the Lord’s good news.

The prayers sometimes have little input from the one leading them. A standard prayer using repeated phrases such as the following is prayed:

“We pray for the sick the world over and especially of the household of faith.”

“Give the preacher a ready recollection of the things which he has prepared.”

“Be with us as we go to our places of abode.”

I am not trying to poke fun at anyone who leads prayer; I do not want to discourage any young Christian from growing in this area. Each of the things mentioned is a legitimate thing to pray about and can be expressed in the very words cited. However, our prayers need to reflect the intensity of our feelings on various subjects. They need to be the outpouring of our hearts to God. Sometimes I get the impression that we have a ritualistic prayer that we say rather than opening and baring our souls before God.

The singing is sometimes laborious. Everybody who thinks he can sing is encouraged to lead singing. I recognize that we need to develop talents and do not want to discourage anyone who is trying to improve himself in this area. However, the overall impact of the worship on the local church must also be considered. Song leaders who consistently pitch the songs so low no one can sing, who drag the songs, who never try to introduce new songs to the church, and who give no thought to what they are going to lead until they get to the building make this part of our worship uninspiring. Members who will not sing also discourage us during worship. Some never open a book and others who open a book never open their mouths. The singing in many churches is discouraging, not inspiring.

The Lord’s supper is commemorated with little emotion. In many congregations practically nothing is said before the emblems are passed. If something is said, it generally pertains to Bible authority to take the Lord’s supper every first day of the week. Surely our hearts would be better prepared to commemorate the death of the Lord if the man presiding at the table would remind us of Jesus’ love for us, the agonies of His death, His example, and other aspects of Jesus’ life to call our hearts back to Calvary.

The announcements sometimes leave a lot to be desired. ,An announcement of the birth of a new child and the death of an aged saint are sometimes made with no distinction in emotion; the man making the announcements is stoical. Surely these areas can be improved.

3. Lack of growth. Many churches are not growing. In some areas, we are actually losing members instead of gaining them. I recognize that not all spiritual growth is numerical and sometimes no baptisms occur despite the genuine efforts of consecrated Christians. However, too many churches are not growing because they are not working. Few home Bible studies are in progress; few efforts to reach those in the world are being made. We have contented ourselves with two meetings a year, a church bulletin which is generally circulated among faithful Christians throughout the United States, a radio program, and Bible classes. Consecrated efforts to make contact with and teach non-Christians are rare.

4. Internal fussing and bickering. In addition to lack of growth, the local church is frequently troubled by internal fighting. Gossip, slander, whispering, jealousy, envy, and such like works of the flesh are all too common. In some congregations, the preacher is the chief culprit. Those who cross the preacher can be guaranteed that their reputations will be attacked and assaulted. Some preachers are known for sticking their noses in other people’s business and then writing letters all over the country to maliciously destroy another’s reputation. Perhaps the adage, “A kicking mule cannot plow and a plowing mule cannot kick,” is especially applicable at this point. Churches which are busy working have fewer problems than those which are doing nothing. Who has not been discouraged by these kinds of internal problems?

These problems create a feeling of dissatisfaction among members. Who should be satisfied when these problems exist? These are the things which prepare the hearts of men for the reception of sectarianism.

The Solution

Is sectarianism the solution? Absolutely not. Teaching the false doctrines of sectarianism will not solve the problems of the works of the flesh, the spiritual deadness in some members, and any other problem. One’s problems will only be increased by adding the burden of false doctrines!

The solution is a revival. We must bring those dead members back to life through repentance; we must rekindle the smoking flame of some members who are nearly dead. Our zeal must be awakened.

Members are going to have to start thinking more about God and less about sports, television, material possessions, fashions, and any other thing which is rooting out God. Members are going to have to give more time to prayer, Bible study, serving their fellow man, and other works. When these things begin to occur, there will be an excitement and zeal about the worship and work of the local church. Let each of us work and pray for this spiritual revival.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 23, pp. 706, 726
December 5, 1985

By Dennis Abernathy

As we look around us today we see disobedience on every hand. With many, obedience seems to be a thing of the past. Disobedience is in evidence in homes, in the schools, with regard to the civil authorities, and even in the church of our Lord. It may help to read such passages as Ephesians 6:1-3; Romans 13:1-7 and Hebrews 13:17.

In Hebrews 5:8-9, the Hebrew writer says that “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Salvation, then, is predicated on obedience. One must obey God; i.e., do His will. “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Let us now notice five ways in which man disobeys God.

1. We may do what He has forbidden us to do. Adam and Eve were guilty of this very thing. “And the woman said unto the serpent, we may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” (Gen. 3:2-3). Adam and Eve knew God’s will in this regard (Eve stated it to the serpent), but being deceived through the serpent’s lie, they did what God had forbidden them to do. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (v. 6).

Another clear case of doing that which God has forbidden is that of Lot’s wife. God’s instructions are given plainly in Genesis 19:17. “And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said: escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” In verses 24-26 we read: “Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and He overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” Jesus said in Luke 17:32, “Remember Lot’s wife.” She therefore become a monument of warning for all time concerning doing that which God has forbidden.

Shall we leave out Jeroboam as another example of this particular kind of disobedience? Read 1 Kings 12:25-33. We have the kingdom dividing with the two tribes staying with Rehoboam, and thereafter being referred to as Judah and the ten tribes going away with Jeroboam and being referred to as Israel. Jeroboam knew what God required of His people concerning their religious activity and the feasts and festivals that were to take place at Jerusalem. He felt that if the people were to go back up to Jerusalem to do sacrifice that they would be influenced to stay with Rehoboam, so he devised a wicked plan clearly involving things which God had forbidden! He set up idols (golden calves), making the same claim for them that Aaron had made for the golden calf at Mt. Sinai (Ex. 32:4). “Behold, thy gods, 0 Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” (v. 28). He played upon the longing of the people for convenience by saying, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem” (v. 28).

God had forbidden idols, and they were to worship in Jerusalem in the temple. The priests were to come from the tribe of Levi and they were to make their offerings on the altar God had erected, and observe the feast days which God had set up. But Jeroboam changed everything! Just here, it would be well for you to read 2 Chronicles 11:13-17. The tribe of Levi had rebelled against the House of David with Jeroboam, but when he devised his own system of religion, and the Levites were rejected and cast out, they returned to Rehoboam and Judah.

As you read this account of Jeroboam in 1 Kings 12, notice the phrases: “He set,” “he made,” “he offered,””so did he,” “he placed,” “which he had made,” “he ordained,” “which he had devised of his own heart.” But God said, “and this thing became a sin. . . ” (v. 30).

One last example will suffice. The young prophet we read of in 2 Kings 13 disobeyed God by doing what God forbade him to do. They both did what God said not to do and they were punished for it. When God directs us and forbids us to do a certain thing, we peril our very souls when we do it. Brethren, take heed!

2. We may refuse or fail to do what he has commanded. Jonah is guilty of this very thing – at least the first time the Lord appeared to him. In Jonah 1:1-3, we read: “‘And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.” At this point, God clearly outlined to the prophet Jonah what He wanted him to do. But Jonah refused to do it! God said go one way and Jonah went the other. He disobeyed God! You know what happened to Jonah, and so after his experience in the belly of the great fish, God came to Him a second time. God’s instruction was the same as it was at the first, but this time the Bible says “. . . Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. . .” (Jon. 3:3).

Friend, Jonah refused to do what he was commanded, because he did not like the mission he was given. He did not want the Assyrians spared, and he knew that if they heeded his preaching that God would spare them (read 4:1-3). Will we be guilty of refusing to do what God says because we do not like what He tells us to do? Remember Jonah. He had to learn some very valuable lessons and the learning process was not too easy for him.

One more example will be enough on this point. Read I Samuel 15. This is the account of Saul and God’s instructions to him concerning the Amalekites. God’s instructions were clearly outlined to Saul. “Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass” (v. 3). But in verse 9, we see Saul refusing to do what God had commanded! “But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. . . . ” Saul was disobedient to the Lord and his trying to “pass the buck” didn’t help him one bit. The Lord accepts no excuses or alibis for disobedience. Some may reason that it is alright to do “part” of what God says, or refuse or fail to do what He says as long as the failure is well intentioned, i.e. “to offer sacrifice.” But what does God say? “It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. . . ” (v. 11) Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He hath also rejected thee from being king” (w. 22-23). When we fail to do what God has commanded, He sees us as stubborn and rebellious!

Now, let us read 1 John 2:3-6 – “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. ” That one who claims fellowship with God while refusing to do His will is characterized as a liar and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” That one who claims fellowship with God while refusing to do His will is characterized as a liar! It is one thing to “claim” to know God and another thing altogether to actually know Him. Paul writes of those who “profess that they know God; but by their works they deny Him. . . ” (Tit. 1: 16).

With these things in mind, does one know God or is he found a liar with regard to the following:

(1) God commands us to “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together” (Heb. 10:25). But I refuse to obey that command, while claiming fellowship with Him.

(2) Christians are commanded to be modest in their dress (1 Tim. 2:9-10). Rather than obey this command of God I conform to the standards of styles of this world. Does God hear my affirmations of “knowing Him” when He can see that I am a “liar” due to my rebellion?

(3) God commands people to be baptized to be saved (Mk. 16:16). Can one “know” God and claim to love Him and be closely acquainted with Him and rebel against this plain command? Will sincerity and good intentions be enough?

(4) God commands that we sing in worship to Him (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). What about one who refuses to obey and adds mechanical instruments? Does he know God? Are his claims found to be false?

When we refuse to obey God’s commands, we become stubborn and rebellious people! We turn our backs upon God and regardless of all of the claims to the contrary, our profession of fellowship with God becomes a lie!

3. One may add to His word The Bible is filled with warnings about adding to the words and commandments of God. We put our souls in jeopardy when we presume to add to the Word of the Almighty.

In Deuteronomy 4:2, Moses said: “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you. . . that ye may keep the commandments of the’Lord your God which I command you.” The only way to keep the commandments of the Lord is to do it exactly. When we add our “think-so’s” and presumptions, when we apply our own human wisdom to the matter we wind up not keeping the commandments of the Lord at all! Moses states again in 12:32: “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it; thou shalt not add thereto. . . . ” I can well remember my mother telling me as a child: “When I tell you to do something, I mean do it!” I knew what that meant, and we had better understand this truth with regard to God’s law as well.

Joshua, who took over as leader for God’s people after Moses, reiterates the same thing when he says in Joshua 1:7: “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded thee, turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.” Emphasis is placed upon “all” the law “commanded” thee. He did not say “part” of the law, neither did he say some “additional” laws. In other words, if you want to prosper, do not deviate from My law! True wisdom dictates that we “add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Prov. 30:6). Any person who adds to the word of God and claims God’s approval in doing so, is found to be a liar.

Two passages from the New Testament will suffice on this point. In 2 John 9, we read: “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.” When one “goes too far” he “does not abide” in the Lord’s teaching. To add to the Word of the Lord is to go too far, and thus one is guilty of not abiding in His teaching and loses God! That person who abides in the teaching of Christ is one who veers neither to the right nor the left of it. He does not add anything to it. He regards it as God’s complete and sufficient standard insofar as his life is concerned. Adding to the Word of God is serious business and results in the loss of God Himself.

In Revelation 22:18 we find the following words: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophesy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things. God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” What book in all of the Bible has been more abused than has the book of Revelation? Men have added this and that — speculation upon speculation — all without any proof whatsoever. Friend, be warned. The same principle that applies to the Revelation letter applies to any other part of God’s word. Take heed. God warns!

May we never be guilty of adding to the word of God. Accept it as it is, “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thess. 2:13). Any who seek to add the doctrines of men or feign some new latter-day revelation stand condemned of God and cursed in His sight.

4. One may take from His word. In Deuteronomy 4:2, Moses said: “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. ” Then in Revelation 22:19, we read: “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophesy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” The prophet Jeremiah echoed the same sentiment: “. . . all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word” (Jer. 26:2).

Our obedience to God must be complete. God will never accept a partial obedience. We need not think that we can please God by altering, mutilating, adding to, or substracting from His will. Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Doing the will involves all of the will. Paul said: “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). Paul understood that nothing was to be taken away or substracted from God’s word. He stated in Acts 20:20: “. . . I kept back nothing that was helpful. . . . ” Friend, let us learn when we take anything away from the revealed will of God we sin!

5. One may substitutefor God’s word. The classic example of this would be Aaron’s two boys, Nadab and Abihu. This is found in Leviticus 10:1-2. They “offered strange fire before the Lord, which He commanded them not.” Just exactly what was involved in this violation, I’m not definitely sure. Perhaps it was taking the fire from the wrong place (16:12) or maybe it involved the incense also (Ex. 30:9). But one thing I do know. Nadab and Abihu did that “which he commanded them not. ” We learn that “fire is not fire” when the Lord has specified a certain thing. We do not hastily offer just any kind of service and expect the Lord to accept it, for He will not! He did not then and He will not today.

Other examples could be cited, such as David transporting the ark and Uzzah touching it and losing his life because of it. Substitution is certainly involved here for the things and ways of God (read 1 Chron. 13; 15:13; Num. 4:15; Exo. 25:14-15). Also the account of Naaman the leper, who when told to dip seven times in the river Jordan became wroth and thought to substitute two others rivers that he surmised “would do just as well.” Had he not gotten over his anger and listened to reason and finally obeyed the commands of God, he would have forever remained a leper. Listen friend, it is no small thing to substitute for God’s word.

Brethren, look around you today. Churches are substituting for God’s word in every realm; substituting human institutions for God’s divine institution, the church, substituting the patterns of men for God’s pattern revealed in His will, corrupting His worship by substituting the things of men for the simple worship outlined in His Holy will (Matt. 15:8-9). The organization of our Savior’s church is prostrated before the world because ungodly men who have no respect for His way have substituted their own organizational structures for His. I can assure you brethren, a day of reckoning is surely coming, and what a sad day it will be for those who would tamper with God’s will.

We must never disobey God in any of these five ways. God is dear to us and very good to us, but He demands that we obey Him in all things (Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:8-9). Honesty and sincerity are honorable and necessary, but they alone are not enough, without obedience. God does not “wink at ignorance” no matter how sincere one may be (Acts 17:30). We must know God’s will and we must do God’s will.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 22, pp. 682-683, 692
November 21, 1985

By Robert F. Turner

“Now my idea about heaven is. . .” and then the writer or speaker reveals himself far more than he tells us about heaven. The materialist, sensual, mystical, aesthetic, and surrealist all have a field day with heaven. It is “pie in the sky” to those who ridicule its reality; and an extremely plush “paid vacation” for those who equate “real” with earthly literalism.

“Heaven” is a divinely revealed place, state, or condition; and we can know only that which is revealed about it in God’s word. We say “place” with some hesitation, using accommodative language; for “location” is space related, and may lose its literal significance when applied to eternity. But God’s word is directed to time and space related beings, and information about deity and eternity are necessarily couched in terms that translate into mental images. We can not truly imagine “eternity” or things eternal in nature, so we must expect the Bible to use anthropormorphisms: whereby things of God, totally incomprehensible to mortal man, are described in the time and space terms of man.

Jewish typology finds its final usage here. God built a literal people, a literal nation, through whom His Son would put on flesh and dwell among men. He used these people, a distinct advantage to them, as His vehicle for demonstrating God-to-man dealings (Rom. 3:1f; 9:4-5). Then, as His eternal purpose began to reach its fruition in Christ, the literal kingdom of Israel is seen as a type of His spiritual rule over whosoever will. Christ reigns on “David’s throne,” and is our High Priest “after the order of Melchizedek” (Acts 2:30f; Heb. 6:20f). Scattered Israel finds a “highway” and “returns. . . in righteousness” (Isa. 10:20f; 35:8f); and all Christians are “Abraham’s seed” or “the Israel of God” (Gal. 3:29; 6:16). It should come as no surprise that heaven is called “New Jerusalem”; and praise to God there is described in Jewish terms: “golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints” (Rev. 5:8).

The apocalyptic description of heaven (Rev. 21:1f) speaks of the “Holy City” Jerusalem, with its walls of jasper, and other precious stones; its street (singular) of gold; twelve gates, each made of a single pearl, named after the twelve tribes of Israel. The tabernacle (KJV) of God is there, but this is the true abode of Jehovah – not a “tent” in which the “presence” of God is indicated by a cloud of glory. In fact, we are told “I saw no temple therein, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it” (21:22). God is on His throne – for the authority of God is eternal. There is plenty of water, and trees, including the “tree of life” (restoring that which was lost when man was separated from Eden). The high imagery is further indicated by the measuring of the city “the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal” – a perfect cube (21:16b).

Materialists may literalize heaven to a point of absurdity: as though heaven will be the fulfillment of their most covetous and lustful appetites. We sing, “I want a gold (mansion) that’s silver lined” – forgetting that the street is made of gold. It seems we should realize that Bible descriptions of heaven which emphasize its beauty, its value, the peace and lack of pain that prevails, etc., are relating heaven’s wonders to the human realm. We cannot improve on God’s way of describing heaven, and would be foolish to try it. But there is ample evidence God is telling us that holiness, righteousness, purity, and praise of God find perfection there. This means little to worldly people, but is given its true significance by the genuine child of God.

Paul wrote: “Our citizenship is in heaven: whence also we wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). Philippi was a Roman colony, where citizens were mostly retired soldiers, given full citizenship in the “mother” city Rome. Though far from that city, they dressed Roman, spoke Latin, observed Roman morals, were governed by Roman magistrates, “remained unshakeably and unalterably Roman” (cf. Barclay). Paul was saying the Christian, no matter where he is, must never forget he is a citizen of heaven; and his conduct must match his citizenship. To this kind of people, heaven is “going home. ” Oh what a wonderful thought to those who have practiced heavenly citizenship, longing for the day when they will dwell in God’s presence. “Home to heaven” will be a happy trip for those who, on earth, hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matt. 5:6). But what of those who have no such taste? Can we expect them to long for a life totally different from what they now pursue?

The passage in Philippians continues: “(Christ) who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory. . . .” In Romans 7 the body, with its fleshly appetites, is seen as a “law” (force) which wars against the inward man or mind desirous of doing God’s will. The conflict results in a “wretched man,” captive to sin in his members, and delivered only by forgiveness through Christ (7:18f). The Christian must strive to “put to death the deeds of the body” (8:13). Paul then promises that though we, “groan and travail in pain… now” (8:22); we wait for our adoption, to wit, “the redemption of our body” (v. 23). This body, with appetites which war against our desire to serve God, will be changed in heaven – the conflict will be over. How wonderful for those who war against the flesh here! But what of those who “let themselves go,” and revel in appetites of the flesh? Do they long for a body change, with fleshly appetites removed?

I am persuaded heaven is not for everyone. It is a prepared place for a prepared people. Heaven’s invitation is not limited; its glories are available to all. But many are ill prepared for heaven, and I cannot believe God would force heaven upon anyone. There is an old story about a slave whose “Massa” had died, and who was asked if he thought the Master had gone to heaven. He said the “Massa” always talked about places he planned to visit, and made great preparation for going there. But “Massa” never talked about heaven, and made no preparation for that destination. “Chances are he ain’t makin’ dat trip!”

Sorry – I can’t tell you any more about heaven than what you can read in the Scriptures; and I can tell that only in terms used by the Holy Spirit to give us some idea of its wonders. But God’s word clearly warns us of an ultimate “last day” when judgment shall be declared, and we shall face one of two eternal destinies. The righteous dead shall be there (1 Thess. 4:16), and so shall the wicked. “Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment” (Jn. 5:28-29). Christ makes it clear that the destinies are the same duration: saying, “And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life” (Matt. 25:46).

Whatever heaven will be like, it will be “home” for the Christian, and an end to the struggles of this life. Those who are striving to serve God in the here and now, are going to love it. I doubt that those who ridicule the godly life would be happy there. And that is doubly sad, for it is highly unlikely they will like the other place.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 22, pp. 679, 691
November 21, 1985

By Lewis Willis

An atheist who listens to our call-in radio program recently sent me a copy of an article by Phillip Adams, an atheist in Australia, which appeared in the Madalyn Murray O’Hair publication, American Atheist (July, 1985). Adams said he did not believe in God. “Haven’t believed in him (or her, or it) since I was six.”

I guess we were supposed to take the fellow seriously in what he said. If so, you could only call him a six-year-old atheist, He thinks all believers in God are dumb, but we’re not that dumb!

I do not remember much about age six in my life. But I do vividly recall raising three children through age six. They were trying to learn their ABC’s, or trying to learn to count to 25, or trying to print their names, or trying to decide if they liked chocolate ice cream better than vanilla and many other six-year-old-type problems. However, we are asked to seriously believe that Adams, at age six, had weighed all the evidence and had come to the conclusion that there was no God and that he was an atheist. Come now, stop fooling around. At age six, one would have had trouble pronouncing “atheist” and I am certain he could not have spelled it. If you think intelligent people are going to believe that, your ignorance is sticking out.

This six-year-old atheist has grown to be a thing to behold. He now speaks of God as “unnecessary, albeit charming fiction, like the tooth fairy, the Easter bunny or Father Christmas… like … the Cheshire cat… thumbing his enormous nose at rationalists, humanists, Atheists and sundry heretics.” This intellectual giant has struggled over what God should be called. He ridicules religion for using the word “God.” He reasons, “Why not call it E=mc2? Or nothing? Or Jubilation T. Cornpone?” He says religion sees God “as a grumpy old bugger glaring balefully down at an unworthy world, just aching to demolish it, to judge and to pulverize.” Our marvelous atheist sees religion as “bed-time stories. . . so much whistling in the dark.” He sees God as an idea, “A very small one . . . a nervous idea. A timid, pip-squeak of a notion . . . a bit like the Wizard of Oz. . . . The idea of god grows in the way a balloon grows, a membrane inflated by ignorance.”

The Apostle Paul talked about some folks who “did not like to retain God in their knowledge.” He said they became vain in their imagination and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools who changed the truth of God into a lie (Rom. 1:21-28).

At age six, Phillip Adams became an atheist and he remains an atheist today. But something is going to happen which is going to change him beyond his wildest imaginations. The Bible teaches us that God has exalted Christ and given Him a name which is above every name. The purpose of God is that every knee should bow at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:9-11). Now, this bowing and confessing can take place while we are living on this earth and it can result in the salvation of our souls. Or, we can wait until the judgment, when every arrogant, haughty, ignorant soul shall come to know the truth that there is a God and Jesus is His Son and confess Him then. Then, for an eternity in Hell every atheist will be finally be compelled to believe in God.

I received a bulletin the other day with the following quotation:

Life With Christ Is An Endless Hope: Life Without Christ Is A Hopeless End.

Our purpose in serving the Lord is that we might partake of that Hope in an eternal Heaven with God. The atheist is rushing, whether he realizes it or not, to the hopeless, dead-end despair of an eternal Hell. If we are wrong in our belief in God, and the atheist is right, we have lost nothing. If we are right, and the atheist is wrong, he has lost more than his sick, perverted, cynical mind can imagine. I am not six years old anymore but I have chosen to believe in God. And, I’m not even ashamed of it!

I was just thinkin’, this six-year-old atheist is going to become a believer! Isn’t that ironic? The Psalmist declared, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good” (Psa. 53: 1). An atheistic six-year-old mentality is not very becoming in an adult, is it? Ours is not “the tooth fairy” position. That more suitably describes the posture of the atheist. That smug rationalism, so easily offered in ignorance, shall one day give way to weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 22, p. 678
November 21, 1985