Truth Magazine

By Herschel E. Patton

The apostle Paul, referring to his heritable advantages, training, and zealous activities in a popular cause said, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ” (Phil. 3:7).

Such sacrifice and conviction have been in the past, and still are, demonstrated today. One such case involves a young couple who were “missionaries” in Scotland.

Last year, Regina Green (daughter of Ken Green) and Phillip McGahey fell in love and were married. This marriage was viewed with apprehension by both families and others. Phillip had been brought up under strong “liberal” influences and was educated to evangelize in a foreign field, under the sponsoring church system. His father is an elder in a large liberal church in Tennessee which was the “sponsoring church” for Phillip as he preached in Scotland. Regina, on the other, hand, was the daughter of a popular, effective, sound preacher who has successfully exposed the unscripturalness of liberalism and, therefore, greatly influenced by “anti-ism,” as liberals view it.

Despite these differing backgrounds, – Phillip and Regina married and went to Scotland. Soon, things done by the brethren there and endorsed by their sponsoring church caused doubts in Phillip’s mind, resulting in his making a thorough study of “the Issues.” The result was a change of convictions, a complete break with his sponsoring church, and a return to the States. After making this break, even if the sponsoring church had been willing to fly them back to the States, Phillip had already informed them he could no longer accept support from the “sponsoring church” system. Knowing the deepness of conviction and sacrifice made, the Jordan Park church here in Huntsville is flying Phillip and Regina back to the States, where we believe they can be of great worth to the cause of truth. In a letter to the Jordan Park church, Phillip tells of his changed convictions and actions.

To the elders and brethren at Jordan Park,

Regina and I want to just express our thanks to you all for helping us out in this time of need. There are no words that can express our gratitude for what you are doing for us.

This decision we have made is probably the hardest thing that we have ever done, but it was the only right thing to do. Jesus said in Luke 14.25ff that, if your family is more important than Jew, then you cannot be His disciple, if you are not willing to bear the burden of the cross then you cannot be His disciple, and finally Jesus said if the pleasures of this world mean more to you than He does that you cannot be His disciple. We wanted to be His disciples so we gave it all up for Him.

I would like to take some space to tell you brethren about my decision and how it came about. About seven months ago Regina and I came to Scotland to do mission work. Before we came, there were several weeks that I studied the issues that have divided the church, not really knowing what the issues were. I read some one-sided material on the subject and was convinced that what I believed was right 77tere was even one Sunday when I stood up and preached against what I now believe to be right. I had no doubts about it until I sat down over lunch one day to talk about this with Robert Jackson and Ken Green. We did not talk very long. I would not listen to them because my mind was already prejudiced against what they had to say, but they did show me how the sponsoring church arrangement was not found in the Bible.

I went away thinking that I needed to just study my view a bit more. A few weeks later, in Franklin, Tennessee, I heard a sermon on Bible authority preached by my brother Ward Hogland. That was the first time in my life that I had ever heard a sermon preached on Bible authority, and it frightened me. It frightened me because brother Ward showed why the churches of Christ are divided. They are divided because of Bible authority. That sermon really had me thinking. Later I again talked with brother Green and also Ed Harrell.

By the time we left for Scotland. I had pushed all of my fears and thoughts to the back of my mind, hoping they would go away. I was actually afraid to study both sides of these issues. months went by as Regina and I settled in, hem in Scotland, and on several occasions we would talk about it.

It was during the month of December that I once again started to think on these issues. The brethren here had a church-sponsored Christmas Party. I openly objected to it at the business meeting and questions were asked of me that I did not want to answer. My objection was that we could not find where the church ever celebrated Christmas or paid for a party and bought gifts for children. They immediately put me on the spot so 1just asked them where it was in the Bible. They did not answer but asked if I objected to expedients and other things that were not in the Bible.

I was so disturbed that I began to study more and more to see why I had objected. It was because there was no Bible authority. I studied more and found there was also no authority for sponsoring churches and human institutions. I found out the Bible tells me that the church is all-sufficient to accomplish the work that God gave it to do on the local level.

I was shocked at what I had learned, so I began to call Ken Green and ask him if that is what he believed and he said yes. I called him on several occasions.

Then when I was convinced I was right, I had to do the hard part-tell my parents, sponsoring church, and supporting churches about what I now believe. It was so hard to do, but I had to ask myself if I wanted to be a disciple of Jesus or not.

If it were not for you brethren, I would not be able to come back to the States. My sponsoring church is still sending me money even though I have told them not to. I will not take it, but send it back to them.

We now realize that the situation we have been in is sinful. Please pray for us and forgive us for giving in this unscriptural situation of a sponsoring church. We want to come home and do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

We are selling our house, furniture, and car. Please pray for us that they will sell quickly. We are going to come home the last week in March even if our house hasn’t sold because we do not want to be a burden to the church.

We love you all so much.

In the love of the Lord,

Phillip and Regina

Phillip is scheduled to preach at both services at Jordan Park Sunday, March 31. 1 believe brethren who are interested in scripturalness and soundness will want to encourage this young couple, who have sacrificed so much, in every way they can. Churches in need of a preacher or who can use the services of Phillip in any way, may get in touch with him through Ken Green (4605 Dyshel Dr. S.W., Huntsville, AL 35805, Phone 837-1943).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 291-292
May 16, 1985

By Thomas N. Thrasher

Jude 14 says . . . .. Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.” Premillennialists assert that this statement refers to the return of the righteous to the earth at the end of the so-called “rapture” period. However, I deny this is the proper teaching of this verse. The Bible never mentions the “rapturing” of the righteous with their return to this earth after seven years. Who, then, are these “saints”?

Some Observations

1. The verse mentions “saints.”

2. These “saints” will accompany the Lord at His coming.

3. There will be “ten thousands” of them.

4. The purpose for this coming will be to “execute judgment.

“Saints” Are “Holy Ones”

The word “saints” is from a form of the Greek word, hagios, which means “holy” (Machen, p. 255; Davis, p. 255). This meaning is easily seen by consulting different translations of Jude 14:

A.S. V.: “ten thousands of his holy ones”

N.A.S.B. “many thousands of His holy ones”

R. S. V.: “his holy myriads”

Berry’s Interlinear: “his holy myriads”

Therefore, these mentioned are “holy ones.” In the New Testament, hagias is used several times in referring to angels; they are “holy angels”!

Matthew 25:31 “the holy angels”

Mark 8:38 “the holy angels”

Luke 9:26 “the holy angels”

Acts 10:22 “an holy angel”

Revelation 14:10 “the holy angels”

It is quite natural, then, to understand that the term “saints” (holy ones) in Jude 14 refers to the holy angels of God.

Angels Will Accompany The Lord At His Coming

As further evidence to this conclusion, let us observe that Jude 14 states: “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.” The word “with” refers to “accompaniment” (as in Luke 14:3 1; Robertson’s Word Pictures, VI, p. 193). That angels will accompany the Lord when He comes again is easily learned from the Bible:

Matthew 16:27 — “the Son of man shall come . . . with his angels”

Matthew 25:31 — “the Son of man shall come . . . and all the holy angels with him”

Mark 8:38 — “the Son of man . . . cometh . . . with the holy angels”

2 Thessalonians 1:7 — “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels”

“Ten Thousands” Of Angels Will Come

God has many angels: “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels” (Heb. 12:22). In John’s description of the heavenly scene, he heard “the voice of many angels . . . and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (Rev. 5:11). Jude 14 says, “ten thousands.” The original word is muriasin, which is rendered “myriads” in several translations. When the Lord comes, all of His angels will come with Him (Matt. 25:31).

This Coming Is To “Execute Judgment”

Jude 14-15 states that this coming of the Lord with His “holy ones”is “to execute judgment upon all”! God’s word declares that the angels will be involved in this: “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire” (Matt. 13:41-42). “So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire” (vv. 49-50). Hence, when the Lord comes with His angels, these angels will be involved in His executing judgment on mankind.

Conclusion

The “saints” of Jude 14 are the angels of God who will accompany the Lord at His coming to judge the world.

Are you prepared for this great event? If you are not a faithful Christian, I urge you to humbly obey the commands of the One who died for you, that you may one day hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:21).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, p. 297
May 16, 1985

By Raymond Harris

Sometime ago, two members of the U.S. Ho . use of Representatives were censured by their fellow representatives for improper sex acts committed three and ten years ago. After such a long time, likely both thought their sins were far behind them and they would never be found out.

This reminds us of a fault common to the nature of mankind. Throughout history, weak, stumbling mankind has deluded himself into thinking that if he can hide and cover up his sin, all will be well. Such is not the case. We may hide our sins from our fellow mortals, but – there is always God! In Numbers 32:23 it is written, “Be sure your sin will find you out.”

We are constantly hearing of crimes that were committed 10, 15 or even 20 years ago that are solved. Truly our mischief has a way of catching up with us. But, if we hide and even forget our sins there is the matter of “judgment to come.”

Paul wrote, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).

Further, Jesus said, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Rev. 22:12).

And, Solomon wrote, “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccl. 12:14).

We all desperately need to learn that the dark of night, deception or even the ability to forget sin does not remove sin. All sin is against God and God alone has the right to determine the terms of forgiveness.

To the non-Christian, He commands faith (Heb. 11:6), repentance (Acts 1:30), confession of the deity of Jesus (Matt. 10:32) and baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).

To the erring child of God He commands repentance (Acts 8:22), confession of sins (I John 1:9-2-1), and prayer (Acts 8:22; James 5:16).

Truly, man must answer to God for his sins I They cannot be hid from the Almighty. But, if we will submit to God’s terms, He is anxious to forgive. Remember, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, p. 303
May 16, 1985

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: Do 1 Corinthians 7:39 and 2 Corinthians 6:14 teach that a Christian is to marry only a Christian?

Reply: The Corinthian brethren had written some questions to Paul about several matters. Included in these were some questions about marriage (1 Cor. 7:1). Due to the “present distress,” Paul discouraged marriage (vv. 1-8), but to avoid sexual immorality, one should marry (v. 9). As to virgins in particular, about whom they had probably asked, Paul advised that it would be better for them not to marry because of the “present distress” (vv. 26, 38). As to those already married, believers are admonished to not leave their unbelieving mates (vv. 10-16). In verse 39, Paul states a positive truth about marriage: “a wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth” (see also Rom. 7:2). It should be observed, that due to the circumstances which existed at that time, it would be better for none to marry, including widows. Paul says “. . . she is happier if she abide as she is” (v. 40). But if she does marry, she should marry “only in the Lord.”

If the expression “in the Lord” is restricted here to mean one who is a Christian, then it would be for the reason of the “distress,” as is seen by the context of the previous verses. To bind this restriction for all time is questionable, because in the first place, she is encouraged to not even marry. Generally we do not discourage widows from marrying because the same situation that existed then is not prevalent today.

The phrase “in the Lord” is used in other places in the New Testament. For example, in 1 Corinthians 11:11, Paul writes: “Nevertheless, neither is the woman without the man, nor the man without the woman, in the Lord.” Are they not together unless they are both Christians? Who can so believe? “In the Lord” here is by divine arrangement. It was by God’s appointment that male and female ‘were created for each other. This purpose is for all, whether Christians or not.

Again, the same phrase “in the Lord” is found in Ephesians 6:1: “Children obey your parents in the Lord.” Is Paul restricting this admonition to only Christians (members of the church)? If so, then the directive would only apply to them. No, these are moral obligations of the home, whether the family is made up of Christians or non-Christians. God’s moral teaching that children are to obey their parents is applicable to all, those in the church and those out of the church.

Another example of the phrase “in the Lord” is found in Colossians 3:18: “Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” The laws of God in this regard are applicable to all, whether, they are Christians or not. Aliens are also amenable to God’s laws on marriage.

In view of these considerations, we conclude that the expression “in the Lord” is not restricted to one who is a Christian. Furthermore, God does recognize the marriage where one is a Christian and the other is not; the believer was not to put away the unbeliever, if the unbeliever were willing to dwell with that believer (1 Cor. 7:10f). As already noted, because of the adversities which prevailed at that time at Corinth, a widow or anyone who considered marriage should marry a believer. Otherwise, the burdens would be greater to bear and more difficult for the Christian to live his life of loyalty and service to God.

The second passage included in the inquiry is 2 Corinthians 6:14. Paul wrote, “Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?” The key to a proper understanding of this verse is the phrase “unequally yoked.” Notice that it is “unequally” yoked. This refers to any incompatible situation, whether marriage, business or false religion. Paul does not condemn being married to an unbeliever per se, or being in a business with an unbeliever; Out he does condemn being “unequally” yoked in such relationships. Some conclude from this verse that it is sinful for a Christian to be married to a non-Christian, but Paul does not say this. He is condemning incompatible relationships, whatever they may be. And, application is not made solely to incompatible relationships with non-Christians; but a Christian himself is in an incompatible relationship if he decides to walk in darkness (Eph. 5:8-11; 1 Jn. 1:6). Light and darkness do not mix. A Christian cannot be in the light and in darkness at the same time. They are incompatible. To assert from 2 Corinthians 6:14 that a Christian cannot marry one who is not a Christian is a misapplication of the verse. The context clearly shows that the Christian is not to participate in error, and to do do so is to be unequally yoked. Christians are to be separated from sin in whatever relationship they find themselves (2 Cor. 6:17). The person who is married to an unbeliever in 1 Corinthians 7:12 is admonished to not leave him, but in 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18 those who are unequally yoked are told plainly to come out and be separate. It should be obvious that the marriage of a Christian to an unbeliever is not, in and of itself, the unequal yoke.

Christians should be encouraged to marry Christians for obvious reasons. Many difficulties, could be avoided if this were the case. This writer has always urged from the pulpit, in the classroom and privately that Christians who are qualified to marry should marry Christians. But to contend that it is a sin for a Christian to marry a non-Christian is a different matter. Those who so contend, in order to be consistent, should exercise the same measures toward such people as they do to those guilty of other sins. It would mean also that God would not recognize such relationships and, therefore these relationships should be dissolved. May we always interpret God’s word in fight of its context and ever be cautious that we do not legislate where God has not legislated, being ever careful to abide by God’s divine arrangements in all realms.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 293, 306
May 16, 1985