Truth Magazine

By Donald P. Ames

Many interesting ideas and concepts are set forth in the word of God that can indeed have real impact when they are properly tied together and/or contrasted as God planned for them to be. Consider with me for a few moments two of those concepts-heaven and hell.

HEAVEN

What is heaven really like? Most of us are familiar with the promise of Jesus in John 14:2-3 that He is now busily preparing our “dwelling place” so that when He returns He may receive us unto Himself. Thus, we recognize that heaven will be a place specially prepared for the people of God. Jesus also noted in John 10:10, “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” This simply tells us that regardless of what we may think we know about life and living, we have not yet even begun to comprehend what it is all about! And, what we have here is not yet even living! It is sort of like a baby living in the mother’s womb-happy, content and thinking it understands something about life only to learn upon leaving “that world” that it did not comprehend life at all! True, we have pictures describing heaven for us in such passages as Revelation 21: l0f, etc.; but again we must remember these are limited to figures the human mind can comprehend. I’m indeed convinced they do not even begin to illustrate to us the true beauties and glory of heaven. In Isaiah 45:18, we find God created the earth to be inhabited-and indeed it has many beauties to behold. But if God cared that much about our joy and satisfaction for a temporal body that will soon leave this old world, how much more the beauties and glory for us to enjoy throughout eternity!

Heaven is a place where no sin and corruption exists-no temptations with evil, no crime, no filthy and immoral language or dress, etc. Galatians 5:19-23 assures us that such things will not be there, but rather heaven will indeed be a place of joy, peace and happiness. Society today is often dismayed with the crime that exists-but there will be none of this found in heaven! Isn’t that a wonderful thought?

There will be no night there, but rather eternal light and joy! Revelation 21:25 and 22:5 both assure us there will be no “end of the day” when our joys must be set aside for another day and the approaching dread of night. Instead the joy and happiness we are enjoying goes right on with no night to disrupt!

There is also the wonderful excitement and joy of spending eternity in the presence of God, Christ and all the saints of old, as we see in John 14:3 and Matthew 8:11. We will not only be able to meet them, ask them questions, associate with them, and travel with them, but we will be numbered with and among them! Others, no doubt, will be looking up to us and thanking us for our example and steadfastness as a source of encouragement to them, as we look to others (and the saints of old) and appreciate theirs.

But most of all, heaven is truly a place of the greatest love to be found. Revelation 21:4 tells us, “He (God) shall wipe away every tear from their eyes . . . .” Luke 16:25 tells us it is a place where we shall be comforted in a fashion we could never find in this world. God will more than compensate us for all we have had to endure. He cares so much that He Himself will be there to wipe away the tear from our eyes as we enter His kingdom of joy and happiness-in spite of how busy He may be, in spite of all the hosts of heaven to be cared for, in spite of all the others He could have sent (and didn’t!), He will be there to wipe away that tear! One tiny little tear-a single drop of water! Yet, it commands His personal care and concern. Is it any wonder John tells us “love is from God” (1 John 4:7)? With such love and care to be shown, truly heaven is a place to be desired!

HELL

On the other hand, hell has nothing good to be said for it. It is described as a lake of fire and brimstone (Rev. 20:10,15-this would be about like being caught up in the flow of an active volcano). In Mark 9:43-44, it is spoken of as “unquenchable fire.” It is a place of eternal suffering with no way to escape. Have you ever pondered the idea of placing your hand on a burning hot stove and being unable to remove it? Or what about your whole body? And again, need I remind you that the figure is always far short of the actual-being limited to human comprehension? Truly God has sought to warn us!

Hell is full of sin and corruption, from the two-faced hypocrite to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Rev. 21:8). All of the scum from all of the societies for all ages are going to be found there. Just pause and think for a moment of all that will include-from Herod to Hitler and beyond! And, if we are lost and go there, we shall be there among the very worst of them! Indeed this is a terrifying thought to even ponder!

Hell will be a place where there will be no light only eternal darkness and misery (Matt. 25:30). There will be no “light of a new day” or “hope for a better tomorrow” (for there will be no tomorrow). Although there will be a “lake of fire,” there will be no light to seek escape. Those who saw the terrified people trying to get away from the “unseen alcohol fire” in the pits at the Indy 500 several years ago have a vague idea what the agony of a lake of fire in eternal darkness will be like! Agony so horrible that the rich man begged-not for a whole drink-but that Lazarus would but dip his finger tip in water and touch his tongue-a single drop of water to relieve his suffering. Try to do this, and see how much comfort it would give! Yet, even this would be gladly accepted as a welcomed relief by the rich man in his suffering “in this flame” (Lk. 16:24).

Likewise, there would be no joy over anticipated reunions with other loved ones in hell (Lk. 16:27-28). The fact that a close friend might be there would offer no satisfaction or comfort. You indeed would prefer to suffer by yourself, if it needs to be that you go there! And in fact it will be alone, for the Bible tells us those in hell “will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord” (2 Thess 1:19). Alone, forgotten, left out and left to suffer in eternal agony.

Unlike heaven, in hell there will be no one to love and care what happens to you. Certainly the devil doesn’t care. To him you are but a pawn in the battle being waged against God-and the devil could care less what happens to you in that battle (witness the affliction he heaped on Job in his efforts to get him to curse God – Job 1:7f). He will not offer his son on a cross-despised and rejected by the very ones he came to save-to save you from the horrors of hell. And, it’s not because he is unaware of what life has in store for you-he has full knowledge (Matt. 8:29; Rev. 20:10). It is simply he could care less what happens to you-you are disposable! You are a disposable pawn he is merely using to try to get to God! Did he care what agony and suffering he brought on Adam and Eve? Or what would happen to mankind if he could succeed in getting Christ to worship him instead (Matt. 4)? No, his response would simply be, “So what?” And others are going to be too concerned with self to care about you then-their only concern is “Don’t come;” but if you have, it is too late for further concern.

But, probably the greatest tragedy of all lies in the very concept of this article-one drop of water! In Revelation 21:4 a single drop of water (a single tear) was sufficient to command God’s personal care and concern. Yet when the rich man begged for a single drop of water in Luke 16:24, the response was that He was too busy, not interested and no longer cared! Nor was anyone else allowed to supply the single drop of water to relieve his agony! He would find no comfort in hell!

Which response will be yours? Now is your time to prepare-don’t let Satan ruin eternity for you!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 3, pp. 78-79
February 7, 1985

By Don Willis

Most people recognize the importance of some church attendance. Jesus authorized the church to assemble and keep certain acts of worship (Acts 2:42). Not only did God command men to assemble to worship, there is a psychological need for a public show of one’s devotion to God, as well as the emotional benefit that is received.

Church Attendance Has Advantage Of Practice

Church attendance is an act of obedience. It shows a faith that works! “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works” (Jas. 2:18).

Church attendance is a devotion. It shows loyalty through punctuality. “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them . . .” (Acts 20:7). It is not enough just to be a church member, or to say “Lord, Lord.” One must do the will of God (Mt. 7:21ff; Lk. 6:46).

Church attendance is an example. It speaks through its action. Failure to attend also is an example; and it speaks through its inaction!

(1) Like the early church, we should continue steadfastly! “And they continued steadfastly. . .” (Acts 2:42a). Attendance to the services of the church in the first century often committed the attender to prison or death. Yet, the Hebrew writer encouraged them, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Heb. 10:25). “Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

(2) Like the early church, we should meet regularly. “Upon the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2) make an appointment with the Lord. Let nothing interfere!

(3) Like the early church, we should give generously. They continued steadfastly in fellowship (Acts 2:42b). All good and perfect gifts come from God (Jas. 1:17). He has been very gracious toward us. When we ask for blessings, He does not send us curses (Mt. 7:7-11). Covetousness is idolatry (Col. 3:5). Idolaters shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone (Rev. 21:8). “God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).

(4) Like the early church, we should exhort continuously. “But exhorting one another…” (Heb. 10:25). Exhort because we love. The person who quits is in danger of damnation. Exhortation is the life-line to bring them back.

(5) Like the early church, we should pray fervently. “And they continued steadfastly . . . in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Prayer shows dependence upon God; therefore, prayer is the essence of the life in Christ.

(6) Like the early church, we should commemorate gratefully. “This do in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11:24). The early church was steadfast in “breaking of bread” (Acts 2:42). They came together on the first day of the week for that purpose (Acts 20:7). One should be glad to come for worship (Psa. 122:1).

(7) Like the early church, we should sing scripturally. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

Yes, not attending speaks to my Lord, my brethren, my family, my neighbors. It says, “I don’t care like I ought.” Now is the time to make this spiritual change. A new year is upon us. Resolve to be His!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 3, p. 80
February 7, 1985

By Dusty Owens

EVERY SMALL CHILD FROM MY ERA WAS given a Tinker Toy set to help develop his creativity and ingenuity. I was no exception. You could follow the pictures and build what the designer had in mind, or use your own imagination and arrange the pieces just any way that suited your fancy. There were enough parts of various shapes and sizes to accommodate most any conceivable concoction.

What does that have to do with religion? Well, it makes about as much sense to make a religion out of Tinker Toys, as it does anything else man has invented that God has not specified and approved.

God has always given man specific instructions to please Him, all the way from Adam and Eve, the Patriarchs, Moses and Israel, to Jesus Christ and the Christian age. On all matters pertaining to religion, God has always made known His will through the Bible. People have not been satisfied to follow these requirements, but instead, fashion their own religions by taking pieces from the imaginations of men, and mixing in the additions, subtractions and perversions of what Clod has revealed. One group assembles pieces to build a religion that meets with their own approval, while another group does the same with different pieces. Hence, Tinker Toy religion!

This problem is as old as man. The Bible is replete with examples of people assuming they can change what God ordered. Adam and Eve ignored God’s command, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Gen. 2:16-17), and they died! Cain offered a sacrifice to God that did not please Him (Gen. 4:4-7). God called it sin! When Moses revealed God’s Law to the Israelites, he warned, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God which I command you” (Deut. 4:2). As it turned out, every generation thereafter was punished when they corrupted the “commandments of Jehovah”!

Under the Law of Christ the principle is the same. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema (accursed). As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema” (Gal. 1:6-9). God considers this serious business; notice: “Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace” (5:4; Rev. 22:18-19).

There is only one true religion today. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn. 14:6). It doesn’t pay to “tinker around” with God’s religion as He revealed it in His word. Every Tinker Toy religion will be destroyed!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 4, p. 103
February 21, 1985

By Johnny Stringer

The Rule And The Exception

When God established the institution of marriage, He intended it to be permanent, though He tolerated some deviation from that ideal for a while. Reverting to God’s original intention regarding marriage, the law of Christ forbids divorce. Jesus declared, “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt. 19:6). Those who marry are bound to each other for as long as they both live (Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:39). This being true, neither has the right to remarry a second mate as long as the first spouse lives; the second marriage of a divorced person is adulterous, because the divorced person is still bound to the first spouse (Lk. 16:18; Rom. 7:2-3).

There is one exception to this rule. When one puts away his spouse for the cause of fornication, he bears no guilt; he is no longer bound to the first mate, and free to marry another. Jesus made this exception when He affirmed, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery” (Matt. 19:9).

The term which is translated “fornication” is a broad term which includes any illicit sexual intercourse. Adultery is a more specific term, referring to fornication involving a married person. Inasmuch as the persons under discussion in Matt. 19:9 were married, the fornication to which Jesus referred was adultery.

Who Is Released?

When a divorce occurs for the cause of fornication, the only one released and free to remarry is the innocent party – the one who puts away the guilty spouse. The guilty spouse is not free to remarry. It is quite clearly said that if the one who is put away remarries, the second marriage is adulterous (Matt. 5:32; 19:19).

In reference to the Lord’s explicit statement that the one who is put away is not free to remarry, some say that Jesus was talking only about the one who was put away for some reason other than fornication. They argue that the one who was put away can remarry if that one was put away for fornication. They thus read into the text something that is not there. Jesus simply said that the one put away had no right to remarry – period; He did not add, “unless she was put away for fornication.” If we take Jesus’ statement as it is, the one who is put away has no right to remarry, regardless of the reason.

Morever, those who take this position would give the guilty fornicator a privilege that someone who was unjustly put away does not have. According to this position, if a woman is the innocent victim of a jerk who put her away for no good reason, she has no right to remarry, while the one who was justly put away for fornication does have that right. Who can believe this? Such is the consequence of reading into the text what Jesus did not say.

Some have difficulty accepting the fact that one party can be released while the other is not. Picturing two people bound to each other by a chain, they point out that when the chain is broken so as to release one, the other is also released. The only problem with this illustration is that those who are bound to each other in marriage are not bound by a chain. They are bound by the law of God. Since it is God’s law that binds them, He is the only One who can release them from their contractual obligations; and He can release one without releasing the other, if He so chooses.

The fact is, the only one God has released is the one who puts away his spouse for the cause of fornication. Nowhere do we read that He has released the guilty party also. Who, then, can presume to say that he is released? It should not seem strange to us that one is released while the other is not; for even in man’s legal affairs, it is sometimes the case that one party is released from a contract while the other party is not.

Fornication Must Precede The Putting Away

In order for one to be free to remarry, the fornication must be the reason for putting away his spouse. It is plain from the wording of Matthew 19:9 that the putting away must be for the cause of fornication; hence, one cannot claim the right to remarry on the basis of fornication that came after the putting away.

Sometimes a couple makes the decision to divorce for some reason other than fornication. Then later on, when one remarries, thus committing adultery, the other one claims the right to remarry on the basis of that adultery. This person’s claim is without scriptural warrant, for when he put away his spouse, it was not for the cause of fornication.

In fact, Jesus taught that if the divorced partner does proceed to commit adultery, the one who divorced her is held partly responsible before God. He “causeth her to commit adultery” (Matt. 5:32). This is because he put her into the position in which she was tempted to seek an adulterous relationship. If both agree to the unscriptural divorce, then each one shares some responsibility for the other one’s adultery which results from the divorce.

Though fornication must be the reason for the putting away, I know of no scriptural principle which demands that fornication be specifically named in the legal papers as the cause. If the party who is divorcing his spouse knows that to be the reason, and if God knows that to be the reason, then, so far as I can see, the scriptural requirement is fulfilled. In order that others might know that he is acting in accordance with God’s Word and that he is not defying God’s law, one should make others aware that it is for fornication, even if such is not specifically stated in the legal papers.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 3, pp. 75-76
February 7, 1985