Truth Magazine

By Luther Bolenbarker

It is extremely hard and rare when in our perusal of the daily newspapers or any other news publication that we are not confronted by headlines and advertisements in which alcohol in beverage form is the subject or primary cause for the article being written. In fact alcohol, when used as a beverage, has become such a problem in our society that our government publishes a publication sponsored by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (tax supported) which deals with alcohol abuse and alcoholism. The May 1977 issue deals with the growing concern about the destruction alcohol is causing our nation, especially among our youth and women. In the years since that issue, the problem has not diminished, but rather, has increased. Surely, no thinking person can deny that alcohol is a very serious problem.

Karl Marx, the founder of communism, once called it a “capitalist evil” and Russia is now being over run with alcoholics and is having to fight its havoc.

An honest look at beverage alcohol reveals its dangers for everyone. No one is immune to its dangers and effects, not even. Christians. Probably everyone of us has family, or friends who are caught in the snares of alcohol. As I work in my office, almost daily alcoholics, with seemingly the saddest stories in the world drop by looking for another buck or two in order to get another bottle. Yet in the face of all we can visually see, some say, “It won’t hurt me.”

One who uses alcohol as a beverage disregards the wisdom of the Bible. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise . . .” (Prov. 20:1). The opposite of wise is dumb, so what does that make a drinker according to God’s word? “It is not for kings . . . to drink wine . . . lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted” (Prov. 31:4). Isaiah 28:20 warns of its effects on stability and vision. Habbakuk 2:15, 16 warns that one not tempt his neighbor and be the cause of his downfall. A reading and study of Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:7; and Proverbs 23:29-35 would also serve to solidify the harmful effects of alcohol when used as a beverage.

The question of “wine in the Bible, used by Jesus” often is raised. Its use then as a beverage and/or a medicine does not begin to parallel the use of hard liquor today. Bible scholars tell of two distinct Hebrew words (yayin and tirosh). One refers to fresh juice primarily and the other to a fermented wine causing drunkenness that was denounced. It should also be noted that at times the word “wine” was used to refer to fresh juice still in the cluster or on the vine (Isa. 65:8).

Alcohol as a beverage harms the body and impairs its productivity. In the Bible, it appears that wine was used for healing and medicine (Luke 10:34; 1 Tim. 5:23). Its use, rather abuse, today has an undeniable harmful effect on the body and is classed as the number one drug problem instead of a healing agent. If it were used today as a medicine, some would never be sick again in their lives! Documented sources are inexhaustible showing highway deaths (50,000 w ), mental illness and diseases all related either directly or indirectly to alcohol when used as a beverage.

Beverage alcohol causes suffering to its users and to their victims, who most of the time are innocent. It has made many a man or woman worse than an infidel (1 Tim. 5:8) because of their neglect, unconcern or abuse of their families and friends. When an area has a riot or civil disturbance or even election day, one of the first stores to close is the liquor stores. People in places of authority know that where there is no fuel to fan the fire, it goes out. It is known that alcohol can and often does influence passions and trigger destruction. A “meek and mild, law-abiding” citizen when sober seems to lose all sense and reason when under the influence of alcohol. Ask any policeman or judge who has experienced dealing with family disturbances and divorces, and they will tell you that beverage alcohol is the main cause of law enforcement problems and the higher taxes required for alcohol rehabilitation programs. A recent government survey reported that alcohol, “. . . accounts for over 1/2 of all arrests in our nation.” In some communities the rate is higher and is rising and more shocking. Think of this: over 300,000 men and women now in our federal prisons could be on the streets, free if it were not for beverage alcohol!

What can the Christian do? Be convinced that there is a difference worth enjoying between the hard, useless life of a drunken reveler and a life. of spiritual peace and service to one’s community, God and His church. Be informed, not deceived, by the pleasures of sin for a season. Look beyond the bottle to the “gutter or jail” and ultimately Hell. Resist the advertising and morally lax climate that surrounds us and which will swallow us up if we do not. Abide by the law of God and man. Study and teach the issues of truth taught in the Scriptures which forbid drinking and drunkenness; especially do this for your own family. Pray and insure that your conscience and influence are in order (clear).

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Alcohol has many defenders but no defense.” This is still true today. The following article from U.S. News (4/26/82) shows the priorities of our lawmakers: Recall of Dangerous Products: “A recall by the Food and Drug Admin. of 55 Million cans of Alaskan Salmon, because one person died of botulism in Belgium.”

Perhaps there is hope yet (but I doubt it) for a recall of all the cans and bottles of alcoholic beverages that will be the contributing factor in over 50,000 deaths in 1983, and all the other problems which it causes. If not, then at least the hypocrisy and ulterior motives of all its defenders will be clearer than ever.

Don’t let alcohol “bite” you (Psa. 23:32) and cause pain and grief to others!

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 3, p. 75
February 3, 1983

By Johnie Edwards

The mouth is an important tool provided it is used properly. The Bible has much to say about the mouth. Thus, we study.

Old Testament Prophets Were A Mouth For God

The word prophet means “a mouth.” When Moses tried to excuse himself from doing the work of God because he was not eloquent, God said, “Who bath made man’s mouth?” (Exod. 4:10-11). God then allowed Aaron to become the mouth for Moses. “And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shaft be to him instead of God” (Exod. 4:16). Aaron became a prophet to Moses because he was used by Moses as a “mouth.” “And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet” (Exod. 7:1). Thus, when an Old Testament prophet spoke, he was merely the mouth for God, speaking the message of God. Peter expressed it this way: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21).

The Mouth Advertises What’s On The Heart

If you want to know the things that are in a person’s heart, just listen to the things that come out of his mouth. Jesus said, “. . . for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 12:34). This is the reason it is important what one thinks. Solomon said, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he . . .” (Prov. 23:7). This may help us understand why Paul told the Philippians, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8).

A Wise Man’s Mouth

Solomon had something to say about the wise man’s mouth. “The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook” (Prov. 18:4). Again it is written, “The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself” (Eccl. 10:12). The words of your mouth help to determine whether you are wise or foolish. “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips” (Prov. 16:23). It is important that we engage the gain before we start the mouth!

A Fool’s Mouth

The mouth can be to ones own destruction. Solomon said, “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul (Prov. 18:7). It is as Paul told the Galatians, “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (Gal. 5:15). It is possible that by the mouth, people bite and devour one another – thus to their own destruction!

The Need For Open Mouths

There are many occasions for open mouths. Paul’s desire was to use his mouth to proclaim the gospel of Christ. “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:19). If one intends to preach, he must open his mouth. As Philip preached to the eunuch, the Bible says “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:35). In singing, we need to open our mouths and not be afraid to sing out. We need to realize that we are “singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19).

Some Mouths Need To Be Stopped

Just as mouths need to be opened, some mouths need to be stopped! Paul said, “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for fifthly lucre’s sake” (Tit. 1:10-11). Those, in the church, who teach “things which they ought not” must be stopped. This one reason that elders need the knowledge of God’s word. “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Tit. 1:9).

Have you checked your mouth lately?

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 3, p. 74
February 3, 1983

By Fred Holthouser

To show that we are dealing with a false religious organization and one that is a false prophet, at the end of this article I will give you a list of the false prophecies made by them and a list of some of the books where these false predictions can be found. So go to your library and look them up for yourself; many libraries have a copy of all their old literature. The predictions of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society have changed so much that it would take a long article just to list eh changes made int eh last thirty years. So it would be impossible for me to quote from all of them in this one article. When I give you the list of predictions made by them, then you should be able to judge for yourself if the Witnesses are true prophets or not. Remember the three point test that a true prophet must meet and pass.

What Is The End?

From 1914 until the present time, they have changed the prophecy of the end of the world on numerous occasions and are still trying to predict when it will end. They have been mistaken so many times that it looks like they would quit making such predictions. As the old saying goes, a child once burned is twice shy of the fire, but not these Witnesses. They still keep predicting right on in spite of the many times they have been mistaken. Remember that this is the only way that they have of putting “pep” back into the organization when the members start to wind down, do not do as much work in going door to door, and fail tot sell all the books and magazines the headquarter think that they should. Just tell them that he end of the world will be here next year or the years after, and watch them get busy in the field service!

The book called The Finished Mystery (started by Russell and finished by Rutherford) on page 62 states that the spring of 1918 will bring on Christendom a spasm of anguish greater even than the one experienced in the fall of 1914. The travail that is coming is to be on nominal Christendom (Babylon). It will be a great and sore affliction time of trouble such as was not since that was a nation. This was to be the fulfillment of Revelation 11:7-13.

According to their book by Rutherford, Millions Now Living Will Never Die (pp. 88-89), it is stated that 1925 would see the resurrection of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the other faithful men of old that are mentioned in Hebrews 11. These faithful men would lead the earthy class of people back to human perfection here on earth in fulfillment of Revelation 21:1-4. Some of the other book s that you can find their false predictions in are: You May Survive Armageddon Into God’s New World, Let God Be True, The Truth Shall Make You Free, and Everlasting Life in the Freedom of the Sons of God. There are many more that I can supply anyone a list of upon request and will be glad to do so. Look at 2 Peter 2:1-3, where Peter tells us that false teachers were in his day and that they would always arise. They still arise today.

A lot of these dates were changed as the need arose, so much so that it was hard for any Witness to keep up with what you were to teach at any given time. But to show that this is a false religious organization, let me quote in part from the October, 1968, Awake Magazine (p. 23). Teaching against false prophecies, the article said, “Missing was a full measure of the evidence required in, fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Missing from such people were God’s truths and the evidence that he was guiding them and using them.” Now I would like to ask one question. What organization is more famous for date setting and the missing of those dates than all other organizations on earth put together? I will answer this one for them: that organization is known as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. So by their own articles, they tell us that God is not using them as his visible and legal representatives on earth because never have any of their predictions ever come true on any date set for them to happen!

Let us look at some prophecies of God and see if they were fulfilled or not. Also let us see if God ever changed any of them before they were fulfilled. Take Isaiah 45:1-2. This prophecy deals with the fall of Babylon, and even names the name of the one that was to overthrow Babylon. Isaiah’s writings were completed about 732 B.C. and this prophecy was fulfilled in 539 B.C. by Cyrus the Persian, or 139 years after the prophecy was made. See also Jeremiah 25:8-9. God prophesied that Babylon would overthrow Israel and lead them off into captivity. This prophecy was given in the year 632 B.C. and was fulfilled in the year 607 to 609 B.C., or twenty-five years later. Let us stop for a moment. Did God change any of these prophecies just because they did not come true? Or, did He ever say that they came true but no one saw them come true because they were invisible to the human eye? God never said any of those things and all His prophecies came to pass just like He said they would. So we can see that the Witnesses have not spoken as the Lord commanded and they are to be considered false prophets by all Bible standards.

More False Claims

In the Witness Book of Government which was released in 1928 (pp. 247-250), the seventh trumpet was blown and the Theocratic government was to start to rule over mankind in fulfillment of Revelation 11:15-18. In their book of Paradise Restored to Mankind by the Theocracy, on pages 282-301 (which is a whole chapter), just like in other false organizations they claim to have unity in spite of all false predictions. This in itself is a false claim as the Witnesses have broken into several groups in the past. Some of them are still in existence today, such as the Dawn Bible Students, Back to the Bible Ways, and some others that could be named. But this is enough to show you that there is not much unity shown here, no matter what they claim.

Just like the Roman Catholic Church, in spite of all their wrong predictions and in spite of all that they have done to people and the false teachings that have been done in the name of God, the Jehovah’s Witnesses still claim to be God’s visible and legal representatives here on this earth. What nerve it takes to condemn someone for doing something when you are doing as bad yourself! One time I had the congregation overseer get all over me for my son playing with a toy cap pistol; when I went to his house to see him on some business of the congregation, there his two boys were playing with the same kind of toy cap pistols. He told me when I called his hand on this that I was to do as he told me to do and not as he did. This is typical of the hypocrisy in the way the organization is run from the top down. You just do not question them about what they teach no matter how false it happens to be. What they say goes. If they are wrong in their predictions they will just change them as the need arises for them to do so.

In the eleventh chapter of Revelation, the kingdoms of this world are not asked to join the kingdom of God, which contradicts what the Witnesses teach. The Bible does not teach that the kingdoms of earth with their governments are to become the kingdom of God. After the period we know in history as the Dark Ages, there was a change in the hearts of the world rulers and the change put the Bible back into the hands of the common people. In this way, they could learn the truth of God’s word and come into the kingdom of God in obedience to the gospel plan of salvation on an individual basis. Whole nations have never accepted the truth of God’s word and according to the Bible they never will this side of the judgment bar of God, but we must all stand before this judgment bar of God on an individual basis and not as a nation. We must answer for what we have done in this body whether it be good or bad, as the Bible teaches in 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Romans 14:12.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 3, pp. 72-73
February 3, 1983

By Aude McKee

As we continue our review of Olan Hicks’ tract on divorce and remarriage, we ask you to note some things he said in a paragraph that begins on page 5:

Rightly Dividing

After determining precisely what the text says, the next vital step is to make sure we apply it in harmony with apostolic example, that we give it the meaning they demonstrated. Here again the traditional position errs from the right course. It has long been standard among us to divide the testaments at the cross and to recognize that the new testament gospel began to be preached on Pentecost day in Acts 2. Examples of its terms being executed therefore, are not to be found before the cross. But being unable to find any examples in which the apostles thought of Matthew 19:9 the way the Council of Trent did, advocates of that tradition have turned to incidents before the cross and offer these as “examples” to support their theory. Usually the words of John the Baptist to Herod are cited, or the case of the Jews of Ezra’s time. But John was killed in Matthew the 14th chapter, and the words of our text occur in the 19th chapter, five chapters after John’s death. Thus that incident could not possibly be a case of these words being applied. The Jews of Ezra’s time, of course, are even farther away from being an example than that, since that incident occurred hundreds of years before Jesus spoke the words of Matthew 19:9. Neither incident is a case of a marriage being disallowed because fornication was lacking as the cause for a prior divorce. These are not examples of Matthew 19:9 being applied any more than the thief on the cross is a case of the great commission being executed. In both cases the incident took place before the words being considered were spoken. The simple truth is, there does not exist in scripture a single case, anywhere, of a marriage being “nullified” because fornication was not the cause of a preceding divorce. When we come over this side of the cross where the apostolic example is found, we see evidence that is altogether to the contrary. We find the gospel first being preached to the Jews, a nation which had been living under the law of Moses. This law, ironically, permitted divorce and remarriage for many causes (Matt. 19:3-8). But when these people asked the apostles, “What shall we do?” not a word was said concerning destroying any present marriages nor living celibately thereafter, as far as the divine record states. Peter simply replied, “Repent and be baptized everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . . .” (Acts 2:38). It is clear that repentance of former sins and a spiritual washing in baptism was sufficient. This is as far as our pattern goes. Neither the Council of Trent nor current enforcers have the right to give further elaboration as to what is “in the eyes of God,” and add into this pattern what is not supplied by the Holy Ghost. As J.D. Bales observed, “The Law of Christ is not Retroactive” (Firm Foundation, 6-13-78).

Olan wants an example of the teaching of Matthew 19:9 being carried out. Will he reject the clear meaning of Matthew 18:15-17, and the application of the passage to present-day circumstances, because he can find no example of its application after the cross? Olan is trying to make a new law!

He says that when Jews asked, “What shall we do?” in Acts 2:37, Peter didn’t say a word about destroying present marriages. “Peter simply replied, `Repent and be baptized . . . .”‘ We wonder, what does our brother think “repent” means? Those who followed the command to “repent” changed their minds about every action, thought and word that was contrary to the law of Christ! To those who might have been engaging in unlawful intercourse, the word “repent” covered that just like it covered lying, stealing and all other sins. According to Olan, these people could repent of adultery and keep on committing it – well, not exactly, because he wants to define adultery as divorce and remarriage: So the repentance would involve simply deciding not to divorce and remarry any more. Then the couple unscripturally divorced and remarried could go on sleeping together with God’s approval.

The very reason that there is adultery (Matt 19:9) in some marriages is simply because there is no marriage in God’s sight. God does not join two people who have no scriptural right to marry, any more than He “adds to the church” someone who has no scriptural right to be so considered (Acts 2:47). A person could come before an assembly, confess his faith in the risen Lord, and be immersed in water with the preacher saying, “for the remission of sins,” but the Lord knows whether or not he has met the terms of pardon, and it is only the Lord who applies the blood. If a man affirmed that the Lord would add a person’s name to the Lamb’s book of life simply because a local church added the name to their roll book, he would be totally in error. Just so, for a man to affirm that God recognizes a piece of paper issued by a civil court, dissolving a marriage because the couple disagreed over what breed of dog to buy, is just as ridiculous. In order for a person to be “added to the church,” God’s terms of pardon must be met. Just so, in order for what “God hath joined together” to be “unjoined,” God’s terms must be met! His terms are stated in these words: “Except it be for fornication” (Matt. 19:9). The clear import is simply this. If a marriage is dissolved and the reason for the putting away was not fornication, then any subsequent sexual activity, on the part of either one is labeled adultery by the Lord. It matters not whether the sexual activity is “one night stands” or activity made socially acceptable by another marriage, the result is the same before God.

Another very clear example among the apostles is that of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. In chapter 5 he cites a case of incest among them, involving the defilement of a marriage. In chapter 6 he mentions that others of the Corinthians had been “adulterers” (6:9-11): There is no question that people guilty of adultery, or marriage violation, were among those to whom Paul wrote this letter. But the procedure by which they were rehabilitated was exactly the same as that which Peter gave at Pentecost. “And such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” The teaching of tradition insists that, following repentance and washing, former adulterers are required by the demands of repentance, to “become a eunuch for the kingdom of heaven’s sake,” and finish their lives without a mate. But Paul takes the opposite position. As we read on here, we find him in chapter 7 taking up matters they had written him about, particularly marriage. His first statement on the matter is, “to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife and let every woman have her own husband” (1 Cor. 7:2). Remembering that this was written to people among whom Paul had just cited the existence of former adultery, it is clear that this command cannot be harmonized with the tradition established at Trent, namely that former adulterers are not capable of entering a valid marriage but are consigned to permanent celibacy. Here is a clear indication that Paul did not view the matter that way. And again, one must choose between inspired scripture and human opinion.

Let us impress on the minds of our readers that Olan’s position from beginning to end depends on his definition of “adultery.” His definition is, the act of divorcing and the act of getting married. And so, when he comes to a case of conversion, the repentance involved simply means that the person, regardless of how many marriages and divorces he may have had, just agrees mentally that he will not do that anymore. If a person is allowed to define Bible words to suit his purpose, then I suppose there is nothing in this world that could not be “proven” right! The closest that Olan has come to finding his definition of the word “adultery” is Thayer’s statement that the Greek word is used figuratively in Greek writing “to usurp unlawful authority over the sea” and then the examples he gives are all outside the Bible! Mr. Vine agrees with Thayer when it comes to the literal meaning of “adultery”: “Denotes one who has unlawful intercourse with the spouse of another” (Vol. 1, pp. 32-33).

How could the Corinthians have been “washed, sanctified and justified”? Why, by obedience to the gospel (Acts 18:8). This obedience included repentance (Acts 17:30), which meant they had to have a change of mind about committing the sin of adultery. When did Jesus say the adultery occurred? Read Matthew 19:9: “And I say unto you, whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery” (Emphasis mine, a.m.). We have heard it said, “You have to have help to misunderstand,” and it seems that is what Olan is determined to give. But it is going to take more than a far-out definition of “adultery” to accomplish the task! The “fornication” in Matthew 19:9 must be understood literally, and so the “adultery” in the passage must be understood literally, also.

Every position Olan takes is colored by his definition of “adultery,” in verse 2 of 1 Corinthians 7, Paul said, “. . . to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. ” This verse must be understood in the light of everything the New Testament teaches regarding marriage, divorce, remarriage, adultery and fornication. With his definition of “adultery,” Olan can say to all the divorced people in the world, “Go out and get you another husband or wife in order to avoid fornication.” But Jesus said that if the former marriage was not broken for the cause of fornication, then any subsequent sexual relationship was adultery. That has to be understood and taken into consideration when reading 1 Corinthians 7, or any other New Testament passage dealing with this subject.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 3, pp. 71-72
February 3, 1983