WHO WILL WIN
THE WAR?
Pastor J. C.
O’Hair
WRITTEN DURING WORLD WAR II
Perhaps you too have tuned in to the “Town Hall” discussions or to one of the numerous “Round Table” discussions, as to what attitude and action the United States should take in the present world conflicts as to who is going to be victorious and how the situation is to he handled after the war is over.
In order that the listening, public may be convinced that the speakers are qualified to intelligently discuss these important subjects, the radio announcer emphasizes the fact that distinguished college professors or worldfamous writers or high military officials or experienced statesmen are participating in the discussions.
How sad it is that here, in a country sometimes called a Christian nation, not one of the speakers, in their predictions and proposed solutions ever mention God’s Word of Prophecy or the unfailing predictions of Jesus Christ, the infallible son of God.
Jews and Christians who claim to believe the Bible should join in enlightening the poor blind statesmen, politicians, and educators who are so utterly ignorant of God’s program for this age and Bible prophecies as to the course and culmination of the times of the Gentiles. Accordingly they are unable to speak with authority or predict with any degree of accuracy as to the outcome of the present world disorder, violence and unrest. In an endeavor to answer this question in the light of Divine Truth as revealed in the Bible, you may be assured in the very beginning that we are not going to follow in the footsteps of the Christian preachers who have deceived and misled many of’ their hearers with their wild prophecies concerning, Stalin, Mussolini, Hitler, and the other demonpossessed, bloodthirsty tyrants. They have wholly disregarded God’s plain instruction.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15).
Neither have they made any attempts to obey Ephesians 3:9
“And to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God.”
These preachers have ignorantly and unsuccessfully endeavored to prove by the maneuvers of the European monarchs that the thirtyeighth chapter of Ezekiel and the Prophecy of Daniel are being fulfilled before our very eyes during this present economy. But the Bible clearly teaches us that Ezekiel, Daniel, and all of Israel’s prophets, were both silent and ignorant concerning God’s purpose and program during this parenthetical age.
If these servants of the Lord would obey Ephesians 3:9, if they would learn and teach God’s program and purpose in this unprophesied period, and quit guessing and speculating as to which one of the European rulers is to be the beast or antichrist, they would do much to establish God’s people so that they would be of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7.
Many of these prophets, workmen who need to be ashamed because they do not rightly divide the Word of truth, are still seducing their hearers with their undispensational prophetic messages. However be it said to the credit of some of them, they have ceased their wild predictions, and they seem to be hiding out. If they would be humble and honest, and courageous enough to confess that they have been mistaken in their interpretations, and try to undo some of the damage they have done, it would surely help in the Lord’s work.
Just a few moments of serious, prayerful meditation should be sufficient to convince any sincere, spiritual, intelligent student of the Scriptures that the two statements being made by many of the Premillenarians today are absolutely irreconcilable. On the one hand they teach that the Lord Jesus will soon rapture the Church because Old Testament prophecy is being fulfilled by Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler, and on the other hand they claim to believe in the imminent coming of Christ (His “any-moment” coming).
Should Paul, or John, or Luther, or Calvin, or Knox, or Wesley, or Darby, or Spurgeon, or Moody have believed in the imminent coming of Christ, while they were alive if Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin had to appear on the scene and fulfill Old Testament prophecy before the Lord could come to take the living saints to glory?
So in an endeavor to answer the question, “who will win the war,” we shall not attempt to prove who will be victorious in the present conflict so that Old Testament prophecies may be fulfilled, for there is not one line in those Scriptures referring specifically to the rulers now at war.
There is a sense in which all of God’s servants see through a glass darkly. We are quite limited as to our knowledge of future events on earth. Tomorrow belongs to God and we know not what a day may bring forth.
Quite frequently we hear the questions “do you think we are living in the last days?” “do you think the we are nearing the end of the age:” “do you think the coming of the Lord is near at hand?”
When these questions come to us we should think of I John 2:18.
“Little children, it is the last time; and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.”
We think also of the meaning of a statement that has been uttered by many of God’s servants, “this is a timeless and a signless age during which the clock of prophecy has stopped.” Of course they refer to Old Testament prophecy rather than to the prophecies in the Church Epistles. Analyze this statement and see if it is in accordance with the Word of God rightly divided.
Has not God interrupted or suspended His kingdom prophecies? Are we not living in a parenthetical period not foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures? Is God carrying on a program and accomplishing a purpose during this present “grace” economy that is not in fulfillment of the prophetic writings and utterances of Israel’s prophets?
Has not God postponed the settingup of the Messianic-political kingdom of Jesus Christ on this earth until after He has fully accomplished His purpose concerning the Body of Christ during this present economy? Does God’s Word teach that Christ, at any moment may call the members of His Body to glory?
If, on the authority of God’s Word, we can and do answer these questions in the affirmative the we may be able to find the answer to our very interesting, if not altogether important question, “Who will win the war?”
PATRIOTISM CHRISTIANITY
While every Christian should be a loyal, patriotic American, every Bibletaught American Christian knows that every saved Briton, every saved Russian, every saved Italian, every saved Japanese, and every saved German is, with every saved American, a member of the Body of Christ; all members one of another in all inseparable and eternal union with the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 12:3 and 4. There is a sense then in which the saved Italian, German or Russian is united to the saved American in a more sacred tie than is his unsaved fellowAmerican. This is an abiding union that will continue after all wars on earth shall leave ceased, after the earth shall have melted with fervent heat.
Members of Christ’s Body are to love one another and endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit. Therefore, while Christians who live in the United States should loyally support this government in its stand against the ungodly murderous tyrants of other countries, American Christians should constantly guard against any hatred for Christians belonging to countries with whom the United States may be at war.
It is rather difficult at times to overcome our racial prejudices and control our patriotic feelings, but when we are led of the holy Spirit and know that we are to be faithful Christians first and loyal Americans second, we can and will by God’s grace and power, be kept from bitter feelings against Christians who may happen to be Italians or Germans.
During the twentythree years that I have been in the Lord’s service in this section of the United States, I have enjoyed the sweetest fellowship with many godly, spiritual, faithful German Christians. With the majority of them the fellowship and friendship have been true and abiding. With them love for the Lord Jesus Christ has come before love for Germany. But surely they are not to be condemned, if they love the country from which they or their Christian parents came.
In all of my conversations I have met very few German Christians who had a good word for Hitler. It is inconceivable that any Christian of any country could be for such an ungodly criminal, who has not only murdered many unsaved all over Europe but has persecuted and afflicted the Lord’s people in his own country. Yet there are a few such people. No Christian can please God and at the same time endorse the proposed program of the Nazi leaders against Jesus Christ and Bible Christians. Even so, it is possible to understand why Germans, who love Germany have no earnest desire to see Germany defeated in the present conflict, or why they should take a definite stand against Great Britain.
What we shall write in this message as to the outcome of the present cruel war shall not be written with any prejudice or hatred in our heart for any individual German.
GOD’S PERMISSIVE WILL
Another fact that all Christians should know is that since the day that God permitted the serpent, through his subtlety to beguile Eve in Eden God has permitted both good and evil to exist. For some good reason, known to God, He has permitted Satan to retain certain power and authority as the prince of this world, the god of this age and, as the ruler of world darkness in the heavenlies. “Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.” Acts 15:19.
And concerning human earthly kings, emperors and other governors, it is still true that “the powers that be are ordained of God.” Romans 13:1 to 8. Also we know that it is still true concerning the God of heaven. Daniel 2:27 and 22.
“And He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings; He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him.” Daniel 2:21 and 22.
Perhaps you and I would never have permitted the dictators to occupy their thrones, if we could have prevented them. And I have heard many Christians express their doubts as to whether God has anything to do with the doings of the ungodly men who are causing death and destruction on the earth. Others ask how we can reconcile the statement that these political rulers are ordained of God with the boast of Satan in Luke 4:5 to 7. Note his words:
“And the devil, taking Him (Christ) up into a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto Him, All this power will I give Thee and the glory of them: FOR THAT IS DELIVERED UNTO ME; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If Thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be Thine.”
Surely any sane person, who is reading the headlines, knows that the kingdoms of this earth are not yet the kingdoms of God and, His Christ, and they should believe that when Christ called Satan “the prince of this world,” He was right.
There are many saved and unsaved people who never cease to ask the question, “Why does the omnipotent God permit Satan and his servants to carry on such a reign of terror?” “If God is going to ultimately dethrone the prince of the world and set up His kingdom of righteousness and peace on this earth, why does He permit Satan to oppose Him politically and spiritually?”
Of course this brings us to the question, why did God create this creature in the beginning and why did He permit Satan to get the world in such a fix?
GOD’S MORE SURE PROPHECY
“We have also a more sure Word of Prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts.”
With this verse we quote again Acts 15:18: “Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.”
Then note the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:17 and 18: “Think not that 1 am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass frown the law, till all be fulfilled.”
There are many unfulfilled prophecies in God’s book which shall surely be fulfilled. The true King David, in fulfillment of Isaiah 9:6 and 7, will some day occupy David’s throne and of the increase of His peace and government there shall be no end.
Jeremiah 23:5 and 6 will literally be fulfilled:
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.” “His name. The Lord our Righteousness.”
The Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth as a conquering King, and will rule with a rod of iron. Psalm 2:9—Revelation 2:27—Revelation 12:5—and Revelation 19:15.
Note Matthew 25:31 and 34: “When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory.” “Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
The kingdoms of this world shall surely become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ: “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever:” Revelation 11:15. “And He shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Micah 4:3. “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matthew 5:18.
THE LORD MAKETH WARS TO CEASE
“He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the fire.” Psalm 46:9.
“The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is His name.” Exodus 15:3.
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6 and 7.
Here we learn that the Lord is called both “a Man of war” and “the Prince of Peace.”
Let us behold Him as a man of war as He comes to be the Prince of Peace:
“And I saw heaven opened, and beheld a white horse, and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He Both judge and make war: “And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations; and He shall rule them with a rod of iron; and He treated the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army.” “And the remnant were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceedeth out of His mouth; and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” Revelation l9:11,15,16 and 19 to 21.
When we see how utterly futile have been man’s attempts to establish justice, righteousness and peace on the earth, and when we know how well this will be done when the Prince of Peace comes back to take over the government of the earth, surely we want to join with John in his “even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20.
THE PRESENT AGE AND THE COMING AGE
Christian should know that what the Almighty God is going to do in the coming kingdom age is quite different from what He is doing and will continue to do, during this present “grace” economy, while the Messianic kingdom is in abeyance.
Note carefully Ephesians 1:9 to 11:
“Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself; That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him; In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.”
Here we learn that God has made known to His children the secret of His will, that is, His purpose and program for this age which He did not reveal to even His most faithful and obedient servants until His Son disclosed it to the apostle Paul.
“For this cause I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward; How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words).” Ephesians 3:1 to 3.
“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His Body’s sake, which is the Church; Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the Word of God; Even THE MYSTERY WHICH HATH BEEN HID FROM AGES AND FROM GENERATIONS, but now is made manifest to His saints.” Colossians 1:24 to 26.
The secret of God’s will, God’s mystery revealed to Paul, has to do with “the JointBody” of Ephesians 3:6, (same Body should be translated Joint-Body), with “The One New Man” of Ephesians 2:15, with “The Perfect Man” of Ephesians 4:13.
This Body of Christ, which God is building up during this age of grace, is called “the fulness of Christ.” Ephesians 1:23. The culmination or consummation is stated in this language, in Ephesians 4:23—“unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
God is omnipotent. God is sovereign. God works all things after the counsel or His own will. God, during this age, is not establishing a political government, an earthly righteous kingdom. This He will surely do after He has finished His present work. God in this age of grace, will complete the Body of Christ, the fulness of Christ. God will make “The One New Man.”
Many Christian preachers have confused the “kingdom” teachings of Jesus of Nazareth with the “grace” truth of the resurrected Christ concerning His Body, revealed to and through the apostle Paul, after the “kingdom” nation was set aside. They are very largely responsible for the profound ignorance that prevails as to the difference between Jesus Christ on David’s throne, as a reigning king, and Jesus Christ in the heavenlies on His Father’s throne, as the Head of the Church which is His Body. To the Church of this age God has not assigned the task of bringing in the kingdom, bringing back the King, or of Christianizing the whole world. They are instructed to evangelize all people.
God definitely tells us that He is making “One New Man.” In Matthew 25:31 and 31, we are definitely told where Jesus Christ, as the Son of main, is going to be—
“When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory.”
“Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
In Ephesians 1:20 to 23, we are definitely told where this Jesus Christ now is—
“Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the Church, Which is His Body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.”
Before the Lord Jesus shall take His throne on earth, as the son of man and King, note carefully the work that God will surely finish—
“HE THAT DESCENDED IS THE SAME: ALSO THAT ASCENDED UP FAR ABOVE ALL HEAVENS, THAT HE MIGHT FILL ALL THINGS. AND HE GAVE SOME.
APOSTLES; AND SOME, PROPHETS; AND SOME, EVANGELISTS; AND SOME, PASTORS AND TEACHERS; FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY, FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST; TILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, UNTO A PERFECT MAN, UNTO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULNESS OF CHRIST.” Ephesians 4:10 to 13.
Note the expectation and hope of the members of this Body—
“For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious Body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.” Philippians 3:20 and 21.
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:3 and 4.
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13.
During this present economy of grace God is edifying, (building up) the Body of Christ. This, God will continue to do—“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure or the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13. With this consummation the Lord Jesus Christ will appear for the members of His Body and they will, in glorified bodies, appear with Him in glory.
THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES POLITICALLY
How will this program of God affect the political rulers of the world during “the times of the Gentiles”? Note the words of Jesus Christ, in Luke 21:24 to 27 and 31.
“And they (the Jews) shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”
“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
“So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.”
This period of Gentile authority, called “The Times of the Gentiles,” politically, will run its course. It will not end when the Church goes to Christ, but when Christ comes to earth, as the Son of man, at a time of awful sorrow on the earth.
This is in full accord with the teaching of Daniel’s prophecy. In the second chapter of Daniel we learn that “the times of the Gentiles,” politically, began with the conquest of Jerusalem, and the captivity of the Jews, by the king of Babylon, and will end with the coming; of Some One from heaven. Jesus Christ is that Some One, but He has not been the Smiting Stone up to this moment, as He is to be. He shall surely smite the nations when He comes as the Son of man. Note again the verses we quoted from Revelation, the nineteenth chapter.
“And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations; and He shall rule them with a rod of iron; and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” Revelation 19:11 to 15.
Again we learn in Luke 21:27 to 33 how “the times of the Gentiles,” politically, will end when the Son of man comes to Israel.
THE TIMES OF THE GENTILE SPIRITUALLY
“The times of the Gentiles,” spiritually, began with Paul.
“FOR I SPEAK TO YOU GENTILES, INASMUCH AS I AM THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES, I MAGNIFY MINE OFFICE; IF BY ANY MEANS I MAY PROVOKE TO EMULATION THEM WHICH ARE MY FLESH, AND MIGHT SAVE SOME OF THEM. FOR IF THE CASTING AWAY OF THEM BE THE RECONCILING OF THE WORLD, WHAT SHALL THE RECEIVING OF THEM BE, BUT LIFE FROM THE DEAD.” Romans 11:13 to 15.
“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” Romans 11:25 and 26.
Note the end of “the times of the Gentiles” under the dispensation of grace:
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13.
Therefore, members of the Body of Christ are not to look for or expect the signs of Luke 21:25 to 33, or of Matthew 24:11 to 30, for these signs will not be in the heavens, or on the earth, while God is completing the Body of Christ.
What, folly then for “grace” messengers to preach Luke 21:28, as a sign message to members of the Body of Christ.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.”
Whose redemption? Tribulation Jews?
If these messengers would only be true and faithful and intelligent in giving out God’s unmixed message of grace and obey Ephesians 3:6 to 11, they would do much to deliver the bewildered Christians from their confusion, doubts and faulty dispensationalism. Note Ephesians 3:9 to 11. Let us not cease our prayerful meditation of these verses until we are sure of their meaning. Then we will know that we are living in an unprophesied parenthetical period, during which time God has indeed suspended or interrupted His “kingdom” covenants. Thus, rightly dividing the Word of Truth, we will not err; with those who preach that present world events are in fulfillment of “tribulation” and “kingdom” prophecies in their endeavor to prove that God is, putting the finishing touches on the Body of Christ, and Christ is at hand for His Church.
Members of Christ’s Body are looking for God’s Son and not for signs. As we said, the doctrine of the imminent coming of Christ is wholly irreconcilable with the teaching that Christ’s coming; is at hand because of the activities of Stalin, Mussolini and Hitler.
ISRAEL’S FUTURE
Any intelligent student of the Bible knows that there are more than one hundred definite prophecies concerning the future redemption and earthly glory of Israel. Note, again the words of the Lord Jesus, in Luke 21:24, 27 and 31:
“And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”
“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
“So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh.”
Here we learn when Israel’s subjugation and wanderings will cease and how their redemption will be accomplished. From these verses we know when Israel’s redemption will be at hand. From the thirty-forth chapter through the thirtyseventh chapter of Ezekiel we learn of Israel redemption and the restoration of the kingdom.
We have some facts very definitely and clearly stated in Romans 11:25 and 26.
“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall cone out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”
Then in the verses that follow we learn that God will again elect Israel, because of His covenant and because His gifts and calling are without repentance.
Then note, Hebrews 8:11:
“And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest.”
In Amos 9:11 to 15 we see Israel happily established in their own land.
We could quote one hundred other verses to show God’s guaranty as to Israel’s future. Read Jeremiah 31:31 to 38.
We know from this same chapter, and from Jeremiah 30:5 to 11, that Israel is going to be saved out of the great tribulation. That will be in the time of sorrow when the Son of man appears in the clouds with power and great glory. We know of the salvation of the nations through redeemed Israel, in an age that will follow this age. We know of the coming warless age.
The Bible has much to say concerning “the last days.” Many of the Scriptures concerning “the last days” do not refer to “the last days” of this age of grace. It is not sound exegesis to say that “the last days” to which Peter referred, in Acts 2:16, have anything to do with this age of grace. Every saved Jew or Gentile in this age has been baptized by one Spirit into one Body; but not in fulfillment of Joel’s Prophecy or any other Old Testament Prophecy. Peter, on the day of Pentecost, was referring to Joel’s Prophecy concerning Israel’s “last days” and Israel’s “kingdom” days. Joel never once had in his mind anything that pertained to the JointBody of Ephesians 3:6.
ARE WE IN THE LAST DAYS?
God’s servants are frequently asked the question, “Don’t you think that conditions point to the soon coming of Christ?”; “Don’t you believe we are living the last days?”
Just this week a Christian said to me, “Do you think one has any right to dogmatically say the Lord Jesus is coming soon?” “What Scriptural right has any one to add the word soon?” I said, “none whatever.” The Lord’s servants should be exceedingly careful not to substitute their desires or ideas for the Word of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ may call His Church to glory sooner than soon, and every member of His Body should be looking constantly for that blessed hope. Titus 2:13.
While it is a fact that as we behold and consider world conditions, we wonder how civilization can hold together much longer, and we even shudder when we think of what may yet take place on earth during the remaining years of this war and thereafter. Yet we have no Scriptural authority to teach that the Lord will come soon, this year, next year, or within any given number of years. He may come today. He may not come for many years. We do no good for the doctrine of the blessed hope by fixing days definitely or approximately. It is one thing to say, “I just feel that the Lord’s coming is near;” it is quite another thing to do the impossible, that is, to quote the Scripture to prove that the Lord’s coming is near. The world economically, politically, and spiritually is in a bad fix. But pray tell, when it has not been. How about those years from the death of the last apostle until the ministry of Martin Luther? Were those not darker days than these in which we live? How about the years when Napoleon Bonaparte was almost a world conqueror? This present age has always been this present evil age, for Satan has ever been the god of this age.
It is true that Modernism which has been spreading all over Christendom during this generation does seem to be the devil’s masterpiece, as his servants are transformed into the apostles of Christ, in agreement with II Corinthians 11:13 to 15. He is truly a clever devil as he transforms himself into an angel of light and sends forth his false prophets, as ministers of righteousness, to propagate their Christianized agnosticism from Christian pulpits, dealing out their pernicious and damnable doctrines in Bible phraseology and Christian terminology. Then when we behold two hundred million professing Christians steeped in ritualism the victims of a perverted gospel, and loyally supporting an unscriptural religious system, we wonder at the power of that one who is accused of the crime of deceiving the whole world.
It is also true that during the last fifty years about thirty satanic, metaphysical cults have sprung up, and Satan’s servants in these religious organizations pretend to use the Bible as their textbook as they proclaim their false theories and unscriptural vagaries with sincerity and great zeal. Carefully read II Corinthians 11:13 to 15 and II Thessalonians 2:4 to 13.
But in spite of the Modernism, Ritualism, Fanaticism, and all of the satanic cults, there are more consecrated saints of God on this earth than ever lived at any one time. There are more intelligent students of the Bible today than at any time since the days of the apostles. In spite of the opposition to the greatest truth in the Bible for saints, more is being done today for the recovery of Pauline truth than at any time since the days of the Apostle Paul.
Millions upon millions of gospel tracts are being distributed. The message of salvation by faith in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ is going out over the radio. More Bibles are being sold and distributed than ever before. There are more Bible study helps. No Christian of any age ever enjoyed such liberty as we have under “the Bill of Rights.” These are days of real privilege and opportunity. This age is still this present evil age, but it is still the day of grace. Let us keep in mind the truth of Romans 5:20, “where sin abounded grace did much amore abound.”
As we see the present war movements and the unprecedented spending of millions and billions in this land, Christians join with the unsaved statesmen and writers and public speakers who say that the future looks uncertain and dark. Political leaders are telling us there is no smooth sailing ahead. All Americans are warned to be prepared For sacrifice and suffering; for almost anything.
In the midst of Paul’s suffering when he seemed to be facing certain death he said:
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
As Christians we know that the future of the United States and that of all other nations, is in the hands of God; so we, too, should finish our days on earth with joy, in the midst of sorrow, testifying of the gospel of the grace of God, and really believing Romans 8:28 to 32:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called; and whom He called, them He also justified; and whom He justified, them He also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
If we believe that God is working, and will continue to work all things after the counsel of His own will, and if Daniel 2:21 is true that it is God Who “changeth the times and the seasons; He removeth kings, and setteth up kings; He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding,” if God causes wars to cease, if Jesus Christ is to remain in heaven until God sends Him back for the restitution of all things, if God knows the end from the beginning, then we know that God will rule and overrule in the outcome of this war to accomplish His own purpose.
God permits evil. God permits evil men to go so far. God permits Satan to have certain power and authority. We may think at times that Satan has unlimited power; but God knows all and no one, can get beyond His jurisdiction and control.
Note I Timothy 6:12, 14 and 15:
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
“That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; Which in His times He shall shew, Who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.”
HITLER AND THE JEWS
During “the times of the Gentiles the Jews have had plenty of trouble. They are today where Christ nineteen hundred years ago, said they would be:
“And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”
In this connection let us note I Samuel 7:14 to 16:
“I will be His Father, and he shall be My son If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.”
Then mote Jeremiah 30:10 and 16:
“Therefore fear thou not, O My servant Jacob, saith the Lord, neither be dismayed, O Israel; for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.” “Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured: and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.”
If it is still true that no weapon that is formed against Israel shall prosper, if it is still true that God will curse them that curse the natural seed of Abraham, then the Hitler government is in for plenty of trouble. Pharaoh had a great time afflicting the Israelites. But he and all his mighty army went to the bottom of the Red Sea. Nebuchadnezzar was the proud conqueror of the Jews about 600 B C. But read what happened to that persecutor of the Jews: “That they shall drive thee from men and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times pass over thee till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.”
Now read concerning Haman and the Jews
“And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer then.” “And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hantmedatha the Agatite the Jews’ enemy.”
“And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar and to take the spoil of then for a prey.” Esther 3:8,10 and 13. “So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.” Esther 7:10. “Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.” Esther 8:7.
Here is another of God’s very interesting statements concerning the Jews:
“Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is His name; If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever.” Jeremiah 31:35 and 36.
Some socalled Bible teachers have been foolish enough to say that the Jews would make a covenant with Hitler or Mussolini as one of these two is to be the antichrist. Soon we may hear some of them applying Isaiah 14:16 and 17 to Hitler: “They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, and did shake kingdoms?” Perhaps no man has ever pleased Satan in his all around work of destruction in this persecution of the Jews and his opposition to Christianity as has Hitler, but he is not the one who fell from heaven Neither can he do the supernatural works of the beasts of Revelation, the thirteenth chapter.
But if history is to be repeated and the Lord does not finish His “grace program while Hitler is reigning, then Hitler and his fellow-criminals are headed for real trouble and a disastrous end.
THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA
Of course God overrules all things to accomplish His program and at the present He is permitting Germany and Russia to reap what they have sown. Each of these wicked Godhating rulers is trying to “outlie” the other as to the millions that have been killed in the present hellish struggle, but if the number of dead and wounded is onethird of the lowest figure, it is a terrible judgment from the hand of God, and the end is not yet.
We dread to contemplate or speculate as to what may be ahead for this country during the remaining years of the war and the hatred, poverty, famine, bankruptcy, pestilence and disorder among all the nations which is to follow this bloody conflict.
THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE
AND
THE PRESENT RELIGIOUS CONFUSION
In I Corinthians 14:33, we read that God is not the author of confusion. In I Corinthians 12:15 we read that God desires no schism (division) in the Body. In Ephesians 4:5 we read there is “One Body.” In the United States there are more than two hundred sectarian church organizations. God is not the author of this confusion. God’s will is that there should be no division in the One Body. The preachers representing many of these sectarian groups are preaching a perverted gospel, as did religious preachers who troubled the Galatians with a mixture of Judaism and the gospel of the grace of God in the days of Paul. Paul wrote, “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” The leaven was the law and religion which the zealous Jews were determined to impose upon the Galatian Gentiles who had heard and believed the gospel of grace from Paul and had been turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. To them Paul wrote, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?” “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us, free.”
All the apostles met in an important conference in Jerusalem to thoroughly consider and discuss this spiritual crime. To the zealous legalistic preachers the apostles said, “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” Acts 15:10.
In spite of the unanimous agreement by every one of the apostles that no Gentile believer should be troubled by the zealous “law” preachers (Acts 15:19) the preachers continued to proclaim their Godforbidden religious mixture, and as the natural man has ever been incurably religious they found many willing victims. Other zealous religious preachers are still preaching what the Scriptures call “another gospel”. The leaven is still leavening the lump.
The true and faithful messengers of the Lord Jesus are preaching the Lord’s message of grace: “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” II Timothy 1:9. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8 and 9. “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4 and 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5 to 7.
Think of the, audacity, to say nothing of the spiritual crime, of the man who claims to be the Lord’s evangelist, when he is preaching salvation by grace plus some religions ceremony or some human activity. God’s Word is very plain and dogmatic, “not of works,” “not according to our works,” “not by works of righteousness which we have done,” “to him that worketh not.”
The believing sinner must be God’s workmanship and be saved by God’s grace and the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ before God will accept any spiritual work. Note carefully Ephesians 2:10: “For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Then let its carefully note Galatians 1:6 to 9, where the anathema of God is pronounced upon the preacher of a perverted gospel.
We may also be assured that the Holy Spirit is not responsible for the religious programs that are being carried on in the name of Christ and Christianity.
God is neither blessing nor approving the religious messages of Christians or pseudoChristian men who are propagating a mixed message and program in the name of the Christian religion.
We learned in Ephesians 1:9 to 11 that God has made known the secret of His will, that is, His purpose which was purposed in Christ Jesus from before the foundation of the world but which for years, ages and centuries He kept secret. In making known the secret of His will God disclosed the fact that His spiritual program and message during this present Divine economy will be carried out according to His own good pleasure, according to the counsel of His own will. As God is sovereign and omnipotent, no power in the universe call prevent the Almighty God from accomplishing His eternal purpose. As we said this purpose and program will never be stopped or altered until the culmination is reached: ‘‘Till we all one in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13.
In spite of all the power and tricks of the clever devil every member of the predestinated body of the Lord Jesus Christ will be placed in the Body before this present age of grace has been ended. We repeat that all the hellish conspiracies and organized opposition of cunning, selfish, demonpossessed, bloodthirsty tyrants cannot prevent the accomplishment of God’s eternal purpose in this present economy while the Messianic Kingdom of the Prince of Peace is in abeyance.
PAUL’S DISPENSATION
Note carefully Ephesians 3:l to 3:
“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward: How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; as I wrote afore in few words.”
Note Colossians 1:24 to 26:
“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His Body’s sake, which is the Church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God: Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints.”
Ephesians 1:10: “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.”
1 Corinthians 9:17: “For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.”
Ephesians 3:9: “And to make all, men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ.”
God definitely committed a dispensation to Paul. The Greek word translated “dispensation” is “oikonomia” (a houselaw or government) meaning an “economy” or an “administration.”
Note “the dispensation of the grace of God,” “the dispensation of the secret hid in God.”
This present Divine economy is peculiarly an economy of grace. It is called “the economy of God’s secret.” So far as ninetyeight per cent of Christian ministers are concerned, God might as well have kept His secret; for they do not make any attempt to publish it and thus obey Ephesians 3:9. The great majority of those who do anything about this glorious truth ridicule God’s servants who are obeying; Ephesians 3:9. The devil does not want this glorious truth made known and he is having his way with most of the Lord’s people in this respect.
As an enemy of the mystery, note in Ephesians 6:12 to 20 that Satan is the ruler of world darkness in the heavenlies and that he was responsible for Paul’s imprisonment for making others see the mystery. Satan, as the god of this age, will do all in his power to keep the sinner from hearing the glorious gospel of Christ. II Corinthians 4:3 and 4. As the prince of this world, Satan is surely having his way with political rulers. In his work in the heavenlies he is having big success in keeping God’s servants blind as to God’s eternal purpose in Christ which God wants all to see.
It would be far more scriptural to say that the Lord is delaying the rapture of the Church until His servants get busy and obey Ephesians 3:9 than that He is waiting, for Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin to do more diabolic things before Christ will call His Church to glory. Never until we ask for the blessing of Ephesians 1:16 to 19 will we understand the meaning of Ephesians 3:8 to 11. And never until we understand the meaning of these verses will we obey II Timothy 2:15, and cease to be deceived prophets trying to fit Israel’s “tribulation” and “kingdom” prophecies and signs into this parenthetical, predestinated age concerning which Israel’s prophets were both silent and ignorant.
Think of the confused messengers concerning the “last days”, who have even tried to figure the year and month when Jesus Christ would come for His Church. They have followed in the steps of Pastor Russell and Judge Rutherford who never knew the difference between the prophesied kingdom and the unprophesied Body of Christ. They have misinterpreted and misapplied truth for Israel in their foolish datesetting. They have set three or four different years. To them the Lord would say, “ye do greatly err, not knowing the Scriptures.”
You surely have observed that the preachers who preach on the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and political signs as the proof that we are now in the closing moments of the last days, wholly ignore Ephesians 3:9. They themselves remain ignorant of God’s eternal purpose in this unprophesied age and keep their hearers equally ignorant.
Now behold leaders among evangelical Fundamentalist giving Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin as signs to the Church for the end mentioned in Ephesians 4:13. Nothing that any of these men are doing has anything to do with the resurrection and rapture of members of Christ’s Body and there is not one figure or hint given in the Bible to suggest any fixed year or month when that day of redemption will be.
GOD’S ABOUNDING GRACE
In I Peter 5:10 we learn that God is called “the God of all grace.” In Titus 2:11 we read—“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation. hath appeared to all men.” Then we read in II Corinthians 9:8—“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”
The grace of the God of all grace hath appeared to all men. And God is able and willing to make all grace abound. “Where sin abounded grace did much more (over) abound.” Romans 5:20. Salvation is by God’s grace.
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace; otherwise work is no more work.” Romans 11:6. “Not of works lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:9. “That no flesh should glory in God’s presence.” I Corinthians 1:29.
“By the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified in God’s sight.” Romans 3:20. “Being justified without a cause by God’s grace.” Romans 3:24. Then, of course, come those two very important questions: “Shall we sin, because we are not under the law?” Romans 6:15. “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” Romans 6:1. Note God’s answer to both of these questions: “God forbid.”
Note again Galatians 5:1: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Then note in the same chapter: “For, brethren, we have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13.
Liberty in Christ Jesus does not mean liberty or Divine permission to continue in sin that grace may abound. But there is no such thing as preaching too much grace. Note God’s eternity of grace:
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” II Timothy 1:9.
“That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7.
“That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7.
God makes all grace to abound. Some religions preachers Have the idea that the gospel message for believers should have enough law mixed with grace to keeps the believer from taking advantage of grace. They declare that there is the danger that some Christians will so over emphasize grace that they will be careless about their spiritual behavior and their Christian works. They seem to sympathize with God because some of His children take advantage of grace, and they pronounce them guilty of antinomianism. But in judging their fellowbelievers and in prescribing their correctivemixing; man’s doings or something of Israel’s religion in with the grace of God—they have failed to take a stand with Paul, the Lord’s greatest messenger of grace of all generations: “I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21.
After God finally set aside His religious nation some years after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, then God eliminated all religion from His message and program of grace, and Paul was instructed to emphasize “the unsearchable unprophesied riches of Christ.” Since that revolutionary change the Divine administration and age has been not only timeless and signless, but also “religionless.”
While the benevolent, philanthropic, charitable works of even religious Christians may please God, let us know assuredly by obedience to II Timothy 2:15 that God does not expect to accomplish His definite purpose in this age with the help of any organization or individual who frustrates the grace of God by endeavoring to supplement with religion the finished work of God’s Son for the sinner’s salvation, who brings over into this present economy reign, and age of grace any part of Israel’s religious program. When God set aside His religious nation, and Paul proclaimed the truth of Ephesians 3:1 to 11, God was through with religion.
GOD’S GRACE PROGRAM AND THE OUTCOME OF THE WAR
Now all that we have said leads us up to a very definite decision as to the outcome of the present war. We would not for one moment minimize the crime and ungodliness in the United States. We know that there are multitudes of unsaved religious people in the church organizations of this country. The Modernism or Christianized agnosticism, in our so-called Christian pulpits and seminaries is appalling. Satanic cults flourish throughout the land. On all sides we behold the apostasy and plenty of wild religious fanaticism.
Acknowledging all this, let us think of our Rill of Rights, the religious liberty guaranteed in our Constitution. No dictator, no political or religious potentate controls or restrains us as to our Christian creed or practice, as to what we preach or as to how we conduct our public meetings. This guarantees to the Lord’s true “grace” messengers the right and privilege and the governmental protection to preach one hundred per cent what God wants preached in this age of grace and thus be approved labourers together with God, His human instruments working intelligently, Scripturally, and dispensationally with Him in accomplishing His specific purpose during this present economy; namely, the building into, and the building up of one and only one true Bible Church, the Body of Christ.
While there are many spiritual consecrated saints in Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Holland, Denmark, and Finland, yet there are more Christians in the United States and Great Britain preaching God’s message of grace than in all the rest of the world. Yes, there are more such messengers in this land alone than in all the rest of the world. The great majority of the true, loyal, faithful, spiritual preachers and teachers of the grace of God are citizens of Great Britain and the United States. And as God is vitally interested in having this message preached to the last moment of this age, without being inspired prophets, we should certainly know that God will preserve these two nations even unto the end or the age as long as they continue to protect the Lord’s true servants and permit theirs to thus labor with God. It may not be an exaggeration to say that there are more messengers of the grace of God, in and within several hundred miles of the Chicago area, than there are in all of continental Europe.
More than eightyfive per cent of the evangelical messengers of the Lord in the Mission fields went out from Great Britain or the United States. More than ninety per cent of the money that supports these evangelical messengers is sent out from these two countries.
We may be sure that God is going to rule and overrule in the protection and preservation of His servants who are proclaiming His Divine truth for this age, and that He will preserve those nations and governments that grant unto His messengers the right to give forth God’s grace message for this age. No nations in all of the history of the world have ever granted greater liberty and protection to God’s servants than they now enjoy under the governments of Great Britain and the United States. If God at this time is not going to bring this age to an end, He is not going to permit any man or group of men to conquer and control the nations whose people are more effectively carrying on His program of grace. God will permit no man to be world dictator who will prohibit the proclamation of the gospel of grace until the day of grace has ended.
The political world will not head up in the beast, and the religious world will not, head up in the antichrist so long; as the members of the Christ’s Body are here on earth. So long as the dispensation of grace continues, God and His servants will continue to labour together.
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the fulness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13.
It must be obvious that those nations will survive where the greatest number of its people are proclaiming the gospel of the grace of God. Therefore, it is only logical to say that if God is not to complete His purpose and program of Ephesians 4:9 to 13 before this world conflict has been decided, Japan is in for an ignominious defeat, and will fall with her allies. Japan has driven the Lord’s messengers out of their land.
If the day of grace is to go on beyond the end of this war, Great Britain and the United States may suffer hardships and the sacrifices of human life, but they will come out victorious.
In another message entitled “Should a Christian Go to War” we have attempted to show how so many Christians have failed to see and assume their responsibility to the government in such a time as this, because they have tried to fit the “kingdom” sermon on the mount into God’s program of grace, and have endeavored to impose their undispensational pacifism upon the legislators, politicians, statesmen and governmental officials.
Every member of the Body of Christ should hate war with an intense hatred. At the same time every member of the Body of Christ, “by rightly dividing the Word of truth,” should know that the Church and the gospel of grace will not usher in the millennium while the Body is here; that after the Body has been taken to glory, there will be the great apostasy and wars, famines, pestilences, and the great tribulation perhaps heading up in the battle of Armageddon which will be won by the Lord Jesus Christ and His victorious armies. Therefore why should any Christian interfere with this government in its defense program, in its preparation to meet with armies any belligerent enemy who seeks to destroy our freedom?
Video Archive - Les Feldick Bible Study
How
God Saves Men
Believing
Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read
Acts 16L31 Romans 1:16, and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
(A 10 Minute Video)
E-mail
this BIBLE STUDY to all your friends
No comments:
Post a Comment