How did John the Baptist fulfill going “in the spirit and power of Elijah,” as prophesied by Gabriel and recorded in Luke 1:17?

The answer to this question has far reaching implications! First, consider that the people in the time of Jesus Christ looked for the prophetic Elijah—the one promised in the Book of Malachi.

By way of background, here is the reference in question, in fuller context—quoting Luke 1, verses 15-17:

“‘For he [John] will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink [indicating that he was a lifelong Nazarite]. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, “to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,” and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’”

Gabriel applies a portion of a prophecy of Malachi to John. Here are the relevant statements of that Old Testament book, as recorded in Malachi 4: 4-6:

“‘Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, Which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse [“utter destruction”].’”

What John accomplished in his relatively brief public ministry did indeed fulfill prophecy, but his work was a part of an even greater fulfillment that would culminate in the generation alive to witness “‘the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD’” (Malachi 4:5). The time of John’s preaching did usher in—prepare for—Jesus Christ and His first appearance (compare Malachi 3:1); however, his witness was limited, foremost, to the population of Judah.

We have John’s own testimony about his role, for when he was directly asked who he was, his response was unequivocal:

“Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said I AM NOT.’ ‘Are you the Prophet?’ And he answered, ‘No’” (John 1:19-21).

The people of that time anticipated the literal appearing of Elijah, but that understanding was erroneous. John himself knew that he was fulfilling the Elijah-like commission, and his direct answer to those sent was to apply a prophecy given in Isaiah 40:3—here is the rendering found in John 1:23: “He said, ‘I am, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the LORD,” as the prophet Isaiah said.’” John knew that his preaching was a forerunner to the Messiah (compare John 1:29-34).

Following the vision of Christ appearing in glory with Moses and Elijah, His disciples were puzzled. They, too, thought that the original Elijah must appear, and here Jesus gives the true understanding and application of the Malachi prophecy:

“And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Indeed Elijah is coming [first] and will restore all things. (NOTE: The precise answer given by Jesus, in earlier manuscripts, does not include the added word, “first.”) But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and THEY DID NOT KNOW HIM but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands’” (Matthew 17:10-12).

Based on what Jesus told them, the disciples now understood that John had indeed—as the angel Gabriel stated—come “in the spirit and power of Elijah.” Note this statement in Matthew 17:13: “Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptist.” Also, consider that the people likewise wondered if Jesus Christ might be Elijah. In addressing this belief, Jesus very specifically taught His disciples about His true identity (compare Matthew 16:13-20).

WHY, then, is Elijah used as a focal point in the biblical record?

Initial mention of Elijah is found in 1 Kings 17, and his pivotal role as God’s prophet to the rebellious House of Israel finds its focus in chapter 18 of 1 Kings. He confronts the people about their pagan practices. Furthermore, he challenges the powerless false prophets and executes all of them.

What Elijah did with God’s miraculous help was to turn the people of that day away from false worship and back to the God of Israel. In later accounts, we find that both the Houses of Israel and Judah continued to rebel—to such an extent that they would not listen to prophets like Elijah, and they both went into national captivity (compare 2 Kings 17:13-18; 2 Chronicles 36:15-16).

A vitally important fact for us to understand—and this directly relates to the nature of John the Baptist’s ministry—is that Elijah’s prophetic commission was a CONTINUING one, both in actual fact and in type!

During his lifetime, Elijah was given three specific duties to carry out:

“Then the LORD said to him: ‘Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place’” (1 Kings 19:15-16).

Elijah only personally carried out one of his assignments—that was to anoint Elisha (compare 1 Kings 19:19-21). Anointing Hazael as king over Syria was accomplished by Elisha (compare 2 Kings 8:7-16). The third commission given to Elijah to anoint Jehu was actually fulfilled by “one of the sons of the prophets”—at the direction of Elisha (compare 2 Kings 9:1-10).

Elisha also fulfilled his role of prophet “in the spirit and power of Elijah”—quite literally! When the time came for Elisha to take the office as prophet in place of Elijah, Elisha asked for this remarkable gift: “‘…Please let A DOUBLE PORTION OF YOUR SPIRIT be upon me’” (2 Kings 2:9). Remember that Gabriel said of John the Baptist—even before his birth—that, “‘…He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb’” (Luke 1:15). ALL of the true servants of God are empowered by God through His Holy Spirit in order to accomplish His purpose (compare Ephesians 4:7-16).

The MESSAGE that John preached, like that of Elijah, was to “‘turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers…’” (Malachi 4:6). We have this record of John, found in Matthew 3:1-3: “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.”’”

The MESSAGE that followed John the Baptist was brought by Jesus Christ, and what He preached continued “the spirit and power of Elijah,” of Elisha and of all the preachers of righteousness: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15).

Concerning what it means to come “in the spirit and power of Elijah,” let’s understand that John the Baptist PERFORMED NO MIRACLES (compare John 10:41)! What John did do was to preach the TRUTH of God (compare John 5:33). Jesus said this of the messenger who preceded Him: “‘Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he’” (Matthew 11:11).

The Church of God carries on this commission, as is shown by Peter’s preaching on the Day of Pentecost (compare Acts 2:37-39). The job remains of preparing a people—the elect, likened to the seven thousand of Elijah’s day by Paul in Romans 11:1-7. This is also what Jesus Christ appointed His Church to accomplish (compare Mark 16:15-18).

Note that both Peter and Paul restored life to the dead through God’s Power! In the beginning record of the Church of God, remarkable miracles occurred; however, we must also consider that no leader of the Church since that time has left a record of these kinds of miracles! However, in these last days, the Church has been preaching and is continuing to preach the GOSPEL of the kingdom of God in all the world.

Still lying ahead of us is a continuing fulfillment of the prophecy in Malachi 4:5: “‘Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of THE GREAT AND DREADFUL DAY OF THE LORD.’” Likewise, this ”Elijah” work will witness powerfully to the world, “‘And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with [utter destruction]’” (Malachi 4:6).

This continuation of the Elijah work will be accompanied by mighty miracles and signs, just prior to Christ’s return; it will far exceed anything that has yet happened in modern times in terms of miracles (compare, for example, Revelation 11:3-6).

Elisha CONTINUED the work of Elijah—including having double the spirit of Elijah. John the Baptist came in “the spirit and power of Elijah” through the message he preached. The Church of God continues, “to make ready a people prepared for the LORD”–the elect– and to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God. And it will be Jesus Christ–the final “Elijah”–who will restore all things, with the help and assistance of His Church (Matthew 17:11; Acts 3:19-21).

For more information, please read chapter 9 of our free booklet, “Human Suffering–Why… And How Much Longer?”, Norbert Link’s Editorial in Update #55, dated September 7, 2002, as well as our Q&A in Update #143, dated May 14, 2004. You might also want to listen to Dave Harris’ sermon, dated November 7, 2009, titled, “The Spirit and Power of Elijah,” which is posted on the audio page of our website (www.eternalgod.org).

As prophecy very emphatically reveals, there remains much to be accomplished—IN THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH!

Lead Writer: Dave Harris

Those Who Are Called

On December 5, 2009, Dave Harris will give the sermon, titled, “Those Who Are Called.”

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org (12:30 pm Pacific Time; 1:30 pm Mountain Time; 2:30 pm Central Time; 3:30 pm Eastern Time). Just click on Connect to Live Stream.

Preaching the Gospel and Feeding the Flock

Our new booklet on Paul’s letter to the Galatians and related topics has entered the second review cycle.

A new StandingWatch program was posted this week on StandingWatch and YouTube. In the program, Norbert Link is asking: Should we still observe Thanksgiving Day in 2009 in spite of our many problems, including our national debt, financial hardship, unemployment, bank failures, recession and possible depression and inflation? The history of the Thanksgiving Festival should give us much-needed insight.

Our new German sermon, titled, “Erhoerte Gebete” (“Answered Prayers”), was posted on the Web.

What, exactly, are the mansions in John 14:1-3, which Christ is preparing for His disciples?

Christ said the following in John 14:1-3:

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

First of all, please notice that after Jesus has prepared these “mansions,” He will come again to the earth and receive His disciples to Himself so “that where I am, there you may be also.” When Christ spoke these words, He was here on earth. That is where His disciples “may be also”–here on earth, not in heaven.

The mansions which Christ was going to prepare are in no way homes which Christians will occupy in heaven, after their death, as many denominations and even some in the Church of God erroneously teach.

Rather, as we point out in this week’s Editorial, “Moving to a New Home,” “we have long understood that these mansions or dwelling places represent rulership positions of authority given to the saints here on earth, at Christ’s return (compare Revelation 5:10; 22:12; Luke 19:17, 19). In our booklet “Is That in the Bible? – The Mysteries of the Book of Revelation!,” on pages 39/40, we state the following: ‘The Greek word for “mansions” refers to dwelling places. It literally means, “dwellings” (compare the margin of the New King James Bible). The same word is used in John 14:23, where it is translated as “home.” According to the Nelson Study Bible, “Everybody has a longing for a permanent, secure place. Such places have already been set aside for all of God’s children.”‘”

Why and how did the Church come to the understanding that the mansions in John 14:1-3 are indeed “rulership” positions?

First, we are setting forth the following excerpts from an article by Herman L. Hoeh, which was published in 1972 in “The Good News of Tomorrow’s World.” The article was titled, “What Is The Place that Jesus Is Preparing?”

In the article, it was stated:

“In His Father’s house, Jesus said plainly, there were many ‘mansions.’ If it had not been true, He said, He would have told us. The Greek word ‘move’ translated ‘mansion’ means in more modern English, ‘a room, a place of staying, an abode, a chamber.’ So in the Father’s house there are a number of ROOMS OR CHAMBERS… When in the Temple, Jesus said to the Jews who were selling doves and cattle therein: ‘Make not my FATHER’S HOUSE an house of merchandise’ (John 2:16)… The TEMPLE at Jerusalem was an earthly type (Heb. 8:5) of the Father’s house in heaven. Luke 19:46 and Isaiah 56:7, also quote the Lord as saying of the TEMPLE. ‘MY HOUSE is a house of prayer ….” So the Temple at Jerusalem in Christ’s day was a type of the Father’s house in heaven…

“In turning to Jeremiah 35:2, we read this: ‘Speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the Lord, INTO ONE OF THE CHAMBERS.’ In the fourth verse of the same chapter, we notice that different chambers were for persons of different rank. Hanan, a man of God, had his chamber or room ‘BY the chamber of the princes … which was ABOVE the chamber of … the keeper of the door.’

“The various chambers or ‘mansions’ corresponded to the ranks of the persons residing in them. Each room of the Temple — a type of the Father’s house — not only designated the RESIDENCE of each official, but also indicated his POSITION OR OFFICE, whether he was a doorkeeper or prince…

“Jesus said: ‘I go to prepare a place for you.’ We learn from other scriptures that Jesus did go to heaven, to the right hand of the Father, where He now acts as our ‘High Priest’ (Heb. 9:11)… A part of the function of the office of High Priest is the preparation of a place for each of us as Jesus promised the disciples…

“There are TWO TEXTS in the Bible which tell us what is being PREPARED.

“The first is in Matthew 25:34. Here Christ said: ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom PREPARED for you from the foundation of the world.’ The other text is in Rev 21:2, ‘And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God OUT OF HEAVEN, PREPARED as a bride adorned for her husband’… Since it is the Kingdom and the Holy City that are finally PREPARED for us ALL, then what Jesus is preparing for EACH of us must be individual positions IN THE KINGDOM AND IN THE NEW CITY, JERUSALEM…

“The Temple had rooms which served as offices for the various residents holding different ranks. In the same way, each of us will have his own personal place or office in the Holy City, in accordance with how well we use the talents God has given us in this life. The more we overcome in this life, the more honorable will be our places in the New Jerusalem and the greater will be our offices of responsibility in the Kingdom…

“Revelation 21:2 plainly proves that the Holy City — the Father’s house or home, SINCE HE WILL MAKE IT HIS PLACE OF FUTURE RESIDENCE (Rev. 21:3 and 22:3) is one of the two things that Jesus is preparing now in heaven…

“Jesus returned to heaven to receive the Kingdom (Luke 19:12). He must be preparing it while acting in the office of High Priest. Since the Kingdom is prepared for all of us to inherit, then the particular place Christ is preparing for each of us must be our own position or office in that Kingdom. PLACE means POSITION, OFFICE, RANK, as well as geographical location. Our places or positions in the government of God will depend on the office we hold. Christ has FIRST PLACE, as He is King of kings. We shall all have secondary PLACES, lesser positions under Him.

“The Kingdom of God is the government of God, the members of which are to be born of God. Being born of God makes the entire Kingdom, then, the FAMILY of God… That is why Jesus used the ancient Temple as a physical type of the spiritual FAMILY or KINGDOM OF GOD.

“Now it is becoming obvious why our places or positions in God’s government had to be prepared in heaven by Jesus. We could not receive the Holy Spirit, the only means by which we can enter the Kingdom, until Christ ascended (John 16:7.) Christ prepares our places or positions in the Kingdom by being our High Priest, interceding for us and by giving us the Spirit of God. The places or positions — the responsibilities of office — are being prepared by training us to fill those offices. Jesus, as our High Priest, has been calling, justifying and perfecting each of us for His Kingdom so that when the Kingdom of God comes to this earth (Matt. 6:10), each position or place in it will be fully prepared by having one of us fill that particular office… Jesus will return from heaven in clouds. We are going to meet Him in the air (I Thes. 4:15-17). At that time Jesus will give us our places or positions in the Kingdom, according to how well we have done with what we have been given…

“Christians are not going to heaven after all. We are to be with Jesus here on this earth — ‘that where I AM, THERE ye may be also.’ We shall be ruling with Christ on earth over the nations (Rev. 20:4). And after that, the New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven to the new earth. Even the Father Himself will dwell among us here on the new earth where we shall live and reign forever (Rev. 22:3-51.).”

Now notice VERY carefully:

The “mansions” or positions of rulership which Christ is preparing in heaven will be given to us when He returns to this earth as the King of kings and the Lord of lords, in great power and great glory. It is THEN when He will give us those positions! Even though the earthly Temple–the Father’s house–was most certainly an earthly type of the Temple of God in heaven, Christ’s reference in John 14:1-3 was not in any way LIMITED to the physical Temple on earth or the Temple in heaven. Please notice too that when the heavenly Jerusalem will descend to this earth in the future, there will be NO Temple in it, “for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” (Revelation 21:22).

Therefore, the “Temple” or the “Father’s house,” which Jesus refers to in John 14, must be viewed foremost in a spiritual way. As the Editorial in this week’s Update points out, “We know from John 2:16 that the Father’s house is the Temple of God, but in John 14, Jesus is referring to God’s spiritual Temple–the Church of God (compare 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:16).”

Christ mainly refers to the Church of God, when talking about the “Father’s house.” Indeed, in the Church in which the Father and Jesus Christ “dwell” (compare John 14:23), there are many mansions or “homes.” God dwells in each and every one of His disciples. And each disciple will receive his or her place in that Temple–the born-again Church of God–based on how well he or she performed in this life. As this week’s Editorial continued:

“This does not mean that we will go to heaven before or at the time of Christ’s second coming; rather, we have long understood that these mansions or dwelling places represent rulership positions of authority given to the saints here on earth, at Christ’s return (compare Revelation 5:10; 22:12; Luke 19:17, 19).”

As Herman Hoeh’s above-quoted article pointed out, Christ will give us our rulership positions when He returns. We will rule with Christ for one thousand years, on this earth, not in heaven, and our authority will be dependent on how well we have overcome–in this life–our sinful nature, this society and Satan the devil. Today, we are part of the spiritual Temple of God–the Church–but only as begotten members. We still can leave the Father’s house–the Church–while in this flesh. We still can fall away, by losing the Holy Spirit and committing the unpardonable sin (Hebrews 6:4-8).

When Christ returns, we will become Spirit-born members–members of the very FAMILY OF GOD–and as such, we will be incapable of sinning, as GOD cannot sin. God the Father and Jesus Christ will then for all eternity dwell “in us,” and we in Them (compare John 17:21-23). Then, we can and will never fall away; we will never leave God’s spiritual house–His spiritual Temple. Rather, we read in Revelation 3:12: “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.”

The Revised Standard version says: “… never shall he go out of it.” The Revised English Bible says: “… they will remain there forever.” Moffat writes: “As for the conqueror, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God (nevermore shall he leave it)…” Very interesting is the rendition of the New Jerusalem Bible: “Anyone who proves victorious I will make INTO a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and it will stay there for ever…”

Since we will be in the new Jerusalem and since there will be “no temple in it,” and since we will stay forever in God’s Temple, the reference in Revelation 3:12 must be understood foremost in a spiritual way: We will never leave the Church of God–the spiritual Temple of God. Today, the Church is the “Kingdom of God in embryo,” as Herbert Armstrong referred to it many times. But when Christ returns, truly converted begotten Church members will change to born-again Spirit beings, and as such, the Church of God will BE a full part of THE KINGDOM OF GOD and the DIVINE FAMILY of God. At that time, Christ will give us our place in the Kingdom of God–one of the many mansions or offices which He is preparing for each and every one of us, individually, “to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

Preaching the Gospel and Feeding the Flock

Dave Harris’ new member letter and a recent Editorial were sent out this week. Both are also posted on the Web.

A new StandingWatch program was posted this week on StandingWatch and YouTube. It is titled, “Why the Fort Hood Massacre?” In the program, Norbert Link asks, Why are the mass media and the government unwilling to acknowledge Maj. Hasan’s radical Muslim faith as “the dominant factor” in his decision to mount his attack? Is there an overlooked connection between the desire to be “politically correct” and the President’s belief system and his goal of strengthening U.S. ties with Muslim nations, while distancing himself from Israel? And what does any of this have to do with biblical prophecy?  

Norbert Link’s new sermon (“Letter to the Galatians, Part 5“) was posted on the Internet and on our Webpage.

Our new German sermon, titled, “Was ist das Paradies?” (“What is Paradise?”) was posted on the Web.

Our new German StandingWatch program has been posted on the Web. It is titled, “Homosexualität–Religion und politisches Programm?” (“Homosexuality–Religion and Political Platform?”)

1 Timothy 6:10 says, in the Authorized Version that the "love of money is the root of all evil." Other translations say that it is "a" root. Which rendering is correct, and what does this passage mean?

It is true that many translations say that the “love of money is a root of all evil” (compare the New King James Bible; the New International Version; the Living Bible; the New Revised Standard Version; and the Amplified Bible). Other translations, besides the Authorized Version, maintain that it should say that “the love of money is THE root of all evil” (compare the Revised Standard Version; the Revised English Bible; the New American Bible; the New Jerusalem Bible; Moffat; Scofield; and Lamsa).

The Interlinear Literal Translation states that the original says, “For a root of all evils is the love of money,” but it continues to render the phrase as: “For the love of money is the root of all evil.”

From a practical standpoint, the difference between the two alternate renderings is slight, because in each case, it says that the love of money is the root or a root of ALL evil. (Some, like the New King James Version, render this as, “all kinds of evil.” They add the words “all kinds of,” but these words are not in the original.) The point is, whether the love of money is a root or the root, it leads to ALL evil or ALL evils.

What did Paul mean by that?

To fully understand, we need to read the passage in context. Paul states in 1 Timothy 6:6-12:

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a [or: the] root of all… evil [or evils], for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Paul is describing here two ways of life–the spiritual way of godliness, contentment, righteousness, love of God and faith; and the physical way of greediness, the desire to become rich, and the love of money.

Christ warned us that we cannot serve two masters–God and mammon. He explained that we must not lay up for ourselves treasures on earth (living a way of life which is manifested by our love of money, riches and physical possessions), but that we are to lay up spiritual treasures in heaven. He continued: “For where your treasure is, there your HEART will be also… No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:19-21, 24).

Christ makes the same point that Paul is making: Either we love God and His way of life with all our heart, including our desire to be spiritually rich before God, or we love foremost mammon or material possessions, including our desire to be physically rich in this world. Christ continued to explain the incongruity between both ways in Matthew 6:25-34, when He compared the physical worries in this life with what must be our main priority: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (verse 33).

As Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:11, we must “flee” the physical desires to be rich, which are so important in this world, and rather “pursue righteousness.” John explained that the love of God is not in us when we love the world or the things in the world (1 John 2:15-17).

But how and why is the love of money THE ROOT or A (most important) ROOT of ALL evil? How does it lead to temptation and a snare, foolish and harmful lusts, many sorrows, perdition and destruction (compare 1 Timothy 6:9-10)?

Consider man’s first sin. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve was tempted by Satan to do this. She looked at the tree and saw that it was good for food, pleasant to the eye and desirable to make one wise (Genesis 3:6). In other words, the love of something physical motivated her to give in to the temptation of eating from that tree; it produced greed and the harmful lust to do so, and it resulted in her destruction. Adam followed Eve’s lead, and both were punished with many sorrows and death.

The Nelson Study Bible states to 1 Timothy 6:10:

“Greediness may cause a believer even to stray from the faith. Christians may be blinded by greed and materialism to such a degree that they break away from their faith… A life focused on material things produces only pain…”

The Life Application Bible adds: “Greed leads to … marriage problems, robbery, blowups in partnerships. To master greed, you must control it at its root. Get rid of the desire to be rich.”

There are reasons why Christ warned us that it would be very difficult for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God (Matthew 19:23-24). The main problem is that a rich person may love his riches too much, and he may be unwilling to give them up, if necessary, in order to follow Christ without reservation.

Because of the refusal to follow God whole-heartedly, Mary said about rich people that God “filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty” (Luke 1:53). Christ spoke this timeless warning: “But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation” (Luke 6:24).

James adds that the rich man “also will fade away in his pursuits” (James 1:11), continuing, “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasures in the last days” (James 5:1-3).

Notice! James’ warning is for our time–the “last days.” When our worldwide economic troubles increase–and especially in the United States of America–all our wealth, riches and money will be useless and without value. None of them will help us–people will throw their gold (which some today are desperate of acquiring, because of its high temporary and artificial value) as well as their silver into the streets, treating it as refuse, because it will be totally worthless (Isaiah 2:7, 20; Ezekiel 7:19).

Then it will be too late. Proverbs 28:20, 22 says: “A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished… A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.”

Again and again, the Bible tells us not to give in to the love of “money” or materialism, and not to work for, as our main focus, the physical riches or possessions in this life. Proverbs 23:4-5 says: “Do not overwork [or: “wear yourself out”] to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.”

In the parable of the rich fool, Christ warned all of us: “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). After telling the rich fool who had heaped up treasures for himself that he would die that very night, He concluded, “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (verse 21).

And so, Paul admonishes us today–and especially those who are rich in this world–to get our priorities straight:

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor TRUST in UNCERTAIN riches but in the living GOD, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do GOOD, that they be rich in good works, READY TO GIVE, WILLING TO SHARE, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Rather than pursuing the love of money, wanting to become rich, or perhaps glorying in our riches (Jeremiah 9:23) and parading a cocky attitude of self-contentment and -sufficiency (Revelation 3:17), we are to “buy” the true spiritual riches from God (Revelation 3:18), and to pursue God’s love of helping others and sharing with them our physical and spiritual riches.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

The Black Swan

by

In the first century A.D., the saying, “A rare bird in the lands, like a black swan,” was meant to convey something that was not believed to exist. At that time, the European world had only seen white swans. So you can imagine their surprise more than 1,600 years later when the first one was seen and later caught and brought back to Europe. This changed the way many thought, even to the extent that the saying, “A rare bird in the lands…” was used ironically.

Recently, an author has taken this story and come up with the Black Swan idea. His criteria for such an effect is:

     1. The event is a surprise (to the observer).
     2. The event has a major impact.
     3. After the fact, the event is rationalized by hindsight, as if it had been expected. 

Furthermore, he also states that these events can be either positive, negative or both. 

An example of a Black Swan event would be the first coming of Christ. It was unexpected by most; affected many in a profound way; and now nearly 2,000 years later, many have said that Jesus was merely a man who caught the imagination of the people of His time, as so many before and after Him have done.

There is another Black Swan event on the horizon that will catch most everyone off guard; completely change the whole world; and after it has come to pass, most will be able to see that it was the consequence of predictable occurrences.  Of course, I am speaking of the return of Christ and all that immediately precedes and follows His second coming.

The world will not expect His coming at the time He arrives, nor in the manner in which He does. In one respect, it is amazing that we can live in a time where the Bible is the #1 best selling book worldwide, year after year, and yet most are unaware of its contents, thus making Christ’s future return a Black Swan event.

In addition to being a surprising event for most, Christ’s return will of course have a major impact. He will save mankind from utter destruction, and this present evil world will be totally changed for the better. And the third criterion of this concept is that Christ’s second coming will be viewed after the fact, as having been foreseeable. This will be the outcome, after the Kingdom of God rules this earth and God has made His Spirit available to all and their minds become open to the truth. They will read the prophecies of the Bible, and the words will jump off the page at them, as they wonder how they did not see this before.

It should not and can not be this way for us today! The events of the very near future are not concealed to our eyes and therefore, should not be a bombshell to us, as it will be to the rest of humanity. Those, guided by the Holy Spirit, who correctly study the Word of God and watch and pray always, will see all of this fermenting.

We should not be oblivious to what is coming down the pike; rather, we should be knowledgeable and prepared for Christ’s second coming. The result of this Black Swan event will be a dire outcome for many, but it should not and can not be that way for those who have been given an ear to hear and eyes to see.

Preaching the Gospel and Feeding the Flock

A new member letter was written and will be sent out early next week. In the letter, Dave Harris is pleading with us not to lose our first love, and if we have, to rekindle it, showing from the Bible the devastating consequences if we don’t.

A new StandingWatch program was posted this week on StandingWatch and YouTube. It is titled, “Why Aren’t We SOLVING Our National and Global Problems?” In the program, Norbert Link discusses the following:  Our domestic and international problems seem insurmountable. We are facing problems in Afghanistan, the Middle East and now with Europe. And look at our economic problems–while our recession is deepening, our bank failures are on the increase, and our unemployment is rising. Health care discussions don’t address the real concerns, and Mr. Obama’s eligibility as President is widely ignored. But sugar-coating, suppressing or falsifying the facts or resorting to compromise will never get us anywhere. 

A new German sermon was recorded this week and posted on the Web [and www.aufpostenstehen.de]. It is titled, “Wieso starb Christus für SIE, Teil 2?” [“Why did Christ die for YOU, Part 2?”]. In the sermon, Norbert Link discusses the requirements that Christ had to fulfill to make possible God’s forgiveness; including that He was born of a woman; that He came in the likeness of sinful flesh; that He was made sin for us; and that God the Father forsook Him at the cross. The sermon also emphasizes the love of God towards us, which must be reflected by us today, including forgiving others and loving those who hate us.

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