{"id":1152,"date":"2018-01-30T17:16:59","date_gmt":"2018-01-30T16:16:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/?p=1152"},"modified":"2018-01-30T17:20:08","modified_gmt":"2018-01-30T16:20:08","slug":"eternal-god-revealing-himself-to-suffering-israel-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/2018\/01\/30\/eternal-god-revealing-himself-to-suffering-israel-14\/","title":{"rendered":"Eternal God Revealing Himself to Suffering Israel"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Continued-Chapter XXIV)<\/i><\/p>\n

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When all the Gentile nations will be gathered together against Jerusalem the Hebrew nation, having been reduced to the direst need, will realize that her only help is in God; hence she will turn to the Lord and be willing to accept Him Who comes in the Name of the Lord. In response to their cry for deliverance God will pour out His Holy Spirit upon them, Who is called the Spirit of Grace and of Supplication, and will turn their hearts in genuine conviction to their Messiah, Jesus, Whom their forefathers nineteen hundred years ago rejected. Then Jesus, their Messiah, will come in glory and they shall look upon „me whom they have pierced“ and there shall be universal mourning on the part of the entire nation living at that time. With wholeheartedness they will accept Him as their Messiah. Then, in that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness (Zech. 13:1). This Fountain for cleansing and for forgiveness was opened nineteen centuries ago on Golgotha’s heights, but since spiritual blindness came upon the nation it has been unable to see it. Like Hagar who with her son was in the desert about to perish from thirst, when the angel of the Lord called out of heaven to her and opened her eyes to see a well of water close by from which she got water that quenched their thirst, Israel has been during these nineteen hundred years. She has wandered from nation to nation, being spiritually blind and unable to see that the fountain of living water which was opened on Calvary for quenching her spiritual thirst was nearby all of the time; but at the time of the national repentance when all turn to the Lord the veil of darkness will be lifted from their eyes and they will see the fountain of living water to which they will hasten by faith and drink and be satisfied.<\/p>\n

The sudden and complete conversion of the nation may be illustrated by the conversion of the illustrious Apostle Paul. With blinded eyes he was persecuting the followers of Jesus of Nazareth when suddenly he saw that Jesus Whom he persecuted was the Messiah of Israel, and with full surrender he accepted Him and became the Apostle to the Gentiles to whom Jesus sent him. Thus the nation in her blindness has through the centuries rejected Jesus; but suddenly at that time in her dire distress and penitence she will call unto Him and He, her Messiah, will appear, coming in glory in her behalf and the entire nation without an exception will accept Him, saying „Blessed be He that cometh in the name of the Lord.“<\/p>\n

Such is the promise both of the prophets and of the apostles. That God will fulfill these promises is clearly seen from Jer. 33:25,26, which reads as follows: „Thus saith the Lord: If my covenant of day and night stand<\/i> not, if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; then will I also cast away the seed of Jacob, and of David my servant, so that I will not take of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and will have mercy on them.“ Thus „the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of.“<\/p>\n

When the tempest-tossed Israel shall at last accept her Messiah He will become her King, He will lift the curse which fell when Adam and Eve sinned, and the knowledge of the glory of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Peace and happiness shall reign supremely and Israel shall enjoy peace and fellowship with God under Messiah’s reign forever as the sun and moon (Psa. 89:34-37 ; cf. Hab. 2:14; Isa. 11:9).<\/p>\n

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\nIII. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

God held the Hebrew nation responsible for not recognizing the signs of the times when Jesus came the first time. In the Holy Scriptures He had in detail outlined Messiah’s life and work. Had Israel known the Word of God and been willing to do His will, she would have recognized Him. Though the Scriptures were read in the synagogues weekly, the nation did not recognize Him, even the authorities at Jerusalem (Acts 13:27). „For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled <\/span>them<\/i><\/span> by condemning him.“<\/i> „And when he drew nigh, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known in this day, even thou, the things which belong unto peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, when thine enemies shall cast up a bank about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall dash thee to the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation“ (Lk. 19:41-44). Paul in speaking to the church at Thessalonica explained the sufferings which came upon the Jewish nation because of her failure to recognize Jesus as her Messiah and because she had Him crucified: „For ye also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews; who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and please not God, and are contrary to all men; forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always: but the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost“ (I Thess. 2:14-16). Jesus gave sufficient proof to all when He came first that He was the promised Messiah. The nation refused to investigate His claims and closed her eyes against the evidence of the signs of the times.<\/p>\n

Just as all the indications then pointed definitely to „the fullness of the time“ and the coming of the Messiah into the world, so prior to His return, the Scripture affirms, there will be signs or events which will serve to announce His return. These predictions can be relied upon absolutely for: „We have the word of prophecy <\/span>made<\/i><\/span> more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts“ (II Pet. 1:19).<\/p>\n

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\nA. A World War–A Sign of the Approaching End
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On the last day of the public ministry of Jesus, as He left the temple, He prophesied its complete destruction. As He sat on the Mount of Olives that afternoon, Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to Him saying, „Tell us, when shall these things be? and what <\/span>shall be<\/i><\/span> the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (consummation of the age)?“ (Matt. 24:3). [The Olivet discourse is recorded in Matt. 24, 25; Mk. 13; Lk. 21.]<\/p>\n

(CHART)<\/a> A study of this passage shows two well-defined questions: first, one concerning the time of the destruction of Jerusalem of which He had just spoken; second, a sign or event which would indicate His return to earth and the consummation of the age. An examination of this chapter shows clearly that Matthew does not record Christ’s answer to the first question; Luke, however, does in 21:20-24. That Matthew is simply giving the Lord’s answer to the second question is seen from the fact that he mentions „the end“ in verses 6, 13, 14. That verses 15-28 deal with things connected with the second coming of Christ, and not with the fall of Jerusalem in the year A.D. 70 is likewise seen from the fact that verse 15, which begins with the words „When therefore“ is a conclusion which is drawn from the last statement of verse 14, namely, „and then shall the end come.“ They had asked Jesus concerning the end of the age; therefore in His reply when He spoke of „the end,“ it is but logical to suppose that He used the word with the same significance as they had. Verse 14, therefore, can refer to nothing else except the end of the age. This statement being true, the adverb „when“ of verse 15 links it indissolubly with the adverb „then“ of verse 14. Therefore, the „time of trouble“ mentioned in verses 15-28 is the same as that mentioned in verses 9-14.<\/p>\n

When Jesus predicted the destruction of Jerusalem, the Apostles immediately asked about His return, and the end of the Christian dispensation.\u00b9 Evidently, in their minds those three events were very closely associated. The reason, doubtless, for such an association of ideas is that in different Old Testament passages they are mentioned together. Zech. 14 especially places them together in point of time. He first mentions the final siege of Jerusalem which is brought to a close by the personal coming of the Lord, the Messiah, to Mount Zion and of His miraculous intervention in behalf of the Hebrew race; and finally the introduction of the new age when the Lord shall be King over all the earth, which promise implies the end of the preceding age. When, therefore, Jesus mentioned the siege of Jerusalem the other two associated ideas sprang into consciousness; hence, their questions. It should be observed that their question was concerning some definite sign which would indicate the approach of the time for His return and the end of this age.<\/p>\n

In answering the question Jesus warned against false christs (verses 4, 5); next He warned them against hasty conclusion which might be drawn from the outbreak of a local war or the report of such an uprising. Anticipating such a hasty deduction, should some war break out, that the same is the one of which Zechariah (14:1-8) spoke. He informed them that there would be local wars throughout the entire age. Therefore, reasoned Jesus, they were not to be alarmed at the outbreak of war and conclude that His return was at hand and the millennial age would be ushered in, for, said He, „the end is not yet,“ i.e., the end of the age is not to be expected at the conclusion of some war. His reason for making this statement was: „For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and earthquakes in divers places“: a world war accompanied by famines and earthquakes in divers places, and pestilences (Lk. 21:11), all of which constitute the sign of the end of the age, being the first birth pain, „the beginning of travail“ (Matt. 24:8).<\/p>\n

That Matt. 24:7 is a prediction of a world war is seen from the fact that the expression „nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom“ is Hebraic and indicates a world cataclysm. The same idiom is found in II Chron. 15:6, „And they were broken in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city; for God did vex them with all adversity.“ The context shows that He is talking not only of Israel but also of the surrounding nations. Therefore the expression „nation against nation, and city against city“ refers to all of the lands mentioned and of their being involved in a general war in that part of the world. In Isa. 19:2 appears the same idiom. Since the outlook of this chapter is national, i.e., includes the entire nation, the use of this term shows that all the territory embraced by the outlook of the passage was involved. Since the outlook of Matt. 24 is world-wide, the use of this idiom, without doubt, indicates that the nations of the world are more or less involved in a general upheaval. Therefore a world war accompanied by famines, great earthquakes in different places, and pestilences is the SIGN of the approaching end of the age. It is the first birth pain which the world experiences and which lets those who understand the Word of God know that the time is at hand when „the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God“ (Rom. 8:21).<\/p>\n

The only question to be determined in this connection is: „Was the World War, which has just passed, the war of Matt. 24:7?“ The author does not wish to be dogmatic, but he frankly admits that it appeared to him very much like it.<\/p>\n

From verses 9-28 the Lord spoke of what is known as „The Great Tribulation“ which is „the time of Jacob’s trouble“ (cf. Dan. 12:1). Immediately after that tribulation Jesus shall return with power to sit upon the throne of His glory, at which time He will judge the living nations (Matt. 25:31-46).<\/p>\n

„Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh; even so ye also, when ye see all these things, know ye that he is nigh, <\/span>even<\/i><\/span> at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be accomplished. Heaven, and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away“ (Matt. 24:32-35). The appearance of buds upon the fig tree is indicative of the approach of summer. Thus, said Jesus, a world war with the accompanying disasters is the indication of the approaching end of the age. In order to show how close the end is, when the war comes, He added, „This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be accomplished.“ What is the meaning of the word „generation“? Three answers have been proposed. In Thayer’s Greek Lexicon the Greek word <\/span>\u03b3\u03b5\u03bd\u03b5\u03ac<\/span> has four different meanings, but what is its meaning in this context? It is possible that it could mean „this Jewish race,“ but such a meaning seems to the author very much strained. Since Jesus had focused the minds of the Apostles upon the end of the age and the sign of its approach, and since He used the illustration of the fig tree, it seems that He is talking about that generation which witnesses the outbreak of the world war of 24:7. If this interpretation is correct, the prediction simply means that all of the things enumerated in the passage, including His second coming, will occur within the lifetime of the generation which witnesses the outbreak of the world war.<\/p>\n

Since the late world upheaval of 1914-18 seems to have filled out the picture of the prophecy, at least to a very marked degree, and since the Messiah will, according to the interpretation just given, return immediately after the Tribulation, of which <\/span>a<\/i><\/span> world war is a sign, it behooves each one to study the Bible most prayerfully and carefully and to check current events by his Biblical knowledge to see if Messiah’s return is not close at hand.<\/p>\n

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\nB. Zionism–Another Sign of the Approaching End<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

„And they (Jewish nation) shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive into all the nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled“ (Lk. 21:24). The expression „the times of the Gentiles“ seems to be a reference to the period which is covered by the metallic image of Dan. 2. To Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, God delivered world dominion, including authority over the Jews. That authority has never been revoked. During this period Jerusalem is to be trodden down of the Gentiles. When it is fulfilled, the inference is, Jerusalem, together with Palestine, will revert to the rightful owners, the Hebrew nation. The Balfour Declaration, which was made public November 2, 1917, guarantees to the Jewish nation, Palestine as her homeland. Whenever, in the opinion of the League of Nations, conditions justify, the Palestinian Government will be recognized as one of the family of nations. When that time comes, the times of the Gentiles will have run their course. This fact means that God will again resume His dealings with the Hebrew people. It appears that there will be a period of seven years during which God will especially deal with them. This fact is set forth in the ninth chapter of Daniel. Sixty-nine of the seventy weeks of years of this passage (483 of the 490 years) had run their course when Messiah was cut off–crucified. It appears that this last week of years (7) will begin when the Hebrew people are in full possession of Palestine. Since all indications at present point very definitely toward their re-establishment in the homeland, it is most probable from this point of view that the time is approaching very rapidly for Messiah to return and to inaugurate that glorious reign of righteousness (Dan. 9:24).<\/p>\n

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\nC. Israel’s Gathering in Unbelief<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

According to Zeph. 2:1,2, the nation will gather back to the homeland–at least a part of it–in unbelief. „Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, 0 nation that hath no shame; before the decree bring forth, <\/span>before the<\/i><\/span> day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you.“ Undoubtedly, this prediction, though in a form of a command, is a clear statement that a portion of the nation at least will gather back in the land in unbelief prior to the outbreak of the day of the Lord. Since, under Zionism, large numbers of the nation are gathering back there, and since the movement of Zionism is characterized by indifference to the religion of the Bible, it is the conviction of many godly, consecrated Bible scholars that this present movement is the fulfillment of this wonderful prediction. If this interpretation is correct, from this angle it is clear that the day of the Lord, the time of Jacob’s trouble, is approaching rapidly.<\/p>\n

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\nD. The Great Apostasy <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

According to the Apostle Paul, the great day of the Lord’s vengeance cannot be until after the great falling away from the faith. The word translated „apostasy“ in II Thess. 2 means not simply backsliding but a giving up and forsaking–a renunciation of Christianity, i.e., true Christianity. At the present date it is a well-known fact to all that throughout Christendom and likewise in the circles of reformed Judaism there is a clear and unmistakable departure from the clear, plain teachings of the Word of God. The movement away from the Bible is gaining in momentum and power each day. One by one are the Christian ranks being deserted, but this apostasy is to be expected for the Lord Jesus Himself said „when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?“ (Lk. 18:8).<\/p>\n

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\nE. Lawlessness and Commercialism<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

„And as <\/span>were<\/i><\/span> the days of Noah, so shall be the coming of the Son of man. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and they knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall be the coming of the Son of man. Then shall two men be in the field; one is taken, and one is left: two women <\/span>shall be<\/i><\/span> grinding at the mill; one is taken, and one is left. Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh“ (Matt. 24:37-42). From this and many other passages it is quite evident that lawlessness characterizes the latter days, likewise commercialism. It is also very clear that religion will be at a very low ebb (cf. II Tim. 3:1-5).<\/p>\n

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\nF. The World Empire of the End Time <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

According to the sure word of prophecy, the Roman Empire is to be dominant in the end time. In the vision of the metallic image, which God granted to Nebuchadnezzar, appears the symbolic representation of the course of Gentile world history from the days of Nebuchadnezzar to the time when the God of heaven shall „set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed.“ The fourth, or last kingdom, which is represented by the legs of iron, is a divided kingdom–Rome divided into its eastern and western halves which, as already seen, began in the days of Diocletian and continued through the centuries.<\/p>\n

In Daniel, chapter 7, we have a prediction of the grand march of empire through the centuries of Gentile world dominion. The four world empires of this period are set forth in the form of four symbolic beasts that come in succession out of the agitated waters of the nations when they are in a state of unrest. That a beast, when used symbolically, indicates a king and his kingdom is evident from the following statements:<\/p>\n

„These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, that shall arise out of the earth … Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces“ (Dan. 7:17, 23).<\/p>\n

A careful study of Daniel, chapter 7, and a comparison of it with the metallic image vision of Daniel, chapter 2–when studied in the light of history–show that the four world empires of the times of the Gentiles are Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. When each ceased to be usable in forwarding the Lord’s cause, world dominion was passed on to its successor.<\/p>\n

„After this I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, a fourth beast, terrible and powerful, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things“ (Dan. 7:7,8).<\/p>\n

Rome is here seen devouring, breaking in pieces, and stamping the residue (the rest of the nations) under her feet. She has continued through the centuries in type, as indicated by the legs of iron and feet and toes of iron and miry clay of the image vision (Dan., chap. 2).<\/p>\n

„Thus he [the angel] said, The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom upon earth, … and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 And as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings arise: and another shall arise after them; … and he shall put down three kings … and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time“ (Dan. 7:23-25).<\/p>\n

Rome will yet devour all the nations and become a world kingdom, according to verse 23. Then this empire will crash under its own weight, falling into ten different divisions (vs. 24). Over each of these a dictator will arise. Hence, there are to be ten dictators controlling the world, until there arises a man out of obscurity and insignificance who becomes associated with them. The bulk of the power will quickly gravitate into his hands. When this occurs, he will seize the imperial purple of world dominion and become a tyrant. Finally, in the middle of the seven years of the Tribulation (Dan. 9:27) he will put down three of the ten dictators and with the seven remaining ones will reign with an iron hand for three and a half years (vs. 25). At the end of this period Christ will return in glory.<\/p>\n

At the present time [This section rewritten February, 1953] the world is divided into two great groups of nations: Those behind the iron curtain in the East, and the nations of the free world in the West. According to Ezekiel 38:1-39:16 the nations behind the iron curtain will swoop down upon Palestine and will meet God Almighty there, who will completely demolish all their forces. Then the Western Democracies will take over and develop into a world kingdom. Such a universal empire with its throne of wickedness is referred to in Psalm 94:20, Haggai 2:22, and Revelation 11:15.<\/p>\n

The trends of the time indicate that we are rapidly approaching the great crisis of the ages.<\/p>\n

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\nCONCLUSION<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

From the facts just presented and many others which could be, the author is of the profound conviction that the signs of the times are pointing very definitely to the rapid approach of the return of the Lord. He will not set a date, for no man knows the day nor the hour. But his exhortation is that each one watch and pray, believing the words of the Saviour, „When these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh“ (Lk. 21:28).<\/p>\n

Footnote:<\/p>\n

\u00b9 The marginal reading in the Revised Version of „the end of the world“ is „the consummation of the age.“ The Greek word translated „world“ here is properly translated „age“ in the marginal note. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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CHAPTER XXV<\/p>\n

ABIDING IN THE GOD OF ISRAEL, AND FRUIT-BEARING<\/p>\n

I. ABIDING IN THE GOD OF ISRAEL<\/span><\/center><\/p>\n

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch<\/i> that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit. Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so<\/i> shall ye be my disciples. Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that<\/i> your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you. No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known unto you“ (John 15:1-15).<\/p>\n

In this Scripture Jesus speaks of the relationship existing between Himself and His followers in terms of the vine and its branches.<\/p>\n

One becomes a branch in the vine by accepting Jesus Christ Who makes him „a new creation.“ It is to this fact that Paul in Titus 3:4-7 bears witness: „But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works done<\/i> in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.“ When one has thus been added to the church by the Lord or, in the figure of the vine and branches, when he becomes a branch in the vine, „old things have passed away; behold, they are become new“ (II Cor. 5:17).<\/p>\n

Just as the branches of a vine have the same kind of life as that in the vine, so those who are in Christ have the same kind of life as does Christ, i.e., spiritual, divine life. Being in Him and enjoying „every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places<\/i> in Christ,“ Christians are urged by the Apostle Paul (Col. 3:5-11) to lay aside the works of the flesh and to allow the new nature to manifest itself in a clean, pure, holy life. In human strength such is impossible; but in the strength of the Spirit of God one can bring into subjection the fleshly nature. „So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live“ (Rom. 8:12,13). Having, therefore, all things that pertain unto life and godliness the redeemed people are urged by Peter to live a life of true consecration. „Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of<\/i> your ignorance: but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy“ (I Pet. 1:13-16).<\/p>\n

Since Christ overcame the enemy and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God to make intercession for His people, „He is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them“ (Heb. 7:25). His ears are open at all times to the cries of His people who are invited to „draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us<\/i> in time of need“ (Heb. 4:16).<\/p>\n

In order to obtain the divine help which is necessary to spiritual conquest and victory one must trust God implicitly. This point may be illustrated by Peter’s attempt to walk on the water to the Saviour (Matt. 14:22-33). As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus and trusted he was enabled by the power of Christ to walk on the surface of the water, but when he, seeing the waves, became affrighted, he ceased to trust and began to sink. As he was sinking he cried to Jesus for help. Immediately Jesus rescued him. This experience doubtless furnished the vivid historical background of I Pet. 1:3-5: „Blessed be<\/i> the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.“ „God’s commandings are God’s enablings.“<\/p>\n

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\nII. BEARING FRUIT<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

According to the parable of the vine and branches, God has a standard scale of fruit-bearing consisting of four degrees: (1) no fruit (verse 2); (2) fruit (verse 2); (3) more fruit (verse 2); (4) much fruit (verse 8). God is not satisfied with one’s remaining throughout life in the same condition. He wishes growth and development in each. He has done everything possible in order to enable each one to bear fruit a hundredfold. Whatever failures may arise are due to man and not to God. According to Isa. 5, Israel was God’s vineyard in which He planted the choicest vine, after He had thoroughly prepared the soil. At the time of harvest He looked for fine, luscious grapes, but instead „it bore wild grapes.“ The prophet thus interpreted his parable as follows: „For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for justice, but, behold, oppression; for righteousness, but, behold, a cry“ (Isa. 5:7).<\/p>\n

In the parable of the sower (Lk. 8:4-15) a portion of the seed fell among the thorns and produced plants, but the thorns choked out the same until the fruit was very imperfect. That class of hearers which is thus represented by these seeds and plants is explained by the Saviour as follows: „And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this<\/i> life, and bring no fruit to perfection.“ In this age of the world when men are lovers of money and pleasures more than lovers of God, it behooves the Christian who wishes to do the will of God to avoid squandering his time, talents, and money. On the other hand, he should be about his Father’s business, working diligently while it is day, realizing that the night cometh when no man shall work. In other words, he should obey the injunction of the Apostle Paul in Eph. 5:16, „redeeming the time,“ or, according to the margin, „buying up the opportunity.“ One’s lifetime is the period of fruit-bearing.<\/p>\n

There are various fruits which the faithful child of God bears. Chiefest among these is the fruit of the Spirit, which is „love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law“ (Gal. 5:22,23). Only the Holy Spirit abiding in the heart of the faithful believer can produce these wonderful results in the life. Another kind of fruit which God expects His people to bear is that concerning which Paul wrote to the Colossian church in the following words: „As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so<\/i> walk in him, rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving“ (Col. 2:6,7). This statement doubtless referred to their conversion from heathenism to Christianity, of their living clean, pure, godly lives, and of their efforts to spread the Gospel. In praying for them Paul besought the Lord that this church might bear „fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God“ (1:10). Again, in his letter to the church at Philippi, which was occasioned by his receiving a donation from it, he assured it that he was thankful to receive the liberal contribution for his support in the Gospel ministry, affirming that he did not „seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account“ (Phil. 4:17). One may not be able to do very much or to give very much, but each should give accordingly as the Lord has prospered him (I Cor. 16:1,2).<\/p>\n

„If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of<\/i> prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,<\/i> and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Love suffereth long, and<\/i> is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth: but whether there be<\/i> prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be<\/i> tongues, they shall cease; whether there be<\/i> knowledge, it shall be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love“ (1 Cor. 13).<\/p>\n

The three abiding and permanent things of life are FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE. Thus love is indispensable; it is imparted to the believer by the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

Dear reader, the author implores you, in view of the seriousness of the issues which have been raised in this book, to accept* the truth as it has been presented in these pages, since it is a faithful presentation of the Word of the living God, to accept Jesus Christ with fullness of faith as your Saviour, and to press forward as did the great Apostle to the Gentiles, who declared, „Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do,<\/i> forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus“ (Phil. 3:13,14). Trust Jesus in everything, saying as did Paul, „For I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day“ (II Tim. 1:12). Be diligent in the service of the Lord and „be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord“ (I Cor. 15:58). „But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God“ (Acts 20:24).<\/p>\n

Having accepted Christ and having followed and obeyed Him faithfully, you can shout with the Apostle Paul, „I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing“ (II Tim. 4:7,8).<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nCONCLUSION TO BOOK THREE
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

According to the Torah (Deut. 18:15-22) Israel could recognize a true prophet whenever he appeared. The infallible tests were: (1) the fulfilment of a prediction or the coming to pass of a sign; (2) the character of his message, i.e., his teaching the people to worship the True God. Jesus fulfilled accurately all Messianic predictions to date. As His credentials He gave many signs and tokens (in addition to His miracles) all of which came to pass. The chiefest of these was the fulfilment of His prediction of His Resurrection (Lk. 18:31-34; 24:1-53). Therefore He qualified as a true prophet on this point. Secondly the gist of His message was that men should worship God (Lk. 4:8; Matt. 22:34-40). Thus He proved Himself a true prophet.<\/p>\n

Had Israel believed the Torah and applied the test to Jesus, she would have accepted Him (John 5:46,47). Being a true prophet, as evidenced by these tests and many infallible proofs, He spoke the truth. Since He spoke only the truth and since He claimed to be the Son of God, He was God manifest in the flesh.<\/p>\n

As was seen in Book II, Part Two, there appears in the Books of the Prophets, which were written during the period of a thousand years prior to 500 B.C., a clear, detailed, and specific outline of the career of Israel’s Messiah. In the Gospel records, the truthfulness of which accounts is established by incontrovertible evidence, appears the detailed account of the life of Jesus of Nazareth. A comparison of His life with that shown in the Prophets proves conclusively that He fulfilled „The Career of the Messiah“ up to a certain point–His session at the right hand of the Throne of God. The fact that He has fulfilled it up to the present time argues that He will carry out this pre-arranged program to completion. These facts prove beyond question two things: Firstly, that the Hebrew prophets were inspired by the Spirit of God; Secondly, that Jesus was the Messiah–God tabernacling in the flesh for man’s good. Therefore the irresistible conclusion is that the entire Bible (66 books) is the Word of the Living God and Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world.<\/p>\n

Footnotes:<\/p>\n

* Throughout the book the author has presented quite a bit of technical material which he calls upon the reader to examine and to arrive at his own conclusions. This request is not unreasonable. Though one may not have enjoyed special training in certain fields of research, that fact does not disqualify him from being able to judge facts and principles which are brought to his attention by experts in certain particular fields. For instance, the author knows very little of astronomy, having taken only one course in that subject. He was taught that there are rings around the planet Saturn. He was unable to see them until he went to an observatory–the product of scientists–and looked through the telescope after it had been set by an expert astronomer. With his own eyes he saw these rings and came to his own conclusions. Likewise he had been told all of his life of the microscopic animals. When he studied biology he looked through the microscope and saw exactly what the scientists see.<\/p>\n

The scientist in any given field discovers facts and principles which people of ordinary intelligence can judge and evaluate correctly. The scientist renders a great service to humanity by his great discoveries. The philosopher may likewise render invaluable service in suggesting certain explanations or theories, which may be true or may not. The average man, though lacking technical training but having eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand, is competent to judge and evaluate any of the real substantial data (not theories nor speculations), which the scientist produces and which affect his life and conduct.<\/p>\n

Therefore the author urges the reader, should he, when he has finished reading the book, be unable to see clearly every position as has been presented, to restudy each argument, praying to the Eternal God in the Name of Jesus the Christ, to enable him to see the truth and to give him courage and power to accept it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

weiter<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Continued-Chapter XXIV) When all the Gentile nations will be gathered together against Jerusalem the Hebrew nation, having been reduced to the direst need, will realize that her only help is in God; hence she will turn to the Lord and be willing to accept Him Who comes in the Name of the Lord. In response … <\/p>\n

\u201eEternal God Revealing Himself to Suffering Israel\u201c <\/span>weiterlesen<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-allgemein"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1152"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1152\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1178,"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1152\/revisions\/1178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}