Zephaniah: The LORD Hides.

Zephaniah: The LORD hides (secrets).

“Israel the Head, and no longer the Tail.”1 The Prophet of Punishment (and love).

“The Day of the LORD” Subject:~ The Captivity of Judah {showcasing the demonstrative and loving chastisement of God to facilitate true repentance in all (especially His chosen) who see and experience it: to realize the “Rest” of the “Blessed Hope”: the LORD’S Millennium of true peace on Earth}.

Key Verse:~ Zephaniah 2:3 “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.”

Application: Zephaniah may have been a great-great-grandson of Hezekiah, Zeph. 1:1, R.V. He prophesied during the reign of Josiah, probably before the discovery of the Book of the Law, {quite possibly facilitating Josiah’s revival} as the evils which he denounced were then removed by the king.

Zephaniah is the prophet of the “Day of the Lord.” He does not, like Obadiah, Nahum, or Habakkuk, deal with the downfall of any one nation; he is instead a prophet of universal judgment. His message to the nations is parallel to the words of Jesus (Luke 13:4-5): “Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Zephaniah declares that all nations, even Judah itself, will fall under the divine wrath if they continue to defy the divine law. But his message is more than one of judgment. He shows that God is working for the salvation of mankind and that following judgment there will be revealed new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness.2

ZEPHANIAH—GENERAL ANALYSIS: WHO SPEAKS? This book was written by Zephaniah, the last of the nine pre-exile prophets, as Hosea was the first. The name Zephaniah means “Jehovah hides.”3 He prophesied to Judah about 630610 B.C., shortly before they were carried into Babylonian captivity. Zephaniah is believed to have been a prince, as well as a prophet, who like his grandfather, Hezekiah, King of Judah, four generations before him, was considered to be one of the good kings of Judah, v.

1. Beyond this nothing is known of his personal life. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah, the major prophet.

TO WHOM? Zephaniah directed his message from the Lord to Judah, the southern two tribes of Israel, as Hosea the first of the pre-exile prophets, addressed his message to Israel, the northern ten tribes, 1

I. M. Haldeman, How to Study the Bible.

F. B. Meyer, Through the Bible Day by Day: A Devotional Commentary.

3 Zephaniah: (he hid, the Lord has protected)~David Cloud. “Concealed of/is Lord” The name might mean “Yah(weh) has concealed”, “[he whom] Yah(weh) has hidden”, or “Yah(weh) lies in wait”. ~ Wikipedia 2

ABOUT WHAT? The theme of Zephaniah is “Judgments of the day of the Lord;” This latter phrase is used more by him than by any other Bible writer. He contrasts “the day of man,” when God is longsuffering, with the “day of the Lord,” a day of irrevocable judgment vengeance upon Judah, and all nations, for their cleansing from disobedience to God. WHEN? Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of king Josiah in Judah. His father and grandfather had been godless men, but Josiah “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord.” See 2 Chronicles ch. 33-35. His reign was 641-610 B.C. It was in the latter part of his reign that Zephaniah prophesied and wrote, 630-610 B.C. WHAT WAS THE OCCASION? The prophecy was occasioned by the moral, ethical, and spiritual decay of the people of Judah. They had turned to idolatry, worshipping Baal and Molech,4 idol and false gods, ignored the law of their God, Ex 20:1-5. The immediate judgment of God is therefore announced, Zep 1:13; And the final day of “The Day of the Lord,” is foretold, with redemption rest, and final glory restored by Jehovah, to all Israel.5

To “MAKE THE CUT” Generally used to refer to any teaching of grave accountability for Christians, such as literal chastisement at the judgment seat of Christ, conditional millennial entrance, and a thousand years in the outer darkness of the underworld. “Bible teachers as Robert Govett and David Panton belong to a rare group of Christians with extraordinary spiritual insight. However, we should keep in mind, when we read the writings of these men — which include the Vanguard Reprints — that they followed a so-called selective rapture and resurrection of Christians. It’s fully true that there will be a selection of believers before[i.e., at] the judgment seat of Christ, but this selection doesn’t {necessarily} occur already at the time of the rapture, simply because the judgment seat is the place to determine what is of the flesh and of the spirit, not the rapture.”Introduction to the “Vanguard Reprints” by Roel Velema. {Why not both, i.e., Scriptural baptism must play a part in this process (1 Peter 3:17-22) unless to “strive lawfuly” doesn’t apply here. The Amplified Bible has 2 Tim. 2:5 this way: “And if anyone enters competitive games, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully (fairly, according to the rules laid down).” To “MAKE THE CUT” then has to be at the Rapture of true Christians, i.e., Scripturally baptized believers, who by that act have sworn fealty to the returning King! Whether or not they/we are allowed to stay may be a matter of “apparel” (cf., 2 Sam 12:20; 1 King 10:5; Ezra 3:10; Est 5:1; Job 22:14; Ps 45; Isa 4:1; Zephaniah 1:8; Matt 22:11-14; Gal 3:27; Rev 19:8 KJV) ~ esn}6

4

Ba’al: (Hebrew) The lord, or any lord other than YHWH (JeHoVaH) the LORD; and Molech or Moloch: God of the Canaanites and Phoenicians to whom parents sacrificed their children [WordWeb.info] 5 Garner Baptist Commentary. Author: Dr. Albert Garner and Elder J. C. Howes; Blessed Hope Foundation.

6 “Kingdom Accountability Truth” ~ The ROD: Will God Spare It? (Glossary) by J. D. Faust. {Vance’s critical review here.}

I. Day of Judgment on Judah

1 - Gods severe judgement against Judah for divers sins. ¶ The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hiz kiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD. I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops ; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham; And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him. ¶ Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD’S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king’s children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel . In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an h o w l i n g f r o m t h e s e c o n d , a n d a g r e a t c r a s h i n g f r o m t h e h i l l s . H o w l , y e inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off. And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof. ¶ The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

CHAPTER 1: JUDGMENT ON JUDAH Judah’s Judgments--Figure of Future “Day Of The Lord” Verse 1 claims inspiration for the prophet as “the word of the Lord,” to Zephaniah, in the days of Josiah, King of Judah. Let it be recalled that the word of the Lord is true (trustworthy) from the beginning, Ps 119:160; 2Pe 1:21. His lineal identity is then certified for the past four generations, indication that he

was of the royal lineage of Hezekiah. See 2Ki 22:1-20; 2Ch 34:1-33; Jer 1:2; 22:11. The father of Zephaniah was Cushi; and his three grandfathers of the previous three generations are given as Gedaliah, Amariah, and Hizkiah (the same as Hezekiah) 2 Kings 18th ch. And 2Ki 20:1-21.

Verse 2 warns that the Lord will utterly consume (from the roots) “all things” from off the ground, from the root up. The people had been formerly warned, but had not heeded. They were now to be swept away from Judah, like a deluge, Jer 8:12,13.

Verse 3 enumerates the character of judgment was: a) upon man and beast, b) upon fowls of the heaven, and c) upon the fishes of the sea. Idols that had been erected to men, beasts, fowls, and fishes, with Baal and Molech as chief among the heathen, idol gods had caused them to stumble like blind or drunk men, in matters of morals, ethics, and the Law of the Lord, Ex 14:3,4,7. These judgments were to fall because they had willfully offended God, Joe 3:21; See also Jer 9:10; Ho 4:3; De 7:26.

Verse 4 asserts that God was about to stretch out His hand in judgment over Judah and Jerusalem in a special way. Those most exalted in Israel must also suffer for their sins of omission and commission. The remnant of Baal worshippers were to be cut off, carried away from the land, or slain; And the name of the Chemarims, Phoenicians with her idolatrous priests, illegally ordained by the kings of Judah, 2Ki 23:5; Ho 10:5; Isa 5:25; 9:12,17,21.

Judgment begins at the house of God, 1Pe 4:7; Le 10:2; Eze 9:6.

Verse 5 continues God’s warning that He will stretch out His judgment hand against those who worship the “host of heaven upon the housetops” These were the star-worshippers and incense-burners upon the roofs of residences.

They are also denounced, Jer 19:13; 2Ki 23:12. For they sought to mix the worship of God with idolatry, Jer 32:20. They swear by both the Lord and Malcham, which means Molech, at the same time, putting the living God on a level with the blind, deaf, dumb, and lifeless gods of the heathen, against their own law, Ex 20:1-5; 2Ch 15:14; Ho 4:15; 1Ki 18:21; Eze 20:39; Mt 6:24.

Verse 6 includes the third and fourth classes of those against whom the Lord would stretch out His hand of judgment vengeance, in addition to the two mentioned above, v. 4, 5. They are: 1) Those who “turn back from the Lord,” become apostate, apostatized, and 2) Those who have not even sought or inquired of the Lord, to know His ways. They have simply been indifferent, Isa 1:1-7; Jer 2:13,17.

Verse 7 calls upon Judah and Jerusalem to hold their peace, to be silent, at the presence of the Lord, who is about to speak in all His majesty. It is a summon to be silent and in submission as judgment comes speedily, Hab 2:20. It is announced that the Lord has prepared His sacrifice of victims of justice, Isa 34:6; Jer 46:10. Nations have been consecrated to war that they may consume Jacob or Israel, Jer 10:25. These heathen nations are guests of the Lord, to

chasten His erring, though chosen people of Israel, in their disobedience to Him, Isa 13:3; 1Sa 9:13,22; 16:5.

Verse 8 announces that in the day of the Lord’s sacrifice He will punish the princes or nobles of Judah, the ringleaders, who should have set an example in public life rather than imitate the greedy and oppressive behavior of heathen nations. He adds a warning that He will also punish the king’s children, and all who are clothed with strange apparel, those wearing vestments or robes to denote the worship of each different god in all the land. 2Ki 10:22; Jer 39:6. For such was a violation of the Divine Law Judah had vowed to keep. They were also forbidden to wear women’s garments, a thing they had come to practice, as may transvestites and homosexuals do even today, De 22:5. It is in stark contrast with the clean and white garments of wedding saints, at the marriage of the Lamb, Re 19:8.

Verse 9 continues to affirm that God will punish, in this pending judgment, “all those that leap on the threshold,” an idol practice or ritual attached to adoration of Dagon, in violence, to take spoils of others, to enrich their own houses and that of their superiors. They were marked for a severe Divine judgment; Such is also condemned; Man is warned against this course of life, 1Ti 6:17-19; Jas 5:1-6. See also Pr 11:28; Luke 16; Jer 17:11.

Verse 10 further predicts that there shall be “come to be”, to exist in Jerusalem, at the time of her siege by the Chaldeans, a terrorizing cry at the fish gate, which stood near the fish-market entrance to the city, 2Ch 23:14; Ne 3:3.

This shall be followed by a similar cry of terror from the second. or inner part of the city, Ne 12:31-39. And from the hills of Zion and Moriah, just southward from the fish gate, this howl of fear shall resound again and again, as the cruel crashing of the Chaldean army tears down, crashes, and plunders the city from house to house, 2Ki 22:14; 2Ch 24:22; Isa 15:5.

Verse 11 calls upon the market place (bazaar) inhabitants also to howl.

Those of the Maktesh (the mortar), a rock depression area of the city where fine grains were hulled, were to run screaming from their humble places of trade and livelihood, as the mighty armies of Chaldea swept through the city gates and over the walls into Jerusalem to rape, ravage, burn, and destroy it, carrying away the silver, gold, and best furniture from the temple and homes of the wealthy, Na 2:9; Da 5:1-4. See also Zec 14:21; Ho 12:7; Hab 2:6.

Verse 12 warns that God will punish Judah and Jerusalem for their obstinate course of rebellion and idolatry through the idolatrous Chaldean army and nation. So severe will the punishment be that none can hide from the judgment. Even a candle light will detect those settled on their lees, careless, indifferent, doing nothing, to amend the wickedness of their people, Jer 48:11; Am 6:1; 9:3. For to “him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin,” Jas 4:17. These of Jerusalem and Judea had grown to be cynics, agnostics, and skeptics, alleging that God would neither do good nor evil, placing Him on a

level with idols, which they had tolerated and come to worship too, Isa 41:23; Jer 10:5; Ps 55:19.

Verse 13 asserts that such conduct is the reason their houses shall be desolated, destroyed, and their goods seized as booty by the enemy invaders.

Such as are left behind, not carried into captivity, as well as those taken captive, were to be slaves for a 70 year period, because of their sins, De 28:30; Am 5:11; Jer 25:11; Da 9:1,2.

Verse 14 foretells the great day of the Lord that was at hand, then imminent, for the destruction and captivity of Jerusalem, by Nebuchadnezzar, a pre-figure of the day of the Lord, when He comes to the Earth in The Tribulation The Great, at the end, at the battle of Armageddon, to subdue all things, and to judge, Jer 25:30; Joe 2:1,11; 2Th 1:7; Am 1:2.

Verse 15 further describes that armed invasion day of Nebuchadnezzar against Jerusalem to blast her hope and glory, make her utterly desolate, bring her to pain and humiliation, a state of stress and distress (emptiness) within and without. As a literal historical judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem, this is certified to be a picture of the terrible judgment of God that shall come to all, at the end of this age, who have forgotten God, Ps 9:17; Isa 19:8; Job 2:2,11; Am 5:18.

Verse 16 continues to describe this day of the Lord’s judgment visitation as a day of the trumpet, to sound alarm of approaching enemies who were bent on destroying their fenced cities and high towers or fortified places, Am 2:2, Yet the blasting trumpets, city fences, and high fortifications could not, would not, save them from the vengeance of the Babylonians. Nor will any invention, purpose, or plan of any man keep him from one day facing the judgment of God and His own sins, 2Co 5:10; Heb 9:26,27.

Verse 17 asserts that God Himself will bring distress upon the disobedient, the lawless, those who have rejected Him and His ways, so that they walk, groping as blind men, uncertain, fearful, stumbling, until their blood should be shed as dust, and their flesh become as dung, putrid, putrefied, or rotten, food for worms. God gave them up, without further counsel or help, because of their own chosen paths of sin, De 28:29; Na 2:5; 2Ki 13:7; Ge 13:16.

Verse 18 asserts that neither their silver nor their gold would be able to bribe them off from judgment in the day of the Lord’s wrath. For the Lord, by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar’s army, was resolved to devour the land, by the fire of His jealousy, to rid the land of all the inhabitants speedily, in a very short time, Pr 11:4; Eze 7:19; 38:19; See also Isa 13:17; Jer 4:30; 46:28.

II. Judgments on Judah’s Enemies

1 - An exhortation to repentance. ~ 4 - The judgement of the Philistines, ~ 8 - of Moab and Ammon, ~ 12 - of Ethiopia and Assyria. ¶ Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; Before the decree bring forth, before the 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. Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger. ¶ For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noonday, and Ekron shall be rooted up. Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant. And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity. ¶ I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border. Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them. This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts. The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.

¶ Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.

And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness. And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work. This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand. ⁂

CHAPTER 2: THE CALL TO THE REMNANT A Summons To Repentance Verse 1 exhorts Judah, as a nation, to repent. She is called upon to gather herself together, for a solemn assembly of genuine mourning and repentance for her sins; As a nation, she had showed no desire to acknowledge her sins, her shame, and her reproach that she had brought upon the name of Jehovah God, through her idolatrous deeds, Jer 3:3. They had become unworthy of God’s name, but showed no

desire of paleness, regret, remorse, repentance or shame for her sins, Isa 29:22; See also Joe 2:16; 2Ch 21:20.

Verse 2 calls upon them to respond to God’s summons to repentance, before it is too late, before He turns loose, as giving birth to His day of wrath, without any further mercy, and they be destroyed like chaff, blown away by the wind, or consumed by the fire, Pr 1:22-30; 29:1; Job 21:18; Ps 1:4.

Verse 3 relates Zephaniah’s appeal from God is for them all, as meek ones, to seek or make a diligent search for the Lord, for restoration to His favor. Especially the pious few who had sought to walk in humility and had not loved the strange (heathen) apparel or practiced idolatry, were to seek God’s favor. Zephaniah simply affirmed that such as would personally seek the Lord’s favor, acknowledge and witness for Him, might be hid, protected, or sustained through the hour of the Day of the Lord, if they were yet living, when the moment came, Mic 6:8; Lu 21:34-36; Heb 9:27.

Certain Nations To Be Judged { The Day of the Lord and the Gentiles }

Verse 4 begins a decree of judgment against neighboring states. Five nations from all parts of the earth are named in the coming universal judgment. Gaza shall be abandoned and Ashkelon vacated and desolated as cities of the Philistines, Am 1:6-8; Isa 20:1. Then Ashdod and Ekron are to be overcome, rooted up, and driven out, not by sneak attack at night, but at high noon of the day, the hottest time of the day, the time generally spent at rest in that area of southern Philistia coastline; Such should be the unexpected manner of sudden judgment invasion upon these proud cities, 2Sa 4:5; Jer 15:8; 6:4,5.

Verse 5 announces “woe” upon the Cherethites or Cretans who were used as executioners in the royal army of Judah, and would themselves be cut off by Jehovah God. The Cretans had long been associated with the Philistines in their oppression of Israel and Judah, 1Sa 30:14; 2Sa 8:18; 1Ch 18:17; Eze 25:16. No inhabitant was to be left in Canaan, the land of the Philistines in the coming decreed judgment, Jos 13:2,3.

Verse 6 announces or prophecies that the sea coast, or line of the marine plains area, would become a place of dwelling or tentings for shepherds, and folds for flocks, Jer 47:7; Eze 25:16. The cottages were small underground huts, dug to protect the shepherds from the searing heat of the sun.

Verse 7 pledges that the coasts of once mighty and haughty Philistines shall come to be for the remnant of Judah, restored to her land, Zep 3:13-20; Isa 1:9; Ro 11:5. In that day they of Judah shall feed and rest in the former houses of Ashkelon, in the evening, for an extended rest; When God shall turn away their captivity, visiting them in mercy, as described Ex 4:31; See also Zep 3:19,20; De 30:1-9; Isa 11:11; Jer 23:5-8.

Verse 8 asserts that God has heard (listened to) the reproach or derision of Moab, and the revilings of the Ammonites, by which they had vilified his people, while exalting themselves, or acted insolently against their restricted boundaries. Both the Moabites and Ammonites had rejoiced, aided and abetted the calamity of the Jews. God had therefore spoken certain retribution, that was yet to befall them, for their enmity and oppression against His people, Isaiah ch. 15, 16; Jer 48:29; Am 2:1-3; Jer 49:1-6; 2Ki 13:20; Ps 35:26; Ob 1:12.

Verse 9 declares that on the honor of the oath and character of the God of hosts He would send judgment upon the children of both Moab and Ammon whose land would be accursed with slime pits of salty brine, like Sodom and Gomorrah, with spiny nettles growing over the area. The residue of Judah was one day to spoil them, then, thereafter a remnant of His people should possess them as vassals or servants, Jg 9:45; Ps 107:34.

Verse 10 concludes that this is a just retribution that should befall them because of their own pride and self-exaltation and oppression that He had seen them show against His chosen people, v. 8; Jer 48:29; Pr 13:8; 16:18.

Verse 11 describes how the Lord of hosts will be terrible in judgment against the Ammonites and Moabites, depriving them of worship and sacrifices to their idol gods, which were considered the source of their food, a vain assumption regarding blind, deaf, dumb, lifeless and helpless gods, De 32:38; Ps 115:4-9. Thereafter all men should worship the true God, even from every coast and nation, Ps 68:29; Mal 1:11.

Verse 12 directly addresses the Ethiopian nation also, warning that they shall be slain as victims of war, by the sword of the Lord’s directed judgment upon them, Isa 10:5. This was fulfilled soon thereafter, when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Egypt, with which Ethiopia was allied, Jer 46:2,9; Eze 30:5-9.

Verse 13 also warns that God will stretch out His down-turned hand in judgment against Assyria to the north, also making Nineveh its capital, a desolation, even dry like a wilderness, desert or uninhabited place, because Assyria was northeast of Judah, but made her invasion of the land from the north, accounting for Zephaniah’s prophecy that God would stretch forth his hand, “against the north,” See also Isa 10:12; Eze 31:3; Na 1:2; 2:10; 3:15,18.

Verse 14 prophesies that God’s final judgment of Nineveh would be so great in desolating the city that flocks and beasts of the nations would come to lie down in her midst, Pr 30:25-27; Even the cormorant and the bittern (pelican and porcupine) should come to lodge in the upper lintels of it, or upper pillars of desolated buildings, as their voice would sing out in a minor key, as unclean fowls, reminding any sojourner of her judgment fate, Ps 102:6; Le 11:18.

Verse 15 recounts that this is (exists as) the proud, haughty, arrogant capital city of Assyria, sheltered behind canals of water, defence motes, that would

become, under Divine judgment decree, a lair of wild varmints, a desolate waste and an hissing to men of other nations who would rejoice at her fall and wave a farewell hand, declaring that she deserved the judgment fate, 1Ki 9:8; Job 27:23; La 2:15; Eze 27:36.

III. Woe to Jerusalem and the Nations

1 - A sharp reproof of Jerusalem for divers sins. ~ 8 - An exhortation to wait for the restauration of Israel: ~ 14 - and to rejoice for their salvation by God. ¶ Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God. Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant. I said, Surely thou wilt fear me , thou w ilt receive inst ruction; so their dw elling should not be cut off, how soever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. ¶ Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. ¶ Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make y ou a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD. ~⁂~⁂~⁂~

CHAPTER 3: JUDGEMENT ON JERUSALEM AND LASTING PEACE. Moral State of Jerusalem in Zephaniah’s Time Verse 1 announces a “woe” upon a filthy, polluting, and oppressing city, which seems to be the city of Jerusalem, as further described verses 2-7. Some, however see this as a restatement of doom on Ninevah. She was as an harlot or prostitute, an immodest, an immoral woman, Mt 1:19. {In the margin it is, "woe to her that is gluttonous". The word is used for the craw or crop of a fowl, (Leviticus 1:16) hence some render it [(harwm ywh) "vae ingluviei"{Alas crop}, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.] "woe to the craw"; to the city that is all craw, to which Jerusalem is compared for its devouring the wealth and substance of others. The Scribes and Pharisees in Christ's time are said to devour widows' houses, (Matthew 23:14) and this seems to be the sin with which they were defiled, and here charged with. Some think the word signifies one that is publicly, infamous; either made a public example of, or openly exposed, as sometimes filthy harlots are; or rather one "that has made herself infamous" by her sins and vices: Gill.} {cf., 1 Timothy 5:6, “But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.”}

Verse 2 explains that the woe came, or was to come, because she neither obeyed the voice nor received correction that had been committed to her in the Law and the Prophets. The instructions of the Lord had been given both by the Law and by many chastening warnings from true prophets; Yet this city’s people did not believe in or trust the Lord. Nor did she draw near to Him in the times of her chastening, Ps 2:12; Jer 5:3; De 4:7.

Verse 3 charges that Jerusalem’s princes or royal nobles were like fleshtearing lions against the poor, even of her own people, Micah ch. 3; Pr 28:15; Eze 19:2; Na 2:12. And her judges, who should have shown mercy in judgment, are described as voracious and insatiable flesh tearing night beasts who desire to go for the kill undercover, in the shadows or dark hours of the night, because their judgments were evil, Hab 1:6-8; Joh 3:19-21; Jer 5:6; Hab 1:8.

Verse 4 further charges that her prophets are light or fickle and treacherous, unstable and untrustworthy apostates, Jer 23:32. And her priests have polluted the sanctuary, doing violence toward the very law of the Lord they were anointed to uphold. They desecrated the temple and her worship, making everything common and profane, as popularity seekers, rather than Divine servants, Eze 22:26; Jer 23:32; 2Ti 4:3-5.

Verse 5 reminds that the Lord of hosts is in their midst, in the city of Jerusalem. He will execute no judgment lawlessly, nor without mercy. He is described as executing judgment righteously, early in the morning, not under the hidden canopy of darkness, in the night; He fails not in all his judgment to do right. De 32:4. But the unjust prophets, priests, princes, and judges in His city of peace, knew no shame, recognized no shame in their carnal, covetous deeds, or showed no penitence or conversion from their ways, Joh 3:19-21:1; Pr 1:22-30.

Verse 6 reminds these Jerusalem leaders that the Lord had cut off (judged the nations), so that their towers or fortifications were laid waste, and none traveled the once busy streets. They were now without inhabitants. Should this

not be an object lesson to His own people of Jerusalem and Judea, to turn them back to obedience and respect for His laws? 1Co 10:11,12.

Verse 7 recounts God’s saying to Himself, (reflecting the purpose for which He had sent judgments upon the lawless heathen nations nearby), “surely thou (Jerusalem) wilt hear, or give heed to me, and receive my instructions, so that your dwellings will not be cut off or totally destroyed,” Le 26:31,32; Ps 69:25; Mic 3:12. But instead of repenting and heeding His voice His own chosen people had risen up early to have time to do more wickedness in one day, Lu 19:42; 13:35.

Judgment Of The Nations Verse 8 recounts God’s call to Judah to wait upon Him until the day that He shall rise up to prey (to judge the nations) for He announces a fixed determination to gather or assemble all nations (races) and all kingdoms (organized civil governments) before Him, to pour out all His fiery indignation and fierce anger, Isa 30:18-33; Hab 2:3. For their impenitent, obstinate rebellion against His word and ways, He announces that all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of His jealousy. He shall sift and convert all people who are penitent from all nations and destroy the impenitent wicked at the hour as described Joe 3:2; Zec 12:1-9; Re 16:14; 19:11-21; 2Th 1:7-9.

Verse 9 pledges that God will then, at that time, give to the converted Gentiles a pure language of devotion, springing from a new heart. In order that they might all, redeemed Jew and Gentile, be in one accord, harmony, or unanimity, Jer 32:39; This is prefigured by two bearers of the grapes of Eschol, Nu 23:23; Mt 11:30; Ac 15:28; Eph 4:1-5.

Verse 10 declares that in that day His dispersed, chosen people of Israel, shall come to, and be presented to, God by the redeemed from among the Gentiles, those of His church, whom He called from among the Gentiles for His name’s sake, called the church, custodian of His message of redemption and acceptable worship and praise in this and all succeeding ages, Isa 66:20; Joh 15:27; Ac 10:37; 15:13-17; Eph 3:21. In this Golden millennial era, the twelve apostles of the church, called from among the Gentiles, shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, Lu 22:28-30.

Verse 11 pledges to Judah and Israel that in that day of His judgment of the nations they shall not be ashamed, or be caused to be humiliated any more before Him, because of their past transgressions. All cause for shame shall be removed when they are sanctified and restored to His favor, Isa 66:2,10. Haughty, proud, princes and priests will no more be among them to exult in false pride, as they once did, Jer 7:4; Mic 3:11; Mt 3:9; Because of His Holy name and government.

Verse 12 announces that the Lord will also leave in the midst of regathered penitent Israel a lowly, humble, afflicted and poor people. And they will trust in the name of the Lord, or be subject to do His will, humbly, Ps 2:12; Pr 3:3-5. Trust exists only when selfish boasting is abandoned, Isa 15:9; Zec 11:11.

Verse 13 describes this remnant of restored Israel as a people who will do no iniquity (lawless deed) or speak lies to deceive, Hag 1:14; Isa 1:9; Ro 11:5. Nor shall a deceitful tongue or testimony longer be found in the mouth of any. For they shall be (exist as) an holy nation, sanctified, to the Lord, Ex 19:6; They shall then feed in peace, undisturbed, with no unjust rulers or foreign foes to disturb them, Re 14:4,5.

Israel’s Kingdom Blessing Verse 14 is a direct call upon Jerusalem, and the nation of Israel, to be glad and rejoice with all the heart, because of this sure news of lasting peace, restoration, and Divine favor with God. A ground for full joy is emphasized, by repetition of the appeal, as when Paul wrote, “rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, rejoice,” Php 4:4.

Verse 15 reaffirms to Israel that the Lord has taken away, removed beyond possible return, forever, His judgment and enemies against Israel. Evil has been removed and her enemies destroyed; So why should she not rejoice? Zechariah further prophesies, from the Lord, at that time “the king of Israel, even the Lord,” is (exists) in your midst, for fellowship and protection. They are assured that they shall no more see evil or judgment, a thing that will occur at the second coming of Jesus, that surely did not occur at His first coming, Jer 5:1,2; 44:17; Zec 6:12,13; Ge 1:26; Zec 12:8.

Verse 16 states that at that time, there shall exist no cause for any fear, but full reason for diligence in devotion to the Lord in Jerusalem. And Zion, hill of His center of Davidic-Heir reign, is called upon to let there be no slackness, or occasion to faint, in her labors for and with the king of Glory, in His earthly reign, Heb 12:12; Isa 13:7.

Verse 17 declares that the Lord, as King and Bridegroom, in the midst of Israel, with His apostles and the church, will rejoice over Israel, with joy and rest in His love for His rescued people Israel, and His Bride, the church, Isa 62:5; 65:19. As a bridegroom embraces, loves, cherishes his bride, so the Lord is described as caressing His people Israel, regathered, as King over them, Lu 1:32,33, and His bride, the church, whom he has taken to Himself, for glory forever, Re 19:5-9; Eph 3:21.

Verse 18 expresses God’s pledge to gather those who are (exist as) sorrowful, for the solemn assembly, those who had pined at a distance, at the marriage festivities of the Lamb, those redeemed, but neither of Israel’s worship nor that of His true church, to whom the reproach of it had been a burden, Heb 13:10; Re 19:9; See also Isa 58:12; Ezr 2:59; Ps 68:27; 1Co 10:32.

Verse 19 pledges that at the beginning of that great day (era) of the reign of Christ over Israel and all the earth, He will first, in priority, put down or subject all who afflicted or oppressed His people, Israel. He will cause Israel, who had been dispersed, halted, limped, to be saved, delivered from dispersion, or returned

to her own land and city of peace, Jerusalem. He will then cause them to receive praise, where they were once shamed by foes in their own land, Isa 2:1-3; 25:8.

Verse 20 pledges that God will Himself bring Judah and Israel back to Jerusalem and their own land in the integrity of the covenants He had made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This will be realized when He turns back or reverses their captivity, their dispersion, for the last time, Lu 21:24. God will finish the work He began with and in them and cause them to see or realize their own glory, as a nation, Eze 34:29; Even as He causes the church to see her glory, with and in Him, at the marriage reception of the Lamb, Re 19:5-9; Lu 24:4; See also Isa 11:12; 27:12; 56:8; Eze 28:25; 38:13; 37:21; Am 9:14.

The Latter Days are the Chief Period of Prophecy

by G. H. Lang.

It is a constant feature of prophetic scripture that they pass direct from the day of the prophet to the closing days of this present age, even to the era of Antichrist and the coming of Christ. The first of all predictions reveals this feature and gives character to the rest.

ZEPHANIAH begins by foretelling a fearful judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. In measure it had some answer soon after his day, which was the time of Josiah, through Nebuchadnezzar, but let it not be hastily affirmed that this was his direct message. That invasion did not “consume all things from off the face of the ground” (1:2), for the poorest of the people were left to till the land (2 Kings 25:12, 22). Nor were the birds or the fishes of the sea then destroyed (3). But the prophet passes at once to “the presence of the Lord Jehovah” and the “day of Jehovah,” Who has a sacrifice with consecrated guests. Compare Isaiah 18:56; 56:9; Ezekiel 39:17-20; Revelation 19:17, 18, 21, all passages connected with the advent of Christ at what Zephaniah next terms “the great day of Jehovah” now near and hastening greatly (1:14).

The 144,000 of Rev. 7 are a different company. They are the godly Remnant of Israel seen on earth after the Appearing and the gathering of the elect to the clouds, and are sealed (comp. Ezek. 9) so as to be untouched by the wrath of the Lamb now to be poured upon the godless (Zeph, 2:3; Isa. 26:20-21).7 That this day is yet to come is shown by 2:11, for at that time there shall take place what has not yet taken place, even that “men shall worship Him, every one from his place, even all the coastlands of the nations.” Then shall Israel, like a sick man from whom the deadly cancer of pride has been excised (3:12), no more do iniquity (3:13), but shall sing for joy, with the king of Israel, even Jehovah, in their midst, mighty to save them, Himself joying in them, and making them a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth (3:14-20). But my readers must understand that nothing of all this awaits real fulfilment, because the “spiritualizers” say that Israel and the nations are to be merged in one general company, the church.

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G. H. Lang: Some Collected Writings, “FirstFruits and Harvest” found at: “The Millennial Kingdom”

A Sabbath Rest “There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9).

What rest is this? Its noblest feature is that God calls it “My rest.” Therefore it cannot be that rest of conscience received by the sinner upon faith in Christ, nor that rest of heart which the saint gains when he casts all his anxieties upon God Who cares for Him. These are our rest in God, but this is God’s own rest, which cannot be that of a purged conscience or of peace of mind after turmoil.

Nor can it be that unbroken tranquility which is the eternal condition of God, for here it is a rest after work; wherefore it is termed a sabbatism, for sabbath rest is cessation of work. ...

ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH Those who came out of Egypt with Moses came out by faith. They made a heroic stand; they were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea “They did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink.” Their experiences and ours are wonderfully parallel. “But with many of them God was not well pleased.”

And that verdict is again to be repeated, for “Many are called, but few are chosen.”

The judgment seat will show it. The children of Israel had an opportunity of entering Canaan. They refused. They fell in the wilderness, God sware that they should not enter into His rest. They were excluded from Canaan; 1 Cor. 9:24; 10:1-11: and Heb. 3 and 4 show that this is the danger facing the unfaithful believer; exclusion from God’s rest; God’s Canaan, the Millennial earth, the reign of 1,000 years. “If we suffer with Him we shall reign with Him.” “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne.” But supposing we do not overcome? ~ Panton’s DAWN ... It is further clear that not peace of conscience or rest from care is meant because these are gained by ceasing from work, whereas this [future] rest has to be gained by all diligence, and may be missed by [our] unbelief and disobedience, even as Israel of old failed to enter the earthly and physical rest in Canaan. Yet these men were the redeemed of the Lord and heirs to that land, even as those here addressed are “holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling” (Heb. 3:1). It is not title that is gained by diligence, but realization and enjoyment of the property inherited. The one is a gift in Christ, even as Israel’s title to that land was a gift to them in Abraham; but possession has to be won by supreme effort, by a faith that perseveres to the end.

Of what, then, was Canaan a type? What is the antitype for the Christian? It is (1) something to which the redeemed of the Lord hold a title; (2) but actual possession of which must be won by the sword; and (3) it may be forfeited by misconduct. Therefore it cannot typify salvation in the popular sense of the term, eternal life, for this is a gift of grace free of conditions (Rom. 3:14; 6:23), and therefore unforfeitable when once accepted by faith. It cannot be rest in the eternal kingdom, for each and all of the saved must share that, or he would not be of the saved, but of the lost.

Moreover, Canaan was not a type of complete, unbroken, eternal rest. For a short time the land had rest from war, but as our chapter itself shows, Joshua did not bring Israel

into enjoyment of what God here calls “My rest.” Of many of Israel God had sorrowfully and sternly declared on oath that they never should enter His rest. Yet they were His people, His children, and He did the best He could for them, but in the wilderness, not in the land of promise (Isa. 63:8-10).

But as God’s rest here in view is neither present nor eternal, it can be only that age which is to intervene between the close of this age, at the coming of the Lord in glory, and the eternal ages to commence after the final judgment and the creating of new heavens and earth. The Millennial Age is frequently set forth in Scripture as a ‘prize’ to be won by diligence, patience, endurance, and as being forfeitable by negligence or misconduct. As William Kelly said on this passage: “We are called now to the work of faith and labour of love, while we patiently wait for rest in glory at Christ’s coming” (Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews, 73).

At His second coming “the Lord will speak peace to His people, and to His saints” (Psalm 85:8), and He Himself will enter His rest, “He will rest in His love” (Zeph. 3:17). “Let us [regenerate believers] fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into His rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it ... Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience” as was seen in Israel of old (Heb. 4:1, 11).

But as it will be by recognizing Israel as the chief nation on earth by God’s will that the Gentiles will own God’s sovereignty, therefore through Israel mediately it is that they will enjoy the blessings dispensed through the church; and hence on the portals of the city are written the names of the tribes of Israel. For the Gentiles the means of access into heavenly blessings will be by honouring Israel (Isa. 14:2; 49 22, 23; 60:12; 66:20; Zeph. 3:10, marg.; Zech. 8:20-23). It would be as unreasonable to “spiritualize” the literal Israel out of this picture (Rev. 21:12) as to “spiritualize” out of it the twelve apostles of the Lamb who are next mentioned Rev. 21:14).

This work is not completed in either heaven or earth. God’s servants are still labourers, working together with Him (2 Cor. 6:1; 1 Cor. 3:9). The sacrifice which is unto God as a savour of rest (as the term “offering of a sweet savour” means) has indeed been offered at Calvary, and is the basis and promise of that “rest which remaineth”; but the work of establishing righteousness upon that basis, and so of assuring rest to the sin-destroyed earth, is far from being accomplished. Nor can it be completed save by the casting out from the heavenly places of the rebellious angels who have disturbed those sacred realms (Rev. 12:9), and the pouring forth of the foretold and mighty judgments which shall destroy the wicked from the face of the earth, so that God’s Spirit may be poured out upon all of man-kind that are spared. When the brightness of the out-shining of the Messiah of Israel shall have driven to perdition His foe (Rev. 19:19-21), the Antichrist, the last king of Babylon, the coming world-emperor, then “it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy trouble, and from the hard service wherein thou wast made to serve, that thou shalt take up this parable against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! The lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, the sceptre of the rulers; that smote the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, that ruled the

nations in anger, with a persecution that none restrained,” and then shall it be said with joy, “The whole earth is at rest - is quiet: they break forth into singing” (Isa. 14:3-7). And as touching, not Israel, but the church of God now labouring and distressed, the promise is, “to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven” (2 Thess.

1:7). Then shall Jehovah himself return unto His rest so long interrupted, as it is written, “Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all thy heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. ... The Lord thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save: he will rejoice over thee with joy, he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing” (Zeph. 3:14-17).8 Scripture shows that this spiritual state will prevail in the days to precede the advent of Messiah. Zephaniah 3 predicts a time when Jehovah shall be in the midst of Israel and they a joy to Him before all the earth. Ch. 1:1-6 shows that when that period approaches there will again be idolatry in Israel. It corresponds with this that, when God speaks to Ezekiel about the future temple where He will dwell forever, He reminds him of the former idolatries that had brought destruction and adds, “Now let them put away their whoredom ... far from Me, and I will dwell in the midst of them forever” (Ezek. 43:1-9).9

“He will joy over thee with singing.”

THE prophet Zephaniah appeared at the close of Josiah’s reign. We will read a portion from his prophecy. ~ Zephaniah 3:8–20 After wrath will come mercy. The language of men has become impure with sin, and their tongues are confounded with diverse forms of speech; but when the Spirit of God descended at Pentecost he sanctified human lips to the Lord’s service, and gave an earnest of that future day in which with one voice all nations shall praise God. From afar shall Israel return to their land, and the most distant nations shall be converted to the Lord. O long-expected day, begin!

(The cause of shame would be removed by sanctifying grace, and then they would enjoy peace with God.) When boasting is excluded, trust begins, and the poorest are then made rich in grace.

(What a choice promise! Sin both starves and disturbs the soul, but grace brings both food and rest.)

(Joyful is the presence of God: what evil can harm us when Jesus is near? The fulfilment of this promise to Israel is yet to come, but believers in their measure enjoy it even now.)

(A marvellous expression. Think of God himself as singing! “As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride so shall thy God rejoice over thee!” Creation could not make Him sing, but the work of grace is above measure dear to his heart, and makes him “rejoice with joy”—a very vivid and forcible expression.)

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G. H. Lang: Some Collected Writings. “Firstborn Sons Their Rights and Risks“ G. H. Lang: Some Collected Writings, “Moral State of Mankind as this Age Closes“

(When in exile they could not hold their solemn feasts, and this was a burdensome reproach to them; but God will gather them, and their reproach shall be rolled away.)

Persecution and contempt will come to an end, and the saints shall in the latter days be accounted the excellent of the earth. Shame and reproach are the cross which Christians must carry for their Lord’s sake, but the loving providence of God will change all this ere long, to the confusion of our adversaries and his own eternal glory. Let us hope and quietly wait, resting in the love of God. The covenant of grace all blessings secures, Believer, rejoice, for all things are yours; And God from his purpose will never remove, But love thee, and bless thee, and rest in his love.10

A Minority Report “¶ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?” Because of the nature of God to use the less popular means & ways to accomplish His will, it is essential to examine all dissent after a vote to determine if the less popular view is not God’s.

Thomas Jefferson, in his First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801, put it this way:

“All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possesses their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.”

A man of God drove aimlessly on a dusty back road, depressed over recent church events. What is it that makes one dissatisfied with anything but the Truth? There is something about the elect of God that only resonate to the truths of GOD. The influences of the lives that touched them and their combined experiences seems to awaken a hunger for something permanent and real that can only be found in GOD and His Word and Way. Even Death is merely an interloper. They learn to agree with Paul when he said, “Let GOD be true but every man a liar.”

As he came to a crossroad there had been a wreck. A new VW overturned in the ditch and not 20 feet away a beautiful young girl lying face up staring into heaven with lifeless eyes.

Obviously, she had been driving too fast on the old dirt road and lost control trying to make the turn. The car could be fixed but for her it was too late. He could not just leave her there so he decided to stay and wait and pray; help would come eventually. The irony was not lost on him.

And as he waited, he wrote her requiem... let’s call it...

Dane’s Dirge I love the LORD and His church; I know for this truth many have been hurt.

God gave His Son for her, Christ our blessed LORD; He only asked we love her by keeping His Word.

After 20 years His minister, they excluded me.

The charge, God used modern man don’t you see; Heretics, Wesley, Moody, Finny, and Rice, For we have a split commission is why Christ died.

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C. H. Spurgeon, The Interpreter: Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible, (Zephaniah 3:8–20), 423.

So we are gathered here today, we wouldn’t take wrong, Church don’t mean much, let’s all get along.

They say we are trouble makers, we cause hurt; Christ died for man and not His church.

But we’re old fashioned and believe her, His Bride, We love her; she was born from His side.

We believe in all the Bible, not modern man; For this great truth, a few have taken a stand.

Fifty million martyrs and all true Baptists have stood through the years, Untold blood and sweat and many many tears.

So we lost a piece of earthly property and land; Nothing, no Satan, not heretics, can take away our Stand.

They may make fun of us and even kill us too; They will never take away our Faith and Truth.

We haven’t long left for this wicked land; We stand a proud people because of our Stand.

For ten years I pastored what used to be a church; In six months they embraced heresy, regardless of the hurt.

I’m not talking of myself or you that’s gathered here, But my Jesus and His Bride, that’s who has been so dear.

We’ll go on believing what Jesus said In Ephesians 3:21 until the raising of the dead.

We can hold high this race to run, And hear Christ say, “Come my people, well done.”

Few of us won’t be here too many more days, So I encourage you younger, it takes grace.

Christ told us, we would be hated, This is the truth today; in John 17 it was stated.

So the fight grows harder, as the goal looms ahead; You will be hated by all the world is what Christ said.

Men will love self and they will try to make a name; You can’t work for Jesus without taking the blame.

Some day we will come through the furnace of fire; It was rough for a while in this sin sick world of mire.

A shout goes up, these all belong to our LORD, From Heaven’s shore, “Welcome home, You Kept His Word!”

We made it, we cry, we never had a doubt; We see him, His scars; there rises a great shout.

It’s over; we thought it hard down below; Oh GOD, we’re glad, look the Bride dressed white as snow.

Here comes the Bridegroom, singing Amazing Grace, Crying to us, “Come you made reservation, here your place.

We watched you, shouted as you fought the fight of Faith; We knew you would make it, fighting Heaven’s race.

It’s all over now, rest, from race you run; They didn’t exclude you, that can’t be done.

GOD made you and gave you Love in your heart; You are here, you will be always, and never depart.”

--by Haskell Dane, circa 1972

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”--Eph. 6:12.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.--2 Tim. 2:3-5.

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. shall be they of his own household.--Mt. 10:34-36.

...

And a man’s foes

Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. ... And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: ... For many are called, but few are chosen.--Mt. 22:11-14 Be not afraid, only believe. ... And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.–Mk. 5:36-41.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice Is so sweet the birds hush their singing; And the melody that He gave to me Within my heart is ringing.

“Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”—Luke 18:8. ~ ~”Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.”--- Song 2:13.

And as for this Minority Report: those “which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” To the excluded, excommunicated, “cast out” like our Lord Jesus, censured or otherwise disavowed; those “hidden ones”, I offer these verses: Genesis 4:26; Exodus 20:23-26; Deuteronomy 7:7; Judges 6:11-14; 1 Samuel 2:9; Psalm 27:5; 83:3; 84:3; 91:1; 102:7; Isaiah 4:3-6; 35:8; 51:1-2; Lam 3:28; Ezekiel 7:22; Micah 4:6-8; Zephaniah 2:3; Matthew 5:9-13; 10:31, 34-36; 13:33, 44; 18:20; 19:27-30; Mark 6:10-11; Luke 4:28-31; 6:20-23; 9:4-5; 10:11; 20:12-15; John 6:37; 7:37-39; 8:59; 9:22, 34-35; 14:21-24; Acts 7:19-21, 58; 13:49-52; 16:37; 18:6; Romans 11:2-5, 29; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Galatians 4:28-31; Colossians 3:1-4; 2 Timothy 1:6-9; Hebrews 13:10-13; 1 Peter 2:4-5; 3:18-21; 4:10-13; 3 John 1:911; Revelation 2:17; 3:20; 22:17-21.

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Amen.”

“that blessed hope” “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”—Titus 2

“The Second Coming of our Lord is the hope and comfort of the believer, Titus 2:13.” ~ “Bogard Said” in Baptist World, 8-1969.11

“Christian “hope,” of course, is not just wishing. The Greek word means “confident expectation.” The Christian hope is a “blessed hope,” centered on Christ’s return (Titus 2:13).” ~ Henry M. Morris.12

The Coming King Chapter 4 {pt. 1} of THE SHADOW OF COMING EVENTS by Harry Rimmer.

Proverbs and ancient sayings are numerous and varied, and their value may not be considered great by some of the learned in our day. But many of them consist of the distilled experience of the human race for generations past, and there is some truth in most of them.

None of these adages, however, can be more practical and pointed than the simple sentence: “We live and learn!” Indeed, if we do not learn, living has missed its purpose.

In the present series of short studies on prophecy, the writer has reversed his former position on several points of Biblical interpretation. He has not changed his basic premise: to him the Bible is still the infallible Word of the Living God. “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Spirit of God” is still his only theory of the origin of the Sacred Text.

But he has changed his mind radically upon the matter of human deductions that are drawn from that Text. Only God’s Word is infallible — human understanding is subject to error and human interpretations may be far from the divine meaning.

But there is one point where all these years of study and research have not altered the writer’s view, and that is concerning the Scriptural doctrine of the second advent of our Lord Jesus Christ. From a child many of us have sung, “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun, Doth his successive journeys run,” but too few of us have ever searched the prophecies of the Bible to get an adequate and clear conception of just what that reign is to be and how it shall be erected. Quite clearly the text of the Bible unfolds a dominion for King Jesus which must be set up by God’s power, and over which Christ will rule supreme.

To this basic fact most schools of interpretation agree, but as to the nature of that reign and the manner in which it will be inaugurated, there is sad disagreement and confusion. A veritable Babel of tongues and theories bewilders the man of the world as conflicting schools of teaching strive to get their ideas accepted.

11 12

Ben M. Bogard Sermons & Lessons, clipped from: “Second Coming of Christ”.

“Saved By Faith, Hope, and Love in Action” from Dr. Morris’ Defenders Bible:

Why not wipe out all human interpretations concerning the prophecies, and just read what the Bible says on this matter? This short study is an honest attempt to do just that.

After 25 years of Bible study and teaching, I sought honestly to empty my mind of all that I had been taught and had learned from godly and gifted men, and went through the Bible afresh. It could not be possible, of course, for any man, no matter how honest his intention or how definite his effort, to completely cast out all of his understanding on any theme. But I went on one premise, namely, God is honest! Therefore His words must mean just what they imply. In giving a revelation to men, the primary purpose of the Heavenly Father was that we should understand Him. For that reason the words He sent must have carried the common connotations, and were intended to be explicit and clear. So we read the Bible as we would read history, a scientific treatise, or a financial report. That is to say, black means black and white means white.

Read thus, there is no ground for confusion. For instance, if the Bible says “Jesus is coming again,” we cannot claim that the sentence means that we are going to Him! Of course I believe that when the Christian dies he goes immediately to Christ in the glory — but how can I get that meaning out of the statement that Jesus is coming back to this earth?

In other words, in the present study we shall deal honestly with the words of the prophecy.

Words are wonderful things. They open vistas to the mind of man that are utterly limitless. They break hearts, or cause the despondent to sing with joy. An announcement of a birth or the sad news of a death alike are conveyed by words. They are among our most wonderful possessions. But through the centuries they have stood for certain meanings, and a simple regard for truth demands that we treat words as they were intended to be dealt with.

Even as God cannot say one thing and mean another, we also should be prevented by honor and integrity from “interpreting” His statements into the opposite of their reasonable and conceded meaning.

So away with commentaries, “Bible Helps” and editorial comments. What saith the Lord on this subject? — Plenty!

His Word contains an amazing amount of references to the Coming King. We shall just turn to the Holy Bible and read those words, and see what God has revealed to men.

It is far from flattering to the human ego, but the fact that we have made a sad failure of every attempt to perfect human government can no longer be ignored. Many and rosy have been the inspired dreams of altruistic men, but in every case the awakening has been rough and rude. Some of the finest plans that wisdom could devise have developed from the co-operation of gifted and brainy men, but all have ended in dismal failure.

The reason is not hard to find: sin has blanketed the conduct of men with foreordained disaster. Any government or form of rule would be perfect, if its administrators were perfect! A king who was sinless and utterly unselfish would be a fine and acceptable sovereign, if he were surrounded and supported by ministers and officers whose sole ambition was to advance the peace, welfare and prosperity of the subjects of their realm. But with such sanctified personnel, an autocracy, a dictatorship, a republic or a pure democracy would be equally successful.

But we face the bleak record of human history convinced by human conduct that such will never be seen in the natural order of humanity. The earth has seen all possible forms of government except one, and all have proved vain in the end. Thrones have tottered and kings have fallen — the council of the common people has frequently replaced the rule of the aristocrat, to prove equally despotic in the final form. Such is human nature!

Some weeks ago an excited Communist street orator was sounding forth in Columbus Circle, in my home city, and waxed eloquent in his detailed description of the Utopia America would become when “The Revolution” finally came. In his exuberant enthusiasm he finally said, “Why, brothers, after ‘The Revolution’ you’ll all eat strawberries and cream three times a day!”

A young fellow in the forepart of the crowd grinned and said, “But I don’t like strawberries.”

The orator flushed a deep red, and anger made his tones strident. Shaking his fist in the face of the critic, he shouted, “When we are running the country, you’ll eat strawberries, or else!”

The people who are down resent their oppression, and dream of the day when they will be on top, and can in turn oppress! To change the current of human conduct it is necessary to change human nature, and there is no way to do that apart from the Christian experience of regeneration. And the Christian is not interested in the vain attempt to erect a perfect human government, as he knows that God has said that such shall never be. So the Christian rests content in the blessed hope of the Coming King and the kingdom which He shall establish, knowing that earth’s golden age will dawn when Jesus comes back again.

I do not mean that we should not strive for betterment, or that we should not attempt to improve matters as far as we are able. The earth will be happier and conditions will be vastly better to the extent that Christian principles can be introduced into any form of government, but we are far outnumbered. As fast as we make some seeming progress we find ourselves up against the innate selfishness of man, and all our hard-won gains go by the board.

We have seen in this very day the collapse of France, the once-proud democracy. Made soft by self-indulgence, corroded by Communism, her government undermined by traitors.

France made one of the most pitiful and most complete failures ever recorded in history. Her natural greatness leached away by a growing infidelity, betrayed by her leaders, she lay beaten and crushed beneath the heel of a conqueror as pitiless and cruel as the ravaging Assyrians of old!

We have sat in horror and watched the murder of Czecho-Slovakia, the “baby republic” in the family of nations. Peaceful, industrious, prospering and happy, the land was overrun by a band of human wolves, and the people ruthlessly slaughtered and dispersed.

Almost within hours we saw this outrage followed by the rape of Poland. The thunder of the guns which blasted that government out of existence has hardly ceased to echo in our ears. The only reason that the shock of this dastardly outrage has somewhat dimmed, is the

greater horror over the spread of savagery to all of Europe, the Balkan States, the Mediterranean world, and the vast continent of Africa!

So we watched every bulwark that humanity had erected for the safeguard of civilization blasted away, and conceded that it was only a matter of time until we found our own fair land embroiled in the world conflict. We armed ourselves for a battle we believed to be inevitable, and drafted our man-power to defend a diminishing Democracy with every resource at our disposal. And even as we thus prepared, we were conscious of the fact that Democracy is doomed!

In the third chapter in this series, we showed that God’s warning has fore-told that the last form of human government would be a League of Ten Nations, dominated by a dictator of such fierce character that he is called “The Man of Sin!” It is true that this League and the Dictator will be overthrown and followed by a super-human government, but purely human rule shall culminate in bleak tragedy and despotism.

The trend to totalitarianism is apparent, even in our own United States. In the face of one emergency after another our Congress surrendered its powers and resigned its authority, until our government in practice became but a shadow of what it is presumed to be in theory. And this condition will increase as the days pass, until to all intents and purposes the bureaucracies which govern us now with a form of democracy, lay aside the mask and appear in their proper guise as masters. In any crisis, power tends to centralize in a strong man or in super-men. In war or in depression, in revolution or in disaster, the cumbersome machinery of democratic self-government must give way to the speedy efficiency of a centralized power.

Add to this black political picture the further fact that our other defences for civilization are equally useless, and the future looks tragic indeed. We have apparently relapsed into the sad state which God condemned when He said: “And even as, they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting: being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, hateful of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding (i.e. steeped in moral obliquity) covenant breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful: Who, knowing the ordinance of God that they that practice such things are worthy of death not only do the same, but also consent with them that practice them.”

Could there be a more accurate or more honest summary of the age in which we now live? The black indictment applies with equal force to individuals or to governments. Apply that horrible list of adjectives to some of the greatest powers on earth today and see how guilty the present generation appears.

“Murder, strife, deceit, covetousness, covenant breakers,” are among the milder specifications, yet they are such crimes as turn God against men. Who regards treaties as sacred in this “enlightened” age? Who does not covet his neighbors’ fields, factories and possessions? Who gives his word and keeps it at any cost to himself? You will seek far to find

an individual or a system of political rule which is absolutely innocent of the sins charged in that list!

Men fondly dreamed that the tide of barbarism could be held back by bulwarks of righteousness and ramparts of covenants, but civilization is all but buried beneath the flood of animalism that has swept aside these pitiful barriers. Education, philosophy, the “brotherhood of man” and all the roseate schemes for peace and understanding have been blasted away in the thunder of guns and the weird shriek of dive bombers. The sweet song of the new day has been drowned out in the wail of suffering women and the cry of orphaned and blasted babies. Never has the earth known a more pitiless deluge of blood and suffering than our generation has experienced. No longer do armed men in the field or in the fleet bear the first shock of battle — it is the aged and the new-born who pay with life and limb in the modern warfare of the “enlightened” and “scientific” age of atomic destruction.

All of this should have been expected. The prophecies of God’s Word consistently warned us of this very condition. But men who knew better, and who were utterly intolerant of any viewpoint but their own optimistic, Pollyanna plans, taught the world to laugh at the Bible and scoff at its prophecies, because such gloomy forecasts did not agree with the “new order” that men were bringing to pass. We who clung to the Bible and stoutly maintained its infallibility, were sneered at in public, persecuted by the apostate leaders of the great Protestant denominations, and called such names as “obscurantists” and “Fundamentalists”! Alas, we have lived to see our melancholy forebodings enacted into realities, and all of our warnings justified.

How I wish we had been wrong! By that I mean that I, also, would be ineffably delighted if peace and good-will could flood the earth, and the brotherhood of man be made a working reality. But since the Bible solemnly warns that such can never be, my natural realism forces me to acknowledge the vanity of the hope. I know that instead of improvement in the relations of men and nations, the situation will wax worse and worse.

A few weeks ago I was on the program of one of America’s largest educational gatherings, and spoke several times to the thousands of teachers gathered in the convention.

In one of my lectures to these educators, I called attention to this prophesied failure of human government. When the session was over, a professor sought me out and said, “Doctor, a few years ago I would have laughed at you and your views as expressed on the platform today, but now, alas, I am forced to concede the wisdom and truth of what you have said. Events have certainly justified you. But in the face of all this, what are we to expect? Is there no hope for a better age?”

“Indeed,” I replied. “There is more than just a hope. There is a positive promise, an assurance by God — that the end of the matter will be glorious. The same prophets who so accurately described the sad debacle of human hope and efforts, also have stated in clear and unmistakable words that our Lord Jesus Christ is coming again to reign over the earth. What sinful men cannot accomplish by their own efforts, Jesus will establish by His power.” Then I told him in some detail the promises of God’s Word, and sketched for him the broad outlines of the blessed hope. But as I unfolded to him the teachings of the Bible, his

skepticism gave way to impatience, and he dismissed the entire subject with the brusque remark — “I never heard of such nonsense!”

Thus ever human wisdom! The Word of God is vindicated again and again by the march of events, but still they scorn its light. -Not willing to have God in their knowledge” is as true of world-leaders today as it was in the days of the Apostle Paul, or in the generation of Noah. 

In the preceding chapter of this series, we showed that in the puzzling imagery of Daniel’s words, two points emerge upon which we may rest with justified and dogmatic assurance. The first is Daniel’s statement that Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom constitute the golden head of the image the king saw in his dream. The second point of unquestionable certainty is found in Daniel’s words: “And in their days of those kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to some other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Forasmuch as thou didst see that a stone was cut out of the mountain without the aid of hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver and the gold; the Great God hath made known unto the king what things shall come to pass hereafter.”

These words are clear and explicit and need no interpretation. Even as God revealed to Daniel and through him to the Babylonian king the fact that other monarchs and peoples should one day dispossess the Chaldeans of their dominion, so he also foretold that the last kingdom that our race would know was to be the “Kingdom of the Smiting Stone.” Human government is to give way to a Theocracy: “the God of Heaven shall set up a kingdom . . .”

Can words be any clearer than that? Scholarly dishonesty, so often applied with consummate ingenuity to the confusion of Christian understanding, cannot change the fact that the prophecy has to do with forms of government. The same exact, specific meaning that attaches to the word “kingdom” when a man named Nebuchadnezzar (or Cyrus, or Darius) is governing his fellow men applies to that identical word when it is used of the political dominion which God shall one day establish. “Kingdom” means the same whether it is attached to the qualifying term Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Roman, or Heavenly! Even as Rome once established political sovereignty over the races of antiquity, so God will establish a physical reign over the races of the future. To make this matter clear and plain, let us examine the Scripture simply, briefly, and honestly. 

The Old Testament prophets did foretell an earthly reign for Jesus, when He should come to bring this planet under the sway of obedience to God. And when we say “reign” we mean just what that word has always meant in connection with government. We concede, of course, that Jesus is now enshrined in the hearts of those who love Him and believe in Him as Lord and Savior, but this is not what the Bible means when it speaks of this reign of Christ. For instance, read again the exact language used in the ninth chapter of Isaiah:

“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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.”

Let us take a close, analytical look at those familiar words and see just what they teach.

Isaiah described an event which was historically fulfilled in part, through the miracle of the incarnation of Jesus. “Unto us a child is born” carries us back from our present era to that time of which Luke wrote, when the virgin mother brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. The Child was born indeed, and all history was born anew in that event.

But more than a birth is implied in the following words, “a Son is given.” Here we have the manner in which the very love of God was demonstrated to men, when He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. We know the Child of whom the prophet spoke: we recognize the Son in the person of the Savior.

He is clearly identified when the prophecy states that this coming One shall wear the names of deity and possess the attributes of God. He is called by the holiest names men can use when addressing God; names by which God revealed Himself to the ancients of Israel.

For instance, we read in the tenth chapter of Deuteronomy: “For Jehovah your God, He is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the Great God, the Mighty, and the terrible . . .”

Or remember also that when God made Himself known to Abraham, it was in these words: “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, Jehovah appeared to Abraham and said unto him; I am God Almighty; walk before me and be thou perfect . . .”

The significance of this cannot be missed. When the Child appears, and when the Son has come, He will be known by the name which God revealed to Abraham.

More than this, He is to possess that attribute of deity which makes Him self-existent!

A human who can rightly be called “The Everlasting Father” is a strange son of Adam indeed! The mystery of this amazing paradox is easily understood after Jesus had come, and the God-Man had demonstrated His divine origin, nature and purpose. This He did in the miracles He wrought, the death He died, and in His triumph over the tomb.

Thus identified, note that the Coming One is to establish a literal reign. Isaiah uses the exact words, “Of the increase of His government . . .” “and the government shall be upon His shoulder.” The prophecy speaks of a throne, inherited from David. All men know that David had a human company over whom he reigned in a political and actual sense. David never was a priest; being of the family of Judah, he could not officiate in the worship of God. He had no “spiritual” kingdom, he governed the realm, made and enforced laws, levied taxes

and commanded armies to defend his subjects and his possessions. Thus, if Jesus is to reign upon or from the throne of David, we must expect an earthly and physical reign.

It is almost comical to note the lengths to which denominational leaders, seminary teachers, and writers of commentaries will go to twist these words out of their natural meaning and “interpret” them to show that Christ only reigns in the hearts of men in a spiritual kingdom. They tell us that the gospel is going to conquer gradually until all the races of the earth yield in love to Him, and universal peace and brotherhood result. Then He will be reigning over the earth and all its inhabitants.

There are just three things wrong with this “interpretation.” The first is, we are not doing so well! The missionary program has been feeble, inadequate and limited at its best, but now it is all but suspended by many Christian nations! The vast fields allotted to German churches are fallen into neglect: the Scandinavian countries lie helpless and prostrate before a foe who leaves them no time or means for world missions. Great Britain, engaged in a desperate battle for her very existence could spare neither men, funds nor equipment to extend her part in the gospel conquest. And America spends more every thirty days for cigarettes than she puts into missionary offerings in an entire year! After Russia deported God as an undesirable alien, and Germany turned to neopaganism, Christianity actually lost in the statistical columns. If Jesus has to wait for His kingdom until we mortal Christians convert the world to Him, that kingdom is so far in the future it staggers the imagination to contemplate that distant day.

The second error in this modern idea of a spiritual reign, brought about by the conversion of the heathen (who seem to prefer Mohammed to Christ!) is that Isaiah says it will not be established by human efforts! The prophet says—”The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this!” When Jesus reigns in this world of men, His throne will be erected in spite of opposition and by conquest. More of that we shall see later, we now point out the fallacy of this modernistic interpretation. God is going to erect this kingdom, not men.

The third objection to this weird and un-Scriptural teaching is the fact that the New Testament warns us that in the days just before the kingdom of Christ begins, a dark period of apostacy is to sweep over Christendom. Hear the words of the Holy Spirit, as He solemnly warns through the pen of the Apostle Paul: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies through hypocrisy, having their consciences seared as with a hot iron: “This know also, that in the last days grievous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, slanderers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”

These grim words are further emphasized by the blunt statement of Jude, the brother of our Lord, who wrote in warning terms:

“But beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.”

How then can we expect a gradual conversion of the whole world by the Gospel, when the very text of that Gospel describes the last days of our age in terms of apostacy and failure? Contemplating the termination of the age of Grace, Jesus Himself raised the question, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find the faith in the earth?” Add to this the clear implications of His parables of judgment, and the folly of the modern idea of the Gospel being a leaven which gradually but finally transforms the whole race of man, appears as self-evident. Jesus said that at His coming, tares and wheat would be growing together. In the dragnet were to be seen good fish and bad, and so on through all of His grave warnings.

Lest you think I have taken one or two isolated texts to prove a point, let me hasten to remind the reader that we could fill pages of this short volume with such quotations. For instance, we have the solemn warning from 2 Thessalonians, chapter two: “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day will not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God; so that he asp God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God!” This record is further illumined by the statement made by Peter, in the second chapter of his Second Epistle, where the apostle be gins with the words: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”

From this premise Peter then develops a gloomy theme, using the balance of this Epistle to warn of apostacy and the judgment thereupon. And his only hope is that after that judgment, there shall come a new earth wherein shall dwell righteousness. Nevertheless he insists that failure and punishment shall mark the end of the Gospel era, not triumph and a spiritual kingdom. This obviates the common teaching which shows the Lord Jesus reigning as the result of a long missionary campaign.

And what shall we say of the entire book of Revelation? God closes this message to men with that fearsome warning of plagues and disasters, judgments and dooms, all of which shall come upon a sinful and Christ-rejecting earth. The only way to hold to the idea of a spiritual kingdom, dominating the hearts of the entire human race, is to deny any prophetic significance to the book of Revelation, and say that all of these “figurative” judgments have been fulfilled in past ages. This quaint but popular position is hard to sustain in the light of chapters 20, 21, and 22! As far as we know, there has been no event in past time comparable to the binding of Satan in the abyss! He seems quite active and free just now. The resurrection of the just has not yet occurred, nor has the great white throne been established for the last scene of judgment. The new heavens and the new earth of chapter 21 are certainly

still future, as is the new Jerusalem. We are not yet in that restored Eden of chapter 22, and no intelligent and honest commentator can deny that some of this book is prophetic, and refers to future events. And if that is true, who is to say that the promised plagues and punishments, meted out to a generation who are enemies of God, are not also future?

At any rate, the idea that the gospel is to win the earth to Christ, thus fulfilling the promises of a kingdom and a reign for Him, are utterly un-Scriptural. We return to our premise, namely, the prophecies promise a literal, physical, earthly kingdom for the Lord Jesus.

What other kind did David have?

Jesus is to sit “upon the throne of His father, David.”

What other form of government is there?

“The government is to be on His shoulder.” ~ HR13  A “letter, ... 1890, ... to the Monks of Llanthony Abbey” by G. H. PEMBER.

It is comforting to know that all in Llantony Abbey are looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. And what else is there to hope for? Certainly not the improvement of the world: indeed, we have received no commission to attempt to improve it, directly at least, but only to draw out of it as many as we can, and to be God’s instruments for transferring them to the Kingdom of His dear Son. But many, I fear, deceiving themselves by supposing that they will be ready to meet the Lord with joy, because they have gone so far as to believe in His propitiation for our sins. Such a belief is, indeed, very precious - unspeakably so. It saves from hell: it secures eternal life, and ensures resurrection to it on the Last Day, that is, at the general resurrection of the dead (John 6:40). But the New Testament teaches that it is only by obedience after conversion that we can attain to the First Resurrection, or resurrection from the dead (Phil. 3:11: cf. Luke 20:35); and so be among the number of those who shall be Christ’s at His coming, members of His body and partakers in His Heavenly Kingdom.

By obedience to Whom, then, or to what, is this consummation to be obtained? By obedience to the Lord Jesus Himself, of Whose commands we have no inspired record, save in the New Testament. There we read :- “He that hath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me ; and he that loveth Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself unto him” (John 14:21). “But in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt 15:9).

Now, dear friend - as you rightly say - while we both agree as to the great and only Foundation; yet, as soon as we begin to build upon it, our opinions diverge. From my point of view, then, and so far as I can see, the reason is this. In spiritual things, I wish to know and obey nothing but the commandments of the Lord Jesus; and these, as addressed directly to those of His people who are being gathered during the present dispensation, are contained only in the New Testament.14

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Harry Rimmer, Sc.D., LL.D. Copyright, 1946, by The Research Science Bureau, Inc. THE SHADOW OF COMING EVENTS; Chapter 4 The Coming King. {Part 2 at The Shayne Moses Project is a study on Isaiah 11.} 14 Part of a "letter, ... Aug. 14, 1890, ... addressed to the (Anglican) Monks of Llanthony Abbey" by G. H. PEMBER.

From “Missions and the Advent” by A. T. PIERSON, D.D. The Blessed Hope of our Lord’s return was, no doubt, the foremost of all motives, hopes and incentives which moved early disciples to zeal and activity in missions; and to revive this hope – to make it practically the mighty motor to us that it was to them, is to provide a new impulse and impetus in the work of a world’s evangelization. Hope is the one impulse that never loses its youth, and, above all, this hope. On the contrary, so soon as we lose sight of the Advent’s imminence and say:- “My Lord delayeth His coming,” we are tempted to indolence, self-indulgence, and controversy on minor matters. When disciples felt the time to be short and the duty to be urgent, they were “all at it and always at it”; self-denial was an easy yoke and petty jealousies were scorned as trifles. So soon and so long as that hope was dim, and Christ’s coming [and Kingdom Age] was pushed into the far-off future, the Church began leisurely working, then flippantly playing at missions, as though vast circles of time lay before us in which to witness to the world. Revive this hope of the Lord’s Coming and it begets hourly watching, ceaseless praying, tireless toiling, patient waiting.

The Scriptures warrant no expectation of the world’s conversion in this [evil] age of witness; so far as we look for such result we work on the wrong basis, and will either be disappointed or deceived in the outcome. The soldier who misconceives the object of a campaign, may falsely construe all the movements of the army. If he thinks the whole force of the foe is to be captured, the seizure of a few leading strongholds seems only next to absolute defeat. But, if he knows that this is exactly according to orders from headquarters, and that the plan of his great commander is thus carried out, seizing and holding certain strategic points, and waiting for him to arrive with reinforcements, what would otherwise have seemed defeat, now becomes success. ******* MARANATHA We have the comfort of knowing that the entire Church of the days of the Apostles was premillennial to the core. But what of the church of the first centuries? Dr. Schaff in his “History of the Church,” says of premillennial teaching:- “This precious hope, through the whole age of persecution, was a copious foundation of encouragement and comfort under the pains of martyrdom which sowed in blood the seed of the glorious harvest for the church.”

Dr. Elliott wrote:- “All primitive expositors, except Origen and the few who rejected Revelation, were premillennial.”

Gieseler’s work on Church history, says of this blessed hope that “it was so distinctly and prominently mentioned that we do not hesitate in regarding it as the general belief of that age.” {“... the millennarianism of the Jewish Christians, presenting a sensuous counterpoise to the external pressure of persecution, which had been announced in so many apocalyptic writings, and for which the reputation of John (Rev. 20:4-6; 21) and his peculiar followers, afforded a warrant—this millennarianism became the general belief of the time, and met with almost no other opposition than that given by the Gnostics, and subsequently by the antagonists of the Montanists. The thousand years’ reign was represented as the great Sabbath which should begin

very soon; or, as many supposed, after the lapse of the six thousand years of the world’s age, with the first resurrection, and should afford great joys to the righteous. Till then the souls of the departed were to be kept in the under world, and the opinion that they should be taken up to heaven immediately after death, was considered a gnostic heresy.”15}

Chillingworth declared:- “It was the doctrine believed and taught by the most eminent fathers of the age next to the apostles and by none of that age condemned.”

Dr. Adolf Harnack wrote:- “The earlier fathers – Irenaeus, Hippolytus, Tertullian, etc., - believed it because it was part of the tradition of the early church. It is the same all through the third and fourth centuries with those Latin theologians who escaped the influence of Greek speculation.” He names a number, all holding the very details of primitive Christian expectation, just as believed by thousands to-day who take the Word at its obvious meaning.

So we have the further comfort of knowing that the early fathers differed little from what is commonly taught by responsible premillennial teachers. The Church of the middle ages, it is true, drifted away from these simple truths; but the leaders of the Reformation called the Church back to the faith of the Apostles, as have the premillennial leaders of the last hundred years. *******

‘THE PASSING OF APOCALYPTICISM’ From ‘The Christian’ under the title of “The Blessed Hope,” ‘The Christian’ (London) has a valuable article on the effect which “modern” criticism is having upon Apocalyptic truth. As it has thrown discredit on the Prophecies which have already been fulfilled, so it is now, inevitably having the same result upon unfulfilled prophecy.

According to the teaching of the Apostle Paul, the Blessed Hope consists of “the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Though the Hope may be regarded from various points of view, and though its development may involve several stages, yet the Apostle is careful, in the passage just quoted, to occupy us with the whole rather then with the part, with the mighty consummation rather than with individual or passing features.

Thus, when we speak of the Blessed Hope, we engage our hearts and minds upon the return of the Lord FROM HEAVEN and His coming again TO EARTH - a completed and triumphant act, wherein the glorified Christ assumes authority and power over a race which, in a spirit of rebellion, rejected Him well-nigh two thousand years ago - when, in a gracious humiliation, in “the form of a servant.” He was manifested, “to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”

Based on Divine promises, the Hope has not hurried of realisation. It being the purpose of God, in a fashion high above all our thought to “gather together in one all things in Christ,” it follows that such majestic consummation, being the outstanding characteristic of the Return, must take place at the end of the dispensation [of this “evil age”]. Then, and 15

Gieseler, Johann Karl Ludwig, 1792-1854; A text-book of church history.

not before, will our Heavenly Father complete in glory that which He has begun in grace.

Meantime, we do well to remember that the Almighty is not petulant and impatient, as is too, frequently the case with men. He has plenty of time - time after the Divine measure, “a thousand years as one day”! Hence it were folly to suggest that there has been ‘delay,’ or to think that the blessed promise will fail of fulfilment. Yet, sad to say, this has been done, and is being done to-day. Men have said, and they still say, that God is slack concerning His promises; while the truth is, as was declared long ago, He “is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8, 9).

‘THE PASSING OF APOCALYPTICISM’ What was once said in a spirit of unbelief, and with vulgar contempt of God, is now affirmed by professing Christians in the name of dispassionate Criticism: it is confidently declared that the Blessed Hope will not be realised! Having attacked the basis of Faith, the spirit of the age boldly disposes of the grounds of Christian Hope. A good while ago, miracles were declared to be discredited; now, with a like denunciation, it is maintained that the “things hoped for,” as they relate to the Second Advent and its glorious issues, are illusory, and should no longer be expected! Criticism takes this form: The Early Church expected the Return of Christ. He did not come when looked for. The Apocalyptic hopes were never fulfilled: and history has disproved them. The process of reasoning is as fallacious as the conclusion is assuredly absurd. History might, indeed, disprove mistaken expectations given forth by men in reference to particular times; but it cannot disprove the great and inspiring hope of the return of Christ at the end of the Present dispensation, in connection with “times and seasons which the father hath set within his own power,” and therefore has not laid bare to the mind of man. Nevertheless, it is thus that some are now reasoning; and a well-known American monthly, assuming this point of view, recently illustrated the distressful fact in an article entitled ‘The Passing of Apocalypticism.’

DISPARAGEMENT OF HOLY SCRIPTURE This sad development of unbelief involves very serious consequences. On the surface, there is a repudiation of primitive Christianity. Then, what is more astounding, there is a setting aside of the words of Christ, and a contemptuous disregard of the teaching of the Apostles whom He sent forth. More than that, by this development the entire volume of Holy Scripture is disparaged; for the Apocalyptic element is found in the Old Testament as well as in the New. In the former, there is the Book of Daniel, in the latter the Book of Revelation; and in addition to these there is our Lord’s Mount Olivet discourse, which, whatever its difficulties for the expositor, has its solemn bearing upon the Advent hope.

Other portions of Holy Scripture of a like character need not now be mentioned: yet all come under the mischievous influence of the theorisings that not only contemn the authority of Christ, but flagrantly outrage the great Creeds of Christendom. And with the Creeds there goes the Ordinance of our Lord’s own appointment, which from generation to generation has been observed “till he come.”

Are we surprised? Hardly so! The age which has confounded God with Nature; which confuses Christ with the ‘Better Self’ of sinful man; which classes the Holy Scriptures with Sacred Books of the East; and relegates Christianity to a place of comparative importance among the religions of the world - such an age doubtless finds peculiar satisfaction in the statement that the Blessed Hope, and all that belongs thereto, cannot be realised - simply because in the wisdom of God the appointed hour for the august event has not yet come!

After this, who will deny that unbelief is without outlook, either for the earth or man?

Verily its horizon is bounded by “the things which are”!

REVIVAL OF ANCIENT UNBELIEF Those who speak of ‘the Passing of Apocalypticism’ cannot have reckoned upon the full meaning of their words. Like men who, in the early Church, declared that “the resurrection was past already,” these will doubtless “overthrow the faith of some.” In spirit, they say that the coming victory of Christ must be on a scale such as human agency, with its weakness and failure, will bring about. Where Scripture speaks of the destruction of the devil and his works, of Christ coming to be glorified in His saints and admired in all them that believe, there speculators can but see the outcome of Evolution - an outcome which, though without authority, they are careful to invest with glories such as the Holy Spirit applies to an altogether different line of events! Having dispensed with the old story of Eden, such men naturally have their difficulties with the prospect of Paradise restored, and thus are compelled to view the Lord Jesus Christ in a light altogether distinct from that presented in the Holy Scriptures.

Opposed as they are to primitive Christianity, and inconsistent as they are with the teachings of Christ and His Apostles, the views against which we here raise a note of earnest warning are, as already hinted, not new. Though put forward in our day, they are in the succession of ancient doubt and hoary unbelief. There is nothing new in the question: “Where is the promise of His coming”? and we are all familiar with the shallow assertion that: “All things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:4).

Hence the question is not one of tendency merely: it is of the spirit of Anti-Christ, and involves utter contempt for things that are precious beyond calculation to instructed disciples of Christ, even things that are vital to the faith which was “once for all delivered unto the saints.”

On points of interpretation believers may not all see alike, but all should cherish the Holy Book, and “receive with meekness the implanted word” (James 1:21 R.V.). As to the Books of sign and symbol - books of charm as well as mystery - if they appeal to any, it is to sincere followers of Christ, to such as acclaim Him Master and Lord, to such as have heard His words spoken to the seer of Patmos: “I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1:17, 18). In other words, in these writings and in other portions of Divine revelation of a like character, we have sayings and teachings of a confidential character which “the wise shall understand” (Daniel 12:10; compare verse 3).

Here, likewise, we have instruction to which we do well to take heed, and in regard to which a particular blessing is pronounced: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”

(Revelation 1:3).

VITALITY OF THE SYMBOLIC BOOKS It is a fact beyond dispute that the Apocalyptic Books make their own appeal to those who “have ears to hear.” Hence it follows that it cannot be a truly spiritual criticism which judges these writings in haste, and then, on the assumption that all the great things lie in the past, and that the future will have no such Divine intervention as is act forth in symbolic prophecy, proceeds speak of ‘the Passing of Apocalypticism.’ Nay, indeed! As no word of God can be without power, as his word in its entirety cannot pass away, so neither can the prophetic delineations of the Apocalyptic Books pass away, or prove lacking in living virtue.

(Daniel 12:4, 9; Revelation 22:18, 19, compare with verse 7).

If the Book of Daniel has its wonderful visions and its mysterious war in heaven, still it concludes with an assurance personal to the faithful prophet, that he shall “stand in his lot at the end of the days” (12:13). If, moreover, the Book of Revelation presents scenes of judgment, as seals are opened, trumpets are sounded, and bowls of wrath are outpoured, still there is that grand undertone of blessing, that whisper of coming [millennial and eternal] glory, so dear to the hearts of those who love Christ: “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. … Surely I come quickly.” (22:7, 20).

Like other Books of Scripture, these have been the consolation and support of the Church from the beginning; and we have ever, reason to hold that they will minister comfort and joy to the faithful unto the end. Indeed, the writings that are designated ‘Apocalyptic,’ display a Divine vitality, as they continue to point successive generations to the ever-approaching apocalypse of Jesus Christ, and to the assured manifestation of the new heaven and the new earth, with the city of the eternally saved, and the “river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” (Revelation chapters 21 and 22).

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“It is a Crowning Day” ... This coming is what the faith of the primitive Christians took hold of, and constituted their “blessed hope”—for this they suffered, for this they looked, waited and prayed.

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”—Titus 2:13.

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin [ i.e., without a sin-offering ] unto salvation.”—Hebrews 9:28.

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the

early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”—James 5:7-8.

“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”—1 Thessalonians 1:10.

“When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.”—2 Thessalonians 1:10.

“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”—2 Thessalonians 3:5. ...

Will we not, as good servants, heed our Master’s earnest, loving warning to watch and be ready for his coming? whether it be to-night or to-morrow,—it is not far off—it is nearer than we imagine. Let us heed the words, the last words, of the Bridegroom: “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”—Revelation 16:15.

“Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me”

The prayer of the waiting Bride of Christ is, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.”

TO-DAY OR TO-MORROW. The dark stream of evil is flowing apace, And man is still walking a stranger to grace, While daring rebellion is on the increase, Which mar not my joy, which disturb not my peace.

For my heart is engaged with its own happy song; The Lord who has loved me will come before long; It may be to-morrow, or even to-night, That I shall behold him in unclouded light!

The house, and the land, and the wealth in the chest, Bring plenty of trouble, but never bring rest; The Lord is my portion! and when I have grief, His rich consolation brings instant relief.

I list not to doubts that my reason may bring, I trust to his mercy, and cheerfully sing— It may be to-morrow, or even to-day, That Christ will descend and call us away.

I know not the way he will bring it about, But I do know He’ll come with the archangel’s shout; I know not the hour, whether morning or night, But I’m waiting with patience, with untold delight.

Though thickly around me sad errors may roll, This one blessed hope is the stay of my soul— It may be to-morrow, or even to-day, That I shall be called to his presence away!

The world in its wisdom may scorn and deny The worth of the One upon whom I rely, But from Him all blessing and holiness flows And in Him I have the most blessed repose.

The night closes in, and the morn reappears, And thus it has been for a number of years, But still on the hill-tops of hope I would stay, And eagerly look for the breaking of day!

To-morrow may come with its sorrows and joys, And the evil which often my pleasure alloys, And still find the world with its poor little aim, And the scoffer in nature and practice the same; May it never find me looking earthward for bliss; My hope is above, my rejoicing is this— It may be to-morrow, or even this eve, That I, for my place in the glory, shall leave.

To-morrow may come with its sickness and death, And I may be called to relinquish my breath, But that makes me happy, because I am sure My soul with the Lord will be sweetly secure; But faith takes the word as its own proper range, And looks not for death, but that wonderful change, From weakness and sickness to vigor and might; From evil and darkness to beauty and light.

Adorable Saviour! by faith I descry The long-looked for day of redemption draws nigh, When the shame and contempt and grief shall give place To the holy rejoicings, the triumphs of grace!

Till we from this terrible desert are caught, My heart would rejoice in this comforting thought— It may be to-morrow, or even to-night, The fullness of glory will burst on my sight!

As I close this chapter, I have honestly examined my hope and my heart, and I can conscientiously say that I am willing, and more than willing, for the Rapture of the Saints to take place to-night before I sleep or wake, and it is my solemn conviction that it will occur in the life-time of some who will read this chapter. My prayer is, that the belief of this fact may influence our lives as it did the Christians of the first ages.

Spurgeon, when he was once asked when he thought Jesus would come, replied: “I don’t know when he will come, but if he were to come to-day, I would be glad to see him.”

Dear reader, can you truly say this?16 The Shayne Moses Project Quarterly Studies August 26,

16

2017

J. R. Graves, GRAVES’ LANDMARKS, Graves’ Signs of “the End” gleaned from SEVEN DISPENSATIONS. An excerption out of Part III. Eschatology; And Ch. XII, THE TRANSLATION OF ALL LIVING SAINTS. Christ comes into the Air for his Saints — They are suddenly Caught up, Glorified and Receive their Rewards — They remain in Paradise until the Tribulation Period has Passed.