HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH EZINE

Most of us are familiar with the ancient Jewish religion, the Law of Moses and the traditions of the Jews spelled out in the Old Testament and in history. There are actually four classifications of world religions which stem from this, all of which are rooted in the promises made to Abraham. There still remains, of course, those Jews that follow, to an extent at least, the original first five books of the Bible...the Jews, or Judaism.

The other three (not our subject for today) are (1)Christianity-founded in AD 32 by our Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God. (2)Islam-A false religion started by a false prophet named Muhammad, in the early years of the 7th century AD. (3)Ba'hai: Another false religion started by a false prophet, Bahá'u'lláh, in the latter part of the 19th century AD.

Judaism was the practice of the Jews under the Old Testament law, given them through Moses. After their dispersion, they mingled with all types of people and religions but a number of them still profess to hold on to the law contained in the pentateuch, rejecting the New Testament teachings and that Jesus was the promised Messiah. However, they, along with others who profess to live under that law, fail miserably to adhere to it.

There are varying degrees of strictness as to their adherence to the Mosaical law, from those that do virtually nothing concening it other than circumcision, to those who call themselves "orthodox" who strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. This latter group professes to keep the Sabbath holy, but do not do so according to the strictness of the Law. They attempt to eat only "kosher" foods but most are known to break that rule when hungry and unable to readily get their hands on the "kosher" type.

The subject is much too lengthy to go into detail here, but I am listing a few links on the subject for your information plus a few showing why Jesus is the Messiah that they rejected and therefore are religiously astray.

A California congressman plans to offer a bill that would help protect the preborn. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., is set to introduce a bill called the "Life at Conception Act of 2003." Hunter's bill makes clear that life does begin at conception, and the California congressman hopes that if it ever becomes law, abortion supporters will have no legal leg on which to stand. "The only way that we're going to legislatively overturn Roe v. Wade is to establish personhood early on — and that is at conception," Hunter said. With technology on the side of the bill's supporters, the real question remains if enough House members will see that truth and be bold enough to take a stand for the preborn. The bill, which already has 26 cosponsors, is expected to be introduced this week. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert is pro-life, but there has been no word yet whether or not the bill will be brought up for a vote on the House floor. (Taken from February 7 issue of Covenant News)

With the end of the twentieth century, we hear more and more people talking about the end of time. There is a flurry of excitement, at the end of this century just as there was at the end of the last and the beginning of this one, that involves itself in the setting of dates for the second coming of Christ. This is especially true among those people who are called “Premillennialists,” because they take great delight in trying to ascertain the time in which the Lord will return for his people. This is also true because they teach that there will be several comings of Christ during the last time. But our purpose today is not, primarily, to speak of the strange doctrines of the various kinds of “Millennialists,” but to note that date setting for the end of time is nothing new to the Christian dispensation.

From the earliest of times in the Christian Age, men have been setting dates for the end of time and for the return of the Lord. For example, a man by the name of Montanus, in the year AD 135, announced that he was a prophet, and that the New Jerusalem would soon descend from heaven and take root in the ancient country of Phrygia. Christians were admonished to get ready for the second coming of the Lord and the establishment of his kingdom. Later in that same century, another Christian by the name of Cerinthus, in AD 176, announced that it was then time for the Lord’s return. And in the third century after Christ, in about AD 204 a Christian by the name of Hippolytus related that in the midst of the persecution that was being experienced by the church, Jesus Christ was about to return and do battle on the part of the downtrodden saints. We could come right on down through the centuries and show that different men at different times, in every century have prophesied of the end of time and of the coming of the Lord. Simple observation shows that these men were wrong when they attempted to set a date for the return of Jesus and of the end of the world. The question comes to our mind, “Why have these people been trying to set the date for the second coming of Christ, and why have they been trying to find clues of this second coming in the Bible?” There may be as many answers as there are people who are searching, but man has always had a thirst to gain knowledge of those things that God has kept secret. In Deuteronomy 29:29, we are told that “the secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

The principle set forth here is that there are some things upon which God has not chosen to inform man. Those things should not be presumed upon by man, but he should follow those things that are revealed to him in the Holy Scriptures. Though the principle is clear, still there are those outside the churches of Christ, who like to set dates and plan for the second coming of Jesus. In our time we have heard of the false prophecies of William Miller, H.W. Armstrong, Joseph Smith, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hal Lindsay and many others who have falsely prophesied of the second coming of Christ.

When, in Matthew 24:3, Jesus was asked, “what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Jesus replied in verse thirty-six in the following words, “But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Jesus gave some fifteen or sixteen signs of his coming in judgment upon the city of Jerusalem before he made this statement. That being true, his answer here cannot refer to the fall of Jerusalem but must refer to his second coming, and of the end of the last age. He went on to emphasize that there would be no special signs of his second coming by saying the people would be conducting themselves just as they were in the days of Noah when the great flood came upon the earth. Even Noah, who knew that the great flood was coming, did not know when. So it is with us. We know that Christ will be making his second advent into the world to judge the world in righteousness, but we do not know, and cannot know, when this day is going to arrive.

To emphasize that Christians are to be ready for his coming at all times, he told some parables dealing with the problem of readiness in Matthew 25:1-30. Immediately after that, in Matthew 25, he gave us a picture of what the final judgment will be like. These passages, and their parallels in other books of the Gospel, fit like a hand in a glove that which the Apostle Paul taught concerning the second coming of Christ. And this portion of Scripture also goes hand in hand with that which was taught by the Apostle Peter concerning the second coming of Christ in his second letter, chapter three.

It is an exercise in futility to attempt to set the date for the second coming of Christ, and the end of time. The wise person lives a life of readiness like the wise virgins of Matthew twenty-five, and not a life of recklessness like the foolish virgins of the parable. Our plea, and admonition is, be ready always for the second coming of Christ, and unlike the unprepared people in Noah’s day, you will never be disappointed.

"Developing Leadership In The Church For The 21st Century" and a "Bible Foundations" course are offered to meet the two greatest needs in the church today.

The leadership book is a practical, 63 page book of 13 chapters with review questions. The character traits, work habits and characteristics needed in servant leaders are detailed, that men may be taught, trained and disciplined to become self-disciplined servants of Christ. $5.00 plus s/h.

The Bible Foundations study is a unique course, designed to be used either as a study by mail or as a one-on-one study. Fourteen lessons stress the authority of the Bible, the authority of Christ, rightly dividing the word, what it means to obey the gospel, and Christ's church on earth today. Review questions are designed to lead to obedience to the gospel. $2.00 plus s/h. Unlimited reproduction rights are granted to teachers in programs who teach students in foreign countries. For more detailed information or to order, write to Allard Publications: eallard@juno.com

Chula Vista Books is owned and operated by Mark and Teah McWhorter. We carry a wide selection of Bible related materials--ladies' books, childrens' materials, commentaries, apologetics, lectureship books, missions books, class books, debates, sermon books, church history, topical studies, Bible covers, Bibles, tracts, BCCs and more.

We also send out used book lists from time to time. Unfortunately we do not have a catalog at present but invite your inquiries. If you would like to be on our mailing list, send us your email address.

Mark McWhorter, 420 Chula Vist Mtn Rd, Pell City AL 35125, Phone 205-338-1843

Does your congregation have a web site? Can you add, update and delete information from your existing web site easily? If you answered no to either question visit The Lord's Way. This new service allows you to create a web site for your congregation and update it yourself whenever you want by simply completing online forms. The service is designed for any congregation that wants a web site that contains current, updated and fresh information but does not want to invest the time and money in learning about the inner-workings of the Internet. Your new site will be packed with information about your congregation. Visit us and take a tour!

Anyone is foolhardy to try and set a date for the return of Christ. We are plainly told that no man knows that, even to the angels in heaven. So, I never try to do that. But I do ponder the thought often as to whether or not that day will likely be soon or much farther down through ages.

And invariably, I come up with the thought that it will be sooner rather than later. It really won't make a lot of difference for me, my time will surely be sooner than later, but I compare things that makes me opt for the nearer end. The 2 previous eras, one was about 2500 years, and one about 1500 years. Now, these last days will soon be 2000 years in length, which places it within the mid point of previous periods as far as length is concerned. Of course, that proves nothing.

As of 02/01/03 the world population was 6,271,933,556, almost 6 1/3 billion! This is according to the U.S. Census bureau. Considering that the world population only reached it's first billion in the mid 18th century, and that there was only about 2 1/2 billion in 1950, it becomes obvious that something is going to have to give, somewhere. And the fact that we reached the 6 billion mark on October 12, 1999 (according to U.N. calculations) one can see that we are not only growing rapidly, but gaining momentum. If you think traffic in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, is bad now, wait until 2050. It is expected that we will reach 9 billion in 2054. That is a 50% increase in about 50 years.

What is the answer? World wide birth control? Forget it, the third world countries will continue the vicious cycle of increase and poverty. Only AIDS, starvation or world wide massive destructive warfare seems to be any solution, regardless of the unthinkable horror of such. (Continued below)

Some have told me that "God will provide." Why? God has never promised us that this earth would stand forever. He has not promised us a Rose Garden while it stands. Whether or not he sees fit to intervene and prolong life on this earth is, of course, his choice, but why would he? The world is as evil now as it was before the flood. Don't put your hand to your mouth and say "Joel!" I don't know the population figure at the time of the flood, so I don't know what percentage 8 persons amounted to.

But do a little calculating, statistics show that there are slightly over 2 billion people, world wide, who will say "Christian" when asked what they are. Divide that by 2, because approximately 1/2 are apostate Catholics. Now deduct all the false doctrines of unauthorized denominationalism. Now, since the non-denominational New Testament Christians amount to slightly over 2 million, this brings the total down to approximately 1% of the so-called "Christians" (approximately .00033% of the world population). Now, deduct the apostate congregations. I don't know, and I suspect no one knows just how many of those there are at this time, but there are many and growing. Now, of the sound congregations, deduct the luke warms and the hypocrites, those who won't study the word, the ones who won't pray to him, the ones who covet, commit adultery, kill their unborn babies or advocate doing so, and on and on. How many are left? Probably about the same percentage that there was at the time of the flood. "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20)

The theme for SELTC 2003 is "Go!" Based on the book of Matthew, this year's study challenges each of us to allow God to rule in every area of our life. We pray that this year's study affords you the opportunity to grow closer to God and each other. The date for this year's convention is April 18-20, 2003. We will be meeting at the Adam's Mark in Mobile, AL. For more information please visit our website at www.seltc.org or call 205-988-5808.

The Bear Valley Bible Institute, Scottsboro Extension (BVBISE) is half-way through it's second year of operation under the oversight of the elders of the Broad Street Church of Christ in Scottsboro, Alabama. The school is an extension of the BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE of DENVER. 40 courses (and eight out-of-class mini-courses) completed over a four-year period lead to the Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree. The Associates Degree may be earned in half that time.

One course is taught each month (except July and December) in two all-day Saturday sessions along with outside assignments. The school is TUITION FREE. The only costs to the student are for required texts & materials, and a $5 fee each Saturday to help cover the teacher's expenses. The teachers are academically well-qualified and experienced gospel preachers who know and love the Bible as the verbally inspired and authoritative word of God, and who volunteer their time and work as a labor of love.

BVBISE is committed to training sound and able Bible teachers (men and women), and faithful gospel preachers for service in the kingdom of Christ. The format is designed to make this training possible for men and women who must continue their jobs and other pursuits while they study. Credit is given for previous college or preacher-school study. A preacher-school graduate may be able to earn the Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree in as little as four months of study. For more information please contact the Broad Street Church of Christ, 613 South Broad Street, Scottsboro, AL 35768. Phone: 256-574-2489. EMAIL

A Man had an Ass, and a Maltese Lapdog, a very great beauty. The Ass was left in a stable and had plenty of oats and hay to eat, just as any other Ass would. The Lapdog knew many tricks and was a great favorite with his master, who often fondled him and seldom went out to dine without bringing him home some tidbit to eat. The Ass, on the contrary, had much work to do in grinding the corn-mill and in carrying wood from the forest or burdens from the farm. He often lamented his own hard fate and contrasted it with the luxury and idleness of the Lapdog, till at last one day he broke his cords and halter, and galloped into his master's house, kicking up his heels without measure, and frisking and fawning as well as he could. He next tried to jump about his master as he had seen the Lapdog do, but he broke the table and smashed all the dishes upon it to atoms. He then attempted to lick his master, and jumped upon his back. The servants, hearing the strange hubbub and perceiving the danger of their master, quickly relieved him, and drove out the Ass to his stable with kicks and clubs and cuffs. The Ass, as he returned to his stall beaten nearly to death, thus lamented: "I have brought it all on myself! Why could I not have been contented to labor with my companions, and not wish to be idle all the day like that useless little Lapdog!" ...Aesop