Eastland eBulletin 12.3.06
Reminders
Area Meetings
- December 8-10 — North Madison (IN)
- Remember the kid’s bulletin in the foyer.
- Today’s speaker is Cloyce Sutton. Copies of his sermon notes are in the literature rack in the foyer.
- The December calendar and duty roster, and the November financial statement, are now available. They are in the literature rack in the foyer.
- There is an updated phone list on the table in the foyer (printed on a yellow card). This is not a new directory, only an update of the phone numbers. Take as many as you wish.
- We will be publishing a supplemental hymnal at the first of 2007. If you have a favorite song that is not in our hymnal, that you would like for us to use in worship, please give the name of the song (plus the name of the hymnal it appears in, and the composer if possible) to Cloyce in the next 2 or 3 weeks.
- There is still time to sign up for one of the work lists for 2007. Specifically, we need volunteers for meals and Lord's Supper preparation (this sheet is on the bulletin board). We can always use additional people for transportation, serving the Lord's Supper, prayers, announcements, ushers, Scripture Readings, song leading, etc.
- Transportation: R Wilson, Durbin
- Lord’s Supper: B Crowder, S Neal
- Meals: M Feldman, R Woosley
- Deacon: R Wilson
- Usher: B Price
- AV: B Blain, M Durbin, A Woosley
- Snow Removal: T Price, B Price, J Price, S Boatright
Doomsday Dawning?
By Reggie Robarts
The Tues., Nov. 5th issue of the Courier-Journal carried a quarter page ad that was titled, “Christ Is Coming Very Soon!” The caption over the title says, “8 Compelling Reasons” (i.e. why Christ is coming soon.) The sub-title said, “How To Be Prepared For History’s Greatest Event.” At the bottom of the ad was a highlighted suggestion that you clip out the ad, copy it, and share it with others. The ad was placed by Christ’s Soon Return, P. O. Box 1464, Bloomington, Ill. It invites the reader to write for other printed material that would be supplied free. The ad also stated that it was paid for by a concerned private contributor. A quarter page ad in the CJ costs almost $4,000, so those responsible are serious about getting their message out.
The 8 reasons they give for believing the end is near are typical of premillennial reasoning. The reasons they give will be given (in bold) and then a brief statement to point out their misuse of their Bible passages will be cited (in italics).
- Israel’s Miraculous Rebirth As A Nation In 1948 According To Prophecy (Luke 21:24).
— This passage has reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A. D. not to the 2nd coming of Christ. This chapter is a parallel to Matthew 24 that we will make a number of references to later. (rr) - Plummeting Morality (II Timothy 3:1-4).
— The last days mentioned in Verse 1 refer to the last dispensation of time when the Jewish age was terminated and the Christian age began. The last days have been going on for 2000 years now and will continue to the end of the world. It does not have a specific reference to the 2nd coming of Christ. (rr) - Famine, Violence, And Wars (Matthew 24:6-8).
— Again this refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A. D. Note again verse 34 which says this generation will not pass away until these things be fulfilled. A generation is about 40 years and Christ is speaking to the generation alive in His day. (rr) - Increase In Earthquakes (Matthew 24:7).
— There have always been earthquakes of varying intensity and frequency before and since Jesus spoke these words. The time frame for Jesus’ prediction is again limited by Matt 24:34. (rr) - Explosion Of Travel And Education (Daniel 12:4).
— This passage has in mind the beginning of the Messianic age when the gospel began to be spread to all mankind and the things of which Daniel and other prophets spoke would become evident to many. It has no reference to the 2nd coming of Christ. (rr) - Explosion Of Cults And The Occult (Matthew 24:24).
— The same misapplication of Matthew 24 is used here. Cults and the occult have been around for a long time and it is a poor sign by which to judge the 2nd coming of Christ. (rr) - The New World Order.
— This deals with the Antichrist who they believe to be incarnation of Satan who will deceive the world and place the “mark of the beast” on his followers. The Scripture support cited is again Matthew 24:15 and Revelation chapter 13. We have already pointed out that Jesus predictions in Matthew would be fulfilled during the life of the generation Jesus was speaking to. Matthew 24:34. And the citing of Revelation to prove something that would occur at least 2000 years after John wrote the book is clearly refuted by Revelation 1:1, 3. Also by Revelation 22:9, 12, 20. (rr) - Increase In Both Apostacy And Faith.
— The reasoning for this to signal the 2nd coming of Christ is too long to repeat here. Suffice it to say the Bible does prophesy an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will cause hundreds of millions (this is the number the article claims) worldwide to come to true faith in Christ in record numbers. (rr).
The article also has a section called the Escape Plan outlining what God has done to make it possible to escape His judgment. It gives instructions on how to receive Christ and take advantage of the salvation offered through Him. It emphasizes that salvation is a free gift (which it is), and the means receiving it is suggested by this prayer, “Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of and that you died on the cross for my sins to save me from eternal death. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior and Lord. I give you my life. Help me to be what you want me to be. Amen.”
Isn’t it rather remarkable that these folks can interpret prophetic language and never include in their instructions to man on how to be saved what Jesus said so clearly? Salvation is a free gift but it has essential conditions which Jesus Himself laid down. “He that believes and is baptized will be saved. He that believes not will be damned” (Mark 16:16) is never included in the conditions they say are necessary for receiving God’s grace. Christ is coming again, no doubt about that, but God has reserved the date of the coming for Himself.
