Why do the Heathen Rage?
These essays were written over a period of thirty years and originally appeared in more than sixty newspapers nationwide. The author, who chose to remain anonymous, was a prominent Christian businessman in the Atlanta area. He entitled his columns "Why do the Heathen Rage?" and used this question from Psalm 2 and Acts 4:25 as a basis to comment on the events of the day. He believed that Psalm 1 promised blessings to the faithful in Christ, but Psalm 2 and Acts 4:25 asked a critical question and answered it with a prophecy of cursings and judgments upon the heathen; those who rebelled against the laws of God.
Truly a prophet in his own time, the author received thousands of letters from his readers. However, at times, newspapers would refuse to print his column or prefer to edit it because of his outspoken condemnation of evil in government, literature and individuals who supported unbiblical practices.
"You will find here a keen insight on several scriptural passages concerning those who are departing from the truth of God's Word. While you may not agree with all of the author's beliefs, you will be awakened to a sense of contending for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."
Bob Hill, Editor
Evangelical Review
 TOPICAL INDEX
The Bible - God's Word
June 30, 1962
March 26, 1962
October 24, 1964
February 23, 1963
November 16, 1967
Applied Christianity
December 07, 1963
May 31, 1975
July 14, 1973
October 30, 1965
Morality: Social Issues and Sin
July 15, 1968
December 30, 1972
November 20, 1971
March 20, 1968
Government / Rulers
April 23, 1966
May 21, 1966
May 28, 1966
March 07, 1964
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God and History
January 19, 1974
July 27, 1974
March 08, 1975
November 02, 1967
Hell and Judgement
May 19, 1962
January 04, 1964
March 31, 1962
April 13, 1974
July 06, 1963
March 08, 1969
General Themes
May 04, 1963
April 24, 1965
January 27, 1973
August 25, 1963
August 31, 1974
June 15, 1963
March 13, 1965
October 27, 1962
November 10, 1962
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The Bible - God's Word
JUNE 30, 1962
In the 2nd Psalm, God asks this question: "Why Do the Heathen Rage?" and then answers it. He tells who the heathen are, why they rage, and His reaction and the consequences of their rage. God also gives instruction, warning, and an invitation. Webster says:
"A heathen is one who does not believe in The God of The Bible."
This definition fits in with what God says:
"People (who) imagine a vain thing -- kings of the earth -- and the rulers -- (who) take counsel against the Lord, and His Annointed, to Break The Bands, cast away The Cords," and restraints The Almighty has thrown across our paths to hold us back from damning ourselves, children and posterity in time and eternity. In other words, their rage is against The Truth of The Bible, God's Moral Law and His Ten Commandments.
In telling of God's reaction to this rage and rebellion, there is a good picture and description of the world today, its present and recent experiences, as God has spoken in His Wrath, vexing in His sore displeasure, pouring contempt upon kings and rulers, bringing the princes of the earth to do nothing, and making the judges of the earth as vanity. Elijah, the prophet who was taken to heaven without dying, said to King Ahab:
"I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of God." Said Christ: "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead."
Many modern prophets don't believe that Jesus rose from the dead. Probably Herod will have a better chance of heaven than they, for he believed in the resurrection of the dead: He had killed John the Baptist against his own will in order to keep a rash vow -- many of these modern prophets don't hesitate to break a solemn vow they took at ordination -- yet when Christ's fame began to spread abroad, Herod said: "It is John the Baptist, he is risen from the dead." Herod believed in the resurrection after a very short period of Christ's fame, yet many of our modern prophets that are "highly esteemed among men" don't believe after nearly two thousand years of His fame of wonder working and power in the lives of men, women, children and nations of every kindred, tribe and tongue! It was just before Christ told of the man in the torments of hell fire that He said:
That which is highly esteemed in the sight of men is abomination in the sight of God!"
Doesn't that make you tremble? It does this party!
"A heathen is one who does not believe in The God of The Bible."
In the April 11th issue of The Presbyterian Journal there was a letter from a minister reader in which he quoted another minister as saying to him: "I would not walk across the street to speak to the God of The Old Testament!" Whose minister is this man? Christ identified Himself as being "One" with The God of The Old Testament! "O God, the heathen are come into Thine inheritance; Thy holy temple have they defiled." Psalm 79: 1. According to recent published reports in news and church papers, at a recent meeting of The Assembly of one of the great Protestant Denominations, over 350 of the delegates took the position that parts of the Bible were unreliable, and it was not The Infallible Word of God, and only about 70 held to the historical position of the founders and developers of genuine Protestantism, and the great world-wide denominations that have so blessed the world and laid the foundations from which have sprung modern civilization and the wonders of science.
"Genuine Protestantism does not consist only of the doctrines of Justification by Faith and The Supreme Authority of The Scriptures, for it implies, as its name indicates, an energetic protest, formulated in the name of these doctrines, against ecclesiastical abuse of every kind.
"If Modernism was a separate movement in itself, built its own churches, launched its own institutions, projected its own denominations, then we could look at it as just another of the many sects that appear on the surface of history. But Modernism itself builds nothing; it is a parasite that grows on institutions already built. The physician tells us that a given virus can multiply and cause disease only when it is within cells. This is a picture of historical Modernism. It grows on the work, the heritage, the sacrifice of the orthodox. The humble disciples of Christ make the converts, evangelize the fields, build the churches launch institutions, erect the denominations -- then Modernism destroys the life from within."
Don't know who the author of the above quote is, but he sure "hit the nail on the head" and this is a faithful witness. Probably the Modernists should not be classed as parasites, usurpers, or hypocrites, if they accept membership in the Unitarian-Universalist Church of The Larger Fellowship. But no, doubtless they consider themselves too important personages for that small crowd, too inflated with self, pride and presumption to disappear from the view of mankind in that little bunch, and so as parasites they have wormed themselves way up to some of the top positions, if not in the majority, often of the great Protestant Denominations "While men slept."
Is it not time we genuine Protestants woke up?! If we do not, we are in danger of sleeping the sleep of eternal death, where forever and forever there is no rest day or night! Rev. 14:11. Maybe we can wake up by meditating on the 1st Psalm, and rating ourselves as to whether we in reality belong to The Godly, or ungodly class. Here we have a word picture given us by God of both classes. Consider, and decide from which frame you look out. The picture of the Godly Man has to do with His Walk, His Stand, and His Seat, and these are all determined by that in which "He delights." "His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate day and night." A little while spent while the sun is shining with your Bible, and a little while spent with your Bible after it sets, might fix that up.
This picture further shows the Godly Man to be very fruitful, like a tree planted by the river -- it takes time to grow fruit. The picture of the ungodly man is quickly drawn with just a few words: "He is not so," as the Godly Man, he is chaff driven away by the wind, and he shall not be able to "stand" in the judgment. Which picture "frame" are you looking out of? Rate yourself! We would make a suggestion if you have no delight in The Law of The Lord and are concerned about it, pray and ask God to fulfill His promise and give you a New Heart wherein are written The Commandments of God by the Holy Spirit. If you are sincere, and continue in sincerity in God's good time you will be enabled to rejoice and sing: "I know the Lord has laid His Hands on Me!"
The Bible - God's Word
MARCH 26, 1962
About fifty years ago a young man sat in a class at a University and heard an eminent Doctor Professor say regarding the first part of Genesis: "It is a myth." And about the same time another Professor said to his class: "All thinking people have gotten over the idea that the Bible is inspired." Having been raised in the atmosphere and climate of "faith" that "The Scriptures of The Old and New Testaments were the only infallible rule of faith and practice whereby to glorify God," such statements troubled this young man, for he considered that these men had more sense than he did and that they were probably better educated than his former teachers. However, though just a boy as he now looks back, he is thankful for one reaction he immediately had towards the prominent Doctor, for he seemed to "smell a rat," or the odor of hypocrisy and asked himself: "What is he doing in The Church and a prominent officer in his Church and why doesn't he get out?"
Whether the other "bird" was a Church member or not is not definitely known, but think he was. If either of these men had honesty and integrity enough to realize they were breaking solemn vows made to God, in His House, in the presence of His people as witnesses, doubtless their pride and presumption and self-conceit had choked to death at birth any such sentiments, or very soon thereafter! For a time this boy shared some of these men's unbelief, but after "Searching The Scriptures" in order to determine whether to get out or stay in the Church he was fully persuaded to more and more and further and further "get in." He also soon "got the number" of these learned men when he found that "In the wisdom of God, the world by its wisdom knew not God."
For his own profit, and for any he might have opportunity to influence, later on, he made an analysis of these two men. You can make it of yourself or another by knowing or guessing at their age. Make it especially concerning those who attack "The Word of God" -- and today their name is many legions," even in our churches passing themselves off as Christians and "called of God to preach!" The analysis was suggested by a question God asked of Job when He appeared to him: "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the world, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" The younger of these two men was probably in his late twenties: so where was he just about 30 years ago? He was in his father's loins -- rather difficult to imagine what he looked like then! 29 years ago he was in his mother's womb. 28 years ago he was a helpless little baby unconscious of being alive, and unable to utter intelligent speech. About 27 years ago he was still a helpless infant but beginning to say, "What's this, what's that, why this, why that, etc?" Marvel of marvels, however, for a little more than a score of years and he is sitting in a Professor's chair in a University passing out the information that The Bible, The Word of God Almighty is not inspired!
The Bible: The Book of Books which has endured through the centuries and has borne the burden and heat of battles with kings, rulers, worldly wise, and men and devils ever since the "Snake in The Garden" lifted up its voice against it! Its enemies have fought it with fire, sword, gibbets, crosses and every sort of torture men and devils could devise! Yet it has come forth victorious over all and still stands to bless or curse mankind: "The savour of life unto life or of death unto death -- For The Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." You just ought to read and get familiar with it, and saturate your mind and heart with "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Don't try to appraise it, but rather search to see how it appraises you yourself! It is your duty if you have taken vows to God in joining some Evangelical Protestant Church. God has given us one day in seven especially for this purpose. "Be sure your sin will find you out!" While this is true concerning every secret sin of the thief, the adulterer and fornicator, the murderer, etc., yet the direct connection in which God speaks these words is to those who made a promise and then failed to perform and fulfill it. Numbers 32:23: "But if ye will not do so, Behold, ye have sinned against The Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out." "But if ye will not do so" has reference to a promise they had made, and a promise which was going to be very costly and self-denying to fulfill. Consider what this passage reveals regarding God's attitude towards our promises to do this, or that, pay our debts, etc., but above all, the promise and vow we made to God in joining His Church! In another place God says that they who make a covenant in His House and fail to keep it "Pollute His Name."
Speaking of "pollution" we do well to remember that God says our very land is "defiled and polluted" by bloodshed in murder, and it can only be cleansed by man shedding the blood of the murderer to make atonement! Is there any rage today against The Lord and His Annointed? Do we not make war on God and fight against Him when we substitute the precepts of man for "The Law of our God?" By the way, God's Word tells us one result of following the precepts of man rather than God's precepts is that "the wisdom of their wise men will fail" and "princes become fools." Did not our wisdom and the wisdom of our leaders and wise men fail utterly in giving recognition to Russia about thirty years ago? If Stalin made fools of us at Potsdam, Yalta, Teheran, etc., it appears that we are still unwilling to admit it, but go on increasing our folly by rejecting, neglecting and ignoring The Law of Our God for the precepts of man, and are in danger of fulfilling again The Scripture: "Behold, ye are risen up ... an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the Lord . . . "
"Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with Thee, which frameth mischief by a law?" Psalm 94:20.
Doubtless we all share in the responsibility for the serious condition our nation and the world are in, but it especially lays at the door of those of us who have made vows to God and failed to keep them. Our sin is surely finding us out! Is not repentance and restitution in order?
The Bible - God's Word
OCTOBER 24, 1964
Requests for information about the writer of this column have been received a number of times. A recent letter says: "Won't you please tell me who you are that writes the column in each Monday's Atlanta Journal "Why Do The Heathen Rage?" (Understand in some "far away places" this article appears in Monday's Journal instead of Saturday.) I have been reading this article for quite some time and look forward each Monday and read the message to our nation, and to each individual as well. So applicable to, and so needed, by our nation today. Daily I cite friends, neighbors and family to this column as a gem from God, hidden in the rough, but to be seized with gratitude, as something to live by." Truly it has been said that one cannot talk long about "self" without becoming vain. However, the above letter is greatly appreciated, very encouraging, and gives us quite a "lift." It is hard not to make some effort to meet this request. But it is also hard to digress even a little to talk about self when there are so many "gems" from God in His Word: "The Law of The Lord is perfect, converting the soul. . . more to be desired than gold, yea , than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb" -- Psalm 19:7, etc. "For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name" -- Psalm 138:2. The writer is a layman. Raised in a Christian home that was strict about "Singing the Song of Moses, the servant of The Lord, and The Song of The lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." The burden of Moses' Song is the Moral Law of God, The Ten Commandments that reveal the very character of The Almighty. The message of The Lamb of God is deliverance from the wrath of God to "Whosoever Will." The wrath of God is due to our devil perverted nature and acts. The Lamb of God paid our penalty and offers the gift of a new heart wherein are written the Commandments of God by The Spirit of God; and also the gift of Eternal Life in the world to come, which world we enter by "falling asleep safe in the arms of Jesus;" or by being "caught up to meet the Lord in the air when He cometh to make up His Jewels." (Hope we are not casting our pearls and gems before swine! We are warned against doing that. If you are a member of a Protestant Christian Church and don't believe these things, in God's Name, why don't you get out? How come you're in there, anyway?)
The writer joined the Church when about twelve years of age. Though greatly blessed with the raising and environment he had, yet when he left school he faced the fact that he was "out of gear" with real Christianity and the vows made on joining the Church. He did not want to, nor did he intend to spend his life striving to fulfill them. "Then get out," he said to himself. "Resign your Church membership, and don't deliberately live the life of the hypocrite." Considering what a serious step it would be to "junk the hope of Eternal Life" offered in the Bible and Protestant Christianity, he purposed before resigning to "Search The Scriptures" himself -- most he knew came second-handed. Since that time, many years ago now, he has read the Bible from cover to cover several times each year. Mostly it was consecutive reading, not stopping unless attention was especially arrested. For quite a while his aim was to read at least thirty minutes a day. Later on he aimed making 60 minutes out of the 1,440 minutes in every 24 hours, figuring this was not too much time for making preparation for a life that never ends, eternity.
Not so long after beginning this exercise in "Searching The Scriptures" he became definitely aware of "the personality of the devil and spiritual wickedness in high places," and that these fearful enemies were fighting to keep him away from his Creator: fighting him with questionings, doubts, unbelief and even a resentful and rebellious spirit against The Almighty Himself. Through the mercy of God, during all this fearful period he never laid The Bible aside but kept reading it, and kept on outwardly performing his vows by church attendance and striving to obey God's Ten Commandments -- common honesty and integrity required this until he resigned and got out of the Church. The Scriptures say "In due season you will reap, if you faint not in well doing." He found it to be true and in due time God's Word became "quick and powerful" in his own life and made of him a man whose greatest desire and ambition was to "Know God and do His Will." For about twelve years after leaving school the writer was employed as a cotton buyer. After the boll-weevil struck and changed things in that line, he went on a farm and has been there ever since. However, as a result of his experience in "Searching The Scriptures" his main interest has been in Sowing the Seed of The Word of God" in his own heart, gild that of others: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." These are the first recorded words spoken by Christ after His Baptism by John the Baptist. Several years ago God opened up the way to begin some "Advertising" of The Word of God. Thank God for all those who have written or by spoken word have said the ads have been helpful and inspiring in their Christian experience. Brethren, pray for me, and pray that "The Word of God might have free course, and be glorified." It is our hope for time, and for Eternity, as individuals, as a nation, and the whole world. "The Greatest Weapon Ever Forged is "The Word of God!" With it Christ drove off the devil when tempted in the wilderness. Every temptation was met and overcome with The Word of God: "It is written -- it is written -- it is written." "The Next Greatest Weapon is the 'Privilege of Prayer!'" Our Government by law has withdrawn these two great weapons from our schools! We suggest that all the people of God have now a special and important opportunity to use and fight with these great spiritual weapons in the coming election by voting for righteousness: "Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." It has been suggested, and with good scriptural ground in our judgment, that our Court's action in taking a neutral stand regarding God Almighty and withdrawing The Bible and Prayer from our children, may have resulted in God withdrawing His Presence and Protection from our nation to the place where an enemy was able to cut down, the head of the nation. "Not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Heavenly Father" observing and permitting.
In the Book of Ezekiel we find that the "cloud" that hovered over the mercy seat of The Ark of God, signifying the Presence of The Almighty, appeared to become restless: it moved from that place to over one of the doors: later it moved outside of the city, and then later it departed. Not long afterwards Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed!
How would you like to legally vote as many times as you wanted to? Many would spend the day from the opening to the close of the polls voting as fast and as often as they could. Well, you can do that in the Government of The Almighty, the Kingdom of God. You can vote not only on election day, but every day, and Sunday, too, day and night. Regardless of what goes on around you as you sit in church you can keep voting for the right and God's honor, and against evil. God will count every sincere vote. "In due season we will reap, if we faint not." "And the Lord said, -- But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of The Lord. For all the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of The Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (Numbers 14:20, 21; Isaiah 11:19, and Habakkuk 2:14) The knowledge of the glory of God shall fill the earth as the waters cover the sea -- take heed lest at that time your "ignorance" of the glory of God will have drowned you in perdition, hell's lake of fire! "An Almighty Justice does verily rule this world. It is good to fight on God's side, and bad to fight on the devil's side!"
"For nothing should the people of God more devoutly pray than that their great men might be good and God-fearing men.
The Bible - God's Word
FEBRUARY 23,1963
Webster says "a heathen is one who does not believe in the God of The Bible." This fits in with what God says in the Second Psalm concerning the heathen. The great Protestant denominations, such as Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc. were founded and developed by men who believed in The God of The Bible, that the Scriptures of The Old and New Testaments are the infallible Word of God, the Supreme Authority for Faith and Practice. Or, in other words, "The Law and the Testimony." "Bind up the Testimony, and seal The Law among my disciples . . . Should not a people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead? To The Law and The Testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:16, 19, 20. The Law and The Testimony were the great Foundation Stones of The Reformation of the 16th Century begun by Luther, and established by Calvin, Knox and other mighty men inspired by God. The same great Foundation Stones, The Law and the Testimony, were also the basis of the 17th Century Revival and Reformation, sometimes called the Puritan Reformation. The Law and The Testimony were words frequently on the lips of John Wesley, and were the great Foundation Stones of the 18th Century Revival led by Wesley, and which Revival saved England from experiences similar to those of France at the time of her Revolution when the streets of Paris ran with blood, and which Revolution was greatly contributed to by Voltaire and his cohorts as they mocked, despised, and rejected The Law and The Testimony!
Not only did the Wesleyan Revival greatly bless England, but its fire leaped across The Atlantic Ocean and kindled itself in North America by the hands of such men as Whitfield, Asbury, Coke, Jonathan Edwards, and others, and spread rapidly over our country, producing such men in political and civil life as George Washington, Patrick Henry, etc. Patrick Henry "cried aloud, spared not, lifted up his voice like a trumpet: 'Give me liberty, or give me death!... As an individual, I have often thought of and thanked God for what Patrick's zeal and efforts, along with kindred spirits, has meant to me personally, and our nation, but have often thought that he "stopped short," and should have gone further and said, "Give me righteousness, or give me death," for without the "righteousness of God imputed to us by faith" we go to death in time, and in eternity!
Liberty without righteousness usually produces "license," which in turn produces and provokes the "wrath of God" upon men and nations! Through the blessings of God which have come from our rich and godly heritage, we have freedom and liberty, which we have turned into "license!" If not so, from whence comes all this "bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" If this quote means nothing to you, then read the 15th chapter of 1st Samuel, especially verses 10-23. By the way, why don't you get familiar with your Bible if you have taken the vows to join a Protestant Christian Church -- or if you have not joined -- get familiar with all of it? If your auto has some of its numerous parts missing, you are in for trouble sooner or later. Read all of it, make a life effort that occupies part of every day, even if you now have to begin at the eleventh hour. Ask the Author and Finisher of Faith to give you a believing heart: "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by The Word of God." If you read it and decide you don't want to or can't trust The God therein revealed then resign and get out of The Church and relieve it of some "dead wood and excess baggage," and "paddle your own canoe" on into eternity, in the boat formed by your own wisdom and skillful hands!
A great English Historian standing on the high ground of his vast knowledge of the English people, and looking at their varied experiences across the centuries said: "The lapse of church discipline was a certain symptom of social and political anarchy!" If you can help cleanse the Church by getting out of it, do so! Many members by their neglect of their vows are in reality already out but won't ask that their names be removed from the rolls, and it appears the church is so sick and weak she can't lift her foot high enough with force enough to kick 'em out! Many of you old timers can remember when you could not live just any way and remain in the church membership; they just treated them like most of the civic, fraternal and other organizations do today.
In the Book of Malachi, God says to try offering to your Governor what you offer me, and I am a Great King! Did not Christ say, "I would that you were either hot or cold, but because you are lukewarm I will spue you out of My mouth!" Many are there today who are fulfilling the Scripture written in Psalm 78:36: "Nevertheless, they did flatter Him with their mouths, and lied unto Him with their tongues! The sheep are bleating, and the oxen are lowing," but many of us are like King Saul, insisting we are serving and obeying God! The great and inspired men of God mentioned above were all in one accord and in one respect: "They believed in The God of The Bible." Not only that "it contained The Word of God," but that it "was The Word of God." They accepted at face value the first recorded words spoken by Christ after His baptism by John, and The Holy Spirit visibly descending upon Him from Heaven in the form of a dove: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by Every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew and Luke 4:4. As a result of the Puritan Revival and the Wesleyan Revival in the American colonies, and later the states, many of God's laws were written on our statute books and are still there, though scorned and mocked at by many today as "blue laws," outmoded and out of date, etc. These laws were put there without serious objection by a population that was about 75 percent or more non-professing Christians. Today the picture is just about reversed, with about 75 percent, or a little less, professing to be Christian, we see the laws of God being taken off our statute books, or compromised, or watered down to where they mean almost nothing to the morality of our times! What makes the difference? The answer lies in the fact that "The Word of God is quick and powerful" when really believed, practiced, and enforced! But it is weak and ineffective when meddled and trifled with by unbelief of a generation that "are lovers of pleasure, more than lovers of God," and run after the world, the flesh, and the devil, which is certainly characteristic of our day and generation! Is it any wonder that the "hell bombs" hang heavy, heavy over our heads, and we are in danger of God again "cutting off the righteous with the wicked." Ezekiel 21:4. "The Law of The Lord is perfect, converting the soul, The Testimony of The Lord is sure, making wise the simple ... Who can understand His errors?" Psalm 19: 7, 12. It appears that we have waxed so wise today as to understand the "errors" of The Almighty, and are going about to correct them! If the Almighty has foreknowledge, how is it that He did not foresee that our present Supreme Court would, in 1954 A.D., disapprove of His making some white, some black, and some other colors, and have to declare a law, an edict, or what have you, to correct this error of The Almighty? "There is a great day a coming!" We can look forward to the time when no one will have cause to call some "poor white trash" and others "nigger," but we will all be dear brothers "in the bonds of mongrelization." Mongrelization was advancing entirely too fast before the Supreme Court, the powers of Government, Army, Air Force, etc., joined in the procession. Don't you imagine the Almighty is highly pleased that his wise creatures have taken in hand to "understand and correct His errors!"
The Bible - God's Word
NOVEMBER 16,1967
"The Bible is the Word of God," said John Wesley. "I beg leave to propose a short, clear and strong argument to prove divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures. The Bible must be the invention of good men or angels, bad men or devils, or of God.
1. It could not be the invention of good men or angels, for they neither would nor could make a book and tell lies all the time they were writing it, saying "Thus saith the Lord," when it was their own invention.
2. It could not be the invention of bad men or devils, for they could not make a book which commends all duty, forbids all sins, and condemns their own souls to "hell" for all "eternity!"
3. Therefore, draw the conclusion that the Bible must be given by divine inspiration!" This is mighty strong reasoning and logic. Over 1700 times in the Old Testament appear the words "Thus saith the Lord," or similar phrases that state or indicate God Himself is speaking; and in the New Testament there are 850, or more, quotations from or references to passages in The Old Testament, and also Christ's words of approval such as: "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God -- Search the Scriptures, for they testify of Me -- The Scriptures cannot be broken." This count was sparked by the statement to the writer of two young men who were studying for the Protestant Christian ministry in one of Atlanta's prominent Theological Schools to the effect that one of the Professors told his class that the Prophet Ezekiel was "neurotic," or in other words a "nut," more or less "cracked." The New Testament says he was "a holy man of God, moved by The Holy Spirit." The above count was never checked, so if you find we are in error, please advise in order that we might check and correct.
Consider the ages of history and behold The Bible standing "The Rock of Ages," the great "Anvil" on which the hammers have worn themselves out, the "Mighty Fortress" towering over the wrecks of nations, generations of men, evil angels and devils, as they have battered themselves to pieces and passed into oblivion after raging against this Rock which God has given for a refuge for the sons of men that "Fear God and keep His Commandments, which is the whole duty of man!" Over 400 years ago Martin Luther wrote: "Infinite potentates have raged against this Book, and sought to destroy and uproot it - King Alexander the Great, the princes of Egypt and Babylon, the monarchs of Persia, Greece, and of Rome, the emperors Julius and Augustus - but then nothing prevailed; they were all gone and vanished, while The Book remains, and will remain forever and ever, perfect and entire, as it was declared at first. Who has helped it, -- who thus protected it against such mighty forces? No one, surely but God Himself, who is Master of all things." Consider another quote from Luther: "I admonish every pious Christian that he take not offense at the plain unvarnished manner of speech of the Bible. Let him reflect that what may seem trivial and vulgar to him, emanates from The High Majesty, Power, and Wisdom of God. The Bible is the Book that makes fools of the wise of this world; it is only understood by the plain and simple hearted. Esteem this Book as the precious fountain that can never be exhausted. In it thou findest the swaddling-clothes and the manger whither the angels directed the poor, simple shepherds; they seem poor and mean, but dear and precious is the treasure that lies within." One night about 200 years after the time of Luther, John Wesley listened as one read some comments of Luther on The Bible, from the Book of Romans, and his heart became "strangely warmed" and he went forth to be a mighty instrument in the hands of God to greatly bless mankind and the world, and was especially used to save England from such experiences as France had at the time of her revolution when the streets of Paris ran with blood, which revolution was greatly aided and abetted by mobs whose hearts had been "violently warmed and heated" by Voltaire and his cohorts as they attacked The Bible, and The God of the Bible. John Bunyan was another man whom God greatly used to bless mankind whose heart also was "strangely warmed" by reading the writings of Luther. Elisha the Prophet who was present when Elijah was taken to heaven without death, in a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and who at the time received a double portion of God's Spirit, the account of his death and burial is in 2nd Kings, Chapter 13. Later, another man was being buried near his grave when a band of the invading enemy appeared. They threw the body in Elisha's grave and ran. On coming in contact with Elisha's bones, the dead man came to life! It is interesting, instructive, and inspiring to consider the large numbers of men of God who greatly blessed mankind whom it appears came to life by coming in contact with the "spiritual bones" of Luther -- Bunyan and Wesley were two of them!
Why not set yourself to get in the way to let God "touch your heart" by getting familiar with every word of God. If you think you are too old to start, I would ask do you not hope to live throughout all eternity? Do you think it too big a job? Did you ever hear the story of the clock that at the close of the year figured out how many "ticks" it would have to make in the new year, and on facing the enormous sum said, "It is too much. I can't make it." But on further thought said: "It is only one 'tick' at a time," so got on the job and ticked the year off without strain. Thirty minutes a day out of the 1440 in every 24 hours -- 60 minutes would not be too much time to spend with God -- given to reading The Bible consecutively would in a few years cause you to know "what God hath said," and if you purpose to "do his will" -- without which purpose no one can enter Heaven -- He will give you what understanding is necessary as you may have need to make application of it in your life and testimony.
Adam failed. Christ, the Second Adam, came down and kept God's Word perfectly, and imputes that perfect righteousness to all who believe in their hearts. Those men who have best known and obeyed God's Word have been the greatest benefactors in the salvation of their fellow men, and in blessing the world.
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