Vol XIII, Num. 10. May 1998

In this issue of The Biblical Examiner

1) Storm Winds

2) Lessons from Greater Ministries International

3) A Doctrine of Grace (Foreknowledge vs. Foreknowledge)

4) Guns

5) God's Covenant People, a look at a book by Identity evangelist, Ted Weiland.

6) Women's Empowerment Movement

Wind, Rain, Snow, tornadoes, &c.

[Note: I many times "overkill" a theme, which may make the thought difficult to follow. But that is the way these things come together for me. I really cannot let a subject rest until I have exhausted about every line of thought involved. The following is no exception. The reader will readily see many "messages" contained in the following, each of which will stand on its own. But for space's sake, I left it all together as one thought, though I know short pieces are easier to read, and will be more likely read. These mailings are for those who want something other than "Christian Fluff." They are to make you think.]

The first of 1999, we were snowed in for a few days. Winter storms are not unusual for us, though they are nothing compared to what some parts of the country experience. (There was a worse storm, i.e., more snow, in this area in '78, but we were not here then.) To me, the unusual thing about the New Year's '99 storm was that it blew in very hard straight from the East. And the high winds prevented the snow plows from opening the roads. The snow came, and on top of that came freezing rain --- ice so clear it could not be seen on the roads, which closed I65 from straight East of us (we are 8 miles N of I74, and 30 miles W of I65) all the way to Chicago. (Sometimes when our county road is closed we can get out by going West on our road instead of East. When we go West, we must travel I74 East for about 10 miles. After the storm when we could get out toward the West, on that 10 mile I74 stretch, I counted 5 semis off the road, some even turned over.) I65 was closed for a day or so; it had never been closed for such a great distance for so long a time. Then recently (2/7/98) another rain storm, which suddenly turned to snow, blew in from the East. Since the first of the year, we have had an unusual amount of wind from the East. (My dad says, "Wind from the East blows no good for man nor beast." How right he is. Another snow storm of about 8 inches blew in from the East, 3/8, 9/99.)

Though storms are not unusual, the thing that seems unusual is the strong winds that have been blowing for the past year. Living in town, the winds are not really noticeable, but to those of us who live next to open fields, the winds are very noticeable. In addition, tornadoes are touching down in unusual places at unusual times of the year, e.g., the middle of January ('99) in the South. I have a friend whose company sent him to Switzerland. The avalanches have been so bad that he has been unable to go skiing.

I am still quite young (b. 8/41), so I cannot say, "I remember when it was worse." It seems that when I mention the weather, some folks say, "The same thing happened back in ..." But in my opinion, the past few years, particularly 1998, have been unusual --- sudden temperature extremes, high winds, &c, e.g., it was almost 50^o 2/6/99, and the forecast was for high 50s on 2/7/99, and higher on 2/8/99. Instead, it dropped on 2/7 (Sunday) into the 20s, and snowed, and then on Monday, it was in the 50^o. It is not uncommon to snow on Easter here, but it snowed the weekend of 4/16/99, which is quite uncommon; it was not cold enough to stick, and it was mixed with rain. We are now seeing 100 year storms several times a year, and the '98-99 winter has been no exception. (Florida is extremely dry at this time also, another unusual event. Really, since Hurricane Andrew nature has been in an upheaval.)

Our area of the Mid West has been mild compared to other parts of the country, but the same thing can be said in those parts: The weather has been and is quite unstable and undependable, especially in the far North West. The seasons seem to be "confused." Moreover, the same thing can be said all over the world. Not only has the weather exhibited a very unstable "attitude," so has nature in general -- earthquakes in diverse places, floods, famines, blizzards (& avalanches), tornadoes, pestilence (not only new bugs appearing, but super-bugs reappearing immune to modern medicine -- TB back with a vengeance), and the list goes on.

"Everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it." Though this saying has been around for some time, the word of God says a lot about the weather, and the Lord does something about it.

Being in the country and having open fields around us, we have been more aware of the winds than we would be otherwise. After the strong East wind brought in the January '99 blizzard, a verse came to mind that is a common text for messages concerning sowing and reaping:

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. (Hosea 8:7)

Interest aroused, I checked the words, wind and whirlwind, and the results are worth pursuing. We will start at the beginning, for the context identifies they as those who profess to love the Lord and his word. Almost every verse in this chapter has a New Testament parallel.

Distress

This pastor continues to be greatly distressed over the many people he knows who claim to love God, claim to believe and love God's word, yet they refuse to be subject to the word of God when it comes to money, power, famile and/or personal friendships:

16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? 17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. 18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. (Ps. 50:16-18.)

Remaining silent against the thief identifies one with the thief. The promise of the Lord toward the silent is not pleasant. (Ps. 50:19-22.) For whatever reason, e.g., money, power and/or personal friendships, they justify the wicked, and excite the anger of the Lord ... against his people. (Isa. 5:18-25. See also vv. 1-9.) In Hosea, the Lord's controversy with the inhabitants of the land is that they do not uphold truth, mercy and the word of God --- the result is that the Lord will forget the children. (Hos. 4:1-11, which is in the same message from God through the Prophet as is 8:7.) Paul carries this law over to the church, telling us that the unfruitful works of darkness must be reproved. If they are not and we know about them, we are partakers of that person's sins. (Eph. 5:11, 1 Tim. 5:22.) We will gladly and readily reprove the unfruitful works of darkness in areas of civil authority, but seldom do we hear of reproving the unfruitful works of darkness in religious authority.

"Nature's" Upheaval

V. 1, Set the trumpet to thy mouth. "Trumpets ... were of a great variety of forms, and were made of divers materials. Some were made of silver #Nu 10:2 and were used only by the priests in announcing the approach of festivals and in giving signals of war." (Online Bible.)

As an eagle... Whether the eagle spoke of the Assyrians - Tiglath-pileser, and Shalmaneser, who came against the 10 tribes as an eagle (Trapp), or Babylon - Nebbuchadnezzar, or Rome in 70 AD, the warning is still the same: The Lord is on the move against sin, and he moves in various forms. (Note that the Lord called upon the pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar, to cast off his sins, and judged him when he did not. Dan. 4:27. Because Hosea speaks to Israel and Judah, the eagle includes all three, Assyria, Babylon and Rome. See Deut. 28:49.)

V. 1 identifies the they of v. 7, For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. V. 7 is directed to the house of the Lord. This house is identified as the people of God, or in the New Testament, the whole Gospel Church. (See Ezk. 3 & 33, Jer. 11:15, 12:7.) The house of the Lord refers to God's people as a nation --- "but Israel was the house of Jehovah, as being a portion of the congregation of the Lord. as in ... Heb. iii. 6 and 1 Tim. iii. 15." (Keil, Commentary, X.111. Eerdmans.)

As the sound of a war-trumpet would startle a sleeping people, so would God have the Prophet's warning burst upon their sleep of sin. The ministers of the Church are called to be "watchmen" "They too are forbidden to keep a cowardly silence, when the house of the Lord is imperilled by the breach of the covenant or violation of the law." (E. B. Pusey, Barns' Notes, Minor Prophets, 79.)

The Spirit shows us that the danger to the house of the Lord, i.e., the Gospel Church, IS NOT from the pagans; it is from false religion operating under the name of Christianity; it is from "watchmen" who "keep a cowardly silence" when they perceive danger to the Church of Jesus Christ. Thus the primary responsibility of the pastor is "to search the word of God, penetrate the Scriptures, lay bare the inner meaning of the Scriptures, so that they may find the very mind and heart of God in all their revelations." (Parker, Preaching through the Bible, XVII.63. Baker Book House) He must make God's word clear and plain to God's people, so they can readily discern every wind of doctrine, the slight of men, and cunning craftiness that awaits them. (Eph. 4:14.)

Thus some primary goals of the enemy are exposed: First, the message -- keep the message too confusing to be followed, and/or keep the message so simple that it does not instruct the people properly against false doctrines. Second, the hearer -- keep the hearer confused or uneducated so he cannot understand a serious message that would sound the warning of false teachings. Third, the "watchman" --- keep him in "a cowardly silence," i.e., keep religious leaders fearful of losing friends, losing money and/or losing power and influence . (See v. 12. Isaiah compares those who cannot or will not sound the alarm to dumb dogs, they cannot bark, 56:10.)

Because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law. "The covenant had been broken by idolatry, and the law had been violated by social sins." (Parker) Idolatry -- God's people try to serve two masters, an impossible task. Christ spoke against trying to serve two masters -- that is, placing the hope of monetary gain before serving the Lord (i.e., obeying his word). When Christ spoke against covetousness (i.e., willingness to overlook the word of God to gain the heart's desire), those controlled by it saw his words as a direct attack against them. In order to defend themselves before the people, they derided Christ, or mocked him. (Lk. 16:13ff.)

Social sins -- the prevalence of social sins, even among professed Christians, is so common it would be redundant to develop this thought.

And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. (Ezk. 33:31.)

Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. (Mk. 7:6.)

The Lord quotes Isaiah 29:13, which is given in the context of professing love for the Lord, yet rejecting the authority of his word.

"God's law is always man's defence [sic]." (Parker.) God law is not for God's benefit. Its purpose is not to preserve his position as Lord of all. Sin destroys the sinner; it does not destroy the lawgiver, the One who defines sin. (Pro. 20:2, Isa. 33:22, Jam. 4:12.) Most of man's laws are made and enforced to protect his place of power. But God's laws defend and protect man: God's law against covetousness is man's defense against theft by fraud; God's law against immoral lust is man's defense against social decease; God's law against hate is man's defense against murderer; God's law against adultery is man's defense of his family, &c.

V. 2, My God, we know thee. "But this knowledge of God, regarded simply as a historical acquaintance with Him, cannot possibly bring salvation." (Keil.)

V. 2, parallels the Lord's words of Matthew 7:20-29. The Lord spoke to the people, warning of false religious leaders, wolves in sheep's clothing. He told the people that the false prophets could be recognized by their fruit, e.g., their spirits and actions are commonly controlled by idolatry and/or social sins. The problem is identified as those professing to know the Lord and to love his word refusing to do the will of the Father which is in heaven as revealed in his word. (See also Jn. 14:15, 15:10, 1 Jn. 2:3, 5:2, 3.) They have transgressed and trespassed against the Lord.

The religious sounding people profess their creeds in a loud voice, yet their hearts do not obey those creeds. (Jn. 4:23, 24.) We might point out that even the devils believe there is one God, so empty professions are no better for men than they are for devils. (Ja. 2:19.)

V. 3, cast off good..., enemy shall pursue... God and his law-word alone are good. (Ps. 119:68, Lk. 18:19.) Casting off good, --- that is, casting off God's covenant and law. Doing so casts off one's protection from the enemy. (See Lev. 26:43, Pr. 21:31.) The enemy is not necessarily sent by the Lord. His law provides a protective hedge; when the hedge is broken down, the serpent pursues and bites regardless of human measures one may take, e.g., hiding in a house in town or fleeing to the mountains. (Ecc. 10:8, Amos 5:19.) Idolatry and social sins place the sinner into the "natural and inevitable consequence" of his sin. (Parker.) God's call is to repent, and thus avoid self-destruction. (Hosea 13:9.)

V. 4, kings, but not by me... "The proof of Israel's renunciation of its God is to be found in the facts mentioned in ver. 4." (Keil.) Keil's strong statement implies that when Christians establish leaders, civil or religious, apart from God's word, they renounce the Lord God.

Here we see a major mystery -- God's divine providence and sovereignty vs. man's free will, with man being held accountable for how he uses his "free will." God told Jeroboam that he would rend the 10 tribes from David's house and give it to Jeroboam. And the Lord used HIGH TAXES to do it. The story of Jereboam is very applicable for our day. (1 Kings 11, 12.)

Solomon died. Rehoboam, of the tribe of Judah, took his place on the throne over the 12 tribes. Jeroboam, an Ephraimite, and all the congregation of Israel came to Rehoboam, asking for relief from Solomon's high taxes, which supported his public works programs. Solomon's older counselors advised Rehoboam to lower the taxes, but the younger counselors advised him to raise the taxes. Rehoboam, at the Lord's urging, followed the advise to raise taxes. A split resulted. Jereoboam lead the 10 tribes, now known as Israel, away from the two tribes that followed Rehoboam, the house of David, now known as Judah. (Jeroboam was already in revolt against the house of David before Solomon died, 1 Kings 11:27.)

Judah wanted to go to war to bring back the 10 tribes, but the Lord intervened: Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. Though the split was of the Lord, he held the 10 tribes accountable for choosing and following Jereoboam without checking with him. God promised and established Jereboam's kingdom, but "As soon as he had received it, he set up rebellion against God, in order to establish his kingdom, which he founded in sin, whereby he made Israel to sin." Israel's problem was not that they had kings, governors, judges, civil magistrates, elders, &c. The problem was that the people set up and willingly followed authority without checking with and despite what the Lord and his word said.

Modern politicians continually promise to "lower taxes," i.e., Jereoboam. And those with the most convincing promises are elected with no regard to the word of the Lord. And they lead the people further from the Lord. Thus civil rulers are set up, but not by me. Covetousness, silver and gold, is the god --- the decision in establishing civil authority is based on the best promises that will benefit the pocketbook, rather than on the word of God. God prospers the people, yet they abuse that prosperity by pursuing their own lusts.

V. 4 shows us that God's will will be done, and sinners will be held accountable for their sins.

27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. (Acts 4.)

Acting out their own lust for power and greed and apart from any effort to do the will of God, they acted according to the everlasting counsel of God -- they killed the Lord of Glory. The result was their own destruction. (Mt. 21:33-46.)

That they may be cut off. The false prophets of Israel filled the people with false hopes. The Lord permitted the false prophets to prosper as they sought to place God's "approval" on the people's pursuit of greed and covetousness. God permitted the "prosperity," so the idolaters would destroy themselves. God did not break down the hedge -- their hearts forsook the Lord and his word. In short, he let them break down the hedge, so the serpent would bite them. (The church is to throw out those hardened in sin, so the serpent can bite and devour them. 1 Cor. 5. See also, Ps. 81:12.)

Illustration: Ahab was a evil king who ruled over the 10 tribes, Israel. God's intent was to destroy Ahab for his sins, but he did not strike Ahab with lightening nor any other act of "nature." Rather, he used a lying spirit speaking through the respected "religious" men who had Ahab's ear. God's purpose was to get Ahab to go into battle so he would be cut off. And it worked. (1 Kings 22:15-23. 2 Chron. 18:18-22.)

Though false prophets are not of God, he uses their lies to perform his judgment against sin. (Jer. 27:15.) With the "blessings" of the false prophets, the Lord allows people to pursue their own lusts and greed, covetousness, so that he may cut them off. He allows them to pursue the way that seemeth right, so that their end might be their own destruction. (Pro. 16:25, 10:29, 21:15 [destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. In other words, God does not have to bring about their destruction; it is the natural course of events], Ps. 1:6, 37:20, Rom. 2:8, 9.)

Example: The Lord allows sodomites to pursue their evil desires, even under the name of "Christianity," so they will bring upon themselves the natural results of their sins. However, for reasons known only to himself, he "enlightens" some who are in that most vile life-style to the evil of their ways. They repent, are converted, and are delivered from the natural results of that evil; delivered, that is, as long as they have not contacted some disease, which will run its course.

God permits the serpent's bite to call those controlled by idolatry and/or social sins to turn from their ways and live. (Ezk. 18;23, 33:11, Rom. 2:4.)

V. 5, Thy calf, O Samaria... There were two calves, but they are spoken of as one. Though the calf was not located in Samaria, Samaria was Israel's capital. The calf had been a problem since Israel's split into two nations, Judah and Israel. Jeroboam was the culprit, but the people willingly followed his leadership. The Lord clearly stated King Jeroboam's motive for the calf -- self-preservation. He did not trust the word of God to secure the 10 tribes under him, even though the Lord protected him from Judah. His lack of confidence in the Lord caused him to, in the way that seemed right to him, strengthen his hold over the people. (1 Kings 11:31-37, 12:24-33.)

He knew that the people's sin would strengthen his own hold over the people, so he urged them to sin. But he did not tell them that his goal was to strengthen himself; rather, he made it sound as though he was doing it for their benefit -- It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Jeroboam did not tell God's people to quit serving the Lord; he told them it was not necessary to follow the one way commanded by the Lord, for that was too hard. The worship of the calf: 1) said that the Lord God required too much of his worshipers; 2) represented a contemporary god that would fit into the man's modern, busy lifestyle, i.e., a custom designed god; 3) appealed to the natural man; 4) represented bringing the Holy Lord God of heaven down to the level of fallen man, and making gods after his image, his lusts, desires and thoughts; and 5) offered service to the Lord on man's terms, which was no service. (See Isa. 65:2, 2 Tim. 4:3, 2 Pet. 3:3, Jude 16, 18, & Rom. 2. See v. 11 below.)

Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off... Israel casts off that which is good, v. 3. Now the Lord casts off that which is bad, Israel. However, the Lord God is not the one who cast them off; their compromised false worship of the one true God casts them off. God can only be worshiped truly, according to his revelation to fallen man. Despite all the "godly" words used to justify the calf, it was still false, kindling God's anger against them :

When God speaks of his anger being kindled against sinners, he condescends to use a human form of speech, that he may make his meaning the more clear. God is not the victim of his passions; he simply adopts human forms that he may penetrate our human understanding, and give men some faint conception at least of his spirit and attitude towards all things evil. (Parker, 62.)

How long... This question can be asked in two ways: First, how long will this rebellious people continue in the way that seems right to them? Second, how long will the wicked prosper before the serpent devours them? (Ps. 37, 73, Hab. chp. 1.)

Note that Gods' Israel had "free-will" to chose to follow the calf, but it did not have "free-will" to chose to avoid the consequences of following the calf.

V. 6, the calf was made according to the imagination of the workman. Therefore, it could not be of God. (See Rom. 1:21.) Nor can our modern designer gods which are not worshiped according to the word of God be God.

Though Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel, neither he nor any king of Israel removed the sin of the calf. (2 Kings 10:1-31. "Of Jehu, again, it is expressly stated in 2 Kings ix. 14, that he conspired against Joram." Keil.) Starting with Jeroboam, the kings of Israel saw the basis of their power in the calf, not the word of the Lord, q.v. If they supported the true worship of Jehovah God in Jerusalem, they feared their power would be destroyed. So they felt they had to continue the false worship at Samaria. Thus corrupt civil and religious leaders see their power retained in a corrupt worship of the Lord God.

There is an interesting fact behind the King James Bible:

King James did not encourage a translation of the Bible in order to enlighten the common people: his sole intent was to deny them the marginal notes of the Geneva Bible. The marginal notes of the Geneva version were what made it so popular with the common people. The King James Bible was, for all practical purpose, a government publication. (Introduction to the Facsimile Edition of the Geneva Bible, i, ii. The Geneva Publishing Company, Buena Park, CA. Note: I am not downplaying the validity of the KJV; just making a point.)

The Geneva notes were added by the leaders of the Reformation, including Calvin and Knox. The notes, among other things, did not support the "divine right of kings," i.e., corruption in high places:

While other governments allowed lawyers to drag out cases and took months and years to get rid of corrupt officials, the City of Geneva dispatched most civil and criminal cases within a month and threw corrupt officials into jail the day after they were found out. (Ibid.)

The Reformation, and the blood of millions who fought for it, apparently went for nothing. Protestant churches of today hardly resemble the churches of the Reformation.

Today's preachers study the Scofield Reference Edition of the King James, a volume that contains marginal notes that would seem no more accurate to John Calvin and John Knox than Mother Goose. The blind are once more leading the blind. This reprinted edition of the 1599 Geneva Bible is probably the last sputtering flame of the Reformation.

The works of John Milton, John Calvin, John Knox, George Buchanan, William Tyndale, and the rest can still be found on shelves in public libraries. Such works are checked out by uninterested college students on the average of about one volume every ten years. No one in today's churches reads them. (Ibid., x.)

The Geneva Bible was the Bible of the people until King James commissioned a new Bible. The purpose of his Bible was to remove the notes that undermined the state's unlimited power. The state (and religious leaders') understands the advantage, from Jeroboam to the present, of corrupting the true knowledge, service and worship of the Lord God. (The Geneva Notes are reproduced on the Online Bible CD.)

Thus the "God" supported by the modern state, e.g., "In God we trust," is not the Christian God of Scripture. Nor is the "God" offered by the average religious leader the Christian God of Scripture, the exalted, Thrice-Holy Creator-Redeemer. Rather, these gods are made in the image of man; these gods appeal to fallen man, and they strengthen the "powers that be," whether civil or religious powers, e.g., Rome's "religious" power over a large portion of the world is retained by presenting a very corrupt view of Jehovah God, which is not God. Jeroboam saw his strength stemming from his corrupted worship of Jehovah God, which was not God. (See Ezk. ch. 8.)

Those desiring to obtain and/or retain their power have found it very advantageous to "corrupt" true religion. (Some years ago, I preformed a non-state Coverture marriage for a young couple. However, when it came time to have their first infant baptized, the pastor where they attended refused to baptize that infant unless the couple obtained a state marriage licence. The family had been taught that if their infant was not baptized, he would go to hell if he should die. Thus that "Protestant" church had as great a hold over the family as the Church of Rome ever held over her "prisoners.")

Paul's call to professed Christians is to depart from all iniquity, and prove that he or she is a follower of the one true God, the Creator-Redeemer. (Phlp. 2:12, 2 Tim. 2:19.) Paul tells sincere Christians to withdraw from all Jeroboams -- teachers who under the name of the Lord, corrupt the word of God for their own benefit. (1 Tim. 6:5, 2 Tim. 3:5.)

The Lord promised to break the calf in pieces. (Fulfilled, 2 Kings 23:15ff., 2 Chron. 31:11, 34:6, 7. See Ps. 127:1.) Those associated with Samaria's corrupt worship will be broken with it.

V. 7, though it had a lot of religious activity, the false, compromised, convenient, contemporary religion had some sad results:

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

Whirlwind (5492) is translated Red sea (Num. 21:14), tempest (Job 27:20), whirlwind (Job 37:9), and storm (Ps. 83:15). (Whirlwind 11, storm 3, Red sea 1, tempest 1. Online Bible.) Thus it means a literal storm wind (TWOT, 1478b), except where it is Red sea:

"in storm," is to be explained according to Nah. I. 3, "The Lord, in the storm is His way." "Advancing in storm, He took Vaheb ("no doubt the proper name of an Amoritish fortress;" Keil.) and the brooks of Aron," i.e. the different wadys, valleys cut by brooks which open into Aronon. (Keil, I.146.)

In Numbers 21:14, the Lord advanced against the enemy in storm winds. It was/is not uncommon for the Lord to command the "heavens" against his enemies: Genesis 19:24, the Lord rained... brimstone and fire... out of heaven against his enemies; Joshua 10:11, the Lord cast down great stones from heaven against his enemies; Judges 5:19, the stars in their courses fought against his enemies.

The other word in the passage is wind -- they have sown the wind. (7307) It is used: "AV-Spirit or spirit 232, wind 92, breath 27, side 6, mind 5, blast 4, vain 2, air 1, anger 1, cool 1, courage 1, misc 6; 378". (Online Bible.) Unable to find the breakdown of wind in either BDB or TWOT, we will use others:

Wind is a figurative representation of human exertions; the tempest, of destruction. (Keil, X.114.)

They shall reap, not merely as they have sown, but with an awful increase. They sowed folly and vanity, and they shall reap, not merely emptiness and disappointment, but sudden, irresistible destruction. (Pusey, Barnes' Notes, Minor Prophets I.83.)

As the husbandman reaps the same kind of grain which he has sown, but in far greater abundance, thirty, sixty, or one hundred fold; so he who sows the wind shall have a whirlwind to reap. The vental seed shall be multiplied into a tempest; so they who sow the seed of unrighteousness shall reap a harvest of judgment. This is a fine, bold, and energetic metaphor. (Clarke, IV.640.)

(Prov. xxii. 8, "He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity;" Gal. vi. 7). They reap not merely as they have sown, "the wind," but, with deadly increase, "the whirlwind," or (as the Hebrew is an intensive form), 'the violent whirlwind.' "Sow ... wind"--- i.e., to make the vain show of worship, whilst faith and obedience are wanting (Calvin). Rather to offer senseless supplications to the calves for good harvest (cf. ch. ii. 8)... Also, the phraseology proverbially means that all their undertakings shall be profitless (Prov. xi. 29; Eccl. v. 16). (JFB, II.486. See also JFB, Online Bible.)

Men who sow the wind do not only reap the wind, they reap the whirlwind,--literally, a mighty whirlwind. Nor do they garner the whirlwind as men might garner a crop; the whirlwind is not theirs, they rather themselves belong to the whirlwind, they are blown away by it, they are as chaff before its violence, when they cry their voice is not heard, because of the answering tempest; when they put forth their hands in prayer they are carried away violently as those who have no helper." (Parker. See Gal. 6:7, 8, &c.)

Israel's vain religious activity sowed to the wind, and Israel reaped a literal whirlwind -- storm-winds, judgment from God.

It hath no stock... The vain religious activity contrary to his word offered something it could not produce, strength for the faint and food for the hungry. Peter and Jude both call this vain religion, wells and clouds without water. (2 Pet. 2:17, Jude 12.) If it does yield something, the stranger will swallow it up.

The hypocrite works hard at his religious activity, but his efforts are in vain, for the Lord is not building his house. (Ps 127:1, 1 Cor. 3:11-15.) Despite his rebellion against God's word, the Lord calls him to repentance. (Mt. chps. 6, 15, 16, 22, 23, Isa. 9:17, &c.)

The winds of false Christianity, a Christianity that rejects the dogmatism of God's word, are blowing hard across the land, and the people love to have it so. (Eph. 4:14.) The winds of the false spirit are resulting in literal storm-winds. The "spiritual" sowing to the wind by hypocrites reaps literal storm-winds. And no one can deny that those storm-winds are blowing with a vengeance across the world today. (I will not say that our modern wickedness in high places is unique in history, but I will say that it is probably unique in the history of these united States. Thus as wickedness increases in practice and acceptance by the population, we can fully expect storm-winds to increase. Churches grow in attendance, but public acceptance of evil increases. What is wrong with this picture?)

V. 8, Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.

This verse was literally fulfilled when, according to Moses' promise, Assyria, Babylon and finally Rome scattered Israel far and wide. (Deut. 29:14-30:3, Zech. 7:14. See Jn. 10.) Our interest, however, is in modern applications, which are abundant in the New Testament.

First, let us identify who "they" are among the Gentiles.

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Pet. 2:12.)

Peter is writing to the scattered strangers, the elect according to the foreknowledge of God, those sanctified by the Spirit unto obedience to the word of God. (1:1, 2.) He writes to Christians in general, telling them that though they were not a people, they are now the people of God --- a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people. (1 Pet. chp. 2.)

Second, the responsibility of the non-Gentiles, the New Testament Israel of God, is to go among the Gentiles and shew forth the praises of him who hath called them. (Cf., Book of Galatians.) They shew forth that praise by abstaining from fleshly lusts. (1 Pet. 2:11.)

Third, they, i.e., the elect, sanctified, chosen generation, are, more often than not, among the gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. (1 Thess. 4:3-7.)

Paul makes a clear distinction: those who know God and those who know not God, i.e., Gentiles . The division is Non-Gentiles and Gentiles, Saints and Sinners, Converted and Unconverted, Children of the Heavenly Father and Children of the Devil, members of the Kingdom of his dear Son and members of the kingdom of darkness. As the Non-Gentiles (the Converted) around the world move out and among the Gentiles (the Unconverted), Paul calls on the Converted to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour. If he does, then the Master has pleasure in him. If he does not, then the Master has no pleasure in him. In fact, Scriptures are replete with warnings to God's people -- their failure to properly represent their Lord and Master among the Gentiles does despite to the Lord (nullifies their testimony), and has dire consequences. (1 Thess. 4:8-12, Heb. 10:29, Mat. 5:13-16.)

If one does not purge himself of iniquity, he will be a vessel of dishonour. The Lord will have no pleasure in him. Accordingly, Hosea 8:8, is carried over into the New Testament Gospel Church, which is scattered among the Gentiles, along with v. 8's threats and promises. (Since written by Paul some time ago, Rom. 9:14-24, Hath not the potter power over the clay...?, has been a bone of contention, especially in light of 2 Tim. 2:14-21-- If a man therefore purge himself..., he shall be a vessel unto honour. Passages such as Isa. 5:26, 11:10, 12 and Jn. 12:32, clearly identify the elect referred to by Peter as the scattered Israel that is regathered after the Cross of Christ)

Fourth, Israel is swallowed up, but not destroyed completely. God's people were scattered among the Gentiles, where they failed to represent Jehovah God in a manner true to his word. God's people are among the Unconverted as hypocrites.

Far too often, v. 8 effectively describes God's people who are among the Unconverted, i.e., Gentiles, today. They make a mockery of their profession of love for the Lord God. (Jn. 14:15, 23.) They leave their Christian testimony at the public assembly of Christians --- talk with those who work around others, and ask them how the average "Christian" acts and talks on the job.

V. 9, a wild ass... "a figure of Israel's headstrong perversity in following her own bent (#Jer 2:24)." (JFB, Online Bible.)

A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her. (Jer. 2:24.)

Facing facts, either in his own life or in those around him, one will see that v. 9's wild ass generally describes the activity of the "prosperous" today, whether Converted or Unconverted. Their goal is personal peace, pleasure and prosperity, rather than seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. (See Mat. 6:33, 1 Cor. 10:31.)

Example: David Crenshaw, a theater owner in Spartanburg, SC, publicized his decision last August that his seven-screen, second-run theater would no longer show R-rated movies. He had vocal support for his decision, but his ticket sales dropped 40%, for a $20,000 loss since August. He told World magazine, "You can't make people want something they don't want." The monetary damage caused him to drop his ban in late December. "I thought people cared more" he said. "Apparently they don't much care." (AFA Journal, 3/99, World, 1/16/99, USA Today, 12/30/98.)

People, by in large, snuffeth up the wind, and pleasure is all they care about. How long will the Lord permit the gospel of personal peace, pleasure and prosperity to continue?

Keil gives this understanding to wild ass:

The thought is rather this: whilst even a wild ass, that stupid animal, keeps by itself to maintain its independence, Ephraim tries to form unnatural alliances with the nations of the world, that is to say, alliances that are quite incompatible with its vocation. (X.115.)

Pastors, read the corporation papers issued when your church sought corporate status from your state. Read the annual reports your church is required to fill out. If you have not read the papers, you may be surprised at what your church agreed to do when it joined in alliance with the state --- the papers clearly spell out that independence is yielded to the corporation's parent, the state. Refusal to face the facts agreed to in that alliance will not change the facts of the agreement. Using Keil's understanding, how many churches are in worse shape than the wild ass? And the storm-winds blow across the land with a vengeance.

Ephraim hath hired lovers is no doubt one of the saddest statements in Scripture -- Gods' people payed the pagans to destroy themselves, Christians and the Christian faith from the earth.

Israel departed from the Lord, yet instead of doing what she knew to do when faced with difficulties, i.e., repenting and returning to the Lord in her time of need, she hired the Assyrians. (2 Kings 16:17-21. See Ezk. 23.)

Even God's people, in times of stress and turmoil, rather than turn to the Lord in his word, prayer and in obedience to his revealed will, hire lovers, viz. they turn to psychiatrists, psychologists, medical doctors (drug companies), &c., to provide peace. Thus they hire, subsidize, the very ones who are warring against the Christian God of the Bible. Note: I am not against doctors, as such. I do believe, however, that a vast portion of medical practice today has become a substitute for repentance and getting right with God, e.g.,

Peace does not come in capsules! This is regrettable because medical science recognizes that emotions such as fear, sorrow, envy, resentment and hatred are responsible for the majority of our sicknesses. Estimates vary from 60 per cent to nearly 100 per cent.

Emotional stress can cause high blood pressure, toxic goiter, migraine headaches, arthritis, apoplexy, heart trouble, gastrointestinal ulcers, and other serious diseases too numerous to mention. As physicians we can prescribe medicine for the symptoms of these diseases, but we can not do much for the underlying cause--emotional turmoil. It is lamentable that peace does not come in capsules. (S.I. McMillen, MD, NONE OF THESE DISEASES, Preface. Spire Books, twenty-fourth printing, 1979.)

Those of us who make a lot of hospital visits know exactly what Dr. McMillen is talking about. I well remember one of the first hospital visits I made as a newly arrived Associate Pastor in Louisiana 23 years ago. I did not have to talk with a colitis patient long before he told me how angry he was at someone. We hear that story repeated many times by those suffering from physical problems as mentioned by Dr. McMillen. As the Christian Culture deteriorates, the health care services grow. About any aspect of health care is a good occupation if one is inclined in that direction. (Illinois is experiencing a "virus" with no know cause nor cure. Several have died from this "virus.")

We pastors also stand amazed over people, Christians especially, who willingly spend $75 an hour for secular counselors and then make sincere efforts to follow the advice they receive. But they will not spend the time nor energy to seek and follow Biblical counsel from a pastor. (Guess which counselor insurance pays for.)

Moreover, God's people have gone up to Assyria to hire teachers to train their children in the ways of the world, so the children can succeed in the world's eyes. We have taught our children how to serve the pagan Assyrian gods. We pay the whores and whoremongers to come into our homes via video and TV. Though they say they cannot memorize Scripture, many Christians can quote more sports statistics than they can Bible verses; they can name more "sports heros" than they can "Bible heros." We pay these people to establish other than Biblical standards for our families.

Ephraim hath hired lovers.] Hath subsidized the neighbouring heathen states. (Clarke's Commentary, IV.640.)

How long do we think God will permit the supposed Christian country of the United States of America to finance anti-Christian activity around the world? Peter Hammond well documents the all-out effort of US backed UN activities to strengthen the world-wide Islamic cause to remove Christianity from the earth. (Under Fire in Sudan, Frontline Fellowship, PO Box 74, Newlands, 7725 Cape Town, South Africa.)

"Hath subsidized the neighbouring heathen states." Over the years, the US State Department has very diligently subsidized the heathen states' war against Christianity, e.g., the continued financing of the Soviet Union to keep it alive. (The Soviets let Yugoslavia go because it could no longer finance "peace keeping" there.)

V. 10, will I gather them... Israel felt secure because she hired safety and protection, but she hired to herself her own destruction. And the Lord was the one who gathered her enemies against her. (Ezk. 16:37.) The king of princes was the king of Assyria, who God used to "chastize" his hypocritical people. They professed their love for the Lord, yet their actions clearly showed they turned from him. After the Lord had accomplished his purpose with Assyria against those who falsely professed his name, he destroyed Assyria. (Isa. 10:5-15.)

As mentioned above, this entire passage well describes what the Lord promises will happen to his people as they ignore their responsibilities to love and serve the Lord with all their heart, mind and strength, i.e., trodden under foot of men. (Mat. 5:13.) We must add, "If they are indeed his people." (See Mat. 7:21ff.)

V. 11, altars... The Lord established one altar at Jerusalem, yet Ephraim (Jeroboam) made many altars. Jeroboam persuaded Israel that the people could worship Jehovah God at the altars built for convenience. Though Ephraim made a great show of serving the Lord God, he denied him with his altars, commonly known as high places -- places where attempted unauthorized worship of Jehovah God took place.

The altars were built in opposition to God. They were such a horrible sin that the Lord cut off Jeroboam's house from the face of the earth for introducing them. (1 Kings 13:33, 34.) But Israel could not blame his destruction on Jeroboam, the Assyrians, nor on the Lord. He destroyed himself. (Hosea 13:9.)

We must also lay the blame for the "Post Christian Era," or the "Death of Western Christian Culture," where it belongs. The vast majority of professed Christians have chosen death over life; they have chosen personal peace, pleasure and prosperity; they have chosen to live after the flesh, a choice resulting in death. (Pro. 1:31, 14:14, 22:8, Jer. 6:19, Rom. 8:13, Gal. 6:7, 8, 2 Pet. 2:12-19.)

V. 12, God gave a great number of laws in his word, covering every aspect of life and thought. Ephraim's sin "was not done from ignorance of the divine will, but from neglect of divine commandments." (Keil.)

The Lord gave his word in an easily understood way. He also provids men to speak his word and explain it, yet the people refused to listen. (Deut. 4:1-10, Ps. 147:18ff.) Professing to know the Lord, they reject him, leaving them without excuse. (Mat. 15.) Considering God's law-word a strange thing, they say it no longer applies in the New Testament, in our modern age, or it does not apply to them.

Basically, Ephraim did not want to know the word of God in any depth. He did not want to hear that there is only one God and one mediator between God and man, and that God the Father can only be worshiped in one way -- that is, at Jerusalem. He wanted a god of ease, the "short cut," who did not require the trip to Jerusalem. He wanted one after his own imagination and convenience. God delivered many warnings against gods made after the imagination of the heart, gods who conformed to and permitted a life style desired by the people. (Deut. 29:19, Jer. 3:17, 7:24, 9:14, 11:8, &c.)

Christ's work here on earth, including his death, burial and resurrection, was just the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Mk. 1:1.) The author of Hebrews mildly rebuked God's people for not going past the first principles of the oracles of God. They were satisfied with knowing the basics of salvation. (Heb. 5:12-14, 6:1-3.)

People may readily admit that God's word is amazing and wonderful, even having truth in it, but they resist it as a binding law to be seriously studied. "Those who are under the Gospel profess that they have entered into liberty from the law; that liberty is often a liberty to sin rather than to be more noble and more morally beautiful. (Parker [1830-1902], 67.)

V. 13, ignoring the binding authority of God's total word over one's life results in endangerment again in sin, a return to bondage. (2 Pet. 1:4, 2:20, Phlip. 3:17ff, Ps. 2, &c.) For forsaking the required sacrifice at Jerusalem and the required Levitical priesthood, Jehovah God forsook the people. God does not forsake man; man forsakes God. The people sacrificed in the name of the Lord before Jeroboam's calves, but the sacrifice was not according to the word of the Lord. Hence, it was sin.

We should also note here that our prayers must be more than merely words and formality, as one "doing his duty." Prayer must be from the soul.

Israel (Ephraim) claimed love for Jehovah God as they went about their religious activity (v. 2), yet that activity was not according to God's written will; that activity was iniquity and death. (See 1 Cor. 11:20-29 --- the Lord promises death to those who reject his Law-Word as the final authority for all thoughts and actions.) The result of their false religious activity was their return to pagan bondage, of which Egypt was a type.

V. 14, the root of sin is forgetting the Lord. Though people forget the Lord and his law-word, the Lord does not forget them. (Ps. 50:21.) Parker points out that first, man gives up sound, serious doctrine; then he gives up his practical duty according to the word; then he denies moral obligation; then he dismisses God from his thoughts; then he forgets God all together:

Men do not generally give up their religion as a whole, instantly, furiously, and ostentatiously; little by little it slips from them...

Those of us who are pastors readily recognize Parker's words above. I have yet to meet someone who has intentionally fallen away from the faith. Moreover, I have found it easier to call a pagan to repentance than to call a backsliden Christian to repentance. (Heb. 6:4-6, impossible ... to renew them again...)

Vv. 13, 14, builded temples. God charges Ephraim (Jeroboam) with multiple gods, i.e., idolatry, vv. 11. Ephraim claimed he worshiped the true God, though he knew he was violating God's word by not going to Jerusalem (and with the false priesthood, &c.).

The Lord charges Israel and Judah with the sin of self-confidence, pride --- Israel hath forgotten his Maker; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities, v. 14. There was nothing wrong with fenced cities for protection against the enemy. The problem was that Judah put its trust in the fenced cities rather than in the Lord God for protection. (Ps. 127:1.) The result was going to be fire from God upon his cities. The enemy would literally burn them, a task assigned by God to Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon. (Jer. 52:12ff.)

There comes a time in the history of the human soul when nothing but vengeance can be understood. (Parker, 69.)

The Lord here calls for the pride of the heart to be conquered.

V. 14 has a parallel in a parable given by the Lord:

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Lk. 12.)

The Lord does not condemn physical preparation for what the future might hold, e.g., protection against known enemies and preparing for foreseen and unforeseen events. (Prov. 6:6.) What the Lord does condemn is depending upon human ability and ingenuity instead of depending on him. That is idolatry, and he will have no other gods before him. His fire will devour everything built contrary to his word.

Even after the close of the Old Testament, the warnings to God's people continue, e.g., "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." (Rom. 1:21.)

Conclusion

First, there is only one God and one means to approach him, Christ Jesus. Any other means is not service to the Christian God.

Second, wilful, hardened refusal to abide by every word that proceeds out of his mouth forsakes the Christian God. (Mat. 4:4.)

Third, hard work and sacrifice in the name of the Lord that is not done according to the total of God's word is wood, hay and stubble. (1 Cor. 3:12.)

Fourth, he remembers to forget the children of those who have forgotten his word: "[S]eeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4:6.)

Fifth, the strange and unusual weather is blamed on "Global Warming" by those who deny God and want unlimited funds to do an undefined and impossible task, such as cool the earth. We must admit that, based upon God's inspired word, "Global Warming" is the problem, but note the definition of "Warming," Jeremiah 5:1-9. Yes, "Global Warming" is upon us, -- a world wide "Warming," or rather, "Burning" of fallen men in lust and covetousness -- shall not the Lord be avenged on such a nation as this? (See "The Burning," Hosea 7:7, TBE, 2/99.)

Lord of the Weather

The Lord tells the snow and rain where to fall, the lightings where to appear and the wind where to whirl. (Job chps. 36, 38, Isa. 25:23, Nahum 1:3.) Fallen men are controlled by many things other than God's word (Deut. 28:15ff.), and shall not the Lord be avenged on such things? Yet,

The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind [05492] and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. (Nah. 1:3.)

Though the Lord's long suffering is used to think that he does not see what is going on and used to further develop sin, the Lord's slowness to anger is his call to repent. (Rom. 2. Five times the Lord promises evil upon his hardened people, but each time he says that his hand is stretched out still. Isa. 5:25, 9:12, 9:17, 9:21, 10:4.) The Lord's patience will not last forever. (Acts 17:30 --- implied by Paul here is that the Old Testament Saints had more "patience" from God than do the New Testament saints. The difference being the blood of Christ, Heb. 10:29.) When men refuse to turn from their wicked ways, the Lord sends his storms upon the earth to accomplish his purpose.

Weather Control

There are many tales around that the ungodly have weather control technology. I will not dispute the claims, but we must say that no storm strikes anywhere without the Lord's permission, for the heavens do rule as he worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. (Dan. 4:26, Eph. 1:11, &c.) A thunder does not sound without instruction from the Lord, for he personally instructs the lightening of the thunder where to appear. (Job 38:25, 35. There are many interesting passages along this line: do a word search for #05492, which is extremely easy with Online Bible.) Throughout Scripture, God's movement against the wicked is likened to a whirlwind or storm. (Isa. 66:15, Jer. 4:13, &c.)

God spoke to Job out of a whirlwind, with the message that the Lord is in control of all things. (38:1, 40:6.) When Job heard and understood the Lord, he saw himself as he was, repented, and was blessed abundantly.

Finally, Psalms 11

Whole Psalm. The combatants at the Lake Thrasymene are said to have been so engrossed with the conflict that neither party perceived the convulsions of nature that shook the ground--

"An earthquake reeled unheedingly away, None felt stern nature rocking at his feet."

From a nobler cause, it is thus with the soldiers of the Lamb. They believe, and, therefore, make no haste; nay, they can scarcely be said to feel earth's convulsions as other men, because their eager hope presses forward to the issue at the advent of the Lord. Andrew A. Bonar. (CHS, Treasury of David, Online Bible CD.)

Our concern is not with the "earth's convulsions" as other men are concerned. Though California may break off and fall into the ocean (well, the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea), we must not allow our priorities to be moved from seeking first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness. (Mt. 6:25-34, Ps. 46.)

Observe what is going on around us, and rather than withdrawing, see the "earth's convulsions" as God's hand providing opportunities to increase our effectiveness for him and his kingdom. What wonderful opportunities lie ahead for those who are confident that they can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Since I first understood a little about the program carried on in the name of the "Greater Ministry International Church," my goal has been to show that what that "Church" was saying and what it was doing did not line up with the word of God. A Scriptural church does not do things in a corner (Acts 26:26.) -- it is open and above board in its activities, particularly it is above board with its members. A Scriptural church does not solicit gifts by offering a many fold return on those gifts. A Scriptural church does not own bars, nightclubs and gold mines as investments to increase "church" funds. A Scriptural church certainly does charitable works, but it does not to those things in order to promote itself. (The airwaves and junk mails are full of pictures of starving kids in order for the "charitable" groups to get your money. Do some investigations, and you may well find that a major portion of the gifts go to support the ones showing the pictures. The Salvation Army has, over the years, proved to be trustworthy, getting a very large portion of its gifts to the intended needy.)

At every turn, it appeared to this pastor that when compared to the word of God, the Greater Ministries International Church was in violation of the word of God. And I must say this -- the Greater Ministries International Church affair certainly revealed what was in the hearts of many people who professed to love God and his word.

"Circumstances do not make us what we are. Circumstances reveal what we are." The offer of easy money by any group under the name of "Christianity" certainly revealed the true god of many folks, e.g.,

Subject: Re: GM Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 09:25:34 -0600 (Central Standard Time) From: "Jason M. Pelt" [jmpelt@samford.edu] To: tbe@tctc.com

I talked to Special Agent Angalo Troncoso of the IRS this morning. He was very informative about the process in his office. The IRS is working side by side with the U.S. Attorney's office for the southern district of Florida to nail the GMI officers. Over 1,000 people have contacted his office with claims since the Mike Flecther article over a week ago was in the Tampa Tribune. I told Agent about my mother-in-laws situation and he say that a 10,000 dollar loss was low compared to others on his growing list. He was very informative and eager to explain the situation.

keep in touch

2nd Lt. Jason M. Pelt, USMC, Email: jmpelt@samford.edu, Cumberland School of Law

Defenders of Greater Miniseries International (Greater) may say, "But that's the Feds, even the IRS. Therefore, Greater must surely be the good guys. Remember Waco." And certainly I remember Waco and Ruby Ridge; the Feds will never recover from their murder of those innocent people. But how do GM's defenders justify Jason's mother-in-law and the thousands of others who have lost big time to this group who claimed to be Christian, doing a great Christian service for the Christian community?

Greed, Covetousness and Fraud

"GM, GM, Bro. Need, I am tired of hearing of GM. I have not even heard of GM, let alone 'invested' in it."

This may be true, but GM (and those who promoted it and those who placed their approval upon it), is a national scandal; it is a blight upon Christian ministries and churches that love God and have paid the price to do his kingdom work. What has taken place is a disgrace to Christianity, from the East Coast to the West, whether one wants to admit it or not. I believe the Greater case will be a high profile case when it comes to trial probably next year. It will no doubt be covered by the media as were Jim Baaker's and Jimmy Swagart's. (At the time of this writing, this pastor has been contacted four times by "20/20" for an interview concerning GM for an upcoming feature. I told an assistant editor for "20/20" that because of ABS's obvious anti Christian attitude, I did not feel ABC would use such an interview to "promote" Biblical Christianity. I also told her that the only way I would come on is if I could clearly say that the GM Church is not a Church according to Scripture. I have been contacted by other media sources, and have refused to take my disagreement to the public media.) The following was telecast on NBC evening news the Wednesday before the indictment was handed down in Tampa:

Profile: Church in Pennsylvania embezzling members' investment moneys ... Tonight, what some are calling a FLEECING OF AMERICA that's doubly painful for those involved because it's about money they invested on faith in a house of worship by a man who claims to have God on his side...

FRANCIS: Miller says more than 30 people at his church in Pennsylvania, were persuaded to give large sums of money to Greater Ministries International Church of Tampa, Florida. The deal: a promising investment called "gifting."

Mr. MILLER: They told me it doubles your money in 10 months, it would double my money in 10 months, and if I re-gifted--if I re-gifted everything that I've gotten, it would--it would even increase even further... (NBC, Nightly News, 3/10/99. Entire text of this program available from TBE upon request.)

After a three year investigation, the officers of the Greater Ministries International Church have been indited by a Tampa Grand Jury for operating a Ponzi scheme since 1992.

Christian Leaders Indicted on Fraud

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Leaders of a Christian ministry were running a Ponzi scheme when they promised a double return on donations, prosecutors alleged in indictments charging fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. (Admittedly, charges of "fraud, conspiracy and money laundering" are so ambiguous that the state can use them at will against any threat to its authority. Ed.)

Seven leaders of Greater Ministries International Inc. were arrested Friday. In a 20-count indictment unsealed in Tampa, prosecutors said the ministry's "Double Your Money Gift Exchange Program" was a Ponzi scheme in which early investors were paid with donations made by later investors.

Greater Ministries leaders allegedly failed to tell investors that ministry directors received a percentage of the investments as commission payments.

Prosecutors refused to say how much they think Greater Ministries took in during its six years of operation.

Those named in the indictment were Gerald Payne, 62, Greater Ministries' president; his wife, Betty, 59, the group's secretary; and five other officials: Patrick Talbert, 50, James Chambers, 66, Haywood Eudon Hall, 57, David Whitfield, 46, and Andrew Krishak, 47... (Mike Schneider, Associated Press, 3/13/99.)

Note that the media identified Greater as a "Christian ministry," an important point in our considerations. The indictment said that though Greater claimed the money came from offshore precious metal and currency trades, actually, the cash flow from later investors was used to make payments to earlier investors --- "the classic component of a Ponzi scheme." "The Ponzi scheme is shut down" while Greater Ministries is free to continue operating as a church, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Mosakowski said in court. According to the indictment, the group's elders received a 5% commission payment on the money they brought in, called "gas money." Investors were never told about the commissions. Chambers alone received $400,000, representing $8 million. The entire Indictment is posted on our web site. (http://biblicalexaminer.org)

At this point in the case, Greater's defense is that the "state cannot tell a church how to run its business...":

Payne--who did not respond to CT's request for comment--and the ministry are expected to appeal the case. Greater Ministries' attorney, Al Cunningham, sees threats to religious freedom in Pennsylvania's action against the ministry. Cunningham also represents another controversial ministry, the Indianapolis Baptist Temple, which is in a parallel feud with government officials. Cunningham told CT he expects the issues in these cases to reach the U.S. Supreme Court as a way of challenging the Court's 1992 ruling Oregon v. Smith.

Cunningham has determined the basis of his appeal: "If a church is not getting government benefits, if it claims no tax exemptions, then at that point the public has no interest in the ministries of that church and the relationships of the church and its members."

REPENTING ON PAPER: An effort by Greater Ministries to reposition itself for an appeal is evident in papers filed with the Pennsylvania court. In the filing, Greater Ministries made public recent changes in its structure, dissolving its corporations and repudiating any claim of tax-exempt status. It now pronounces itself a "New Testament Church," of which Christ alone is the "sovereign Head." All property and assets of the church have been transferred to Payne as pastor. (A lady who "lost" a good amount to Greater called me. She said that she did some investigation [after the fact, sadly], and found Payne's name on a good number of property deeds in the Tampa area, indicating that people quickly gave their property over to him. Ed.)

To explain the changes, Payne also submitted a "Statement of Repentance." In it, he said that although Greater Ministries had previously set up corporations and trusts "in ignorance," the ministry had now learned as the result of "recent judgments on the Church" that these structures amounted to "unholy alliances with the state." Thus Payne is ready to "confess my sin" and "turn from my wicked way."

"As Pastor," Payne declared in the affidavit, "I cannot, by reason of my religious convictions regarding the Lordship of Jesus Christ over the Church, submit the ministries of the Church to governmental authorities. To do so," he asserted, "would recognize a sovereign greater than Jesus Christ with authority over the Church and its ministries." The statements echo the positions of the Indianapolis Baptist Temple and suggest an alignment of legal strategy. (Christianity Today, 3/1/99. Vol. 43, No. 3, Page 21 )

I cannot imagine the media, and even the government, not using this case to attempt increased control over churches, especially when leaders hide behind a "church" to increase their personal wealth and power. (Note: this pastor must Scripturally agree with the above stated "Lordship" position, but he cannot agree with its use to cover shady, even fraudulent activity. See our book, "Church, Inc.")

What Happened?

We are told in God's word why Greater, and similar efforts, made such an inroad into the Christian community:

19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. 20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. 21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress. 22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. (Pro. 28:19-22.)

God's ordained way of gaining wealth is proper, wise use of the skills and abilities he provides, hard work and self-control, and not at others' expense. At times, he may see fit to leave an inheritance, which also is to be wisely used for his glory. Those who look for and jump at a "short-cut" to be rich have an evil eye, i.e., covetous. (Geneva Bible note.) Those looking for the "quick, easy buck," cannot see nor understand God's warning against the many sorrows that accompany that "quick, easy buck." The Lord gives us the answer to avoid fleecing by fast talk artists:

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (Read the whole passage, 1 Tim. 6:1-12.)

Desiring to be rich rather than willing to be rich not only leaves people exposed to temptation, but they are already caught in the snare of the devil. (1 Tim. 3:7. JFB.) The next step past desire is many foolish, i.e., irrational, and hurtful lusts. Foolish means irrational. In other words, the desire to be rich leads to irrational decisions and actions that make no sense. The desire to be rich leads to irrational decisions and actions that promise riches, despite what God's word says.

The desire to be rich leads people to spend their life savings on lottery tickets though their chances of wining are only one in a hundred million. The desire to be rich leads people to refuse to consider God's view of an offer of easy money. The desire to be rich is a sin, the sin of covetousness -- the love of money. And one means of God's judgement against covetousness is to raise up people who will tell the covetous what they want to hear. God will use their covetous desires to bring judgment upon themselves.

Illustration

Ahab was a very wicked king over Israel. In God's providence, he saw that it was time to judge King Ahab for his sins. We read in 1 Kings 22, how God was going to use the pagan king Benhadad of Syria to judge Ahab. Ahab wanted to know before he went into battle if he would win or not. The prophets on Ahab's payroll assured him of his victory. But there was a man of God named Micaiah who told him the truth:

19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. 20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. 21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. 22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. 23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee. (1 Kings 22. Also 2 Chron. 18.)

God himself raises up deceivers to entice those whom he intends to judge, whether Christians or non Christians. Those who refuse to turn from their wicked ways will fall victim to their own wicked ways. Those caught in the trap of covetousness (greed) are easy prey for any offer of easy bucks from anyone, even from the state through the lottery.

Just as sure as God raised up a wicked state, Syria and Babylon, to judge his idolatrous people in the Old Testament, God has raised up a wicked state lottery system to judge a modern idolatrous people who worship money. The Lord God raises up fast talking artists even among Christians to judge his idolatrous people who worship the god of mammon.

For almost two years, this pastor has been quite "shocked" over the irrational behavior among Christians toward Greater Ministries' "gifting" program. But I should not have been, for covetousness rules from the top down. (It is public record that the president himself sold secrets to the enemies of America for his own profit, primarily to stay in his place of power. Religious leaders also "sell their soul and integrity" for their own profit.)

Psalms 50:

16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? 17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. 18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. 19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. 20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. 21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. 22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. 23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. (Ps. 50:16-23.)

Strong words from the Lord, but he has never been known to compromise to avoid hurt feelings or so he could continue to speak to certain groups. Though some good people promoted and accepted Greater unaware of what was going on, taking someone else's word, they still did so while casting his words behind themselves. Accordingly, we can safely say that the Lord himself sends deceivers to lead astray those who through taking his covenant in their moths (claim to be Christians), cast his words behind themselves.

Who's to Blame

According to Paul's words to Timothy, because of their love of money -- that is, their desire for a fast, easy buck -- they pierce themselves through with many sorrows.

James tells us to be doers of the word. In other words, those who do not the word and deal with sin, e.g., covetousness, have already deceived ourselves. They think they can obtain the "impossible dream" of quick, easy riches, which is obviously the root of gambling. The next step is to pierce ourselves through with many sorrows. (James 1:22, 23.)

Those who do not deal with the sin of covetousness, i.e., the desire for easy money, are easy pray for the sweet words of con artists and of the state lottery. But neither the fast talker nor the state can be blamed for the many sorrows that come upon the person. God clearly states that the covetous pierced themselves. No one forced him to sell all they had and "invest" in a plan for easy money. No one forced them to take their pay check and buy lottery tickets for the 170 million jackpot.

The "victim" is already in the snare, waiting for someone to come along and shear him. Though Wisdom cries out warnings, the simple are enticed by fair speech to his own destruction. (Pro. 7:7-23.) Those who reject the Word of God were caught in their own trap. (Ps 69:22/Rom. 11:8-10.) David was delivered from the snare laid for him by the wicked by properly applying the law-word of God. It will do the same today for the humble. (Ps. 119:110, 2 Tim. 2:25, 26. See also, Ecc. 9:12, Hosea 9:7-10, &c. )

Covetousness Rules

The problem is covetousness, even in the "house of the Lord" --- the love of money. Until the god of mammon is cast out of the "house of the Lord" by the religious leaders (preached hard against), swindlers (including the "official" lotteries and gambling dens) will continue to reap huge rewards from people who should be investing in God's kingdom work on earth. (See Jer. 25:29, Ezk. 8. Malachi 3:5, note God's promise to those who take advantage of the helpless. See also Heb. 12:24ff., 1 Pet. 4:17.)

We hear of those who upon advice of their pastors, sold everything and went as deep into debt as they could to "invest" in Greater. They were assured that "no one has lost a dime," and they could get double their money in a very short time. I have been told of churches who invested the Lord's money in Greater, so they could support missionaries and pay off their properties. (Note the Lord forbids ill-gotten gain to be given to his work, e.g., "I don't care where the money comes from, the poor, the widows, the helpless, as long as I can 'give more to the Lord.' " Translation: "As long as I get mine who cares where it comes from.")

Example:

Re: Greater Ministries(GM) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 19:40:37 EST

Please take us off your mailing list. I can not believe the things you are doing....and you call yourself a Christian!! What business is it of yours. If you have not given to the GM Ministry than GREAT!!! But leave us alone, please. Why don't you spend your time leading people to the LORD instead of bad mouthing (pastor's name withheld, ed.) and others. I'VE HAD IT WITH YOU AND YOU'RE KIND!!!!! PLEASE TAKE US OFF YOUR E-MAIL LIST, PLEASE. GM HAS REALLY HELPED OUR FAMILY....GET OUT OF DEBT, SEND KIDS TO A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, ETC. SO PLEASE PLEASE STAY OUT OF OUR BUSINESS.

Apparently, this lady did not care where the money came from; all she was concerned about was that she got her share of the loot.

The Media

The media has a bad reputation among many of us, and I must say, not undeserved in many cases. But I also noticed that the media can be a convenient excuse to avoid facts when facts are not to our liking, e.g., "The media said it, so it must be wrong," or "Whoever the media is against is the good guy by default." I received more than one e-mail with the following theme:

Subject: RE: GM Date: Mon, 8 Mar 1999 22:25:10

I am a freelance reporter and I have been researching GMI. I am saved and attend a Baptist church in Florida. I have learned, working in the press, that when an individual or organization is targeted for news stories, one must look at who the reporter is and what publication is doing the majority of the reporting. I am not saying I agree or disagree with any of the information. I am an investigative reporter, though. You will find many Baptist and constitutional organizations on lists for extremist groups to be watched by US law enforcement. Does that mean these groups are a threat? Not hardly...

Denial

Subject: GM articles Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 12:50:59 EST (From a pastor)

I sure wish you put as much time and energy into exposing the conspiracy against Greater Min. by the Tampa/St. Pete papers, and the lies, half-truths, and innuendo appearing in their articles.

They, and others, fail to address the real issue. The real issue is, here is a Christian ministry that has been (and continues in many ways) to be a blessing to many thousands of Christians in many countries. Regardless of what you, I, or anyone else thinks about their method scripturally, which are strictly legal and moral, they have done more good for souls than any other church I know of, and their salvation gospel is the same as You and I preach. (other doctrinal issues aside)

This pastor, like so many other Christians, refused to seriously address the real issue involved -- "IS IT SCRIPTURAL?" This pastor, like others, defended Greater as a Christian ministry without knowing, understanding nor investigating from where the funds came. He went on to say that I should leave Greater alone because it has done no harm to me personally. However, Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 both clearly state that we are one body, and when one part of a body is harmed, all the body is harmed. Moreover, Psalms 50, and many other passages, requires that those seeing a threat to others must sound the alarm.

The following e-mail was received after I posted the articles critical of Greater, before the above letter and before the October 98 meeting where again it was loudly proclaimed, "No one has lost a dime." I had been asked to keep it quiet because Greater had threatened to withhold all funds from the lady if Jason made any "noise."

Subject: gmi Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 15:34:11 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) "Jason M. Pelt" [jmpelt@samford.edu] To: tbe@tctc.com

Your information about GMI on the Biblical Examiner is very interesting. Unfortunately my mother-in-law, (name withheld, ed.) of Roanoke VA has fallen victim to this scheme. She has asked for my advise on what to do now after she has already gifted $10,000. As a 2nd year law student my legal knowledge is limited. Any suggestion on the next step I should advise my mother-in-law to take. She gifted back in March 98 and has seen nothing so far.

(Follow up e mail from Jason to me, ed.) Subject: Re: GM Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 08:37:13 -0600 (Central Standard Time) From: "Jason M. Pelt"

Wow I can't believe it happened so fast. Well I'm sure all of the GMI supports are quickly changing their tune after this news. I just feel sorry for the thousands of victims around the county to include my mother in law. 10,000 wasted. It is a real shame that anyone could fall for the lure of easy money. I hope the U.S. Attorney in Florida push hard for a conviction and restitution for the victims. Even just 10 cents on the dollar would be something.

The pastor continues in his March 99 e-mail:

By the way, read the form, it says all funds are intended to be a gift to be used for the ministry. Any return on the gift is a blessing from the Lord. Anyone who "invested" to double their wealth, strictly has the wrong motive. Again, I am not defending, merely pointing out some areas overlooked.

But how many would have "invested" without the promise, either clearly stated or implied? Greater's defenders say that Greater failed because the Feds sabotaged the Best Bank in Boulder, Colorado, and took Greater's funds. However, a small loss of a few million dollars should not be a drop in the bucket compared to the 200 producing gold mines GM claimed to own. I find it amazing that even at this point none of Greater's defenders are admitting that Greater lied about the gold mines. (The "patriot" movement has preached against banks for years, but they were greatly influenced by Greater; thus, if they had stuck to their "guns" and stood on what they said, they would not have been sheared by Greater.)

Repent & Restitution

Those who "profited" from Greater profited not from Greater's investments, for it had no income producing investments, e.g., gold mines and financial dealings. Its "wealth" was (allegedly) acquired by fraud from the simple -- naive or easily swayed. (See Pro. 14:15, Rom. 16:18. The Lord hates robbery for burnt offering, i.e., things acquired dishonestly cannot be used for the Lord, Isa. 61:8. See also, Deut. 23:18, Hab. 1:13, Mal. 1:14. Thus the Lord is not pleased with the "tithe" from gambling winnings, for gambling is based in covetousness.)

The Lord held those in whose hands the "stolen" goods were found responsible to see that the goods were returned to the original owner. Exodus chapter 22 (vv. 5, 6) tells us that when the truth is discovered and fraud is involved, restitution must take place for the individual to be right with God. This fact is especially true where the funds are frauded from the helpless, v. 22.

Psalms chapter 10 presents a very serious threat from God against those who profit from deceiving the poor and unsuspecting -- the simple. An attitude that "the Lord has forgotten; he will not care" carries with it the promise that the Lord will break the arm of the wicked. "But I am innocent; I was deceived also, so I am not responsible for what took place nor am I responsible for the increase I now have." (See Jer. 22:13.) Deuteronomy 22:1-4, tells us that one cannot hide from the facts and claim innocency. (1 Thes. 4:6, Ezk. 22:12, 13. 1 Cor. 6:9-11 casts serious doubts upon the salvation of those who are controlled by covetousness.) All involved with Achan's theft were held accountable, and until that theft was dealt with, God's people had no power. (Joshua 7.) The one with whom the "stolen" man was found was as guilty as the one who "stole" the man. (Ex. 21:16.)

Thus those who profited from the fraud (allegedly) perpetuated by Greater must either make restitution or face the "arm breaking ability" of God. That ill gotten gain is a witness against them before God.

"But I do not know to whom to make 'restitution.'" Numbers 5:5-10 answers the question: If the one stolen from cannot be found, the money, plus 20 percent, is to be put into the Lord's work. (See Lev. 6:1-7.) God never allows one to profit from ill-gotten gains.

May God see fit to deliver us from the corrupt "Christianity" and "Christian leaders" that allowed Greater Ministries International Church to "prosper."

A Doctrine of Grace

Foreknowledge vs. Foreknowledge

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Pet. 1:2.)

Many folks teach that God foreknew who would choose him, and then God acts accordingly. But will such a faith hold up under close Scriptural scrutiny? Any serious examination of Scriptures should lead to the conclusion that foreknowledge is God knowing what he will do according to his predetermined purpose and grace, and then he works all events toward that purpose:

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began... (2 Tim. 1:9.)

First, the purpose of this verse is found in its context, v. 6 -- to encourage Timothy to remain faithful to and active for Christ in the midst of distressing and discouraging circumstances, e.g., vv. 13, 14. It would have been easy for Timothy to be discouraged, for not only was Paul imprisoned for the gospel, but many had turned away from Paul -- deserted him.

Second, Who hath saved us, and called us -- Salvation took place before one is called, for it does not say, Who hath called us, and saved us. Salvation took place in eternity past. (See 2 Thess. 2:13, 14, Isa. 46:9, Jn. 15:16, Eph. 1:4, 5.) Divine Providence goes before the unconverted Elect, preserving and keeping them from many imminent dangers that would take their lives. In God's good time, his call of grace (Eph. 2:8) is issued to them through the preaching of the gospel, (Gill) which Providence brought them under. (Jude 1.) Though the salvation of the Elect took place before the world began, it is accomplished through the preaching of the gospel, which must go to every creature, his people being scattered world-wide. (Jn. 10:16, 1 Cor. 1:17-2:5, Mat. 28:19, 20.)

Third, saved us -- Salvation is of the Lord, and it is totally according to his purpose. Jonah learned the hard way, through the school of hard knocks -- "Whale Seminary," that salvation is not of man nor according to man's understanding, purpose nor will. (Rom. 9:16-18.) It was not until Jonah confessed that Salvation is of the Lord that the Lord spoke to the fish to safely deliver Jonah. (Jonah 2:9. Eph. 1:11, Rom. 11:34, 35, 1 Cor. 2:16.) In Jonah's context, Salvation is of the Lord means that God will save whom he will, when he will, in the manner he will, and he works totally according to his own good pleasure. Salvation is totally the work of a sovereign God, with advice from no one. Jonah's conflict with the Lord was that Nineveh's "salvation" was according to the purpose of the Lord, and not according to man's purpose, an idea so disagreeable to the natural mind that Jonah refused to preach repentance to Nineveh. (Sadly, there are those today who, under the name of "Calvinism," refuse to preach repentance to "Nineveh." They seem to believe that Salvation is of the Lord releases from responsibility to take the gospel of repentance and faith in Christ to "Nineveh.")

Salvation is the result of God's Spirit giving the desire and faith to repent and come to Christ. Salvation is the result of God's call to repent and believe the gospel. Salvation places one into the hands of Christ for safe keeping. The power of God alone is the cause of salvation. (2 Tim. 1:8)

Fourth, called us with an holy calling -- the design of the gospel is our sanctification, or holiness of life for God's service. (MH.) God, before the world began, decided in whom to place his Spirit of Grace. That Spirit gives the desire and power to answer God's call (conversion), and the desire and power to be holy. (Eph. 1:18, 4:1.) "The call comes wholly from God and claims us wholly for God. 'Holy' implies the separation of believers from the rest of the world unto God." (JFB)

Fifth, not according to our works -- the call of God to a particular person, ministers especially, is based solely upon God's good purpose, kindness (mercy) and love. (Titus 3:4-8.) Though converting faith is not a result of any works on the part of fallen man, the converted will maintain good works. Those who answer God's holy calling will be holy even as he who called them is holy. (1 Pet. 1:15. Not sinless perfection, but striving toward Christlikeness.)

Sixth, but according to his own purpose and grace -- Paul's message on the election of grace says that God's call is according to his own purpose, apart from any goodness in the individual. And his purpose is accomplished in particular individuals by his Spirit of Grace. (Rom. chaps. 3 & 11.) Note the 8 New Testament usages of the word purpose (#4286): Acts 11:23, 27:13, Romans 8:28, 9:11, Ephesians 1:11, 3:11, 2 Timothy 1:9, 3:10.

FIRST, God's call to salvation of one individual while not calling another is according to his sovereign purpose. And no person can say, "What doest thou?" (Dan. 4:35.) Accordingly, the cause of one's salvation is God's sovereign and eternal purpose for that individual. His call is based upon his plans for that person before the world began. According to his own eternal purpose and in the fullness of time, he makes himself known only unto particular individuals. (Eph. 1:9-12.)

No doubt this is why the signers of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith defined themselves as "Particular Baptists." (Though all Baptists desire to be "heirs" to CHS, few will accept this Confession that he used.) Particular --- "considered separately from the whole," or "a small part that can be considered separately from the whole." And thus the Elect are a "part that is considered separately from the whole" in God's own purpose.

God's choosing according to his own purpose is not a new doctrine -- Moses preached to Israel God's sovereign grace according to his own good pleasure in Deuteronomy 7:7, 8. He told Israel that its call to freedom from bondage had nothing to do with its works nor size. Israel's call was based solely on God's love and promise to the fathers.

Note: A cross reference to Deut. 7:8 is 1 Jn. 4:7 (Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us...) - 13. And thus the doctrine of God's grace was transferred from OT Israel to the NT Gospel Church. Moreover, Deut. 7:8, the oath ... sworn to your fathers was also transferred from OT Israel to the NT Gospel Church -- Paul writing to the church at Corinth said, how that all our fathers were under the cloud..., 1 Cor. 10:1. Accordingly, the fathers to whom the oath was sworn were the fathers of the Gospel Church. Moreover, Paul said to the Christians at Corinth, ye were Gentiles; he did not say, ye are Gentiles. (1 Cor. 12:2.) Their conversion changed them from "Gentiles" to "Jews," or "Israelites" -- that is, God's chosen people.

The purpose of God as fulfilled in election is one of the more hotly contested doctrines among Christians. Paul's words in Romans 9, especially v. 11, readily stir up controversy, even hostility. All of Romans 9 deals with the issue of Election. It is God's own purpose that chooses whomsoever he will to come to Christ, (Jn. 6:44ff.) and that choice is according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (Eph. 3:11.) "... none are called, but whom God purposed to call; and for their calling no other reason can be assigned but the sovereign will of God, nor can any other reason be given why others are not called;..." (Gill) Man cannot question God in his calling of particular individuals.

SECOND, God works in (gives gifts, talents, or abilities to) an individual according to his sovereign purpose. It is God's own purpose that freely gives particular gifts and desires to particular people. (This study in 2 Tim. is not a study into the different gifts.) Note these three key verses in 1 Corinthians 12:

4 (4) Now there are diversities of gifts, but the (d) same Spirit. 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally (6) as he will. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, {t} helps, {u} governments, diversities of tongues.

(4) In the second place, he lays another foundation, that is, that these gifts are different, as the functions also are different and their offices different, but that one self same Spirit, Lord, and God is the giver of all these gifts, and that to one end, that is, for the profit of all. (d) The Spirit is plainly distinguished from the gifts. (6) He adds moreover somewhat else, that is, that although these gifts are unequal, yet they are most wisely divided, because the will of the Spirit of God is the rule of this distribution. (t) The offices of deacons. (u) He sets forth the order of elders, who were the maintainers of the church's discipline. (Geneva)

The following are cross references for 1 Cor 12:11.

John 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

A man can receive, etc.--assume nothing, that is, lawfully and with any success; that is, Every man has his work and sphere appointed him from above, Even Christ Himself came under this law (#Heb 5:4). (JFB)

The perfect tense is rare in the subjunctive and an exact rendering into English is awkward, "unless it be granted him from heaven." See #1Co 4:7 where Paul says the same thing. (RWP)

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

Ephesians 4:7 {5} But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the {f} gift of Christ.

(5) He teaches us that we indeed are all one body, and that all good gifts proceed from Christ alone, who reigns in heaven having mightily conquered all his enemies, from where he heaps all gifts upon his Church. But yet nonetheless these gifts are differently and variously divided according to his will and pleasure, and therefore every man ought to be content with that measure that God has given him, and to bestow it to the common profit of the whole body. (f) Which Christ has given. (Geneva)

Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his {s} will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

(s) He (this pagan king, ed.) confesses God's will to be the rule of all justice, and a most perfect law, by which he governs both man and angels and devils, so that none ought to murmur or ask a reason for his doings, but only to stand content with them and give him the glory. (Geneva)

Isaiah 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

Various supportive passages: Matthew 11:26, 20:15 (the Lord gives and takes away as he pleases), John 3:8 (we cannot understand how the Spirit works any more than we can understand the wind -- all we can see is the results), 5:21, Romans 9:18 (God hardens sinners, so the results of their sins will come to pass upon them, e.g., Pharaoh is the argument used by the Spirit here), 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:6, 2 Corinthians 10:13, Ephesians 1:11, Hebrews 2:4, James 1:18.

Observe: The Lord through the Spirit is the giver of the gifts; the gifts are distributed to the Believer according to the wisdom and purpose of God in the Believer, in the church and in society in general; the Lord makes one differ from another, so all boasting is excluded; every Believer has his work and sphere of influence appointed to him from above; each gift is unequal, unique and different, as are its function and office; because the gifts and abilities are from God, every person ought to be content with that measure God has given him; the end (purpose) of the gifts is the profit of all Believers, and the well-being of the kingdom of God on earth; because God is just and perfect in all his actions, we cannot murmur against God, or envy one another, as the disciples did (Gill), nor question his doings. All we can do is stand content with his actions and give him glory.

Paul speaks of every person living according to his proper gift of God in 1 Corinthians 7. However, in that passage, Paul referrs to being content with the station of life the Lord placed us in -- married, unmarried; employee or employer, &c. (Vv. 7, 17.)

It is God's own purpose that considers each individual as a particular individual, a feat only the Lord God can do, for only he can know each and every person who ever lived or ever will live as a individual. (Cf. Mt. 10:30, Lk. 12:7.)

God's basic purpose in his call to the Elect is that they be conformed to the image of his Son. (Rom. 8:27-30.)

Seventh, given us -- us. We know Paul's calling and how God said he was a chosen vessel. (Acts 9:1-15, &c.) According to Paul's word, us, all Believers, especially ministers, are as uniquely called as was Paul.

Eighth, in Christ Jesus -- the covenant was made with Christ Jesus and sealed with his blood (1 Cor. 11:25), and we are heirs to that covenant in Christ. (Eph. 1:3-6 & 3:11.)

Ninth, before the world began -- God's covenant people were given to Christ in God's eternal purpose before the foundation of the world, a doctrine that must be accepted by faith, q.v. (See Hodge's discussion on the Covenant of grace, Systematic Theology, II.356-377. Eerdmans.) Christ was called to his work before the world began, so it follows that the Elect were also called to their place in his sovereign purpose before the world began. (The Elect and the non Elect angles is an interesting study, but we will not get into it at this time, 1 Tim. 5:21.)

Foreknowledge

He says that that grace was given to us from everlasting, to which we were predestinated from everlasting. So that the doctrine of foreseen faith and foreseen works is completely contrary to the doctrine which preaches and teaches the grace of God. (Geneva)

One can either hold to Salvation by Grace or Salvation by Works, and they cannot be mixed. If Salvation is of the Lord, as learned in "Whale Seminary," then we must accept sovereign Election. The doctrine of Election is beyond human understanding, so it cannot be known by human understanding. Furthermore, human reasoning resists it as much today as it did in Jonah's day. It, like creation, can only be understood by faith. Election says that the Elect were in Christ in eternity past, and called in the present through the preaching of the gospel. (1 Cor. 1:21.)

So, what will we do with the doctrine of "foreknowledge" that says God knew who would choose him, and then he called accordingly?

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Pet. 1:2.)

Peter's words, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, fit very well with James' words of Acts 15:18:

Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

James' words were given in the context of whether or not the Gentiles had to become Jews (be circumcised) in order to receive the premised blessings found in the work of Christ Jesus. In Acts 15, Peter defends the gospel going to the Gentiles by reminding the apostles and elders of God's mighty workings among the Gentiles as he worked among the Jews at the first. Responding to Peter's defence, vv. 6-12, James spoke up and said that the gospel going to the Gentiles fulfilled the promise to rebuild David's tabernacle. (2 Sam. l 7:11-16, Ps. 89:35-49, Amos 9:11, 12, &c.) Thus the promise to David was not to rebuild a literal, physical building, but it was of a spiritual building, the Gospel Church with no Jew-Gentile distinction, made up of individuals from all nations. (See Luke 24:36-49.) James goes on to say that Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. (Acts 15:18.) That is, in God's plan, he knew from the beginning of the world that the "Gentiles" would be as much a part of David's tabernacle as would be the "Jews," and all his works were to that end.

Accordingly, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father means that all of God's works, including who would be in the Elect, are according to his sovereign, predetermined council, or plan.

Note:

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. (Acts 2.)

Here Peter uses foreknowledge of God when he refers to Christ's crucifixion. But we cannot say that his crucifixion was planed before the world because God foreknew that wicked men would reject him. Such heresy will not even fit into the context of the one verse, v. 23. Clearly, Christ's crucifixion was determined from the foundation of the world. (Rev. 13:8.) And in God's foreknown plan and purpose, he worked all things together to accomplish that plan. (Note Rev. 17:8, the Elect are written in the book of life from the foundation of the world.)

Foreknowledge, therefore, refers to God's foreknown and predetermined plan being worked on earth among fallen men accordingly. It does not refer to God foreknowing what fallen man will do and then he acts accordingly. His works in time and history are not determined by what fallen man will do in the future, as foreknown by him. His works in time and history are determined by what he desired to do before the foundation of the earth among fallen man, for the heavens do rule the earth -- the earth (fallen man's will) does not rule the heavens. (Dan. 4:26, &c.)

Paul tells Timothy, v. 9, that the Believers' call, ministers' particularly, is according to his own purpose and grace, i.e., God's purpose for a particular individual was established in the mind of God before the world, and it is accomplished in time and history by his sovereign grace working in the heart, and by Divine Providence controlling events.

Ninth, one's call, especially ministers, is a call by special grace to special privileges and to special responsibilities, and to special holiness, i.e., with an holy calling. The clear principle of grace here is that God implants in those whom he calls a special desire to live holy lives.

Conclusion

First, one's works had/have nothing to do with God's call. God did not call one for any good he saw that one might do. He called for the good he could do through that individual. 2 Peter 1:9 destroys the doctrine of "foreknowledge" of God, i.e., "God saw that I would do good works, so he spoke to my heart." Any work I have done or might do can have nothing to do with God's call. It is all by Grace, both the call to himself and the call and desires to serve him and live holy.

Second, his call upon one is according to his own purpose and grace. The cause of one's salvation is God's sovereign and eternal purpose for the individual. His call is based upon what he planed to do through him or her before the world began.

Third, that work can not be accomplished except through Christ Jesus. Through the preaching of the Gospel, one comes to Christ.

Fourth, God's eternal purpose for an individual also means that his Divine Providence watched/watches and worked to bring one to the place where he was able to save him or her and to work the image of Christ in the person. (Rom. 8:28-30.) He preserved the spirit, and kept the Elect from many imminent dangers that would take his or her -- Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called... Jude 1).

Fifth, Christ was called to his work before the world began, so it follows that the Elect were also called to their place in his sovereign purpose before the world began. But that place was not obtained until after Christ accomplished his work.

Sixth, the call is a call by special grace to special privileges and to special responsibilities, and to special holiness, i.e., with an holy calling. The clear principle of grace here is that God implants in those whom he calls a special desire to live holy lives.

Seventh, God's Divine Call of the Elect, and his Sovereign Purpose accomplished in their lives and man's "Free Will" and Responsibility, who can understand? There are those who reject such ideas as "Election" and "Predestination" and God's Sovereignty as revealed in passages such as Romans 9 because they cannot understand them, and despite the fact that the Lord himself said that his ways are past finding out! (Rom. 11:33.) And I must admit, "Nor do I." I must also admit that I do not understand God's creation of the worlds, but I do not reject that doctrine because it does not fit within my very limited understanding:

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Heb. 11.)

However, there are those who do reject the doctrine of God's creation of the worlds and the doctrine of the universal flood because they cannot make those doctrines fit within their limited understanding. (2 Pet. 3:3-7.)

We learn from Job 42:3, that Job felt he could reduce the ways of the Lord to the level of his understanding. Job chapters 38-41 are some of the strongest passages in Scripture on God's Sovereignty as "the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind." Job was told that the workings of the Lord God on this earth cannot be reduced to the level of human understanding, e.g. :

13 Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? 14 Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust, 15 And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. 16 She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear; 17 Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding. (Job 39.)

Job's responds to the Lord:

1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42.)

Job's response shows how we must answer the things told us by God that are beyond human understanding, e.g., Election, Predestination, Foreknowledge -- "Though I don't understand it, I believe it because God says it."

Is it not strange that those who will accept the fact of the creation of the worlds by the spoken word of God cannot accept the fact that the heavens do rule the earth?

(Matthew Henry, Robertson's Word Pictures, Jamieson * Fausett * Brown, John Gill and Geneva Notes are all from the Online Bible, CD, v. 8.)

You may have missed this

GUNS

NRA's Heston says group shouldn't be Litteton scapegoat

But 8,000 protesters march in Denver during gun rights association's annual convention.

By Gwen Flero and Diane Mastrull

Knight Ridder Newspapers.

[At the end of the article, the following statement is found.]

2nd Amendment vigilance

Inside the hotel, Heston told NRA members that the group should not be cast as a villain.

The crowd reserved its longest ovation for Colorado Secretary of State Vikki Buckley, who addressed the convention just two days after she eulogized Isaiah Shoels, the lone black victim of the Columbine shootings. Killers Harris and Klebold shouted a racial slur and laughed as they shot him three times, witnesses said.

Buckley did not address the fact that Harris and Klebold carried four guns -- including a semiautomatic handgun, the TEC-DC9 -- when they went on their deadly rampage.

"Hate -- what pulled the trigger of violence -- is the issue," she said.

Convention-goers bemoaned the effect that the Columbine tragedy could have upon gun laws.

After the shootings at Columbine 12 days ago, Colorado Republican legislators withdrew bills that would have allowed more concealed weapons, done away with local gun restrictions, and kept communities from suing gun manufacturers.

"I am so mad that these kids had to do that when they did it, and kill all those people. and lose this legislation," said retired Army Lt. Col. Michael L. Johnson of Denver.

Heston said that what was needed more than any legislation was for the two sides -- pro- and anti-gun -- to damp down the "screeching hyperbole" and have a meaningful debate.

"1 am asking all of us, on both sides, to take one step back from the edge of that cliff ... to get back to that place where we're all Americans again -- different, imperfect, diverse, but one nation, indivisible," Heston said.

Outside, at the rally, Demmer also urged people to keep talking.

"The human ability is to forget painful and depressing events, to move on as if nothing had happened," he said. "We owe the children who perished at Columbine more than that."

(Indianapolis Star, May 2, 1999.)

In addition: Did you know that the pony-tailed guy who sold the 9MM handgun to the Littleton shooters is a proud member of Handgun Control, Inc.? The NRA Fax that I get every Friday evening mentions that.

If you have a fax that can receive "any-time" fax messages, you can sign up for the weekly fax transmission. It usually arrives around 9:00 PM CDST.

NRA / ILA Phone (800) 392-8683 Fax (703) 267-3918 E-mail GROOTS@NRA.org [mailto:GROOTS@NRA.org](FYI - GROOTS = "Grassroots")

Columbine High School was in the news long before the recent tragic shootings there. It was featured in a "20/20" broadcast about "death education" back in 1991. This macabre subject is one of the endless procession of brainwashing programs that are taking up time sorely needed for academic work in schools across the country. One of the Columbine students who is now grown blames the course's morbid preoccupation with death for her own unsuccessful attempt at suicide . . . Running through all these programs is the notion that morality is optional: If it feels good to you, do it! We will never know how good it felt to those young killers to shoot down those around them. Nor can we know how much the school's own reckless experiments with brainwashing contributed to the tragedy. But it is truly galling to have those who have been undermining both morality and parents for years now demand that parents be held legally responsible for the acts of their children..."

("Jewish World Review", May 4, 1999)

I may not be very sharp, but I am sharp enough to suspect something when the "politically correct" crowd refuses to consider the dastardly deed done by the Littleton shooters a "Hate Crime."

God's Covenant People

There is an Identity book circulating named "God's Covenant People, Yesterday, Today and Forever," written by an Identity evangelist, Ted Weiland. (Published by: Mission to Israel Ministries, Scottsbluff, Nebraska.) It is a lengthy book promoting the Identity faith. I tried to do a review of the book, but its message is so anti-Christ and non-Biblical that I could not "get into it." However, I will mention a few applicable points from and about the book.

First, the Geneva/KJV Bible is avoided for the final authority. Strangely, Weiland uses the New American Standard Bible, which is unusual for a defender of the Identity faith. From what I have read, that faith usually borders on rejecting even the KJV because it compromises the Geneva Bible. (He also, typical of Identity, insists on using the term, "YHWH.")

Second, the Identity faith will not hold up under serious examination of Biblical words and doctrines according their plain Biblical Christian meanings. I have found that many times the Identity faith gives to sound Bible words its own unique meanings, sometimes dramatically contrary to the clear meanings established by God himself in his word. Normally, the meanings of words, passages and promises are established by their first use in Scripture.

Third, Identity authors refer to a lot of Scripture, but they avoid the Scriptural and historical context. The historical setting of the author and the situation he is dealing with must be considered, or the passage can be made to say whatever one desires it to say. No passage will stand on its own, so at times the complete Bible must be considered to properly understand what the Spirit is saying in a particular instance.

Example

Questing an Identity adherent some time ago, I asked him how he could follow such an un-Biblical faith.

He said that he looked up all the passages used by the Identity authors he read, and the verses said what the authors were saying.

I then asked him how many times he had read through the entire word of God. He said, "None."

I then pointed out to him that it is impossible to understand what individual passages of Scripture say without a good understanding of the entire word of God, from Genesis through Revelation.

Note Peter's warning:

15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Pet. 3.)

Even the Apostle Peter admitted that Scripture has many things hard to be understood. When those things are wrested from their context of the entirety of God's word, those who are not familiar with the total of God's word are swayed unto their own destruction, and there are plenty of false teachers around to sway them. There is no substitute for studying the entirety of God's word. For without a good understanding of all scripture, the immature will be carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. (1 Tim. 3:16, Eph. 4:14.) And there is certainly profit in deceiving the simple, i.e., easily swayed.

Identity is built upon the cunning craftiness of men who know how to use "secular" history to change the clear meaning of the word of God.

Fourth, Identity depends a lot on Strong's definitions. But those definitions are quite superficial. One does not have to be a Hebrew nor Greek scholar, for there are many good works by others who have proved to be faithful men of the Christian faith, e.g., Thayer, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (TWOT), Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (RWP).

Fifth, it should go without saying that the word of God must be accepted as the final authority over "personal ideas," "secular history" and "traditions" (2 Tim. 3:16) ; the Lord places a serious curse upon those who would try to add these things to his word --- that is, try to establish Christian doctrine from non-Biblical sources. (Deut. 4:2, 12:32, Pro. 30:6, Mat. 15: 9, Rev. 22:18, 19.) The Lord identifies those who handle the word of God deceitfully --- that is, corrupt it to prove their theories --- as false apostles and deceitful workers. (2 Cor. 2:17, 11:12ff.)

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (2 Cor. 4.)

{But we have renounced} (alla apeipameya). Indirect middle second aorist (timeless aorist) indicative of apeipon (defective verb) with a of first aorist ending, to speak forth, to speak off or away from. Common verb in the active, but rare in middle and only here in N.T. {The hidden things of shame} (ta krupta thv aiscunhv). They do attack the minister. His only safety is in instant and courageous defiance to all the powers of darkness. It is a terrible thing to see a preacher caught in the toils of the tempter. {In craftiness} (en panourgia). Old word from panourgov (pan, ergon), a doer of any deed (good or bad), clever, cunning, deceitful. See on "Lu 20:23". {Handling deceitfully} (dolountev). Present active participle of dolow, from dolov, deceit (from delw, to catch with bait), old and common verb, in papyri and inscriptions, to ensnare, to corrupt with error. Only here in N.T. Used of adulterating gold or wine. {To every conscience of men} (prov pasan suneidhsin anyrwpwn). Not to whim, foible, prejudice. See #3:1-6 for "commending" (sunistanontev). (RWP, Online Bible.)

Paul warns the Corinthians about men who handle the word of God deceitfully -- that is, they know how to use the word of God to trap or ensnare others to their way of thinking. I might mention that many of these "teachers" may be so ensnared themselves that they are unwilling to submit to the final authority of Scripture.

Paul points out in verse 3, that the truth of the gospel is hidden to them that are lost. He thus implies that those who are unable and/or unwilling to see the truth of God's word over their preconceived notions are lost. (Cf., Ph. 3:15.)

Deceitful Use

Looking closely, one can easily notice a deceitful handling of God's word by Identity authors -- by in large, they skip over the first use of a word, promise and/or passage in order to make it fit into their faith, q.v. And though it might present a lot Scripture, God's Covenant People is no exception.

Sixth, Scriptural implications and "secular" speculations must always take second place to what is clearly revealed in God's word:

29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deut. 29:29.)

The Identity faith rests heavily upon implied meanings of Scripture while blatantly overlooking the clear meanings of those passages.

Seventh, there are so many attacks on God's word and upon Biblical Christianity in God's Covenant People that this pastor cannot bring himself to consider it seriously. (Though I have not read the Jewish Talmud, it is refered to often as a document that wars against Christianity. I would, therefore, compare Identity writings to the Talmud, for they war against Biblical Christianity.)

Finally, those serious about properly understanding Scripture as God meant it to be understood should read Principles of Biblical Interpretation, by Louis Berkhof. Baker Book House.

It is interesting that in the Introduction to God's Covenant People, Weiland says:

My purpose in writing this book is to be a voice that will help to dissipate the confusion and to instill within our people the same purpose and resolve we once had at earlier times in our history. From the days the early pioneers of true Christianity in America were bold enough to stand upon the Word of God and declare "where the Scriptures speak, we speak, and where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent," there have been and there are those chosen few who would dare to do the same. These are the people who are striving to keep themselves pure and uncorrupted by the religious standards of the day - people who what God's way or no way! Far too often we put on our pious robes and think to ourselves that we "have arrived," that no one else has truth; and as a result, we slam the door to further "revelation" from God. I Corinthians 8:1, 2 dares to remind us that "knowledge makes arrogant" and "If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know." (Introduction, iii, iv.)

Observe the above statement --- "where the Scriptures speak, we speak, and where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent." Yet one of his stated "purposes of this book" is to "prove who Israel is from Scripture, archaeology, and history..." (Ibid.) So even before he gets into the text of the book, he has violated his first premise -- he tells us that he is going to speak "where the Scriptures are silent"; he is going to speak from "archaeology, and history," which takes up most of his lengthy book.

Thus he opens by telling his reader that God's Covenant People will exalt "archaeology, and history" to the level of God's word; there are those who claim God's word as the final authority for all faith and practice, yet they will accept Identity's exalted archaeology and history at the least on the level of God's word, if not over God's word. Weiland says he will build his doctrine from non-Biblical, "secular" sources --- where God's inspired word is silent.

There is another interesting point in his introduction, 1 Corinthians 8:1, 2.

1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

The context is Paul's instructions concerned eating meats offered unto idols. Christian liberty knows that idols are nothing, and thus the meat offered to that idol can be safely eaten without denying the Lord God --- Paul warns the people against being puffed up about knowing this fact, telling the people charity watches out for the weaker brother who does not understand the truth about idols. (1 Cor. 8:7-13.)

knowledge puffeth up; not true knowledge; not that which comes from above, which is gentle and easy to be entreated; not sanctified knowledge, or that which has the grace of God going along with it; that makes men humble, and will not suffer them to be puffed up one against another; but a mere show of knowledge, knowledge in conceit, mere notional and speculative knowledge, that which is destitute of charity or love: (Gill, Online Bible.)

Paul refers to those who feel they have arrived --- they are puffed up --- because they have obtained knowledge that is "hidden" from the average person, i.e., "speculative knowledge" exemplified by Identity, that is beyond what is clearly given by God's word:

6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. (1 Cor. 4.)

not to think, etc.--The best manuscripts omit "think." Translate, "That in us (as your example) ye might learn (this), not (to go) beyond what is written." Revere the silence of Holy Writ, as much as its declarations: so you will less dogmatize on what is not expressly revealed (#De 29:29). (JFB, Online Bible.)

The context warns against thinking of men above what is writen, v. 7. Yet there is another clear warning. Paul warns also against being puffed up (1 Cor. 8:1) by thinking above, or beyond, that which is written. (RWP. Online Bible.) The Identity faith, particularly God's Covenant People with its "archaeology, and history," clearly goes beyond what has been clearly written in God's word. Paul's warning is against those who are "puffed up" because they feel they have obtained to a higher level of knowledge through their deeper understanding of things beyond of the word of God. (Col. 2:8.)

It would be redundant to deal with the premisses of the Identity faith found in God's Covenant People, for I have already dealt with the issue in Identifying Identity, and Israel's Identity/Israel's Conversion.

A few examples of deceitful handling of God's word from God's Covenant People. Physical Israel -- that is, a physical lineage to Abraham.

Weiland quotes the promise to Israel in Deuteronomy 14:2,

2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.

Certainly, we cannot deny that the above verse is given to physical Israel. Likewise, we cannot deny that 14:2 is not the first time it is used. As mentioned above and typical of Identity authors, this is not the first mention of this promise. It is first given in Exodus 19:

5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Exodus 19 is given before the Ten Commandments were given. The only reason I can think of that Weiland avoided this passage is its clear usage by Peter:

4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (Exo. 19.)

Peter's clearly uses this passage in the context of the non-Israelites being brought into the covenant people though the blood of Christ, the new birth, 1:23. Is it any wonder Identity desires to remove Exodus 19:5, 6, from the word of God, for it clearly shows their deceitful handling of God's word.

Another example of deceitful handling of God's word is Genesis 28:

14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

This is a promise given to Jacob. The question is, why was the first mention avoided?

1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Gen. 12.)

God renewed the promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:

1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. 2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? 3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. 4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

The only reason I can think of that the promise to Abraham is avoided is because it is so clearly traced to the Gospel Church through v. 6 --- Romans chapter 4, Galatians 3.

One last point before I must abandon the deceitful handling of God's word, "God's Covenant People." Observe these passages:

Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. (Isa. 42.)

7 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. 8 Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; 9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. 10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. (Isa. 49.)

20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. 21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever. (Isa. 59.)

17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Lk. 4.)

First, the Covenant is Christ --- Christ is the Covenant, and it is by the faith Abraham exhibited that places one in Christ.

Second, Christ is called Jacob, so all who turn to him by faith and have his spirit placed within them are in Jacob. (Thus, fulfilling the promise quoted by Weiland, Gen. 28:14.)

Third, Christ said that Isaiah spoke of himself as being the covenant.

Now, Weiland does use the promise to Abraham to trace the promised blessing to Christ. However, before he gets to that point, he has used many non-Biblical, "secular," sources and circumstances to "prove" that the "Celto-Saxons" are actually the Israelites who descended from Abraham as heirs to the promise of Genesis 12:1-3. (Thus he makes Christ a "Celto-Saxon.")

Accordingly, his whole 400+ page book that he "spent years researching and documenting" (Foreword, by Pet Peters) is in serious violation of his own opening premise:

My purpose in writing this book is to be a voice that will help to dissipate the confusion and to instill within our people the same purpose and resolve we once had at earlier times in our history. From the days the early pioneers of true Christianity in America were bold enough to stand upon the Word of God and declare "where the Scriptures speak, we speak, and where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent," there have been and there are those chosen few who would dare to do the same. These are the people who are striving to keep themselves pure and uncorrupted by the religious standards of the day - people who what God's way or no way! Far too often we put on our pious robes and think to ourselves that we "have arrived," that no one else has truth; and as a result, we slam the door to further "revelation" from God. I Corinthians 8:1, 2 dares to remind us that "knowledge makes arrogant" and "If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know." (Introduction, iii, iv.)

It is impossible to develop and defend the Identity faith from the word of God alone. It can only be developed and defended by speaking where Scriptures are silent, and that "speaking" can only be done from non-Biblical sources. The final authority of God's word must be rejected, replaced by emotions, feelings, non-Biblical "secular" sources and from passages removed from their context.

The Identity faith depends on convincing the simple (cf., Pr. 14:15) to follow it into areas where the Scriptures are silent; those areas are then used to make the Scriptures say what the deceitful handlers of God's word want it to say.

If the followers of that faith would spend as much time studying the entirety of God's word (developing its context) as they do studying non-Biblical, "secular" sources, they would soon see that the Identity faith is the spirit of the anti-Christ at work.

Women's Empowerment Movements

Though it is totally contrary to the fallen nature that is in so much control today, the glory and honour of the woman is to be content in the place God has given her in his order of things. Her business is not to be out and about, but to be keepers at home. On the other hand, the glory and honour of the man is to be out and about the Master's business, expanding the Kingdom of God into every corner of the world. Sadly, the effects of sin in men have forced, many times, godly women to move into dangerous areas in order to support themselves. Also a prime mover of women out of the home is covetousness -- the desire for bigger and better.

Every area of modern society, including the church more often than not, is violently militating against God's word that the woman was made for the man. (1 Cor. 11:8, 9. However, both are on equal footing before the Lord, vv. 10-12.)

Paul gives Timothy important instructions concerning how the minister must treat women for whom he is responsible--as mothers and sisters. Ministers should have the same kind of loving concern for them as he does toward his immediate family members.

Vv. 3, 4, widows -- Paul defines who is a widow worthy of church support. This seemes to be a special class of people within the church, having special jobs. In addition, Titus 2:3 lists the duty of widows in the church. The widow indeed in 1 Timothy 5:3, 4, could have been one who had no children, childless (v. 10). Though nothing is said in Timothy, the widow in Titus 2 is responsible to teach younger women how to love their children. The responsibilities of the widows indeed in Timothy are to trust in God, and continue in supplications and prayer night and day. (See Anna, a prophetess, Lk. 2:36ff.) But the responsibilities of the widows as presented in Titus are more involved.

Titus 2, the widow is to teach the younger women: 1) to be sober, serious, 2) to love their husbands, 3) to love their children, 4) to be discreet, and 5) to be chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Thus we see that a Christian woman who does not do this blasphemes the word of God; they lead onlookers to say that Christianity does not work; it is of none effect, &c.

Notice that Paul's instructions are as opposed to modern thought as anything can possibly be. Women have started a group to work with women, as "Promise Keepers" works with men. I heard a woman state that the "female Promise Keepers" movement is not about being in subjection to their husbands (as promoted by the Southern Baptist), but it was about empowering women. Such an idea is totally contrary to what is clearly spelled out in the word of God, but it obviously appeals to the fallen nature.

Concerning Titus 2:1, Matthew Henry (1662-1714, Online Bible, v. 7.06) comments:

2. To the aged women. ... Women are to hear and learn their duty from the word, as well as the men: there is not one way of salvation for one sex or sort, and another for another; but both must learn and practise the same things, both as aged and as Christians; the virtues and duties are common. ... Observe, Though express scripture do not occur, or be not brought, for every word, or look, or fashion in particular, yet general rules there are according to which all must be ordered; as#1Co 10:31, Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. And#Php 4:8, Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. And here, whatsoever things are beseeming or unbeseeming holiness form a measure and rule of conduct to be looked to. ... Not public preachers, that is forbidden(#1Co 14:34, I permit not a woman to speak in the church), but otherwise teach they may and should, that is, by example and good life. Hence observe, Those whose actions and behaviour become holiness are thereby teachers of good things; and, besides this, they may and should also teach by doctrinal instruction at home, and in a private way. The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy his mother taught him. Such a woman is praised, She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness, #Pr 31:1,26. Teachers of good things are opposed to teachers of things corrupt, or to what is trifling and vain, of no good use or tendency, old wives' fables or superstitious sayings and observances; in opposition to these, their business is, and they may be called on to it, to be teachers of good things.

Observe:

First, "Women are to hear and learn their duty from the word, as well as the men: there is not one way of salvation for one sex or sort, and another for another; but both must learn and practice the same things, both as aged and as Christians; the virtues and duties are common."

Second, it is evil and shameful for women to be "public preachers," other than by their chaste actions and behaviour.

Third, they can "teach by doctrinal instruction at home, and in a private way."

3. There are lessons for young women also, whom the aged women must teach, instructing and advising them in the duties of religion according to their years. For teaching such things aged women have often better access than the men, even than ministers have, which therefore they must improve in instructing the young women, especially the young wives; for he speaks of their duty to their husbands and children. These young women the more aged must teach,

(1.) To bear a good personal character: To be sober and discreet, contrary to the vanity and rashness which younger years are subject to: discreet in their judgments and sober in their affections and behaviour. Discreet and chaste stand well together; many expose themselves to fatal temptations by that which at first might be but indiscretion. #Pr 2:11, Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee from the evil way. Chaste, and keepers at home, are well joined too. Dinah, when she went to see the daughters of the land, lost her chastity. Those whose home is their prison, it is to be feared, feel that their chastity is their fetters. ...

(2.) In their relative capacities: To love their husbands, and to be obedient to them: and where there is true love this will be no difficult command. God, in nature, and by his will, hath made this subordination: I suffer not a woman to usurp authority over the man (#1Ti 2:12); and the reason is added: For Adam was first formed, then Eve. Adam was not deceived, but the woman, being deceived, was in the transgression, #Tit 2:13-14. She fell first, and was the means of seducing the husband. She was given to be a helper, but proved a most grievous hinderer, even the instrument of his fall and ruin, on which the bond of subjection was confirmed, and tied faster on her (#Ge 3:16): Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee, with less easiness, it may be, than before. It is therefore doubly enjoined: first in innocency, when was settled a subordination of nature, Adam being first formed and then Eve, and the woman being taken out of the man; and then upon the fall, the woman being first in the transgression, and seducing the man; here now began to be a subjection not so easy and comfortable, being a part of the penalty in her case; yet through Christ is this nevertheless a sanctified state. #Eph 5:22-23, Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord, as owning Christ's authority in them, whose image they bear; for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. God would have a resemblance of Christ's authority over the church held forth in the husband's over the wife. Christ is the head of the church, to protect and save it, to supply it with all good, and secure or deliver it from evil; and so the husband over the wife, to keep her from injuries, and to provide comfortably for her, according to his ability. Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be unto their own husbands, as is fit in the Lord (#Col 3:18), as comports with the law of Christ, and is for his and the Father's glory. It is not then an absolute, or unlimited, nor a slavish subjection that is required; but a loving subordination, to prevent disorder or confusion, and to further all the ends of the relation. Thus, in reference to the husbands, wives must be instructed in their duties of love and subjection to them. And to love their children, not with a natural affection only, but a spiritual, a love springing from a holy sanctified heart and regulated by the word; not a fond foolish love, indulging them in evil, neglecting due reproof and correction where necessary, but a regular Christian love, showing itself in their pious education, forming their life and manners aright, taking care of their souls as well as of their bodies, of their spiritual welfare as well as of their temporal, of the former chiefly and in the first place. The reason is added: That the word of God may not be blasphemed. Failures in such relative duties would be greatly to the reproach of Christianity.

"What are these the better for this their new religion?"

would the infidels be ready to say. The word of God and the gospel of Christ are pure, excellent, and glorious, in themselves; and their excellency should be expressed and shown in the lives and conduct of their professors, especially in relative duties; failures here being disgrace. #Ro 2:24, The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you.

"Judge what a God he is,"

would they be ready to say,

"by these his servants; and what his word, and doctrine, and religion, are by these his followers."

Thus would Christ be wounded in the house of his friends. Thus of the duties of the younger women.

Observe:

First, those women who view their homes as a prison are in danger of losing their chastity.

Second, wives are commanded To love their husbands, and to be obedient to them... The "modern liberated woman" sees this command very difficult, oppressive and restrictive. However, "where there is true love this will be no difficult command" for the wife. (As late as the 1950s, government school Home Ed books were teaching the girls to be "keepers at home.")

Third, God, in his divine providence and for his own good pleasure alone, is the one who placed women in his order of things. Fallen men and women are the ones who are intent in overthrowing God's order; the women's empowerment movements over the ages have been rebellion against God's natural order. Note -- men and women rebel against nature, and nature rebels against men and women.

Fourth, since sin entered into the world, the woman has found it very hard and uncomfortable to be in subjection to a man -- her father or her husband. However, her subjection is part of the results of Eve's sin, just as is man's required hard -- and many times futile -- labour for his living part is the result of Adam's sin. Sin caused man's hard labour to many times fail, just as sin caused a woman to be in subjection to the man. In both cases, the fallen nature seeks ways to avoid the results of the fall apart from the work of Christ.

Fifth, the husband's proper love for his wife and the wife's proper love for her husband and subjection to him prevents disorder and confusion in the family, in the church and in society. (All parts of society are in great confusion today.)

Sixth, proper love is something that must be learned from the word of God and from those who have already learned. Wives need to be instructed in their proper duties (love) toward their husbands and their children -- it is not something that comes naturally. Pastors are unqualified to provide this instruction for the younger women. The godly aged women (over 60, 1 Tim. 5:9) are to teach the young women. They are to pass on what they have learned from practical experience; they are to pass on what they learned in how to apply God's word into their families.

A wife can rightly tell the pastor, "You do not know what I have to go through." However, she cannot justly say that to the aged women who have been through and/or seen about every imaginable situation a wife can go through.

Seventh, the Christian God, the Lord Jesus Christ, is judged by the pagans by the actions of professing Christians. Thus when Christians fail in Christianity as outlined by the Spirit, they wound Christ.

I realize Gill (1696-1771, Online Bible) is quite "old fashion," but his comments at Titus 2:5 are worth noting: To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Ver. 5. To be discreet, &c.] Or temperate in eating and drinking, so the word is rendered in#Tit 2:2 or to be sober both in body and mind; or to be wise and prudent in the whole of their conduct, both at home and abroad:

chaste; in body, in affection, words and actions, having their love pure and single to their own husbands, keeping their marriage bed undefiled.

Keepers at home: minding their own family affairs, not gadding abroad; and inspecting into, and busying themselves about other people's matters. This is said in opposition to what women are prone unto. It is reckoned among the properties of women, by the Jews, that they are twynauwy, "gadders abroad" {x}: they have some rules about women's keeping at home; they say {y},

"a woman may go to her father's house to visit him, and to the house of mourning, and to the house of feasting, to return a kindness to her friends, or to her near relations--but it is a reproach to a woman to go out daily; now she is without, now she is in the streets; and a husband ought to restrain his wife from it, and not suffer her to go abroad but about once a month, or twice a month, upon necessity; for there is nothing more beautiful for a woman, than to abide in the corner of her house; for so it is written, #Ps 45:13 "the king's daughter is all glorious within"."

And this they say {z} is what is meant by the woman's being an helpmeet for man, that while he is abroad about his business, she is tybb tbvwy, "sitting at home", and keeping his house; and this they observe is the glory and honour of the woman. The passage in #Isa 44:13 concerning an image being made "after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man, that it may remain in the house" is by the Targum thus paraphrased:

"according to the likeness of a man, according to the praise of a woman, to abide in the house."

Upon which Kimchi, has this note.

"it is the glory of a woman to continue at home, and not go abroad."

The tortoise, which carries its house upon its back, and very rarely shows its head, or looks out of it, was, with the ancients, an emblem of a good housewife. These also should be instructed to be "good" or "kind" to their servants, and beneficent to the poor, and to strangers, towards whom, very often, women are apt to be strait handed, and not so generous and liberal as they should be:

obedient to their own husbands; see Gill on "Eph 5:22", see Gill on "Eph 5:24".

that the word of God be not blasphemed; by unbelieving husbands, who, by the ill conduct of their wives, would be provoked to speak ill of the Gospel, as if that taught disaffection and disobedience to them.

"But Matthew Henry and John Gill are old fashion; they are out of touch with reality; if they lived today, they would not be so dogmatic." May we ask, "What has happened to society since the women's empowerment movements have gained prominence and control of the 'Christian' family?"

Though totally contrary to the fallen nature that is in so much control today, the glory and honour of the woman is to be content in the place God has given her in his order of things -- that is, under authority. Her business is not to be out and about, but to be keepers at home. On the other hand, the mans business is to be out and about the Master's business, expanding the Kingdom of God into every corner of the world.

We will not cover it at this time, but Paul did not place all the responsibility on young women. Everything he placed upon women is likewise applicable to men.

(Titus 2) Ver. 6. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.] Temperate, chaste, modest, moderate, wise, and prudent in all things: this is said to Titus, as being his province to instruct and exhort the young men; as it were proper and convenient for aged women to teach the young women how they should behave and conduct themselves. (Gill)

The many modern women's empowerment movements, both inside and outside the "church," are clearly the spirit of the antichrist at work.

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