In This Issue

• THE PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE
• WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN A CHURCH?
• RESPECTABLE SCIENCE GIVES EVIDENCE OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
• DID YOU EVER HEAR OF A MAN...
• UPCOMING GOSPEL MEETING SCHEDULE
• MORE INFORMATION...

THE PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE

In Matt. 23:35, Jesus began to predict the destruction of Jerusalem. In verses 35-39 of that chapter, he looked over the city and wept aloud. In chapter 24, His disciples pointed out to Him the beautiful buildings of the temple, and Jesus plainly said that the time was coming when not one stone of that temple would be left standing upon another. This prompted His disciples to ask when the destruction would occur, and how they would know it was about to happen.

In verses 4-28, Jesus told them that preceding the destruction of the city there would be false prophets, false christs, famines, earthquakes, pestilences, wars, rumors of war, lawlessness and other forms of tribulation, but the thing that actually was to signal the end would be the "eagles" surrounding the "carcass," that is, the Roman armies surrounding the city of Jerusalem. This would be their signal to flee the city and not look back.

In verses 29-31 of Matt. 24, Jesus used the same sort of judgment language Isaiah had used in foretelling the destruction of Babylon. Ezekiel had also used similar language in foretelling a judgment that came upon Egypt. Clouds of smoke and dust would arise as Roman armies pillaged Jerusalem and served as the instruments of God to bring judgment upon the city that had rejected God's prophets, and finally, God's Son.

In Matt. 24:32-35, Jesus continued. "Now learn this parable from the fig tree. When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, at the very doors. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things are fulfilled. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."

In these verses, Jesus made it abundantly clear that all the signs He had mentioned in the preceding verses were to signal the destruction of Jerusalem. Anyone astute enough to tell summer from winter by the budding of the trees should be able to "read" these signs and avoid the destruction to which they would otherwise be doomed. And all the things He foretold would happen within the lifetime of most of those who heard Him speak. That generation would not pass away (die) before these things took place.

Indeed, about 40 years later, while most of those who heard His speech were still living, the Roman armies surrounded the city of Jerusalem and brought upon it a devastation that is virtually indescribable. The final downfall of the city occurred during the Passover when Jews from all over the world had gathered in the city to observe the feast. They were killed and ravaged by the thousands -- but those who had heard and believed the speech of Jesus saw the forewarning signs, and escaped to the mountains nearby. Those today who hear and heed Him will likewise escape the lake of fire which is reserved for those whose names are not in the Lamb's Book of Life.

--CRJ

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN A CHURCH?

Because they have moved into a new community, or have awakened to the need for religion in their lives, or are unhappy with their "old church," many people are looking for a "new church home." What are they looking for? What are YOU looking for?

(1) Some, following family and personal traditions, look for a church like the one they left behind.

(2) Because they don’t want to travel far to attend services, some look for a church nearby.

(3) Desiring to feel welcome and wanted, some look for a church with friendly people.

(4) Some look for a big church where they can get lost in the crowd. Others look for a small church, where they can quickly get to know everybody.

(5) Some look for a church with many youth activities and family affairs.

(6) Some want a church that is trying to solve world problems, committed to social reform, and community improvement.

Now, if you will look back over that list, you will notice that nothing is said about seeking a church where they can worship and serve God according to His revealed will. Many people are looking for a church that pleases THEM, rather than a church that pleases God. If you are interested in finding a church that pleases God, look for the following characteristics:

(1) A church that respects the sovereignty of God and the authority of Jesus Christ.

(2) A church that respects the Bible as the inspired word of God, and the gospel of Christ as the power of God to salvation.

(3) A church that strives to be like the churches in the New Testament--in name, organization, teaching, work, and worship.

(4) A church that is concerned about lost souls and eternal destinies.

(5) A church that, instead of catering to their social desires, puts its emphasis on the spiritual needs of men.

We purpose to "speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where it is silent." We would be happy to have you visit any of our assemblies to check us out.

--James E. Cooper

RESPECTABLE SCIENCE GIVES EVIDENCE OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

In 1898 radium was discovered by Madame Curie. It was discovered that radium and all other radioactive substances are continually giving off radiation at an enormous rate. As uranium decomposes, giving off helium, the substance that is left is radium. The disintegration continues in radium, until the end result is the element lead.

This, along with the fact that there is now no new uranium coming into existence, shows that there was a beginning sometime. The radioactive elements today have not been in existence long enough to have run their course, otherwise there would be no uranium, no radium, just helium and lead. There was a creation, thus a Creator.

Also, the scientist continually speaks of natural law. He speaks of the "law of gravity," "the law of inertia," etc. There is also a "law" which states that "Life can come only from pre-existing life." This is called the "law of biogenesis." All life, both plant and animal, came from pre-existing life and that pre-existing life is God. The scientist speaks of natural law, but there can be no law without a lawgiver. The Bible tells us who gave the laws by which our universe is governed. "And GOD said..." (Gen. 1:11-12, 24).

Possibly, the strongest argument of all is that of the sun, God’s timepiece. Man has made timepieces costing vast sums of money, some so accurate that they keep near perfect time; yet he has never fashioned a timepiece that did not occasionally have to be adjusted a few seconds from time to time. By what is correct time measured? By the sun, the master clock, the always perfect timekeeper. If I show you a watch and I tell you that it had no maker... the springs, gears, an cogs just happened together by accident, you would think I was absolutely crazy. My wrist watch is absolute proof that somewhere there is a watchmaker.

"For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God" (Heb. 3:4).

--CRJ

DID YOU EVER HEAR OF A MAN...

Who preferred to drown rather than get into a boat with a hypocrite? (Yet some prefer to be eternally lost rather than come into the Lord’s church because they know some professed members who are hypocrites.)

Who quit going to the movies because the manager failed to speak to him? (Yet some quit attending worship assemblies because someone failed to speak to them.)

Who always quit his job on the second day because he made a mistake on the first? (Yet some forsake the Lord because of an embarrassing mistake they made as beginning Christians.)

Who refused to eat because he could not understand completely how it could give him physical strength? (Yet some will not study their Bible because they do not understand how it can give them spiritual strength.)

Who refused to pay his taxes because he "was not good enough"? (Yet some will not perform their heavenly citizenship duties -- give of their means, eat the Lord’s supper, etc., because they "are not good enough.")

Who never made any kind of promise to anyone because he was afraid he could not hold out? (Yet some will not become Christians or commit themselves as Christians because they are afraid they cannot hold out.)

Who scorned an invitation to have an audience with the President of the United States because he would have to give up some of his friends? (Yet some scorn the opportunity of becoming one with God and Christ because they would lose of their worldly friends.)

Who failed to improve himself in any way because he was afraid some might laugh at him? (Yet some will not apply themselves as Christians -- teaching a class, leading a prayer, making a talk -- that they may grow spiritually because someone might laugh at them. Some will not become Christians because they are afraid someone will laugh at them.)

--author unknown

MORE INFORMATION...