In This Issue

• JUDAS STRIKES A DEAL
• THE STORY OF A STRANGE MARRIAGE
• PREMILLENNIALISM???
• ON BEING POLITE
• MORE INFORMATION...

JUDAS STRIKES A DEAL

As their last Passover together drew near, Jesus informed His apostles that the Passover and His arrest were only two days away, Matt. 26:2. Even as He was discussing the upcoming crucifixion with His followers, the Jewish chief priests, scribes and elders had met in secret chambers to plot His demise. Since Jesus had made a favorable impression on many of the common people, the leaders assumed that they would not be able to arrest Him and have Him crucified until after the Passover season when the crowds had returned home. Little did they know that an event had occurred a few days before that would allow them to proceed with their plans, even as the Passover season was in full swing.

Matthew, in verses 6-13, flashes back to an event that had occurred a few days earlier (see John 12:1) in the home of Simon, a leper from Bethany. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, had poured an expensive ointment on the head and feet of Jesus. Jesus' disciples did not understand, and thought she had been wasteful. Judas in particular had said, "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" (John 12:5). The apostles John later explained, "This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it" (John 12:6). When Jesus rebuked His disciples, telling them that the ointment was a preparation for His burial, and that there would always be an opportunity to aid the poor, Judas especially felt the sting of that rebuke. Because this took place in the house of a man named Simon -- and since Judas' father was a man named Simon (John 6:71) -- some Bible students have suggested that perhaps this event happened in the home of Judas' own father. If so, that would surely increase the sting of Jesus' rebuke. But Simon was an extremely common name among first century Jews, so that suggestion is far from certain.

At any rate, Matthew, in verse 14, takes up where he had left off in verse 5. After the Jewish leaders had plotting against Jesus and reasoned among themselves that they could not arrest Him "during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people... Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?' And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him" (Matt. 26:14-16). And so the deal was struck, and the deed would soon be done. Judas had sold his Lord for the price of a wounded slave, Exodus 21:32.

--CRJ

THE STORY OF A STRANGE MARRIAGE

It was a wonderful wedding ceremony. Bob and his new bride, Jennifer, are now in their car alone after having dodged the flying rice. As the car pulls away, Jennifer says, "Okay, you now can take me home." "Home! We haven't even started the honeymoon!" Bob responded. Jennifer looks at Bob and says, "I am happy that we are married, and I am proud to wear your name but I want to go back and live at my old apartment and I'll try to get by to see you at least once a week. I know we are now married, but I plan to keep things as they were before. I really do not want you interfering in my life. You realize, of course, that if I am sick or need some money I'll call on you at once, after all, you are my husband. I am thankful that you are my husband, but I must go my own way. Please do not interfere."

This would be quite a strange marriage, to say the least. It is very strange, and sad, that some hold Jennifer's view of marriage with regard to their relationship to our Lord.

We are, as children of God, "the bride of Christ." Paul declared, "For the woman that hath a husband is bound by law to the husband while he liveth; but if the husband die, she is discharged from the law of the husband. So then if, while the husband liveth, she be joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if the husband die, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she be joined to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to [married KJV] another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God" (Rom. 7:2-4). As Christians we are married to Christ.

We are appalled at Jennifer's view of marriage, and we feel sorry for Bob. There are many today that call themselves Christians, having taken on the name of Christ, and treat our Lord just like Jennifer treated Bob. Many are saying, "Lord I am happy that we are united, and I am proud to wear your name but I want to go back and live the way I was before becoming a Christian. I'll try to come at least to the morning worship services, provided I have nothing better to do. I know we are now to have a special relationship, but I plan to keep things as they were before. I really do not want you interfering in my life. You realize, of course, that if I am sick or need some money I'll call on you at once, after all, you are my Savior. I am thankful that you are my Lord, but I must go my own way. Please do not interfere."

The words of Jehovah, through the mouth of Jeremiah, comes to mind, "Return, O backsliding children, saith Jehovah; for I am a husband unto you" (Jer. 3:14). Are we treating our Lord with the respect that He is due? Are we realizing the privilege we have in wearing Christ's name? Are we being a loving "bride of Christ" or, are we like Jennifer in her treatment of Bob?

We are to give our Lord our very best. Jesus said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength" (Mk. 12:30). We need to treat our Lord with the proper respect giving Him the love and devotion that He deserves as our husband. Please, let us not treat our Savior in this way. Love the Lord as you would love and treat you own spouse. How are you treating the Lord?

--author unknown, bulletin, State College, PA

PREMILLENNIALISM???

Like ice cream, the doctrine of premillennialism comes in a variety of flavors. Fundamentally, it is the idea that Christ has not yet established His kingdom, that upon His return, He will establish an earthly kingdom and reign for 1,000 years; this period standing between the second coming of Christ and the final judgment. However if such a theory is true, then how does one explain the following?

1. Upon the Lord’s return, the earth will be destroyed, leaving no place to establish an earthly kingdom, 2 Pet. 3:10-12.

2. Judgment will take place at the second coming, not 1,000 years after, Matt. 25:31-46.

3. Judgment awaits men after death, not a 1,000 year reign of Christ upon the earth, Heb. 9:27.

4. Jesus said that some who were alive in the first century would not see death until the kingdom had come, Mark 9:1.

5. When Christ returns, it will not be to establish a kingdom, but to deliver the existing one to God the Father, 1 Cor. 15:24-26.

6. Zechariah tells us that Christ would function as both king and priest simultaneously, Zech. 6:13. The Hebrew writer tells us that Christ is now our great High Priest, Heb. 4:14. Therefore, to admit that Jesus is now functioning as priest is to admit that He is now functioning as King. And He cannot be functioning as King if He has not yet established His kingdom.

7. Jesus established His kingdom, and first century Christians enjoyed citizenship in it, Col. 1:12-13; Rev. 1:9.

8. The nature of the kingdom is spiritual, not physical, John 18:36; Rom. 14:17.

9. The weaponry used to advance and preserve the kingdom of Christ is spiritual, not carnal, 2 Cor. 10:4-5.

10. The kingdom and the church are synonymous, and when one is added to the church, he is added to the kingdom, Matt. 16:18-19; Acts 2:41, 47.

"...Let God be true and every man a liar" is what the apostle Paul said to the Christians at Rome (Rom. 3:4). I believe that I will follow that advice, and accept what the above passages teach about the kingdom of Christ. However, to do so means that I will have to regard the theory of premillennialism as false, and those who teach such as false teachers. "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but TEST the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

--Vernon R. Teagarden

ON BEING POLITE

"Please," "Excuse me," "thank you," and, "you’re welcome" are some of the most needed and most neglected words in our day-to-day discourse. Situations which call for their use are obvious to those who have received even a modest amount of teaching.

Training and education are essential, Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4. Children must be taught to be kind, courteous, and considerate of others -- "You shall rise up before the grayheaded, and honor the aged" (Lev. 19:32). Busy and indifferent parents often fail to instill basic forms of politeness in their children’s hearts. Therefore, we see insolence and ingratitude; we see a generation which has no regard for the person, privileges, and property of others. We see those who have no sense of appreciation for what they receive. Many think the "gifts" of life provided by the labor of others, are their "rights." We hear those who know how to march, change, and "demand respect," but who have no idea that genuine respect is the fruit of unselfish actions of grace and goodness toward all men.

Chivalry must be shown to children; it must be displayed. Thus, let our example be a pattern for our youth. Perhaps that is part of the problem. Our behavior is their unfortunate model! In other words, we must practice the politeness we preach. Do we?

--Larry Ray Hafley, Truth Magazine, Aug. 16, 2001

Gossip always seems to travel fastest over grapevines that are slightly sourer.

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