NOSTALGIA FOR THE FUTURE

s we turn each year's record over to the safe of modern culture . We see mighty structures erected Akeeping of the heavenly Accountant and look upon not upon the Rock of Ages but upon the shifting the fresh, clean page before us, our hearts are sands of human standards and human philosophies . vibrant with anticipation . What lies ahead? What And we hear the message, as if whispered in our ear : will the next twelve months bring? We do not "This, too, shall pass away ." know, but we have within us what someone has But we are not melancholy . Our hearts are called "a nostalgia for the future." vibrant with expectancy . We have a nostalgia for The present, with all its comforts and pleasures, the future . We are not at home; the present scenes does not offer the satisfactions we seek, because it is are merely passing views of landscape en route . Our so temporary. We live in the midst of change . Noth- home is in the eternal Kingdom of God-our heart ing we know is permanent . Every moment of our is there already. By faith we can already hear the time, whatever its burden of pain or its thrill of joy, angel choir, and feel the glory and bliss of immor- is fleeting . tality. Our expectation is so vivid that nothing here There is an account of an Indian monarch who can distract us . suffered many hours of discouragement . He desired Without this vision of the future, which God has a motto short enough to be engraved on his ring as given us in His Word, life is meaningless and futile . a suitable reminder alike in prosperity and adversity . But because as Christians we know something of the After many suggestions had been rejected, his Divine happenings just ahead, life is radiant with daughter offered an emerald bearing this inscrip- purpose and anticipation . Better times are coming! tion: "This, too, shall pass away ." Life which will be glorious and satisfying and endur- Our high and happy moments are wonderful, if ing is ahead! The darkness of the present does not only they could go on forever . We do not want discourage us; the future will be indescribably mag- sound health to be interrupted . We do not want our nificent! Does anyone wonder that we feel a nostal- family circles to be broken . We do not want our gia for the future! friends to leave us, or our strength to fail . We do That future will begin with the arrival of the King not want our privileges to be withdrawn or the sun and His forerunner. The Second Advent was the of our successes to go down . But alas! Change is the hope which kept alive the early Church . And it is law of our lives ; we are powerless to stay its onward our hope today . Whether it will happen in the next march . The present, however ideal, leaves us with twelve months, we do not know . But our hearts are longings unfulfilled . We have a nostalgia for the bound up in its reality . It may happen yet today! It future . is the inner longing and expectation which keeps us The last two decades have brought human living and looking forward . achievements beyond the farthest imagination of As committed followers of Christ, we dare not our grandparents-the development of atomic forget it-"lest coming suddenly," He find us sleep- energy and nuclear power, space exploits which ing. We cannot forget it because we have an obliga- have placed men on the moon and brought them tion to fulfill before He comes . His words are ringing safely back to earth, the unbelievable powers of the in our ears : "Therefore be ye also ready . . ." laser beam, phenomenal advancements in the vari- If we are ready, what lies beyond the moment of ous fields of communication, and the technology His arrival? "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nei- which has made all these possible . Still, in all this, ther have entered into the heart of man, the things we find no lasting satisfaction . In fact, our feeling which God hath prepared for them that love him" of distrust of the present intensifies as we see our (1 Cor . 2 :9). proud civilization confronting problems which Does not our nostalgia for the future become defy human solution-monetary problems, pollu- more and more acute as we think about such tion problems, moral problems, problems of starva- promises? Oh, let it give such impetus to our life of tion, inequity, injustice, and unprecedented social service to God now that we will spend every day He unrest . grants us in earnest preparation . For soon we shall We look out upon all the heathen splendor and see "the glorious appearing of. . .our Saviour Jesus pagan power of modern Babylon and see at the Christ ." heart of it all the fatal void . A deep and awful night He is coming! That is why we have a nostalgia for hides at the very center of the bright achievements the future . U

IN THIS ISSUE . . .

"a place of troops" (Gesenius' Hebrew Lexicon) ; Editorial "a place of God" (Young's Analytical Concordance) . Megiddo was and is a town in NOSTALGIA FOR THE FUTURE 2 Palestine, strategically located, and the scene of frequent warfare . In the spiritual parallel, it is a Article place where soldiers engaged in spiritual war- ENTER INTO MY JOY 4 fare gather to renew their strength and courage (2 Cor . 10 :4-5) . Book Feature MILLENNIUM SUPERWORLD (Part Fourteen) 10 "Behold, A New Earth" How Can I Get There From Here? -in God, the Creator and sustainer of the earth, the world, the universes, and all life, in Articles whom we "live, and move, and have our BUMP! 13 being ." BY WIND BY HANDS BY STARS 14 - in the Bible as our only source of true knowl- edge about God and His purposes and plans Story for His creation and for the salvation of SLIGHTLY SOILED 15 humankind . Biography -in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Perfect Example, who was conceived of the AN HONEST MAN (Part Seven) 16 Holy Spirit and born of a virgin ; who minis- New Horizons tered among His brethren, was crucified, res- urrected, and taken to heaven and seated at Poem the right hand of the Father, crowned with FAITHFUL ABRAHAM 20 immortal glory, and who shall shortly return to be King of the whole earth . Article UTTERLY FOOLISH 21 -in the Holy Spirit, the openly manifest power of God, which God bestowed at various times ways to reveal His knowledge Bible Quizzes and in various 22 to humankind, to support His spokesmen, to OLD TESTAMENT ABC 'S and to demonstrate confirm His utterances, Questions and Answers His supreme power and authority. WHAT ARE "GLORIFIED WORLDS?" 23 -in life as the gift of God, and in our sacred Does God predict or direct? responsibility to use it for God and His com- ing Kingdom . About the Use of Alcohol -in humankind as providing the raw material Back Cover Poem from which shall be selected and developed DWELL DEEP 28 God-honoring people upon a superior, Our cover photos : From Highland Park in Rochester, NY, taken by David and Marie whom God will bestow the blessings of Sutton . Inset photo taken by Randy and Shelley Hares . Back cover photo taken at immortal life in His soon-coming Kingdom . Robert Treaman Park, NY, by Richard Kucharski . -in ourselves as capable, with the help of God, of applying to our own lives the pre- May 1; cepts and principles taught in the Word of 1` e td 1O cssajc God, in this way perfecting that high quality Volum„ of moral character which God has promised to recompense with life eternal in His heav- A religious magazine devoted to the cause of Christ and published for the enly Kingdom on earth . dissemination of Bible truth alone . Official organ of the Megiddo Church, -in the promise of God, that Jesus Christ will L. T . Nichols, Founder; Newton H . Payne, President and Editor; Ruth E . soon return to rid the earth of all sin and suf- Sisson, Executive Editor. fering and inaugurate an eternal and world- The Megiddo Message is available in microfilm from University Microfilms, wide kingdom of peace and righteousness, Inc ., Serials Acquisitions, 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 . until God's will is done here as it is now The Megiddo Message (USPS 338-120) is published monthly (except done in heaven . July/August issue) by the Megiddo Church, 481 Thurston Road, Rochester, New York 14619 . Telephone : 716-235-4150 . Periodicals Class postage paid . SUBSCRIPTION RATE : One year (eleven issues) The Herald and the KING at Rochester, New York $5.00 . POSTMASTER : Send change of address to Megiddo Church, 481 OUR PLANET Will soon witness the greatest events Thurston Road, Rochester, New York 14619-1697 . in its history . For centuries God has been silent . URL : http ://www .megiddo .corn . E-mail address : m egiddo@servtech .co m . But that silence will soon be broken by the Unsolicited manuscripts for publication are not accepted . arrival of Elijah the prophet, who comes to her- ald the Second Advent of Jesus Christ . "Behold, Bible Quotations: Unidentified quotations are from the King James Version . I will send you Elijah the prophet before the Other versions are identified as follows : NEB-New English Bible ; NIV- New International Version ; NASB-New American Standard Bible ; RSV- coming of the great and dreadful day of the Revised Standard Version ; TLB-The Living Bible ; JB-The Jerusalem Bible ; Lord:. . .lest I come and smite the earth with a Phillips-The New Testament in Modern English ; Moffatt-The Bible, A curse" (Mal . 4:5-6) . New Translation ; TCNT-Twentieth Century New Testament ; NRSV-New Then shall follow the King of kings and Lord Revised Standard Version ; NKJV-New King James Version ; Knox-The of lords, to begin His momentous work of trans- Holy Bible authorized by the Hierarchy of England, Wales, and of Scotland, forming our world into the glorious and eternal tr. by Monsignor Knox ; NLT-The New Living Translation ; NCV-The New Kingdom of God . Century Version

Note : I f you wish to remove label on cover, warm with hair dryer and carefully pea a e esus Christ is seated upon His by another heavenly choir, and -V- throne of judgment . In our another, and yet another, they mind's eye we see Him, sublime in His crescendo until their praises ring majesty, His face glowing with immor- through the vast vault of heaven . tal light . Scores of angels surround The Revelator in his prophetic pre- Him, and thousands of saints look on view, at a loss for adequately descrip- in rapt attention . tive terms, compared it to the sound A loyal servant steps before Him . of a thousand oceans crashing on the The Master smiles, and His words are shore, as wave after wave of "Alleluia!" gentle, loving and filled with admira- echoes from choir to choir . "Alleluia : tion: "Well done, My good and faithful for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth . Let servant: come, enter into My joy ." us be glad, and rejoice, and give honour "Enter in. . . ." What an entrance! a to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is step into glory, into honor, into come, and his wife hath made herself immortality, into real life! Can we ready" (Rev. 19 :6-7) . even faintly imagine the thrill of that "Come, enter into my joy ." Such a moment? Can any words suggest a simple word, yet "joy" may describe meaningful definition of such joy? the vicissitudes of immortality as well Truly, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, as any other word in our language . neither have entered into the [human] The Bible pictures the reward of the heart" to imagine the hundredth, nay, saints in the most glowing terms . In the thousandth part of the reality of every aspect filled and overflowing that joy . with joy, always it is pictured as sur- Can we feel the thrill that will rush passing the ultimate in satisfaction, e ccrit haae through our being ; to realize we have beyond the best that we can imagine ; been accepted once and for all into yes, "exceeding abundantly above all (/off/r(sl «t the family of the great God of heaven? that we can ask or think" (Eph. 3:20) . No wonder Peter could rejoice with Said the Psalmist of old, "Thou wilt yll "joy unspeakable and full of glory ." For show me the path of life : in thy presence 11111y ortion to this is no dream. This is the grand is fullness o f joy; at thy right hand there orr<< f(rltI . consummation, the crowning day, the are pleasures for evermore" (Ps . 16:11) . beginning of a glory and a joy which Scarcely could he find words to por- will open into broader and yet broader tray the supreme blessing God has realms of happiness and delight reserved for His faithful children : through ages to come . "They shall be abundantly satisfied with As we watch the celestial scene, the the fatness of thy house ; and thou shalt director of the angel choir lifts his make them drink of the river o f thy plea- hand and a thousand heavenly voices sures" (Ps . 36:7-9). Fulness of joy . . . respond as one . Softly, then growing abundant satisfaction . . .rivers of plea- louder and louder as they are joined sures!

4 MEGIDD( MESSAGE/ May 1997 The prophet Isaiah described the and glory and honor at the revelation of victorious saints as walking the high Jesus Christ. Without having seen road to Zion with "songs and everlast- him you love him; though you do ing joy upon their heads" (Isa . 35 :10) . not see him now you believe in him Again he wrote of the favored chil- and rejoice with unutterable and dren of God who would have all the exalted joy" (1 Pet . 1:7-8, RSV), or earth for their possession, and "ever- as phrased in our common ver- lasting joy shall be unto them" (Isa . sion, "Yet believing, ye rejoice with lie v'Y e((t 61:7) . joy unspeakable and full o f glory." With such overflowing joy at the John was filled with joy estafnezit cpem wall very center of God's promises, an inte- because his children walked in gral part of all He has set before His truth (2 John 4) . a c/o(i~ f aa9els aspiring children, do we wonder that On the night of the Last Sup- cc the New Testament is a book of joy? It per, Jesus told His disciples that s(f

MLGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997 pious wish but a permanent, all perva- pond . Likewise for joy to ripple sive part of their very being . through us, something must cause it . Whatever the worst this world Joy in this world may be good or could throw upon them, it was bad, depending on what it is the result but for a moment, only a brief of. For example, in Jesus' Parable of iY interlude, after which they the Lost Sheep, there is joy when the 67t~w would begin an abundant and shepherd finds his lost lamb and goes victorious life in God's new home . His joy is good . When Judas cy , world. Let their enemies stomp promised to betray his Master, and the them down, trample them chief priests rejoiced, their joy was e he original Greek word trans- under foot, rend and hurt bad. lated joy is chara, which comes them-they could triumph but Joy is the heart's response to some- from the Greek word chairo, an hour. thing that gives it pleasure . Love gold, which means, "to be cheerful, In the book of Acts, despite and gold will give you joy . Love God, calmly happy or well off, be glad, intolerable hardship, life seems and God will give you joy . Love God joyful, rejoicing ." Chara means infused with an unconquerable more than anything else, and His "cheerfulness, i .e ., calm delight:- gladness. The same spirit is seen word, His promises, His presence- gladness, exceeding joyfulness" in the Old Testament . All of anything that pertains to Him or (Strong's Dictionary) . God's servants had this singular reminds you of Him-will give you Chara (joy) is inseparably capacity to rejoice amid the more joy than anything else . linked to another word charis worst of circumstances. What gives us joy is a real tell-tale (grace), as both come from the This was the spirit that so of what we love, what grips us, what same Greek word root . And why much impressed and puzzled moves our affections . (Do we see why not? For "the grace that shall be the pagans who observed them . joy follows love in the fruits of the brought. . . at the revelation of Jesus The Christians had something Spirit?) If we delight in anything God Christ" is the "joy," the reward, that seemed to be out of this forbids, how can God delight in us? If the blessings that God has world, something different from it can be said of us, "When thou doest planned for those who love Him . anything known in normal evil, then thou rejoicest," such rejoicing How can the prospect of such human life, something that they is evil . But if Christian service, Christ- blessings fail to produce joy in the with their finest pleasures or ian sacrifice, and Christian fellowship true believer? Is it any wonder deadliest terrors could not give us joy, then our joy is in the that the early Christians were touch. Pleasure is one thing ; this Lord. filled with an unconquerable joy was another. Pleasure might Oh, let us keep an eye on ourselves, gladness? mitigate the rigors of life ; but and see what gives us pleasure . Christian joy is not dependent this joy created an atmosphere on circumstances . Joy that is root- that could not be clouded . Plea- hould we not have the same joy as sure is ephemeral, this joy was S ed in faith and hope abides those Christians of old? Have we not enduring. despite circumstances . the same God and the same reward Joy motivates, joy stimulates, Joy is a confidence that over- awaiting us if we are faithful? Should joy issues from true fellowship rides moods and emotions, that not lives be always radiant, over- ; and it is a holy joy . our sees sufferings as temporary, and with God flowing with joy? There is a story of a young future bliss as eternal . Jesus was Yes! Such is the ideal, and with Roman officer named Marius not seeking pleasure as He went God's help we shall attain that height ; who called on some Christian through life ; He was not looking but in the meantime, most of us must friends one evening, and in their for self-gratification, or the confess that we are at times short on applause of men, or even the nor- villa heard them singing in what joy, in spite of our great hope . We was to him a new way . "It was mal satisfactions of life . His whole have been guilty of complaining; we the expression not of mirth but intent was to please His Heavenly have been worried or irritated, bur- of some wonderful sort of happi- Father ; nothing else really mat- dened or frustrated . What is the prob- . tered. And so He had joy . ness," he said lem? Simply that we are not naturally Those who truly hear the word What would happen if we took all that we should be . This is why God of life can but sing their joy . that motivation for our own? If gives us time; and this is why God has our whole purpose in life was to commanded us to rejoice . please our heavenly Father, what What Is Joy? Joy is a dependent virtue. It does would be our reaction to failure or Joy A Command . We might crisis? Would our joy be shattered not come of itself The Bible associates joy with the final compare it to the movement of recompense, an inseparable part of water in a pond . The water does the reward to every faithful one . And not move itself . But skip a stone because of this fact, the whole Christ- across its surface, and you produce lit- ian message, and the whole Christian tle ripples which awake the whole life becomes an expression of joy . The

MEGEI)DO MESSAGE I May 199'

Christian is also commanded to The apostle Paul placed joy among rejoice. It is a command to be obeyed, the fruits of the Spirit which we and obedience requires effort . Here we must bear in our lives, but fruit reach a strange point, for why should does not bear itself. The analogy something so wonderful as joy require is instructive and thought pro- into a thousand pieces by a loss voking . Fruit does not come any effort? of money, or security, or posi- But God knows us better than we instantly. It takes time, dili- tion in this world? If so, then know ourselves, and He knew our ten- gence, patience, and hard work our motivations were wrong; we dency to complain, to be shortsighted, to make an apple tree produc- were living for money, or securi- good fruit come to see the immediate problem so tive. Nor does ty, or position, and not to please without opposition . Often it is much more vividly than the manifold God . greater glory to come . the victory over weather, bugs, One might think that the And so joy is among the commands weeds, poor soil and neglect . opposite of joy is sorrow, but of Scripture to be obeyed . Every good Likewise, the knowledge of God Christian joy is different . For deed should be spontaneous in us, but is not an automatic and effort- this special brand of joy can co- it is not . That is why we are here, to less guarantee of pure joy. Joy is exist with sorrow. Said the apos- develop the character God is seeking . the result of a hard-won victory far from The command is repeated many times over pessimism, doubt and tle Paul, we are "never death, yet here we are alive, always in Scripture : "Rejoice in the despair . going through, yet never going Lord . . . rejoice in the Lord alway, and under. We know sorrow, yet our joy again I say rejoice ." "Rejoice and be "Rejoice in the Lord Alway" is inextinguishable" (2 Cor . exceeding glad," "rejoice in the Lord," Why did Paul command us to 6:9-10, Phillips) . "count it all joy." To rejoice is just as "Rejoice"? Because he knew him- Christian joy is a heart-confi- much a command as to be meek, or self, and he knew us . We do not dence in God which is unshak- pure, or humble, or kind . If we are to naturally have that consistent, able and undisturbable . It results obey these commands, we must take abundant, inner joy . Yes, we the steps that will produce in us the want it in the future, but if we from an inner conviction that right kind of joy . would have it in the future, we God's great purpose and plan is But like any other Christian task, must develop it now . all important and all controlling, we cannot expect it to be always easy. If our joy now is dependent and so we as individuals are When James wrote to his brethren, he upon the satisfactions of this freed from the normal concerns knew that they were facing trial and life-good friends, good health, of life . Yes, we have sorrow; but persecution, and so he said, "Greet it good success, fame, wealth, or it does not interfere with our joy as pure joy when you encounter any sort the politics of this world, and the because God will bring us to of trial, sure that the sterling temper of absence of trouble and suffering, we happiness in the end . Yes, we your faith produces endurance" (James will have to say that Paul must have pain . But even pain does 1 :2-3, Moffatt) . have lived in an altogether dif- not interfere with our joy, Jesus, in the sermon on the mount, ferent world than we-his kind because it affects only the very after saying, "Blessed are the meek. . .," of joy isn't possible here . Forget smallest fraction of our life, after and "Blessed are they which do hunger the "always"-rejoicing would be which we shall be delivered to and thirst after righteousness, . . ." and only an occasional outburst, enjoy ages upon ages of happi- "Blessed are the pure in heart . . .," said because everyone knows that life ness and bliss . Yes, we may be also "Blessed are ye, when men shall is not a steady procession of mistreated, maligned, disowned, revile you, and persecute you, and shall pleasure. But the impossibility persecuted. Still, nothing that say all manner of evil against you falsely, vanishes when we realize that we can happen to us in this world for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding are to rejoice "in the Lord," not in can interfere with true joy, glad: for great is your reward in heaven, the problem . Whatever comes or because God is in control, and for so persecuted they the prophets which goes in our lives, our place "in will recompense His children a were before you" (Matt. 5:11-12) . the Lord" remains constant, thousandfold for all that they "Rejoice and be exceeding glad"-look- secure, unshaken . Paul's joy was have suffered. At worst, the suf- ing forward to the sure reward and not dependent on circumstances . fering is but for a moment ; the eternal joy in the future . Even when everything seemed joy will last for ever . In Jesus, every believer had the against him, he could still "rejoice Christian joy is something height of Christian joy. His treasure in the Lord" knowing that God that defies definition, because it was in heaven, and in loyalty to it he was working all things together is independent of this world and could give up anything on earth . In for his eternal good, and that in its circumstances . U Gethsemane, Jesus surrendered even time even his sorrows would His own will, an example to His fol- turn to joy . lowers who later would rejoice "that Mr. and Mrs . Average Person they were counted worthy to suffer shame have two levels of reality, one of satis- for his name" (Acts 5 :41) . faction and one of dissatisfaction .

MEGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997

When all goes well-when they have future joy. This is why God's people are helpful companions, enough able to "Rejoice in the Lord always ." money, good grades in school, or a job they find challenging- Christian joy is a very special, other- then they are happy. But when worldly commodity . Do we have sor- things do not go so well-when row? Yes, but we do not sorrow as the household is in a shambles, those who have no hope (1 Thess .

iii ,be fcorm

MFGIDDO MESSAGE / May 1997 glory of winning God's favor, and The Spirit himself endorses our this is a joy every one of us can have . inward conviction that we 1-7 As we search for joy in a troubled really are the children of world, full of violence, heartache, God. Think what that and unrest, we come back again and means. If we are his chil- ather of mercies and God of all comfort, again to the fact that God is in con- dren we share his trea- whoF boldest our soul in life, and suffereth trol, that He has never broken His sures, and all that Christ not our feet to be moved ; who triest us as promises yet, and He never will . God claims as his, will belong silver is tried, and bringest us through water is faithful, loving, holy, just, stead- to all of us as well! Yes, i f and through fire: we come before Thee in fast, infinite in majesty, able to over- we share in his sufferings humble gratitude for all Thy tender mercies rule to bring about His eternal we shall certainly share in toward us . purposes. With such a goal in view, his glory . We thank Thee that we have been what does it matter if our little tem- "In my opinion whatev- brought safely to the point of beginning poral projects succeed or fail, if only er we may have to go another year with Thee, that our souls are the events of our lives train us for His through now is less than still held in the bundle of life . We are grate- eternal service? Here is the source of nothing compared with ful for our pleasant surroundings, and for real joy, far deeper than anything this the magnificent future Christian friends with whom we may share world can give . God has planned for us . the real values of life . We are grateful for The whole creation is on the degree of health and strength Thou dost H ow consistent is our joy? Do we tiptoe to see the wonderful permit us to enjoy; for reasoning minds, for find our lives lacking in this beautiful sight of the sons of God will power to choose between right and spring flower of hope? Let us review coming into their own . wrong, and for memories that can retain our priorities and do everything we The world of creation can- the lessons we learn . can to tighten our grip on things eter- not as yet see reality, not We thank Thee especially, our Father, for nal, making sure that we are produc- because it chooses to be the blessing of hope, for the unspeakable joy ing each day the righteousness God blind, but because in and glory Thou hast set before us . requires . God's purpose it has been May our hearts rejoice, as we look ahead We can have joy just in proportion so limited-yet it has been to the time when we can renew our to our faith . given hope . And the hope strength, when we can mount up with Our motives control our lives . If we is that in the end the power as do the angels, when we can run are living to please ourselves and feast whole of created life will and not be weary, walk and not faint . Thou on the goodwill or good words of our be rescued from the tyran- hast promised that for us one day mortality fellowmen, if we find exhilaration in ny of change and decay, can be swallowed up of life, that we may be looking good or feeling good or and have its share in that made equal to the angels never to die . With impressing others, our joy will be easi- magnificent liberty which Thy promises we can look ahead to receiv- ly shattered, for any or all of these can only belong to the ing an inheritance which will be incorrupt- may be wholly beyond our control . children o f God! ible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away . Have we not read that "the joy o f the "I have become May these bright prospects buoy us over hypocrite" is "but for a moment"? absolutely convinced that every trying situation of our lives . May we Oh, let us find our joy in the Lord, neither death nor life, nei- rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of and then all the great things that God ther messenger o f Heaven glory as we anticipate receiving the end has promised will one day be ours to nor monarch o f earth, nei- result of our faith, even the salvation of our enjoy together, world without end! ther what happens today souls . I would like to close with these joy- nor what may happen We pray Thee to be near Thy people bursting words of the apostle Paul in tomorrow, neither a power everywhere whose hearts are one with Thee, the eighth chapter of the book of from on high nor a power who are seeking earnestly Thy Kingdom . Romans, as translated by Dr . Phillips: from below, nor anything Protect and watch over those who are not "Can anything separate us from the else in God's whole world yet Thy people but of whom it shall soon be love of Christ? Can trouble, pain or perse- has any power to separate said, These are the people of the living God . cution? Can lack of clothes and food, us from the love of God in Forgive us for the sins we confess and for- danger to life and limb, the threat o f force Jesus Christ our Lord!" sake, and keep us all steadfastly pressing o f arms? Then, through all of toward the goal Thou hast set before us, "No, in all these things we win an the ups and downs of that we may someday share the delights of overwhelming victory through him who life, we can rejoice in full salvation with Thy Son and the good has proved his love for us . the Lord always, as we and faithful of all ages world without end . "All who follow the leading of God's think about those most In His name we pray. AMEN . Spirit are God's own sons . Nor are you gracious, most delightful meant to relapse into the old slavish atti- words we may one day tude of fear-you have been adopted into hear from our Master: the very family circle of God and you can "Well done, My good and faithful say with a full heart, 'Father, my Father.' vant; enter into My joy!"

MEGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997

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R'~H «BEHpLDA NEW E ke said, Behold, 1 ma Write: for these "And he that sat upon theid me 5 new And he sa id „ _Revelation 2 s . all thing true and faithful words are a new earth: heavens and into I create nom^' red, nor come behold, be remembe "For, er shall not people: and the form in mY mind. erusalem, and more heard in her, rejoice shall be no 65:17,19 „And I will o weepin Ing -Isaiah and the voice f f nor the voice o crying* aith f,,il and These sayings are f „And he said unto me, holy prophets sent ust f the 22.6 the Lord God oservants the things wh true: and his _Revelation ngel to show unto a . shortly be done

10 MEGIDDO MESSAGE/May 1997 "'Behold, I create new heavens and The Lord will have no inferior unfoldings of God's magnificent a new earth" (Isa. 65:17) . The material in His finished creation ; plan through ages upon ages of promise is from heaven ; spoken all must have proved themselves fruitful, immortal activity! many centuries ago by the messen- under trial . Then, you will have new ears, ger of the Lord, it has been pre- When this creating task is com- ears that can perceive sounds sur- served to arouse the expectation of plete and the glorious Millennium passing the finest mortal imagina- generation upon generation. belongs to history, the words of tion. Music? You have never yet "Behold, I create"-the Lord is work- Revelation 21 :5 will be fulfilled: heard anything that merits the ing. He is doing something . He is "And he that sat upon the throne title. Immortal beings know music fashioning, developing, shaping . said, Behold, I make all things new . beyond our fondest finite fathom- The process of creation takes time ; And he said unto me, Write : for these ings. You will need your new ears but the work is destined to be com- words are true and faithful ." to hear it, and a new mind to com- pleted. There shall be new heavens All things new! A splendid prehend it . and a new earth . promise . But what does it mean to You will have a totally new First will come the "new heav- an ordinary man or woman living ens." Christ is returning to be "king in the old world of today? First of over all the earth" (Zech. 14:9), and all, if you are there to behold it, soon after His arrival He and the you yourself will be new . You will saints shall take over the jurisdic- be a radiant, glorious immortal tion of earth's affairs, and their being with the life and vigor of righteous rule shall displace the the angels of heaven . Pulsing in ou WILL BE A faulty human systems . For "the your veins will be the lifeblood kingdom and dominion, and the of immortality . You will be all RADIANT,Y GLORIOUS greatness o f the kingdom under the new! whole heaven, shall be given to the Picture yourself in the flush IMMORML BEING WITH people of the saints of the most High, of eternal youth, with eternal whose kingdom is an everlasting king- vitality, eternal strength, eter- THE LIFE AND VIGOR OF dom, and all dominions shall serve nal energy . You will have new AN ANGEL. and obey him" (Dan. 7:27) . Christ muscles which cannot strain, and His saints will compose the weaken or tire . You will be "new heavens," the new ruling able to "mount up" with power authority upon earth . that can defy the laws of gravi- "Behold, I create new heav- ty, to "rust, and not be weary," and ens"-this process of creating "walk and not faint" (Isa. 40:31) . requires six thousand years before You will be able to come and go body, composed of new substance, they are finally selected, developed with the freedom of the summer a substance superior to flesh and and exalted to positions of honor, breeze . blood, a substance that can never seated with Christ upon His throne Then, you will have a new intel- age or decay . of glory (Rev. 3:21). But what a glo- lect, an intellect that will grow and As well as perfect physical and rious day when all shall "behold" expand with the endless cycles of mental capacities, you will also these "new heavens" who shall the eternity before you . Imagine have a perfect spiritual capacity "judge the world in righteousness, and what it will be like to never forget and an appreciation of the work- minister judgment to the people in what you want to remember . You ings of God which is beyond imag- uprightness" (Ps. 9 :8). In their hands will have a mind capable of retain- ining now. New dimensions of will be the glorious task of making ing and relating limitless impres- holiness will continue to thrill you "all things new" from "sea to sea, sions as you are exposed to more through all eternity . The majestic and from the river unto the ends o f and more of the wonderments of holiness and grandeur of Jehovah the earth" (Rev. 21:5; Ps. 72:8). heavenly wisdom and knowledge . is inexhaustible. Only immortals After the creating of the "new Then, you will have new eyes, can begin to comprehend it . heavens" will follow the task of cre- eyes which can behold the tran- "Behold, I make all things new." ating a "new earth ." A whole new scendent beauties of that bright First, the new "you," and then- populace must be developed to fill new world, eyes that can rejoice in Everyone you meet everywhere the earth with the glory of the the exceeding brightness that and anywhere you go throughout Lord. But they will not be accepted accompanies immortals every- the wide world will be just like as the laws of nature produce where they go . You will need these you-another happy, glorious, them, rough and untried . They new eyes even to live with yourself, immortal being . Everyone every- must be brought "through the fire," for as an immortal being, you will where will be rejoicing in the mar- refined "as silver is refined" and be shining, too! What will it be to velous salvation of our God . Go tried "as gold is tried" (Zech. 13:9) . have eyes that can view all the where you will, you will find peo-

MEGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997 11

Millennium Superworld

ple everywhere with whom you can share a new immortal experi- ence, or a new gem of heavenly How CAN I GET THERE FROM HERE? knowledge, or a new insight into stand when the workings of Omnipotence . o his coming? Who can Everyone everywhere will be "Whoiccan en interested in the same goals that Mal. 3:2ANIVf live on 7 Who may are yours-indeed, your goals he appears?' ctuary. your san will be the universal goals of the dwell in LORD, who may hat is righteous/ world, for everyone will worship does w on his hill? blameless and who slander and praise and serve and adore your holy is and has no slur on his "He whose walk his heartwrong an d the same Eternal God . om casts no no You will all be members of who sp is neighbor car the tongue, whotdoes those who f' one family, an eternal family but honors that will never know a sorrow or fellow man, vile man hurts, accept "Who despises when it does a parting or a care . There will be his oath even usury and be keep without thing wll no sickness, no old age, no suf- LORD, who his money does these "Who lends e who fering in that family . Every innocent. H bribe against the NIV member will be continually chal- -Ps . 15 :1-5, lenged by new horizons of shaken . knowledge as they advance from "glory to glory." Do you think that you will grow tired of your family on he Millennium will come . It is prophets, Jesus, and His apostles all earth, after you have lived with onlyT a matter of time . confirm this . All taught that obedi- them for a few billion years? But when all is said and done, ence is the requisite to receiving Don't fear, you will continually what benefit can we as individuals God's approval . We read in the be making new acquaintances derive from knowing about it in book of Samuel, "The Lord is a God after earth is accepted into the advance? Of what real value is it to o f knowledge, and by him actions are family of the "Lord God of hosts ." you and me to know about the Mil- weighed" (1 Sam. 2:3) . Moses' law Indeed, you will need Eternity to lennium or the age that will follow? also demanded obedience : "Now get acquainted with all the glori- A minister of the last century therefore, if ye will obey my voice fied immortals from other worlds illustrated the point as follows : Sup- indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye who will be your own brothers pose someone should come to you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me and sisters . Earth will no more be and tell you about an immense above all people: for all the earth is an island alone, for God's will gold mine, yet would reveal noth- mine" (Ex . 19 :5). "What cloth the shall be done here as in heaven ; ing about where the mine was Lord thy God require of thee, but to and when it is, earth shall located or what anyone could do to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all become a part of heaven! procure the gold . Would you value his ways, and to love him, and to serve "Behold, I create new heavens the information? You would want the Lord thy God with all thy heart and a new earth ." If you are there, to know at once about your own and with all thy soul" (Deut. 10:12). you will experience firsthand the prospect of mining the gold, where These are the words of Jeremiah, fullest meaning of perfect love, it is located, and what it might be who spoke for God: "I the Lord perfect peace, perfect beauty, worth . search the heart, I try the reins, even to perfect harmony, perfect joy, So with the future age . Merely to give every man according to his ways, perfect contentment . You will be know that it is in the plan of God, and according to the fruit of his heirs of God and joint heirs with that a millennium of joy will follow doings" (Jer . 17:10) . The words of Christ, when He has come to this age of turmoil and be enjoyed the prophet Micah confirm: "What dwell forever among men (Rev . by the inhabitants of the earth Both the Lord require o f thee, but to do 21 :3) in that glorious, bright new worldwide, is of no personal value justly, and to love mercy, and to walk world . The former shall "not be to us unless we can know also what humbly with thy God" (Micah 6 :8) . remembered, nor come into mind." we as individuals must do to live in When Jesus sent His apostles out All things shall be new forever! that time . to preach, what was the message He Has God left it merely to chance, gave them? "Go ye therefore, and as to who will live then? Or has He teach all nations" (Matt. 28 :19) . a plan whereby those who desire to What were they to teach? "Teaching he person who has no fire in may take the proper steps and be them to observe all things whatsoever I Thimself cannot ignite others . sure of it? have commanded you" (v . 20). God operates by plan, a well What was the message of the ordered plan . The teachings of the apostle Paul? That God will give "to

12 MEGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997

them who by patient continuance in 15:14). To whom will He say "Enter How do we get there from here? well doing seek for glory and honour thou into the joy of thy lord"? Only How can we prepare to live in the and immortality, eternal life" (Rom . to the "good and faithful servant" Millennium? Only by living a life 2:7) . Again he advised that "They (Matt. 25 :23) . committed to His principles, obedi- which have believed in God might be Thank God, He has revealed how ent to His laws . careful to maintain good works," we may be permitted to live in that Jesus will come and bring about adding, "These things are good and glorious Millennial age, and on into the changes foretold, when the profitable unto men" (Titus 3 :8) . Eternity. The admission price is no time is right . Consistently it was a gospel requir- more than anyone is able to pay : Who will do their utmost to live ing obedience as a condition of sal- the price of obedience to the laws by God's laws now, so that they vation. The apostle John wrote of God . For this purpose He sup- can be accepted to live when the about those who might expect to plies us this present life, His written Lord's prayer is fulfilled and God's be made like Christ : "Every man Word, and minds capable of under- will is done on earth as now it is that hath this hope in him purl fieth standing that Word. Our part is to done in heaven? 0 himself, even as he [Christ] is pure" use what we have been given to (1 John 3 :3) . James advised his practice His law, to let it direct and congregation, "humbly accept the control our lives. Then we can look word planted in you, which can save forward to the fulfilling of Jesus' you" (James 1 :21, NIV) . And the promise, given in His last message: Christians can be at their best apostle Peter wrote : "Rid yourselves "And, behold, I come quickly ; and my even when everything else is at of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, reward is with me, to give every man its worst . envy, and slander of every kind . Like according as his work shall newborn babies, crave pure spiritual be . . . .Blessed are they that do his com- milk, so that by it you may grow up in mandments, that they may have right Take time to think where you're your salvation" (1 Pet. 2:1-2, NIV). to the tree of life, and may enter in going, or you may not like where Said Jesus, "Ye are my friends, i f ye through the gates into the city" (Rev. you end up . do whatsoever I command you" (John 22:12, 14).

it is one of those familiar yel- supply dwindling, instead of taking ourselves in low highway signs, with its brief, , hand and strengthening our willpower to hold on, we pointed warning message : "Bump." And put up our "Bump" sign and let others know that we sure enough, a hundred or so yards down have had all we can take ; any more is dangerous . And the road, there it is, the bump we anticipated . A from there on it is up to them, either to keep quiet or real "bump" it was, but not the jolt it might take the consequences . If we become provoked or have been had we been taken by surprise . The angered, others are to blame-because they didn't sign had served its purpose . If we traveled the heed our sign . road frequently, we might not have been surprised Or we have a tendency to want something that anyway, for the bump was there before the sign . doesn't belong to us . Instead of telling ourselves firmly Now think about it from another angle: Why to look the other way and forget it, up goes our the "Bump" sign? Why not repair the "Bump" sign. We say by our actions, "Don't tempt road? Then there would be no need me-I'm vulnerable ." Or we carry a grudge for the sign . But putting up the sign against a certain person. All is well until some- was so much easier and less costly . At thing is said about them . Then suddenly, up least it would warn people until the goes our "Bump" sign again, as if to say, "Better need for the sign could be eliminated . Or maybe the be careful!" And so, unconsciously, we say that warn- highway department decided that the bump in the ing others of our shortcomings is an acceptable alter- road was not that serious, and so long as there was a native to getting rid of them. Raising "bump" signs sign to warn travelers of it, all responsibility was ful- admits to others that the undesirable trait is there, but filled . it says also that we don't intend to change . "Bump" signs are bad enough on the highways ; but Bad traits, bad habits, bad temperaments, bad far worse is this technique when it is used to cover our moods don't go away simply by admitting they exist . unrepaired, unreformed and undesirable character Why not go to work, dig up the "road," and repair the traits. It may be that we have a tendency to run short cause of the "Bump ." of patience. When we feel the pressure rising, and our Then there won't be any need for a sign . 0

MEGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997 13

n old nautical expression described the means by which a ship could cross the sea : "By wind, by hands, there is no motion, no energy, and no goal . Hands tell by stars." Wind represented the part which God pro- us that we have a part in the crossing, an essential part . vides: an essential in sailing vessel days . Without wind Said the apostle Paul, "Work out your own salvation with the ship would lie motionless. Hands stood for the fear and trembling." As someone put it, "Pray as though human part in the sailing . Man could not blow upon everything depends upon God . Work as though every- the canvas to produce motion, but neither could thing depends upon you ." Stars are those eternal princi- the wind be caught without the human hand . ples which God has set down for our guidance in His The sail had to be artfully moved and quick- Book. The principles remain the same from age to age, ly, and for this the power and strength never changing, never diminishing in importance . They of a man was needed . Stars were a are for our protection and our guidance . They are necessity, or all would be for points of reference by which we can chart our course naught, since the sailor at through life, and continually correct that course . sea had no guidance, The stars are absolutely dependable . No mariner nothing to steer by, and was ever lost because the stars betrayed him . the ship would stray Whenever a wayfarer found a conflict between his from its course . directional instincts and the information which The expression also the stars provided-he did well to follow the stars . suggests the require- God's Word is among those things which "cannot ments for sailing our be shaken ." The learning of this world cannot push bark successfully it aside, because it transcends human wisdom . Wars across the sea of cannot move it, since it is not dependent upon life . Wind repre- human consent . The rise and fall of human sents what God economies, human governments, human societies provides-life, can never touch it, because it is one of those things energy and which "cannot be shaken ." power . With- Not only did maritime navigators find in the stars out Him the guidance they needed, but even in our space navigations today we still look to the stars when voyaging. Even the sophisticated Hubble telescope keeps its course by locking its sites on certain prede- termined stars . The Word of God, like the stars, is useful for guid- ance because it is dependable . It is the expression of Him who cannot lie and does not change . "I am the Lord, I change not, . . .and my glory will I not give to another" (Mal. 3 :6; Isa . 42 :8) . We can be sure that not one word will fail of all that He has spoken (1 Kings 8 :56) . Another comforting comparison N,tween the stars and the Bible is that stars shine at night, and the Bible is a spiritual light in this world's moral darkness. Nothing about the dark- ness can dim its light .

14 MEGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997

Those who have learned to live by the light of God's Word have learned that the dark places of earth hold no terror . In fact, in its light "the night shineth as the day" (Ps . 139 :12). An inscription on the crypt of Allegheny Observato- ry at the University of Pittsburgh reads, "C . V . Bra- shear, 1834-1910 . 'We have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night ."' Can't we as believers in Christ say the same, in a spiritual sense? We live in a world of darkness . We are surrounded by foes we cannot control : foes of error, immorality, violence, oppression, destructiveness, and disregard for the sanctity of life ; foes of selfishness, greed, and the inhumanity of man to man ; foes of our own human limitations and the facts of mortality. However vibrant and full of excitement the sunlight of life can be, we know that it will end . We have no power to save ourselves . But we have "the stars"-bright stars ~_-Jeveral men, laughing heartily, stood about the of hope and faith that He has given us in His word . We showroom of the farm implement store in Wood- love these stars far too fondly to be fearful of the night . bridge. Stephen and his father had joined the group The stars never go out of style . Those which Abra- when they recognized two of their own neighbors. ham looked up to are the very same that look down One of them was Mr . Ronaldson, a member of their on us. They have been there for every generation, and own church . are part of eternity itself . The stars represent the eter- "Quite a story, quite a story," chuckled one of the nal verities God has given us in His Word . God's prin- strangers. "I can tell you one just as good," said ciples are relevant in every age . We can never outgrow another stranger . Then he told a dirty story that them, or leave them behind . They are not Divine made the men roar with laughter again . because they are in the Bible, but they are in the Bible Stephen, embarrassed, looked at his father . Dad because they are Divine . was the only man who was not laughing . If we are to sail safely through life, we need to sail Silently he took Stephen by the arm and they by God's stars, His Word, His principles . Whatever we walked out of the store . do, we need them . There are some learned voices As they got into their car to go home, Stephen today saying that the Bible is out of date, and that said, "Dad, I never thought Mr . Ronaldson would modern man no longer needs it. But who are we to laugh at a dirty story like that . Why, he goes to our question Him who made us? Who are we to say that church!" we do not need what He has provided for us to use? "Yes," said Dad, sadly, "he goes to our church ." Clovis Chapel, a religious author, once told a story For a few moments, he was silent . Then he added, about two men in a boat on the open sea. Darkness "Remember that sign in the store where we bought had overtaken them as they sailed homeward. Being those shirts the other day? We got them at bargain weary, the owner of the craft turned over the duties of prices because they had become soiled?" steering to his hired hand, carefully pointing out the "You mean the sign that said 'Slightly Soiled . star by which he had been guiding the boat . "Now Marked down'?" keep your eye on that star," was his clear instruction, "That's it . I can imagine that is the way you feel and "we'll reach the right port ." about Mr . Ronaldson now-that he's slightly soiled It had been a hard day, and soon the owner was fast and marked down in your estimation ." asleep . The new navigator was dozing, too . After sever- Stephen's eyes were serious . "You're right, Dad ." al naps, with the boat now way off course, he awoke There was hurt in his eyes, too . He had always and thought of the star he was supposed to be watch- admired Mr . Ronaldson . A pleasant man, one of the ing . Unable to find it among the vast number over- most successful farmers in the Pleasant Valley neigh- head, he went to where the older man was sleeping borhood, Mr . Ronaldson always had a cheery greet- and shook him awake. "Sir," he said, "show me anoth- ing for everyone . er star ; we've sailed past the first one ." "We'll hope and pray," said Dad, "that our friend God has given us stars to sail by, and it is our Ronaldson will learn to 'Abhor that which is evil ; cleave responsibility to keep awake . If the star seems to be out to that which is good"' (Rom . 12 :9) . of sight, it is not the star that has moved; we have. Dad laid a hand on Stephen's arm . "Next year, God's Word is a steady guide, but we must keep our you'll be going to high school, Son . You'll be mixing eye on it, or we will surely be lost . with a lot of different kinds of boys . Some of them Times and customs change, but Divine truth are going to have a lot of smutty stories to tell ." remains the same . Today, even as in days gone by, we "I'll remember, Dad," Stephen promised . "I don't still sail "by wind, by hands, by stars ." U want to get slightly soiled and marked down ." U

MEGiIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997 15 It is difficult to imagine how anyone could be fonder of envisioning the reward offered by the Great Creator for faithful service than was Mr. Nichols . Never did he address his people without thrilling anew at some aspect of it. He thought of it, he spoke of it, he dreamed of it ; and doing all this, he was constantly impelled to live for it. Occasionally he prepared rhyming verse to help capture the vision . As you read this rhyme, join him in his flight of fanta- sy-and realize that someday it shall be glorious reality! lthough retarded somewhat by heavy snow, the travelers reached RochesterA on January 27, 1904, and were met by a few of the brethren who 0 what great joy and peace Divine had preceded them and arranged for temporary quarters at 55 East Avenue . Can all be yours, can all be mine They were soon comfortably settled and remained there until the last of Feb- If we'll but walk in narrow way ruary, when the present property on Thurston Road was purchased . At this With Christ our Lord each day by day! time there was no street car line nearer than Genesee St ., about a mile away . This part of the city was as yet undeveloped, and much of it was swamp. 0 what a happy, bliss fid lay The property purchased by Captain Nichols consisted of six acres of land, Can grace our lips in that glad day one large two-story house and two small cottages . These sufficed for short- I f we will now forsake the world term housing for "the group ." Within a few months a three-story house was And hold aloft God's truth unfurled! constructed, which was ready for occupancy July 4, 1904 . Several smaller residences were soon added . The original building contained a large double 0 what a power our God will give parlor. This at once became the assembly room, where all gathered each To all who now will godly live evening and on Sundays for worship . And do His bidding, great or small, As did our dear, beloved Paul! Captain Nichols now purchased a large number of vacant lots lying on Cottage, Sawyer, Enterprise and Ellicott Streets . These he sold to his follow- 0 what a mansion bright and fair ers at cost, as he did also the lumber which he bought in large quantities at We each one then will have and share, wholesale prices, and they were soon engaged in erecting houses, which If we'll but to all sin now die were to be rented, thus providing employment for the members, as well as And keep our mind on things on high . adding to their incomes . Through his efforts the New York State Railways extended their line through Arnett Boulevard and Thurston Road to Brooks 0 my! what grand beatitudes! Avenue. Water and sewer accommodations were secured within a few years, How we'll enjoy the interludes and the building went steadily forward . If we will crucify the flesh While the group were busy building houses, the city did its part in the And ne'er be caught in sin's dark mesh . way of pavements and sidewalks . Meanwhile the city expanded, and a suffi- cient number of high-grade business firms located in the area . 0 what a joyful, happy band The spiritual work was not neglected during this time . In August, 1904, a We'll join within God's summerland,• tent was erected at the corner of Genesee Street and Bronson Avenue . Ser- We'll bask with them for evermore vices were conducted for a week, all meetings being well attended . Cam- In joys each day increasing more! paigns were also conducted at Sea Breeze and Charlotte during the summer . In November, the Colonial Hall was secured, where meetings were held for 0 what great joy we then will take some time. Then Plymouth Church, at Plymouth Avenue and Troup Street, In passing through the pearly gate was hired, and here the group worshiped regularly for 18 months, until the With all the joyous happy band church was sold to the Spiritualist Society . The last sermon preached there Who enter that glad summerland . was on August 5, 1906 . In this address Captain Nichols said, "I stand ready today to buy the Plymouth Church outright and make the Spiritualists a 0 what a joy to then behold This happy band all pure as gold clean present of it if they will produce one phenomenon which I fail to All sparkling with God's love Divine *An Honest Man is available in printed book form . Write : Megiddo Press, Because they stayed in Christ the vine . 481 Thurston Road, Rochester, NY 14619 . Price : $2 .00 . (Continued on page 17)

16 MEGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997

(Continued from page 16) wondrous summerland o f joy Without0 a thing that can annoy! explain upon reasonable investigation." He was never called upon to make Among the ones that reach this land good his offer. O may we be, this little band! Plymouth Church was the scene of the first true Christmas celebration given by the Megiddo group for the public . Captain Nichols had been 0 how we long to meet you there, engaged for some time in collecting and tabulating the evidence showing that And in these glories gladly share, Christ was not born on December 25 but in the spring of the year . According Where all the tugs and toils of life to his calculations, the anniversary of Jesus' birth fell that year (1906) on Will all be gone, with every strife. March 25, and the church was elaborately decorated for the occasion with 0 what a joy we all will take artificial flowers of many varieties-to the number of 10,000, all handmade In hearing Daniel, Paul relate by the ladies of the group . A program of recitations, songs and selections by The trials they in life passed through the band was rendered, closing with an address by Captain Nichols . While they were being made o'er new . During these years, home mission work was being extensively carried on in many parts of the United States by house-to-house canvassers offering Great Gabriel will be there in white books explaining the Bible by subjects . Captain Nichols offered to pay the Who long ago passed weary night; railroad fare and furnish the books at cost to all who would go out and help • has been learning, living more, to carry the light in this way to a world in darkness . Many responded, some He'll have great things for us in store! giving their entire time to the good work . Several more publications were added to the list during the next few years in Rochester, vis .: What Must We 0 what a pleasure, lasting, grand, Do to be Saved?, Treatise on the Holy Spirit, Treatise on the Trinity, Treatise on • have him 'rnongst our little band! We'll listen to his stories great Elijah and the Coming of Christ, and Treatise on Christmas and New Year. The Which he to us will then relate. Spiritual Creation was a posthumous work of Captain Nichols', published in 1914. All together it became a set of thirteen books furnishing a comprehen- 'Twill make our hearts with joy expand sive study of the Bible . As Gabriel tells of his dear band, The point that the prophet Elijah will return to herald the second advent Of all the wondrous things they've done of Christ, was one of the last to be discovered . "Behold, I will send you Elijah Throughout ten thousand ages long. the prophet before the coming o f the great and dreadful day o f the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to 0 what a privilege greater still- their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse ." This prophecy had 'Twill give our hearts the grandest thrill stood in plain view for centuries, as had the statement of Jesus, "Elias [Eli- When lie invites our little band jah] truly shall first come, and restore all things" (Mal. 4:5-6; Matt. 17:11). Yet Togo and see his blessed land. the subject was beclouded by those who had tried through the years to . A study of May you be there to shout "Amen! apply these texts to another individual or to a class or movement So let it be, Amen! Amen! the subject convinced Mr . Nichols that there could be but one meaning; We'll gladly visit your own band that the passages were literally true, and the old prophet Elijah, who was Within your distant summerland!" translated to heaven so many centuries ago, was being trained for a special work and would return to herald the coming of the Messiah. With this 0 what a visit that will be agreed the records of the primitive Church, according to the earliest secular • go and Gabriel's brethren see; historians. Thenceforth the message of the Megiddo missionaries was the We'll pass ten thousand worlds so bright imminent coming of Elijah to sound the final warning . See all their inmates filled with light . The Captain had for some time felt the need of a larger place of worship for his growing band, so in the autumn of 1907 he decided to build a And we'll hear music, oh! so grand, church. No sooner was the plan mentioned to the brethren than the work That sounds afar from Gabriel's band ; was begun. The location chosen was at the corner of Thurston Road and They've spied dear Gabriel! oh, the joy, Sawyer Street, just opposite the Mission Home . The building erected is 76 That nothing ever can destroy. feet long by 36 feet wide, and has a seating capacity of 400 persons. Several And then the welcomes! oh, how sweet trees which stood on the premises were cut down and sawed into building As they come forth to Gabriel greet! material, which was used in the church . (A saw mill and flour mill were part Yes, what grand joy as loves entwine, of the equipment of Captain Nichols .) The pews, which were of chestnut Surpassing loves of humankind . and beautifully finished, were the work of the Captain and his men, while the cushions for the same were made by the women . So upright, good and grand and bright This little church, when completed, presented a very neat appearance. Are all his brethren dressed in white; Though it has been remodeled several times, the original structure still All clean and spotless, pure within, stands and is used today . Its distinguishing feature is its interior decora- All cleansed from every form o f sin. tion-large wall plaques lettered artistically with Bible verses, proclaiming to all who visit that the Bible is the rule of this church . This trip alone will pay us great • bear our cross and evil hate; • do with all our mind and might The things our God has said are right. (Continued on page 18)

MEGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997 17 (Continued from page 17) Long time we'll stay at Gabriel's home And with his happy, loved ones roam . Our minds will grow, each day expand The total cost of the church was about $5,000, and it was all paid for As stay we do with Gabriel's band. when completed; yet no one outside the immediate group was asked to con- tribute a cent and no collections were taken to defray the cost . Two hundred The days and hours will speed, so fast, and fifty people attended the dedication service which was held March 22, Ten thousand years will soon be past, 1908. And then one day a trump will sound Now that the public could be accommodated, the celebration of the true In accents sweet, "Be homeward bound." Christmas with a free entertainment became a regular yearly feature of the work. Programs consisting of recitations, dialogues, songs and music by the We'll bid Adieu to Gabriel's band, band, attracted capacity audiences, and many times large numbers were And swiftly fly to our own land, Where our own brethren, loving, dear, turned away for lack of room . These programs, which required a great deal Are anxious to our story hear. of hard work and practice, were not simply to entertain the public but to call attention to these wondrous Bible truths in a way that would make deep Ten billion visits we'll repeat; and lasting impressions . Captain Nichols always spoke, giving Bible evi- Each time 'twill be a greater treat ; dence for commemorating the Saviour's birth at this time of the year. Hun- Time ne'er will wane nor shorter grow dreds of people partook of the delicious Christmas dinners which were As to ten billion worlds we go . served to the public at a modest fee, and the handmade flowers with which the church was profusely and elaborately decorated at this season were an Our minds they will expand and grow attractive feature and won admiring comments from visitors. As with the noble ones we go . Each year, immediately after the New Year/Abib season, the missionaries How happy will the dwellers be, Enjoying all they hear and see! began preparations for active work in the field . Books and trunks were packed and each group departed for its individual field of labor. A party con- 0 praise the Lord! can it be true, sisting of from four to twenty persons would locate temporarily in a city, These wonders are for me and you? and, by house-to-house canvassing and personal talks with the people, a Yes, yes! they are for each one here great many books were sold and given away . The missionaries' efforts were Who will perform what they do hear . directed toward arousing more interest among the people in Bible study, enabling them to gain a better understanding of the Word of God . 0 Brethren, will you each one go Their missionary labors did not cease with the summer : when cold weath- Where there will come no kind of woe? er came on they turned their faces southward, where the work could be car- All will be joy supremely great ried on in comfort, several groups customarily spending their winters Within the Golden City gate . carrying the good news of the Kingdom to the inhabitants of various South- Yes, we can join that faithful band ern cities. Who'll enter God's fair summerland, Through the foresight and good business management of Captain Those who will clothe in garments white Nichols, the work was established upon a sound financial basis, so that By doing what they know is right . there has never been a cessation of the work on account of lack of funds . fA Believing that the tithing system, which was instituted long prior to the ,Z` . existence of the Mosaic law, was the method of giving approved by the he all-important question is : Are Almighty, the organization adopted that method upon locating in weT doing this great work which Rochester. The method has proved effective and satisfactory, affording all alone can assure our hearts now, an opportunity to assist in the work and causing no hardship to any . The and in the end secure to us a home tithe money is not used to pay the minister, organist, choir or band, how- far beyond all isolation, trials, sick- ever. All the workers give their services absolutely free, following the exam- ness, death, or woe? A home where ple of their leader, who during his fifty years of service never accepted one death can never pluck from our dollar of remuneration . The money paid in tithes pays the railroad fare of fond embrace the ones we so dear- missionaries, settles advertising bills, and spreads the gospel in whatever ly love ; a home surrounded with way is deemed expedient . ecstatic joy; a home with pleasures of every kind ; a home where By these methods, during the lifetime of Mr . Nichols more than a million minds will expand and knowledge publications were placed in the hands of readers the world over . A small- never cease to abundantly scale work, in these days of large figures? Perhaps so, but the number pre- increase; a home that shall never sent at the first Pentecost, as we recall, was not large either . know a sorrow of any kind, never a pain be felt by a member of this INTERRUPTION family so wonderfully blest! How In the midst of these crowded, happy years (he loved activity and accom- different from the joys and plea- plishment), a chilling cloud appeared in the smiling sky. Man is mortal, and sures of this fleeting, short-lived the human organism will endure just so much and no more . Now this great, world. What a contrast! One is bril- good man, who had lived several lifetimes in his sixty-seven years, who had liant, grand, glorious, lovely, eter- nal; the other dark, uncertain, mixed with much sorrow, and finally cut short by death .

18 MEGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997 Jja The following is from a letter written by L . T. Nichols from never spared himself the hardest labors and for whom little sleep or rest had St. Augustine, Florida, in 1894. sufficed, he whose buoyant enthusiasm and zest for living increased with the years, began to find that he was paying toll to Nature . His health failed Human nature is weak and needs perceptibly; his heart was no longer equal to its task at his former pace. stimulating: Urged by those near him to take rest and treatment at the Battle Creek it requires reading, daily reading of (Michigan) Sanitarium, he consented with reluctance, as this was a new and the Word; unwelcome thing for him . On the evening of February 13, 1912, he bade careful meditation; farewell to friends and loved ones, and, accompanied by his wife and his sis- prayerful self-criticism; ter, he began the journey from which he was not to return alive. "You have worn yourself out," the examining physician told him, "trying Humble confession o f faults; to save sinners ." chaste conversation, coupled with fear; At first things went well : he felt stronger day by day . The following Sun- godly example in every clay life; day he planned to preach to friends in Battle Creek, and in a few more days Heartfelt, sincere exhortations ; he would return to dear Megiddo . On the night of February 28, he retired to rebuking in love; the dressing room to prepare for a treatment and there he was found shortly watchfulness for each other's welfare; afterward in the quiet embrace of the King of Terrors . God had been kind to fervent desire to do right; His servant; death had come as he would have desired it, suddenly and pain- lessly. An interested friend, Mr . F. O. Downer, took charge and accompanied Deep sense o f self-respect; the grief-stricken sisters, together with the body of Captain Nichols, to an abhorrence o f evil; purity o f Rochester. motives; The funeral was conducted by his assistant pastor, the Rev . Maud Hem- kindness o f words and purpose; unbiased judgment; bree, now leader of the band, in the little church he had built four years love unfeigned; before. He was then borne by his sorrowing band to Mount Hope Cemetery courtesy to all; and laid to rest to await the Resurrection Day . Words cannot convey the sadness his death brought to the Megiddo Stability of character; Band, and to none was it more poignant than to his devoted wife, with uprightness in dealings ; whom he had lived happily for 48 years . Not one of his followers but felt fervency o f spirit; that he or she had lost an important cog in the machinery of existence . Nor diligency in business; were these alone in their sorrow, for hundreds of friends and acquaintances, reverence for superiors; Catholic and Protestant, came to join in their tribute . Tuthfidness in telling; have fought a good His life's work was complete . Like Paul, he could say, "I holiness in conversation; fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith : Henceforth there is laid up cleanliness o fperson; for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" Loving the right, hating the wrong ; (2 Tim . 4:7-8) . true godly sorrow when we have He lived to see the truth which was his lifelong quest freed from the last done wrong: muddy streak, the last taint of error, as a result of his own untiring efforts aiding the needy; and the help of the Eternal . He rests from his labors, but the work he inau- gurated goes steadily forward . The gems of truth he exhumed have lost none Chastening the guilty; upholding the righteous ; of their brilliance, the household still receive their portion of "meat in due crucifying all flesh that tempts to season ." do wrong. W should rejoice with the lowly; weep with the truly penitent; What a rich boon the All-wise, Omnipotent God has held forth as an induce- give the water of life to the thirsty, ment for us to faithfully serve and obey Him! And then to think, all we do, every and bread to the hungry; good deed, will be set down to our account, we the ones to reap the benefit of our service . Also to think the benefit will be unending in its duration, far above all we Ever be merciful; can ask or think in its wonderful volume o f glory, joy and light! This thought dare always to do right; be thankful for favors; should cause every nerve to spring into action, with a determination to completely never find unnecessary fault,- render our bodies and minds a living sacrifice . This work can be done, but not by live unto God, and not unto men; halfway workers; it will be absolutely necessary for us to throw our entire being into the work, without any reserve, in order for us to be successful in accomplishing Never be weary, but walk in the light; this grand and noble work which alone can yield to us life, glory and happiness in do unto others as we would have the good time to come . -L. T. Nichols them do to us; be easily entreated; throw all stubbornness away; have no relish for error .

MEGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997 19 Think you it was no cross to bear For that fond father's heart, No trial of his faith in God, From his dear son to part? 'Twas God's command : the father's hand His only son must slay. Think you he faltered in the task? My friends, I tell you nay.

Patriarch sat at door o f tent, immediately obedient, TPitched 'neath a spreading tree, He heeded God's command, And worshiped God for blessings great, O who o f us would have the faith Unmeasured, full and free. In God, as Abraham? Out on the fertile plains there roam At early morn they started forth, His flocks and herds untold, The son by father's side; For God made Abra'am very rich The servants followed with the beasts, In cattle, silver, gold . Things needful to provide . The Lord spake unto Abraham, A nd when they see the place afar, "Come thou and walk with me The men and beast must wait, In perfect and obedient trust, While Abraham and Isaac go, And I thy God will be . The sacrifice to make . I'll with thee make a covenant We hear that loving son exclaim, That ever shall endure; To faithful Abraham, And multitudes shall come o f thee, "My father, here's the fire and wood, My covenant is sure ." But, father, where's the lamb?" This was the promise o f his God: Think you the struggle in his breast "For faithful service given Was easy to control? Tho' childless now, yet shall thy seed Think you the words o f that dear son Be as the stars of heaven . Rent not the father's soul? And now, e'en now in thine old age, O who of us would bravely say, A son to thee I'll give: "My son, 'tis God's command, My covenant I'll make with him We'll follow where He bids us go, And Ishmael, too, shall live ." God will provide the lamb ." ,,But Isaac shalt thou call thy son, They reached the God-appointed place, He is the promised seed, His hands the altar made, And thy wife Sarah, she shall be With faith unwavering in his God, Mother of kings indeed." The wood upon it laid. The son was born, and as he grew What think you were the thoughts that filled In stature, year by year, That loving father's mind A dutiful, obedient child, As his own hands take up the cord, He filled their hearts with cheer. His only son to bind? Think you the father did not love A ll things are done, the son is bound, His good obedient son, And on the altar laid; The promised child o f his old age, And now, oh, now there comes the test, His dear and only one? The offering must be made . He loved him with a perfect love, Think you he feared God's promises Taught by the Lord, I trow; Would crumble into dust? That no transgression would pass by, Or did he fearlessly obey, Nor would he evil know . In perfect faith and trust? There came a time when lie was tried, He doubted not, lie faltered not, For God would try His own, But raised the shining blade, And Abraham must bear the test, When lo, lie hears a voice above : And trust the Lord alone. The fatal blow is stayed. "Take now thy son, thine only son, "Lay not thine hand upon the lad, Most precious in thine eyes, My word thou hast obeyed, And make o f him an offering, And now I know thou fearest God, A burning sacrifice .' For this thy hand is stayed ."

20 MEGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997 0 who can know the great heart-throbs Will we like faithful Abraham, That heaved that father's breast, Have strength to bear the test? When words like these, from angel lips, Or, filled with doubts and fears, turn back, Were unto him addressed! And lose the promised rest? Methinks that praise, as incense sweet, Our God is faithful to His word; Rose to the throne o f God The promised rest is sure; From hearts with thankfulness o'erwhelmed If we will keep our faith with Him, As homeward path they trod . That rest we will secure . W are not called upon to slay 'Twill be a rest o f joy and peace, A darling only child, And happiness worldwide, But we must kill each fleshly love, For nothing that can hurt or harm- From sin be undefiled; Will in that realm abide . Must make the friends o f Jesus ours, Then let us daily take our cross, E'en tho' we suffer loss Like Abra'am bear it well, O f earthly treasures, home, or friends, Then when his seed is like the stars, Must patient bear the cross . With them we'll ever dwell . -Mary A. Lee

bridge has washed out . The hammer or plane . refused. How foolish can one be! highwayA patrol sets up warning A company builds and stocks a we exclaim. lights and a barricade . A motorist large store in a prime location . A Yet, what of ourselves? How disregards the warnings, plows man is chosen to manage the store, well are we using the resources through the barricade-and crash- but he has no knowledge of that God has given us? es to his death . line of business, nor of the cost of God has placed in our hands a A student enters a classroom to the items on the shelves . Book of Knowledge . Within that prepare for an exam . He puts cot- A physician goes into surgery to Book (the Bible) is a map of the ton in his ears so that he cannot operate on a patient . But he refus- past, a guide for the present, and hear the instructor, and closes his es to use the necessary instru- insight into the future . By it alone eyes so that he cannot read the ments, nor will he allow anyone can yesterday be understood, today papers on his desk. to help him. rightly lived, and tomorrow pre- A soldier goes to battle . He A man is walking down a dark pared for. takes no gun, no ammunition, nor road at night. He does not know We hold in our hands the only any kind of weapon with which to the road. He has in his hand a Book that contains the chart and defend himself or attack the flashlight, but he will not use it. compass for our race . It is our only enemy. A plane is preparing to fly across light in the darkness ; our only A man is stricken with all the the North Pole . There will be no guide across the sea of life ; the only symptoms of a heart attack . He navigator on board, nor anyone roadmap giving sure directions to refuses to lie down or to let his fam- acquainted with the operations of the City Eternal . Are we using it? ily call for help . the plane. Are we using it to its fullest? A man sets out to drive across A motorist is driving at night . There is no dispute in matters of the United States . He does not take His car is well equipped, but he a physical nature . No responsible any road maps, nor does he consent refuses to turn on his headlights. physician would refuse to use his to ask what route to take . He is sure A house is wired for electricity . instruments . No responsible lawyer that he can find his way without All the fixtures are in place and would go into court unprepared . any directions. the wiring complete . But the Only the most foolish motorist A lawyer goes into court to owner refuses to throw the master would drive at night and not turn defend his client, but he has not switch, to connect to the outside on his headlights. Only the most studied his client's case, nor source of power . foolish man, stricken with a heart researched the points of the law attack would refuse medical help . that will be involved . hat is our reaction? In each In each case it is a matter of grave A carpenter starts to build a instance,W the picture is one of consequence. house. He has no plans to follow, imminent danger or loss-because But we who stand before God nor will he use a square, saw, available resources are being holding in our hands His law of (Continued on page 26)

MEGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997 21

OLD TedtarnentABCd

9.1 17. In q and in confidence shall Youngest eon ofAaron. be your strength. ° I.A Persian King who chose WAR: 10. J Esther for IN R bis queen . Fifti eth year in Ierael, _ when all slaves were freed A dloabitees who an d all debts erased- accepted and worshipped 2. B Israel's God. City where it wad prophesied that Jesus would be born . 19 11. K . S Ierael and bast Judge °f Israelite who led a rebel- l leader . earnest spiritua lion against Moses and died by Divine judgment. 3.C 20. T Persian king who gave K the Jewish captives per- Seaport city denounced tnission to return home. by the prophets Ezekiel and Joel. 12 L D Book 4. orker who of the Bible written Christian w . - by Jere nigh, reflects U loved to have the resin on '21' which God com- advice the reality of God's,judg- A Town to leave ; rejected ham nenee and ments upon sin manses Abra . . the apostle John in return, God promised frO~" great blessings .

13 . M the old Teeta- 5.E bed 4. that gP offCi Christ's, i~ Priest who brought up n 22. V Samuel at the the comin Means by tabernacle. me. e11ger Which God revealed prophetic messages to Daniel

6 . `All who f a shamed., thee will be 14 N . `Happy i,, the man 23 King of Babylon noted who finseth nwho Oetteth both for his conquests and the ma and his dreams. understand ing-

ZG Name of Eyieh a ., eer.. 15 .0 Ruth andan Boazi vane u'bo was strick of Dao en Son a with leprosy. grandfather of 24 Y

Hebrew name for God.

8.H of prophet who 1. Namewrote, The just shall live by his faith." 25. Z Holy bill where God Hid King 16. P will establish Location of Jacob 1Ore>tli`i9 with the angel

i

4

Ques ions an dAnswers

WHAT ARE "Glorified Worlds"?

"In the April issue of your maga- shall the righteous shine forth as the beings, whose nature has been zine, there are two references to sun in the kingdom o f their father" changed from the mortal to the 'glorified worlds,' a heretofore (Matt. 13:43) . We read of the Eter- eternal, immortal state? unread and unseen area of exten- nal City that it had no need of the Another point may be made sion. Do you have any reference sun nor of the moon "to shine in it: from simple logic: We acknowl- material on this subject? What for the Lord God giveth them light, edge God as the Creator of all mat- are the biblical references? and the Lamb is the light thereof" ter and all life, and what purpose "I am somewhat familiar with (Rev. 21 :23) . The prophet Isaiah could He have in bringing into Paul's reference to the fifth heav- foretold the same wonder, that the existence the myriads of stars that en and references to angels being future Kingdom would need no are visible in billions of galaxies placed in varying degrees of sunlight for illumination (Isa . throughout space that scientists are responsibility and stature." 60:19) . Daniel said that the "wise now able to see with their high- shall shine as the brightness of the fir- powered telescopes? Shall we be so We are convinced that the Bible mament; and they that turn many to conceited as to think that God amply supports the existence of righteousness as the stars forever and placed living beings on only one "glorified worlds," i.e., planets ever" (Dan . 12:3) . These passages tiny planet in one remote corner of which began like our earth is at indicate that glorified beings radi- one galaxy in His vast creation? present and were later perfected ate physical light, so much so that There is another point of evi- (glorified) and filled with glorified they "shine as the stars." dence found in Psalm 103 :17-18 : beings . How does all of the above come "But the mercy of the Lord is from One statement of this belief, about? It is all according to God's everlasting to everlasting upon them though unrecognized, is found in "eternal purpose" (Eph . 3 :11). The that fear him ." This tells us that the Lord's prayer : "Thy kingdom earth is only one part of an unfold- God has had living beings upon come. Thy will be done in earth as it ing Divine plan of creation, which whom to bestow His mercy "from is in heaven ." If it is the plan of includes thousands and millions of everlasting"-certainly a statement God that His will shall in the other worlds, as well as the earth . reaching far beyond the bound- future be done "in earth" as it is The Bible is concerned exclusively aries of our small earth . now being done "in heaven," is this with the portion of the plan that We look eagerly forward to the not suggesting that the heavenly relates to the earth and its inhabi- day when God shall transform our bodies began like the earth, and tants, hence we are not told details earth into a part of heaven, remov- progressed to their present state? of the rest of the plan. But Paul ing all that is harmful or wicked As for the inhabitants of these prayed to the God who was the and filling it with His glory, His worlds, we are told by Jesus in that Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, "of people, until it is the perfect, fin- worthy mortals will be made "equal whom the whole family in heaven ished product which He planned it unto the angels, . . . neither can they and earth is named" (Eph. 3:14- should be . Such is the intent and die any more" (Luke 20 :35-36) . 15)-this earth is only one small purpose of His creation, for we According to Paul, we look forward part of an enormous whole . read, "He created it not in vain, he to having our physical nature We have the further confirma- formed it to be inhabited" (Isa . changed to the likeness of Christ, tion in the fact that angels are able 45 :18). to a glorified state that is no longer to come and go to earth, as has mortal and corruptible (Phil. been recorded in the past . Angels • Does God predict or direct? 3:20-21) . The apostle also came to visit many people during described it as putting off the cor- Bible times, and we are told that "I don't purposely try to find ruptible nature and putting on the theirs is a continuing ministry, errors in your magazine. In gen- incorruptible (1 Cor. 15 :51-53) . although at the present time they eral your articles are very good . This tells us that glorified beings are not seen . "The angel o f the Lord But some things jump at me for are no longer subject to sickness encampeth about them that fear him, comment. and death . and delivereth them" (Ps . 34:7) . Is it "I have in front of me where We learn from several other pas- not reasonable to think that the you wrote, 'This is the very con- sages that glorified beings radiate glorified worlds above are the dition that God predicted.' I light. Said Jesus Himself, "Then homes of these bright, shining would qualify that by adding to

MEGIDDO MESSAGE/May 1997 23 that sentence the words 'and events happen as a result of ceptable conduct in His sight, and directed' to complete the chance, or are all events directed leaves us to act responsibly or irre- thought and show that it is by God? sponsibly . There would be no God's doing, not just God's pre- While God leaves humans to point in giving us freedom of diction. Revelation 17:17 is choose their own course of action, choice if He forced us to act in a explanation enough, even there are events which are directly predetermined manner . Nor would though there is much more in acts of God ; i.e., they are complete- He be fair in punishing wrong the Word about God directing ." ly beyond human power either to doing if He was ultimately respon- make happen or to prevent. There sible . You raise a good question : Does have been times when God acted What about distinct events that God predict, in that He foreknows directly and visibly in history . are part of His plan? God has what will happen, or is He directly When He was working with the decreed that certain events shall involved, i.e., "directing," causing nation of Israel, He frequently be, and nothing men may do can things to happen? intervened, to fight their battles, or thwart that plan . In such cases we There is a basic difference to bring about that which He had might say either that God directed between God foreknowing and decreed . At other times, He it and/or that God foreknew it . God directing. God foreknowing watched silently as events took One example would be the birth of does not imply that He has any their course, while men and Jesus Christ . This event was pre- direct influence on or control of nations interacted without recog- dicted by God's prophets centuries what happens ; He simply knows in nizing His authority . in advance, and certainly God advance what will be . If God In either case, whether God was directed it, even caused it to hap- directs, He causes things to happen, intervening or not, He knew what pen. At the same time, the human both good and ill . This suggests the outcome would be, and was actors in the drama (Mary, Joseph, that He overrules human action, able to state it in advance if He had Zacharias, Elisabeth) made their and that God, not humans, should any reason or purpose to do so . He respective contributions by their receive the full credit or blame . was not interfering; He was simply own free choice . God acted upon This is contrary to the teaching of able to see the drama in advance, Mary, to make her the mother of Scripture, where the various writers and know the ending before it hap- the Christ-child, and Mary cooper- picture God as restraining evil, pened . ated with God. She said, "Be it unto containing evil, hating evil, send- There are statements in the me according to your word.' ing His judgments upon the evil- Bible which would suggest that Another example is the destruc- doers (Gen. 6 :6-7; 18:1-15) . If God God did everything that was done, tion of Jerusalem . God knew in determines human conduct, good as though every event was His advance that this would happen ; or evil, then human beings are not direct responsibility . This arises Jesus foretold it . But we would not free moral agents but merely pup- from the fact that the Hebrews say that God directed Jerusalem to pets in His hand, creatures which thought of all history as God- be destroyed ; He simply foreknew He makes to act according to His ordained, as the hand of God at what would happen-and pre- supreme will . Such an arrangement work . In their language, to say that arranged a means whereby His peo- would void human responsibility "it happened" was the equivalent ple could be spared, if they heeded and leave no place for human of saying that "God did thus and the warnings. achievement, human progress, or thus." It was not predestination In certain events, God was the for training us to use the minds but only Divine foreknowledge . principle actor in the drama ; i.e., and wills God has given us . Were God to be directly respon- the birth of Jesus, the resurrection The Bible presents God as sible for all of history, where would of Jesus ; the ascension of Jesus to supreme in control and man as a there be any free choice? Where heaven . None of these events free moral agent, free to serve God would we be left to choose our could have come about without or not to serve Him as he individu- own course, or to use the resources the intervention of God into ally chooses. "Choose ye this day God has given us? If our minds human affairs . Each event was pre- whom ye will serve" was the com- and wills were constantly over- dicted, and God also directed the mand of Joshua . And Moses stated ruled by God and we did only happening . Other events (the the mind of the Lord when he said, what we were foreordained or pre- death of Jesus, the fall of the Jew- "See, I have set before thee this day destined to do, there would be no ish nation, or the coming of the life and good, death and evil" (Dent. human victory, and no struggle dark night of the apostasy) were 30:15) . Each individual was free to and achievement ; everything foretold, but the human actors choose for himself, whether or not would be God's doing . In this who brought about these events he would obey God, whether or sense, all good (or evil) would be did not need God to overrule in not he would serve God . His doing . This is not the way God order to make them possible . In But the points you question are designed His plan . He distinctly most cases, they were the result of regarding events, not individuals' commands us what to do, and the wicked actions of wicked- choices . The question, then, is : Do reveals what is acceptable or unac- minded men . Peter said of the cru-

24 MEGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997

cifixion, "Whom ye crucified, whom plan for His earth, and in due time glory of God" when such beverages God raised from the dead" (Acts 4:10; He will bring it to pass . In the are known to be damaging to our see also Acts 2 :23). meantime, He lets men and bodies and make us less able to When God sends Jesus Christ to nations make their own choices, go function well . The greatest danger earth, He will be directly interven- their own way, build up and tear is that even small amounts of alco- ing in human affairs, and taking down as they purpose, and He does hol may lead to addiction and charge of the course of events . not interfere, except to fulfill a eventual drunkenness, which Paul Jesus, equipped with Divine promise or to protect His own . said, places us in a category with authority, will break into human such as "shall not inherit the king- history . The event has been pre- • About the Use of Alcohol dom of God" (Gal . 5 :21) . dicted; in this case again God will There is another factor here, and be making it happen . "What are your views on using that is one's example . If the young The passage you cite from Reve- alcohol as a beverage?" see their elders drinking alcoholic lation 17:17 refers to the time after beverages, they might get the Christ has returned and is judging The Bible does not give us specific impression that indulgence is the nations . It reads: "God hath put information on all subjects, but it harmless, and may start upon a in their hearts to f d fil his will, and to gives us guidelines which we may course that could lead to ruin . All agree, and give their kingdom unto the apply . One of these is found in things considered, we feel it is best beast, until the words of God shall be 1 Cor . 10:31, "So whether you eat or to abstain totally . fidfilled ." Here God is moving peo- drink or whatever you do, do it all to Today the use of alcohol is ple to do what He wants done so the glory o f God. " reaching frightening proportions, that His words may be fulfilled . "Whatever you do" is all inclusive. No especially among the young. The same was said in the days of activity of our life can be omitted . Recent statistics show that of those Daniel, that "The most High ruleth Can one drink alcoholic bever- 18 to 25 years of age, 80 percent in the kingdoms o f men, and giveth it ages to the glory of God? There have used alcohol, and 60 percent to whomsoever lie will" (Dan. 4:17). have been times when pure drink- use alcohol regularly . Do we won- The apostle Paul made a similar ing water was not available and der why our nation must spend statement, that "the powers that be alcoholic beverages were used millions to reclaim alcoholics? It are ordained o f God" (Rom. 13)-not instead, but in our present situa- will not change greatly until that they exist directly by God's tion we see no need to ingest any Christ returns, with a new set of action, but God oversees, to the alcohol. At times a doctor may pre- laws, laws which separate public extent that nothing is allowed to scribe a small amount of wine or good from monetary gain . Until interfere with His long-range plans . brandy to improve one's health, that time arrives, the Christian God is supreme in history, and the law of God would not pro- must add courage to his or her directing all toward His pre- hibit this . But to drink alcoholic faith, and abstain from that which ordained end: the realizing of His beverages for pleasure is not "to the is harmful . J

not yet arrived, but we can have Hold the Fort! faith as we see the fulfilling of Tile road to life is steep and rough, prophecies spoken for the last days and no one should attempt it without he story is told about a Fort in of man's rule, "evil men and seduc- prayer and a reliable road map . GeorgiaT back in the days of the ers" waxing worse and worse, men Civil War. This fort, besieged for doing evil "with both hands earnest- Asked to define sin, a small boy many days, was getting to the point ly." And surely the weak have said replied, "Sin is fun that's bad ." where the commanding officer "I am strong." thought they could hold out no The enemy may seem strong, our longer . He was ready to surrender to ranks thinning out, and holding on Bad men excuse their faults; good the enemy. may become more and more diffi- men abandon them . About this time, another general cult, but the message rings clear : was marching through Georgia . "Hold the fort, for I am coming"- When he was about fifty miles away "Though it seem to tarry wait for it, It is not always evil that shuts out from the fort, he sent out a messen- for it will surely come, it will not be the best . The second best is the ger with this word, "Hold the fort, late" (Hab. 2:3, KJV and Moffatt) . worst enenyt of the best . for I am coming ." With this encour- Our Lord has given His word : agement and hope, the fort was able Some will be watching, holding on, appiness is an INside job . to hold on until help reached them . ready when He returns (Luke H It seems that Jesus is saying that 12:35-37) . Let us resolve that we to us today . "Hold the fort, for I will be found holding the fort. Help t is better to be despised for the am coming." His messenger has is on the way! J rightI than praised for the wrong .

MEGIDDO MESSAGE/May 1997 25

Utterly Foolish - neglecting the Word of God, let us think about the foolish ones who refuse help and plunge headlong (Coiirinurd from page 21) into disaster. life also face a life-and-death situation . There is only When we neglect to heed the Word of God, we are one way to survive . There is only one way to obtain just as foolish, for such a course, if continued, is sure the life He offers, and that is by following strictly the to result in our own eternal loss . Without God how guidelines in His Book . To do any less is to show we can we know how to live, or what to do? We are but are not interested in living, that we would rather pur- blind fools if we willfully reject the Light of Life . On sue our own foolish course-and die . the other hand, accepting the help at hand is the way In our day, traditional moral and spiritual values to life. What person in a sane state of mind would not have largely lost their meaning . Our society has cut choose it? loose from its moorings and does not know where it is We may be advanced in every form of the knowl- going . Religious traditions have been rejected, and edge of this world ; we may master science and math, concepts of right and wrong are based on relative val- and be well informed on national and international ues. What can we expect, but that such a society will affairs . But if we do not go to the Bible and turn its sink lower and lower? searchlight upon our own hearts, to discover the evil In the Bible we find a clear statement of the values within, we are only stumbling blindly in the night . that are based on God's holiness. Here we learn how Only the Bible points out the way to life . Only the God would have His children act in everyday life . Word of God describes the character God will perpetu- The Psalmist, extolling the blessings of God's Word ate. Only the Bible shows what we must do to live upon all who will believe and obey, says, "Thy word is beyond this world . Paul told his son-in-the-faith Timo- a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Ps . thy that only the Scriptures could make him "wise unto 119:105) . Has there ever been a time when we needed salvation" (211m. 3:15). that light more than today? To ignore this Divinely Let us bow our heads in humility and acknowledge given light is to commit spiritual suicide . It is like dri- that God knows better than we . ving down a dark road at night and refusing to turn Let us be trained soldiers, wielding the sword of the on our headlights . Spirit at every opportunity, following where our Mas- The Psalmist voiced a prayer which should be in the ter has led . Let us use the wisdom of God to discern heart of every Christian : "Keep my steps steady according between the true and the false, right and wrong, good to your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over and evil, so that our lives may be free from every taint me" (Ps. 119:133, RSV) . of sin, and at last we may be accepted into God's eter- Each time we feel like going our own way and nal family. IJ

Old Testament ABC's The Mighty Word of God to convince us that God is in (Answers to questions on page 22) Even though we don't have charge . A. Ahasuerus (Esther 1:2-9) visits from angels or the Holy The trouble is the world is too 5 :1-2) Spirit power today, we have God's B . Bethlehem (Mic . much with us . We are surrounded C. Cyrus (Ezra 1 :1-3) Word, the Bible . We were quite by worldliness. It is so easy to 1). Diotrephes (3 John 9) impressed by the series in the become complacent and tolerant E. Eli (1 Samuel 2) Message about the infallibility of of sin and evil. It is a grave mis- F. Forsake (ler . 17 :13) the Bible . Recently my husband take to think we are pretty good G. Gehazi (2 Kings 5:25-27) and I have been reading, The Bible when we compare ourselves to the H . Habakkuk (Hab. 2:4) Through the Ages. It is about the world . Only Jesus Christ can be I. Ithamar (Ex . 28 :1) evolution of the Bible and its our pattern . We cannot compare J. Jubilee (Lev. 25 :11-14) influence on people from its ourselves to any other pattern . K. Korah (Numbers 16) beginning until now. Only There isn't much time left . L. Lamentations because it's the Word of God What are we doing with ours? If M. Malachi (Mal . 3:1; 4 :5-6) could it have come through the we are praising God every day, all N. Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2) 4:17) ages as it did . day, there will be less time for O. Obed (Ruth The fact that it was written sin . Complacency is one of our P. Penuel (Gen . 32:24-31) Q. Quietness (Isa . 30 :15) especially for us in the latter days biggest enemies . We don't have 1 :16-17) is awesome . Every bit of instruc- R. Ruth (Ruth time for it. The older I get the S. Samuel (1 Sam. 12 :24) tion and proof we need to perfect more I realize how fast time goes . T. Tyre (Ezekiel 26-28 ; Joel 3) our characters is there . We can be We are not guaranteed even 70 or U. Ur (Gen . 12 :1-3) sure that all prophesy will be ful- 80 years . We have to do our best V. Visions (Daniel 2:19) filled and is being fulfilled around every day or the work will never W. Wisdom (Prov . 3 :13) us every day. We shouldn't need be finished. Y. Yahweh angels to impress us or miracles Texas P. Fleming Z. Zion (Ps . 2 :6)

26 MEGIDDO MESSAGE/ May 1997

It is the difference in viewpoint which makes our oppor- tunities a success or a defeat.

Aright spirit at the center of your being will easily control the circumference .

I've got a heap of troubles And I've got to work them out. But I look around and see There's trouble all about . And when I see my trouble, I just look up and grin, And count up all the troubles That, thank God, I'm not in .

I t requires a strong man to say, "I'm sorry ." Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation . Yesterday's experience plus today's action can make tomorrow a great day .

Well done is better than well said .

Life exacts one minute at a time, so all you have to do at any given time is one minute's worth of work . If a problem is too small to seek God's help for, it's too That's not so hard is it? small to worry about.

A story is told about a man who was known as a This man met his death because he placed his trust human fly some years ago in Los Angeles . in a spider's web . "How tragic!" we say. Yet how often On a given date, this man was to climb unaided up have we been like this man, putting our trust in our- the face of a large department store . Long before the selves and the things of this world . appointed hour thousands of eager spectators were Where is our trust? Are we placing it entirely in God gathering to see him perform this seemingly impossi- and the rewards He has offered us, a place where we ble feat. can be certain of safety? or are we trusting in our- Slowly and carefully he began to climb, clinging selves . Every time we cling to our own ways, we are now to a window ledge, now to a jutting brick, again trusting in a spider's web . to a cornice . Up and up he went, higher and higher, The prophet Isaiah shows the worthlessness of such performing the seemingly impossible . webs: "They hatch adder's eggs, and weave a spider's The crowd watched breathlessly as he felt left and web;. ..Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall right and pulled himself slowly and carefully up the they cover themselves with their works; their works are side of the building . Cautiously he tested every new foothold to be certain it was firm enough to support works of iniquity, and acts of violence are in their hands . his weight . Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent As he neared the top, he spied what looked like a blood; their thoughts are thoughts o f iniquity. Plunder and gray bit of stone or discolored brick protruding from destruction are in their paths . The way of peace they know the smooth wall . He reached for it, but it was just not; and there is no justice in their ways ; they have made beyond him . Then, venturing all on a springlike their paths crooked; whosoever walks in them shall not movement, he jumped, grasped the protuberance and, know peace" (Isa. 59 :5-8, Lamsa). before the horrified eyes of the spectators, fell to the Who would be so foolish as to put his trust in a spi- ground. In his lifeless hand was found a spider's web! der's web and be lost forever? Will you? Will I? 1-1

MEGIDDO MESSAGE/May, 1997 27 well deep! The little things that chafe and fret, O waste not golden hours to give them heed! The slight, the thoughtless wrong, do now forget, Forget yourself in serving others' need . Your faith in God through ev'ry hour still keep : well deep, my soul, dwell deep .

well deep! Forego the pleasure if it lead Away from God; oh, consecrate each thought ; Believe in Him who gives you everything, And trust that all to wisest end is wrought . Be pure, be true, God does your record keep : Dwell deep, my soul, dwell deep .