1. April 2009 $2.95 U.S. ($4.25 Canada)

2. INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Passover: Coronation Day for Jewish Kings . . . . 3
In the ancient world, Israelites regarded the 1st of Nisan as
the New Year for Kings, and the festival of Passover as the ac- P. O. Box 7000
tual coronation day. Little known to Gentiles, this amazing truth Oklahoma City, OK 73153
throws new light on that most historic of all Passovers. The day Dr. J. R. Church, Editor
that Jesus was crucified was also the traditional day for the coro- Gary Stearman, Associate Editor
nation of Jewish kings! Volume 29 • Number 4 • April 2009
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The Ancient Book of Enoch (Part Three) . . . . . . 6 U. S.: $29.95 - 1 year
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Period. In this issue we offer the third installment of our commen-
tary on the Book of Enoch, featuring chapters 22-36. Page 3 . . .
Mohammed’s Flying White Horse . . . . . . 7 Passover: Coronation Day for Jewish Kings
In A.D. 621, at the age of 51, Mohammed laid down at dusk and By Gary Stearman
curled up in a plush carpet at his cousin’s house, only to be abrupt-
ly awakened by the archangel Gabriel, who invited him to come
Page 6 . . .
outside. As he stepped through the door, he was introduced to a
huge white horse. Gabriel told him that the horse once belonged to
Abraham, and that his name was Barack!
The Ancient Book of Enoch
Satan Is a Socialist . . . . . . 8 (Part Three) by J. R. Church
Socialism is so pervasive and so subtle that it can insinuate itself
into even the most moral and ethical of settings. Wherever there is
the prospect of taking power, it is always there, masked in benevo-
lence and philanthropy, but ever waiting to leap to power when Page 7 . . .
it sees the opportunity. Like the Old Serpent, it never sleeps. It is
constantly on the prowl, probing for weak spots, and launching
Mohammed’s Flying White Horse
endless streams of propaganda. By J. R. Church
Light on Prophecy . . . . . . 13
We are taking a step back in time. It is Thursday evening, May Page 8 . . .
30, 1918. We are attending a prophecy conference, sponsored by
some of the world’s leading scholars on eschatology, being held at Satan Is a Socialist
the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. The 3,300-seat auditorium By Gary Stearman
is full as we prepare to hear Rev. W. B. Riley, pastor of the First
Page 13 . . .
Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN, speak on the subject: “What
Manner of Persons Ought We to Be?”
Bob’s Corner . . . . . . 17 Light on Prophecy
Bob Ulrich reviews a new book, It’s the End of the World As
We Know it, by Jim Fletcher. Despite the mockery of the Bible
The 1918 Philadelphia Prophecy Conference
today, we are, in fact, living in the last days of world history, as
Page 17 . . .
outlined in the Scriptures. God has plainly revealed Himself in
the Bible. You can satisfy that human longing to know who is
“out there” and what is happening in our world today.
Bob’s Corner
President Apologizes to the Moslem World . . . . . . 38 By Bob Ulrich
On January 26th, the President gave his first official media
Page 38 . . .
interview to Hisham Melhem, a highly-ranked correspondent
with Al Arabiya, based in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. the
President said that in the last two or three decades, America has
more or less consistently mistreated the Muslims. This breath- President Apologizes to Moslem World
taking confession is a slap in the face of every American! By Gary Stearman
2 Prophecy in the News

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Jesus Crowned King!
Passover: Coronation Day for Jewish Kings
By Gary Stearman archy led to the recognition of Tishri and
Rosh HaShanah, rather than Nisan and
Although the fall festival of Rosh Ha- Passover, as the head of the year. Put an-
Shanah marks the first day of the new other way, Jews came to honor the Civil
Jewish calendar year, Nisan in the spring New Year in the fall, rather than the Spiri-
is actually considered the beginning of the tual New Year in the spring.
annual festival cycle. The following quote from The Jewish
The Jewish commentar- Voice further clarifies this view: “How do
ies in the Mishnah tell we know that Passover is Rosh HaShanah
us that the year of the for the Kings? It is in the Tanach [Old Tes-
reign of Jewish kings tament], though somewhat hidden. How
was counted from Nisan do we know that the Kings of Israel are
in biblical times. crowned at Passover? In I Kings, it says
In fact, in the tradi- this: ‘… in the fourth year of Solomon’s
tional Jewish calendar, reign over Israel, in the month of Zif, which
there are four legal New Year’s days: is the second month, that he began to build
First comes Nisan, the New Year for the House of Adonai.’ (I Kings 6:1) It is
Kings. Next, is the 1st of Elul, the New repeated in II Chronicles 3:2 as well. The
Year for animal tithes. Then the 1st of Tish- second month of the reign of King Solo-
ri (Rosh Hashanah) is the New Year for the mon – which means Solomon was crowned
civil calendar and for vegetable tithes. the month before! The month of Zif is now
Finally, the 15th of Shevat (Tu Bishvat) known as the month of Iyar, which comes
is the New Year for Trees and fruit tithes. after the month of Nisan, when Passover
As we shall see, recognition of the first is. From this understanding, we can check
Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews it with the other kings of Israel as well.
New Year celebration in the Jewish calen-
dar becomes extremely important in un- tionally remembered by the Jews as the There was a debate between the House of
derstanding the finished work of Christ. day when the kings of ancient Israel were Hillel and the House of Shamai, whether
When He came to His people two thou- crowned. it was on the 15th or the 1st of the month,
sand years ago, He completed every tiny In fact, Nisan – the month of the Pass- but the 15th is Passover night, and this be-
detail of prophecy. In particular, His coro- over – marked what was known as the came the common understanding.”
nation as King was no mere metaphor; it “New Year for Kings.” In the ancient world, then, Israelites re-
was perfect and complete. One essay on the subject says, “For rea- garded the 1st of Nisan as the New Year
This year, Passover and Easter come sons as yet unclear, the beginning of the for Kings, and the festival of Passover as
within three days of each other, with Pass- year, reckoned from the spring by the early the actual coronation day.
over arriving on April 9th and Easter on postexilic community, came to be celebrat- Little known to Gentiles, this amazing
Sunday, April 12th. To Jews, it is a time ed in the autumn in Judaism. The sounding truth throws new light on that most histor-
to celebrate the freeing of their ancestors of the ram’s horn (shofar) figured promi- ic of all Passovers. The day that Jesus was
from Egyptian bondage by Moses, the de- nently in the ritual of the festival, held on crucified was also the traditional Jewish
liverer. Tishri 1-2, while the liturgy emphasized day for the Coronation of Kings!
Christians remember how our Deliv-
erer, Christ, the Lamb of God, was sacri-
the themes of judgment, God’s kingship, The Coronation
and creation.
ficed for us. We recall His public humili- “Nisan 1 continued to be recognized as On the morning of that day – Passover,
ation, His death and His resurrection. He New Year’s day for the reckoning of the the 15th of Nisan – Jesus was given a pub-
was given a thorny crown on that day. It reigns of Jewish kings and for festivals. lic coronation, recognized by both Roman
was painful and demeaning, but it was a Thus, although the calendar year began and Jewish leaders. As we shall see, this
real and legitimate crown, representing an with Tishri 1, Passover was regarded as fact is carefully documented in Scripture.
actual coronation. Equally important was the first festival of the year. Of minor sig- The night before, He was arrested and
the blessing this crown bestowed upon the nificance were the New Year’s days on taken to a Jewish trial, first before Annas,
entire earth. Elul 1 and Shevat 1, for the tithing of cattle then in the presence of the high priest Cai-
and for trees respectively.” [Old Testament phas and the assembled Sanhedrin.
New Year for Kings Essays 1967-1998, Vol. 1, Sheffield Aca- Early in the morning, He was bound and
Before we revisit the events of His last demic Press, 1998] taken to Pilate, who found no fault in Him.
Passover, we should review a little-known Israel’s two diasporas – in 722 and 586 The cynical Roman Procurator sent him to
but interesting fact about this day, tradi- B.C. – and the collapse of the Jewish Mon- Herod Antipas, who scoffed at any claim
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that He might be of royal blood. “Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest that Pilate had personally written the sign,
Then, clothing him in regal apparel, thou not unto me? knowest thou not that but that he recognized Jesus as King of the
Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate. This time, I have power to crucify thee, and have Jews. Through the hand of a pagan Roman
Jesus was tried in public, before a scream- power to release thee? Procurator, the Spirit of the Lord spoke
ing mob, who shouted, “Crucify Him!” “Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no with complete and final authority. Jesus
Pilate and Herod found no guilt in Him power at all against me, except it were giv- was King!
worthy of death, but in the end, the crowd en thee from above: therefore he that deliv-
ruled, urging Pilate to free the insurrection- ered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
The Curse Upon the Ground
ist Barabbas and crucify Jesus in his place. “And from thenceforth Pilate sought to At the judgment of the sin in the Garden
In the Gospel of John, we find the dra- release him: but the Jews cried out, say- of Eden, God pronounced His curse upon
matic recitation of the Roman mockery ing, If thou let this man go, thou art not the Serpent and the woman. Then He turned
that preceded His crucifixion. Pilate and Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh him- to Adam, who had originally been given
the priests intertwine in a strange conspir- self a king speaketh against Caesar. dominion over the soil, its plants and live-
acy that leave no doubt about the nature of “When Pilate therefore heard that saying, stock and turned that blessing to a curse:
Christ’s coronation: he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the “And unto Adam he said, Because thou
“Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and judgment seat in a place that is called the hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife,
scourged him. Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. and hast eaten of the tree, of which I com-
“And the soldiers platted a crown of “And it was the preparation of the passover, manded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat
thorns, and put it on his head, and they and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in
put on him a purple robe, Jews, Behold your King! (John 9:9-14). sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of
“And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and After this exchange, Pilate elevated the thy life;
they smote him with their hands. level of his announcement to the Jews and “Thorns also and thistles shall it bring
“Pilate therefore went forth again, and their leaders. Before, he had simply said, forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb
saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth “Look, here’s the man.” Now, however, of the field;
to you, that ye may know that I find no he declared, “Look, here’s your King!” “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat
fault in him. Did he really recognize Jesus as King and bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out
“Then came Jesus forth, wearing the Messiah? As a pagan and a worshipper of of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and
crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Caesar as god, he could do no such thing. unto dust shalt thou return. (Gen. 3:17-19).
Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! But without a doubt, he recognized Je- Because of Adam’s sin, the ground was
“When the chief priests therefore and sus as the man the Jews had been waiting cursed with all manner of noxious weeds,
officers saw him, they cried out, saying, for, and he publicly counseled the Jews to here called, “thorns … and thistles.” The
Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto receive their king. result was a continual battle between man
them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I And thus, in Nisan, the month of the New and his environment, with toil and sweat to
find no fault in him. Year for Kings, and on Passover the Day of mark his progress. Job stated it well: “Let
“The Jews answered him, We have a Coronation, Jesus was recognized by both thistles [thorns] grow instead of wheat,
law, and by our law he ought to die, be- Jewish and Gentile leaders as the King. Fur- and cockle instead of barley. The words of
cause he made himself the Son of God” thermore, He had been enrobed, crowned Job are ended” (Job 31:40).
“When Pilate therefore heard that saying, and formally presented. Everything re-
he was the more afraid” (John 19:1-8). quired for a legitimate coronation had been
The Crown of Fulfillment
Here, Jesus is crowned, clothed in a accomplished. And ever since that eminent At His crucifixion, Christ took upon
royal garment and presented by the Gen- day, Scripture has stood as its witness. Himself the sins of the world. He did so in
tile Pilate, as “the man.” Perhaps it would To emphasize the truth of this matter, the the most literal fashion. As we have seen,
be more accurate to say, “the one.” It is as Bible tells us that as Jesus was sent forth the mocking crowds crowned Him King
though Pilate is saying to the Jews, “Here to His crucifixion, a title was placed over upon the very day reserved in the Jewish
is the one you’ve been looking for, your his head. Traditionally, such a title was af- calender for the Coronation of Kings.
King, the one you call Messiah.” No doubt, fixed above the head of a victim, stating his Upon His head was a crown. Its thorns
he knew about the Jewish national dream crime … the reason for the crucifixion. But represent the result of Adam’s sin – the
that a political and spiritual Savior would this time, something was different. Scrip- curse of the ground – documented in Gen-
come to bring in their promised Kingdom. ture clearly states that Pilate wrote the title esis 3:18. The thorns for the crown were
Having already condemned Jesus in their himself, stating what he had, by this time, gathered by Roman soldiers who wove it
hastily-convened night court, the Jews re- come to accept as some form of the truth: into a suitable shape, then forced it onto
sponded with horror at this thought. They “And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on His head, doubtless producing a series of
made no effort to hide their real charge the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF bleeding wounds.
against Him: He had proclaimed His own NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS” Thus, as His blood poured over the thorns,
deity, making himself equal with God. (Jn. 19:19). Jesus took upon Himself not only the sin of
When Pilate heard their charge, he was The Jews begged him to change the mankind, but the curse upon the earth! In
filled with fear that Jesus was the “real wording of the sign: that historical moment, we were washed in
thing,” and that this was the reason a corrupt “Then said the chief priests of the Jews the blood of the Lamb, and so was the earth.
priesthood wished Him dead. He went back to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; In His coronation, and the events that fol-
inside and spoke with Jesus once more: but that he said, I am King of the Jews. lowed on that Passover day, the curse of sin
“And went again into the judgment hall, “Pilate answered, What I have written I upon humanity was forever broken … and
and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? have written” (Jn. 19:21,22). the curse upon the earth removed!
But Jesus gave him no answer. The wording makes it clear, not only May the King be praised forever! u
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5. Visit our On-line Bookstore on the Internet - www.prophecyinthenews.com
NEW
The American Apocalypse
IS THE UNITED STATES IN BIBLE PROPHECY?
By Terry James
What will happen to America in the last days? The Bible clearly identifies some of
the nations, events, and key players who will have a part in the end times. But what
about America? Some people believe the United States will be wiped out in a nuclear
attack. Others say it will come under the Antichrist’s reign and face the horrors of
the seven-year Tribulation. What can we know for sure? And what events today are
helping to set the stage for the last days, not only in America but globally? In the
search for answers, The American Apocalypse addresses ...
• The irreversible move toward one world government
• The rise in world spirituality, yet hatred toward Christians
• The danger signs in economic systems everywhere
• The new world superpower on the horizon
• The peace that will lead to the most destructive war ever (293 pages)
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It’s the End of the World
As We Know It (and I feel fine)
By Jim Fletcher
Don’t Panic ... Jim Fletcher admits to having a fascination when it comes to the
end of the world. Will it come in a cataclysm? In an inferno? Will it come at all? Is
Al Gore right ... will we melt like slumbering snowmen? Or are we truly running to a
place of bliss?
Fletcher has spent much of his adult life in search of the truth about the Bible and
Bible prophecy, and in this book, he clearly demonstrates just how relevant (and true)
the Bible really is, showing how ... despite the mockery of the Bible today, we are in
fact living in the last days of world history.
With humor and a keen eye for pop culture, Fletcher walks you through the opinions
of people from the famous to the obscure and then demonstrates conclusively that
the Bible’s predictions are true ... and there’s nothing to be afraid of. (204 pages)
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NEW
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Newton’s Bible Codex Deciphered and the Year 2012
By David Flynn
A belief that the ancients possessed unusual scientific knowledge, of which only
fragments remain today, was held by many great philosophers and scientists who
participated in the “scientific revolution.” Though research by these men led to great
discoveries, many were convinced that they were merely scratching the surface of a lost
pristine knowledge (prisca sapientia) reflected in the architecture and remains of ancient
civilizations. Many have investigated whether Newton believed that this original pure
knowledge existed. Some conclude that he did in fact search for it. For the first time in
history, in Temple at the Center of Time, David Flynn may have uncovered what Newton
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one of the great discoveries in modern times. (296 pages)
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Book One: The Book of the Watchers
The Ancient
Book of Enoch
(Part Three)
With Commentary by J. R. Church
The Book of Enoch is comprised of an
ancient collection of seven scrolls — five
major scrolls, followed
by two short appendices.
And though the whole
can be divided into twenty
sections, its ancient manu-
scripts were separately
identified as:
The First Scroll: The
Book of the Watchers (chapters 1-36)
The Second Scroll: The Book of the Par-
ables (chapters 37-71)
The Third Scroll: The Book of the Lumi-
naries (chapters 72-82)
The Fourth Scroll: The Dream Visions
(chapters 83-90)
The Fifth Scroll: The Epistle of Enoch
(chapters 91-105)
The Sixth Scroll: The Birth of Noah
(chapters 106-107) Above is one of several fragments of the Book of Enoch found among the Dead
The Seventh Scroll: Another Book by Sea Scrolls. The Book of Enoch was popular in the early church. But by the end of
Enoch (chapter 108) the seventh century, the scrolls had slowly disappeared. It became a forgotten book
There may have been more, but these are until three copies were found in Ethiopia in 1773. It is addressed to the people of
the only writings of Enoch that survived the the last generation and those living in the Tribulation Period.
centuries. Again, we stress that these should than modern scholarship allows. Among the seven angels visiting Enoch
not be regarded as divinely inspired on the In this installment, we shall conclude are four who attend the throne of God —
level of biblical books. Though the rabbis our commentary on the first scroll, The Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel. In
highly regarded the Book of Enoch, they Book of the Watchers, which has been des- this section they accompany him on a tour
did not include it in the canon of Scripture. ignated as “Section 5.” of planet Earth, including the abode of the
Because the subjects treated in this Previously, we noted that Enoch address- spirits — the trans-dimensional regions of
collection correspond to certain biblical es the people living in the time of “Tribu- Sheol (Hebrew) or Hades (Greek).
themes, modern scholarship refuses to be- lation” brought on by the final judgment of Most of the antediluvian mountainous
lieve its authenticity, claiming instead that the wicked. The watchers are angels, 200 areas described by Enoch cannot be spe-
its texts were composed as late as the fourth of whom lusted after the daughters of men cifically located, but that does not mean
century B.C. Rather than the Bible follow- and attempted to corrupt the genetic code that they are imaginary. There is enough
ing the themes introduced in the Book of of Adam’s lineage. Their main purpose detail in these chapters to realize that
Enoch, they surmise that the authors of was to introduce the “seed of the serpent” Enoch could have seen Earth’s landscape
Enoch followed biblical themes. How- by which the son of Satan — the Antichrist from the vantage point of a flying craft —
ever, one primary example tends to prove — could arise. from high above hills and valleys. As we
against the opinions of modern scholar- Enoch was a special person, being the shall see in the following chapter, Enoch
ship and in favor of Enoch’s authentic- seventh generation from Adam. He typifies not only sees mountains, but a “mountain-
ity. The Jewish ritual of the Azazel goat, the redeemed, who will be translated alive chain,” something that can only be fully
dating back to the days of Moses, clearly — rescued from judgment — as the Tribu- appreciated from a vantage point high
shows that the Book of Enoch predates the lation Period sets in. He is allowed to walk above the area.
Exodus. This ancient collection is far older with angels and be instructed by them. Continued on Page 33
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7. Mohammed’s Flying White Horse
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By J. R. Church
Why did Barack Obama hold the last
night of the Democratic Convention in the
Denver Broncos Football Stadium? Was it
just a coincidence that the mascot of the
Denver Bronco’s was an Arabian white
stallion named Thunder?
In A.D. 621, at the age of 51, Moham-
med laid down at dusk and curled up in a
plush carpet at his cousin’s house, only to
be abruptly awakened by the archangel Ga-
briel, who invited him to come outside.
As he stepped through the door, he was
introduced to a huge white horse with gi-
ant wings like an eagle. Gabriel told him
that the horse once belonged to Abraham,
and that his name was El Barack meaning,
“White horse” and “Thunder” (also some-
times spelled “Burack”).
The two mounted the horse, leaped into
the air and flew from Mecca to Mount Si-
nai, then to Bethlehem, then to Jerusalem
to visit the Temple Mount. That night, Mo-
hammed rode “Thunder” through seven
heavens to visit face to face with Allah!
Allah told Mohammed that in the end of
days, when the “day of recompense” ar-
rives, the flying white horse will return for
the resurrected Mohammed to mount and
ride again.
Is it just a coincidence that President Ba-
rack has the same name as Mohammed’s
horse? Also, is it possible that Mr. Obama
was sending a message to the Muslim
world? Perhaps he was saying, “El Barack
has returned! It is time for Mohammed to
ride again across the world!”
In the picture at right Barack Obama is
coming up out of the water, in the same The portrait of Barack Hussein Obama, entitled “Dawn of a New Era,” was produced
manner as the beast rising up out of the following the presidential campaign of 2008, by Artist Lucus Ketner for the Wilmette
sea in Revelation 13. Barack is surrounded Times in Portland, Oregon. Obama is seen coming up out of the Wilmette River with
by 13 roses, representing the Rosicrucians the Hawthorne Bridge to his left and Portland in the background.
(the Order of the Rosey Cross and the in- and Lucifer were fighting in the region the “Stone of Scone,” and was confiscated
famous Illuminati). of Sirius, the dog star, when Michael by the British. Queen Elizabeth was sitting
To his left is a bridge that could stand knocked the stone out of Lucifer’s crown. above that stone when she was crowned.
for “Pontifex Maximus” meaning, “The It fell to earth, breaking into three pieces. However, it is said that the stone beneath
bridge builder.” It is daybreak — the dawn One piece was fashioned into a cup, out of the English throne is a fake. The Jacobites
of the Age of Aquarius, with Mohammed’s which Christ drank wine at the last sup- brought the real stone to America in 1715.
white horse coming up behind him. In the per. Another part was used by Jacob for a The story is that it will be returned to Jeru-
distance are buildings, one of which looks pillow as he slept at Bethel and dreamed salem to be housed in a new Temple — to
a lot like a building built in New York City of a ladder to heaven. The third part was be built by the Rosicrucians. You can get
in 1929, by the Russian mystic, Nicholas housed in a silver socket — the corner the full story in the DVD Eye of the Phoe-
Roerich, to house the “Stone of Destiny,” stone of the Kaaba in Mecca. Jacob’s stone nix offered on page 24. The rays of the sun
also called the “Holy Grail” in the poem was kept in Solomon’s Temple until Jer- shine upon Obama’s body, which glistens
“Parcival” (A.D. 1210). emiah took it to Scotland. The stone was with sparkles of glory. Watch this man. He
The ancient legend says that Michael kept in the castle of Scone, thus known as just might make history! u
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The Bible Speaks on Economics
Satan Is A Socialist
By Gary Stearman
The thoughts of the world are now fo-
cused upon the economy. We are in the
midst of a crash of historic (some would
say biblical) proportions. Buying, selling,
investing, employment, saving and earning
are at the top of every news cycle. Behind
it all, a new picture is coming into view.
It reveals a cabal of power-mad globalists
who believe that their time to control the
financial system has arrived at last.
The term, “economy” has its source in
the New Testament Greek word, oiko−
nomia (oikonomia). It means “steward-
ship,” or “management of the household.”
Though the Bible is not an economics
textbook, as such, it has much to say on
the subject of money and finance. Properly
understood, the subject of economics has
a vital connection to spiritual life in gen-
eral. Scripture tells us that there is a way to
What got us where we are today? Quite simply, greed, corruption and incompetence.
handle money in this world, and a way to
Honesty and ethics were thrown overboard for the greenback.
view it from the proper perspective.
It is safe to say that money is a global our eyes. There are massive changes way, it becomes a god. Redistribution of
obsession. In the last couple of decades, it sweeping around the world. Many would money is often presented as the solution
was routine for fortunes to be made over- say that they were forecast in prophecy. In to longstanding social problems. It is even
night. The traditional preoccupation was fact, they were. vaunted as the cure for health problems, as
to make as much money as possible, as in “universal health care.” Jesus draws the
quickly as possible. And as the old saying
Mammon and Stewardship line between the worship of money on the
goes, “It’s easy to be a financial genius in What got us where we are today? Quite one hand, and God on the other.
a bull market.” simply, greed, corruption and incompe- But He also recognized that while they
But finance is like the sea, with waves tence. Honesty and ethics were thrown reside in the world, men must realize that
and tides … even tsunamis … which are overboard for the greenback. There is there is a proper way to handle monetary
heralded by a sudden, radical drop in the nothing new about behavior of this sort. affairs. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus delved
tide, followed by a swift, disastrous inun- Jesus spoke to a society riddled with ex- deeply into the details about how money
dation. When the waters are normal, life actly such practices. should be viewed and handled.
goes swimmingly. But in the words of Early in His public ministry, He spoke Many of his parables were about money.
another old financial maxim, “It’s easy to on the subject of “mammon.” This word For example, His parable of the unjust stew-
see who’s swimming naked when the tide comes from an Aramaic term, denoting ard speaks eloquently of the need to under-
goes out.” Now, the preoccupation is with wealth or property in general. Today, we stand stewardship, saving and investment.
rescuing what’s left. Those who played would simply call it money, with all its at- Luke relates this fascinating story. Its
fast and loose with the economy for the tributes, good and evil. Jesus made a clear central theme is about shady business prac-
last decade now stand fully exposed. and well-known statement to the effect tices so familiar that it has our current cul-
When there is a stable medium of finan- that money, as a redemptive force, is to- ture written all over it. It tells of a rich busi-
cial exchange, all is well. When the me- tally in opposition to God: nessman whose steward (business manager)
dium becomes unstable there is anguish. “No man can serve two masters: for is a crook. The employer calls the steward
The questions burn. Will we continue to either he will hate the one, and love the forward and accuses him of wasting his
be able to earn … to buy … to sell? Some other; or else he will hold to the one, and possessions. In other words, he is charged
might say that we are on the verge of a cat- despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and with having squandered the capital of the
aclysmic economic collapse; others would mammon” (Matt. 6:24). business. We are not told exactly how he
insist that it’s here now. Jesus knew that man instinctively views abused his authority, but the context makes
In many ways, the Bible speaks to the money as the remedy for the ills of hu- it clear that he was probably skimming off
current events that are unfolding before manity and society. Thought of in this much of the profit for himself.
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The steward was ordered to produce a good business when he saw it. It was not But its origins are seen in the Old Tes-
record of his dealings. Furthermore, he moral business, but it was good business. tament, where they are most clearly de-
was told that he would no longer be re- Jesus then commented that worldly peo- scribed in Ezekiel 27 and its “lamentation
tained as business manager. ple use their money more wisely (albeit for Tyrus.” Tyrus, or Tyre is the Bible’s
The steward, rightly reasoning that he unethically) than many of the righteous. designation of the ancient Phoenician cul-
would soon be out on the street with no He also urged His righteous listeners to ture. It rose to power in the centuries that
prospects for gainful employment, con- use the “mammon of unrighteousness” led up to the Kingdom of David and Solo-
cocted a wicked scheme to make friends wisely, so that when they came to the end mon. It was part of the Canaanite civiliza-
in the business world: He would quickly of their lives, they would be well received tion that finally concentrated its power at
short-sell his master’s goods, so that oth- in heaven. the northeast shores of the Mediterranean
ers in the business community would owe In and of itself, money is not an evil Sea, in the territory known today as Leba-
him favors. Once out on his own, he could thing. It is the love of it that brings ruin. non. It also extended northward to the land
call in the favors and be back in business Worshiping it as redemptive in value cre- later known as Syria.
once again. This was his devious plan for ates a false god. Paul’s words to Timothy The ships of Tyre literally plied the
future employment. ring out with this truth: Seven Seas, carrying trade goods around
One of his clients owed the business a “And having food and raiment let us be the world. In the process, it developed the
hundred measures (600 gallons!) of oil. therewith content. precedents that come down to the present
In quick fashion, the steward called him “But they that will be rich fall into temp- age. Its wealth and business acumen were
in and said, “Pay me for fifty measures, tation and a snare, and into many foolish legendary. It was the King of Tyre who
and you’re off the hook!” Another owed and hurtful lusts, which drown men in de- brought the materials and architects that
for a hundred measures (65 bushels) of struction and perdition. built Solomon’s great empire and the First
wheat. The steward told him, “Pay me for “For the love of money is the root of Temple. From approximately 1550 B.C.
eighty measures and we’ll consider the all evil: which while some coveted after, until about 330 B.C. and the great siege of
debt paid.” they have erred from the faith, and pierced Alexander the Great, Tyre was unequalled
And when his employer found out what themselves through with many sorrows. in world trade.
was happening, how did he view the stew- “But thou, O man of God, flee these Out of Tyre, came the principles of in-
ard’s actions? Amazingly, he complimented things; and follow after righteousness, ternational law and credit that became
him! Talking as one shrewd businessman godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” fully realized in the days of the Dutch East
to another, he recognized that the steward (I Tim. 6:8-11). Indies company and the global trade of the
was using the same shady dealings as he, At the present historical moment, the en- British Empire. Out of that system came
himself, would have used. He recognized tire world is an exhibit of this fundamental the Law of the Sea and the foundations of
the effectiveness of worldly wisdom: truth. The love of money has driven us all today’s march toward global government.
“And the lord commended the unjust into an insane merry-go-round of financial The merchants of this system become
steward, because he had done wisely: for pursuit. Shipping and receiving; import the symbols of a world which values fi-
the children of this world are in their gen- and export; electronic funds transfers; nance and trade above faith in God. Put
eration wiser than the children of light. gimmicks, gadgets, new products and new another way, the merchant trade becomes
“And I say unto you, Make to yourselves forms of entertainment have created an a god, and merchandise (money) is its
friends of the mammon of unrighteous- unstable superstructure that is now threat- spirit.
ness; that, when ye fail, they may receive ened with total collapse. “The word of the LORD came again
you into everlasting habitations. Panicked world leaders are now call- unto me, saying,
“He that is faithful in that which is least ing for a centrally-controlled global gov- “Now, thou son of man, take up a lam-
is faithful also in much: and he that is un- ernment. This, of course, would require a entation for Tyrus;
just in the least is unjust also in much. world currency and central control of the “And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art
“If therefore ye have not been faithful in economy. We have already seen the Group situate at the entry of the sea, which art a
the unrighteous mammon, who will com- of Eight (G8), whose summits direct global merchant of the people for many isles, Thus
mit to your trust the true riches? policy. Ministers of the U.S., U.K., Russia, saith the Lord GOD; O Tyrus, thou hast said,
“And if ye have not been faithful in that Japan, Italy, Germany, France and Canada I am of perfect beauty” (Ezek. 27:1-3).
which is another man’s, who shall give you are the foreshadowing of what will ulti- Here, in the opening of his prophecy
that which is your own? mately become an iron-fisted consortium against Tyre, Ezekiel describes the dy-
“No servant can serve two masters: for of global dictators. Their method of control nasty of the Phoenicians as international
either he will hate the one, and love the will be a Byzantine forest of regulations merchants, who traffic among the “isles”
other; or else he will hold to the one, and that direct the actions of every human be- or continents. Further, the King of Tyre
despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and ing on earth. The Bible calls it a “beast.” sees himself as exemplary of perfection.
mammon. Later, Ezekiel identifies this dynasty as the
“And the Pharisees also, who were cov-
The Global Merchants earthly expression of the Anointed Cherub
etous, heard all these things: and they de- It is not love that makes the world go … the Fallen One … Satan.
rided him” (Luke 16:8-14). around; it is the power of money. We could quote the entire 27th chapter
Here, as Luke repeats Matthew’s Man’s ages-long spiritual struggle has of Ezekiel, in which the prophet describes
thought, we are led to a remarkable con- fought many incarnations of this final in detail the range of Tyre’s merchant trade,
clusion. The lord (employer) of the stew- beast. It is the final incarnation of com- identified under the title, “merchants of
ard must have engaged in the very same mercial Babylon, the global merchant Tarshish.”
shady principles as his steward when he trade that is destroyed once and for all in “Tarshish was thy merchant by reason
first made his own fortune; he recognized the events of Revelation 18. of the multitude of all kind of riches; with
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silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy destruction of a future global government, of production and distribution, offers “fair-
fairs. supported by worldwide merchant traffic. ness,” on the basis that the underdogs of
“Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were Today, in voices urgently crying for the society are being cheated. In exchange for
thy merchants: they traded the persons of salvation of a collapsing world market, the power and control, it offers to bring bless-
men and vessels of brass in thy market. world’s leaders are calling for the forma- ing to everyone in society.
“They of the house of Togarmah traded tion of just such a government. Amazingly, socialism even made its way
in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and Even a few months ago, such an align- into the inner council of Christ. Among the
mules. ment might have been thought impossible, disciples of Jesus, one was a socialist. This
“The men of Dedan were thy merchants; since America was considered the world’s is best illustrated by looking at an incident
many isles were the merchandise of thine single global superpower. Now, with tril- recorded by three of the four Gospels. It
hand: they brought thee for a present horns lions of dollars evaporating like water in concerns Mary of Bethany, and her act of
of ivory and ebony. (Ezek. 27:12-15). the desert, any resistance to joining a world love toward the Lord
Here, at the beginning of the roll call of government may simply disappear. Notice the reaction of the disciples and
nations, Ezekiel describes the merchants the reaction of Jesus:
of Tarshish as trading with Greece, the
Socialism “Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the
regions of the Caucasus and the Arabians. We hear the rising cry: We must use this house of Simon the leper,
As he continues, his text also includes Syr- crisis as an opportunity to repair the failed “There came unto him a woman having
ia, Arabia, Assyria, Damascus and others. economic systems of the world. It is unfair an alabaster box of very precious oint-
All of them received goods brought from that some are rich and others so miserably ment, and poured it on his head, as he sat
the continents of the world. Even the gold poor. Now, after centuries of the rich lord- at meat.
of Solomon’s Temple came via their world ing it over the poor, we have a chance to “But when his disciples saw it, they had
trade. create a system that brings fairness. indignation, saying, To what purpose is
But the prophecy moves forward to Since the days of Plato and The Repub- this waste?
the latter days in words that foreshadow lic, men have dreamed of creating a uto- “For this ointment might have been sold
the Book of Revelation, which speaks of pia. Devoid of the knowledge of God, they for much, and given to the poor.
the ultimate destruction of the merchants’ endlessly devise schemes to bring some “When Jesus understood it, he said unto
global trade: equitable system to the masses. them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she
“The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in In his famous dialogue, Plato proposes hath wrought a good work upon me.
thy market: and thou wast replenished, and ways to bring justice — fairness — to so- “For ye have the poor always with you;
made very glorious in the midst of the seas. ciety. He sees cities as being founded to but me ye have not always.
“Thy rowers have brought thee into bring social, political and educational or- “For in that she hath poured this oint-
great waters: the east wind hath broken der. He envisions a society being led by ment on my body, she did it for my burial.
thee in the midst of the seas. philosophically superior men and women “Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever
“Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchan- who reside in communistic residences, this gospel shall be preached in the whole
dise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calk- which he calls “guardhouses.” They en- world, there shall also this, that this wom-
ers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, force social order, which they regulate to an hath done, be told for a memorial of
and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and bring the best to mankind. They make cer- her” (Matt. 26:6-13).
in all thy company which is in the midst of tain that everyone gets an equal share of Why were Jesus’ friends and disciples so
thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the community property. angry at such an obvious and sacrificial act
the day of thy ruin. On the basis of 2,500 years of experi- of love? Her action showed a willingness to
“The suburbs shall shake at the sound ence, we now know that such a system spend a great deal on Christ, which she would
of the cry of thy pilots. cannot work, because man is basically sin- never recover. She gave it away. Still, the
“And all that handle the oar, the mar- ful and unable to regulate his own behav- disciples saw the act as a waste of resources
iners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall ior, much less bring loving order to a com- that could be better used elsewhere … prob-
come down from their ships, they shall munity. Powerful men will invariably rise ably to cover their “ministry expenses.”
stand upon the land; to control society, take an unequal share Jesus rebuked them, saying in effect,
“And shall cause their voice to be heard of power and money, and rule by execu- that she was directed by the Spirit of God.
against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and tive fiat. She gave all to bless Him in the light of
shall cast up dust upon their heads, they Still, socialism rises again and again to the sacrifice that He was about to make, in
shall wallow themselves in the ashes” assert its claim to superiority. giving Himself for the sin of mankind.
(Ezek. 27:25-30). Furthermore, He uttered those famous
The final phrase in the passage above is
Satan Is a Socialist words, “For ye have the poor always
repeated in John’s description of the same Socialism is so pervasive and so subtle with you …” With profound clarity, He
event. Though his perspective is different that it can insinuate itself into even the pronounced the truth of a great principle,
and his details more numerous, it is clearly most moral and ethical of settings. Wher- namely, that the problem of human pov-
the same event that is being described: ever there is the prospect of taking power, erty can never be solved with the mere ap-
“And they cast dust on their heads, and it is always there, masked in benevolence plication of money, as the socialist ideol-
cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, and philanthropy, but ever waiting to leap to ogy insists.
alas, that great city, wherein were made power when it sees the opportunity. Like the
rich all that had ships in the sea by rea- Old Serpent, it never sleeps. It is constantly
A Year’s Wages
son of her costliness! for in one hour is she on the prowl, probing for weak spots, and Mark’s Gospel relates the same episode,
made desolate” (Rev. 18:19). launching endless streams of propaganda. with slight variations, naming the oint-
Clearly, Scripture foretells the absolute Socialism, or state control of the means ment, and giving an estimate of its price.
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Spikenard, a cleanly-appealing perfume, pound.” As given in the original text, it is of a scheme involving the redistribution of
was derived from the plant called “nard” a Roman litra of about 12 ounces … some- wealth.
in the Greek language, its Latin designa- what less than a modern pound, yet a very
tion being Nardostachys Jatamansi. Then large amount of a substance so expensive.
Financial Ruin
and now, it grows in India, in the vicinity Then, in John’s Gospel, we discover that At the beginning of the Tribulation, four
of the Himalayan mountain range. it is Judas who leads the objection: horses ride forth to ravage a world gone
The roots of the plant are very fragrant “Then Jesus six days before the pass- mad. The first horse, a white one, is com-
and spicy, and they are harvested and pro- over came to Bethany, where Lazarus was monly thought to represent the initial ad-
cessed with great effort. In Jesus’ day, the which had been dead, whom he raised vance of the Antichrist. The second is a red
ointment was a product produced, expen- from the dead. horse, representing war … a global war.
sively packaged in carved alabaster and “There they made him a supper; and The third horse represents the collapse of
imported from India. Before shipping, Martha served: but Lazarus was one of the global economic system. Its dark black
it was hermetically sealed, to avoid any them that sat at the table with him. color is foreboding, indeed. Finally, there
evaporation before it was used. “Then took Mary a pound of ointment is the pale horse of death.
“And being in Bethany in the house of Si- of spikenard, very costly, and anointed As they bolt forth, the Tribulation is un-
mon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with veiled to a world that has no inkling of the
a woman having an alabaster box of oint- her hair: and the house was filled with the devastation about to fall upon them. The
ment of spikenard very precious; and she odour of the ointment. black horse speaks of what we, today, call
brake the box, and poured it on his head. “Then saith one of his disciples, Judas commodities. It speaks of wheat, barley,
“And there were some that had indigna- Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray oil and wine, and their limited quantity, at
tion within themselves, and said, Why was him, a high price. A measure “choenix” (Coinix
this waste of the ointment made? “Why was not this ointment sold for three about a quart) of wheat costs a denarius –
“For it might have been sold for more hundred pence, and given to the poor? a day’s wages. Three choenixes of barley
than three hundred pence, and have been “This he said, not that he cared for the (a less nutritious grain) for a day’s wages.
given to the poor. And they murmured poor; but because he was a thief, and had “And when he had opened the third seal,
against her. the bag, and bare what was put therein” I heard the third beast say, Come and see.
“And Jesus said, Let her alone; why (John 12:1-6). And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he
trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good Here, the words of Judas give us the full that sat on him had a pair of balances in
work on me. explanation of this incident, and its impor- his hand.
“For ye have the poor with you always, tance, relative to Scripture in general. “And I heard a voice in the midst of the
and whensoever ye will ye may do them Now, we discover that as treasurer (the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a
good: but me ye have not always. keeper of the bag), Judas’ real motive was penny, and three measures of barley for a
“She hath done what she could: she is the status of the bank account. John tells penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and
come aforehand to anoint my body to the us that his central concern was his own the wine” (Rev. 6:5,6).
burying. personal enrichment. But when his role in Many have commented on this horse,
“Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this Christ’s inner council is examined, he is saying that it represents the global fam-
gospel shall be preached throughout the the perfect example of socialism. ine that is to come upon the earth. Histo-
whole world, this also that she hath done Think of it, he must have had visions of rians say that the choenix of grain was a
shall be spoken of for a memorial of her” himself as the secretary of the Messiah’s soldier’s daily ration, usually in barley. In
(Mark 14:3-9). treasury! When the Lord came into His that day, a working man won’t be able to
The “… three hundred pence …” men- Kingdom, which in his mind was only a support his family.
tioned here are in fact, three hundred den- short time away, Judas would have had ac-
arii. About the size of a modern dime, the cess to millions … even billions … in the
The Sin of the “Rich Men”
denarius was always called a “penny” coin of the realm. James, the brother of our Lord, authored
in the New Testament. It was considered But publicly, his outcry was for the a prophecy that bears an uncanny descrip-
a day’s wages for the common man. In “poor.” It is ever so. The bureaucrats in tion of the thing that is now coming to
Mark, the amount of the “waste” is given, socialist schemes always couch their mo- pass in our contemporary world. It speaks
at over three hundred days’ wages … mak- tives in the language of saving the under of the plutocrats of the latter day. They are
ing it close to a year’s income! privileged. They do what they do “for the vastly wealthy managers of banking,
The anger of the disciples now becomes the children,” or “for the sick” or for the commodities, energy and construction.
somewhat understandable. This was a “downtrodden.” Their empires have for some time set the
great extravagance! Still, Jesus puts her ac- Judas is quite simply the perfect illus- tone of the modern world.
tions into the perspective of His upcoming tration of socialism in action. Secretly, he But the day is coming when all their
sentence of death. Compared with that, the saw himself as an administrator of wealth. complex interactions will completely break
sacrifice of the ointment is nothing. Only He saw nothing wrong with feathering down:
He has the perspective to see that. his own nest with the funds intended for “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl
John’s account of the occasion tells us Jesus’ own public ministry. In retrospect, for your miseries that shall come upon you.
that His crucifixion is only six days away. it is astounding that he believed that the “Your riches are corrupted, and your
As they ate supper, the miracle called La- Lord didn’t know of his sin. garments are motheaten.
zarus is seated in their midst, no doubt And remember, Judas is one of two “Your gold and silver is cankered; and
basking in the good fellowship. We also men in Scripture who are called, “the son the rust of them shall be a witness against
learn that when Mary unseals the ointment, of perdition.” The other man is the Anti- you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire.
it is no small quantity. Here it is called, “a christ. Significantly, he, too is at the center Ye have heaped treasure together for the
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last days. eo, he will appear on every street corner, alas, that great city, wherein were made
“Behold, the hire of the labourers who and in every store front and home. With rich all that had ships in the sea by rea-
have reaped down your fields, which is the power of life and death, he will enforce son of her costliness! for in one hour is she
of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the a socialist economic system that promises made desolate” (Rev. 18:17-19).
cries of them which have reaped are en- to give every man his “fair” share. The religion of “business as usual” is
tered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Of course, his definition of “fair” will be now being inflated into a colossus, unstop-
“Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, entirely self-serving. It will require suppli- pable in its authority. We live in the time of
and been wanton; ye have nourished your cants to recognize him as a god before re- its formation. Its sudden destruction can’t
hearts, as in a day of slaughter. ceiving their share. The millions who died be far behind.
“Ye have condemned and killed the just; under the collectivist decrees of Hitler, One day soon, in the coming age of
and he doth not resist you” (Js. 5:1-6). Stalin, Chairman Mao or Pol Pot would Christ’s Kingdom, personal freedom and
The vast wealth of the global trading instantly recognize this routine. private ownership will characterize the
consortium is literally incalculable. It can Under Antichrist’s regime, believers blessed world at last ruled by the Lord:
only be expressed in astronomical figures in Jesus will be required to acknowledge “And they shall build houses, and in-
and unfathomable equations. But it har- the deity of the Antichrist. Then and only habit them; and they shall plant vineyards,
nesses the real producers of wealth into then, will they be allowed access to the and eat the fruit of them.
virtual slavery, so that its power can rise global market … the ultimate expression “They shall not build, and another in-
to greater and greater heights. Their pal- of socialism. The oft-mentioned “mark of habit; they shall not plant, and another
aces and lavish headquarters are alive with the beast” is nothing more than a control eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of
electronic trading, but they float upon a mechanism that links access to the wealth my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy
sludge pit of global poverty. with enforced behavior. the work of their hands.
Pretending to bring wealth to the mass- Moreover, his system works! During the “They shall not labour in vain, nor
es, they have instead taxed him nearly to Tribulation the markets apparently func- bring forth for trouble; for they are the
death. They have taken the fruits of his tion as usual. But at the end of the seven seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their
work to fashion a thousand worthless pro- years, they meet with total destruction: offspring with them” (Isa. 65:21-23).
grams, proposed to engineer a better so- “For in one hour so great riches is come Under Christ’s rule, men will live in their
ciety. Their idealist proposals invariably to nought. And every shipmaster, and all own homes and eat the fruits of their own
divert profits into their own coffers … all the company in ships, and sailors, and as work. They will enjoy the profits of their
in the name of social idealism. many as trade by sea, stood afar off, own labor, and the beauty of their own
“And cried when they saw the smoke of creative work. Mere human beings have
The Antichrist’s Solution her burning, saying, What city is like unto dreamed of a society in which life, liberty
The Tribulation will be marked by the this great city! and the pursuit of happiness were living re-
radical collapse of all the world’s infra- “And they cast dust on their heads, and alities. Only under the Lord’s administra-
structures. One catastrophe after another cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, tion will this dream become reality. u
will befall the world’s rapidly-diminishing
population. War, famine, disease and natu-
ral disaster will reduce the census by half.
As in past wars, the economy will run
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Prophecy in the News airs on Sky Angel
save he that had the mark, or the name
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Light on Prophecy
What Manner of Persons Ought We to Be?
Thursday Evening - May 30, 1918
Dr. W. B. Riley
Mr. Chairman, Brethren and Sisters: I
am keenly sensible of my honor, in being
privileged to close this matchless confer-
ence by discussing, What Manner of Per-
sons Ought We to Be?
The subject is found in the third chapter
of Peter’s Second Epistle.
The apostle’s objective, in this chapter, Dr. W. B. Riley
is easily evident. He is forced to the defen-
sive by critics!
The theme of this Conference was Pe-
ter’s theme. He would stir up “the minds
of his brethren by way of remembrance”
and that which he would have them recall
is the word of holy prophet and apostle,
and also of Lord and Savior, about the The Academy of Music in Philadelphia (1918) — site of the “Bible Conference on the Return of Our
Second Coming. Lord” featuring, among others, Dr. W. B. Riley, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN.
Peter was not only an apostle, but also a 1. The Second Coming is now being God knows, and by the lives of the most
prophet — a seer. God, who “is a Revealer specially emphasized. saintly, this Gospel of the Kingdom shall
of secrets,” had brought the future within Whether we have come to the last days be preached in all the world for a witness
the apostle’s vision. Even the last days or not, no man can dispute the fact that we unto all nations.
were to him like the open pages of a book, have come to the days when the number The only apology the advocates of this
and looking into them, he saw “the scoff- of Biblically instructed men and women faith have to present to the public is one
ers” who would come. The words he puts who entertain what the apostle Paul called of tardiness. It is nothing short of amazing
into their mouths: “Where is the promise “that Blessed Hope” is enormous and is when a woman, in middle life, born and
of his coming?” etc., his arguments against rapidly increasing. brought up in a Christian house and, for
their infidelity, and his positive declara- The most marked religious movement 25 years, living as the wife of a Christian
tion of divine truth, might, each and all, be of the 20th century is the revival of Chili- minister of national reputation, asks, in all
considered under three suggestions. asm. The Bible training school is its edu- guilelessness, as one such recently did,
In this discussion, permit us to fellow- cational expression; the Bible Conference, “What is this doctrine about the ‘Second
ship with Peter’s convictions and express now indefinitely multiplied in numbers, is Coming’? and what is the word employed,
these three points in the possessive case: its expression in assembly; the thousands ‘premillennialism’ — or something of that
Our Creed, our Conduct, our Christ. of pulpits interpreting the Scriptures from kind?” Before a question like that the ad-
this standpoint, and the increasing wealth vocates of this great hope ought to hang
Our Creed of literature devoted wholly to the defini- their heads for shame and determine, once
The time has come when thinking tion and defense of this doctrine, are the and for all, that God shall no longer be
Churchmen recognize the fact that the effective medium of this propaganda! compelled to wink at the times of such ig-
Second Coming of Christ is creating and While denying the charge that “the norance.
completing a definite fellowship. The movement is heavily financed” and re- When the dean of a theological seminary
men who entertain “the blessed hope” senting, with the contempt it deserves, the known, by both office and name, in more
are bound together in a peculiar brother- indictment of disloyalty to the interests of than one continent, attempts to discuss the
hood: a brotherhood of increasing sweet- human government, we frankly confess subject, “Will Christ Come Again?” and
ness and deepening strength. No single de- our deliberate determination to employ reveals, in multiplied sentences, an utter
nomination of the many that go to make up voice, pen, press, in fact every agency at ignorance of the premillennialist’s posi-
modern Protestantism, is as definite in its our command to make known the greatest tion, the advocates of this blessed hope
fellowship and as distinct in its doctrinal doctrine of all Scripture, namely, the com- should not so much blame him as blame
teaching as is the brotherhood of premil- ing of our Lord. themselves.
lennialism. No longer shall this precious truth be Too long have we been silent on the
In consequence of that fact, permit us left to the erratic and the irresponsible! one theme, to which more of sacred Scrip-
to make three remarks, and then elaborate Through the lips of sane men, and by the ture is devoted than to any other subject
each in turn. pens of the most scholarly the Church of about which inspired men ever employed
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tongues or pens! produce promised results. The apocalyptic we share; the mouth of the Lord hath spo-
But the thousands that have waited on visionary was never privileged to see his ken it; we verily believe it will stand fast.
this great Conference, the throngs that impending kingdom of heaven established What if men do scoff? What if passers
packed and overflowed the Moody Church, upon earth. by wag their heads and say, Aha! Aha!
requiring at times three additional assem- “All early Christians’ millennial expecta- Noah met all that, and yet went on build-
bly rooms to accommodate them, when tions have similarly miscarried.… And yet ing the Ark. One hundred and twenty years
four years since the Prophetic Conference even today some Christians continue to pur- is a long time to wait and watch for a flood
was held in Chicago, the literal millions sue the millennial mirage, vainly looking that shall deluge the earth and destroy un-
that attend upon the multiplied Bible as- for a catastrophic end of the world instead believers. Scoffing against his prophecy
semblies and Churches to hear the men of throwing themselves heart and soul into must have seemed the safest of all proce-
who know this truth, the sudden rise and the task of improving the existing order, dures and the scoff itself came to sound
unprecedented growth of Bible Training whose permanence is attested by centuries like the only sanity; and yet, unless the tra-
Schools, these all indicate the final awak- of disappointed millennial hopes.” dition of every nation is mistaken and our
ening of ministers and laymen alike to that Who could longer dispute Peter’s in- sacred literature utterly misleading, No-
most precious and long neglected teach- spiration? If Daniel was granted a vision ah’s prophecy was fulfilled and a drowned
ing, the Second Coming of Christ. of empires to come, and so described world demonstrated the dependableness of
Today it is in the ascendant, and, for the them that now, at the end of more than the divine Word.
first time since Daniel Whitby diverted 2500 years, the greater part of his proph- For hundreds of years the prophets con-
men from this truth, it is accredited de- ecy has become history, certainly Peter tinually asserted the first coming of Christ,
served emphasis. was permitted to see the day, these 2000 but history was so slow in running into that
2. Along with this new emphasis there years distant, when men should rise say- mold of inspiration, childish men ceased to
has risen a passionate opposition. ing, “Where is the promise of His coming? regard what the inspired prophets had spo-
Peter’s prophecy is finding a literal fulfill- for since the fathers fell asleep, all things ken. When it eventually found fulfilment,
ment, and opponents are saying, “Where is continue as they were from the beginning one could count on the fingers of a single
the promise of his coming? for since the fa- of the creation.… But, beloved, be not ig- hand all the expectant of the earth.
thers fell asleep, all things continue as they norant of this one thing, that one day is Let the past prepare us against the days
were from the beginning of the creation.” with the Lord as a thousand years, and that are ahead and remind us of a truth of-
One opponent of this truth, apparently a thousand years as one day.” Children ten enough illustrated, that “though heaven
troubled by the consciousness of his own must have promises made them speedily and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle
choleric spirit, introduces his discussion fulfilled; mature men can wait and keep shall in no wise pass away from the law till
with an apology to the feelings of the good the spirit of expectancy. all things be accomplished.”
people he intends to hurt. In a single city, The extent to which opposition to this Dr. Arthur Pierson reminds us that when
recently, on three great public occasions, truth may yet be carried we little dream. in 1884 the Transit of Venus was occur-
the chosen speaker of the hour, discussing When the suggestion is made that the Gov- ring, some German scientists at Aiken,
in each instance a subject altogether aside, ernment “investigate the teachings of the South Carolina, had drawn an elliptical
turned from his theme long enough to hold premillennialists” with a view to lodge, if circle upon a great stone from which they
the Second Coming to scorn. possible, some indictment of disloyalty, made their observations. Later they pre-
Go to the book stores and ask for vol- it is not difficult to imagine the day when sented a request to that city that this par-
umes on the Millennial Hope and when another portion of Gospel word shall find ticular stone might remain undisturbed
the salesman shall have stacked up twenty fulfillment, “And brother shall deliver up until 120 years had passed and another
or more before your face, you will find brother, and father shall deliver up child,” Transit of Venus had occurred, at which
that well-nigh one-half of them are writ- and God’s saints shall have another oppor- tune the then living scientists might make
ten from the standpoint of opposition, and tunity to suffer with Him who suffered for their observations and compare them with
while in most instances the titles would them. the work of 1884.
lead you to expect a sane and spiritual But all this only gives pith and point to Dr. Pierson remarked that 120 years is
discussion of the subject, quite often the my third remark concerning our creed. a long time. “Every throne of earth would
subtitle is a scoff, as, for instance, “THE 3. The Second Coming of Christ is as have been emptied of occupant after occu-
MILLENNIAL HOPE, A Phase of “War- sure as the promise of God. pant,” but, said he, “prompt to the year, to
Time Thinking.” “The Lord is not slack concerning his the day, to the hour, the minute, the transit
The most amazing fact, in this connec- promise as some men count slackness; but of Venus will be on, for such is the accu-
tion, is found in the circumstance that the is longsuffering to usward, not willing that racy of science.”
line of argument against the Lord’s reap- any should perish but that all should come Read Zechariah’s description of the first
pearance has as perfectly paralleled Peter’s to repentance. But the day of the Lord will appearance of Jesus in his triumphal en-
prophecy, as though the writers had either come as a thief in the night; in the which try into Jerusalem, “riding upon an ass,
never heard of this apostolic prediction, or the heavens shall pass away with a great even upon a colt, the foal of an ass,” and
knowing it, feared not in the least to take noise, and the elements shall melt with remember this, that over 700 years inter-
the part assigned them. fervent heat, the earth also and the works vened between the declaration and the
In illustration, think of a statement like that are therein shall be burned-up.” deed. Generation after generation passed,
this: “A modern man has various reasons Peter’s whole appeal rests upon the countless kings came and went; govern-
for doubting the validity of present-day plain declaration of divine Scriptures. “We ments perished from the earth to be re-
reconstructions of millennial hopes. In the would base our contention upon nothing placed by other forms; the little sentence,
first place, mistrust is aroused by the utter else; we would bring our judgment from for the most part, was forgotten by Bible
failure of all past millennial programs to no other source! It is Peter’s convictions students, or if they remembered it at all,
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the men of their day reminded them that creed, but rather of character. drew Murray, J. Hudson Taylor, Arthur T.
literalism was insanity, and that Scripture That there is an intimate relation be- Pierson and A. J. Gordon.
should be interpreted spiritually. And yet, tween false thinking and false living no We are confident that other pastors could
in perfect accord with the Word of God, it man questions, and if we are to impress bear an exact testimony with Dr. James M.
occurred. He rode into Jerusalem upon an the world with the value of the “Second Gray of Chicago, who declares that in his
ass, “even a colt, the foal of an ass.” Coming” propaganda, we will only do so experience as a pastor he had found the
The minor sentence concerning His first by a diviner practice. members of his church who knew this
appearance was never overlooked of God, Upon this subject the Scriptures leave truth to live spiritual lives and to be de-
forgotten, or fulfilled after some spiritual us in no uncertainty. We are enjoined to voted to spiritual things. They also made
and unexpected way; but literally, accu- “sincerity” in view of the Second Appear- up the most intelligent of his Bible stu-
rately, exactly. So will it be again! “His ance, “that we may be sincere and without dents, manifested special power in prayer,
feet shall stand upon the mount of Olives” offense till the day of Christ.” exercised self denial in giving, were most
and “His law shall come forth from Jeru- “We are enjoined to sobriety in view of deeply interested in Home and especially
salem” and His scepter “shall extend from the Second Appearance, since the day of in Foreign Missions, understood the great
sea to sea, and from the rivers to the ends the Lord cometh as a thief in the night, “let truths concerning the Holy Spirit and lived
of the earth.” This is our creed! us watch and be sober” (I Thess. 5:6). altogether the most consistent lives.
But our creed, if it is worth anything to us, We are enjoined to “purity” in view of We may wisely hold such conferences
or has any value for the world, must eventu- the Second Appearance. “And every man as this for the propagation of this precious
ate in conduct. What then ought to be … that hath this hope in him purifieth him- truth, but we should well know that after
self, even as he is pure” (I John 3:3). all, the practice of godliness on the part of
Our Conduct We are enjoined even to the “mortification those who entertain and teach it, will be
“Seeing then that all these things shall of fleshly lusts” in view of the Second Ap- the finally effective power in rendering it
be dissolved, what manner of persons pearance. “When Christ who is our life shall popular in the Church of God.
ought ye to be in all holy conversation appear, then shall we also appear with him Once more then, in the language of Pe-
and godliness, looking for and hasting in glory. Mortify therefore your members ter, “What manner of persons ought we to
unto the coming of the day of God?” If it which are upon the earth” (Col. 3:4, 5). be in all holy conversation and godliness,
were permissible to change the phrasing of We are enjoined to holy conversation looking for and hasting unto the coming of
Holy Writ, I would like to write this text, and godliness, in view of the Second Com- our Lord.”
“Seeing then that all these things shall be ing (II Peter 3:11-13). This hope should voice itself in sacrifi-
dissolved, what manner of persons ought In the language of the inspired apostle, cial service. “Nevertheless we, according
WE to be in all holy conversation and “time would fail” me to tell of the victo- to His promise, look for’ new heavens and
godliness, looking for and hasting unto ries that are related to this doctrine, as con- a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteous-
the coming of the day of God, wherein the clusions are related to premise, as result to ness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye
heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, cause. But I recommend the reading of W. look for such things, be diligent that ye
and the elements shall melt with fervent E. Blackstone’s book on Jesus is Coming, may be found of Him in peace, without
heat?” (II Pet. 3:11-12). where you will find a catalogue of forty spot, and blameless” (II Pet. 3:13,14).
In the judgment of Peter, premillennial- practical doctrines that rest with the com- The opponents of this precious truth
ism contains in itself a definite, spiritual ing of Christ. have tried to make it appear that it para-
appeal. If we follow him to the end of the Historically, sanctity has commonly lyzes the individual endeavors of men,
argument in this matter, we will find that been a consequence of this faith! Igna- converting them into lazy lookers for a
he expects this teaching to eventuate in tius of Antioch was a holy man. He enter- catastrophic end of the present social or-
definite and desirable practice. He thinks tained this hope. Polycarp, the disciple of der and an easy introduction of the Uto-
the hope of the Second Coming should John, was a holy man. He entertained this pian dream. But upon this matter, history
eventuate in sanctity. He argues this hope hope. His friend and companion, Papias, has a right to be heard, and its pages are
is to voice itself in sacrificial service, and not only taught this truth, but lived as be- replete with results.
he maintains that this hope should estab- came a man who entertained it. In fact, the I speak not alone for my own denomina-
lish both mind and soul. Church Fathers, with few exceptions, were tion, but from a somewhat wide knowledge
The hope of the Second Coming should men known by two outstanding character- of the pastors and outstanding churches of
eventuate in sanctity. “Seeing then that all istics, viz., their confident expectation of other denominations, and I affirm it to be
these things shall be dissolved, what man- the return of the Lord and the holy, spiri- my observation in several countries and
ner of persons ought we to be in all holy tual character of the lives they led. upon at least two continents that the most
conversation and godliness, looking for That the relationship of doctrine to diligent service to the King of kings and
and hasting unto the coming of the day of practice is not destroyed by the progress the most self-sacrificing spirit in His be-
God?” of time, becomes evident when one recalls half are found in those pulpits and pews
Truth is important to the individual hold- the names of John Bunyan, Richard Bax- where this precious hope is known.
ing it or to the people hearing it, in propor- ter, John Jewel, John Knox, John Milton, The denominational annuals would be a
tion as it is translated into practice. The Samuel Rutherford and Thomas Chalm- positive proof of this fact, and the state-
times upon which we have fallen exhibit a ers, Paul Gerhardt and Michael Hahn, and ment would obtain not alone with refer-
turning away from “sound doctrine,” but in later time of Horatius Bonar, George ence to the larger gifts to Home and For-
even this defection from the faith is not so Whitfield, while with the modern school eign Missions and the establishment of
serious a hindrance to the cause of Christ of Chiliasts, successors in this faith might desirable Christian institutions; but even in
as is the present day defection in conduct. be illustrated from the lives of such men the realm of social service — such as giv-
The worst heresy possible is not one of as Charles Spurgeon, George Muller, An- ing to the poor, providing for the hungry,
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