Religion – Shoals Insider

Babylon makes merchants and kings rich

Staff — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 18:46:48 +0000

Just like most other portions of the book of Revelation, chapters 17 and 18 are problematic for those who want to believe the book is merely symbolic, and therefore may be interpreted many different ways—especially their own unique way. I agree with Finis Dake (of Dake’s Annotated Bible) that the material must be taken literally unless it becomes obvious that some portion is symbolic. And even then let the book of Revelation itself, or some other Bible book, explain the symbolism.

Primarily, the book of Daniel lays the foundation for understanding the book of Revelation, and Revelation expands upon Daniel’s prophetic visions of the end-times and makes those visions make more sense in our day. Both chapter 17 and 18 use the term Babylon and present both similarities and differences between the two Babylons. First of all, both Babylons are called a city. Although I do not know all of the implications of that fact, I can say that the very term city reveals that each entity is a well-organized system.

The first is a well-organized religious system that has dominated mankind since the fall of Adam—chapter 17. The seven-headed beast the woman rides is made up of various nations of people existing from early on since the fall—See Revelation 17:15. That seven-headed beast is seven heathen world powers that have ruled most of the world’s population at various times throughout fallen man’s history—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and the end-time form of that old Roman Empire—the two feet and ten toes. Thus, the seven heads cannot be seven literal hills of the literal city of Rome. Remember, five had fallen, one was and the other had not yet come in John’s day—Revelation 17:10. Therefore, the seven-hills-of-Rome interpretation of 17:9 is most ridiculous.

Chapter 18 describes a literal city named Babylon. Although there is now no existing city by that name, I take what the angel told John literally, rather than believe Babylon is some code word. What code? That is where imagination runs wild. And, there are some wild interpretations out there. All of which leaves the church confused, rather than enlightened. Remember, the name of that book is Revelation—an unveiling—not confusion. Understanding is what we need, and understanding comes through honest study, not speculation—2 Timothy 2:15. Contrasts: The whore makes herself rich, whereas the literal city of Babylon makes merchants and kings rich. Moreover, the ten kings under the Antichrist will themselves destroy that whore—the religious system—yet they will actually lament the destruction of the literal city of Babylon. Dr Finis Dake’s Bible notes provide other significant comparisons and contrasts of the two Babylons. And, as Dake points out, nowadays with modern equipment cities can rise overnight. The land of Shinar—where Babylon came into existence—was the location of the first organized human rebellion against God—the beginning of the religious system called Mystery Babylon in Revelation 17:5. More on Babylon next time.

(Ron Craig is pastor, teacher and author of Christian books; and these articles. You may view all the books by logging onto www.livingwayfellowshiponline.org. While logged on the website you can even listen to audio Bible-lesson podcasts. You may also send your questions or comments to ronwritercraig@gmail.com)

Religion is manmade with the devil’s help

Staff — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 18:01:00 +0000

We have covered sixteen out of twenty-two chapters in Revelation, but some of the most interesting and controversial material lies in the last six chapters of the book. You will soon read exactly what I mean. Revelation 17:1-18 describes the universal religious system of this evil age. The angel described and defined to John Mystery Babylon, the Mother of Harlots. The word mystery has to refer to a religious (mysterious) system. That is what religion is. And let me say here that Christianity is not a religion. Religion is manmade (with the devil’s help, of course). Real Bible Christianity is a living organism, not an organization. It is the Living Body of Christ, made up of Jesus Christ and genuine born-again believers. However, many have turned real Christianity into fake churchianity.

The word harlot (or whore) definitely proves the woman robed in scarlet and riding on a scarlet beast is a religious system. The nation of Israel was pictured as a harlot in many Old Testament Scripture passages because she repeatedly turned away from God to worship one false god after another. Thus, harlotry is biblically associated with religion. Therefore, Mystery Babylon, the Mother of all Harlots, definitely describes the overall religious system that has dominated the human race since the fall of Adam. The seven-headed beast the woman was riding represents the majority of the human race in history. More on that later.

But, chapter seventeen not only identifies what that woman represents but also reveals that she will be destroyed during the Tribulation. The ten horns on one of the heads of the beast—that head being the final Gentile kingdom which will attempt to dominate the entire world—will hate the whore, and destroy her. In verse one, the angel told John that he was about to show him the judgement of the great whore. Verse six says the woman—that religious system ruling over mankind from early on—was drunk with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus Christ. If you study history you will find that it has been religious groups that have been the primary persecutors of God’s people.

Although the military is often used to do that persecuting, the prevailing religious group in a society is usually the primary push behind the military action. Roman soldiers carried out the religious wishes of the unbelieving Jews, first against Jesus Christ, and then His followers. After the Jewish nation was dispersed throughout the world in A.D. 70, the fanatical Roman religious groups took over the persecution of the church. You can read about some of that in the Book of Acts. You will also find that religious harlotry is often connected to literal physical harlotry. Some whorish women of Moab allured some of the Jewish leaders into literal fornication, and to worship their Moabite gods. See Numbers 25:1-3, 6-9 and Revelation 2:14. Religion leads one to whoredom and to blasphemy against God. Blasphemous names were upon both the beast and that mystery woman.
(Ron Craig is pastor, teacher and author of Christian books; and these articles. You may view all the books by logging onto www.livingwayfellowshiponline.org. While logged on the website you can even listen to audio Bible-lesson podcasts. You may also send your questions or comments to ronwritercraig@gmail.com)

PEOPLE MAKE DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES

Staff — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 23:39:40 +0000

If God is in total control of every thought, word and action of every creature on this planet, then He is either an incompetent ruler or a despicable tyrant. Of course, John Calvin thought it was due to the wonderful counsel of God that some human beings had been chosen by God to be lost, with no chance of ever being saved, so the Creator would be glorified by their eternal suffering in the Lake of Fire.

Well, many people will suffer in that Lake of Fire forever, but it will not be God’s choice for them individually. People make decisions for themselves, and God will honour their free-will decisions; although He would rather they repent, ask Him to save them, and thus avoid the fires of hell. Ezekiel 18:23—Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die, says the Lord God, and not rather that he turn from his wicked ways and live? That is what is called a rhetorical question. And the obvious answer is NO! But, Ezekiel 18:32 puts God’s wishes in the form of a positive statement—I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies, says the Lord God. Therefore, turn and live. That is a command! God actually commands everybody everywhere to repent and look to Him for salvation. So says Acts 17:30. And His offer will remain in effect right up to the very end. In acts chapter two, after describing some of the end-time events (Sun darkened, moon turned to blood, etc.), Peter, quoting Joel, said that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2:21). Thus, even though during the Tribulation Time God will pour out His wrath on rebellious human beings, He will still be offering salvation to all who will avail themselves of it, by repenting of their sinful lifestyle, and accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. And many will be saved during that horrible time. Revelation 6:9-11 and 7:14 tell of the multitudes who will be beheaded for their witness for Jesus Christ. Persecution of believers will be one of the divine reasons for God’s wrath being poured out during that Tribulation Period. Revelation 16:4-7 says it was right for God to turn the rivers and streams into blood so that those who had shed the blood of the martyrs would have to drink that stagnant blood in those streams. Nevertheless, those hardened sinners will refuse to repent, even under God’s great wrath (Revelation 16:9, 11, 21). In fact, Paul had prophesied in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 that God Himself will send strong delusion to people who refuse to repent so that they will fall for the lies of the Antichrist. But notice that the non-repenters will have already refused to repent. Therefore, God will only purposely seal the doom of the non-repenters. He will not be the cause of their doom (as John Calvin taught). (I have Calvinism books available.) God truly is God, and He is definitely in control of how everything will turn out in the end. Israel’s enemies have been trying for centuries to wipe out the little nation of Israel once for all, but have failed miserably time after time. The Antichrist will try it one last time but will fail at his extreme attempt as well. Notice that it is always God’s covenant people, whom the devil and his goons try to destroy. Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 prophesy that Gog and Magog and his hordes will descend upon Israel, intending to destroy them once and for all. Daniel 8:23-25, 9:24-27 and 11:40-45 are prophecies of the rise and demise of the Antichrist. Next time we will look at those Scriptures, which reveal that it is actually God’s plan that the nations gather against Israel. See you.

THE CHURCH HAS NOT TAKEN ISRAEL’S PLACE

Staff — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 12:00:32 +0000

The church has NOT taken Israel’s place! Several Scriptures relate to that subject. The first we will turn to is Genesis 17:7: “I will establish My covenant between Me and you [Abraham] and to your seed after you in their generations for an EVERLASTING covenant, to be God to you, and to your seed after you.”

The seed would be through Isaac, not Ishmael or any of Abraham’s offspring through his second wife, Keturah (Genesis 25:1, 5-6). Galatians 3:16-18: “Now, to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. God said not, ‘And to seeds,’ as of many; but as of One, ‘And to your Seed,’ Who is Christ. And this, I [Paul] say, that the covenant, which was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot annul, so that it should make the promise [to Abraham] of no effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: But, God gave it to Abraham by promise [not law].”

Hebrews 11:18: “Of whom it was said that in Isaac will your seed be called.”

Galatians 3:19: “For what purpose, then, served the law [of Moses]? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed [Christ] should come to Whom the promise [to Abraham and his Seed] was made. (So the law was temporary.)

Moreover, “He is not a Jew, who is [merely] one outwardly [as Abraham’s physical offspring]; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But, he is a Jew, who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in one’s spirit, and not in the letter [flesh] (Romans 2:28-29).” This was true from the days of Abraham on. It did not begin when the church came into existence.

“Comes this blessedness [of salvation] then on the circumcision [Jews] only, or also on the uncircumcision [believers of all non-Jewish nations]? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How [or when] was it then reckoned? When Abraham was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he [Abraham] received the SIGN of circumcision, a SEAL of the righteousness of the faith, which he had while being uncircumcised: That he might be the father of all those who believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed to them as well: And the father of circumcision to those who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had while being uncircumcised. For the promise that he would be heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or his Seed, through the [Mosaic] law, but through the righteousness of faith [which all can receive by the Word] (Romans 4:9-13).”

“You are children of God by faith in Christ. As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female: You are all one in Christ. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:26-29).”

Believers to be reunited with their glorified bodies and meet Christ in the air

Staff — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 20:13:52 +0000

More Pre-Tribulation Scripture passages: First Corinthians 15:51-52 (KJV): “Behold, I show [reveal to] you a mystery; We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed; in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we [who are still alive] will be changed [get our glorified bodies].” Although Paul unmystified that mystery, many yet shroud that end-time event in mysterious speculations. And, though this passage hints not at the time of that event, the next one does.

First Thessalonians 4:13-18 (KJV): “ I [Paul] would not have you ignorant concerning those [believers] who are asleep [have died] so that you sorrow not, even as others [the unsaved do] who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [Will bring from heaven to earth the souls and spirits of dead believers to be reunited with their glorified bodies in the resurrection.] For this we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain to the coming of the Lord will not precede those [whose bodies] are asleep [in the grave]. For, the Lord [Jesus] Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, and with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: And, the dead in Christ will rise first: Then we who are yet alive [in these mortal bodies] will be caught up [what rapture means] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: And so will we ever be with the Lord.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” If Paul meant that we Christians must go through the Tribulation, that would not be very comforting! And if this happens at the end of the Tribulation, that would allow no time for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb or the judgment of believers. These events must have already taken place before we white-robed resurrected saints come with Jesus Christ riding on white horses to the battle of Armageddon, the final battle of this evil age (Revelation 19:11-16).

Second Thessalonians 2:6-8 (KJV) tells us plainly that the Restrainer, which can only be the church, must be removed before the Antichrist will come on the earthly scene. Remember, those angels told Lot that they could NOT release that fiery judgment on Sodom until he was safely removed. And Jesus said the same will occur at the end of this age. “And now you know what withholds [restrains the Antichrist] that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity is already at work: Only he who now hinders will hinder, until he be taken out of the way. And then will the Wicked One [the Antichrist] be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the spirit of His mouth [seven years after the church has been removed from the earth] and will destroy with the brightness of His coming [at the battle of Armageddon, which will occur at the end of this age—Daniel 11:40-45, Revelation 16:16, 19:17-21, etc., etc.].”

The Church is divided over Tribulation

Staff — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 18:39:31 +0000

The church is actually divided over the second major end-time teaching error, regarding whether or not the church will go through the Tribulation time spoken of in Jeremiah, Daniel, Matthew, Mark and Luke, and in some of Paul’s letters, and finally in the book of Revelation. The prime supposed evidence the experts use to convince themselves and others that the church will definitely go through the Tribulation is the coincidental use of the word trumpet. At the last trumpet, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:52, the dead will be raised, and we the still-living will be changed (get our glorified bodies).

Those end-time experts paste that passage onto Revelation 11:15, and claim that both passages refer to the same trumpet blast; they supposedly occurring at the very same time. (The seventh trumpet that is blown by the seventh judgment angel in Revelation 11:15 is the same trumpet that is blown at the time of Christ’s Second Coming and the resurrection of the righteous dead.) If so, such would necessarily prove that the church will still be on the planet, at least until that seventh trumpet is blown. But think! The trumpet accompanying Jesus Christ’s return announces deliverance, not judgment.

The other six trumpets in Revelation release some form of judgment, not deliverance. Why would the seventh be different? But the point I want to make in this lesson and following ones is that both sides of that argument miss the whole point the Bible makes on that subject. Why not make all mentions of trumpet blasts in the Bible refer to the same event just like they do those two? Why pick out those two in order to establish end-time doctrine?

Once again, studying instead of speculating is the key to gaining the biblical answer to that supposed mystery. And once again, that mystery is solved by Scripture—in Jeremiah, Daniel and elsewhere. Referring to the same end-time events, Jeremiah 30:7 states plainly that will be thetime of Jacob’s trouble, not the church’s trouble. Such obviously refers to Israel, not the body of Christ. And even more convincing is the Bible fact that the angel Gabriel told Daniel in 10:14 that those end-time events will concern your (Daniel’s) people—Israel.

Moreover, in Daniel 9:24, Gabriel said plainly that seventy weeks (sevens) are determined for your people (Israel) and your holy city(Jerusalem). Nothing is said about the church. Those end-time events will all be about God’s dealings with the nation of Israel, and His punishment of Gentile nations that have mistreated Israel over the centuries. Check out Jeremiah 25:31-33, Joel 3:2, Zephaniah 3:8 and Zechariah 14:1-5. And these are just a few of the Scriptures that reveal that God has a controversy with those nations which have harassed and ruled over Israel in the past. He has vowed many times that He will punish the heathen nations that have been and will be Israel’s enemies. And, one more Bible Truth: All seventy sevens of years have to do with the Jews. If those first seven and sixty two concern Israel, then that seventieth seven does as well!

There’s a lot of speculation on end time events

Staff — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 17:15:24 +0000

Christian Author and Pastor Ron Craig

Before getting deeper into the end-time-events subject, I want to make a few comments and ask a few questions. I have learned that different people have different motivations for their interest in end-time events. Although many are sincere, some are obviously motivated by mere curiosity. While curiosity will carry one a little ways on a journey, when the truth gets to be too much for the curious one, the search usually ends right there. Only those who genuinely want to learn the truth and are willing to adjust to it will continue their journey until they reach the end—real biblical end-time truth. What is your motivation?

While there are a number of preachers who seem to be experts on end-time events, I have found only one whose exegesis on that subject is truly scriptural. I will let you know who that is eventually, but first I want to clear away some of the utter nonsensical teachings regarding those not-too-distant future events.

One of the most unbiblical concepts is that the Antichrist will originate from Moscow, claiming that he will be Russian. That concept is mere speculation on the part of preachers and theologians who theologize rather than seriously study the Holy Scriptures. I have learned that sometimes (actually often) just reading a little further in the Scriptures the reader will come to a completely different conclusion than if he or she only reads until they find what they think supports their pre-study conclusions. How some preachers come up with really weird speculations is a mystery to me. Especially when the Bible actually, not only does not support their conclusions but clearly refutes them. Some of the more well-known ideas are that the Antichrist will be a Russian and that the church will have to go through The Tribulation; or at least the last part of it. Less well-known is that the United States of America will be the beast spoken of in Revelation, that Russia will nuke the USA (the wounded head of the beast) then the USA will revive and become that beast (the Antichrist). Of course, that speculation refutes the claim that the Antichrist himself will hale from Moscow. One of the points I want to make here is that the teachings of some supposed experts often outright contradictthe insane ideas of other end-time experts. So, which one is correct? Or does it even matter which one is right? Does Deity allow us to believe and teach any doctrine we like? Remember those lessons on the Bible prohibiting any interpretation of Scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21). That means anything that contradicts the Bible is outlawed by God Himself.

One more weird, unbiblical teaching is that those demons coming out of the Abyss are not really demons, but tanks and helicopters. But, I understand that machines come out of factories, not the center of the earth. So, my question is: “Do you want to believe human speculations, or know actual Bible Truth?”

The Book of Daniel is concerned with world events

Staff — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 18:09:39 +0000

Christian Author and Pastor Ron Craig

The book of Daniel is expanded in the book of Revelation. Revelation cannot be understood without a working knowledge of Daniel’s original revelation, and Daniel is incomplete without the apostle John’s completion of that vision in the book of Revelation. Moreover, both books must be taken together as one and the same revelation, having only ONE interpretation, although the book of Revelation does have extra details. Otherwise, people will get confused about end-time events. Of course, other pieces of that future puzzle reside in the book of Zechariah, three of the Gospels, and some of the apostle Paul’s epistles. Still, all the pieces fit the same end-time puzzle, and have only ONE interpretation. Theologians are generally confused about end-time events, as well as about many other things, but God’s Word is not confused about any events, past, present or future. Beware of the many contradictory end-time interpretations.

If you remember, the essence of these articles is to reveal scripturally where God is located, and what He is doing during the many upheavals of these last days. The book of Daniel is primarily concerned with world events beginning in Daniel’s day, and continuing down to the last of the last days of this age. Then, the book of Revelation provides additional details of the same events right down through the Millennium and creation of the New Heavens and the New Earth.

Moreover, the books of Daniel and Revelation narrow down world history to the conflict between God’s people, Israel, and the Gentile nations, that through history have harassed Israel. The church age is sandwiched between Daniel’s 69th and 70th weeks (or periods of sevens). Extra explanatory details appear in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, three Gospels, and some of Paul’s writings.

In the cases of certain Bible books, either a word, phrase or sentence is key to a proper understanding of the book. Such keys are found in Daniel. One is in 8:17, where Gabriel informed Daniel that his vision referred to the time of the end. And in 9:24 the angel Gabriel told Daniel that seventy sevens (a total of 490 years) are determined FOR YOUR (Daniel’s) PEOPLE (Israel) AND YOUR CITY (Jerusalem). So Daniel’s visions concerned not the church, but the people of Israel—the Jews. Again in 10:14, Gabriel said that those prophesied events would happen to your (Daniel’s) people in the latter days. And remember too that your (Daniel’s) city (Jerusalem) will be the center of the last days activities. Not New York, Tokyo or Moscow. Avoid unbiblical interpretations of end-times.

In 12:9, the angel said the prophecies were sealed until the time of the end. In Revelation 22:10, John was told to not seal the prophecies, for the time had come for them to be activated. Thus, our biblical end-time study has begun.

(Ron Craig is a pastor, teacher, and author of Christian books; and these articles. You may view all the books by logging onto www.livingwayfellowshiponline.org. While logged on the website you can even listen to audio Bible-lesson podcasts. You may also send your questions or comments to ronwritercraig@gmail.com.)

The Godhead does not change

Staff — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 18:32:56 +0000

Christian Author and Pastor Ron Craig

The statement that God does not change is recorded in Malachi 3:6, the last of the Old Testament books. In the New Testament, in Hebrews 13:8, we see that Jesus does not change—Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. In Hebrews 1:3, we also discover that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was the express image of His Father—Who does not change. Also remember that Jesus was the Word (Who was God—John 1:1) made flesh (became a man—John 1:14).

Moreover, God cannot lie. So states Titus 1:2 and Hebrews 6:18. First John 2:21 tells us “No lie is of the truth.” Jesus said that He was the truth (John 14:6). So, no lie is of Jesus Christ. James 1:17 says that with God there is no variation, or even a shadow of turning. First John 5:6 says the Holy Spirit is truth. John 17:17 also tells us that God’s Word is truth. So the Father, the Son, the Word and the Holy Spirit are all called truth, and they are all called God. And we know that no lie is of the truth—Father, Son, Word, or Holy Spirit. No variation or shadow of turning from what they are or have always been. The Godhead does not change!

I am establishing a vital biblical truth here. If nothing about any member of the Godhead has changed, then the Gospel ministry should be the same today as back in the days of Jesus and the first generation of Christians. Basically, the very same thing was said about God’s Word—the Gospel—as was said about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thus, today there should be NO variation or even slight shadow of turning from the first Gospel message or its miraculous mode of ministry. NO CHANGE!

Paul said in Galatians 1:8-9 that anybody preaching a supposed Gospel message that is different from what he preached in the Galatian churches is accursed. And, the Gospel Paul preached to them is the same Gospel he preached everywhere he went. He said in Romans 15:18-19 that miracles always accompanied his Gospel ministry. Even in that Galatian letter, Paul mentioned Holy–Spirit–administered miracles. Moreover, in 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 Paul said his ministry in Corinth was confirmed by miracles, so that their faith would not be founded on mere words, but in miracle-working power. In 1 Corinthians 4:20 he stated forcefully that the Kingdom of God is not in word only, but in power! In 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Paul testified that his Gospel ministry to those people was confirmed not just by words, but by supernatural miracles. Paul’s ministry maintained the same pattern from start to finish. Read Romans 15:18-19 once again.

Finally, Jude 3 commands us believers to earnestly contend for THE FAITH THAT WAS ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS. What does once for allmean to you as a believer? Moreover, do we believers not still call ourselves saints? If not, then what makes us believe we are believers? If the believers in the first century were saints, then we believers in this twenty–first century must be saints—those who are set apart. That is what saint means—set apart from the world, and to God. And how are we set apart? By faith! What faith? The faith that was once for all delivered unto the saints!

(If you are not a committed member of some other Christian fellowship, you are invited to visit Living Way Fellowship at 2041 County Road 73, in Killen area. From Killen, going north on US 43, turn right on County Road 73 and go 2 and 1/2 miles. We are on the right. You can’t miss the sign out front—Living Way Fellowship. Sunday 10:00 A.M., Wednesday 7:00 P.M. Ron Craig is the pastor, teacher and Christian book author. Contact us at ronwritercraig@gmail.com, or log onto our church website at www.livingwayfellowshiponline.org. While logged

on our website, check out my books and audio podcasts. Wouldn’t hurt!)

Ron Craig: One who created us can deliver us

Staff — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 14:36:17 +0000

Author and Pastor Ron Craig

Although not everyone is ignorant of the Bible principle I laid down in the previous lesson, many may not have ever thought about it in that light. Since human problems basically stem from flaws resident in the human spirit and mind, inherited from Adam through his rebellion in the Garden of Eden, then the basic solution to those problems would reasonably have to be applied to those inner areas of sinful human beings. That being successful in cases in which the salvation-candidates sincerely accept that Bible solution, then some, maybe many, of the world’s problems would be solved, at least in those individuals’ lives. More sinners getting born again means there are more good influences in the world, and fewer bad influences. Does that not make good Bible sense?

Next question: How do we get sinners to agree to submit themselves to such major, and positive, changes in their lives? Good question. Bible answer: Do what our Savior commanded us to do—Proclaim the Gospel (good news) to every creature (Mark 16:15) on earth. Why? To give everyone an opportunity to be delivered from a life of misery, to a life of peace and productivity. Do not fool yourself: Sinners are basically miserable in almost every area of their lives. Otherwise, they would not make repeated attempts to smother their gnawing pains on the inside. They try drugs, illicit sex, making more and more money, buying things, etc., etc. They are trying to fill a vacuum on the inside of them with stuff from the outside. Automobiles cannot satisfy spiritual needs, because cars will not fit on the inside of us. The intensity of illicit sexual pleasure is temporary at best, and brings with it more gnawing guilt. Then, sinners try to alleviate that guilt with other stimulants or depressants. It is a vicious cycle. I have seen it in many lives. They need deliverance, and only the One Who created us can deliver us! And our Creator has chosen to use the foolishness of the Gospel to meet the needs of the fallen world—1 Corinthians 1:18-25—The preaching of the cross is to them who perish foolishness; but to us who are saved, it is the power of God. For, just as it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world [system]? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? In the wisdom of God this [fallen] world by [its own] wisdom knew not God, so it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” To be continued…

(If you are not a committed member of some other Christian fellowship, you are invited to visit Living Way Fellowship at 2041 County Road 73 in Killen area. From Killen, go north on US 43, turn right on County Road 73 (at the 330 mile marker), then go 2 and 1/2 miles. You can’t miss our sign out front—Living Way Fellowship. We get together Sunday 10:00 A.M., Wednesday 7:00 P.M. Ron Craig the pastor, teacher and Christian book author. Contact us at ronwritercraig@gmail.com, or log onto our church website at www.livingwayfellowshiponline.org. And while on our website, check out my books.)