Truth Magazine

By Clint Springer

Dedicated Christians live in anticipation of the second coming of Jesus. Whether that event transpires during our lifetime or many years from now, the attitude remains the same.

Parousia is the Greek word most commonly translated “coming,” and Vine’s Dictionary says it “denotes both an arrival and a consequent presence with.” This article is being written in order to clarify several points with relation thereto.

There are at least three Bible doctrines that are interrelated so far as time and event are concerned: The coming of Christ, the judgment, and the end of the world. A concise study of the New Testament leads to this conclusion. A resurrection of the dead may be classified as a fourth in that listing. “Second Coming,” however, may be considered somewhat arbitrary, as most Scriptures only speak of a coming without any numerical number. Hebrews 9:28 may be considered the exception, but in that passage the writer is also speaking of judgment after death — that which is still in the future for us.

Some verses, especially in Luke, are hard to interpret. Most of those verses are related to the destruction of Jerusalem, but also sound like the ending of the universe. A probable explanation is that the catastrophe of A.D. 70 prefigured the end of the world. Some of the saints were resurrected along with our Lord (Matt. 27:52), and the destruction of Jerusalem was certainly a judgment against the rebellious Jews of that age.

When the Romans destroyed Jerusalem, the New Testament teaches that to have been a coming of the Lord (Matt.

24:30). However, it has been shown that “coming” does not demand a personal appearance of Christ, and such verses as Isaiah 19:1 in the Old Testament use that type of language when civil war in Egypt was being considered. Conversely, “Second Coming,” in our vernacular, implies all that was stated in paragraph one (1 Cor. 15:22-25).

Some believe the whole chapter of Matthew 24 (also Luke 21) relates only to the A.D. 70 event. However, the “day” of the second division is a time about which only the Father knows. On the other hand, Jesus knew when the Jerusalem catastrophe was to take place and so informed his disciples. That answered the second question asked by the disciples, and obviously pertains to the final end of all humanity.

A problem arises relating to that as the language is very nearly like Luke seventeen. The latter is believed to be the end of Judaism, but that event has already been suggested as a foreshadowing of the world’s end. It should also be understood that similar language does not always demand a single event.

Those who hold the view that Jesus literally returned in A.D. 70 also contend that all spiritual gifts ended at that time — that all the books of the New Testament were writ- ten before that date. While this seems like a moot point of argument, it should be remembered that spiritual gifts were given by the laying on of an apostle’s hand (Acts 8:18), and no doubt some of these lived beyond the A.D. 70 date. It is also true that those letters of Paul to the Gentiles have little to say about the Jerusalem catastrophe, as that event did not mean as much to the Gentiles as it did to the Jews.

In my Royal Publishers King James Bible, First Thessalonians is listed as having been written in A.D. 58, but in view of Chapter 2:16, which is written in the past tense, that, too, can be questioned. After charging the Jews with killing Jesus, and prohibiting the gospel from being preached to Gentiles, the last part of verse sixteen says, “But God’s wrath has come upon them at last!”

In those books written to Gentile churches, a clearer view of the final judgment may be found. Conversely, only Judea was involved when the Romans destroyed the city of Jerusalem. 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Thessalonians 2, and 2

Peter 3 are passages directly related to the end of the world.

You may remember that after receiving their first letter, some of the Thessalonians thought the end was literally at hand. In the second book the apostle declared that a falling away had to come first, and we know that to have pertained to the Catholic system. Any good church history book will trace that falling away to its completion.

From John 20:17 we learn that Jesus did not immediately ascend to the Father, there is a difference between Paradise and the Heaven of God’s throne, but did so afterward and was then crowned King (Luke 19:12). This was foretold by Daniel (Dan. 7:13,14). Thus we conclude that Jesus went before the Father with the blood of his sacrifice, then came back to earth and appeared to the apostles and several others.

His coming was foretold in the Old Testament, as is his final coming in the New. Just as many ungodly Jews were destroyed in A.D. 70, all who obey not the gospel will suffer the second death and be damned to outer darkness for eternity.

By Hiram Hutto

On January 15, 1998 Lynn Headrick, faithful Christian and gospel preacher, passed away at his home in Anderson, Alabama, a few miles west of Athens. He was born May 31, 1928. He is survived by his good wife, Mary Faye (Hall), to whom he was married on September 4, 1953. Other survivors include his children, Doug Headrick, Deanna Haggenmaker, Linda Gregory, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Burial was in the Valley View Cemetery near Athens, Alabama.

Lynn was born about 20 miles south of Dallas, Texas, on a farm between Red Oak and Ferris. Later the family moved near Sinton, Texas. It was here that he learned the value of work. If you ever heard him preach very much, you heard him give some good illustrations of work on the farm and in the cotton gin. Probably it was here that his concern for the gospel in Mexico was kindled and continued until his death. This interest is manifested in that the family requested that instead of flowers, it would be appreciated that support for the Mexican work be given. This could be sent to Wayne Partain, a long-time friend and a faithful and tireless worker in that field. No doubt, there are scores of men preaching the gospel today among Spanish-speaking people as a result of the generosity of the Headricks and surely, there are hundreds of Spanish- speaking people who have heard the message of salvation through the efforts of Mary Faye and Lynn. I first met Lynn about 40 years ago. By that time he had finished his BA work at Lipscomb and his MA degree at Peabody. He, with Sewell Hall, his future brother-in-law, moved to Alabama Christian College to teach school. While teaching there, he preached for the church at Ramer. Later he preached in Lafayette, Georgia, Acipco in Birmingham, and Saraland (Mobile) Alabama. His brother remarked to me that Lynn had always striven to reach a higher level, and this was true whether in work sports, education, or the Lord’s work. This is seen in that in the early 1960s he decided to further his education and enrolled at the University of Alabama. At that time, there was no sound church there so seeing the need, one was established through his efforts. After finishing his doctoral work, Lynn moved to North Alabama where he served as Dean of Students at Calhoun Community College. Although his position there required much of his time his main concern and goal in life was preaching and teaching the word of God. In North Alabama he preached for the Valley View church near Athens and the Old Moulton Road church in Decatur.

Then he began work with the Jackson Drive church in Athens where he preached for 16 years. It was my good fortune to follow him in the work at Jackson Drive. I was able to see very early what a great work he did here. In fact, he did a good work wherever he went. After this he preached in the Birmingham area with the Sun Valley and Hueytown churches. At the time of his sickness he was preaching with the New Georgia church in Anderson, Alabama, who were a great encouragement and support to him and his family during this trying time.

Lynn was characterized by many great and spiritual qualities. Like Nathaniel, he was an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile (John 1:17). Like the seven men in Acts 6, he was of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom; and like Barnabas, he was a good man (Acts 11:24). As David said of Abner, a great man is fallen this day in Israel (2 Sam. 3:38). Indeed he was a great man, and most every- body found that out, except Lynn Headrick. While he was characterized by humility, there was one characteristic that stands out in my mind. While serving as Dean at Calhoun, many opportunities arose for compromise, but he would not yield. When it came to matters of right and wrong, he was unyielding. May his tribe increase.

His influence for good is known far and wide. This is evident in that approximately 50 gospel preachers from as far away as Northern Indiana and Florida came to visit with the family.

The funeral director said that on the Friday night before the funeral service between 700 and 800 people came by. At the funeral service an overflow crowd of about 500 were present. I was honored to be asked to speak at the funeral service. Those assisting in the service were Jim Sasser, a close personal friend of Lynn and Mary Faye’s for nearly 50 years, David McKee and Tim Sutton, two young people among many on whom he had great influence.

As noted at the funeral service, he would not have wanted any praise and adulation made about him, but rather just preaching the gospel. As noted earlier by his brother, Lynn always strived for a higher level whether in work, sports, education, or service to God. It is our considered judgment that he has now reached that higher level.

By Linda Maydell

There is almost nothing we women enjoy more than making ourselves look attractive. When someone tells us that we look nice, we feel great! God himself loves beauty. His love of beauty is obvious whenever we see a sunset sky, a seascape, or a sunbird. The creation has been clothed by God in such a way that it brings glory to him (Ps. 19)!

I believe God gave women a special gift of a deep sense of beauty as well. But he wants us to use this gift to his glory. I must clothe myself in such a way that the world will know that I am “God’s” woman.

1 Timothy 2:8-10 tells us: “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that the women adorn them- selves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.”

Women must first of all be “clothed.” In other words, they must cover the parts of their bodies that God considers shameful to be seen in public. However, our responsibility in our dress does not end here. It is altogether in keeping with the spirit of New Testament Christianity that sheer physical conformity to God’s dress code is not enough. God wants our clothing to tell the world the condition of our “hearts.” Therefore, in 1 Timothy 2:8-10, God addresses three characteristics of the heart of a Christian woman which will guide her in the choosing of her wardrobe. Our dress is to reflect a heart that is characterized by modesty, propriety and moderation. No matter whether we are rich enough to buy a new dress each week or so poor that we go years without a new dress, we can still dress with these characteristics.

Modesty

This word means orderly and neatly. It is the same word that people in New Testament times used to describe the creation. Everything in the creation fits together neatly like the pieces of a puzzle. Just as a missing puzzle piece mars the whole picture, so a missing button, a hanging hem, or dirty or torn clothing gives people who see us the impression that we are sloppy and lazy. Dressing neatly, on the other hand, lets people know that we have a conscientious heart.

God also created the universe in an orderly way so that nothing draws attention to itself by being out of place. Similarly I must never draw attention to myself by dressing unsuitably. I would not wear my smartest dress to work out- side in the garden nor my oldest dress to a funeral. Sisters, I want you to think seriously about this: What kind of dress do you consider suitable to put on when you go to meet the Lord? What do you tell others about your feelings towards God by the way you dress in his presence?

Propriety

This word means that we must have a sense of shame. It is not the same as the shame we feel when we are caught in doing something wrong, but an inward desire to be as far away from anything shameful as possible. It is this quality that causes me to consider the feelings of others and stay far away from any kind of dress that may cause someone to lust after me. It is this quality which causes me to wear my skirts more to the long side than to the short side and to wear my tops more loose than clingy, more high-necked than low-necked. Even by my dress, I make a statement about my feelings towards adultery, rape, jokes with sexual connotations, “adult” movies, and other sins of lust so prevalent in the world. I will be careful not to dress like those (e.g., pop stars) who promote fornication and rebellion. I will also show the world by my feminine attire (and hair style!) that I respect the womanly role God has given me and abhor homosexuality.

Moderation

This word means inward self-control. It is this quality that will enable a woman to take the time and trouble needed to make sure her dress is modest and proper. Sometimes modest dress is not the most comfortable dress, especially when the weather is hot. It is hard to pay $50 for a decent skirt when a cute mini only costs $20. The world today promotes freedom and lack of inhibitions — wild hair styles, seven earrings per ear, dresses that cause everyone to turn around and stare. This is not moderation.

Finally, Paul sums up what he is saying by reminding us that a woman with a godly heart will devote her time, money and energy, not to her outward appearance, but to good works. I do not believe Paul is saying that it is to- tally wrong to wear any kind of jewelry or braid your hair. However, I do think every Christian should ask herself if she is spending more time on her physical appearance or on good works.

And before you spend a fortune at the hairdresser or buy a piece of jewelry that costs more than what you put in the collection plate, think if that is truly the best use of your money. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” How much treasure are you laying up on earth and how much treasure are you laying up in heaven?

Sisters, let us make a big effort to let our inward beauty so shine that even our outward dress is a reflection of it. And so may God be glorified.

Questions

May a woman wear pants, make-up, jewelry or braided hair? Many women have asked me these questions. In all of these questions, a woman must be guided first by the words modesty, propriety, and moderation. Another thing which a woman must consider in her dress is an attitude of submission towards her parents, if unmarried (Eph.6:1), or her husband, if married (Eph. 5:22). Therefore, even if, in my judgment, I consider any item of clothing to be mod- est, proper and moderate, I will not wear it if my husband/ father does not approve.

Pants: In some cultures, both men and women both wear pants suits only (e.g., China). In other cultures (e.g., in Bible times) neither men nor women wore pants; both wore robes. Therefore, it is not the pants themselves that cause a woman to be considered masculine instead of feminine, it is our culture’s view of pants. If I wear pants, and it causes people in my culture to think that I am trying to be masculine, or that I am a harlot, or that I am desiring to be in the position of authority over my husband, then I will be violating a sense of propriety if I go ahead and wear them.

This is a very difficult decision to make in a country where different cultures are beginning to intermingle and ideas are beginning to change. A woman of meek and quiet spirit (1 Pet. 3:4) will never say by her clothing, “I don’t care what anyone thinks, I am going to dress the way I like.” However, people’s ideas may change over the years and there may be a time when it would not be wrong to wear pants in certain situations. For those women who do wear pants, please make sure that they are still feminine and that they are not revealingly tight. Also, in love, do consider the feelings of people of other cultures when you are around them.

Braiding of hair and jewelry: At first glance, braiding of hair and even the wearing of gold wedding rings seem to be condemned by 1 Timothy 2:9. If we look at the parallel passage in 1 Peter 3:3-4, I think we will gain the true un- derstanding of the verse in Timothy: “Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” Peter is not saying that women must not wear jewels or braid their hair or put on apparel! He is saying that women must not put their emphasis on these things. If anything I wear — a dress, jewelry, or braids, calls undue attention to be given to my outward appearance, then I will not wear those things. Perhaps it will take too much of my time or money. Perhaps it causes others to envy me or pay me too much attention by their stares. Remember it is our good works that we should be remembered for, not our dress.

Make-up: Before being shown to the king, Esther was given a beauty treatment which included perfume and cosmetics (Esth. 2:12). The pure bride in the Song of Solo- mon was told, “How much better is thy love than wine! And the fragrance of thine oils than all manner of spices” (Song 4:10). On the other hand, the harlot in Proverbs 7:17 tempted her victim with her perfume. If a woman uses make-up, perfume, jewelry, and dress in a way that helps her to be attractive in a wholesome way, she is a credit to her husband and to her God. On the other hand, she can use them seductively and be a credit to the devil. Or she can spend too much time and money on them and fail to store up treasure in heaven.

Sisters, God has truly given us many things to consider when we choose what to wear. The wonderful thing about the Bible is that, even though it was written 2000 years ago and even though there are so many different cultures in the world, we can use the principles that God has given us so that today in South Africa we can dress in a way that pleases him and brings glory to him!

P.S. There’s something else we could also wear more often — a smile! A smile says, “I care,” in any language.

By Joe R. Price

Harry S. Truman is quoted as saying, “If you can’t convince them, confuse them.” Jesus was accused of using confusing language: “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly,” to which Jesus replied, “I told you, and you do not believe” (John 10:24). Our Lord spoke the word of God openly and clearly to the people (John 18:20). He commissioned his apostles to do likewise (Matt. 28:19-20). The purpose of gospel preaching is to convince and to persuade men of the Christ and his salvation (Acts 19:8; 2 Cor. 5:11). The Word did not come to confuse men. The Light of the World shined, and people who sat in darkness saw a great light (John 8:12; Matt. 4:16).

A tendency which has developed in our preaching is to avoid clarity of speech and decisiveness of doctrine (2 Tim. 4:2-5). Some brethren appeal to the complexity and difficulty of a doctrine as a reason for tolerance of and unity with opposing (and even contradictory) teachings and practices (cf. Eph. 5:8-11; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1). Some try to convince us that those who boldly preach the gospel on the controversial topics of the day (i.e., divorce and remarriage, fellowship, the role of women in the church, morality, etc.) are making themselves the standard to which compliance must be given. Is every man a law unto himself when it comes to these questions? Or can we know and obey Christ’s will, even on controversial topics (Eph. 5:17; cf. 1 John 4:1, 6; 1 Thess. 5:21-22)?

The “convince or confuse” approach preaches an uncertain gospel. For instance, what passes for gospel preaching on divorce and remarriage appears at times to be an exercise in confusing the audience. Can we not speak plainly and persuasively on this Bible topic? Jesus did (Matt. 19:3-9). He spoke with conviction on the origin of marriage (from God, 19:4-5). He plainly taught that what God joins together (the man and woman who are free to marry and who agree to marry) man is not to put asunder (Matt. 19:6). He was persuasive in clarifying a difference between the teaching of Moses and God’s intention on marriage from the beginning (Matt. 19:7-8). Without confusion he taught that anyone (“whoever”) who divorces his wife for a cause other than sexual immorality (fornication) and then marries another person is guilty of adultery (Matt. 19:9). There is no confusion in his words that “whoever” marries a person who has been put away (divorced) commits adultery (Matt. 19:9). The confusion does not lie with Christ and his word. He is not the culprit of any confusion which exists on the topic of divorce and remarriage.

Some scoff at the notion that Christ’s teaching on divorce and remarriage is simple, straightforward, and can be consistently applied by men to their lives. They strenuously labor to convince us that the Bible teaching on the subject is confusing. They attempt to prove a complexity in God’s word which exonerates their fellowship with those who violate Christ’s teaching and with those who have not heretofore repented of their sin (2 Cor. 12:20-21; 2 John 9-11).

One’s marriage affects his eternal salvation (Heb. 13:4). Therefore, we can be sure that Christ has given us a clear message on the subject. The standard by which we must live and by which we shall be judged is within our ability to read, understand, believe, and obey (Rom. 10:17; John 6:44-45; 8:31-32; Matt. 7:21; Eph. 3:3-5; John 12:48; 2 Cor. 5:10).

At the same time, God expects man to use his intellect in learning the truth: “. . . how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Eph. 3:3-4). Just as reading a newspaper requires the use of our reasoning capacities in order to understand it, God requires that we apply our ability to reason, comprehend and understand when it comes to his word of truth. God has revealed his will to convince us, not confuse us, but we must give our- selves to learning it. To be convinced rather than confused by the word of God, there are several things we need:

1. A good and honest heart (Luke 8:15). The heart that is closed off to truth will not be convinced to walk in truth regardless of the cost (Luke 8:11-14).

2. A desire to do the will of God (John 7:16-17). The person who wants to know and obey truth will be convinced by it, because its evidences of authenticity are adequate (John 20:30-31).

3. Diligence in our study of God’s word (2 Tim. 2:15). Some may be confused by the Bible because they have not adequately learned how to study it. Or, perhaps they have failed to diligently pursue an accurate use of it. Effort is required to come to a proper use of God’s word.

4. Spiritual growth through being nourished by the word of God (1 Pet. 2:2; 3:16-18). Rome was not built in a day, and our journey toward spiritual maturity is a daily quest to press onward to the goal of heaven (Phil. 3:13-14). As we do so, we must commit ourselves to “walk by the same rule” of truth which was revealed by the apostles and prophets of Christ (Phil. 3:15-16; 2 Thess. 2:15).

The gospel convinces us of heaven’s reward. Let there be no confusion!