Truth Magazine

By Donald P. Ames

In Hebrews 6:18, the writer speaks of Christians as those “who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.” As we look at the world around us, the news is full of accounts of refugees who are fleeing from one country to another, often at great risk of life and limb. Maybe we can learn some important lessons from these people that can help us in our role as refugees as well.

Refugees do not regard their material possessions as their greatest treasures. They are willing to leave home, land, and nearly everything else behind, because they are after something far more important  be it political or religious freedom, or safety from dangers in their old country. Material things can only deter them and hinder their movement to achieve those goals. We need to beware that we do not “set our mind on earthly things” (Phil. 3:19). Instead, like some of the other refugees before us, we need to desire a better, heavenly country  a city whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:10, 16). Attachment to things of this world will only cause us to perish rather than commence our journey (1 John 2:15-17). Or, in pausing to dwell on those memories, cause us to fail to achieve what we sought (cf. Gen. 19:26).

Refugees will also take note of others who have made the journey before. They seek to profit by their success, and to learn by their mistakes. Hebrews 11 is set forth as an example of some of the refugees who have successfully made the journey. We are encouraged! It can be done! Don’t give up (Heb. 3:12)! And hopefully, we can also profit from the mistakes of others (1 Cor. 10:1-11). Such information, how-ever, can only help us if we take the time, learn, and apply it (Phil. 4:9; Heb. 13:7).

Refugees realize the journey is fraught with danger and discouragement, yet they set upon it with the hopes of achieving their destination. They know it will require great perseverance if they are to be successful. Living a Christian life is not an easy task  nor always a pleasant one. Paul warns us we will face persecutions (2 Tim. 3:12), and Peter says to expect mistreatment even from some of our former country-men (1 Pet. 4:4). Jesus also warns some of them will turn against us (Matt. 10:35-37). It may require overcoming many obstacles (Jas. 1:12; 1 Cor. 10:13), and even cost some of us our lives (Rev. 2:10; Acts 7). It will also re-quire great perseverance on our part as well (Rom. 5:3-5; 2 Pet. 1:6; Rom. 12:12). We cannot give up at every set back or stumbling point, but must “set our mind on things above” (Col. 3:2). And thus we pursue our destination, because the goal is worth it all (2 Tim. 4:7-8; Phil. 1:23)!

Refugees also learn they have to choose friends care-fully. All cannot be trusted, and some cannot be trusted at all. If someone is weak, ready to betray their efforts  or even eager to do so for material gain, they may have to part company to achieve their destination. Some would readily betray us for their own purposes (2 Pet. 2:18-20; 1 Cor. 15:33). Some have no intentions of helping us, but are bent on our destruction (Rom. 16:17; 2 Tim. 3:1-4). We must identify these and avoid them, or our journey will have no hope of success!

Yet there is also a comradeship amongst those who flee as refugees. They pull together, trying to help each other, and know their success partly depends on their joint efforts. As Christians, we are to help the weak (1 Thess. 5:14), en-courage and admonish one another (Heb. 10:24-25); and to pull together, each doing what he can, as we strive for our goal (1 Cor. 1:10-13; 12:120. We should want all of us to get there, if possible (Gal. 6:1-2), knowing our own efforts are also helped by the efforts of others as well (Rom. 1:11-12; Phil. 4:3, 16). Failure to have such comradeship may lead to our own downfall on this journey (1 John 3:16-20).

And, finally, when they reach their goal, there is much rejoicing  even if they don’t know everything that yet lies ahead of them. As Christians, we may not know all the glories of heaven, or the details of what we will be doing there. But we are excited, because we do know it is well worth the effort! And when we achieve our goal, there is rejoicing in heaven by those who hear of it (Luke 15:7). Those waiting for us will rejoice (Phil. 2:16). And we will also have great rejoicing (Matt. 25:21). Let us never lose sight of that goal, but as struggling refugees, press on that we may achieve our destination, even though the cost at times may appear to be great. Remember, we are seeking a better country and will be blessed for it (Rev. 14:13)!

Guardian of Truth XLI: 11 p. 8-9
June 5, 1997

By Tommy Hagewood

“We have lost two good soldiers.” These words were spoken to me by sister Jeannetta Clifford just prior to the funeral service of her beloved husband, brother Rufus R. Clifford, Sr. The other soldier sister Clifford was referring to was brother Grover Stevens. Both men passed from this life to their reward on Friday, February 21, 1997.

Truly these were two great men of God. Both men preached the unsearchable riches of Christ for many years. Both struggled through many battles for Christ during their early pilgrimage. Both shall be greatly missed.

The earthly remains of brother Clifford were laid to rest in Columbia, Tennessee on Saturday, February 22, 1997. Brother Stevens’ funeral service was conducted in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday, February 24, 1997. We extend our sympathy to both of these families in their time of sorrow. We sorrow but not as others who have no hope.

From a personal standpoint brother Rufus Clifford had a greater impact on my life because I was around him more. I’ve known him since I was a small child and have heard him preach many times.

When he retired from preaching a few years ago, he and sister Clifford greatly blessed Maury County by moving into our area. He served as an elder for the Lanton church of Christ until illness forced him to resign. Everyone who loved the truth and gospel preaching loved brother Rufus Clifford.

I shall never forget hearing him preach on heaven thirty years ago when I was a student at Florida College. He was holding a meeting at the Seminole church of Christ in Tampa. Another young preacher remarked to several of us after the lesson, “Brother Clifford talked about heaven like he had already been there and had come back to tell us about it!” Obviously he had not been there in body but that’s where his heart, treasure, and citizenship were while he lived on this earth. I can still close my eyes and see him preaching and hear his touching words, “If you miss heaven, you’ 11 have missed it all.”

I first met brother Grover Stevens when his son Phillip was my roommate my first year at Florida College. Though I didn’t have much contact with brother Grover over the years since, I was always greatly blessed at those times when I did get to hear him preach.

To me, the thing that stands out about brother Stevens was his courage. He had the courage to leave the false religion of denominationalism for the truth of Christ. In preaching the gospel he put his own physical life in jeopardy at times  especially I believe when he exposed the false religion of Masonry. (The sermons he delivered a few years ago at the Downtown church of Christ on Masonry are classics.)

I do not mean to imply in this tribute that these men were sinless men. They would have been the first to acknowledge that they had feet of clay and were saved by the grace of God. However, both of these men were good men, holy men of God who loved the Lord, loved the truth of the gospel, loved souls, loved the Lord’s church, and loved their families. Both sought to exalt Christ and not themselves. Both are worthy of our love, respect, and gratitude. I plan to see both of them in heaven!

From the lives of godly people who precede us in death let us learn some valuable lessons:

 A person can live the life of a Christian even in a wicked world.

 A Christian’s life is to be a happy, joyful, purposeful life.

 Though seemingly an endangered species, there are men who are unashamed to be identified as Christians.

 There are still men who risk their lives and who give their lives to preach Christ.

 There are men who live and die as good husbands, fathers, brothers in Christ, and friends.

 It truly pays to be a Christian in this life and to died in Christ (Rev. 14:13).

 These men, being dead, yet speak (and so some day shall we).

Guardian of Truth XLI: 10 p. 5-6
April May 1, 1997

By Larry Ray Hafley

You have heard of the recent suicides of religious cults in Canada and in southern California. Forty-four have died in the two suicide pacts. This number, tragic as it is, does not approach the 913 who followed the notorious Jim Jones in Guyana, in 1978.

Unbelievers will paint all religious people with the same brush. In other words, all who profess faith in God are “nuts.” If you believe in God, you are a blind, fanatical robot. You have lost your mind. “Much learning doth make thee mad.”

Any valid points that are made against the cult suicides will have to be taken from Bible principles, from biblical standards. See the irony in that? Those who do not believe the Bible will use it to condemn the suicides. Do “quack” doctors invalidate medical science? No, true science is what discredits the “quack.” Do “shyster” lawyers prove that the legal profession is crooked? No, true jurisprudence arrests the “shyster.” Do religious cults make faith void? No, the absurd actions of religious cultists do not prove that all religion is ridiculous. As one must take truth to defeat the quack and convict the shyster, so one must take Divine revelation to refute human imaginations (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

Infidels cannot remain consistent and criticize those who have taken their own lives. If assisted suicide should be legalized, and if mothers may kill their unborn babies, why should an adult be condemned for taking his own life? If a mother’s body is her own, and she may choose to abort her child, why is not any person’s body his own which he may kill if he chooses to do so? Unbelievers cannot answer without contradicting their own philosophy.

No, it is not right to commit murder, and suicide is murder, self murder. But let an atheist tell us why it is wrong, or why it should be viewed as a sign of “madness.” If consenting adults have the right to engage in every form of vile sexual conduct without facing condemnation, why may not consenting adults agree to kill themselves for whatever reason? If, according to modern thought, one’s “sexual preference” or “sexual orientation” is no one’s business, whose business is one’s “spiritual preference” or “religious orientation”? Let an agnostic explain.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 10 p. 15
April May 1, 1997

By Clint Springer

Armageddon has become a scare word! It is likely that every average person equates the word with the final great war  extinction or annihilation  that being true whether that person is religious or otherwise. It conjures up thoughts of thermonuclear warfare with no place on earth to hide. In Old Testament history, to the Jewish mind, the word Megiddo brought fear of battle, death, and war.

The local newspaper dated February 14, 1997 featured an article originating in Megiddo, Israel (AP), describing an Apocalyptic Park soon to be finished at that place. Since many believe that to be the ground where the final war is to be fought, pilgrims visit from all over the world. Advanced computer graphics will bring to life The final showdown prophesied in the Bible.”

Har Megiddo (or Har-Magedon) is Hebrew for Mount Megiddo, the corrupted word Armageddon probably being more familiar to the Bible student. The article describes several Gentile battles fought in the valley, but the Bible student is also familiar with fierce wars the Jews fought there. As to modem times, one preacher stated “this is where the Lord will restore his kingdom.” Again, it is believed, “the blood will flow as high as a horse’s bridle.”

These beliefs find their roots in Revelation 16:16, yet why people insist such passages are literal, while most of the Apocalypse is obviously figurative language, continues to be a mystery.

The most popular advanced theory regarding the return of Christ started a countdown in 1948, but the forty years of that generation ended a few years ago. Of course Jesus was ad-dressing the generation to which he spoke, and the kingdom did come at that time (Matt. 24:24; Mark 9:1). Another version of the theory, some-how based on a misinterpretation of Luke, suggests the “generation” started in 1967 when the holy city was united under Israel. That would put the second coming as 2007, shortly after the great battle of Armageddon itself.

The church of the New Testament is the kingdom of prophecy and promise. Christ is presently reigning on David’s throne (Acts 15:13-18), and a proper interpretation of the New Testament indicates that all Old Testament prophecy had been fulfilled. The prophets of Old, you see, were in-tended for those “in times past” (Heb. 1:1, 2).

Premillennial theories make the same mistake the Jews made at the time of Christ, for they wanted a political earthly kingdom. The Lord plainly stated, however, that it wasn’t so (John 18:36).

But what about Armageddon as stated in the book of Revelation? That portion of Scripture was specifically addressed to those who would be (or were) beheaded or martyred in the early church. It contained things which were shortly to come to pass (Rev. 1:1), and over and over it is affirmed that “the time is at hand.” Revelation is a book of reiteration: The evil perpetrated against God’s people is followed by war, and God’s wrath is always triumphant. That pattern unfolds over and over, in various ways, so it is reasonable to conclude that Armageddon is a war being spiritually fought every day by Christians.

Since all the world wondered after the beast, it is likely that this represents the broad way (Matt. 7:13). To worship the image of a man, or a pope, is to worship the devil (1 Cor. 10:19, 20). In any application made to these points, spiritual war with the saints is applicable.

Chapter sixteen in Revelation sets the stage for the battle. The Beast, allied with a false prophet, is believed to be the world dictator allied with some form of false religion. Their mission and message is to turn the kings of the world against the true God. The judgment of the scarlet woman, “Babylon,” “the great whore,” and “the seat of the beast” evidently refer to Rome, pagan Rome, but some believe it to be Papal Rome. Others believe the world empire that will fight in Armageddon will be politically situated in Rome.

Such an importance is attached to Rome as the center of false worship that three whole chapters are devoted to her fall. Much of Revelation may be said to be reiteration with intensification. That is to say, a prelude to the great battle intensifies with each scene, but the battle is never actually fought  except as destroyed by God. It has already been stated that this battle is being fought daily by true Christians.

Armageddon has become a scare word! It is likely that every average person equates the word with the final great war  extinction or annihilation  that being true whether that person is religious or otherwise. It conjures up thoughts of thermonuclear warfare with no place on earth to hide. In Old Testament history, to the Jewish mind, the word Megiddo brought fear of battle, death, and war. Presently, however, to contend that everything in Revelation is literal would demand an army led by something like frogs. Our sword, as Christians, is of the Spiritthe Word of God (Eph. 6:11-17). We are in a continual battle with sin and false religion (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

Since most people now equate Armageddon to nuclear war, what are the possibilities in that regard? While this article has discounted such a possibility as fulfillment of prophecy, a third world war is frightening. Fortunately, at the present, the prospect of such a conflict between the “superpowers” seems small, but some of the third world countries evidently have a nuclear capacity.

The frenzy of terror really began feeding after July 16, 1945 when “a light brighter than a thousand suns” lit up the sands of the New Mexico desert. The first atomic test was so successful that one scientist ex-claimed, “We have created hell.” When the papers were signed ending World War II, General MacArthur grimly alluded to the unthinkable possibility of further nuclear warfare and used the word “Armageddon.” He probably meant no religious implication, but rather the annihilation of mankind such a conflict promised.

Into the fifties and afterward, dooms-day prophets fed the frenzy of terror. The development of the hydrogen bomb, a nuclear capacity by other nations, and the Cold War syndrome played on the nerves of everyone. Russia and the U.S. had enough ICBMs pointed at each other to over-kill ten times. The major point in this article, notwithstanding, is that “signs” cannot be construed as foretelling the inevitable end during the present generation. No one knows when the final end will come (Matt. 24:36).

A literal Armageddon, supposedly projected by Scripture, ignores several major points: (1) All Old Testament prophecy has been fulfilled; (2) Christ is presently reigning on David’s throne; (3) When Jesus comes again that will be the end of the world, not the start of another dispensation. Furthermore, no one knows the time element of the second coming, and the Christian’s warfare is spiritual, not of a carnal nature.

To one who desires tranquility of mind and peace with God, obedience to the complete will of the Lord is recommended. Under those circumstances however, when the end of the world comes about, or if it happens before your death, all will be well with your soul.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 10 p. 8-9
April May 1, 1997