The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the LORD's house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills;
And all nations shall flow to it.
Many people shall come and say,
"Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths."
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
And rebuke many people;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore.

Isaiah 2:1-4

I wanted to take the time to address some of the more familiar passages of this season. This is one I find particularly beautiful and hopeful.

It is interesting that the Prophet "saw" the "word." How do you see a word? You can read a word, but I do not think that is what is meant here. I think there is something far more grand, far more glorious than just the Prophet conveying something he read.

This is the second vision of Isaiah and extends through chapter 4. He describes his first vision just that way, as a vision. Here he calls it a word, the word. I believe this was just as much a vision as the first vision, but Isaiah is communicating something more here. What Isaiah is about to describe is so fantastic, so miraculous, so wonderful, that he tells us something more about it than merely that it is a vision. A vision is a great thing and I do not mean to minimize that. But Isaiah is telling us that he saw the word. What he saw is written down, not written for Isaiah to read, but established. What Isaiah has seen is the unchangeable, eternal decree of our omnipotent God. As fantastic and wonderful as this vision is, it is established forever before the foundation of the world. It is the certain will of God and it shall be fulfilled. I believe that that is what Isaiah is conveying in this statement.


It is a certainty. It shall to come to pass. There can be no doubt about the things about to be revealed.

You should recognize the phrase in the latter days. This is a common phrase in both the Old and the New Testaments. This is not speaking of the end of the world as it would appear as some translations read the last days. It is of the last days, however, in the sense of the last age. It is the age of the Church, the age of the Gospel, the final stage of mankind. There will be no age after the age in which we now live. In that sense, these are indeed the last days. The rabbis understood this phrase as the days of the Messiah, and that is how we understand it. But we know that Christ has come, these days are established, and we are living in them now. So this is a prophecy of the age in which we live.


As Jesus told the Samaritan woman, "The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth." Here this worship of the Church is elevated to the top of the mountains, that is, to a conspicuous place. When the nations see this, they will lay aside their idols and temples and come to worship the Living God in spirit and truth. As these are the latter days, the Church is established, she is permanently in place. How is true, spiritual worship made conspicuous?


Paul asked, "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" (Romans 10:14, 15) The answer is, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Ezekiel had a vision of a river flowing from the Temple (Ezekiel 47:1-12). Here we see that as the river of the Gospel flows out from the Church, there is an ebbtide. The Gospel flows out and the nations flood in. How beautiful! This is the conversion of the nations!

If this sure decree of God were not enough, Isaiah 11, 42, 49, 54, 60, 62, and 66 all speak of the Gentiles coming to true faith. Isaiah 66:12 says,


This happens through the preaching of the Gospel.


Many people does not mean many persons, but better many peoples. This is not limited to a tribe or clan or nation, but many peoples coming. Under the Old Covenant, there were only the twelve tribes of Israel. But under the Church, there are many nations made into one people.

Here is a great work of the Holy Spirit, opening hearts around the globe!


Listen to the hope in their words: He will teach us. In this mighty work of God, men actively seek God, intent on learning His ways. This is the doctrine we must be ready in season and out of season to teach.

For out of Zion shall go forth the law. Zion here is used for Jerusalem. Is this not exactly what Jesus said, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."


In the Old Covenant, all truth came from Jerusalem. But now, in the latter days, truth comes from the Church, the Bride, the New Jerusalem.

As the word of the Lord flows out from the church, we will see the nations converted. We will see them lay aside their idols and turn to the Living God. I heard this clip the other day and was glad to find it for you. You may think most idols are gone. Most Americans certainly don't offer sacrifices to carved wood. But watch this clip and see if it does not just step on your toes, but crush them:



Do you want to see mankind converted? Do you want to see the nations flooding into the Church? It will happen when you get up off your couch and start preaching the Gospel.


The same Lord, the same Christ, who will teach these nations who come to Him, will also judge between them. As we see things now, the nations are warring against each other. They fight amongst themselves. When the Gospel converts them, Christ will judge between them. Just as you would stand between your children who are fighting.


It is in the New Covenant that we read, "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?" (James 4:1). This is the rebuke that Christ will give the nations. He will prove Himself to be the true Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) until "of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end."


The results will be changed hearts. Enemies will become friends. The Gospel will turn the world upside down.


There will not only be no more war. They will be so far from war as to forget it. They will no longer learn about it.

Can there really be world peace? You will hear much about world peace in the days to come. Many songs will ask for peace. Think about this the next time you hear or sing "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." There is guaranteed in this prophecy a day of world peace. It will happen. And it can begin with you. But it will only begin when you preach the gospel, when Christ is exalted and the nations flood to Him. Don't just dream of world peace. Make it happen. Share the Good News.

From A Puritan's Mind:

Martin Luther, German Reformer (1483 – 1546) – He died ‘full of years,’ but it was at the age of 33 when he nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door in Wittenburg and thus by God’s grace launched the Reformation.

George Wishart, Scottish Reformer (1513 – 1546) – He was a faithful minister who proclaimed the gospel, and he mentored John Knox, the founder of Presbyterianism in Scotland. Wishart was executed for the faith at the age of 33.

Christopher Love, British Presbyterian (1618 – 1651) – Though he was beheaded by Oliver Cromwell’s forces at the age of 33 on the charge of treason, a charge which he denied, Love was highly esteemed as a Presbyterian minister and his death was mourned by many.

At 34, John Bunyan had already spent two years in the county gaol in Bedford for preaching without a license. It was here that he wrote Pilgrim's Progress.

At 34, William Wilberforce had been a member of Parliament for over twelve years and fought for the abolition of slavery for six of those years.

As I embark on 34 today, I see I have some catching up to do.

This time by a man who needs no introduction...

C. H. Spurgeon

“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” — Romans 8:34

The most dreadful alarm that can disturb a reasonable man is the fear of being condemned by the Judge of all. To be condemned of God now, how dreadful! To be condemned of him at the last great day, how terrible! Well might Belshazzar's loins be loosed when the hand-writing on the wall condemned him as weighed in the balances and found wanting: and well may the conscience of the convicted one be comparable to a little hell when at its lesser judgment-seat the law pronounces sentence upon him on account of his past life.

I know of no greater distress than that caused by the suspicion of condemnation in the believer's mind. We are not afraid of tribulation, but we dread condemnation. We are not ashamed when wrongly condemned of men, but the bare idea of being condemned of God makes us like Moses �exceeding fear and quake.� The bare possibility of being found guilty at the great judgment-seat of God is so alarming to us that we cannot rest until we see it removed.

When Paul offered a loving and grateful prayer for Onesiphorus he could ask no more for him than, �the Lord grant that he may find mercy in that day.� Yet, though condemnation is the most fatal of all ills, the apostle Paul in the holy ardour of his faith dares ask, �Who is he that condemneth?� He challenges earth and hell and heaven. In the justifiable venturesomeness of his confidence in the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ he looks up to the excellent glory and to the throne of the thrice holy God, and even in his presence before whom the heavens are not pure, and who charged his angels with folly, he dares to say, �Who is he that condemneth?�

By what method was Paul, who had a tender and awakened conscience, so completely delivered from all fear of condemnation? It certainly was not by any depreciation of the enormity of sin. Amongst all the writers who have ever spoken of the evil of sin none have inveighed against it more heartily, or mourned it more sincerely from their very soul, than the apostle. He declares it to be exceeding sinful. You never find him suggesting apologies or extenuations; he neither mitigates sin nor its consequences. He is very plain when he speaks of the wages of sin and of what will follow as the consequences of iniquity. He sought not that false peace which comes from regarding transgression as a trifle, in fact he was a great destroyer of such refuges of lies.

Rest assured, dear hearer, that you will never attain to a well-grounded freedom from the fear of condemnation by trying to make your sins appear little. That is not the way: it is far better to feel the weight of sin till it oppresses your soul than to be rid of the burden by presumption and hardness of heart. Your sins are damnable, and must condemn you unless they are purged away by the great sin-offering.

Neither did the apostle quiet his fears by confidence in anything that he had himself felt or done. Read the passage through and you will find no allusion to himself. If he is sure that none can condemn him, it is not because he has prayed, nor because he has repented, nor because he has been the apostle of the Gentiles, nor because he has suffered many stripes and endured much for Christ's sake. He gives no hint of having derived peace from any of these things, but in the humble spirit of a true believer in Jesus he builds his hope of safety upon the work of his Saviour; his reasons for rejoicing in noncondemnation all lie in the death, and resurrection, the power and the plea of his blessed Substitute. He looks right out of himself, for there he could see a thousand reasons for condemnation, to Jesus through whom condemnation is rendered impossible, and then in exulting confidence he lifts up the challenge, "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" and dares to demand of men and angels and devils, yea of the great Judge himself, "Who is he that condemneth?"

Now since it is not an uncommon thing for Christians in a weakly state of mind, exercised with doubts and harassed with cares, to feel the cold shadow of condemnation chilling their spirits, I would speak to such, hoping that the good Spirit may comfort their hearts.

Dear child of God, you must not live under fear of condemnation, for "there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus," and God would not have you fear that which can never come to you. If you be not a Christian, delay not till you have escaped from condemnation by laying hold on Christ Jesus; but if you have indeed believed in the Lord Jesus you are not under condemnation, and you never can be either in this life or in that which is to come. Let me help you by refreshing your memory with those precious truths concerning Christ, which show that believers are clear before the Lord. May the Holy Spirit apply them to your souls and give you rest.

I. And first, you, as a believer, cannot be condemned because CHRIST HATH DIED.
The believer has Christ for his substitute, and upon that substitute his sin has been laid. The Lord Jesus was made sin for his people. "The Lord hath made to meet upon him the iniquity of us all." "He bare the sin of many." Now our Lord Jesus Christ by his death has suffered the penalty of our sin, and made recompense to divine justice. Observe, then, the comfort which this brings to us. If the Lord Jesus has been condemned for us, how can we be condemned? While justice survives in heaven, and mercy reigns on earth, it is not possible that a soul condemned in Christ should also be condemned in itself. If the punishment has been meted out to its substitute, it is neither consistent with mercy nor justice that the penalty should a second time be executed.

The death of Christ is an all-sufficient ground of confidence for every man that believeth in Jesus; he may know of a surety that his sin is put away, and his iniquity is covered. Fix your eye on the fact that you have a substitute who has borne divine wrath on your account, and you will know no fear of condemnation.

“Jehovah lifted up his rod--
O CHRIST, it fell on thee!
Thou wast sore stricken of thy God;
There's not one stroke for me.”

Observe, dear brethren, who it was that died, for this will help you. Christ Jesus the Son of God died, the just for the unjust. He who was your Saviour was no mere man. Those who deny the Godhead of Christ are consistent in rejecting the atonement. It is not possible to hold a proper substitutionary propitiation for sin unless you hold that Christ was God. If one man might suffer for another, yet one man's sufferings could not avail for ten thousand times ten thousand men. What efficacy could there be in the death of one innocent person to put away the transgressions of a multitude? Nay, but because he who carried our sins up to the tree was God over all, blessed for ever; because he who suffered his feet to be fastened to the wood was none other than that same Word who was in the beginning with God, and who also was God; because he who bowed his head to death was none other than the Christ, who is immortality and life�his dying had efficacy in it to take away the sins of all for whom he died. As I think of my Redeemer and remember that he is God himself, I feel that if he took my nature and died, then indeed my sin is gone. I can rest on that. I am sure that if he who is infinite and omnipotent offered a satisfaction for my sins, I need not enquire as to the sufficiency of the atonement, for who dares to suggest a limit to its power? What Jesus did and suffered must be equal to any emergency. Were my sins even greater than they are, his blood could make them whiter than snow. If God incarnate died in my stead my iniquities are cleansed.

Again, remember who it was that died, and take another view of him. It was Christ which being interpreted means "the anointed." He who came to save us did not come unsent or uncommissioned. He came by his Father's will, saying, "Lo, I come, in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O God." He came by the Father's power, "for him hath God set forth to be a propitiation for our sins." He came with the Father's anointing, saying, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me." He was the Messiah, sent of God. The Christian need have no fear of condemnation when he sees Christ die for him, because God himself appointed Christ to die; and if God arranged the plan of substitution, and appointed the substitute, he cannot repudiate the vicarious work. Even if we could not speak as we have done of the glorious person of our Lord, yet if the divine sovereignty and wisdom elected such an one as Christ to bear our sin, we may be well satisfied to take God's choice, and rest content with that which contents the Lord.

Again, believer, sin cannot condemn you because Christ died . His sufferings I doubt not were vicarious long before he came to the cross, but still the substance of the penalty due to sin was death, and it was when Jesus died that he finished transgression, made an end of sin, and brought in everlasting righteousness. The law could go no further than its own capital sentence, which is death: this was the dire punishment pronounced in the garden, "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shall surely die."

Christ died physically, with all the concomitants of ignominy and pain, and his inner death, which was the bitterest part of the sentence, was attended by the loss of his Father's countenance and a horror unutterable. He descended into the grave, and for three days and three nights he slept within the tomb really dead. Herein is our joy, our Lord has suffered the extreme penalty and given blood for blood, and life for life. He has paid all that was due, for he has paid his life; he has given himself for us, and borne our sins in his own body on the tree, so that his death is the death of our sins. "It is Christ that died."

I speak not upon these things with any flourishes of words, I give you but the bare doctrine. May the Spirit of God apply these truths to your souls, and you will see that no condemnation can come on those who are in Christ.

It is quite certain, beloved, that the death of Christ must have been effectual for the removal of those sins which were laid upon him. It is not conceivable that Christ died in vain--I mean not conceivable without blasphemy, and I hope we could not descend to that. He was appointed of God to bear the sin of many, and though he was God himself, yet he came into the world and took upon himself the form of a servant and bore those sins, not merely in sorrow but in death itself, and it is not possible that he should be defeated or disappointed of his purpose. Not in one jot or tittle will the intent of Christ's death be frustrated. Jesus shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied. That which he meant to do by dying shall be done, and he shall not pour his blood upon the ground in waste in any measure or sense. Then, if Jesus died for you there stands this sure argument, that as he did not die in vain you shall not perish. He has suffered and you shall not suffer. He has been condemned and you shall not be condemned. He has died for you, and now he gives you the promise--"Because I live you shall live also."

II. The apostle goes on to a second argument, which he strengthens with the word "rather."
"It is Christ that died, yea rather , THAT IS RISEN AGAIN." I do not think we give sufficient weight to this "rather." The death of Christ is the rocky basis of all comfort, but we must not overlook the fact that the resurrection of Christ is considered by the apostle to yield richer comfort than his death--"yea rather, that is risen again." How can we derive more comfort from Christ's resurrection than from his death, if from his death we gain a sufficient ground of consolation? I answer, because our Lord's resurrection denoted his total clearance from all the sin which was laid upon him. A woman is overwhelmed with debt: how shall she be discharged from her liabilities? A friend, out of his great love to her, marries her. No sooner is the marriage ceremony performed than she is by that very act clear of debt, because her debts are her husband's, and in taking her he takes all her obligations. She may gather comfort from that thought, but she is much more at ease when her beloved goes to her creditors, pays all, and brings her the receipts. First she is comforted by the marriage, which legally relieves her from the liability, but much more is she at rest when her husband himself is rid of all the liability which he assumed.

Our Lord Jesus took our debts; in death he paid them, and in resurrection he blotted out the record. By his resurrection he took away the last vestige of charge against us, for the resurrection of Christ was the Father's declaration that he was satisfied with the Son's atonement. As our hymnster puts it--

“The Lord is risen indeed,
Then justice asks no more;
Mercy and truth are now agreed,
Which stood opposed before.”

In his prison-house of the grave the hostage and surety of our souls would have been confined to this very hour, unless the satisfaction which he offered had been satisfactory to God, but being fully accepted he was set free from bonds, and all his people are thereby justified. "Who is he that condemneth? Christ is risen again."

Mark further that the resurrection of Christ indicated our acceptance with God. When God raised him from the dead he thereby gave testimony that he had accepted Christ's work, but the acceptance of our representative is the acceptance of ourselves. When the French ambassador was sent away from the Court of Prussia it meant that war was declared, and when the ambassador was again received peace was re-established. When Jesus was so accepted of God that he rose again from the dead everyone of us who believe in him was accepted of God too, for what was done to Jesus was in effect done to all the members of his mystical body. With him are we crucified, with him are we buried, with him we rise again, and in his acceptance we are accepted.

Did not his resurrection also indicate that he had gone right through with the entire penalty, and that his death was sufficient? Suppose for a moment that one thousand eight hundred and more years had passed away, and that still he slumbered in the tomb. In such a case we might have been enabled to believe that God had accepted Christ's substitutionary sacrifice, and would ultimately raise him from the dead, but we should have had our fears.

But now we have before our eyes a sign and token, as consoling as the rainbow in the day of rain, for Jesus is risen, and it is clear that the law can exact no more from him. He lives now by a new life, and the law has no claim against him. He against whom the claim was brought has died, his present life is not that against which the law can bring a suit. So with us: the law had claims on us once, but we are new creatures in Christ Jesus, we have participated in the resurrection life of Christ, and the law cannot demand penalties from our new life. The incorruptible seed within us has not sinned, for it is born of God. The law cannot condemn us, for we have died to it in Christ, and are beyond its jurisdiction.

I leave with you this blessed consolation. Your surety has discharged the debt for you, and being justified in the Spirit has gone forth from the tomb. Lay not a burden upon yourselves by your unbelief. Do not afflict your conscience with dead works, but turn to Christ's cross and look for a revived consciousness of pardon through the blood washing.

III. I must pass on now to the third point upon which the apostle insists. "WHO IS EVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD."

Bear in mind still that what Jesus is his people are, for they are one with him. His condition and position are typical of their own. "Who is even at the right hand of God." That means love, for the right hand is for the beloved. That means acceptance. Who shall sit at the right hand of God but one who is dear to God? That means honour. To which of the angels has he given to sit at his right hand? Power also is implied! No cherub or seraph can be said to be at the right hand of God. Christ, then, who once suffered in the flesh is, in love, and acceptance, and honour, and power at the right hand of God. See you the force, then, of the interrogation, "Who is he that condemneth?" It may be made apparent in a two fold manner. "Who can condemn me while I have such a friend at court? While my representative sits near to God, how can I be condemned?"

But next, I am where he is, for it is written, "He hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Can you suppose it possible to condemn one who is already at the right hand of God? The right hand of God is a place so near, so eminent, that one cannot suppose an adversary bringing a charge against us there. Yet there the believer is in his representative, and who dare accuse him? It was laid at Haman's door as his worst crime that he sought to compass the death of queen Esther herself, so dear to the king's heart; and shall any foe condemn or destroy those who are dearer to God than ever Esther was to Ahasuerus, for they sit at his right hand, vitally and indissolubly united to Jesus.

Suppose you were actually at the right hand of God, would you then have any fear of being condemned? Do you think the bright spirits before the throne have any dread of being condemned, though they were once sinners like yourself? "No," say you, "I should have perfect confidence if I were there." But you are there in your representative. If you think you are not I will ask you this question, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Is Christ divided? If you are a believer you are one with him, and the members must be where the head is. Till they condemn the head they cannot condemn the members? Is not that clear? If you are at the right hand of God in Christ Jesus who is he that condemneth? Let them condemn those white-robed hosts who for ever circle the throne of God, and cast their crowns at his feet; let them attempt that, I say, before they lay anything to the charge of the meanest believer in Christ Jesus.

IV. The last word which the apostle gives us is this, "WHO ALSO MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US."

This is another reason why fear of condemnation should never cross our minds if we have indeed trusted our souls with Christ, for if Jesus intercedes for us he must make a point of interceding that we may never be condemned. He would not direct his intercession to minor points and leave the major unheeded. "Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am" includes their being forgiven all their sins, for they could not come there if their sins were not forgiven. Rest assured that a pleading Saviour makes secure the acquittal of his people.

Reflect that our Lord's intercession must be prevalent. It is not supposable that Christ asks in vain. He is no humble petitioner at a distance who, with moan and sigh, asks for what he deserves not, but with the breast-plate on, sparkling with the jewels which bear his people's names, and bringing his own blood as an infinitely satisfactory atonement to the mercy-seat of God, he pleads with unquestioned authority.

If Abel's blood, crying from the ground, was heard in heaven and brought down vengeance, much more shall the blood of Christ, which speaketh within the veil, secure the pardon and salvation of his people. The plea of Jesus is indisputable, and cannot be put aside. He pleads this--"I have suffered in that man's stead." Can the infinite justice of God deny that plea? "By thy will, O God, I gave myself a substitute for these my people. Wilt thou not put away the sin of these for whom I stood?"

Is not this good pleading? There is God's covenant for it, there is God's promise for it, and God's honour involved in it, so that when Jesus pleads, it is not only the dignity of his person that has weight, and the love which God bears to his only begotten, which is equally weighty, but his claim is overwhelming, and his intercession omnipotent.

How safe is the Christian since Jesus ever liveth to make intercession for him! Have I committed myself into his dear hands? Then may I never so dishonour him as to mistrust him. Do I really trust him as dying, as risen, as sitting at the Father's right hand, and as pleading for me? Can I permit myself to indulge a solitary suspicion? Then, my Father, forgive this great offence, and help thy servant by a greater confidence of faith to rejoice in Christ Jesus and say, "There is therefore now no condemnation."

Go away, ye that love Christ, and are resting on him, with the savour of this sweet doctrine on your hearts; but, oh, you that have not trusted Christ there is present condemnation for you. Ye are condemned already, because ye have not believed on the Son of God; and there is future condemnation for you, for the day cometh, the dreadful day, when the ungodly shall be as stubble in the fire of Jehovah's wrath. The hour hasteneth when the Lord will lay justice to the line, and righteousness to the plummet; and sweep away the refuges of lies. Come, poor soul, come and trust the crucified, and you shall live, and with us you shall rejoice that none can condemn you.

If you haven't been yet, you've got to go to Glassbooth.

"glassbooth connects you to the presidential candidate that represents your beliefs the best."

You first mark which issues are most important to you and then you answer questions based on those issues. I'm really impressed with their system.

My results (not surprising):
94% Ron Paul (R)
74% Duncan Hunter (R)
70% Mike Huckabee (R)
68% Fred Thompson (R)
66% Tom Tancredo (R)
60% John McCain (R)
54% Mitt Romney (R)
48% Rudy Giuliani (R)
34% Christopher Dodd (D)
33% Bill Richardson (D)
33% Mike Gravel (D)
30% Dennis Kucinich (D)
30% Barack Obama (D)
29% Joe Biden (D)
28% Hillary Clinton (D)
24% John Edwards (D)

"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:14-16)

EGYPT
Church Set on Fire - Compass Direct News
Christians Acquitted of Charges of "Insulting Islam" - Compass Direct News
On November 5, Adel Fawzy Faltas, the Egyptian leader of the Middle East Christian Association, and Peter Azzat, an associate, were acquitted of charges of "insulting Islam." They were also released from prison after being held three months. According to Compass Direct News, journalists, lawyers, clergyman, family and friends gathered at Faltas' home to celebrate the acquittal and release. "Faltas, 61, and Peter Ezzat, 25, had been held on unsubstantiated charges of insulting Islam and tarnishing Egypt's reputation abroad. Charges without evidence against Faltas and Ezzat included insulting Islam, posing a threat to national security and tarnishing Egypt's reputation abroad," Compass said. Compass reported Faltas said, "I was always a free man. When you respect yourself and what you are doing, then you are free." According to the report, "Faltas recounted how 30 State Security Investigation officers and plain clothes policeman had raided his house at 2:30 p.m. on August 8. He said the most difficult part of the ordeal was spending the first 14 days in an isolation cell 1.75 meters in length and three-quarters of a meter in width with no seat." Praise God for the release of Faltas and Azzat. Pray for Christians in Egypt to remain faithful in their relationship with Jesus Christ despite being treated as second-class citizens. Psalm 91, Romans 8:31

IRAN
Christian Couple Sentenced to be Whipped - Farsi Christian News Network
In July 2007, an Iranian Christian couple was sentenced by the Justice Court of Revolution to be whipped, two years after they were accused of attending a house church. According to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), "The couple was arrested on September 21, 2005, by government agents. They had gathered in a house, in a town northwest of Tehran (gohar dasht) for their regular prayer and devotional time." The FCNN reported, the woman was born into a Christian Assyrian-Iranian family, while the man converted to Christianity long before their marriage. Following the arrest in 2005, the couple was required to check in with authorities on a regular basis until the court decided their punishment. FCNN reported that on one occasion when the wife met with authorities, she was abused and decided not to return. According to FCNN, "After a few days, in September 2007, two female and four male agents went to this couple's house and showed them a letter from the court saying they should execute the sentence of whipping right there in their house. This couple is under high mental pressure right now." The Voice of the Martyrs is providing assistance to this couple. Pray for this couple and Christians in Iran who face great challenges because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Ask that the Holy Spirit will give them peace, health and protection during this difficult time. Psalm 23; 2 Timothy 1:7

TURKEY
Malatya Murder Trial Date Set - Compass Direct News
Malatya's Third Criminal Court has set November 23 to open the trial of the confessed murderers of Turkish Christians, Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel, and a German Christian, Tilmann Geske. The three Protestant Christians were tortured and killed by having their throats cut on April 18 of this year in the Zirve Publishing Company's office in the southern province of Malatya. Last week, all news about the pending trial in the Turkish press sensationalized justifications the killers offered for their crimes while under police interrogation, including far-fetched allegations against the victims. "It is clear from these statements of the suspects that there is some group of powerful influence behind them," spokesperson Isa Karatas of the Alliance of Protestant Churches in Turkey told Compass. "These people want to portray Turkey's Protestants as enemies of the nation." Pray for justice in this case, but most importantly that the testimonies of the martyrs will draw nonbelievers into the full knowledge of Jesus Christ. Pray for the families of the slain believers. Psalm 119:105, Isaiah 26:3


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Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.

Malachi 4:5-6

Here the prophecy is made that Elijah will come before Christ. The reference here of the great and awesome day of the Lord is to Christ's coming in judgment, not at the final judgment, but against Jerusalem. Many would be converted to the knowledge and faith of the Christ. They would become likeminded and love one another.

But how did the New Testament interpret this?

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Luke 1:13-17

Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.

Matthew 11:11-14

And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Matthew 17:9-13

Peter, James, and John understood that the very Elijah the Tishbite (as the Aldine and Sixtine editions of the Septuagint actually read) from the times of Ahab would come again. As many Jews believed that Elijah had been hid and would reappear before the Messiah came, and even be hidden again to reappear before Gog and Magog. Trypho the Jew, when debating with Justin Martyr, said that Messiah "shall not know himself, nor have any power, till Elias comes, and anoints him, and makes him known to all." The scribes argued that since the same Elijah the Tishbite had not come, Jesus could not be the Christ. The disciples thought that having seen Elijah in this transfiguration, they could publish the news and shut the mouths of the scribes. But Jesus said Elijah had already come.

Jesus explained that it was not Elijah the Tishbite, but one who had come in his power and spirit. The Jews had an almost "Santa Claus" understanding of Elijah, at least in the sense that he was "making a list and checking it twice, finding out who's been naughty and nice." Whenever there was a dispute, they would say, "let it be left till Elias comes." They believed that Elijah would sort out all things. But here is a much better fulfillment. This one had come and had restored all things, that is, he turned the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.

John the Baptist fulfilled the prophecy of Elijah. So John the Baptist confirmed that Jesus was indeed the Christ.

So, as was the case with the Sabbath, the New Testament interprets the Old Testament.

The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World, edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor, is now in at Westminster Bookstore.

Sam Storms, of Enjoying God Ministries says, “Many would have us believe that life is hopelessly fragmented and truth an elusive dream. The authors of this book beg to differ and enthusiastically point us to the cohesive centrality and absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ. Having heard these messages live at the 2006 Desiring God National Conference, I’m thrilled to see them now in print. Highly recommended!”

Westminster Bookstore is featuring this title at just $9.89 (34% off list price!).

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Exodus 20:8

Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.

Exodus 23:12

The Sabbath was to be a day free from all labor. It was a religious day. And it was a day of rest, not just for man, but even for the beasts of burden.

Does the New Testament shine any new light on the Sabbath? Yes, it does.

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

Galatians 4:8-11

Paul was never known for pulling punches. He warns the Galatians that they have turned to weak and worthless elementary principles of the world. (As a side note, notice "elementary principles." In Greek, this is stoicheion and shows up again in 2 Peter 3. It is these same elements that will be "burned up and dissolved." Not hydrogen, helium, lithium, etc.) They are weak - they cannot give life. They are also weak because Christ has now come and fulfilled them. They are worthless as they were only shadows of the grace and glory of Christ.

The Galatians, who were Gentiles, had begun observing the days, months, times, and years of the Jews. These ceremonies were absolutely unnecessary. A foolish bondage for the Gentiles. The Sabbath was a day of rest and now Christ, our Rest, our Sabbath has come. Because we are in Christ, we are always in our Sabbath. That shadow is no longer needed. So Sabbath observations, new moons, the Feasts of Tabernacles, Passover, and Pentecost, the seventh years and Jubilee - all disappeared in Christ - who is our Rest, our Sun of Righteousness, who became flesh and tabernacled with us, who is our Passover, who sent His Holy Spirit at Pentecost, our Jubilee, our Liberty.

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Colossians 2:16-17

Humility may be defined to be a habit of mind and heart corresponding to our comparative unworthiness and vileness before God, or a sense of our own comparative meanness in His sight, with the disposition to a behaviour answerable thereto. And a truly humble man is sensible of the small extent of his own knowledge, and the great extent of his ignorance, and of the small extent of his understanding as compared with the understanding of God. He is sensible of his weakness, how little his strength is, and how little he is able to do. He is sensible of his natural distance from God, of his dependence on Him, of the insufficiency of his own power and wisdom; and that it is by God's power that he is upheld and provided for; and that he needs God's wisdom to lead and guide him, and his might to enable him to do what he ought to do for Him.

Humility tends to prevent an aspiring and ambitious behaviour amongst men. The man that is under the influence of an humble spirit is content with such a situation amongst men as God is pleased to allot to him, and is not greedy of honour, and does not affect to appear uppermost and exalted above his neighbours. Humility tends also to prevent an arrogant and assuming behaviour. On the contrary, humility disposes a person to a condescending behaviour to the meekest and lowest and to treat inferiors with courtesy and affability, as being sensible of his own weakness and despicableness before God.

If we then consider ourselves as the followers of the meek and lowly and crucified Jesus, we shall walk humbly before God and man all the days of our life on earth.

Let all be exhorted earnestly to seek much of an humble spirit, and to endeavour to be humble in all their behaviour toward God and men. Seek for a deep and abiding sense of your comparative meanness before God and man. Know God. Confess your nothingness and ill desert before Him. Distrust yourself. Rely only on God. Renounce all glory except from Him. Yield yourself heartily to His will and service. Avoid an aspiring, ambitious, ostentatious, assuming, arrogant, scornful, stubborn, wilful levelling, self-justifying behaviour; and strive for more and more of the humble spirit that Christ manifested while He was on earth. Humility is a most essential and distinguishing trait in all true piety.

Earnestly seek then, and diligently and prayerfully cherish an humble spirit, and God shall walk with you here below; and when a few more days shall have passed, He will receive you to the honours bestowed on His people at Christ's right hand.

VOM News and Prayer Update: November 6, 2007

"Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in Him." (Ephesians 1:9-10)

ISRAEL
Church Set on Fire - Compass Direct News
On October 23, suspected arsonists set fire to the Narkis Street Baptist Church, in Western Jerusalem. According to Compass Direct News, the arsonists forcibly entered the building through a side door and set three fires in the sanctuary. The fire damaged 60 chairs and also caused smoke and water damage in the building. Compass News reported that although the police had not yet determined those responsible for the attack, it was suspected they were Jewish militants. According to Pastor Victor Blum, the leader of a Russian Messianic Jewish congregation that meets in the building, an anti-missionary organization named "Yad L'Achim" has threatened him and his congregation over the past few years. The group opposes the church's local evangelistic work and claims that the believers are members of a "dangerous sect." Pray God gives these believers boldness to stand against this attack. Pray the testimony of Christians in Israel will draw the attackers and other nonbelievers into the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Joshua 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7

INDIA
Five Nuns Beaten; Militants Attack Church Service - VOM Sources

• MADHYA PRADESH - On October 25, five nuns were beaten by 20 Hindu militants in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The militants surrounded the house of a local believer, where the nuns were attending a prayer meeting, and accused the nuns of forcibly converting local Hindus to Christianity. When the meeting was over, the militants attacked and beat them until the police arrived and took the nuns to safety. All five nuns were injured, and one is in serious condition due to head injuries she sustained in the attack. Pray God encourages them as they heal from their injuries. Psalm 107:20
• MAHARASHTRA - On October 23, Pastor Victor Periera and a group of local villagers were beaten by Hindu militants. The militants were angered because the pastor had organized prayer meetings attended by Hindu tribes in the Thane district of Maharashtra state. Pastor Periera was conducting a prayer service at a local church when the attackers stormed the building. The attackers shouted curses at Christianity and beat the pastor and several believers. The pastor's rib was broken in the attack. Pray for Pastor Periera's healing. Ask God to give believers in India boldness to share Christ with nonbelievers, despite persecution. Psalm 91:16

COLOMBIA
Evangelical Pastor Killed - Associated Press
Pastor Diego Armando Bejarano, 27, was killed recently in the region west of Bogotá. Witnesses say hooded men took Bejarano by force and stabbed him. The motives for the killing are unknown; however, it is common knowledge guerrillas groups view Protestant pastors who encroach on territory under their control as military objectives. In the last 10 years, guerrillas have assassinated 133 pastors, Protestant missionaries and Catholic priests, according to the Evangelical Council of Colombia. Ask God to encourage and minister to the pastor's family and church as they mourn. Pray his testimony draws his attackers and nonbelievers into the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Matthew 5:4


www.persecution.com

We affirm that all the Bible - Old Testament and New Testament - is the word of God. It is truly amazing the many ways God used to communicate His word -- 40 different men over a period of fifteen hundred years! Beyond even that, consider the ways He communicated His will - visitations of angels, dreams, visions, prophets, even the casting of Urim and Thummim.

But consider Hebrews 1:1-2:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

There is significance in the but. In that one, small word is about 400 years of silence. That was "long ago." But now (to the writer of Hebrews) is the last days. These last days refers to the last days of the Jewish economy. The last days of the Old Covenant. In these last days, God has spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the last revelation God would ever make. And what a better revelation! The Old was revealed at many times - over many centuries. The New is revealed in this one time - within the life of the Messiah. The Old was revealed in many ways. The New is revealed in this one way - spoken to us by his Son. The Old was spoken to their fathers. The New is spoken to us. The Old was spoken through prophets. The New is spoken through the Prophet. A prophet was a man who spoke for God. Christ as the God-Man speaks and is God.

Consider the message: Romans 16:25-27

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

The mystery is the whole Gospel -- all of its parts -- the Trinity, the Son of God, the incarnation, the resurrection, the ascension, etc. (God's mystery, which is Christ, Colossians 2:3). There were hints all along, shadows and types, but now, in the last days, the fullness of this mystery has been revealed by Christ and his apostles. And here is another better aspect of this revelation: the Old was only to the Jews. But the New is to all nations of the world. The eternal God commanded this Gospel be given just this way, at just this time, and to these people. Why? To bring about the obedience of faith. The Gospel comes to bring faith, to bring repentance, to bring holiness, to cause men to walk with their Creator.

So, why was this mystery not revealed for centuries? According to Romans 15:4, "whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." The Old was for instruction. The Old teaches about the Trinity, the Son of God, the incarnation, etc., though darkly. It did not teach to complete the lesson, but to introduce the lesson. It gave the description for the APB, so the One sought could be recognized. It taught what to believe and how to behave. The encouragement of the Scriptures offered hope, hope for eternal life. "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3)

When was the transition? Luke 16:16 says,

The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.

So, the transition was at John the Baptist. Before John the Baptist, the Law and the Prophets - the Old Testament - the Old Covenant message. Beginning with John the Baptist - the New Testament - the New Covenant message - the good news of the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 2:19-21:

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

The foundation is the apostles and prophets. This is not the Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles. The word order is not an accident. These are New Testament apostles and New Testament prophets. Note 3:4, 5, "When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit." The church is built on these New Testament apostles and prophets.

Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. As it said in Psalm 118:22, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." This signifies his excellence, very similarly to the way we refer to someone as a "pillar of the community." Christ is the foundation and the supports.

1 Peter 1:10-12:

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

The prophets searched and inquired carefully into the coming of Christ. They looked and longed for His salvation. We see these things clearly now. Our view is not blocked by shadows and sacrifices, but cleared by the One Sacrifice. They were serving not themselves but you. They did serve. But they served us who have come much later. They are for our instruction. We can compare prophecy with fulfillment. You do not cover your eyes to find your way in the light, but you do use a flashlight to find your way in the dark. So we use the New Testament to make the Old Testament clear.

Yesterday, Pat Robertson endorsed Rudy Giuliani. Two weeks ago, Bob Jones III endorsed Mitt Romney.

I think that the principal in Billy Madison said it best:

Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

The much-anticipated new book by John Piper - The Future of Justification: A Response to N.T. Wright - is in stock at Westminster Bookstore. $17.99 $11.99

"John Piper's challenging yet courteous book takes issue with Tom Wright regarding Paul's teaching on justification. This serious critique deserves to be read by all who want to understand more fully God's righteousness in Christ and his justifying the ungodly."
- Peter T. O'Brien, Senior Research Fellow, Moore Theological College, Sydney, Australia

"The so-called 'New Perspective on Paul' has stirred up enormous controversy. The issues are not secondary, and, pastor that he is, John Piper will not allow believers to put their trust in anyone or anything other than the crucified and resurrected Savior."
- D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

"In this captivating book John Piper defends the truth that justification is the heart of the gospel. Wright's views are presented with scrupulous fairness. I found this book to be not only doctrinally faithful but also spiritually strengthening."
- Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"I am very grateful to John Piper, pastor-scholar par excellence, for helping me understand better the doctrines of justification and imputation. Tom Wright's interpretation of key biblical passages on the topic has some major problems, and Piper exposes many of them with great wisdom and skill."
- Andreas Kostenberger, Professor of New Testament and Director of PhD/ThM Studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; Founder, Biblical Foundations

"Piper's look at justification does this with a superb tone and a careful presentation of his case. Piper has put us in a position to hear both sides of the debate and understand what is at stake. Be prepared to be sharpened by a careful dialogue about what justification is."
- Darrell Bock, Research Professor of NT Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

Three prizes will be awarded as follows:

• First prize: One copy of The ESV Listener's Bible on CD and one copy of Classics of the Christian Faith
• Second prize: Classics of the Christian Faith.
• Third Prize: Classics of the Christian Faith.

How Does it Work?

• Unless otherwise specified, these giveaways are open to anyone, anywhere.
• There will be one giveaway per month for the duration of the giveaway program.
• Participants can enter each draw only one time! Anyone trying to enter the same draw multiple times by using different email addresses will be disqualified from the current draw and all future draws.
• Everyone who enters a giveaway will earn a single ballot for that draw.
• Additional ballots can be earned by referring additional participants to the giveaway. A participant will earn one additional ballot per person he or she refers to the giveaway.
• The contest will close after 10 days. At that time I will randomly select the winner(s) from all the ballots entered.
• At the close of a giveaway all ballots will be erased and participants will need to re-enter their information to qualify for subsequent draws.

What Do I Do to Participate?

• You must provide your name and email address through the form provided. All information will be kept strictly confidential and will not be given away or sold to anyone, anytime for any reason.
• At the conclusion of the draw I will send an email to all participants to announce the name(s) of the winner(s).
• At the beginning of each subsequent giveaway I will send an email to all participants to announce the new giveaway.
• Participants can unsubscribe from the email list (automatically with no questions asked) at any time. However, participants who withdraw before the close of the current draw will not be eligible to win a prize.

This might come as news to some of you, but the New Covenant really is new.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 1:17

I've heard many testimonies of Muslims who have found the Qur'an pointing back to Moses and Jesus Christ as prophets, and so have read the Old and New Testaments. They found that the Qur'an pointed to the Bible, but the Bible does not point to the Qur'an. But notice that the Old Covenant does a similar thing with the New Covenant:

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.

Deuteronomy 18:15-19

He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

Matthew 17:5

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

John 14:15

Now, I'm not suggesting that we only need the New Testament. Far from it! We need the Old Testament in order to understand the New Testament. But, the Law of Moses points to the Law of Christ. The Law of Christ, however, does not point back to the Law of Moses.

Look at the Letter to the Hebrews. It was written in the time of greatest persecution to encourage believers to not turn back to the Old Covenant, but to press ahead in the New Covenant. It says:

Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.

Hebrews 7:11, 12

Consider the contrast between the two Covenants in this description:

For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Hebrews 12:18-24

If you are in the New Covenant, you cannot try to live by the Old Covenant. That only leads to confusion, guilt, and legalism. Don't miss what Paul said:

But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

Romans 7:6

I want to start sharing with you some good old writings. The first of these is from William Greenough Thayer Shedd (1820-1894). He writes a lot like me, as there's a whole lot of verses but not a lot of comment.

The Doctrine of Endless Punishment
by William G.T. Shedd

The strongest support of the doctrine of Endless Punishment is the teaching of Christ, the Redeemer of man. Though the doctrine is plainly taught in the Pauline Epistles, and other parts of Scripture, yet without the explicit and reiterated statements of God incarnate, it is doubtful whether so awful a truth would have had such a conspicuous place as it always has had in the creed of Christendom. If, in spite of that large mass of positive and solemn threatening of everlasting punishment from the lips of Jesus Christ, which is recorded in the four Gospels, the attempt has nevertheless been made to prove that the tenet is not an integral part of the Christian system, we may be certain that had this portion of revelation been wanting, this attempt would have been much more frequent, and much more successful. The Apostles enter far less into detailed description, and are far less emphatic upon this solemn theme, than their divine Lord and Master. And well they might be. For as none but God has the right, and would dare, to sentence a soul to eternal misery, for sin; and as none but God has the right, and would dare, to execute the sentence; so none but God has the right, and should presume, to delineate the nature and consequences of this sentence.

This is the reason why most of the awful imagery in which the sufferings of the lost are described is found in the discourses of our Lord and Saviour. He took it upon himself to sound the note of warning. He, the Judge of quick and dead, assumed the responsibility of teaching the doctrine of Endless Retribution. “I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” “Nothing,” says Dr. Arnold, “is more striking to me, than our Lord's own description of the judgment. It is so inexpressibly forcible, coming from his very own lips, as descriptive of what he himself would do” (Stanley's Life of Arnold, I. 176).

Christ could not have warned men so frequently and earnestly as he did against “the fire that never shall be quenched,” and “the worm that dieth not,” had he known that there is no future peril fully corresponding to them. That omniscient Being who made the statements respecting the day of judgment, and the final sentence, that are recorded in Matthew 25:31-46, could neither have believed nor expected that all men without exception will eventually be holy and happy. To threaten with “everlasting punishment” a class of persons described as “goats upon the left hand” of the Eternal Judge, while knowing at the same time that this class would ultimately have the same holiness and happiness with those described as “sheep upon the right hand” of the Judge, would have been both falsehood and folly. The threatening would have been false. For even a long punishment in the future world would not have justified Christ in teaching that this class of mankind are to experience the same retribution with “the devil and his angels”; for these were understood by the Jews, to whom he spoke, to be hopelessly and eternally lost spirits. * And the threatening would have been foolish, because it would have been a brutum fulmen , an exaggerated danger, certainly in the mind of its author. And for the persons threatened, it would have been a terror only because they took a different view of it from what its author did—they believing it to be true, and he knowing it to be false!

The mere perusal of Christ's words when he was upon earth, without note or comment upon them, will convince the unprejudiced that the Redeemer of sinners knew and believed, that for impenitent men and devils there is an endless punishment. We solicit a careful reading and pondering of the following well-known passages:

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory; and before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment” (Matt 25:31-33,41,46).

“If thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched; where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched; where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:43-48).

“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? What is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” (Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25).

“The rich man also died, and was buried, and in hell he lifted up his eyes being in torments” (Luke 16:22,23).

“Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt 10:28).

“The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matt 13:41,42).

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?...Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt 7:22,23).

“He that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God...Unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven” (Luke 12:9,10).

“Woe unto you, ye blind guides. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” (Matt 23:16,33).

“Woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born” (Matt 26:24).

“The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers” (Luke 12:46).

“He that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).

“Thou Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell” (Matt 11:23).

“At the end of the world, the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire” (Matt 13:49,50).

“Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come” (John 8:21).

“The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28,29).

To all this, add the description of the manner in which Christ will discharge the office of the Eternal Judge. John the Baptist represents him as one “whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matt 3:12).

And Christ describes himself as a householder who will say to the reapers, “Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them” (Matt 13:30); as a fisherman casting a net into the sea, “and gathering of every kind: which, when it was full, he drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away” (Matt 13:47,48); as the bridegroom who took the wise virgins “with him to the marriage,” and shut the door upon the foolish (Matt 25:10); and as the man travelling into a far country who delivered talents to his servants, and afterwards reckons with them, rewarding the “good and faithful,” and casting the unprofitable servant into outer darkness, where “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt 25:19-30).

Let the reader now ask himself the question: Do these representations, and this phraseology, make the impression that the future punishment of sin is to be remedial and temporary? Are they adapted to make this impression? Were they intended to make this impression? Is it possible to believe that that Holy and Divine Person who uttered these fearful and unqualified warnings, eighteen hundred years ago, respecting the destiny of wicked men and devils, knew that a time is coming when there will be no wicked men and devils in the universe of God, and no place of retributive torment? Did Jesus of Nazareth hold an esoteric doctrine of hell—a different view of the final state of the wicked, from that which the common and natural understanding of his language would convey to his hearers, and has conveyed to the great majority of his readers in all time? Did he know that in the far-off future, a day will come when those tremendous scenes which he described—the gathering of all mankind, the separation of the evil from the good, the curse pronounced upon the former and the blessing upon the latter—will be looked back upon by all mankind as “an unsubstantial pageant faded,” as a dream that is passed, and a watch in the night?

Making progress on my Blank Bible. I took my ream of paper and my ESV Bible to FedEx Kinko's. In less than 8 minutes, I walked back out with two 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" stacks of paper and a loose-leaf Bible, each neatly shrink-wrapped and stacked in a handy carrying box. All for the grand total of $3.16.