Of Shangri-Las and Utopias

Wally Winner
Ponce de Leon spent 18 years looking for the fabled Fountain of Youth. He bathed in every waterfall and stream he came across. Four hundred years ago, Sir Thomas More wrote about a world where everything was perfect. He called that place UTOPIA. Plato, the Greek philosopher, wrote about an ideal government. This government was perfect in organization and rulership. He wrote about it in a book called "THE REPUBLIC.'' James Hilton wrote in his book called "LOST HORIZON" about a land that had the very best included and the worst excluded. He called the place "Shangri-La". A place where everything is perfect has been the ultimate dream of people everywhere through all ages. I can't think of a religion of the world that does not stress that there is something better than what we presently have. A place where we can pick an apple and lay under the tree eating the fruit in the shade. And when we get tired of that we could get up and stroll over to the peach tree and go through the whole process again. God has outlined a Kingdom in the Bible. It is one that takes the best of all the dreams.

Where Will This Kingdom Be? Land...real land was promised to Abraham (Genesis 13:14-17; 17:7-8). The same promises were given to his son Isaac (Genesis 16:1-3) and on to Jacob (Genesis 28:10-15). They never received the land, but knew they would someday (Hebrews 11:13). The land is also reserved for the spiritual seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:29). That is why the scripture tells us such things as, "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matt. 5:5; See also Revelation 5:9, 10). From the description of the reign of the Messiah in Psalm 2 to the Lord's prayer, we see the promise to make this earth our habitation (Psalm 2:6, 8; 25:13; 37:3, 9, 11, 22, 29, 34; Proverbs 10:30; Isaiah 57:13; Zechariah 9:10; Matthew 6:10). So God's kingdom will be on the earth.

What About The Kingdom Of Heaven? Doesn't Matthew also say, "Blessed are the pure in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3)? The "kingdom of heaven" and the "kingdom of God" are interchangeable terms. Matthew is the only writer to use the term "kingdom of heaven." It is for a very good reason. He was writing to the Jewish people. It was forbidden for a Jew to utter the name of God or write it. They would use the typogram or make a reference that was undoubtedly a replacement for God. Matthew used the term kingdom of heaven then to refer to the kingdom of God. Matthew uses the term 32 times. The term "Kingdom of God" is used five times in Matthew, 15 times in Mark, 33 times in Luke, two times in John and 16 times in the rest of the New Testament. Jerusalem Will Be The Central City Jerusalem is God's capitol city (Zechariah 1:17; Psalm 48:1, 2; Micah 4:1, 2, 7). It will be the center of activity and worship "For the Lord God shall dwell in Zion and we shall see him as He is,...face to face" (Joel 3:17; see Revelation. 22:4). What Will the Kingdom Be Like? There will be peace among people (Isaiah 2:4). There will be peace among animals. Peace between people and animals (Isaiah 11:6-9). I don't know if it is possible, but I will put this theory forth: women will no longer jump when they see a mouse (some of you men, too). It will be a world completely at peace (Micah 4:3). We won't have to worry about record low weather, frozen water pipes, cars that won't start and long underwear. Nor will we have to worry about suffering through heat waves, sweating and high humidity. All the disabilities of man will be healed. God shall "strengthen the feeble arms, steady the tottering knees. Then shall the blind man's eyes be opened and the ears of the deaf be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb shall shout aloud" (Isaiah 35:4-6). There will be no more pain, sorrow or death (Isaiah 65:20; 1 Corinthians 15:26, 54; Rev. 21:4).

Which Pursuit? Oh, people will continue to chase after the dreams of Utopias and Shangri Las, but they could have the reality of the Kingdom of God. Why will they fritter away their time on lost dreams of perfect worlds? Why will they spend time looking for the elusive "Fountain of Youth"? No other thought or pursuit is as important right now as the soon-coming Kingdom of God.

Truth or Consequences
J.R. LeCrone
There used to be a show on TV called "Truth or Consequences." It was an audience participation program in which those who were unable to correctly answer certain catch questions were given silly consequences to perform. Often, however, the most frivolous of activities can start a serious train of thought. The title, particularly, started me to thinking about the eternal truths presented in the Scriptures, and the consequences for those who do not know these truths and apply them to their own daily lives. Thus inspired, I set off on the trail of "Truth or Consequences" in the Scriptures. We shall suggest a little of what the Bible has to say on the subject, but we pray that it may stimulate some careful and prayerful thought and study on your part, for we believe that in it are the issues of life and death. When most of us use the word "truth," we mean words that represent the actual state of things, presenting facts which are in no way altered in order to make the presentation more acceptable either to the speaker or the hearer. We call such a presentation a statement of the "bald facts" or the "unvarnished truth." In principle, most of us prefer that others do not deceive us with regard to the actual state of things, but give us the facts, even though the facts may sometimes be unflattering to us, or unpleasant to face. In actual practice, however, we often shrink from facing the truth and may display marked resentment toward those who insist upon telling it to us. We do not want our tranquility, or peace of mind, upset by the necessity of considering any disturbing facts. And, perhaps without being consciously aware that we are doing so, we shun the company of those who insist upon speaking truth and seek the companionship of those who speak that which is more pleasant to our ears. But, however much ignored or denied, truth still remains truth. If a truth concerns us, sooner or later we must reckon with it. We cannot alter truth, nor can we permanently escape it. Lies and deception, if ignored, will fade and be forgotten. But truth is eternal. In Deuteronomy 32:4, Jehovah is described as "as a God of truth , without inquity, just and right is he." As a God of truth, who is completely without iniquity, God is just and right in all of His utterances. He cannot lie and does not lie. Jesus recognized this truth when, in His prayer for His disciples, He said, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). In ignoring or denying the truths presented in God's Word, there may be a temporary staving off of the time when we must face up to them, but there is no way that men can alter or change the truth. But in recognizing the truth, facing up to it, and living by it is a great reward. Said Jesus, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31b, 32). In familiarity with the Word of Truth is found the knowledge which shows the way to freedom from sin and all of its consequences.

Knowing a little about the Bible, however, is not to be confused with knowing the Bible. Knowing a little about the Bible, and actually knowing the Bible is the difference between knowing where a certain road is, and where that road will lead if we follow it, and actually knowing, from long experience in traveling it, every twist and turn in the road. A limited knowledge of the road may be a dangerous thing. It may eliminate the caution which accompanies the knowledge that we are driving on a strange road and lead to fatal accidents which spring from our imperfect acquaintance with the way. Those thoroughly familiar with the way know that there are certain danger points where caution is required. Or, to draw our illustration from another field, let us put it this way. I know what chemistry is. I know that it deals with the multitudinous combinations and uses of the various elements to be found in the physical construction of the universe. I may even know a few of the more simple formulas (water, salt, sugar, etc.) but not by the widest stretch of the imagination could I be said to know chemistry. It would be a foolhardy venture for me, unfamiliar as I am with the properties and place of each chemical, to begin to mix them indiscriminately. By so doing, I could very conceivably bring about my own destruction, as well as that of others who happened to be near. But one who actually knows chemistry may handle these elements with safety and profit. No doubt it was in appreciation of this principle as it applies to the Scriptures that caused Paul to admonish Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). It has been said that it is possible to prove anything from the Bible. This is true only if we disregard God's plan, or formula, and choose only those statements that happen to suit our purpose. We can always start out with a theory and find a few scriptures which, if separated from their context and place in the completed plan, seem to support the theory. But this is not "rightly dividing the word of truth." The workman who deliberately indulges in such practices needs to be ashamed. It is possible to take the many parts of an automobile and, by using portions of them, make many things beside an automobile. But to the trained mechanic, the approved workman, every part has its place and they always go together to make an automobile. There are no parts missing and no parts left over. When we become completely "approved" workmen in the Scripture, we learn the purpose and place of each word in God's plan of salvation. There are no parts missing, and no surplus truths that do not fit into the plan.

Now the consequences for remaining in ignorance of God's Word of Truth, or, having become acquainted with it, for ignoring it, may be silly, but they certainly are not funny. The consequence is irretrievable tragedy. For the inspired Apostle Paul speaks of a day when a deceitful religious leader shall appear upon the earth, "even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). This same Paul also assured Timothy that "the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:3-4). The Standard Revised Version makes the passage a little clearer, saying, "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths." Now, in bringing this subject to a close, I should like to get personal for a moment. It is essential to your eternal welfare that you give an honest and straightforward answer to this question. You need not answer me, but some day you will have to give the answer to God, who will know the accuracy of your answer. This is the question: "Do you believe and behave as you do because you have carefully examined the Scriptures for yourself and know that your belief is according to God's Word of Truth, and your conduct is pleasing to Him? Or is it because someone proclaimed a religious philosophy to you which you found pleasing, and forthwith adopted as your own without further investigation ? Can you find firm support for your convictions in the Scripture? It is essential that you know the truth. For the Scriptures make it plain that either we know the truth or we must suffer the consequences. Paul declared that all shall be damned, "who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." But Jesus assured us that "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Tomorrow
Mary Mae Nedrow
There'll be a glad tomorrow that shall become today. When every doubt and sorrow shall all have passed away. Beside the streams we'll walk refreshed when Eden is restored, And we shall see Him face to face And crown Him King and Lord. And when all enemies and sin, Shall cease their arrogant sway, God again will walk with man, Some happy, sunlit day. A golden age will then be born No hate will flourish there; Transcendent joy, with peace on earth, will touch the fragrant air. Pray for that glad tomorrow that shall become today, When every doubt and sorrow shall all have passed away.

The King and Kingdom Presented

Memorize Psalm 118 :26.
"Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."Matt. 2:2. It is the herald of the newborn King, the One who was the promised seed of David and would sit upon "the throne of his father David, and reign over the house of Jacob forever" (Luke 1:32). You will remember the throne was to be overturned "until he come." He is now "come," and when of sufficient age will be ready and prepared to receive the kingdom. We find a record in Matthew 21:111 that Jesus was presented as Israel's King, an event which fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion;... behold, thy King cometh unto thee:. . . lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." Matthew 4:17 says that after Jesus had withstood the temptation in the wilderness "he began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," or is "drawn nigh." Luke, also, bears a similar record. In sending out the seventy as recorded in chapter ten, Jesus instructed them to preach, "The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you" (v. 9). John the Baptist went before, crying, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 3 :2); and after John came Jesus, saying, "The kingdom of God is at hand" (Mark 1:14, 15). The multitude of His disciples recognized in Him their King, for they praised God and said, "Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord." And now, as we come almost to the very shadow of the cross, we hear Pilate utter words recorded in John 19:14,15, and 19, "Behold your King !" "Shall I crucify your King? " and, "JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS." Why was not Jesus received as King? Who presented Jesus as King? To whom were the King and kingdom presented? Who was responsible for rejecting Jesus? When will the Jews accept Jesus as their King? *THIS IS LESSON FIVE FROM THE BEREAN BIBLE STUDIES SENIOR SERIES BOOK THREE (GOD'S KINGDOM). BEREAN BIBLE STUDIES SENIOR BOOK NUMBER ONE (THE GOSPEL PLAN) AND BOOK NUMBER TWO (LIFE & IMMORTALITY) ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR $5 EACH. EACH BOOK CONTAINS A YEAR'S WORTH OF WEEKLY LESSONS. THEY MAY BE ORDERED FROM: THE CAROLINA CONFERENCE, 403 GUTHRIE GROVE CH. RD., PELZER, SC 29669.