Joe R. Price The Jehovah’s
Witnesses do not believe the earth will be destroyed “with fervent heat”
as is taught in 2 Peter 3:4-13. They teach an eternal paradise on earth:
“Hence, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the earth will remain forever and
that all people, living and dead, who will fit in with Jehovah’s purpose for
a beautified, inhabited earth may live on it forever.” (“What do They
Believe?”, www.watchtower.org/library/jt/article_03.htm) They believe “The
entire earth will be transformed into a paradise home for mankind” (“Does
God Really Care About Us?,” Part 10).
When God destroyed the earth with a flood He made a
covenant with man that “while the earth remains, seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease”
(Gen. 8:22). This statement inherently suggests there will be a time when
the earth does not remain; that time is described in 2 Peter 3:7-13. The
present heavens and earth are reserved for fire – a day of judgment and
destruction of ungodly men (3:7). The physical elements will melt, the earth
and its works will be burned up (consumed, 3:10) and all physical things
will be dissolved, including the heavens and the earth (3:11-12). The new
habitation of righteousness will be the eternal, heavenly home (3:13; 1 Pet.
1:4).
A favorite passage misapplied to support the false
doctrine of a paradise earth is Psalm 37:11: “But the meek shall inherit
the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (cf.
Matt. 5:5). In view of 2 Peter 3:4-13, what does this passage mean?
God promised the nation of Israel abundant blessings
in the land of promise (Canaan) “if you walk in My statutes and keep My
commandments, and perform them” (Lev. 26:3-6). These blessings of the
land included fruitful rains, bountiful harvest and safety from enemies and
danger. God told Israel, “I will give peace in the land” (Lev. 26:6).
Psalm 37 gives comforting assurance to Israel of God’s presence and
blessings in spite of evildoers. See Psalm 37:3, 29, 34, where the point is
made that those who trusted in God would inherit His promised blessings.
Verse 11 speaks of such blessings.
God has not promised Christians an eternal earthly
land; He has promised a heavenly one (Phil. 3:20; Heb. 11:13-16; 1 Pet.
1:4). It is our responsibility to live for heaven by faithfully obeying Him
(Heb. 4:1-11). God will bless us now with what we need for this life and
eternally reward us with a heavenly land if we believe and obey Him (Matt.
5:3-12; 6:25-34; 7:13-14, 21-23).
Like Israel in the Old Testament, we are to
continually trust and obey God: “But the salvation of the righteous is
from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord
shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and
save them, because they trust in Him” (Psa. 37:39-40). Israel inherited
the earth (the land); Christians inherit heaven (1 Pet. 1:4; Col. 1:5).
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"I Don't Want to Be Around Those Hypocrites in the
Church"
(By Glendol McClure)
We often
hear people say, “I don’t want to be around those people. They’re nothing
but hypocrites.” In their efforts to defend their own unfaithfulness and
disobedience, they make failed attempts at justifying their disobedience by
using the excuse, “there are hypocrites in the church.” You know,
they are probably right. If there were only one hypocrite in the church,
that would be one hypocrite too many.
But, even if there are hypocrites in the church, does that
justify those who are unfaithful to the Lord? How many hypocrites does it
take to justify disobedience? Without a doubt, the sin of hypocrisy was a
problem in the early church, as it is today. Because of Peter’s hypocrisy,
Paul withstood him to the face (Galatians 2: 11-14). Jesus denounced
the scribes and Pharisees because of their hypocrisy (Matthew 23; Luke
12:1). The apostles condemned hypocrisy (1 Timothy. 4:1, 2; James
3:17). Oh, how much better the world and the Lord’s church would be if
there were no hypocrites!
But, let’s go back to the statement, “I don’t want to be
around those hypocrites in the church.” I wonder if the person who makes
this statement applies the same reasoning in other areas of his life? Does
he fear going to the grocery store, or a family gathering, because there
might be hypocrites present? If he’s considering joining a labor union, a
health club, or a Sam’s Club, does he do a “hypocrite check” before becoming
a member? If he goes on a plane, train, or boat trip, does he refuse to
board until he receives assurance that there are no hypocrites on board?
Well?
Not only does the Bible condemn hypocrisy, it also
condemns disobedience (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). It matters little
whether one sins by being a hypocrite or disobedient, the end result is the
same; he is condemned by God and he will be lost! Furthermore, if the one
who “fears” another’s hypocrisy dies during the time of his own
disobedience, he will spend eternity in the Devil’s hell, “where their
worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched,” with every past, present,
and future hypocrite (Mark 9:44-48; Revelation 21:8)!
And last, the one who says, “I don’t want to be around
those hypocrites in the church,” is himself a hypocrite for the reasons
shown above. Think about it!
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I Thought I had Time
(By Larry Ray Hafley)
Our brother
J. R. Peters recently related to me a poignantly, provoking soul stirring
story. Some time ago, he was talking to a friend who had left the Lord.
Quietly, without pressure, he encouraged his friend to return to his “first
love.” Brother Peters could tell he was making progress. “So,” he said, “I
thought I had time, and that it wouldn’t be long before he repented and was
restored.”
But, then, suddenly, his dear friend died. “Larry,” he
said, “you need to tell people about this. We never know how long we may
have. I thought I had time.” The rich fool in Luke 12 thought he had time,
too, but the Lord said, “This night thy soul shall be required of thee.”
Is there an erring brother you need to approach? Is there
a lost soul you need to talk to? Or, are you the one to whom someone is
speaking? Are you one of those who needs to repent and return to the Lord?
If so, do it now! Indeed, “now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day
of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). Do not let your endless wail in the pit of an
eternal hell be, “I thought I had time.”
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John: Law of Moses or Gospel of Christ?
Scripture Reading:
Luke 4:42-44
1. Christians continue to be deceived by the false
doctrine that MMLJ are not part of the New Covenant.
2. The doctrine stated: Since Jesus lived & died under the LOM His words do
not apply today.
I. JESUS SPOKE OF SALVATION BEFORE THE CROSS.
A. LOM Identified Sin but could not Save from Sin, Rom.
3:20 (He. 10:1, 4).
B. Apart from (the) Law, Salvation is Revealed, Rom. 3:21-24 (Heb. 2:1-3;
Jno. 6:63, 68; 12:49-50)
II. OT PROPHETS POINTED TO JESUS, NOT THE OTHER WAY
AROUND.
A. Jesus Taught this before & after the Cross, Lk.
24:44-45.
B. Moses & Prophets Said to Hear Him, Deut. 18:15-19; Acts 3:19-26 (Jno.
5:39, 46; Matt.17:3-5).
C. OT Prophets Said Jesus Would Preach the Gospel, Isa. 61:1-2 (Lk.
4:17-29)
III. JESUS PREACHED THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM BEFORE
THE CROSS.
A. Jesus was Sent to Preach the Kingdom of God, Not LOM,
Lk. 4:42-44 (Jno. 17:4).
B. LOM Proclaimed until John; Then the Gospel was Preached, Lk. 16:16 (Mk.
1:1-3, 15; Matt. 3:2).
C. Jesus Preached to Gentiles & Jews, Matt.4:12f
D. Gospel Preached Before & After the Cross.
IV. REMEMBERING THE WORDS JESUS SPOKE BEFORE THE CROSS,
Jno.14:26. (Jno. 2:19-22; Acts 20:35; 1 Cor. 7:10-11)
V. WHY THE FUSS? INVALIDATE WHAT JESUS TAUGHT ABOUT
MDR, Matt. 5:31-32; 19:9.
A. Moses & Jesus did not Teach the Same Thing, Matt.
19:6-9.
B. Jesus & Paul Taught Same Thing, 1 Cor.7:10-11.
VI. CONSEQUENCES OF THE DOCTRINE.
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Self-Evaluation
(Why I Do Not Attend Sunday Night and Wednesday Night Services)
--Adapted, from Caprock Church Bulletin
Check
the Appropriate Blanks:
_____BECAUSE I HAD
COMPANY (Would company keep you from going to work on Monday?)
_____BECAUSE THERE WAS A
GOOD TELEVISION PROGRAM I DIDN’T WANT TO MISS (Is that putting first things
first, Matt. 6:33?)
_____BECAUSE I FEEL THAT
ONCE A WEEK IS ENOUGH TO ATTEND SERVICES (Would you recommend that we close
the doors on Sunday and Wednesday nights and have no services at
all?)
_____BECAUSE I WAS TIRED
(Would you have been too tired if there had been a $1,000 reward for going?)
_____BECAUSE I WAS LAZY
(Be honest)
_____BECAUSE I DON’T
LIKE THE PREACHER (You do not attend to worship the preacher)
_____BECAUSE I LOVE
PLEASURE MORE THAN THE LORD (Heb. 11:24-25)
_____BECAUSE I AM NOT
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT GOD AND HIS WILL (Why do you come on
Sunday mornings?)
_____BECAUSE THE BIGGEST
CROWD IS PRESENT ON SUNDAY MORNING (You helped make it smaller the other
times)
_____BECAUSE I JUST
DON’T WANT TO GO (Are your affections set on things above? Col. 3:1, 2)
Our meeting times are
listed on page one. These are times we worship God, are fed the bread of
life and encourage each other. We dishonor our Lord when we refuse to attend
every worship service. Let us make every effort to please God (Heb.
10:24-25).
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