Devotions From the Pen of Dr. W. A. Dillard by W.A. Dillard - HTML preview

THE REMAINS OF ANTIQUITY TESTIFY

(Philippi)

“And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.”

ACTS 16:10.

The ship left the port of Athens at night. Calm seas allowed land lovers to have a peaceful sleep. Next morning, a cold front brought rain showers and rougher seas, allowing some to experience sea sickness, but calmness soon re-appeared, and following a delicious breakfast, the ship docked in Kavala, a thriving city biblically noted as Neopolis. With sack lunches in hand, a tour bus began the fairly short inland trip to the ancient city of Philippi. Along the mountain road one could view below the ancient Roman highway made of cobblestone, and wide enough for one automobile. Here Roman soldiers of old marched four abreast, and chariots were driven to this ancient Roman colony outpost.

The ruins of Philippi are situated at the base of a mountain into the side of which was constructed an amphitheater, attesting to the many civic gatherings and entertainment events its citizens enjoyed. The city ruins constitute approximately three blocks in width and three or four blocks long. Surely, one would find some evidence of the apostle Paul’s visit to this place. They were there.

There was a large open area around which were the remnants of shops and municipal buildings. This would be the place where the demon-possessed woman harassed the apostle until he drove it from her. Also, there was on the western outskirts of the town a small, swift stream still flowing freely. It was deep in places, and in some areas narrow enough that an athletic person could jump across it. This is the stream where some of the ancients gathered to pray, and Paul preached here and won and baptized Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira.

Ruins of the prison at Philippi still stand. The cubical cells of thick rock construction gave vision of Paul and Silas singing and praising God in the dead of night with wounds on their backs still smarting severely from the lashes of the whip laid on them. They had deprived men of the city their fundraising opportunities by the demon possessed woman who no longer could serve them as before. It was here that God sent an earthquake, loosed the prisoner’s bands, and brought the jailor to his knees, and Christ Jesus into his heart.

At one end of the excavation ruins of a church house remains, dating back to the third century. A wall, marble flooring, and a deep water baptistry constructed in the form of a cross all testified to the influence of Paul, Silas, the jailor and his house, and so many others that led to its construction and use. The marvelous book of Philippians, the book of emphasized joy, testifies of the worship that ensued for decades or more.

FOR THOUGHT: Paul and Silas were denied the opportunity to preach in Bithynia, and Philippi was their first evangelistic campaign in Macedonia. Do you see the ways that God used them in that

city?

Can

you

name

two

or

three

significant

accomplishments?

THE REPROACH OF A PICKED TREE

The orchard owner looks with great expectation at the trees under his care. He nourishes, protects, and defends the trees from pestilence and anything else that would prevent full fruition. He is happy with the many blossoms, small buds, and developing fruit. Harvest time is truly filled with great anticipation, but once harvest is over, then what? The tree is still valuable, but it has given all that it can give. There will be no more fruit to glean, and the eye of anticipation no longer sees as it did before. It is a tree, now ordinary and fruitless, having given all. It is interesting to note that this idea is presented in the Word with reference to our Lord and Savior.

In Psalm 22, which is prophetic of the life and sacrifice of Jesus, the word used to describe Him in verse six is “reproach.” The verse states, “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.” The word “worm” here is the “tolah” worm that was crushed to yield the blood used to dye fabrics with the color of royalty. The term “reproach”

is a translation of the Hebrew word “Charaph.” which conveys the idea of a picked tree with nothing more to give. That term used here of Jesus describes how many people see Him as He has given all for the harvest of the souls of men. The people expected that the miracles He invoked for others would surely be invoked for Himself thus giving them a super personage in which to glory in the flesh. Those who so hoped were sadly disappointed.

However, the crushing of the “tolah” worm, wrought robes of righteousness for the royal children of the King, and those who avail themselves of the fruit yielded by that tree find eternal, spiritual sustenance, and a white robe of royal righteousness in which to stand before the Creator.

So, how do you see Him dear reader? Is He a disappointment, or a wellspring of eternal joy? Is He a picked tree to be turned away from, or is He the Living Tree of Life with the fruit of eternal righteousness to all who receive Him in repentance and faith? My prayer is that you see Him as the latter, even the bread of life that one may eat and not hunger again; as the fruit of all righteousness that one may receive and have not sin imputed by the heavenly Father. There He is, the TREE at the crossroads of time of everyone.

FOR THOUGHT: In Eden, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was noted as pleasant to look upon, good for food, and desirable to make one wise. Have you ever noticed that the Tree of Life, also in the garden, had no such physical appeals to it? What do you think is wrong with Christians who Jesus, His Word, and worship as “Old hat, routine stuff?” Is Jesus a “Picked tree” to them? What is He to you?

THE RETURN OF JESUS: EMINENT, IMMINENT, OR IMMANENT?

Folks who would be teachers of eschatology would do well to understand the homophones of English to convey correct theology. Let’s think for a minute!

“Eminent,” “Imminent,” and “Immanent,” are three English words that sound the same (homophones) in pronunciation, but their meaning is different. Using the wrong term then when transferring the spoken language to written form can easily convey the wrong message.

According to linguistic experts, “Eminent” means “Outstanding,” “Honorable,” as a prominent author, inventor, teacher, etc. Next, the term “Imminent” means “about to happen immediately,” as if you light a firecracker and stick it in your britches, a catastrophe is imminent.”

On the other hand, “Immanent” means “Pervasive,” “embedded,” “Always associated with.”

Mercenary authors capitalize on the word “Imminent” in reference to the return of Jesus to institute the millennial reign. The flooded market with such writings just a few years ago seemed to excite nominal Christians for a short time, and it succeeded in enriching the authors, who seemed to be little concerned about the correctness of Biblical theology. So which of these words are best in describing the Savior’s return?

Truly Jesus is the Eminent Creator, God, Savior, Coming King, but the idea is not to describe the person of the altogether lovely Lord and Savior, but the event of His return to earth.

“Imminent,” the word chosen by mercenary authors was soundly refuted by the Apostle Paul to the church at Thessalonica; hence, to all churches throughout the age. His instructions about the coming of Christ , and the gathering of Christians to Him are, “That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?” 2 Thess. 2: 3-5. It is true that no one knows exactly when Jesus will return, but if it were today as some would have you believe, then much that the Bible warns us to look for that has not come about would make those instructions moot.

So, that leaves the term “Immanent” as the best adjective in reference to the return of Christ. Truly, the idea of His return is pervasive in the gospel, in the heart of doctrine, and in the hope of prophecy.

It is obvious that this age is drawing to a close: His coming is near. Then let the pervasiveness of “Immanent” be the description of our life and hope in Him!

FOR THOUGHT: If you truly thought the sky would be rent, and the Son of God would appear on this very day, would you change anything about your life? About your faith? If you would not, then would that not portray insincerity about your profession of faith? If the return of Jesus is indeed Immanent rather than imminent should that in any way lessen the need for watchfulness for His return? Why?