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

TROJAN HORSE ABANDONED

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3

In antiquity, the Greeks succeeded in overthrowing Troy with the infamous wooden horse in which their soldiers hid while the Trojans brought it inside their walls as a trophy. The rest is history, and mostly well known. The Trojans were fatally fooled. But, what can we say about America? Please think with me for a moment.

There is a people being imported by the millions into the countries of Western Civilization. Hundreds of thousands of these folks are streaming into the United States with government help and taxpayer subsidies. What is known about this unusual, migrant group?

1) They have been enemies of the Christian world for centuries. Early presidents of the U. S. were forced to pay off their pirates until it became so burdensome that the U.S. Marines were deployed against them; hence, the mention of the shores of Tripoli in their theme song.

2) They consider all Christians to be infidels, and either advocate or at least acquiesce to their being killed.

3) They are not interested in being Americans, or in assimilating into the American culture.

4) They take over whenever they are strong enough numerically to do so, as it is seen in some cities now where it is reported that even law enforcement officials will not routinely patrol.

5) They do not recognize nor attempt to honor American law, but insist on their own law (Sharia) being their governing system.

6) They make demands of concessions based solely on their religion in defiance of our plainly stated constitution,

7) Their Jihadist atrocities in European countries that leave dozens dead and/or wounded have also been demonstrated in American cities.

8) So, why are they here so far away from their native culture and the multiple countries of their kin that could take them in? There is design and purpose.

The satanic plot swallowed by national leaders for a new world order of oneness that shall promote the Antichrist is driving it. To them the individuality and exceptionalism of the United States is unimportant and a roadblock to the goal.

How many have shaken their heads at the naivety of Troy? Now, it is America and Western Europe that is the focal point of stupidity. At least the Trojans were fooled by the deceitful wooden horse. Here, the horse is abandoned, the gates open wide, and enemies are subsidized to enter and destroy. The piercing question posed by Amos is so germane to our time. God help us!

FOR THOUGHT: Have you studied history enough to know the terrible impact Islam has had on Christianity in general, and the U. S. in particular? Why do you think hundreds of thousands of those folks were brought to this country? Are there sinister plots to create the third great ecumenical movement? Is there any valid reason for concern about this?

TWO PREACHERS-ONE SERMON

“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matt. 3:1-2.

Reading further in Matt. 4:17, it is written, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” So, Jesus and John delivered the same initial message to the Jewish nation, and it was not a new plan of salvation of the spirit, but something new, and at hand: the kingdom of heaven.

Dr. Fred G. Stevenson, instructor of Old Testament Hebrew for many years in Missionary Baptist Seminary, stated often that the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God as it is variously called are one and the same, and what constitutes it is the righteous ways of God being carried out by righteous men.

Truly, the concept of such a kingdom was in play as early as Eden, but took on the necessary processes applicable to sinful men after the fall to bring them to a state of spiritual maturity. Those processes are the Bible story, the full fruition of which for men still struggling with sinful flesh is realized in this age of grace through the New Testament church. The complete fullness of it will be realized in the millennium and subsequent heaven ages.

The Lord’s church, a mystery hidden in ages past is the heavenly designed climax of four thousand years of experience designed to bring men to the position of mature sons by virtue of spiritual growth aided by the anointing of the Holy Spirit which came to permanently guide the church on Pentecost, Acts 2. The church is the bride of Christ, the branches of the vine, and kingdom representative and executive in the present age.

Make no mistake about it. The kingdom of heaven did not exist prior to the ministry of Christ Jesus even though it was in preparation. Both Jesus and John declared it was at hand.

Some may object because Jesus said to the rejecting Jewish nation that the kingdom would be taken from them and given to another bringing forth the fruits thereof. That simply means what was intended for Israel would not be received by them, but by another.

Thus was the kingdom of heaven entrusted to a prepared people to receive it. This was the mission of John the Baptist, and the message of both John and Jesus. What a treasure beyond words God’s obedient people have today, but individual decisions are still necessary to be positioned in it.

Opening the mind to ultimate truth is God’s Work: exposing the mind to the Word is the duty of man! How sad it will be for some to go out into eternity having had copies of the Bible in their position, but not knowing what it was all about. Hear then the message of two heaven sent preachers. Learn its meaning!

FOR THOUGHT : What do you think to be the significance of John the Baptist and Jesus preaching the exact same sermon theme? Do you understand that what is new about the New Testament is not spiritual salvation which has been in play since Eden, but a new code of conduct, known as the church, for the people of God?

TWO SEPARATE MENTIONS OF 144,000 IN REVELATION

In answer to a question of the two numbers of 144,000 mentioned in Revelation Chapter 7 and Chapter 14, the following is offered regarding these people.

Israel, as a nation, is predestined to be restored to covenant relationship with God, but that will not occur until at the end of this age they will have suffered Armageddon (which will be far worse than the holocaust), and will be stopped by Jesus, the Christ at His return. What remains of the nation, a remnant, will then look on Him whom they have pierced and ask “Where did you get those nail prints in your hands?” He will reply, “I got those in the house of my friends.” Zachariah 13:6. So all Israel will turn to Him in trust and mirror the inexhaustible ministry of Paul who described himself as one born “before the due time.” I Cor. 15:8.

So, this 144,000 in Revelation Chapter Seven are Jews who are sealed to prevent their complete destruction: it is the preservation of the nation under consideration rather than spiritual salvation as such. One must remember that this revelation is being shown to John in signs and symbols, note Rev. 1:1. It follows that a literal external seal should not be expected to be seen on the literal foreheads of these Jews, but that God, and what they understand about Him is brought to the forefront of their minds, evoking certain behavior of safety. I cannot tell why there is discrepancy in the listing of the twelve tribes, and have not found anyone else who can. The tribe of Joseph is mentioned instead of his two sons, and Dan is omitted. I am certain there is a good, sound, biblical reason for it, but it escapes me.

However, the 144,000 in Revelation Chapter Fourteen is representative of the church saints. I do not see the arithmetic as being literal in either case, but it is significant due to the specific number. 144,000 is the number 12 (governmental perfection) multiplied by itself to signify total and complete perfection. God has instituted two spiritual governments on earth: Israel and the church, both of which are theocracies in the strictest sense. Each of these is marked by the number 12. The church is being brought to governmental perfection now, and will be qualified to rule and reign with Christ in the millennium. Israel will be brought to that same degree of perfection during the millennial reign as they are grafted back into the stump and root from which they were severed (

Rom. 11), and into which the gentile church was grafted.

FOR THOUGHT: Do you see how that the two forms of government God created, the law, and the church mirror one another? Do you also see how that Revelation is not a narrative, but enveloped in signs and symbols (v. 1) which includes the significance and meaning of numbers?

What is your impression of these two sets of 144,000?