Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

IS THE DAY OF CHRIST AT HAND?

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 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;” 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

Without doubt, iniquity (religious activity beyond the bounds of the teaching of the Holy Word) is reaching its apex in this generation. Because iniquity abounds, the love of many is evaporating, Matt. 24:12. Thus, there is much talk in church circles regarding the nearness of the Day of the Lord. Most equate the phrase “Day of the Lord” to mean the return of Christ to catch away His bride, but those two things are not synonymous (close but not synonymous). Think with me about what the Bible is actually saying about this subject.

“The Day of the Lord,” or “That Day,” as it is sometimes called, is a reference to the millennial reign of Christ on this earth. The “one thousand years as a day” finds its roots in the Apostle Peter’s mention of time as it is reckoned by the Lord. It also fits as the fulfillment of typology set in creation: six days to labor, and the seventh day is for rest. Man is given six days to fulfill his purpose on earth (6,000 years), but the seventh day (1,000 years) is the day of rest from the world and its iniquity. It is the righteous reign of Christ Jesus on earth.

Inasmuch as Adam was created approximately 6,000 years ago, it would appear that mankind has had his six days to fulfill his purpose. Surely the seventh day is near. But some ill informed folks had apparently led the church at Thessalonica to believe that the day would come in their lifetime. Thus does the scripture enlighten not only them, but all of God’s people down through the ages with certain specifics. Before Jesus actually returns to earth the following will happen:

First, there will be an apostasy; that is, a turning away from believing and practicing the truth as set forth in the Holy Word. It is obvious that churches are well into the decimation stage. Many have little to no active members under retirement age, and soon their church will not exist at all unless God intervenes in some way. Youth are not following in the steps of faith of their parents. This will worsen, doubtlessly, but that criteria is literally being seen presently. Second, there will come about the revealing of the man of sin, the son of perdition. He is described in 2 Thess. 2. God’s people generally think of him as the ultimate antichrist. It is after he has his terrible time of destruction that Jesus literally returns bodily to the earth to judge and to set up His millennial kingdom: the Day of the Lord. Truly, blessed are those who are ready to enjoy that marvelous day of peace with Him. They shall see Jesus as He is because they will be immortal, incorruptible. . . like Him

FOR THOUGHT: Bible prophecy and history point to the extreme nearness of the end of this age. Do you see the marginalization of strict biblical Christianity? Do you notice a propensity of people generally to reject biblical conversations? What is the basis on which some churches are growing in number? Are church members actually learning and growing spiritually, or simply practicing religious unchanging ritual?

ISRAEL: WHOSE LAND IS IT?

“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Galatians 3:16.

Visits to middle eastern countries early in my ministry empowered teaching, preaching, and writing about those places. They live in reminiscence helping certain lessons to come alive. There is a story of one witnessing occasion in Israel which has underscored an important truth through the years. If readers thought by these lines I was going to share it, they are correct. On one trip, things were so politically sticky that there had to be an Israeli guide on board the vehicle in charge of destinations and information. In predominantly Arab places, an Arab guide was in charge. Sometimes, both would be present when travel included both areas. The Arab guide proudly spoke of the significance of monuments and places. He also emphasized that this land belonged to his Arab people since they were the descendants of Abraham.

When the Jewish guide was in charge, he spoke of the marvelous advancement his people had given the land since 1948. He went on to say that this land belonged to the Jewish people since it was their long ancestral home, and it was given to them by Abraham through Isaac. It was interesting. In a brief period of silence, I spoke to them asking again about ownership of the land. Each reaffirmed such ownership as they had previously stated. They were both wrong. The truth of the matter is that the land was promised to the seed of Abraham through Isaac. And in the words of Paul, God said not seeds as of many, but as of one, and that seed is Christ Jesus. Therefore those who are in Christ are the inheritors of the land. Well, one can imagine: that bit of theology went over like a ton of bricks crossing the Atlantic. But it made for a most interesting and provocative conversation. Perhaps no one had brought that to their attention, at least in that way. But it is nevertheless true.

The time is not far away when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ. His church which has borne the heat of the age in good testimony will inherit with Him, moreover we shall be the inheritance to Him as well.

A number of scriptures in the Old Testament, particularly in Isaiah speak of the details of that marvelous Day of our Lord. On that day, the full promise of boundaries will be given to God’s people. Additionally, they shall rule and reign with Him in a curse-removed earth for a thousand years of peace that will bring unparalleled prosperity and goodness to the whole earth, and to myriads of people multiplied on it. It will be an environment free of satanic influence and extended human life. All will enjoy astronomical agricultural abundance. On that day from pole to pole, and wherever east meets west, the land will be freed from the curse of sin, and blessed for everyone! “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

FOR THOUGHT: Have you studied the land grant God promised to Abraham’s seed to find it much larger than the land currently occupied by Israel? When do you think that land grant will be honored? Do you believe what Paul told the churches of Galatia, that the real inheritor of the Abrahamic promise is Christ Jesus? How does that affect you as participating in the inheritance?

IT SHOULD BE IN THE BIBLE!

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14

I am very certain there is good reason, perhaps known only to God the Author, but one wonders just why the word “Enthusiasm” is not in the Bible. Think about it!

The word consists of three parts: “En” (in); “Thus,” (God), and “Ism” (the noun ending denoting state of being). Hence, “enthusiasm” literally means, “The state of being in God.” But what is commonly associated with the term? It is excitement, energy. Is that not what one finds in a close relationship with God? Surely it is! So much the more, then why the word should be in the Bible, as least to the mind of this writer.

However, there are words in the Bible that are synonyms of “Enthusiasm.” Words such as “Fervent,” “Zeal,” “Zealous.” These words come from the ancient Koine Greek term “Zeo” meaning boiling liquids or glowing hot metals.

Illustrated from childhood experience, a small amount of turpentine dabbed on a cat’s behind would cause the animal to erupt into a racing, super speed. It was a show and tell demonstration of enthusiasm. But that is far afield from what the term should mean, and its synonyms do mean in the Bible.

Enthusiasm in spiritual matters is not self induced excitement or an attempt to create enthusiasm by that means. Such is easily seen and diagnosed. The problem is that it is false, and in reverse of the true process. Enthusiasm in proper spiritual matters may indeed spill over into physical expressions. True happiness shows, and it is detected as being genuine.

So, how may one come to possess a high degree of excitement, and joy that is associated with the term “enthusiasm?” How about simply engaging in the activity that the term specifically denotes? “The state of being in God.” There is no other way to know this blessed state than a specific, complete surrender to God as personal Creator, Redeemer, Savior, Lord. As the writer of Hebrews pointedly noted, “He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

When sobriety claims the mind and heart; when knowledge of one’s natural state permeates the mind; when realizing the presence of the new birth, and opening the divine presents of faith, hope, love; when basking in the myriad promises so applicable both here and hereafter of peace beyond understanding, then a resounding “Praise the Lord” and “Amen!” will not be sufficient expressions of the soul. Moreover, those will be expressions of enthusiasm that are genuine and acceptable to the saints, and to the One Who gave it!

FOR THOUGHT: Some folks work at being enthusiastic, and some are enthusiastic without working at it. Do you notice the difference? How does each case impress you? Do you think a truly enthusiastic, Christian life is predicated on much study and meditation in God’s Word?