July, 2023 | THE BIBLE VIEW

The BIBLE VIEW #917 — Salvation

In This Issue:
No Higher Than the Coffin Lid
Born Again
A Changed New Life

Volume: 917 July 31, 2023
Theme: Salvation

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No Higher Than the Coffin Lid
Bill Brinkworth

A rich man came to Jesus unintentionally admitting he committed the same mistake that most would not dare confess. He confessed to having the same philosophy that sends most lost people to Hell. The man’s misunderstanding is also where most churches and religions err. His false belief was in his question, “… what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life” (Matthew 19:16).

That ruler (Luke 18:18) tried to work his way to Heaven by doing all he could to earn himself a place there. He and most religions believe that if you do enough good things, good will outweigh the bad, and God will let you into Heaven.

False religions teach that obeying and following traditions, rules, catechisms, rites, sacraments, pillars of the faith, or their religion’s teachings will get them to Heaven. Wrong! Unbiblical! That thinking distinguishes man-made religions from real Christianity!

True Christianity is the only “religion” that teaches one does not have to do anything to get to Heaven except believe what Jesus did for them and ask for salvation from Hell. One does not have to “pay” for salvation by doing good works because it already has been paid for them by Jesus Christ’s sacrificial deed.

After receiving salvation, one will want to do all one can to please and obey God and His commandments out of love and gratitude. However, those good acts have nothing to do with getting saved.

All have sinned. All do not only commit iniquity but were born sinners. Because of sin, no one can get higher than the coffin lid after death. That is the bad news.

However, there is good news. There is a person who never sinned. His undeserved death on the Cross is the sole payment God will accept to cover anyone’s sin. It is Jesus alone, God’s only son, that was worthy enough to pay for our transgressions.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Trying to do good “works” to earn Heaven is not accepting Christ’s finished work on the Cross. That rejection shows disbelief that Christ’s sacrificial payment was insufficient to cover a person’s iniquities.

Like the rich ruler learned, doing good deeds and living the way one thinks is right is not enough to earn eternity into Heaven. That man had done “right” his whole life, yet he was still looking for one more thing to do to guarantee eternal life.

Good deeds never satisfy God because they are not enough. Trusting that one loves us so much that He gave his life so that we can live eternally is the only way God will accept.

Are you 100% certain that you would go to Heaven if you were to die today, tomorrow, or a hundred years from now? You can be sure because the “ticket” has been paid for. All you must do is believe and accept God’s wonderful gift!

The most important question concerning any man living is this: Is he a saved soul or not? Is he a child of God or an heir of wrath? – Spurgeon
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13

Born Again
Bill Brinkworth

One of the most popular stories told to explain what it means to be saved from Hell is found in John 3. It is the story of Nicodemus.

Nicodemus was a very influential, scripturally educated leader of the Jews (John 3:1). Perhaps this ruler was afraid, ashamed, or embarrassed to be seen with Jesus, who was causing much confusion among the Jews. For whatever reason, Nicodemus visited Jesus at night.

Jesus told that man a spiritual truth that has troubled many people since.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Immediately, this strict follower of the Jewish law admitted he did not understand what Jesus was saying. Nicodemus questioned if Jesus meant that his physical body had to be re-birthed (John 3:4). That man had much scriptural learning, but he was missing something fundamental. He was missing an understanding of spiritual things.

Jesus explained to the man how all could know if they were Heaven-bound when they died. The way of salvation involves believing and trusting on Jesus’ sacrifice for all our sins. Salvation hinges on that belief.

People must rely on Jesus’ gift to us and trust His death on the Cross as the ONLY payment for the forgiveness of sins that God will accept. Salvation cannot be earned by anything that is done or said. Jesus has done it all for us by His sacrifice.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Read more about the second birth at www.devotionsfromthebible.com/john/born-of-water/.

“Born once, die twice. Born twice (includes being spiritually born into the family of God); die once.” — Author Unknown

A Changed New Life
Bill Brinkworth

No one is perfect, or they would not need to be saved. All are sinners and bound for Hell unless something prevents that from happening.

Accepting Christ as Saviour is the only thing that can keep one from an eternity in torment. When one is saved, they are a new creature in Christ. A person is changed when they are genuinely saved. Paul was certainly proof of this.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17

Before His salvation, Paul did all he could to serve God his way. In doing so, he unknowingly became an enemy of God and Christians. The man was responsible for killing many believers and did much to slow the spreading of the Gospel.

After Paul was saved, his enthusiasm for opposing Christianity was rechanneled to tell many others how they could be saved. He became a sincere servant of Christ.

No matter what he did after salvation, Paul still had a past. There was no way to undo what he had done. All the preacher could do was go forward in doing the right things after being forgiven and do all he could for the cause of Christ. Paul did that with all his heart.
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” I Corinthians 15:1

Many are plagued with a guilty conscience for their past, even after they are saved. Years ago, I remember listening to a Christian radio program where the host answered questions. One caller, choked with guilt, called and told the host, “I am saved; I know I am forgiven, and my sins are forgotten, but I just cannot forgive myself, and that is why I am going to take my life.”

Immediately, the program was changed over to music. I imagine the radio preacher dealt with the man’s guilt and desire to take his own life. Sadly, many cannot forgive themselves and live defeated lives even after salvation.

We all have pasts. No saved person should have any joy in the wrong they have done. If we could do it over, most of us would choose never to have committed the sins we have done.

No remorse or guilt is going to change our past. When we trust Christ for salvation, our sins are not only forgiven by God, but they are forgotten (Psalm 103:12) and covered by His shed blood.

Since God, knowing all we did, still offered us a way to His Heaven, we must also forget our past. We can show our gratefulness for His extraordinary grace, as Paul did, by loving and serving the Lord with all our heart, soul, and might (Deuteronomy 6:5).

‘“Worry not who you are, but whose you are.” — Author Unknown

The BIBLE VIEW #916 — Conversion

In This Issue:
Robinson Crusoe’s Change of Heart
Not by Argument
Unchanged

Volume: 916 July 24, 2023
Theme: Conversion

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Robinson Crusoe’s Change of Heart
Excerpts from The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe

Many of the older classic books had a spiritual lesson taught within their pages. The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe, is one of those. The adventures of Robinson, who was ship-wrecked in the mid-1600s, told of his life and how he survived much of the time alone on a deserted island.

Many rewrites of the book and movies leave out the most important theme of the film — that he was disobedient to God and running from His will. Here are excerpts of what the character finally learned about himself:

“Why has God done this to me? What have I done to be thus used? My conscience presently checked me in that inquiry as if I had blasphemed, and me thought it spoke to me like a voice: ‘Wretch! Dost THOU ask what thou hast done? Look back upon a dreadful misspent life, and ask thyself what thou hast NOT done? Ask, why is it that thou wert not long ago destroyed? Why wert thou not drowned in Yarmouth Roads; killed in the fight when the ship was taken by the Sallee man-of-war; devoured by the wild beasts on the coast of Africa, or drowned HERE, when all the crew perished but thyself? Dost THOU ask, what have I done?’ I was struck dumb with these reflections, as one astonished, and had not a word to say – no, not to answer to myself, but rose up pensive and sad, … my thoughts were sadly disturbed, and I had no inclination to sleep …

“… and as the few books I had saved lay there too, I took out one of the Bibles which I mentioned before, and which to this time I had not found leisure or inclination to look into. I say, I took it out….

“… having opened the book casually, the first words that occurred to me were these, ‘Call on Me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.’ These words were very apt to my case and made some impression upon my thoughts at the time of reading them, though not so much as they did afterward….

“… that I began to say, as the children of Israel did when they were promised flesh to eat, ‘Can God spread a table in the wilderness?’ so I began to say, ‘Can God Himself deliver me from this place?’ And as it was not for many years that any hopes appeared, this prevailed very often upon my thoughts; however, the words made a great impression upon me, and I mused upon them very often.…

“… But before I lay down, I did what I never had done in all my life – I kneeled down and prayed to God to fulfill the promise to me that if I called upon Him in the day of trouble, He would deliver me. After my broken and imperfect prayer.…

“JULY 4. – In the morning, I took the Bible; and beginning at the New Testament, I began seriously to read it, and imposed upon myself to read a while every morning and every night, not tying myself to the number of chapters, but long as my thoughts should engage me. It was not long after I set seriously to this work till I found my heart more deeply and sincerely affected by the wickedness of my past life. The impression of my dream revived, and the words, ‘All these things have not brought thee to repentance,’ ran seriously through my thoughts. I was earnestly begging God to give me repentance when it happened providentially, the very day that, reading the Scripture, I came to these words: ‘He is exalted a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and to give remission.’ I threw down the book, and with my heart as well as my hands lifted up to heaven, in a kind of ecstasy of joy, I cried out aloud, ‘Jesus, thou son of David! Jesus, thou exalted Prince and Saviour! give me repentance!’ This was the first time I could say, in the true sense of the words, that I prayed in all my life; for now I prayed with a sense of my condition and a true Scripture view of hope, founded on the encouragement of the Word of God; and from this time, I may say, I began to hope that God would hear me.

“Now I began to construe the words mentioned above, ‘Call on Me, and I will deliver thee,’ in a different sense from what I had ever done before; for then I had no notion of anything being called DELIVERANCE, but my being delivered from the captivity I was in… But now I learned to take it in another sense: now I looked back upon my past life with such horror, and my sins appeared so dreadful, that my soul sought nothing of God but deliverance from the load of guilt that bore down all my comfort… And I add this part here, to hint to whoever shall read it, that whenever they come to a true sense of things, they will find deliverance from sin a much greater blessing than deliverance from affliction….

“… I never had once the words ‘Thank God!’ so much as on my mind, or in my mouth; nor in the greatest distress had I so much as a thought to pray to Him, or so much as to say, ‘Lord, have mercy upon me!’ no, nor to mention the name of God unless it was to swear by and blaspheme it. I had terrible reflections upon my mind for many months, as I have already observed, on account of my wicked and hardened life past, and when I looked about me and considered what particular providences had attended me since my coming into this place, and how God had dealt bountifully with me – had not only punished me less than my iniquity had deserved but had so plentifully provided for me – this gave me great hopes that my repentance was accepted and that God had yet mercy in store for me.”

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13

Not by Argument
J. C. Jones

It is commonplace to think that an argument can convert a soul or change a person’s actions. Conquer a man by arguing, and as a rule, you only confirm him in his error.

Last Monday, I looked at a picture titled “Conquered, but Not Subdued.” The young lad in the painting was conquered by his mother. There he stood, with his face half turned towards the wall. One could see determination in his mouth, defiance in his eye, and anger in his nostrils. He was conquered but not subdued. Drive a sinner in argument to a corner so that he cannot escape, he most likely will not change his ways.

You have all seen sheet lightning. They flash. They dazzle, but they never kill. Arguments, after all, are only sheet lightning — flashing, dazzling, enlightening, but rarely changing anything.

I say nothing against giving logic. Have as much of it from the pulpit as you can, and personal encounters, but logic will not save or change too many.

God can never save you by argument. Too many would even rebelliously defy the Almighty in a direct debate. However, one can be changed and wooed when spiritual knowledge is taken by the Holy Spirit and convicts one’s soul. It is His revelation, delivering, and reasoning to one’s situation and soul that will result in any change.

“Arguments seldom change one’s mind. However, we still need to be the ‘delivery boy’ of the Truth, but only the Holy Spirit can do any converting!”

Unchanged
Beecher

There are scores of men who live for the flesh. They live under the dominion of their senses, yet they often live with full knowledge of truth from God’s Word. None know it better than they.

Some men have read every word of Scripture. Some are familiar with every argument and statement in theology. There are even men that have known and have seen much of the power of God in revivals. Still, there is within them that fixed, rooted, toughened life of sin that refuses to yield itself to any power which can be wielded merely by the hands of men. Too often, they die in their sins, unchanged by the truth they heard.

“Before anyone is saved or changed they usually have to get to the ‘bottom of their barrel.’ Unfortunately, for some it is lower in the barrel than it is for others.”

The BIBLE VIEW #915 — Don’t Quit!

In This Issue:
Plod On!
Don’t Quit

Volume: 915 July 17, 2023
Theme: Don’t Quit

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Plod On!
Bill Brinkworth

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58

When younger, I spent many summers in an off-grid cabin in Maine. What an exciting place for an adventure-seeking and curious child it was.

One day, I remember hearing an unfamiliar sound of a distant chainsaw. As those tools were not common in the ’60s, I wanted to know who was sawing and where it was happening.

Trekking up a forested hill and following barely used logging roads, I found the source of the noise; it was a flannel-shirted, hardworking lumberjack.

As he cut down the towering pines and firs, he stripped the fallen trees of their branches and fetched his “helper” to pull them to where the pulp wood would be cut and stacked.

After disappearing briefly, he returned with an amazingly large workhorse. After leading the animal to the fallen trees, a couple of shouted commands got the creature to back up to the logs, where chains and a harness hitched the beast to his next timber task.

More commands were given, and the creature hauled his wood load behind him. In places, the ground was spongy with rotten debris, cedar roots, and old stumps. However, the obstacles did not hinder the trudging beast.

If one of the massive logs he lugged was snagged on an old trunk, the horse powered through the obstacle and often even pulled the stump out of the ground. The horse and his task were unstoppable, and the animal plodded on.

Sometimes the mushy ground gave way to the over 1,000-pound animal, and his hoofs sunk deep into the soft tangle of roots and branches, but still, onward he labored.

There were places the ground was harder and less cluttered with obstacles. Still, the beast lumbered on with his load at the same speed he held when on marshy, soft ground. No matter what was encountered, the “worker” consistently trudged on delivering his load. Nothing seemed to deviate him from His task.

Christians should model their service to the Saviour with the same consistent work ethic as that workhorse. There will be hindrances and obstacles while serving the Lord. Sometimes they will be occurrences in a believer’s life or even health trials. However, an obedient worker must trudge on when possible and complete the task they were convicted to do.

Preacher, if God called you to the ministry to lead and educate a flock of believers, continue at the task despite the opposition you may be facing. Plod on.

Plod: To walk or study heavily, steadily, and laboriously

Sunday school teacher, bus ministry worker, deaf interpreter, or whatever task you felt led to be involved in, keep on keeping on! Do not let criticism, ungratefulness, or even unruly children halt you from your responsibility. Plod on.

Serving the Saviour is not an easy task. Perhaps that is why so many’s efforts to serve the Lord are short-lived. There are, unfortunately, more quitters than those “plodding on” through the turbulences and trials.

If God called you to do a task for Him, continue until you are convicted and convinced He desires you to stop. Plod on!

“Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace through those difficulties.” — C. S. Lewis

Don’t Quit
Bill Brinkworth

Too many quit or want to resign when the going gets rough. In most cases, one never quits the problem; one just runs away. The dilemma is still there.

Deserters are everywhere:

Husbands feel they cannot handle the burden of being a husband and father and abandon their responsibilities. Although he is distant from his family, he is still a father and husband. His running away has not changed that. The problems he ran away from usually get bigger than they originally were.
Wives run off leaving families and husbands, however, she is still a wife and mother, just also distant from her responsibilities.
Children sometimes do not like their parent’s rules. They, too, may run away, but they still have the same parents. They just put space between themselves and the unsolved problem that will probably haunt them for the rest of their lives unless they stay and work out the difficulty.
Students quit school but usually spend their lives without training and education. The rest of their lives are stalled because they never learned the necessary lessons to further their lives.
Friends quit a long-term friendship because of an argument.
Employees quit when they do not like what is happening at the workplace.

It usually is easy to walk away from an uncomfortable situation. It does not take character, intelligence, or common sense to run away when the way gets tough.

Rarely is anything solved by quitting. There will always be problems in life. Unsolved problems have a way of following us wherever we go.

Many take their quitting lifestyle and try to apply it to their spiritual lives. Here are several reasons why one cannot quit on God:

You cannot quit being a Christian. Once a true Christian, always a Christian. You did not earn it. It was a gift of salvation if you trusted Jesus’ finished work on the cross as payment for all your sins. However, too many quit being Christ-like.
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29

You cannot quit because the enemy has nothing to offer. There are only two sides – Satan’s and God’s. If one is truly saved by faith, one cannot get unsaved and be on the loser’s side.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

You cannot quit because victory may be just around the corner. Troubles and tribulations are part of the school of life. You may be very close to passing the “test” and going on to life’s next lesson. Do not quit now.
“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” II Timothy 4:18

You cannot quit when you make a mistake. Just get back in the saddle, and try again.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

You cannot quit now; you may miss the harvest. Maybe one day your problem will be over, and you will reap a blessing from the tribulation. Maybe it will be tomorrow or the day after. Spiritual fruit does not always come the day it is planted.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58 Also: John 15:4.

Many times life is very difficult. If you are a Christian, you are on the winning side. Do not quit now. Victory is possible; it is a blessing when achieved, and it may be just around the corner!

“God didn’t bring you as far as He has to abandon you!” — Author Unknown

The Bible View #914 — Gratitude

In This Issue:
Do You Appreciate What You Have Before It’s Gone?
Always Green In Everything Give Thanks
The Blessing in Being Robbed
Thankful for the Fleas
Memorial of Gratitude
Count It All Joy Never Happy

Volume: 914 July 10, 2023
Theme: Gratitude

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Do You Appreciate What You Have Before It’s Gone?
Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Michael Green

There is a fictitious story about a day when the sun did not rise. Six o’clock came, and there was no sign of dawn. At seven o’clock, there was still no ray of light. At noon, it was as black as midnight. No birds sang, and only the hoot of an owl broke the silence. Then came the long black hours of the afternoon.

Finally, evening arrived, but no one slept that night. Some wept; some wrung their hands in anguish. Every church was thronged with people on their knees. Thus they remained the whole night through.

After that long night of terror and agony, millions of eager, tear-streaked faces were turned toward the East. When the sky began to grow red, and the sun rose, there was a loud shout of joy. Millions of lips said, “Bless the Lord, O my soul,” because the sun had risen after one day of darkness.

The very consistency of God’s blessings sometimes seems to dull our gratitude. The wonderful thing about the mercies of God is that they are fresh every morning and new every evening. Let us remember to be constantly thankful to our gracious God.
“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

Always Green
Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Michael Green

An evergreen is always green despite the changes in weather around it. It is green in the heat of summer and the cold of winter.

So also our lives are to be characterized by an enduring thankfulness that is unaffected by the changes around us. When the heat of a pressured week or the deadly cold of pain strikes us, we should stand “ever green,” continually thankful, regardless of what surrounds us.

“A little boy was asked by his father to say grace at the table. While the rest of the family waited, the little fellow eyed every dish of food his mother had prepared. After the examination, he bowed his head and honestly prayed, ‘Lord, I don’t like the looks of it, but I thank you for it, and I’ll eat it anyway. Amen.’” — Green

In Everything, Give Thanks
Author Unknown

‘Mid sunshine, cloud or stormy days,
When hope abounds or care dismays,
When trials press and toils increase
Let not thy faith in God decrease
“In everything give thanks.”

All things we know shall work for good,
Nor would we change them if we could;
‘Tis well if only He command;
His promises will ever stand
“In everything, give thanks.”

He satisfies the longing heart,
He thwarts the tempter’s cruel dart,
With goodness fills the hungry soul,
And helps us sing when billows roll.
“In everything, give thanks.”

“Be thankful you’re still above ground.”

The Blessing in Being Robbed
Matthew Henry

After being robbed, Bible commentator Matthew Henry, wrote in his diary, “Let me be thankful. First, because I was never robbed before. Second, because although they took my wallet, they did not take my life. Third, because they took my all, it was not much. Fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”

Thankful for the Fleas
Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Michael Green

“Rejoice evermore.” I Thessalonians 5:16

In The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom related an incident that taught her always to be thankful. She and her sister, Betsy, had just been transferred to the worst German prison camp they had been to, Ravensbruck. On entering the barracks, they found them extremely over-crowded and flea-infested.

That morning, their Scripture reading in I Thessalonians reminded them always to rejoice, pray, and give thanks for all circumstances. Betsy told Corrie to stop and thank the Lord for every detail of their new living quarters.

Corrie, at first, flatly refused to give thanks for the fleas. Still, Betsy persisted, and Corrie finally succumbed to her pleadings.

During the months spent at that camp, they were surprised to find how openly they could hold Bible study and prayer meetings without the guard’s interference. It was not until several months later that they learned the guards would not enter the barracks because of the fleas.

Memorial of Gratitude
Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Michael Green

A very poor and aged man busied in planting and grafting an apple tree was rudely interrupted by this interrogation, “Why do you plant trees? You cannot hope to eat the fruit of them?”

He raised himself and leaning upon his spade replied, “Someone planted trees for me before I was born, and I have eaten the fruit. I now plant for others that the memorial of my gratitude may exist when I am dead and gone.”

Count It All Joy
Barbara Brinkworth

As a new Christian, over 40 years ago, a close friend encouraged me to read the Bible daily. Of course, there were many things I did not understand.

As I read the Bible through each year, the stories in God’s Word became more familiar. I looked forward to my time in the Scriptures.

Four or five years later, there was still one verse that made no sense to me. It was James 1:2, ”My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations;” How could one thank God for problems?

I had been through many tests and trials since I had trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. During those times, there had not been a lot of joy going on. I had to move from West Virginia to New Jersey to care for my ailing parents. My younger brother died at 36, and ten days later, my mother died. Within two more years, my dad died — unsaved. That was very hard to accept. Also, my oldest daughter was involved in a very serious motorcycle accident. Whew! Was I joyful during all these events? I think not.

Since God’s Word is true, what had I missed about James 1:2? How could I accept and understand that verse? God had the answer, and he gave it to me as a present on my forty-second birthday. Here is how it happened:
I was at a Bible seminar with two friends, who were also sisters. At some point, the speaker discussed James 1:2. As always, I had listened in vain, hoping to apply that verse to my own life. During the next break, I spoke to my friends about their mother, Dot. She had been through many trials recently, including the death of her husband and some serious physical problems of her own. She was discouraged, to say the least. Suddenly I found myself saying, “Wouldn’t you think Dot would see God’s hand working through her problems? Wouldn’t you think she would know God cares and count it all…?” I stopped mid-sentence. That was my answer to the meaning of James 1:2. It was not that I should be joyful for the trials, but rather joyful about the God of the trials.

Through the testings and temptations God brings into our lives, He teaches us how to live and serve Him better. He also reveals more about Himself to us in each diverse situation. As we see Him work through our trials, we are more assured of His love and care. We learn more about His character. Our faith is strengthened as we see God working on our behalf in ways only He could accomplish.

Now, James 1:2 is part of my own personal arsenal to keep discouragement at bay. During times of diverse temptations, I can better trust God and count it all joy. I wait and see how He will use the trials in my life for my ultimate good and His eternal glory.

“The brook would lose its song if we removed the rocks.” — Author Unknown

Never Happy
Stennett

The discontented man is ever restless and uneasy. He is dissatisfied with his station in life, his connections, and almost every circumstance that happens to him. He is continually peevish and fretful, impatient of every injury he receives, and unduly impressed with every disappointment he suffers.

He considers most other persons happier than himself and enjoys hardly any of the blessings of Providence with a calm and grateful mind. He forms a thousand distressing fears concerning the future and makes his present condition unhappy by anticipating the misery he may endure in years to come.

“Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” Proverb 27:20

The BIBLE VIEW #913 — End Times

In This Issue:
Sorrows
When Will the End of the World Come?

Volume: 913 July 3, 2023
Theme: End Times

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Beginning of Sorrows
Bill Brinkworth

“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:5-8

Matthew 24 speaks of sorrows that will occur before the seven years of the future Great Tribulation. It warns that some will declare that they are the Christ, nations will war against nations, famines and pestilences will occur, and earthquakes will increase.

Many of those occurrences have happened throughout history. However, before the end of day’s tribulations, they will increase. The Bible says those happenings will be the beginning of sorrows to come.

Sorrows have always plagued mankind. Because of the introduction of sin by Adam and Eve, all experience hardship and great sadnesses.

Because we temporarily reside on a sin-cursed planet, all have and will experience sorrows. Even Jesus did, as was prophesied centuries previous to His ministry on Earth.
“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” Isaiah 53:3

Most will face:
Personal sorrows.
“I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.” Job 9:28

God allowed sorrows
“How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.” Job 21:17
“Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.” Psalm 16:4

Remembered Sorrows.
“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:2
“For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.” Ecclesiastes 2:23 Also: Isaiah 13:7.

Forgotten sorrows.
“They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.” Job 39:3

Sorrows from losing loved ones.
“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.” Psalm 18:4 Also: Psalm 116:3.

However, the most devastating sorrows will be experienced by those who have not been saved by trusting Christ’s sacrificial death to pay for their sins.

Sorrows of the unsaved.
“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.” Psalm 32:10

The greatest sorrow the lost will experience will be when one finds oneself in a tormenting, unescapable Hell.
“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.” Psalm 116:3
“The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.” Psalm 18:5 Also: II Samuel 22:6.

One can avoid the sorrows of Hell by being born-again (John 3:3) into God’s family. However, even the child of God will experience many sorrows. Be encouraged, Christian; you are not alone in the valleys of despair. Your mighty God will be your guide and helper through the turbulent times.
“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:6
“For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.” Psalm 72:12 Also: Psalm 54:4.

“God doesn’t give us what we can handle. God helps us handle what we are given.” Author Unknown

When Will the End of the World Come?
Bill Brinkworth

Since the time of Jesus’ disciples (Mat. 24:3), many have wondered, “When will the end of the world come?” Many have given dates for the end or dates for biblically predicted end-time events such as the rapture, the last judgment, the Battle of Armageddon, and even the future of humanity. All foretold dates have been wrong, obviously!

One internet site, Wikipedia.com, has recorded more than 158 predicted days for end-time events that never occurred. Many of the prediction dates came from fairly well-known people such as Martin Luther (“not later than 1600”), Christopher Columbus (1658), John Wesley (1836), Jeanne Dixon (2/4/62), Jim Jones (1967), Charles Manson (1969), and Nostradamus (7/1999).

Some “religious” folks have also given their predictions, including Catholic popes (1/1/1000, 1284, 1901), Herbert W. Armstrong (1936, 1943), Hal Lindsey (1980s), Jehovah’s Witnesses (1908, 1914, 1916, 1941, 1971, 1975, 1984), Seventh-day Adventists (1999), and Sun Myung Moon (2000). Since 1977, someone has set a date for an end-time event almost every year.

There are also many predicted dates for the future. Jean Dixon (a psychic) also claimed something will happen between 2020 and 2037. Nostradamus again predicted another date of 3797.

When the projected dates were given, I imagine some were concerned. Many may have been alarmed and tried to prepare for what they thought would be a cataclysmic event by stockpiling and hoarding supplies, as some are doing today.

Although all the past predicted dates were wrong, some overlook the only source that has never been wrong about predicting events. That source has foretold many historical events, and most prophecies have already come true. Some predicted events were even warned about 1,000 years before the event occurred.

This authority told about the coming of God’s Son and what He would do on Earth. All those prophecies about Jesus came true. The reliable source also gives many predictions about future events. That source is God’s Word, the Bible. If it was correct about hundreds of past prophecies, we can also trust its accuracy about future events that have not occurred yet.

However, the King James Bible, as accurate as it has been in the past, does not give dates for end-time events. God’s Word has indicated that it is not for mankind to know when God will begin the last-days events. He even states that the angels do not know the day and hour, nor does His only Son, Jesus.
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matthew 24:36

If the heavenly host and Jesus do not know when such events will occur, we can be assured that a common, sinful man will not know either. Certainly, those who believe contrary to what the Bible commands will not be told the details of God’s plan, including psychics, unbiblical religions, astrologists, and even some preachers. Why anyone would think that a Holy God would whisper end dates to human-sacrificing, false god worshipping Mayans is even more ludicrous.

Many sense that the “end” is getting closer. Cataclysmic events may occur. This year may be a challenging year financially and physically for many. Most have been snubbing their noses at God for a long time. Why would He not begin to exercise His promised events soon?

However, the last day’s events will begin when God says it is time, and they will be according to how His Word records them. God’s Word says the rapture of God’s people will happen first, followed by the seven-year tribulation, the 1,000-year reign of Christ, and other judgments on the Earth’s inhabitants. After they have occurred, this world will be “passed away” (Revelation 21:1), and a new Earth will replace the old. If people would read and believe their Bible more than what the television or some newspaper writer says, they would realize that most predictions are not even close to what will happen. Read and