The writer of the Hebrew epistle sets before his brethren several "better things" that God has provided for His covenant people in this age. Marvelous blessings and glorious privileges belong to us -- things of which saints in past ages never dreamed. What a delight it is to live IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY -- enjoying the privilege of holding forth the Word of Life in the closing days of this Gentile age! One of the things that makes this attitude possible is the consciousness that at the "right hand of God" is seated a Great High Priest through whom we have ACCESS to God, ACCEPTANCE with God, and ASSURANCE before God.
    This superiority of Jesus Christ over every priest of the Aaronic order is evidenced by: (1) The degree of His sympathy, (Heb. 2:17; 4:15); (2) His ordination, (Heb. 5: 1-6); (3) His sinlessness, (Heb. 7: 26-28); (4) His unlimited power, (Heb. 7:10); (5) His exaltation, (Heb. 8:1); (6) Its completeness, (Heb. 7:11, 19); (7) Its offering, (Heb. 9:6-10; 10:1-4, 11-14); (8) Its immutability and eternality, (Heb. 7:24; 6:20). Because of this superior priesthood of Jesus Christ there are certain definite blessings that we may enjoy.
    WE HAVE ACCESS TO GOD, (Psa. 24:

3-4). Christ is the door, and the way, (Jn. 10:9; 14:6). Through Him we are privileged to come into the Father's presence, (Rom. 5:2; Eph. 2:18; 3:12; I Pet. 3:12).
    WE ARE ACCEPTED OF GOD "in the beloved". There is acceptance for men of every nation, (Acts 10:34 35). Paul spoke of being "ambitious" in service --- that he might be "accepted of Him" at the judgment seat of Christ, (2 Cor. 5: 9-10). It is according to "the glory of his grace" that God has "made us accepted in the beloved", (Eph. 1:6).
    WE HAVE ASSURANCE AND BOLDNESS IN GOD'S PRESENCE. What Christ has done for us was symbolized in the activities of the Day of Atonement. As the High Priest's appearance and blessing gave assurance that atonement had been made, for the sins of Israel, so the coming of the Holy Spirit announced the Father's acceptance of Jesus' blood -- forever satisfying the demands of justice for those who yield their lives un to Him in the obedience of faith. He now appears before God as our Mediator, Advocate and Intercessor, (I Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 8:6; 9:24; I John 2:1; Isa. 53:12; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). He has sent the Spirit of sonship into our hearts -- enabling us to cry "Abba Father" -- His Spirit bearing witness with our

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    One of the basic arguments used by those advocating a pre-tribulation "rapture" of the church rests on the idea suggested by Mr. Scofield's footnote on 2 Thessalonians 2:7. Of the expression " until he be taken out of the way " he says: "This person can be no other than the Holy Spirit in the church".
    Four Greek words are involved: "heos ek mesou genetai". All agree on the first two -- "until...out of". "Genetai" suggests an "origin" or "coming to be"; over 600 times it appears in the sense of "to become" or "arise". No one knows why our translators slipped in "taken", for the idea is not implied, or even permitted, by the Greek text. The other word "mesou" is translated as "midst" 37 times out of 47 usages.
    It surely will not be unjust to translate these words according to their common usage: "until he arise out of the midst". In that case, GOD is the restrainer; in His own time He will permit the ANTI-CHRIST to arise "out of the midst" of law-

lessness and apostasy.
    To speak of either the church or the Holy Spirit in this verse is sheer FANTASY! There is not the slightest shred of evidence that Paul had either in mind. Neither of them could "become"; they already WERE.
    Prophetic interpretation based on false assumption and mistranslation is dangerous business. No such invention is necessary if one is willing to interpret Scripture by Scripture -- with no desire to "prove a theory".
    Isn't it about time we decided to let God BE GOD? Trust Him; He does ALL THINGS WELL!

A SUPERIOR PRIESTHOOD.... Continued

spirits that we are the children of God, (Gal. 4:5-6; Rom. 8:15-16; 2 Tim. 1:12; I Jn. 2:3; 3:14, 18-19; 3:24; 4:12-14; 5:10).
    On the basis of Christ's superior Priesthood, the Hebrew writer gives some moving exhortations: (1) "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need", (Heb. 4:14-16). (2) Having such boldness, through the blood of Jesus, we may now come near to God "in full assurance of faith" -- nothing wavering, (10:19-25). Let us enter fully into the blessedness of that grace provided through the superiority of our High Priest!

    It is the natural tendency of every life to deteriorate. Fire tends to go out, zeal to relax, service to stalemate, faith to fossilize and love to die. Once sin is given the smallest niche in any life, it begins to spread -- gradually bringing the whole man under its deadly power. James, the brother of our Lord, states its principle of operation: "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death", (Jas. 1:14-15).
    This enslavement is evidenced by a steadily-declining sensitivity of one's spiritual faculties, (Isaiah 42:25; Matt. 13:13-15). It dulls the hearing, (Heb. 5:11); blinds the eyes , (Matt. 6:23; 2 Cor. 3:14, Eph. 4:18; I Jn. 2:11); darkens the understanding , (John 8:42; Rom. 3:11; 2 Tim. 3:7; comp. Jn. 12:46); hardens the heart , (Ex. 8:15; 2 Ch. 36: 11-13; Neh. 9:15-17; Jer. 5:3; Dan. 5:20; Psa. 95:8; Prov. 28:14; 29:1; Rom. 2:5; Heb. 3:13); and sears the conscience , (Eph. 4:19; I Tim. 4:1-2).
    One may easily observe sin at work by reading his Bible. It may be seen in the history of Israel, (Jer. 5:23-29; Ezra 9:6-7). It may be observed in the lives of back sliders, (Matt. 12:45; 2 Pet. 2:20). As sin begins to gain control, one's first-love is forsaken, (Jer. 2:2; Matt. 24:12; Rev. 2:4); self - love is exalted to the throne , (Hos. 10:1; Ezek. 34:18; 2 Tim. 3:1-5); and Christ is banished , (Matt. 25:43; Rev. 3:20). And this principle may be seen at work in the various

steps of Peter's downfall: questioning Christ's knowledge, (Matt. 16:21-23); Boasting, and trusting in his own fidelity, (Jn. 13:36-38) forsaking, (Matt. 26:56); denying, (Jn. 18:15-27); and cursing, (Matt. 26:69-75).
    The apostle to the Gentiles warned that the power of sin would become increasingly aggressive in the last days, (2 Tim. 3:13). But, he held out the hope that the grace of God will "much more abound" -- being fully adequate for such as put their trust in Him.
    In His parable of the prodigal Jesus held out a ray of hope for those who have been captivated by sin's enticements. The offended Father is viewed as he eagerly, lovingly and patiently awaits the return of His wandering child. He is more willing to supply, than we to acknowledge, our need -- restoring us to a place of fellowship where we may enjoy the rich benefits of His grace.
    Jesus Christ came to die -- that He might "save us from our sins". He so fully "tasted death for every man" that aliens, foreigners and strangers -- even those who have previously rejected His provision may, through faith, become God's own children and share in the full riches of His grace.
    Where sin abounds God's grace overflows. To whoever will admit his need, acknowledge and forsake his sin, commit his life into the out-stretched hands of Jesus, and "freely receive" of God's adequate provision for his sin - problem, there is now PARDON, DELIVERANCE AND FULL RELEASE!
    Can you AFFORD to reject such an offer? Then TRUST IN JESUS, TODAY!

    In the rush of getting together the July 21 issue of the paper, the editor made reference to an article appearing several months ago. With out looking back at that article he inadvertently inserted the wrong Greek word. The article dealing with the "Manifestation" was built around the usage of the word " phaneroo " -- not "apokalupsis". There will be another article in the near future dealing with the usage of this latter word.
    Brethren who may have recognized the error very graciously refrained from calling my attention to it --and thus, adding to the embarrassment. Thank You! And I'll try to check myself a little closer in the future.
        -- The Editor

Once within your heart there burned
      a flame,
   A flame of holy love,
And you knew a joy, a peace and joy
      untold:
But you've drifted and you've
      grieved
   The Holy Spirit from above,
Now you sadly find your first love
      growing cold.

When life's cross-roads came before
      you
   And a choice you had to make
Then without your trusted Guide
      you wandered on;
Waiting not to seek His leading
   In temptation's trying hour,
Till the love that once had thrill-
ed your heart was gone.

Friend, O stop and think a moment,
   Is your first-love growing cold?
Has the world with all its pleas-
      ures won your heart?
Have you stayed away from Jesus?
   Seek Him now in earnest pray'r
And let Him anew that first true
      love impart.

Is your first love growing cold?
   Have you wandered from the fold?
On the mountains of delusion do
      you roam?
Oh, return to God today,
   Walk again the narrow way,
Take the sacred way that safely
      leads you home.