Much is written in the Word of God concerning the need of diligence on the part of God's people. Many may run in a race, but only one wins the prize; thus, are we to run, that we may obtain, (I Cor. 9:24). Every member of the body of Christ should endeavor to "excel" for the edification of the whole body, (I Cor. 14:12).
    The apostle Paul never considered himself to have "arrived" at his spiritual destiny. Rather, he always pressed toward "the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus", (Phil. 3:l3-l4). And he urged upon Timothy, his son in the ministry, that he give diligence to show himself "approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth".
    Our study of God's word should be marked by docility, humility and reverence. The greater our humility the vaster will be our attainment of understanding. Sir William Hamilton has said: "The highest reach of human science is the scientific recognition of human ignorance". The Psalmist agrees: "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show

them His covenant".
    John Ruskin once inquired: "In what science is knowledge to be had cheap, or truth to be told over a velvet cushion, in half an hour's talk, every seventh day? Can you learn chemistry so, or geology, or anatomy? And do you expect to penetrate the secret of all secrets, and to know that whose price is above rubies, in so easy a fashion"?
    God has graciously given His revelation for our benefit. Let us study it constantly, reverently and prayerfully; most of all, let us submit our hearts to its teaching. Then shall we experience the blessed truthfulness of our Lord's words -- a truth as distinctly philosophic as it is profoundly spiritual: "If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching".

    Bro. Steve Montgomery is now in the States and should be addressed at: Route 1, Box 78-A, Dry Prong, Louisiana 71423.
    Bro. Eldwyn Rogers will be arriving on March 19, His mail should be sent: c/o Mrs. W. A. Holiman
720 South Cedar Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601.

    During the past few weeks almost every family in Landmark Church has suffered the loss of some dear one in death. This comes to each of us as a solemn reminder of the brevity of life and the eternal importance of a right relationship to Jesus Christ.
    I have just returned from Corning, Arkansas, where the body of my father in law, John P. Kamerman, was laid to rest on Saturday afternoon. A simple, humble, sham despising Christian; a loyal husband, and faithful, loving father; he had served the Lord for more than 35 years. He was a preacher's friend and helper. And he rejoiced to see his children serving the Lord.
    It is natural that we sorrow in the sudden departure of those we have dearly loved. But, for the Christian, there is mixed with that sorrow a sense of joy in knowing that our loved ones have been promoted

to a higher, holier realm wherein they may behold the beauty of our Saviour's holiness, and worship Him without the hindrance of sin.
    Dad Kamerman's works will follow him; his influence will linger long -- pointing others, that he loved most dearly, to the Saviour whom he loved, worshipped and served with a pure heart. May they SOON yield themselves to his Lord and Master!

    Both our church & home have been blessed by a recent visit by the Jerry Thomas's (and son, Joshua) of Salinas, California. We hope they will come our way again - SOON! EG

    "But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved); And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That IN THE AGES TO COME He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus", (Eph. 2:4-7).
    The earth is the spiritual center of the universe. Not particularly because of its size, position or merit, though Science would no doubt be much surprised to discover just how essential and significant the earth's role is in the physical universe. However, the earth's real distinction is God's central and eternal purpose for it in the cosmic community. Let us examine some of the evidences that point toward this climactic role.
    Planet earth was the very first celestial body created. This fact alone establishes its priority and seniority among its peers in space. "In BEGINNING God created the heaven and the earth...And the evening and the morning were the FIRST day. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: He made the stars also...And the evening and the morning were the FOURTH day", (Gen. 1:1, 5, 16, 19). The creation of "lights in the firmament", three days later, seems chiefly to have been for the benefits they would render to the

earth, (Gen. 1:14-19).
    Earth was honored again when, on the sixth day of Original Week, God crowned His masterpiece by entrusting the dominion and subduing of it to the fondest object of His love and purpose -- Adam, (Gen. 1:27-28).
    God's love was not diminished nor His plan thwarted when man chose to become independent and introduce sin (decay and death) into His creation. He reached deeper into His love and introduced a new principle that would still accomplish His original intent, He began REDEMPTION.
    The arena where this transcendent, cosmic drama would unfold was, and is, of course, EARTH. God made known His plan of redemption to man and invited him to reestablish the severed relationship. To make this possible Jesus Christ voluntarily emptied Himself of His supreme position and Divine prerogatives in the realm of the Spiritual and took upon Himself the Physical, (Jn.l7:5; 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:6-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 4:15). He was born on earth, lived on earth, was crucified on earth, was buried in the earth, resurrected out of the earth and ascended from the earth to intercede with God the Father for man on earth, (Jn. 3:16; Acts 10:37-40; Rom. 8:34). And yet this was not the capstone of the Divine human experience. Final fulfillment is yet to come.
    The single, irrefutable, totally conclusive evidence that this planet alone sustains life in the image of God is its preeminent destiny. The earth is to be given to Christ and His Bride as an eternal King-

dom-inheritance. God Himself will establish His throne perpetually, will radiate endlessly from the New Jerusalem on this self-same planet EARTH, to the whole universe and beyond. "The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever", (Psa. 37:29, 11; Isa. 60:21; Dan. 7:l8, 22, 27; Matt. 25:34; Heb. 9:14-15; Rev. 5:10; 22:5). "And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed", (Dan. 7:14; Psa. 67:4; 96:10-13; Rev. 11:15; 21:2-3; 22-23).

    I have recently read a very enlightening, book length, documentary entitled "The Unbelievable Pre-Trib Origin". This work has been carefully researched and written by Dave MacPherson, Director of the Heart of America Bible Society, Inc. 5528 Lydia Street, Kansas City, Mo. 64110.
    This is NOT a Bible-study book, but a well written, well documented account of the origin and propagation of the popular "Pre-Tribulation" theory of our Lord's return. Many Baptists have been promoting that theory so dogmatically as to make its acceptance a basis of fellowship.
    Dave MacPherson has shown its historical origin to be dated some 1000 years too late to have ever been proclaimed by our Lord Jesus Christ. If the highly emotional proponents of a pre-tribulation "rapture" can invalidate this document, with either scriptural arguments or historical documents that to this date have not been submitted for examination, I am confident they will not long delay their answer. In the meantime, I trust that it will serve to drive multitudes of sincerely deceived brethren back to the Scriptures for an honest, open-minded examination of the final Word of authority.
    Single copies of this book are available at $2.95. Make your check payable to "Heart of America Bible Society" and send it to the above address. -- Eugene Garner
JESUS IS COMING! ARE YOU PREPARED TO MEET HIM??