During the past decade the so-called "Charismatic Revival" has made tremendous strides toward destroying any semblance of "order" in so-called Christian churches. It is high time that the people of God BEWARE OF THEIR DISTORTION! There is absolutely NO EVIDENCE that this movement is of the Holy Spirit. Rather, it appears that many sincere Christian believers have been "duped", or self-deceived. They are taking an "ego trip" on a manufactured religious "high" that can lead ONLY to spiritual RUIN.
    When one looks closely he may observe some definite characteristics in this movement -- wherever it is found.
    Charismatic's TALK of PRAISING GOD, while extolling a pseudo-spiritual EXPERIENCE that has left them with a spiritual (?) superiority complex, a know-it-all attitude and a contempt for such as have not yet received the exhilarating "filling" or "baptism" of the Holy Spirit -- evidenced (they say) by speaking in "tongues". But, in reality, God is NEVER actually PRAISED, honored, adored or worshipped!
    Charismatic's ARE UNTEACHABLE -- having an extremely limited

knowledge of the Scriptures, but considering themselves "mature" (the spiritual elite) and eminently qualified to speak the final, authoritative word on most any subject.
    Charismatic's are IGNORANT, or insensitive TO THE CONCEPT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE -- assuming that no one has any right to question either their living or doctrines. Instead of the sort of self-discipline (crucifixion) commanded of the Spirit, the flesh is often permitted to run unrestrained.
    Charismatic's ARE SCHISMATIC -- forming around themselves a "cell" of the super-spiritual (according to their own estimate) and despising the rest of their brethren. Talking "love", they exhibit a despicable "hatred" and intolerance of anyone who does not immediately succumb to their carnal philosophy of spirituality. It often appears that they would gladly DAMN THE WHOLE WORLD to save their pet theories and nourish their foolish pride. They possess no constructive power of imaginative edification; only an obsessive genius for destruction!
    WAKE UP!! There are myriads of false, evil, lying, devilish "spi-

    "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel", "For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost", (Matt. 15:24; 18:11).
    The purpose of Our Lord's coming was for salvation..to Israel FIRST. It is important that we understand the SENSE in which it is said that the nation was LOST. This is not NECESSARILY a reference to "personal salvation" from sin-guiltiness. Rather, they had become lost from the FOLD -- the sphere of covenant-activity and blessing, wherein God would effect His kingdom-purpose. The parable of the Lost Son was given to illustrate this loss and a proper attitude toward it, (Lk. 15:11-32). It was by way of DEPARTURE that they had BECOME lost sheep, (Jer. 50:6).
    As the shepherds of Israel were responsible for God's people under the old covenant, so are teaching-

pastors responsible for the Lord's little flock under the new, (I Pet. 4:1-4; Jn.21:15-17; Heb. 13:7, 17).
    The attitude of the covenant nation toward her rightful King was never right, (John 1:11; Matt. 11:19). There was a time when they, impressed by His miraculous power, attempted to take Him by force and make Him their King, (John 6:15; comp. John 18:36). But there had come a drastic change in their attitude, (John 12:19; Matt. 27:18; Mark 11:18; Jn. 15:22-25; Matt. 21:38). And when He publicly offered Himself as King (in the triumphal entry), they were offended, and rejected Him with a vengeance, (Matt. 21:15-16; Luke 19:39).
    Nor did the rulers of Israel lose much time in effecting the crucifixion of Him Who had come for the redemption of Israel. They said: "His blood be upon us, and upon our chi1dren"!
    This Jewish attitude toward the Christ has not changed to this very day. He himself prophesied with what inconsistency they would reject Him -- while embracing a false messianic claimant, to their own sorrow, (John 5:43). And there is no indication that the national attitude will change until the time of our Lord's divine and merciful intervention to save this people from ultimate annihilation at the merciless hands of the coming "man of sin".
    Because of Israel's national infidelity, Jesus prophesied their ultimate loss and desolation, (Matt. 8:11-12; 21:43; comp. I Sam. 15:22-26). This does NOT imply the loss of personal salvation on the part

of any individual believer in the nation. It DOES suggest the nation's loss of covenant-standing -- a position of blessed fellowship with God that had been exclusively theirs under the Mosaic economy.


    "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, REPENT: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand", (Matt. 4:17).
    Repentance involves a change of mind that results in a change of heart and attitude. For Israel it would involve the necessity of such a change: toward themselves, toward God and toward the Gentiles. And God would require EVIDENCE of the nation's repentance, (Matt. 3:8-9). Such repentance as was required is well illustrated by Paul's record of the Corinthian response to his reproof, (2 Cor. 7:9-11).
    But the nation no more heeded Jesus' call to repentance than it had heeded the voice of His forerunner -- and all the prophets that had gone before Him. It was necessary for Jesus to upbraid them for their failure to repent, (Matt. 11:20-24; 12:41-42; 21:28-32). By a parable, He illustrated the nation's hardened unwillingness to repent -- their reluctance to render unto God such a portion as was due the owner of the vineyard, (Matt. 21:33-46).
    This refusal to repent, on the part of a stubborn nation, did not necessitate our Lord's withdrawal of the condition; He would simply DELAY the establishment of the kingdom. As He had refused an unbelieving generation entrance into

the land of promise (but waited for them to wander and die in the wilderness), so will He once more wait for a "willing people".
    God had been very candid in the declaration of His purpose to establish His Kingdom IN RIGHTEOUSNESS -- and of His intention to use Israel as an instrument thereof. But the Maker of heaven and earth had not hemmed Himself into a corner. He had left room for flexibility with regard to the TIME and METHOD whereby He would accomplish His holy purpose.
    It certainly was not necessary for the Most High to sit down at a bargaining table to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement with a stiff-necked nation, (Rom. 11:29; Isa. 14:24, 26-27). He does not work on an inflexible time-table; He is not limited to "time & space" as we are; He is ABOVE time and space, (2 Pet. 3:8).
    Thus, in the parable of the pounds, Jesus declares that the establishment of the kingdom is delayed, (Luke 19:11-27). This was NOT because the promise of God had failed, or that His power had proved inadequate. Rather, THE NATION HAD FAILED in refusing to meet the condition on which the offer of the kingdom was based; Israel would not REPENT!
    God would not force the kingdom; with its indescribable blessings, upon an UNWILLING PEOPLE; He would raise up a people who would gladly do His will -- who would receive His benefits with deep gratitude and loyal devotion, (Psa. 110:1-3; Matt. 23:37).
    WILL YOU QUALIFY ??

    rits" abroad in the land--OUR LAND! Ours is the inescapable responsibility to "try the spirits -- whether they be of God", (I John 4:1). If they do not speak according to the Word of God they must be REJECTED -- however beautiful their song, soothing their potions or tempting their promise of the EXPERIENCE of a liberating self-fulfillment!

    Let this remind every member of Landmark that this Saturday evening at 7:00 o'clock is the time for our Quarterly Business Meeting. The business of the church is the responsibility of EVERY member. Will YOU accept your responsibility?


    As we go to press, we are reminded of the Fellowship Meeting to be held in St. Louis (April 25-26), by a warm letter of welcome from Pastor John Coleman. The Calvary Cross MBC is sponsoring this meeting and, as usual, will provide sleeping space and meals for their guests.
    Services are scheduled to begin at 7 o'clock on Friday evening and again at 10 o'clock on Saturday morning.
    Lord willing, I hope to attend this meeting. It is so scheduled that we will be able to return home for the regular services on Sunday.
    SEE YOU IN ST. LOUIS!
    (NOTE: To find the Calvary Cross MBC, take the Arsenal Exit WEST, off Interstate 55. Go to California and turn left one block. The church building is on the corner of California and Juniata.)
Said the Robin to the Sparrow:
    "I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
    Rush about and worry so?"
Said the Sparrow to the Robin:
    "Friend, I think that it must be
That they have no heavenly Father
    Such as cares for you and me."