On September 29 through October 4, I expect to be with Pastor Melvin Gray and the Temple Baptist Church, of Garnet, Kansas. Brother Gray has specifically requested that I bring a series of messages dealing with Daniel's prophecy. Though this will be a "first" for me, and though I claim no special "light" on this prophecy, I do look forward to the opportunity with eager anticipation.
    Lord willing, I will be back home in time for the services on October 6. E.G.


    Now that I have finally seen a calendar for next year, I can announce that the 40th Anniversary Fellowship Meeting, at the Landmark MBC, of Rockford, Illinois, will be held on June 17-19, 1992. The meeting will begin on Wednesday evening and continue through Friday noon.
    We hope that a large number of former members, and beloved brethren, will plan to share this time of rejoicing, praise and worship with us. E.G.

    If one would have a clear understanding of ANY Biblical concept he must seek it upon the basis of REVELATION alone - NOT in philosophical speculation, theological innovation or historical interpretation. Any true elucidation of the doctrine of Divine Election must be set forth without: diminishing God's sovereignty, defaming His holy character, casting Him in the role of a "respector of persons", denying the universality of His love or contradicting the general tenor of the Scriptures.
    After many years of inquiry, study, wide reading and earnest prayer, I submit the following summary of this Biblical concept for the honest, careful and prayerful consideration of my brethren.

    In its Biblical usage, Election is set forth as a vital part of God's plan for the implementation of His holy purpose of "bringing many sons unto glory" - the sharing of an inheritance IN Christ Jesus. This DIVINE SELECTIVITY manifests the exercise of His wisdom in designating a PARTICULAR INSTRUMENTALITY and ORDER for the outworking

of His perfect will, and the consummation of His gracious purpose, to redeem a believing, obedient and faithful people who will forevermore be "unto the praise of the glory of His grace", (Eph. 1:6).
    Through such men as Noah, Shem, Abraham (Neh. 9:7), Isaac, Jacob (Psa. 135:4), Moses (Psa. 105:26) and David (2 Chron. 6:6; Psa. 78:67-68), God may be seen progressively developing an INSTRUMENT - AGENCY to represent His holy name among men. This ELECT instrument - agency, or covenant-community (as first seen in the nation of Israel), was brought into covenant relationship with God at Mt. Sinai. They would be responsible to walk uprightly before Him - in the way that He had specifically appointed.
    If Israel, as the earthly representative of His name, would truly OBEY God's voice and KEEP His covenant, they would be His peculiar treasure - a people above all people. He would make of them a

"kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" who would minister to the nations in His behalf - declaring His righteousness, His love and His saving power to the ends of the earth, (Ex. 19:5-6; Deut. 7:6-10; Isa. 45:4; etc.).
    As God's ELECT NATION, Israel was designed to be the instrument, or agency, through which He would prepare for the coming of MESSIAH - the One anointed to rule as her eternal King. Within the nation was an ELECT REMNANT who, alone, had a RIGHT STANDING with God - a standing rooted in FAITHFULNESS! (Rom. 11:5-7). In Paul's day the NATION had long since forfeited the privilege of its elect POSITION. But, WITHIN the nation, there remained "a remnant according to the election of grace" These had not despised God's holy name. Their hearts were still loyal to Him. It was from this faithful remnant that our Lord formed the nucleus of HIS CHURCH - a NEW ELECT - COMMUNITY - AGENCY, with which He established the New Covenant and sealed it with His own blood, (Matt. 16:28).
    Since the "gifts and calling of God are without repentance", He patiently "waits that He may be gracious" - ultimately convert in the "physical" nation,(Rom. 11:26), restoring her to covenant fellowship (Rom. 11:27), designating her the "chief" of millennial nations (Mic. 4:6-8; Zeph. 3:20; Isa. 49:23), and assigning to her the task that her ancient fathers REFUSED. As the "elect" representative of His glorious name, she will minister to the millennial nations as HIS SERVANT.

    In Ephesians 1:3-14 Paul sets forth the most definitive statement of the DOCTRINE OF ELECTION to be found anywhere in the Word of God. Before the foundation of the world; according to the riches of His grace, and for the fulfillment of His own holy purpose; God CHOSE "IN CHRIST", a people for His SERVICE: a people destined to share His inheritance and "be unto the praise of His glory"!
    1. Note carefully that it is IN CHRIST, His "elect" Son, that God (as regards this age) has CHOSEN a people for His service, (Eph. 1:4).
    The apostle Paul pictures the church as being "blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenlies IN CHRIST", (Eph. 1:3). This is not mentioned as a basis for PRIDE: rather, it is a CALL TO ARMS! (Eph. 6:12).
    1. "The heavenlies" is the place where our battle with the powers of wickedness and darkness is to be fought out.
    2. Thus, we must learn to employ the ARMOR OF GOD, (Eph. 6:11; comp. Isa. 59:17).
    All those who are truly IN CHRIST JESUS have been "created anew"; this creation is "unto GOOD WORKS" which God before ordained that we should WALK IN THEM! (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:8-10). Thus, it should be evident that, though Election is "without respect of persons", it obviously is NOT without respect of CHARACTER!
    I, personally, have no objection to the concept that one is "in

Christ" the very moment that, by repentance toward God and an act of personal trust in the Son of God, he receives Jesus Christ as His Saviour and Lord. I say this because ABRAHAM, on the basis of FAITH, was "declared righteous" BEFORE he was circumcised. But, it must be noted that, had he FAILED TO BE CIRCUMCISED, it would have been a breach of the Abrahamic Covenant - resulting in the loss of His covenant standing and blessings.
    However, the expression "IN CHRIST", as used in the Ephesian letter, is CLEARLY used in the LIMITED SENSE of a functional relationship to Christ as members of His body. Any other concept will lend credence to those who imagine a "universal, invisible church" composed of "all the saved"! Furthermore, it should be understood that the "in Christ" position is one that may be forfeited through a disobedient unbelief, (John 15:6; Gal. 5:4, ASV) - because of which one may be "cut off", "cast forth" or "severed from Christ"!
    It is only by a CONTINUING WALK in the kind of whole-hearted faith that led to the saving experience - a faith that yields all to the actual lordship of Jesus Christ - that the "in Christ" relationship is MAINTAINED. It is CONDITIONAL! Such a commitment of faith will inevitably lead a saved person to being baptized INTO Christ's body, wherein the FULNESS of spiritual blessings flow. Thus, the promises made to those IN CHRIST are NOT for ALL THE SAVED, but for those

alone who become so fully identified with Him as to be "members of His body".
    Wherever one may BEGIN to apply the "in Christ" concept, there are many passages requiring that it is NEVER COMPLETE apart from a functioning relationship in a local New Testament Church!
    2. There is nothing here to suggest, or imply, that this was a choice determining WHO WOULD GET INTO CHRIST! Rather, it teaches that God chooses for His service a people who meet such conditions as enable them to share a special, intimate relationship with His dear Son!
    A careful examination of the plurality of New Testament passages dealing with Divine ELECTION should make one thing crystal clear: ELECTION [choosiness] and PREDESTINATION are NOT dealing with HOW one IS SAVED, or with WHO MAY BE SAVED!

1. ELECTION is concerned with the PRESENT POSITION and SERVICE of those IN CHRIST. In New Testament times NO ONE has been assigned a spiritual task apart from a proper relationship to Christ in a local, New Testament church which is HIS BODY - manifesting the fulness of Him that filleth all in all!
2. PREDESTINATION pertains to the FUTURE BLESSINGS awaiting those who are faithful to their high calling IN CHRIST.
   1. These will be conformed to the resurrection-image of their dear Lord, (Rom. 8:29).
   2. They will INHERIT, as joint heirs with Christ, to share the abundant

riches of His grace and glory, (Eph. 3:16; Phil. 4:19; Rom. 9:23).
    c. They will be exalted to positions of honor, glory, service and rulership in the coming Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, (Eph. 1:14).


    Wherever the concept of ELECTION is set forth in the Scriptures, it involves a Divine SELECTION for SPECIFIC SERVICE, (I Chron. 16:13; Psa. 89:3, 19; 105:6, 42-43; Isa. 65:15; 41:8-9; 65:9, 22; etc.).
    Israel, as an ELECT NATION, rebelled at the responsibilities accompanying her privileges. She had no interest in sharing the message, salvation and fellowship of Jehovah with other nations!
    What Israel failed to do, nationally, God has accomplished REPRESENTATIVELY in His Son. Thus, the Scriptures depict Jesus Christ as God's ELECT SERVANT, (Isa. 42:1; Lk. 23:35).

1. Tn the first place, this speaks of His CHOSENNESS for a specific TASK, (Isa. 49:6; comp. Luke 2:32). He was:
1. To bring back Jacob, and gather Israel to God.
2. To bring SALVATION to the ends of the earth - declaring its availability to ALL MEN who would trust in Him.
2. But, there is obviously more involved than His "chosenness"; it also speaks of His BELOVEDNESS.
1. The Servant is a very special object of God's LOVE, (comp. Isa. 42:1 with Matt. 12:18 - where

Matthew uses a different word).
b. This "belovedness: is closely associated with the concept of ELECTION in God's people, (I Pet. 2:4, 6; etc.).

    As our Lord was, so are we to be in this world! As He was the "Light of the world", so are we to be reflectors of the light of His glory and grace! (Jn. 8:12; Isa. 49:6; Acts 13:47; Matt. 5:14-16; 2 Cor. 3:18; I Mn. 5:7). As God was GLORIFIED IN CHRIST, (Isa. 49:3), so is it His design to be glorified IN and THROUGH the church which He has purchased with His own blood! (Eph. 3:21; Acts 20:28).
    Consider a few other passages in which the ELECTION of the Lord's church is suggested, (Rom. 8:33; Col. 3:12; I Thes. 1:4; 2 Tim. 2:10 Titus 1:1; I Pet. 1:2; 2:9; 5:13; Rev. 17:14; see Matt. 24:22-31; John 15:16, 19).


    1. In Ephesians 1:4 it is shown that God made a choice of those IN CHRIST - that they should be "holy and without blame before Him in love".
    2. In Colossians 1:22 Paul shows that God reconciled us to Himself IN CHRIST (that is, through our identity with Him in His death) "to present us holy, unblameable and unreprovable in his sight".
    3. There is no room for doubt that our Lord will ultimately present to Himself "a glorious

church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish", (Eph. 5:27).
    4. However, the fulfillment of that hope, for INDIVIDUAL CHURCH MEMBERS, is CONDITIONAL! He will present US "holy and unblameable" in His sight ONLY "if we CONTINUE IN THE FAITH grounded and settled, and be not removed away from the hope of the gospel", (Col. 1:22-23).
     "Wherefore the rather, brethren, GIVE DILIGENCE to make your calling and election SURE: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ", (2 Peter 1:10-11).


    Jesus told a rich young man: "Yet one thing thou lackest: sell all that thou hast and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me". And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
    Peter said, "We have left ALL and followed thee!" Jesus replied: "Ye shall receive MANIFOLD MORE in this present time and in the age to come eternal life", (Lk. 18:22-30).
    What the rich man refused to do, the group, who had received the gift of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, gladly did. Pity them not! They received manifold more in this present life and in the age to come they will be "rich

folks". They left their jobs. They sold their possessions. They laid the money at the apostles' feet to be distributed among them that might have needs. They gathered DAILY in Solomon's Porch of the temple. They steadfastly followed the instructions of the apostles. No more speaking with tongues in Jerusalem, but "many wonders and signs" were done "by the apostles".
    None of us have ever seen a miracle. We gather in no Jewish temple. We hang on to our jobs and thank God that we have them. We do not sell our possessions and distribute the money among our needy brethren.
    Pushing one forward in an evangelistic meeting is quite different from hearing the agonizing cries: "Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?" No tongues of fire to sit on

our heads. No sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind fills our churches. We have never seen an instantaneous healing like that of the cripple at the Beautiful Gate.
    We raise millions for missions, but none whom we send are endued with power. Powerless churches conduct powerless campaigns. As to such things we are "have-nots". We should avoid hypocrisy about these things!
    In a day of miracles men live differently than in a day of NO MIRACLES. We cannot cross the Red Sea dry-shod, and waiting in an Upper Room will not generate another Pentecost to be followed by another Pentecostal church!
    With miracles, or without, "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord SHALL BE SAVED!"


    To those who faithfully support this publication: WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT! If you send a check, however, it should be made payable to this editor, or to the

LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH.

    Since the church has no special account for the CLARION HERALD, our bank will not cash checks that are made payable to the publication. THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION and CONTINUING SUPPORT! E.G.


    As we go to press there are only TWO MONTHS until time for the Fellowship Meeting at Calvary Cross MBC, of St. Louis, Missouri.