"THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL": A FINAL CALL!

    Revelation, chapters 12 and 13, picture a deep, age-old conflict between: light and darkness, good and evil, truth and error, God and Satan, as it builds toward its inevitable culmination. What started out as a trickle, with the eating of forbidden fruit in the Garden, has been gaining momentum until now, like a mighty flood, it destroys all that is within its path.
    From the world's viewpoint, and possibly the viewpoint of many trembling saints, it appears that the light of truth has almost been extinguished. Cast out of heaven, Satan has been venting his malicious wrath against those who are most precious in the eyes of God. But, when he attempts to destroy the woman [Israel], she has [according to divine promise] been delivered to a place of safety that the Beast and Dragon cannot penetrate.
    Frustrated and angry, the Beast turns to make war with "the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus", (Rev. 12:17). This obviously refers to the remnant of New Testament churches that have survived up to this time -- the "testimony of Jesus" NEVER having been entrusted to anyone else!
    In chapter 13 John pictures the saints [faithful New Testament church members] being delivered into the hands of the Beast to face heavy trials, afflictions and even death. They are said to be "worn out" and "overcome", (Dan. 7:25; Rev. 13:7). The Beast demands that all men worship him. Whosoever refuses to worship Him, to bow in homage before his image, and to take his "seal" in their hands and on their foreheads, face starvation and death!
Has God's purpose and promise failed?

Has He failed His trusting people? Is He not able to finish what He has so gloriously begun? NO! God has NOT FAILED!!
    In chapter 14 the scene changes dramatically! Here John sees four visions designed to strengthen and encourage God's saints in the midst of their trials and afflictions. On Mt. Zion there appears a Lamb, accompanied by 144,000 who have been redeemed from the earth. These have not bowed before the throne of No-God, nor sacrificed their children on the altar of Aborticide; they have not committed fornication in the humanistic groves of Self-Satisfaction, Self-Realization, Self- Respect, Self-Sufficiency or Self Approval!
    True to the name of the God and Father of their Lord Jesus Christ, these have the seal of the Father's name written in their foreheads. Having followed the Lamb wherever He led, or sent them; they are now redeemed from among men - being "the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb".
    John has heard a sound that human language was inadequate to describe. It was as the sound of many waters, of great thunders and of harpers harping on their harp strings. His heart thrilled to the singing of the multitude as they sang a song of triumphant praise. But, the joyful song in which their voices blended so harmoniously was one that they alone could learn.
    It is at this point that John sees a further vision of assurance for the people of God. He beholds "another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the Everlasting Gospel"!
    I frankly admit that I do not know whether this Gospel will, literally, be proclaimed by an angel, or whether this merely symbolizes the zeal

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a few New Testament churches in proclaiming this "everlasting gospel" with such holy boldness that a multitude of people will be persuaded to trust in Jesus - refusing the seal and worship of the Beast, even at the peril of their lives!
    I am inclined to believe that the vision symbolizes a holy band of faithful and fearless Gospel ministers who, with a passionate note of warning, will proclaim the message heralded by a succession of angels in John's visions.
    Those pulpits which have previously proclaimed a seducing dream, of winning and subduing the world to Christ through the instrumentality of the Gospel, will be shamed into silence. Or, genuinely repenting, they will recognize that sin will NEVER be subdued except by Divine intervention and conquest,in the person of Jesus Christ Who returns to reign as King! Realizing what evil they have wrought upon those who followed their leadership, some may actually hazard their lives to deliver those they previously misled from the wiles and seductions of the adversary!
    You will note that John sees a succession of visions - three separate angels.
    1. The first one proclaims the "everlasting gospel".
    2. The second declares that Religious Babylon, who helped bring the Beast to power, has

now fallen as his victim - betrayed by him!
    3. The third warns against the worship of the image of the Beast, and the receiving of his mark in their foreheads and hands; those who do so will soon feel the wrath of God upon them.

    Rooted in the eternal past, this Gospel had its origin before the foundation of the world and reaches into ages yet unborn. God purposed to make a creature in His own image: one with whom He could enjoy sweet fellowship and from whom He could receive praise, worship, honor and adoration. Man would be placed on the earth to subdue and rule, according to God's direction and under His authority, (Gen. 1:16-18). Knowing that man would fail, God had ready a complete plan of redemption, restoration and regeneration - not for man only, but also for the whole material creation. Such redemption and regeneration would be possible only as God Himself suffered the just penalty for human sin.
    God's own beloved Son would come into the world as the "Son of Man" (I Pet. 1:20-21). Though "foreordained before the foundation of the world", it was only in "these last limes" that He was manifest for those who, through Him, believe in God, Who is our hope. Born of a virgin: He would live a perfect life, as the express image of the Father's person and effulgence of His glorious attributes; but also as a servant - having come "not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many", (Matt. 20:28). He would not only redeem us from the bondage and condemnation of sin; He would also make provision to cleanse us from its filthiness, and save us from sinning!
    As the "Son of Man", and God's "Elect Servant" universal authority was given to Jesus - the One anointed of God to be King of the earth! (Isa. 32:1; John 5:22, 27). As the "Son of David" He was authorized to establish, on earth, a kingdom of righteousness, (Matt. 1:1; 21:9; Lk. 1:32; Rom. 1:3-4). One day He will restore the whole creation to its Edenic purity and share with His faithful people the privilege of being co-heirs, with

Him, in His everlasting kingdom of righteousness: "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together", (Rom. 8:17).
    Before the foundation of the world God chose, in Christ, a people who "should be holy and without blame before him in love", (Eph. 1:4-7; comp. 1 Pet. 1:2). This is "the Gospel of the grace of God", Who has so richly bestowed His favor upon undeserving sinners! It is also called "the Gospel of the Kingdom" - the "good news" of God's ultimate triumph over the kingdoms of this world - wherein He will transform them into "the kingdom of His dear Son",(Rev. 11:15). It seems, therefore, that this "everlasting gospel is "good news" to all who are still faithful to God's word - "good news" that the Divine Program is moving ahead, exactly on schedule, and that God's triumph will soon be obvious to all!

    From the very beginning God has been concerned for the redemption of all men. His love reached out to the whole world of mankind, (Jn. 3:16-18). Jesus Christ has "tasted death for every man", (Heb. 2:9), It is not God's will that any perish, but that all men should repent, be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, (1 Tim. 2:4; cf. 2 Pet. 3:9).
    God proclaimed the gospel to Abraham in assuring him that, through his seed, "all nations of the earth" would be blessed, (Gal. 3:8; cf. Gen. 22:18). When, at Mt. Sinai, He brought Israel into a special relationship of covenant fellowship with Himself, it was to the end that the nation might be an instrument through which the Gospel of His righteousness, love, mercy, grace and peace might be declared to all nations!
    It is true that He was the God of Israel in a unique sense. However, He could be "the God of the Gentiles also" - and without the slightest diminishing of His rich bounty toward Israel!

Though they promised to obey His voice, to walk in His way and to keep His commandments, they utterly failed. Instead of extolling the glories of Jehovah's name, they so dishonored it as to become a stumbling-block and reproach to their neighbors. Though God was patient, forbearing and longsuffering with them; though He repeatedly raised up prophets who called them to repentance: though He stretched out His chastening hand against them, they would not repent! They would not walk uprightly before Him! They would not obey His voice!
    Because of their disobedient unbelief, they ultimately forfeited the privilege of special nearness to Jehovah, the God of their fathers. Furthermore, they were severed from the relationship of covenant fellowship with Him and declared to be "Lo-Ammi" - 'NOT MY PEOPLE'!
    Then, one day, in fulfillment of prophecies made by Isaiah (40:3) and Malachi (3:1-3), John the Baptist, a man sent from God, suddenly appeared in the wilderness of Judea - calling upon the Israelites to "Repent! for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand"! (Matt. 3:1-3).
    In a marvelous manifestation of Divine mercy and grace, God sent His own beloved Son to seek and to save "the lost sheep of the house of Israel", (Lk. 19:10; Matt. 15:24). He also called upon them to repent, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 4:17). By His miracles and deeds of mercy, He set before them such divine credentials as were designed to accredit Him to them as the unique "Son of David" and "King of Israel"! But they said, "We will not have this man to rule over us"! and crucified Him - nailing Him to the cross of Calvary.
    With brokenness of heart Jesus had wept over Jerusalem saying: "0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see

henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord",(Matt. 23:37-39).
    More tragic still are the words recorded in John 5:39-44: "Search [Ye are searching] the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye WILL NOT come to me that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name [with all the credentials of heavenly authority], and ye receive me not; if another shall come in his own name [the Antichrist], him ye will receive".
    Before He went away, the Son of man established and commissioned a new witnessing agency to proclaim the honor of his name. To His church He gave "the Gospel of the Kingdom" and the responsibility of calling out from among the Gentiles a people for His own possession and kingdom, (Acts 15:14-18). We fulfil this responsibility by obeying the three-fold commission given His church just prior to His ascension to the Father's right hand, (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15; Acts 1:8). As New Testament churches:
    1. We are to "make disciples" of all nations.
    2. We are to "baptize disciples" in the name of the triune God.
    3. We are to "instruct disciples" teaching them to observe all things whatsoever [our Lord has] commanded" -- witnessing "in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth"!
    4. As we do this, we have His faithful promise: "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the consummation of the age". That is, He has promised to be with us day-by-day as we walk in the way of His commandments!

LET'S BE PRACTICAL!

    What are we actually doing about our Lord's commission? Are we faithfully, courageously, lovingly, zealously and expectantly witnessing to precious souls for whom Christ died? Or, have we decided there is NO USE? That they are all so gospel-hardened, so steeped in sin, so abandoned to the pursuit of pleasure, or of worldly gain, that they are beyond the power of God? Do we sit and whine and wonder why God is not doing such marvelous things IN OUR DAY as He did in times past?!
    Brethren, let us be honest! Is it not possible that we are seeing so little manifestation of the convicting power of God simply because of OUR OWN UNBELIEF? Because of our failure to bear witness of God's love and saving power? Is it possible that, because of such unbelief, we are fast approaching the place where, like Israel of old, we too will forfeit the privilege of such nearness to God as enables one to bear an acceptable witness for the honor of His name? Because we ARE NOT FIT to bear it?
    I submit that the dreadful possibility is worth such serious consideration as ought to lead us to REPENTANCE, and to a renewed dedication of our lives to the actual lordship and service of our soon-coming Lord!
    It is not without significance that, in a context dealing specifically with the "signs" of His second coming, Jesus said: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come", (Matt. 24:14). But, how shamefully few seem to know anything about the kingdom of God today; far less who have the courage to declare the precious goodness of His glorious fulness!
    It is quite evident from the Scriptures that, in the last days, the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ will NOT BE TRIUMPHANT - in the sense of winning the world for Christ! Anyone who is halfway honest, and capable of discerning what is happening in this age, must admit that "evil men and seducers are getting worse and

worse, deceiving and being deceived" - just as the Word of God foretold! Influenced by abounding iniquity, the love of many who were once zealous for God and truth, and the rescuing of precious souls, has become COLD! Not just lukewarm; but C-O-L-D - COLD!
    Can you think of any more logical reason why God's house is almost abandoned on Sunday and Wednesday evenings? And it is a good question to be asked in any church where there is anything less than absolute dedication to the service of Jesus, and faithfulness in meeting together, regularly, with His people.
    Does someone reply: "But, preacher, you just don't seem to realize how INCONVENIENT that would be! How it does WEAR ME OUT! or, What I would have to give up!"
    Would you really use such nonsense in addressing Him Who laid aside His heavenly glory, majesty and honor; Who came to this sin darkened world; endured its unbelief, ridicule, mockery, spitting, rejection, hatred, 39 stripes from a Roman whip: being betrayed by one of his apostles, denied by another, and forsaken by them all? Under the burden of YOUR sins and MINE, He went to the cross of Calvary where He poured out His life's blood - yet pleaded for His murderers: "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do"! And YOU FIND IT INCONVENIENT to spend two extra hours each week to meet with brethren , whom you profess to love, that, in a united spirit and in the bonds of peace, we may lift our hearts in loving adoration, worship and praise, before the awesome majesty and glory and power of Him Who so loved us UNWORTHY SINNERS as to give His precious life for us on the cross of Calvary!
    No wonder we are seeing so little manifestation of His saving power among us! And whom will we blame? Who is it that really seems to CARE?

FIRST-LOVE FORSAKEN?

    To the church at Ephesus, the risen Christ spoke through His servant, John, saying: "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore front whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent", (Rev. 2:4-5).
    To an aristocratic, self-sufficient, self-satisfied church, at Laodicea - a church that felt it had need of nothing He could offer - Jesus made this appeal: "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest he rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock: if ANY MAN hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches"! (Rev. 3:18-22).
    How alarmingly many of God's own people today are willingly, knowingly, intentionally and DELIBERATELY turning aside from what they know to be the commandment of the Lord -- simply because they DO NOT WANT TO OBEY HIS VOICE! They do not love Him with all their heart, soul, strength and mind, as He has commanded. They just LOVE THEMSELVES!
    Is it, therefore, any wonder that Jesus asked; "When the Son of Man cometh, shall he find [the] faith on the earth"? (Lk. 18:8) Where may He expect to find it, if not in the lives of those who PROFESS TO LOVE AND SERVE HIM? Those whom He has purchased with His own precious blood?
    If I am living when Jesus comes, I want Him to find such a faith IN ME! And I want Him to find it IN YOU! If you cannot clearly

recognize that our society is seriously competing with Sodom and Gomorrah for such notoriety as will soon call down the wrath of God upon it, you had better get some of the "eyesalve" that Jesus prescribed for the Laodiceans!

    This message is directed "to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, kindred, and tongue, and people". It is universal in its appeal. God is still "no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness is accepted with Him", (Acts 10:34-35). He never sends judgment upon any people without, first, giving them fair warning and an opportunity to avert it.
    To me, this is ample evidence that God still has not changed His attitude or purpose; until the stroke of judgment falls, He is ready, willing and able to save all who will come to Him, in repentance and faith, on the basis of the sacrifice made by His precious Son at Calvary! Evidencing His continuing care, God dispatches this heavenly messenger with a final call to repentance: a call to ALL MEN to acknowledge their sin-guiltiness, to admit their total inability to eradicate sin from their lives and free themselves from its bondage, and to personally, and positively, turn FROM their sin UNTO the saving provision that God has made in Jesus Christ. His beloved Son. "Whosoever will" may still partake of the "water of life -- FREELY"!
    But, hear the angelic exhortation. "Fear God and give Him glory"! Surely reverence and glory are due His holy name! Here is a clarion call to turn away from glorying in a beastly world system that has been established in opposition to the true and Living God; to give glory WHERE IT IS DUE! Doubtless, the whole of mankind has been astounded by the marvelous power which the Beast and False Prophet have displayed, (Rev. 13:12-14). But they must soon face One with whose awesome majesty, power, holiness, glory and dignity the Beast and False Prophet are not worthy of being compared - and before whom they will be CRUSHED! Their glory leads to shame!

    "Worship Him that created the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water"! Worship is, basically, the expression of a proper heart-attitude toward God, wherein He is regarded and approached as the pre-eminently Worthy One! It was originally thought of as "worth-ship". The very essence of true worship is expressed in the doxology recorded in Revelation 5:9-13. Being both our Creator and Redeemer, the true and living God alone is worthy of our worship. To worship the Beast is not only worship of one who is unworthy; it will shut a person up in a prison of eternal regret and ceaseless torment!

    "For the hour of his judgment IS COME". Here is nothing less than a final, loving, caring, gracious and merciful CALL TO REPENTANCE! (John 12:47; 5:22-23, 27; Acts 17:31; Dan. 7:13-14). The Beast demands - not only the worship of all men, but also that they wear his mark in their hands and foreheads. But John sees a third angel with a warning against such madness, (vs. 9-11). Here comes a real TEST of the patience of the saints - who, through patience, "possess their souls"! Here will be found a few who will, indeed, "Keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" - enduring to the end.
    How wonderfully blessed are those who, in this time, "die in the Lord", rather than deny His holy name! (vs. 12-13). They are pictured as entering into an experience of REFRESHMENT - following a period of toil under great adversity, (comp. Matt. 11:18-19). But they will receive an abundant entrance into the "Land and Life of Rest" - the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ! Their works follow with them: not to be burned, as "wood, hay and stubble", but to their eternal enrichment! They will be forever enriched by a fellow-sharing of the vast riches, glory, honor and power of the triumphant "Lamb of God"!
    -- Eugene L. Garner (A message delivered at the St. Louis Fellowship, 1992)

HOPE IN THE MIDST OF TRIAL
Scripture Lesson: 1 Peter 1:6-9.

    "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, mighty be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls".
    INTRODUCTION: Here is what someone has called "A Christian Paradox": "sorrowful, yet rejoicing", (2 Cor. 6:10). There inevitably comes into the lives of God's people such trials and sufferings as bring: perplexity to our minds, tears to our eyes and heaviness to our hearts. Yet, in the midst of it all, there is a deep, settled, inexplicable peace and joy. Trials are an essential, inescapable part of our experience in this life -- divinely ordered for our good!
    Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations, (vs. 6).
    God has provided an adequate basis for our present joy "in Christ". The word that Peter here uses for "rejoice" [Gk. "agalliao"] suggests an active, energetic expression of joy -- meaning "to leap for joy, to exult". It suggests a vigorous exultation in the Gospel of Christ and His coming Kingdom of righteousness.
    Paul repeatedly called on his brethren to "Rejoice", (Rom. 5:2; Phil. 3:1; 4:4; 1 Thes. 5:16).
    The "joy of the Lord" is the strength of His people, (Neh. 8:10). Like Peter and Paul, the beloved John wanted his "little children" to be filled with this joy, (I John 3:1-3).
    But, the ecstasies of life must sometimes be mixed with grief. Thus, James urged: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall

into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience", (Jas. 1:2-3). And Peter later echoes this same spirit: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall he revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy", (I Pet. 4: 12-13).
    "If need be" suggests that "trials" are sometimes essential to our spiritual completion. "It is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing", (I Pet. 3:17). "For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men", (1 Pet. 2:15). "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful creator", (I Pet. 4:19). Always concerned for the will of God, the apostle Paul bade farewell to his brethren at Ephesus, saying: "I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will", (Acts 18:21).
    Christ, our Lord, suffered in our behalf; rather than ["instead of"] the heavenly joy that was set before Him, He chose to endure the cross -- though despising the shame attached to it, (Heb. 12:2). Such was His love for us unworthy sinners! The servant-disciple is not better than his Master; it is enough that he be "as his Master", (John 13:16; Matt. 10:25). As He suffered for us, we may also suffer "for His sake", (Acts 9:16; Phil. 1:29; 1 Pet. 3:14; Col. 1:24-25).
    By God's grace, the heaviness [sorrow] that we must endure is but for "a little while". Peter gives the assurance (5:10) "But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect [complete], stablish, strengthen, settle you". The word Peter

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    At mail time last month the editor had a hard fall on an icy parking lot, following a Wednesday evening service. An emergency room doctor reported two fractured vertebrae (neck and upper back).
    A visit to my own doctor, who had the radiologist's report, showed that there were actually no fractures, just bruises. As of February 15, most of the soreness is gone - except for a lingering problem with the right shoulder, which no one noticed. Thanks to those of you who, being aware, remembered me in your prayers. E.G.