Monthly Archives: October 2023

CHRISTIAN LIVING

“TEN DOLLARS BILL GREEN AMERICAN” — BOB PRICHARD

Among items in a display at the National Archives is a letter to Franklin Roosevelt, dated November 6, 1940, postmarked from Santiago, Cuba. To “my good friend Roosevelt. I am twelve years old. I am boy but think very much I do not think I am writting (sic) to the President of the United States. If you like, give me a ten dollars bill green american and I would like to have one of them.” The letter was signed “Sr. Fidel Castro.” Edwards Park comments: “The future premier of Cuba got an acknowledgment, but no ten bucks. Pity. Might have changed the political profile of the Western Hemisphere” (Smithsonian, February 1989). 

Would “ten dollars bill green american” have really changed the political profile of the Western Hemisphere? Perhaps. Perhaps not. But what about “ten dollars bill green american” in the hands of a dedicated missionary carrying the gospel to Cuba? Could Christians in American have changed the course of political history by intervening with the gospel? Certainly!

Jesus had a special interest in children. When the disciples asked who was greatest in the kingdom, He said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:3-6). 

We all have responsibilities to children, to do all we can to teach and prepare, to “receive them in his name,” while also being sure that we do nothing to hinder their righteous development by “offending” one of them. What could the church do today if every member had enough interest in young people to invest a little more time, energy, and money in their development here and abroad? If each one would just give “ten dollars bill green american” extra this year, what could we accomplish? Is “ten dollars bill green american” too much to ask?

CHRISTIAN LIVING

“FIGHTING SPREADS DEVILS’ CANCER” — BOB PRICHARD

The headline on my article came from the cover of the February 4, 2006 issue of Science News. You can bet when I saw that headline, I had to read the accompanying article. The devils discussed in the article are some fierce creatures from Tasmania, with the scientific name Sarcophilus harissii, but with the common nameTasmanian devils. Scientists at the University of Tasmania in Hobart have found that fighting Tasmanian devils have been transmitting cancer by biting one another on the neck and face. The resulting tumors usually cause the animal to die of starvation within six months of the lesions appearing.

The real Devil also kills by biting and devouring. Peter warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

We must be careful that we do not fall into the devil’s trap by acting like little devils ourselves. Paul writes, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:13-16). 

My favorite cartoon character is Taz, the Tasmanian devil. I like to see him whirling around in that tornado, because I know that some comic mayhem is going to happen. Comic mayhem is one thing, but real mayhem in the church is certainly not comic. Let us see that we do not bite and devour one another!

Blog, CHRISTIAN LIVING

ASTRONOMY IN PERSPECTIVE — BOB PRICHARD

An astronomer once remarked to Fulton J. Sheen: “To an astronomer, man is nothing but an infinitesimal dot in an infinite universe.” “An interesting point of view,” Sheen responded, “but you seem to forget that your infinitesimal dot of a man is still the astronomer.”

David reminds us of what man the astronomer sees when he looks into the skies. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (Psalm 19:1-4).

In view of God’s majesty, David marveled that the Creator of the universe would have so much concern for man. “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet” (Psalm 8:3-6).

Isn’t it mind boggling to realize that God has not only entrusted man with a world to care for, but also sacrificed His Son for the sins of mankind? “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:6-11).

IN-DEPTH ARTICLES, NEW TESTAMENT, REVELATION

THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA — BOB PRICHARD

The seven churches of Asia were blessed by being the first recipients of the revelation given to John on the Lord’s Day on Patmos. The first of the seven beatitudes of the Revelation promised, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3). The Alpha and Omega, the first and the last ordered John to write in a book what he would see, and send it to these seven congregations. The Lord’s message was tailored to the specific needs of each congregation, with correction of error and encouragement and blessing for “he that hath an ear to hear.”   

The message to the seven churches was needed then. It dealt with “things which must shortly come to pass” (1:1). Those who overlook the immediate message of the letters to the actual congregations, and try to mold them into an outline of history do violence to the text. The Christians of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea were real people, living in real cities on the subcontinent of Asia Minor, now the nation of Turkey.

Each of the letters has common characteristics. Each is addressed to the “angel of the church,” likely its evangelist. In each letter Christ identifies Himself with characteristics from His description in chapter one. Each letter begins with a commendation of the good He sees in the congregation, with the exception of Laodicea which received no commendation. Each receives a reprimand for its shortcomings, with the exception of Smyrna and Philadelphia, which received no reprimand. Each received a promise for its faithfulness.

These “perfect seven” congregations were not the only congregations in Asia Minor, but likely formed a roughly circular postal route, beginning with Ephesus, the city closest to John on Patmos. The intention was to share all seven letters, as well as the rest of the Revelation with these and the other congregations.  After mentioning Laodicea and Hierapolis, Paul told the Colossians, “when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:16).

These Christians faced a secular world not unlike ours, and the cloud of emperor worship hung over them. The general message is encouragement that the one whose number is 666 will be decisively defeated.

EPHESUS (2:1-7). Ephesus was the foremost city of Asia Minor, commanding the Cayster River basin. It was the home of the temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. On his second missionary journey, Paul came to Ephesus from Corinth, accompanied by Aquila and Priscilla, and reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue (Acts 18:18-21). Returning later, Paul baptized twelve men who knew only the baptism of John and then spoke boldly in the synagogue for about three months (Acts 19:1-9). On his third missionary journey he stayed there for three years (Acts 20:31).  His work hurt the sale of items for Diana, resulting in a riot that forced Paul to leave town.

The Lord who knows well (Hebrews 4:13) commended their diligence in examining and exposing false apostles, and for their tireless labor, but He reprimanded them for leaving their first love, their love for one another and for Christ. He does not accuse them of having no love, but of a less-intense love. Unfortunately many Christians today lose their zeal for the Lord and His work with time. If they could restore that first love, they still might be pleasing to Him. Failure means removal of their lampstand. The overcomer will eat of the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God. 

SMYRNA (2:8-11). Smyrna was about fifty miles north of Ephesus, the busiest seaport of Asia Minor. It boasted many temples, including a temple erected in 23 A.D. in honor of Tiberius Caesar on the citadel overlooking the city. “The first and the last” addressed a church in tribulation and .poverty and persecution by the synagogue of Satan, made up of those not true Jews (Romans 2:28-29). He warned that they would have tribulation “ten days,” a relatively short time. Though they had become poor, likely because of their faithfulness, in the Lord’s eyes they were rich. The Lord encouraged faithfulness unto death (lifelong faithfulness as well as faithfulness unto the point of death) with the promise of a crown of life, a crown of victory. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12). He promised the overcomer that he would not be hurt of the second death.

PERGAMUM (2:12-17). Located aboutsixty-five miles northwest of Smyrna,had served as the capital of the kingdom of Mysia, and had boasted a library of 200,000 volumes which was given by Antony as a gift to Cleopatra. The temple of Zeus, the chief of the Greek gods, stood on a hill a thousand feet above the city. It was the home to temples to other Roman emperors, as well as Aesculapius, god of healing, associated with the serpent. The physician and writer Galen worked there in the second century A.D. The One with “the sharp sword with two edges” recognized that the Christians of Pergamum dwelt where Satan’s seat is—possibly referring to the temple of Zeus or the temple of Aesculapius. They had been loyal, even with the martyrdom of Antipas. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Despite their faithfulness, they had compromised with error, allowing the false doctrine of the Nicolaitans and those who followed in the footsteps of the false prophet Balaam (Numbers 25), teaching compromise on the issues of idolatry and fornication, the most abhorrent sins to God’s people. Without repentance, the Lord would fight against them with the sword of His mouth. To the overcomer he offered to eat of the hidden manna (heavenly bread) and to be given a white stone with the new name, likely the white stone of acquittal in court.

THYATIRA (2:18-29). Thyatira was a wealthy merchant city in northern Lydia on the Lycus River. It was the home of Lydia, the seller of purple and the first Christian in Europe (Acts 16:13-15). Many gods were worshipped, especially Aesculapius, Bacchus, Diana, and Apollo. It was dominated by trade guilds, which were closely aligned with pagan worship. “The Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass” commended the church because its last works were greater than the first, which should describe all growing Christians. However, they had suffered a Jezebel (1 Kings 16) to seduce Christians with idolatry and fornication. Though the Lord gave her time and opportunity to repent, she and her children would be killed with death, so that all would know the power of God. Those rejecting Jezebel were counseled to hold fast until His coming. He offered the overcomer power and rulership over the nations and the morning star.

SARDIS (3:1-6). Sardis was one of the oldest and most important cities of Asia Minor, noted for its natural defenses because of Mt. Tmolus and the Pactolus River. Destroyed by an earthquake in 17 A.D., it rebuilt with the help of its taxes remitted by Emperor Tiberius. The worship of Cybele, the mother goddess was prominent among its pagan religions. “He that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars” knew that Sardis had a name that it was alive but was dead. Its reputation did not square with its actual spiritual condition. Sardis was counseled to remember and hold fast and repent. He warned them to be watchful, a special message since the city had twice fallen to enemies because it was not watchful. The only commendation is that a few had not defiled their garments, so they would walk with Him in white. He promised the overcomer that his name would not be blotted out of the book of life.

Philadelphia (3:7-13). The “city of brotherly love” was founded about 189 B.C. It was renowned for its wines and the beauty of the city. The One that is holy and true, having the key of David, had no censure for this church. An open door of opportunity was before them, and although their strength was weak, they kept His word and did not deny His name. Because of their faithfulness, the Lord promised to keep them from the hour of temptation and to cause the synagogue of Satan to come and worship before them. He promised to make the overcomer a pillar in the temple of God, with the name of God and the New Jerusalem and His new name written upon him.

Laodicea (3:14-22). Laodicea was a wealthy city forty miles east of Ephesus on the Lycus River. It was known for its high grade black wool, banks and medical school which specialized in eye remedies. “The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God” found nothing to commend in the church at Laodicea. Its lukewarm spirit, like the lukewarm mineral waters of the area made Him sick. He preferred the honesty of coldness over the insincerity of lukewarmness. They thought themselves as rich, well-clothed and sighted, but were actually poor, naked and blind, and needed the true gold, raiment and eye-salve He offered. He continued to knock at the door of their hearts, but ends the letter still on the outside. Yet to the overcomer He offered to be set down on the throne of the Father with Him.

Recommended for further reading:

Barclay, William. Letters to the Seven Churches. Nashville: Abingdon, 1957.

Tolle, James M. The Seven Churches of Asia. Fullerton, CA: Tolle, 1968.

Yamauchi, Edwin M. New Testament Cities in Western Asia Minor. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1980.

(published in Gospel Advocate, 2012)

Blog, CHRISTIAN LIVING

HOW STRONG IS YOUR ROPE? — BOB PRICHARD

In his book, A Grief Observed, C. S. Lewis said, “You never know how much you really believe until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn’t you then first discover how much you really trusted it?”

Consider three questions: What kind of faith do you have in God and His word? Has your faith been tested yet? Have you been in that situation where it is a matter of life and death, hanging over that precipice? If your faith has not yet been tested, you can be sure that the time is coming when it will be tested. 

James said, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:17-20). 

Is your faith dead or alive? “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:21-24). Abraham was ready. His rope held, even to the point of sacrificing Isaac. How strong is your rope? Will it hold? If not, now is the time to strengthen it!

BIBLE QUESTIONS, CHURCH

DOES IT REALLY MATTER WHAT WE DO IN WORSHIP IF WE ARE SINCERE? — BOB PRICHARD

Sincerity in worship is important, but it is not the only or most important thing in worship. It is common for religious people today to think that as long as they are sincere, and enjoy or find meaningful what they are doing, they can do almost anything in worship. This has led to many innovations into worship, as people seek newer and more exciting worship. Modern man’s fascination with new things is not necessarily in accord with God’s will, however. Worship is of utmost importance to God. He demonstrated how serious it is many times, but perhaps no clearer than in the story of Nadab and Abihu.

Nadab and Abihu were the two elder sons of Aaron, the first high priest of the Israelites as they made their way to the Promised Land. As sons of Aaron, they served as priests, and went into the very presence of God. “Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:  And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness” (Exodus 24:9-10). They were leaders of the Israelite worship, and were in line to become the high priest upon Aaron’s death, but they lost their lives because they trifled with the worship of God (Numbers 3:4).

Moses described the death of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-2: “Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.” Nadab and Abihu died because they “offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.” They were priests, so they were the right people to lead the worship. They each had their censers used in worship, so they had the right implements to offer worship. They burned incense, which was a proper thing to do in worship. They were there at the tabernacle, the right place for worship. They were the right people, with the right implements of worship, doing the right thing, in the right place, but doing all of this in the wrong way, so God destroyed them! Even their father Aaron realized they had disobeyed God. “Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace” (Leviticus 10:3). 

Nadab and Abihu received instant punishment from God for disobeying Him by doing what He had not commanded. They were probably very sincere, but they displeased God. Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites because they cared more about what they wanted in worship than what God wanted. He condemned them, saying, “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:7-9). If we add anything to our worship that God has not commanded, then we are offering the vain worship of disobedience.