Author: Cox, Stan

Article 2 of 3 refuting the A.D. 70 Doctrine. This article introduces the doctrine, and begins refuting some of the major tenants of the error.

Part 1 of a concise refutation of the A.D. 70 Doctrine. Part 1 consists of an introduction to the study, and a concise examination of what the Bible actually teaches about the end times. It is titled: Bible Eschatology

Watchman Magazine resumes publication in a slightly altered format, with a new slate of writers, in January 2010!

While I can not say that the work in India is more important than any other, it surely has a special place in my heart. These are good and faithful Christians, and the potential for the salvation of many souls is very clear. As is always the case, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (cf. Matthew 9:37).

There is no pattern for gaining spiritual growth through recreational or social means. When works defined as “edifying” are related in scripture, they invariably are spiritual works. We are edified through worship to God, prayer, singing, the preaching of the gospel of Christ. As we are admonished to, “…see that you make all things according to the pattern…” (cf. Hebrews 8:5), such silence precludes our participating in such social activities as the church.

Because God is holy, his call for man to be holy is proper. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

Back to the movie. I haven’t seen it, and do not plan to go. As a Bible believer, I have what I believe to be the inspired account of Jesus’ crucifixion, and it is sufficient for me and my family. My faith is not dependant upon Hollywood (a fact for which we can all be grateful!). I have a vivid enough imagination to picture the suffering of my Lord, and do not need my senses assaulted by special effect wizardry. Besides, it seems to me the physical suffering, (the primary focus of the movie) is secondary to the spiritual. The key, according to the apostle Peter, is the fact that Christ “bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).

In the church, Christ must always come first. If we have truly counted the cost, we know this. Our lives should mirror this recognition. It should be evident in our own actions, and in our instructions to our children, as we seek to bring them up “training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

It is wrong and dangerous to interpret the Bible in light of the popular scientific theory of the day. The Bible is inspired and infallible, men are not. Our understanding of nature should be influenced by scripture, not the other way around. Some may claim such is anti-science, unscientific, ignorant and superstitious. But, as Christians we must remember that we are primarily people of faith. “Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar…” (Romans 3:4).

Love is the foundation of all that is Christian. It is the reason for our hope of redemption, (“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son…” John 3:16); It is the reason we serve God, (“If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15); It is what motivates us to preach the gospel to the lost, (“I am a debtor both to the Greeks and the barbarians, both to the wise and the unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel…” Romans 1:14-15); It is the foundation for our relationship as brethren in Christ, (“And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” 1 John 4:21).

The nature of the hope is sure because it is God who reserves it for us. Because of God’s faithfulness, we can know that what He promised we will receive. The object we hope for is of inestimable value, “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven” for each of us. It is this hope which motivates us each day as we live for Jesus.

Faith is inextricably tied in with the word of God. Scripture gives us everything we need to be “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). If we wish to have that faith, without which “it is impossible to please Him”, then we must immerse ourselves in the hearing of His word. May we all do this very thing.

Without going into detail concerning John Calvin’s theories on the sovereignty of God, or Martin Luther’s rejection of James 2, we will simply state that Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9 affirms salvation by grace, but does not intend to deny the necessity of man’s obedience to God.

The concept of obedience to law is rather controversial among the religious today. Because of the Holy Spirit’s teaching regarding the Law of Moses, as contrasted with salvation by Grace through Faith, some equate the idea of obedience to God’s law with the concept of meriting salvation. This is not so.

And so the entirety of Bible history, from the creation of man, to God’s promises to Abraham, to the sojourn of the children of Israel in Egypt, to the giving of the law on Mount Sinai, to the habitation of the land of Canaan by Israel, to the judgments, captivity and restoration of that nation, to the birth and life of Jesus of Nazareth, all point to the cross, and the subsequent victory over death in Christ’s resurrection.

Every aspect of our lives is impacted by God’s holiness. The perfect sinlessness of the Son of God should ever be before us. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth’” (1 Peter 2:21-22). The holiness of God is awesome, and should inspire in us a quiet reverence, and a holy life.

God is longsuffering, loving, merciful, wise, omnipresent, perfect, righteous, unchangeable, and unsearchable. As the Psalmist said, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.” (Psalms 139:6).

We must have the authorization of our Lord before doing anything as his servants. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

The Lord’s Supper is a wonderful and serious commemoration of our Lord’s sacrificial death. We must examine ourselves, to ensure we are seriously and sincerely observing it. The Corinthians failed in this, and were admonished by Paul, “Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” We should heed his warning to them, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:27-28).

As in all acts of worship to God, our service in this must be rendered in “spirit and in truth” (cf. John 4:24). We must examine our hearts, and give ourselves first, that our liberality will commend us to God. In so doing, as it was with the Philippians, God “shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).