2008 – Volume 19
The Jewish Diaspora: 135 to the Fall of Rome¹
BAR KOKHBA'S REBELLION (132-135 AD) The last agonized moans of the crucified on Jerusalem's walls fell still, drowned out by the steady tramp of a heavy military occupation that followed the failed Great Jewish Revolt (70-73 AD). The Second Temple was destroyed by the Roman siege on August 4, 70 AD. This date is the 9th of Av on the Jewish calendar. As prophesied, [...]
“Towards God” (John 1:1)
The efforts of the outstanding scholar and Christian John Wycliffe in the 1370's produced the first English Bible translation still somewhat readable. Written by hand on costly parchment, these precious texts were concealed and carried throughout England by preachers willing to risk their lives so that God's work could be made intelligible to the common people. With his characteristic intellectual boldness, Wycliffe in this [...]
Memorial Observances
"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" (Corinthians 5:7). FOUR QUESTIONS Considerations about the Memorial observance were treated in February 1996, when four questions were answered.1 (1) Since Bible Students link the celebration of Memorial to the Passover observance and use the Jewish calendar to [...]
The Convincing Spirit of Truth
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:7-8). What did Jesus mean when he [...]
The Sons of Aaron and Levi
"Who may abide the day [now present] of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver" (Malachi 3:1-6). All those calling upon the name of the [...]
Our Glorious Crown
"Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest' " (Zechariah 6:9-11, NAS). No cross, no crown. This spiritual axiom is clearly expressed in Scripture. "It is a faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign [...]
Carl Hagensick
Born September 17, 1934 Changed May 23, 2008 After dealing with a paralyzing stroke for some 19 years Bro. Carl Hagensick, a founding editor and frequent contributor to Beauties of the Truth, has finished his earthly pilgrimage. He leaves behind a legacy of devoted service to the brethren all over the world. Bro. Carl was personally involved in many special projects that have blessed [...]
Elijah’s Sleeping Baal
There is a pertinent and interesting parallel to Elijah's mocking words in 1 Kings 18:7 that has gone unnoticed until recently.1 When the priests of Baal fail to get any response from their god, Elijah mocks them saying, "call loudly ... perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened." Aside from the biting satire, Elijah's words may recall some cultic awakening of the [...]
Jeremiah
"The word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign ... unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month" (Jeremiah 1:2, 3). Jeremiah was Jehovah's prophet to Israel, and to [...]
“The Lord is Near to All who Call on Him.” (Psalm 145:18)
I work in a large university, and much of my time is spent helping students solve academic and personal problems. While my work is rewarding, it is sometimes overwhelming, even though I know that God uses me to help people who are facing difficulties. Toward the end of the academic year, I was exhausted from helping other people find solutions. One morning when a [...]
Three and a Half Years
"In the midst of the week, he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease" (Daniel 9:27). Thus are the 3½ years of our Master's earthly ministry defined - half of the last, or seventieth week, of the prophecy. Probably all would agree that these are the most important 3½ years for the human race. During this time the very son of God himself [...]
Jeremiah’s Enemies Uncovered
In Jeremiah 20:1-6, 38:1, Pashur was a priest, and Gedaliah his son. Both were enemies of Jeremiah. Recently evidence directly linked to this passage of scripture was unearthed at Jerusalem's ancient City of David, this time corroborating the Book of Jeremiah.1 A completely intact seal impression, or "bula," bearing the name Gedaliahu ben Pashur was uncovered. The bula is actually a stamped engraving made [...]
The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
"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. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, [...]
John Huss, Martyr
John Huss was the bold reformer who took up the spirit of Wycliffe, who predeceased Huss by 31 years. Huss laid the groundwork for the Reformation of Martin Luther a century later. He was also a master at Charles University in Prague, and produced extensive writings. Richard II, King of England, married Anne of Bohemia, and travelling back to Bohemia brought Wycliffe's ideas with [...]
Solomon – and his Glory
In Matthew 6:28, 29 Jesus speaks of how splendidly our Heavenly Father clothes the lilies of the field. He tells us that their beauty rivals even Solomon's glory. We see that despite Solomon's failings, memories of his glorious reign were one of his abiding legacies. Let us ask two questions about the life of Solomon. First, are his failings consistent with his prayer for [...]
The Wedding
"She is all glorious within" (Psalms 45:13). For upward of twenty centuries the door has stood open for the completion of the Church; but the time must come when she will stand before the Son of God, adorned as a bride for her husband (Revelation 21:2, R6024). All eyes in the celestial realm are on the bridal pair. The bride's beauty of form, her [...]
Newton Republished
While working for civil defense in Washington, a former congressman showed me through the old building of the Library of Congress. In the rare book section, I decided to look in the card catalogue under Isaac Newton. I heard he wrote about religion but had never seen any published materials. The library had a complete list of Newton's published work with only one book [...]
Kohen-Levi Conference
"The Gathering of the Tribe," Jerusalem, July 2007 As a follow-up to the article, "The Sons of Aaron and Levi," Beauties of the Truth, 19, 1 (February 2008), a reader from Germany noticed mention of a conference for Levites in Jerusalem July 15-19, 2007. These dates commemorate the traditional remembrance of the death of Aaron. "Just days before the holiday commemorating the destruction of [...]
Enoch, Methu- selah, Lamech
Enoch, Methuselah and Lamech were the last patriarchs before Noah, in the genealogy of Genesis chapter five. Enoch is mentioned by the Apostle Jude as "Enoch ... the seventh from Adam," who prophesied of the judgment coming (Jude 1:14). That judgment was the flood, but Jude's mention of it shows that the judgment then also applies to something future from Jude's day. Also, Jesus [...]