Greetings to one and all in our dear Saviour’s name, Jesus Christ. Another year has passed from the present into the annals of history. Nothing that we have said or done can be recalled and re-lived. Another year is before us. Many are waiting with bated breath, anticipating what this new year will bring forth.
I read somewhere in the news that those on the frontier of technology believe that this year will be a big year for artificial intelligence. One example given was: they are anticipating that this technology will be able to be a part of events such as board meetings with the ability to hear and understand all that is shared by each one present. Then at the end of the meeting, with the push of a button, the artificial intelligence will produce detailed minutes of that meeting with a fair degree of accuracy. Over the last number of years, many of the things that used to be considered science fiction have recently become reality, so, likely, this will become a new reality as well.
What is this world coming to? To the Bible-literate Christian, the end of time certainly seems to be fast approaching. According to the United Nations, the world’s population surpassed 8 billion on November 15, 2022. Many in the world are desperately trying to figure out how to sustain that many people for the long term. Just like the Bible has prophesied, there is an uptick in the number of famines, drought, floods, earthquakes, wars, and rumors of wars, etc. One thing that I find interesting is that even though the world does not want to retain God in their knowledge, insurance companies still refer to certain specific events as “acts of God”.
As Bible-believing Christians how shall we then live? And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet –Matthew 24:6. Let us remember that we should not be troubled. Rather, we should remember that …he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved –Matthew 24:13. If we, like Peter, take our eyes off of our Lord and start focusing on the stormy conditions around us we will start to sink as well. Remember, it is …the fearful, and unbelieving … [who] shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone… –Revelation 21:8. But, He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son –Revelation 21:7.
In this issue of the magazine, we again have an interesting group of articles for your consideration. Join us as we learn of a somewhat obscure, yet influential leader of the early Anabaptist movement in Switzerland. Let’s honestly evaluate our own hearts as we follow the expository teaching from Habakkuk regarding what it means to have a real faith that is first personal, then corporate. Together we can consider what it really means to enter into the rest of God that is detailed in Hebrews chapter four. The youth can take a look into their emotions as they consider those times when they feel like giving up. The author for our sisters’ article has tackled a very difficult subject—when and how to be submissive as a godly wife. We have another thought-provoking article in the discipleship series. And the doctor has chosen to venture into some uncharted territory with the first of a two-part series on cancer.
A final thought I wish to share, a story in fact… Recently, I heard a first-hand account of a man who was lost before God, how he came to spiritual awakening, and how this started affecting his life. This story caused me to stop and consider where I am as a Christian. Is my relationship with my Lord vibrant? How strong is my commitment towards God and His Word? Is my love for my Lord and Saviour still as real and as strong as it was when I first had my awakening and was converted? I’m sure there are more questions that we could ask ourselves in light of this real-life story. I’ll let you as a reader start compiling your own list. Now for the story…
This man is living somewhere within the United States of America. He is a married man with a young family. He is part of a certain religious group within the plain people—those of Anabaptist heritage. Throughout his lifetime he had endeavored to live his life according to the mandates set forth by the leaders of his local church. Yet, for some reason, he had not been finding answers to his personal need, whatever that was—perhaps even he didn’t know.
This man and some of his family were traveling and ended up lodging overnight in a motel. There, in the nightstand drawer he discovered a book titled “The Holy Bible”. Sure, in his church the Bible was read or quoted each week during their normal worship services. Although this man understood English quite well, his church had a policy that they did not want to be too worldly or too modern by reading from an English Bible so they continued their efforts of teaching God’s Word using the original language of their people.
The problem was that this man, somehow, never developed an understanding of that language, thus he never heard the truth of God’s Word. All that he heard was what 1 Corinthians chapter 14 refers to as tongues (languages) and since he didn’t understand the language and since there was no interpretation given, he was not able to be edified. The purpose of this story is not to find fault or to place blame, but rather to bring light to an obvious problem among some of the plain people. A problem for which God would surely desire to see changes made for the betterment of those seeking Him in such settings.
With this in mind, we now come back to this man—a man zealous in his religious life—yet having NEVER heard the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As he hesitantly picked up this English Bible he cautiously started to read the message contained within those book covers. As he read, he became more and more excited. Here were things that he had never heard before—teachings that brought sense to his many questions and the emptiness that he felt within his soul. He was so engrossed that he almost couldn’t pull himself away to allow time for sleep. After a short night, they went on with their travels.
Completing their business they returned home, but life would never be the same for that man. Something had been awakened deep within his soul. Questions had been answered. Longings had been met. Peace had begun to settle over his troubled heart. At long last, he had found the answer, but his time of reading had been so short. Surely there was more to learn, much more. So, before too much time had elapsed, he once more scheduled a trip to get away from his local area and to once more provide a reason to spend another night in a motel with a Bible in the nightstand drawer. He eagerly anticipated another night alone with God and His Word. After a second sleepless night spent devouring the teachings of the Scriptures, he started seeking others who understood and practiced what the Bible said. He was desiring to fellowship and learn all that he could from those who understood God’s Word and who practiced what they preached.
As this man has endeavored to find his way through this confusing maze of religious idiosyncrasies he finally purchased a German/English Bible. He felt driven in his continued pursuit of the Truth, yet he was afraid to be found out by his local church leaders. He wanted to stay within his local church, yet his conscience demanded that he must continue his search. For some reason he believed that his local church leaders would not be understanding in his quest for truth and that maybe he would be placed under church discipline for his actions.
His local church is a part of the descendants of the Anabaptists who were persecuted for their faith, including their desire to understand, and read the Scriptures in their native tongue—Swiss or German, instead of Latin as was required by the church leaders of their day. Yet here he is, some 500 years later, in America, possibly facing persecution from his own church which claims to be a part of the “right” church of God. Herein, his church leaders are finding themselves on the opposite side of the issue of freedom of religious worship that their forefathers suffered for, since they are insisting that the only way to learn of God’s will is through the official language of Scripture—German. This is NO different than the struggle of the original Anabaptists who were persecuted for not studying the Scriptures in the official language of their day—Latin.
Let’s remember, IF church members do not understand the teachings of God’s Word due to their church leaders’ stubborn insistence that the church members are NOT allowed to read or hear the Scriptures in the language that they understand, then the ignorance of the common man WILL be laid at the feet of those leaders come judgment day. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account… –Hebrews 13:17. Obey here is only in the context of God’s Word, not just according to church leaders’ personal ideas or whims. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad –2 Corinthians 5:10. Every person will receive personal judgment based on what the Bible teaches NOT according to a church’s detailed dogma.
When I think of the zealous efforts of this man I think of the verse of Scripture… When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel –Matthew 8:10. I also observe the current trends of some of our plain publishing houses—they have borrowed from the world’s idea (in a spiritual way, of course) that to sell books and reading material they need to print exhilarating stories, ones that keep people on the edge of their seats—all this because today’s Christian has become bored with that which seems old-fashioned.
What a difference between this story and many of today’s Anabaptist descendants. Many of today’s conservative Anabaptist people have a difficult time getting excited about the Bible. They are too over-stimulated by the lack of rest and quiet in their normal daily lives.
Usually, we hear of stories like this from the jungles of Central America, the deserts of Africa, or the slums of India. What I am amazed about is that this story takes place right in the midst of one of our plain groups of conservative Anabaptists. Let’s seek God for opportunities to share the truth of the Gospel message with those within the sphere of our influence. We might be surprised how many people we rub shoulders with during our daily lives who would be just as hungry for the Truth as the man in our story.
