THE ROCKS CRY OUT

As Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, the disciples of Jesus were saying, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord” peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.”

This did not make the Pharisees happy at all. They even demanded that Jesus rebuke the disciples.

Jesus answer to them was recorded in Luke 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

Let me run back in history a little bit, all the way back to Amos 1:1 – The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

The Jordan River Valley is not just the place where the Jordan River flows. The valley exists because it is an active geological fault. It is the joint between two great continental plates. The west of the river is the African plate, and the east of the river is the Arabian plate. This fault gave the river a place to flow.

Like all geological faults, the Jordan Valley is a hotspot for earthquakes, and the Bible describes many of them. Perhaps the most devastating happened during the lifetime of Amos, which left a mark on the archaeology of the entire region. Ancient historian Josephus reports that Solomon’s Temple itself was damaged in the quake. Josephus also reported a mountain splitting in two with a giant rock tumbling into a ravine. Imagine the sound that this movement of the land would make. Massive rocks grinding and tumbling and cracking.

We find Jesus on the cross and find His disciples silent. Jesus statement comes to mind that the “stones would immediately cry out.” In the silence of His disciples Jesus voice carried across the crowd, “my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me. And then again He called out again, “It is finished, and immediately, according to Matthew 27:51 the earth did quake. The stones themselves broke the silence of the disciples and opened graves, a testimony that Jesus was the Son of God. This testimony by the grinding upheaval of stones witnessed to the centurion and those with him. Matt. 27:54 records their reaction. “they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. The silence of disciples cannot mute the testimony of Jesus Christ the Son of God. The stones cry out.

Three days later as women headed to the tomb, there was another earthquake. This was not a somber quake that announced the death of the Savior. No, this earth quake that is recorded in Matthew 28:1,2 announces life. This is an announcement of victory over death, hell and the grave. This is the announcement that the price had been paid. This announced the pouring of the blood of Jesus Christ on the heavenly mercy seat. This is a quake of Joy, Redemption and justification. Let us not fail in crying out – HE LIVES.

Talents

He who buries his talent is making a grave mistake.

JANUARY IS GONE, BUT DON’T STOP NOW!

William Andrew Dillard

Wait, wait! How can it be? January is come to a close, already?! But what about the objectives that were identified to be accomplished in 2020? Are they forgotten already? With the passing of January is it “Ho hum, business as usual?” Well, DON’T STOP NOW!
If you are reading this, it is still your day, your time to think, to say, to do, and that my friend is definitely coming quickly to an eternal close. Is it any wonder then that the wisest man said, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest.” Ecc. 9:10. So, what is holding you back from pursuing and accomplishing your noble objectives?
Some wallow in the rut of persistent failure. They have tried and failed before, so they think failure will doubtless be the result of any future effort. They think setting objectives is good, but accomplishing them is really beyond realistic expectations.
Someone once opined that a rut is nothing more than a grave with both ends kicked out. Surely, this is an interesting enough thought to challenge us to get out of it. It is true that history is literally strewn with human failure, even among what would be considered the best of men. This is true because all are sinners. Everyone must continue to deal with the conflicts of sin until death, or the rapture. However, history also glows with the monumental successes of both small, and great men who dared to trust God, accept his forgiveness, and then keep on keeping on toward the noble goals of life.
So, the bottom line is: do you really love and trust God in all matters? If so, then leave your burdens with Him and press onward toward the noble goals you would accomplish in life “if”. Forget the “if”! Don’t let another day pass without initiating some action to accomplish your appropriate goals for 2020. We do not know what the year holds. It may be your last one. If so, go down striving toward the goal. If not, don’t let 2021 find you still treading time in the rut of wishes. Even our Lord Jesus said, “I must do the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4. Remember what Solomon said: “Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…” Don’t stop now! Do it!

The Grave

If Jesus Christ is still in that grave

nothing really matters,

but if He came out of that grave,

nothing but that really Matters.

Adrian Rogers

323 – Nov. 19 – THIS DAY IN BAPTIST HISTORY PAST

“I must protest against the abandonment of the Arakan mission.”

November 19, 1845 – Adoniram Judson, was a messenger to the Triennial Convention. It was a dark day, for the Baptists of the South had withdrawn, and it was apparent that a reduction in the budget would be necessary. A solemn report was read by Dr. Solomon Peck, foreign secretary. One of the suggestions was that they abandon the Arakan mission. The Convention was being asked to sound “retreat!” Judson, back in the States after 33 years of missionary service was listening to a report that would close part of their work in Burma. It is not difficult to surmise what must have been going through his mind. After becoming a Baptist by conviction the Judson’s waited 3 years before being appointed as missionaries of the Triennial Convention. They had waited seven years before the first convert was won, and on June 27, 1819, he finally baptized Moung Nau. In 1815 their little 7 month old son died. Then Ann Judson became ill and had to return to America for two years, and Adoniram persevered alone. The first Burman War broke out in May of 1824. In June, Judson was cast into the death prison. The sufferings were indescribable. After 11 months in Ava, he endured 6 more months of imprisonment in Oungpenla. While he was helping the Burmese to secure terms of peace with the British, Ann Judson died on Oct. 24, 1826. Then 6 months later, Judson’s little daughter Maria followed her mother in death. Judson became almost a recluse. He dug his own grave and sat beside it brooding. 8 years later he married Mrs. Sarah Boardman. They had two daughters and a son, and the little boy died. And then Sarah died en route home. Judson had lost his voice and was forbidden to speak. But now he could no longer remain silent. He arose and the lion roared. “I must protest against the abandonment of the Arakan mission.” And the “Lone Star” was saved.

Dr. Greg J. Dixon from: This Day in Baptist History Vol. I: Cummins /Thompson/, pp. 482-83.

The Price Has Been Paid

THE CROSS OF CHRIST

THE MARVELOUS WORK WAS DONE
THE VICTORY HAS BEEN WON
THE PRICE IS PAID

FROM THE CRADLE TO THE CROSS
FROM THE CROSS TO THE GRAVE
THE PRICE HAS BEEN PAID

FROM BEGINNING HE HAS BEEN
HIS PRESENCE NOW IS SEEN
THE PRICE HAS BEEN PAID

A PLACE IS PREPARED
AND I’M GOING THERE
THE PRICE HAS BEEN PAID

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WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT HELL

Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:7-15

Penitentiaries and jails speak of man’s belief in the punishment of men for wrongdoing. Man believes the criminal should be separated from the law abiding. God also believes in separating the righteous from the unrighteous. Hell is a reality.

I cannot imagine a death more horrible than death by burning. The pain and suffering that has to be involved with this type of death is totally unimaginable to me. I would not wish this type of death on my worst enemy. What is worse, is the people that make light of  dying  and descending into  a place of eternal burning and suffering; that place called HELL!!

Let us examine this place.

I. THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT.    (REVELATION 20:7-15)
    1. The judge. John 5:22; “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.”
    2. The subjects. (Rev. 20:12; Eph. 2:1-3). All who have never repented and trusted in Jesus.
    3. Basis of judgement (John 20:13).
        a. According to works (Rev. 20:13).
        b. In the Great White Throne, judgement because of unbelief (John 3:18).
    4. The reason for this judgement. That each unbeliever might receive his just part in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8; Matt. 10:15; 11:24).
NOTICE THIS; The Great White Throne Judgement is not to determine whether one is saved and going to heaven or unsaved and going to hell. It is strictly for the unsaved/lost and determines how bad they were and all are cast into the lake of fire.

II. HELL IS THE FINAL ABODE OF THE DEVIL, FALLEN ANGELS, AND UNBELIEVEERS.
    1. Origin of Hell and why (Matt. 24:41; II Peter 2:4; Jude 6).
    2. Those in Hell.
        a. The Devil (Rev. 20:10).
        b. Fallen Angels (Jude 6).
        c. Unbelievers (Rev. 20:13-15).
    3. The final Hell (Rev. 20:13-15).

III. WHAT HELL IS LIKE.
    1. A lake of fire and brimstone (Rev. 21:8). If this is figurative language, how awful the reality!
    2. A place of torment. (Greek: odunaomai, mental and/or physical pain, agony, suffering, Luke 16:23.) Revelation 20:10: “Tormented day and night forever.”
    3. Read Luke 3:17.

IV. HOW LONG HELL LASTS – ITS DURATION.
    1. It is called an everlasting destruction (II Thess. 1:9).
    2. It is said to be forever and ever (Rev. 14:10,11).
    3. Figurative speech describes it as eternal (Mark 9:44, 46, 48).

V. THE STATE OF THOSE WHO GO TO HELL.
    1. Their condition is final and there is no escape (Luke 16:24-26).
    2. There is no future chance (Rev. 22:11; Eccl. 11:3).
    3. Why they are there (Luke 16:27-31).
    4. Those who go there remain in a conscious state (Luke 16:23).

VI. HELL, THEN, IS A DEFINITE PLACE OF REALITY, AND IS NOT THE GRAVE.
    1. All of the foregoing scriptures teach the consciousness of those in Hell, therefore it could not be the grave.
    2. Some questions with scriptural answers show that Hell is not the grave.
        a. Are angels buried in graves? II Peter 2:4: “Cast down to hell.” Can this be construed to mean that they are in the grave? (Jude 6).
        b. Are none but the wicked in the grave? Psalm 9:17: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” What about the righteous who die?
        c. Can a man put another man in Hell? He could if Hell is the grave. Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather feat him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION YOU WILL EVER MAKE IN LIFE IS WHERE WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY.

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