2021 Issues

Justification by Faith

September 1, 2021

Church Five, Sardis “Remember herefore how thou hast received and didst hear, and keep it, and repent” (Revelation 3:3. Scriptures from Revised Version Improved and Corrected). By Len Griehs Sardis1 was the capital of the powerful kingdom of Lydia (western provinces of Turkey), conquered by Cyrus in 547 BC. Paganism flourished in Sardis. John the Revelator lamented over many Christians who had returned to former beliefs. Thus verse three, “remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear: and keep it, and […]

William Penn, the Cross and Crown

September 1, 2021

Messenger to the Church in Philadelphia (1667-1874) “The way of taking up the cross is an entire resignation of soul … The way is narrow indeed, and the gate very strait … they that can not endure the cross must never have the crown” (William Penn)1 by Richard Doctor A freshly printed “blasphemous book” titled The Sandy Foundation Shaken reached the hands of the Bishop of London. It was a direct attack on the Trinity, asserting, “that the Father, Son, and Spirit, […]

Laodicean Liabilities

September 1, 2021

Church Seven “I would thou wert cold or hot” (Revelation 3:15 ASV. Scripture quotations in this article are from ASV and RVIC). by James Parkinson The closing period of the Gospel Age is shown in the letter to the Laodicean period (Revelation 3:14-22). Our Lord gives us few commendations for our period of Christian history. Let us each apply the lessons to self, before trying to apply them to anyone else. Verse 14, “And to the angel1 of the church in Laodicea […]

Overview

September 1, 2021

Seven Periods “The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20). by David Rice The view is widely held among our fellowship that the seven churches of Revelation chapters 1-3 have prophetic meaning to seven successive periods of time during the Gospel Age. Not that this is the only meaning. […]