Vol 35 Issue 15

The Two Witnesses  Revelation 11:3, 4 

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died fro them, and rose again.” II Cor. 5:14, 15

Rev. Harbach of Lynden has received and is considering the call to Redlands. During their vacancy he is serving as their moderator.  The Young People’s Societies held their Spring Mass Meeting April 10th at Creston Church, with our Missionary, Rev. Lubbers, giving a talk on “Calvinism.” Rev. H. Hanko considered the question “Is It The Duty Of The Deacons To Look For The Poor?” at the Deacons’ semi-annual Conference April 17. 

There is considerable discussion these days in the newspapers and magazines both of a secular and religious nature about the question whether we will have war or peace. While on the one hand there is an almost universal opinion that we are heading for another world conflict that will have annihilating consequences, there is on the other hand a strong but apparently hopeless desire for peace. It is with a view to this situation that the April 13th issue of Christianity Today devotes almost all of its contents to this subject.

It has been frequently alleged that in 1953 the Classis East of our Protestant Reformed Churches was guilty of the same violation of classical jurisdiction as the Christian Reformed Classis when in 1924, she deposed the Consistory of the Eastern Avenue Church. Charges of “Classical Hierarchy” and“Popery” have been voiced so vigorously by the leaders of the schism that many of the people have believed it.

We must still say a few words about the nature of the assurance of preservation and perseverance. This article has as its main purpose merely to state the fact that this assurance is possible and real for the saints, and therefore it does not go into detail as to the nature of assurance. Nevertheless, in stating the simple fact of assurance the fathers could not very well avoid saying something as to the nature of assurance.

We concluded our preceding article with a quotation from Hodge in which he criticizes the Roman Catholic view of the Popish Mass. And that writer had begun his criticism with the remark that no doctrine than the Popish Mass is more destitute of even a semblance of Scriptural support. The words of Christ, “This do in remembrance of me,” are n made to mean, “Offer the sacrifice which I myself have just offered.” And the Romanists also appeal to the fact that Christ is said to be the priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

A little reflection will reveal how much of our time we spend waiting for this thing or for that.  We live fast. 

We ended our former essay in this series with the observation that there is a vast difference between theground of the verdict in judgment and the ground of our salvation! 

And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy Lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I, do now unto thee, my son?  Gen. 27:37 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.