Recently, I (and I assume all the clergymen of our area) received a special mailing from G.R.A.C.E. (the ecumenical council of clergymen and rabbis in Grand Rapids) encouraging participation in a “hunger week” beginning last April 13. This was designed to make people aware of the hunger problem in the…
Well, this is the last article that you will read written by the undersigned, at least for awhile. For the next twelve articles in this rubric you must look to Rev. Bruinsma and Rev. Koole. It is my prayer that you who took the time to read my articles might…
“…unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient and unto every good work reprobate.”
Rev. Kleyn is pastor of Trinity Protestant Reformed Church in Hudsonville, Michigan. Several years ago—around eight—there was much “to do” in Reformed writing and circles on the topic of the second coming of Christ. As Y2K approached, there was among the population in general a nervousness. In many Christian circles…
That we live in what the Bible calls “the last time” there simply can be no question. The signs of Christ’s coming about which our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to us in a passage such as Matthew 24 are all being fulfilled: wars and rumors of wars, nation rising up against nation,…
The last time: how are we living? Are we living in these last times by partaking of the king’s meat? Do we like the king’s meat? Do we find that it is desirable and that it tastes delicious? If our answer to those questions is yes, then we, you and…
In the last article on signs of the times we began a consideration of various signs in the realm of our society. It was pointed out that these signs, while not perhaps as noticeable or spectacular as those in the realm of nature, are nonetheless very significant for us. And…
Last time we began to examine some of the factors which are helping to produce social unity, and pointed out that the women’s liberation movement is one social factor that has done much to strengthen the trend toward this unity. We concluded that this movement is one of the signs…
In the light of the teaching of the Scriptures, particularly the visions of Revelation 13, we have been examining various aspects of signs of the times as they become manifest in society. We have stressed the idea that in order for the antichristian kingdom to become a reality, there must be,…
In Revelation 6:5-6 we find the narrative of the opening of the third seal in the general context of the signs that point to and bring the coming of the end of all things. The content of that seal is a rider upon a black horse, which rider holds in his hand…
The world has just passed through a sign of the times. Did you notice? The western world does so on an annual basis. Our Holiday Season is a sign of the times.
There runs to and fro across the earth a black horse. Upon this horse there sits a rider holding in his hand a pair of balances. And as this mighty steed and rider make their drive through the earth there booms a voice, “A measure of wheat for a penny,…
Much has been written about the “sexual revolution.” Evidences of it have been repeatedly pointed out. There is a greater freeness with “love” and marriage. There is the display of the human body. There is greater permissiveness with respect to sexual deviations. And have you glanced over the magazine racks…
Among the mass of “junk” mail that regularly enters one’s mailbox, the minister is subjected to some in addition to that which most laymen receive. Here in Grand Rapids, we receive regularly and without charge, Grace Notes. Judging from its name, one would think it to be a commendable organization. How…
The title may seem a bit pretentious. It could certainly be used in various different senses. I am concerned particularly in the attempt of Satan to infiltrate our very homes in order to instruct in the lie. We are, perhaps, not too aware of his attempt. Nor are we always…
Daily, disturbing reports are presented in the news media of impending calamities in this world. One must ask himself, “How do these fit in with the signs of the times? How do they indicate the nearness of the coming again of Christ?”
On the basis of Rev. 13:11-18, II Thess. 2:3-12, Matt. 24:24-26, and other passages, we believe that near the very end of time there will be established the great church of the antichrist. This church will claim to be following the mandates of Christ.
At the last Standard Bearer staff meeting it was decided, among other things, to add this rubric in our magazine in place of that one which the writer formerly edited: Examining Ecumenicalism.
John was greatly troubled. Tears flowed from his eyes. Great sobs were wrenched from his chest. And he had reason for this misery. He had seen a scroll sealed with seven seals. That scroll must be opened—but none appeared worthy to take it and loose its seals. Finally, he receives…
That there are wars yet today is a fact of which we are painfully aware. In spite of constant cries for peace, although many “prayer days for peace” have been observed—there is yet war. The United States agonizingly and slowly seeks to remove herself from Vietnam. Tension continues and even…
In our last article we considered the sign of the end: wars and rumors of wars. In that connection, the question arises: what is the attitude of the child of God towards peace on this earth?
I have often wondered, as have others, what the ancients would have said or done, were they restored to life on this earth in our day. How they would have exclaimed at the diffusion of light from wall or ceiling at the pressing of a switch! How they would have…
For nation shall rise against nation . . . and there shall be famines and troubles; these are the beginnings of sorrows. Mark 13:8
Often we have read in Scripture those passages which speak of disasters—especially the “disasters” near the end of time. At times we read such sections a bit fearfully. These things which occur appear to affect the whole earth—will we not also then be affected as well? After hearing of some…
The quake was not, according to the Richter scale, particularly severe. It did not take as many lives as many other earthquakes. Yet, two days before Christmas, there was a reminder of the terrible devastation that an earthquake causes. The Central American capital Managua, of the country of Nicaragua, was…
The calling of the church of Christ on this earth is to develop in its theology. The theology of the church surely is not to alter from one position into something completely other. It is rather to develop and grow. Development would not be to change an apple tree into…
One of the signs of the last days is the apostasy within the churches. I have reminded you of this in past articles. To my mind, this remains one of the clearest signs that the return of our Lord is at hand. In this connection, I would call your attention…
One of the signs of the end of time, says Jesus, is that “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matt. 24:12). And the Word declares in I Tim.
We have been much preoccupied by shortages in our land lately whether these have been contrived or real shortages, they have been affecting our land and our lives. We are even inclined to complain: against the government; against farmers; against the middleman. Such complaint or dissatisfaction is rather strange —…
That first word in the title is, of course, an invention—not mine, but another’s A member of our, Theological School Committee has been responsible for handling matters which concern government approval of our Seminary for foreign students. This involves untangling a considerable amount of “red tape.” Since this approval must…
Yes, “Agnes” talked. She had a message of God to you. Did you hear what she had to say? One could hardly miss “Agnes.” Her name made the headlines in the daily newspapers. It was featured prominently in news magazines. Radio and television made extensive references to her. Time declared in its…
According to the Scriptures there are many signs of the times. To those who are acquainted with the language of the Bible, the reference of these signs is to the end of the ages, the present world and order of things as we now know and experience them. And, as…
I recall studying in the history of our country the account of peoples of many lands emigrating to this land “of freedom.” It seemed to me a moving event when these individuals entered the harbor at New York and beheld the Statue of Liberty welcoming them to their new homeland.…
The signs of Christ’s coming, also known as the precursory signs, are defined by the late Rev. H. Hoeksema in his Reformed Dogmatics as relating to all the events in the realm of nature as well as in the history of the nations and in the church which more or…
One would have to be blind and deaf not to be aware of deep concern within this country about crime. The concern grows with the increasing incidents of crime. Daily news reports speak of crime almost matter-of-factly.
Perhaps none of our readers needs warning concerning many of the practices of cults which have been adopted, increasingly, by many in our land. Yet the deceptiveness and appeal of some of this might warrant a warning. These last days are characterized by the attraction toward that which is devilish. …
A very startling and heart-rending article entitled “The Battered Children” appears in the October 10 issue ofNewsweek. The article begins by citing three specific cases of child abuse.
We live today in an enlightened and wise age. Knowledge and wisdom have increased in recent times, as we see round about us. Every day we are assaulted with a barrage of man’s supposed knowledge and his profound wisdom. Most recently we have heard a great deal of political wisdom—most…
Recently, I (and I assume all the clergymen of our area) received a special mailing from G.R.A.C.E. (the ecumenical council of clergymen and rabbis in Grand Rapids) encouraging participation in a “hunger week” beginning last April 13. This was designed to make people aware of the hunger problem in the…
In the past I have reported various items which point to the possible nearness of that time when a “mark” will be required of all who would buy or sell. The “mark of the beast” is one of the well-known signs of the end of time and the imminent return…
In the anniversary year of our Standard Bearer, each writer of this magazine has been asked to devote one article which relates the anniversary to the general theme of his rubric. It has been my task in various articles to remind ourselves of the signs of the times about us. One…
In our preceding article (see Nov. 15, 1976), we concluded with a reference to Matt. 24:12: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many’ shall wax cold.” These words appear in a chapter in which the Saviour speaks of His coming throughout the ages. In this twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew…
The words of this title, taken from the book of the prophet Daniel (12:4), are generally agreed to refer to the time preceding the end of all things, and to characterize that time. There can be little doubt that Daniel speaks here of what we call one of the signs…
The last time: how are we living? That we live in the last times means that we must live our lives in complete separation from the world. As we walk in the midst of this world we must be distinct. We must manifest in our lives that there is indeed…
It would be a truism to suggest that many things of striking nature have happened during the past year (and years). It is a fact, however; and it ought to be observed carefully by the child of God. The striking events remind the Christian of the nearness of the end…
The last time: how are we living? Are we living in these last times as humble children of God, who ascribe all the glory, might, and honor to God? Or are we living as proud boastful people, who ascribe all the glory, might, and honor to ourselves? If the former…
Often in the routine of our daily lives we do not notice many things that happen round about us. We are so busy; there are so many places to go, so many things to do; there are church activities, school functions, entertainment opportunities, obligations to friends and relatives, the press…
A number of weeks ago I had an opportunity to address several Reformed Doctrine classes in a Christian High School on the subject of “Common Grace.” The differences between the Christian Reformed stand and our own were obvious. The usual objections were raised. Probably none of the students were convinced…
In our last article in this rubric, we discussed one error related to the view of common grace which suggests that surely God does not send sickness. This article will treat another error which seems to arise logically out of the common grace theory. I was surprised to hear this particular error…