In This Issue

• TWO RESURRECTIONS

• THE POISON OF BITTERNESS

• BEWARE OF THIS BOOK

• MORE INFORMATION...

TWO RESURRECTIONS

In John 5:24-29, Jesus spoke of two resurrections. First, a spiritual resurrection that was already taking place. Those who were dead in sin were listening to God’s Son. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man (vs. 24-27). “The hour… now is.”

Secondly, He spoke of a bodily resurrection that will occur at His second coming. “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (verses 28-29).

The “hour” is coming. “All” will hear His voice. Paul spoke of this Acts 24:15, “I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.” Note that, when it comes to bodily resurrection, there will be a (one) resurrection consisting of both the just and the unjust. All will hear His voice and come forth at the same hour, but not all will have the same destiny.

A misapplication of Rev. 20:5-6 has led some to assume that there will be two future bodily resurrections 1,000 years apart. The Scriptures do not so teach. Many things are “read into” Rev. 20, which simply are not there. The chapter says nothing about an earthly kingdom or Jerusalem. It does not say that Christ’s rule will last only 1,000 years. Revelation is the most figurative, symbolic book of the New Testament. It must be interpreted in the light of clear, literal passages such as John 5:28-29 and Acts 24:15.

Even now we may listen to the teachings of Jesus and pass from death to life. When He returns we will all be raised from physical death.

– Clarence R. Johnson

THE POISON OF BITTERNESS

Bitterness is an evil that can develop and grow within a person almost unbeknownst to him. I am convinced that it is a tool that Satan uses to entrap even the very ones who have worked hard at ridding their lives of many other sins.

The apostle Peter spoke of bitterness as a poison when rebuking the former sorcerer. He said, “I see that you are poisoned by bitterness” (Acts 8:23).

Simon’s condition was not exclusive to him. None of us is immune to its venom. Husbands are warned against being bitter towards their wives (Col. 3:19). Though the inspired writer did not specifically mention the possibility, I have no doubt that wives can develop bitterness toward their husbands. Certainly, if a father fails to heed the apostle’s instructions to avoid discouraging his children by provoking them to wrath (Col. 3:21), they will likely develop bitterness toward him.

Preachers are prime candidates for this poisonous condition. Though most preachers are treated well by the brethren, occasionally they are not. Unreasonable expectations of the preacher and/or his family can cause resentment, which, if he is not careful, will lead to bitterness. Or a preacher may expect brethren to live up to his expectations, and when they don’t, he gets discouraged. Many able men have lost their influence, some even losing their faith, after being overcome with bitterness toward the brethren.

The elderly (and those approaching old age) seem to be especially susceptible to bitterness. Perhaps the loss of energy, diminished capacities, health problems and the perception (real or imagined) that the younger generation doesn’t appreciate us, opens the door to bitterness.

Bitterness is the state of being “sharp and disagreeable; harsh; severe; piercing” (Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary). It can be brought on by a number of circumstances, including: discouragement, hopelessness, envy and jealousy.

The New Testament has several things to say about this attitude:

1. It needs to be “put away” (Eph. 4:25-32). The apostle Paul lists it among many other sins, and among those which “grieve the Holy Spirit.” 

2. It is connected with “cursing” (Romans 3:9-18). Christians who would never curse verbally may be guilty of “virtual cursing” by their display of bitterness. This may be only in thought, but if unchecked will eventually manifest itself in harshness. 

3. It is a spiritual “poison” (Acts 8:18-23). As already noted, Simon, who in becoming a Christian had to repent of his sorcery, was told that his bitterness was his poison that had him “bound by iniquity.” Suddenly without the attention of the masses, perhaps he became jealous of the apostles’ power to convey the Holy Spirit by the laying on of their hands.

4. It can “spring up” unannounced (Heb. 12:12-17). Read these verses and note how the Hebrew writer tells us that we ought to be “looking carefully . . . lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble . . .” (v. 15). If unchecked it can take hold of us so powerfully that, like Esau, we might not find place for repentance, even if we want to.

It’s one thing to identify a problem, and another to provide a remedy. By applying the scriptures I believe we can beat this villain on two fronts:

First, we should help prevent it in others by avoiding what promotes it. For instance, a husband’s bitterness can be lessened by the wife’s attitudes and behavior (Eph. 5:25, 28, 33a). At the same time a wife’s bitterness may be avoided if the husband will treat her as God instructs (Eph. 5:22, 33b). Parents’ bitterness can be minimized if children will obey (Eph. 6:1-3), and children will be less likely to become bitter if fathers will listen to God (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21).

All Christians should make a concerted effort not to be a discouragement to others. The younger Christians, in their enthusiasm and zeal must not leave the older generation behind. They need to understand that “change” (even though it is within authority) is unsettling to the elderly. Bring them along gently.
Older Christians need to accept what they know in their hearts - that change is inevitable, and as long as it is scriptural, it may even be desirable. Don’t “quench the spirit” of the youth lest they become bitter.

You can help a preacher avoid the pitfall of bitterness by being an encouragement to him in his efforts to teach the lost and edify the saints. Treat him as the brother he is, rather than an employee of the church which can be hired and fired at will. Knowing that envy and jealousy promote bitterness, we should avoid flaunting power, possessions, or any other advantage we have over others.

Secondly, we must fight bitterness in ourselves by actively resisting it. To borrow a phrase from Barney Fife, “Nip it in the bud!” Treat it like any other temptation. Start by recognizing Satan as the source of bitter attitudes. When the symptoms appear, study and meditate on the scriptures instead of having a “pity-party.” Be willing to rejoice with those who are blessed more than you - replace envy with joy. And most of all, pray for help. Bitterness has the potential of consuming a person and draining him of his spirituality, and oh, how Satan enjoys that!

- Al Diestelkamp, Think On These Things, April/June, 2002

BEWARE OF THIS BOOK

On the New York Times bestseller lists for some time now is a book that’s being offered to your school children through the Scholastic Book Club. It is piously entitled “Conversations With God” and sounds like just the sort of book every parent would want in the hands of children. There’s even a special volume for teens. They are written by Neil D. Walsh – NOT God – and are a classic example of what happens when man makes himself out to be deity. See Rom. 1:18-32. In short, these books are blasphemy, making a mockery of God and His word.

The books take the form of questions and answers. One imaginary girl writes, “I am living with my boyfriend. My parents say that I should marry him because I am living in sin. Should I marry him?” The man who would be God answers, “Who are you sinning against? Not me, because you have done nothing wrong.” That doesn’t sound like God’s condemnation of fornication as a “work of the flesh” in Gal. 5:19, does it?

Another girl plaintively asks, “Why am I a lesbian?” The blasphemous author replies that she was “born that way” as a result of genetics, just as genetics determine that she is right-handed and has blue eyes. Then he instructs her to go out and “celebrate” her differences. In other words, she is told to debase herself in the same homosexual sin God decries in Rom. 1:26.

Another question asks about the forgiveness of sins. He states, “I do not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive. There is no such thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to tell everyone, do not judge people. People have chosen to judge one another and this is wrong, because the rule is “judge not, lest ye be judged.” Wait a minute. Is it just me or is that as stupid as it wounds? Notice that he says, “there is no right or wrong,” then proceeds to say that judging is “wrong.” If there’s truly no right or wrong, then neither “judging” nor anything else can ever be condemned. Isn’t it interesting that people who advocate such mindless “tolerance” will tolerate everything except someone else’s moral convictions? Suddenly, God’s “rule” about judging (though grossly misinterpreted here) is to be deemed absolute, while every other “rule” in Scripture is thrown out. Hmmm. This book is a dangerous example of post-modernism run amuck.

– Steve Dewhirst, Stonegate Standard, Jan. 8, 2006

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