What Your Decision for Christ Demands

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" -- Prov. 14:12.

RELIGIOUS circles in Australia have been profoundly stirred by the Billy Graham crusade. Record-breaking crowds have gathered to listen to the famous and fluent speaker, and claims of unprecedented successes have been reported.

The real value of the campaign, however, is yet to be assessed.

Meanwhile, under the stimulating influence of large and competent choirs, the mass-community singing of hymns set to popular, "catchy" music, combined with the popular and magnetic personality of Dr. Graham, thousands have been greatly affected. Many have been drawn to "make decisions" for Christ; have resolved to make a new start, and build their lives upon the Bible.

This is very laudable, and if followed conscientiously, and with due regard to what the Bible teaches, cannot but be productive of good. The Bible is the only reliable source from whence can be learned the way of salvation, and if one is prepared to search its pages prayerfully, and in unbiased fashion, he can be led to Truth. If you have made a decision for Christ, reader, and desire to follow his way, we trust you will read this booklet carefully through to the end. It is important for you to ascertain the true way of life, for as the Proverb quoted above states: "There is a way that SEEMETH right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 14:12).

Let us first make the point that the mere reading of the Bible is not enough; we must also understand its message, and obey its commands. Religion means more that merely experiencing that stimulating "feeling" that comes over one under the stimulus of stirring music, or the mass enthusiasm which sweeps through a crowd when swamped with emotional appeal. True religion will help us at times when all others forsake us; when we are faced with personal problems and trials that threaten to crush us; in moments of gloom and depression that no one can relieve. It will draw us also into close communion with God and with Christ. It will provide a clear and certain hope for the future. It will create faith.

In short, true religion is a matter of the mind as well as the heart, of the intellect as well as emotion. True religion demands that we know what we are doing; that we understand He who we worship; that we clearly grasp what He offers us.

Undisciplined emotion can destroy us; but emotion begotten of the truths of God's Word can warm, elevate and save us.

If we limit our religious experience to mere emotion, however, the time will come when it will fade because it has nothing substantial to stimulate it; and then our state will be worse than before. Where, today, are the thousands who a few weeks back made a "decision for Christ"? The enthusiasm of many has dissipated because it found nothing to sustain it.

But let us feed our desire to serve Christ with the truths enunciated in the Bible, and a sound foundation of fact will be laid, upon which a life in Christ can be built. And then, not only will we walk along the way that leads to life eternal, but we will experience "a peace of mind that passeth all understanding" (John 14:27; Phil. 4:7).

The Bible declares:

"The Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation to everyone that BELIEVETH" (Romans 1:16).

"To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa. 8:20).

The Bible likewise warns us that ignorance stands as a barrier to salvation:

"Other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind, having the UNDERSTANDING darkened, BEING ALIENATED from the life of God through the IGNORANCE that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart" (Eph. 4:18).

"There be some that would pervert the gospel of Christ, But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you . . . let him be accursed" (Psa. 49; Gal. 1:6-10).

Is the Bible All-sufficient?

Dr. Graham commended to his audiences, the reading of the Bible. If his crusade accomplishes that result and sets men and women examining again the foundations of their belief with the Bible in hand, much good can be accomplished. A person who has a reverence for the Bible, who accepts it as the Word of God, who acknowledges that its pages contain Divine revelation for the salvation of man, has put his feet upon the first rung in the ladder that really leads to Christ. Such a person is in an infinitely better position than "the fool who says there is no God" (Psa. 14: 1). To accept the Bible as authoritative, as the inspired Word of God in this age of skepticism and doubt, is an excellent foundation for truth.

But it is a stand that imposes a tremendous responsibility. If the Bible is the Word of God, then reason demands that we read it as such, accepting it without question as the revelation of heaven. It becomes the Voice of God in our midst and we must read it "in faith" without doubting (James 1:6). Bible truth is not what we think of God, but what He has revealed concerning Himself. The way of salvation is not what we think should satisfy Him; but what He has stated He absolutely requires. Mere emotionalism, mere feeling must not be held in the balances against the clear declaration of the Bible. In fact, the true test of the genuineness of our "decision for Christ" is whether we are prepared to hearken to his voice as it sounds out from the pages of the Bible, and follow his teaching wherever it will lead.

That is the challenge of the Bible.

Dr. Graham will admit that the Bible is a greater Authority than he is.

But are you, reader, prepared to follow that Authority, even though it may lead away from popular religion?

Are you prepared to use your interest in religion as a stepping stone to greater personal knowledge of what the Bible teaches?

That is the challenge of the Bible.

What the Bible Requires of us

Why is a correct understanding of the Bible so important? It is important because it brings us into complete conformity with the mind of God. It is important because it changes our outlook; it causes us to view life from a Divine perspective; it sets clearly before us the reality of its hope; it leads us unto Christ. And Christ commanded:

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel; he that BELIEVETH and is BAPTISED shall be SAVED" (Mark 16:16).

Christ did not say: "He that believeth shall be saved," or "He that is baptised shall be saved", but "He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved."

These words are challenging.

Analyze them in the light of your knowledge of the Bible. Are you satisfied that you understand the Gospel message? Can you turn to the Bible in confirmation of your belief? Are you certain of what God has promised for the future?

You may think that personal knowledge does not matter; you may have confidence in your spiritual leaders, and claim that they are sincere and earnest men.

We do not doubt it.

A doctor can be a sincere and earnest man, but if he is incompetent he will endanger life.

A mechanic may be a sincere and earnest man, but if he lacks understanding he can make travel a hazard.

A driver may be a sincere and earnest man, but if he tacks skill, he can place you in extreme danger.

When something goes wrong, do you excuse these men because they are sincere and earnest? Would you employ them knowing that they are incompetent? Why is religion treated on a different basis? Why be satisfied with what a preacher says? Salvation is a personal matter, and is dependent upon your understanding.

You might say, as men have often said: "I am religious; I go to church regularly; I pray often; I try to do good!"

But the question still remains: Do you understand the purpose of God? Have you obeyed the instructions of Christ quoted above? Your case may be similar to that of Cornelius, recorded in Acts 10. He was "a devout man, one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always" (v. 2). Here was a worthy candidate for life eternal! But yet Cornelius had not done enough. He was told that whilst "his prayers and alms had come up for a memorial before God" (v.4), there was something more required of him before he could hope for salvation. He was told to send for Peter the Apostle and "he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do" (v. 6).

Peter was sent for. He preached to Cornelius, guiding him into all truth (vv. 34-43). In the short epitome that we have of this instruction, Peter reminded Cornelius that he already had some understanding of the truth (v. 37), but more was required. Cornelius accepted the instruction, and obeyed the "commandment" of Peter to be baptised (v.48).

He had followed the Lord's instruction: "He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).

Notice that Cornelius was first instructed before he was baptised. The Bible speaks of some who were rebaptised when they came to complete understanding of the fundamentals of belief (Acts 19:4). We mention this because some believe that they have submitted to the saving principle of baptism when they have not had a complete understanding of the "truth in Christ Jesus." This understanding is essential to make baptism valid.

Our bounden duty is to seek God's way. We are faced today with a Christendom that is divided and antagonistic, a Christendom in retreat from the forces of evil that are daily growing in strength and threaten to submerge it, a Christendom that has failed on three counts - Politically, Socially and Doctrinally.

Christendom has failed Politically

Consider these facts. 1900 years ago, the founder of Christianity taught a doctrine of non-resistance to evil. He called upon men to live in amity one with the other; to seek the peace of God; to look to the time when "His will will be done in earth as in heaven," when there shall be "peace on earth, and goodwill towards men."

But men were not satisfied with such teaching. They wanted power now! Thus the history of Christendom became a record of bloodshed and violence. There has been more blood shed in the name of Jesus than any other name under heaven! Persecution and torture have been the weapons men have used in his name to hold in bondage the opinions of others. Tyndale, the man who printed the first English Bible, was burnt at the stake by so-called Christian authorities, because he dared to set before men the Bible in their own tongue.

We must not forget these facts of history.

We need to remember that it was a "Christian" nation that dropped the first atom bomb in Hiroshima,

In the minds of many pagans today, Christianity is synonymous with violence and power-politics.

They see Christian nations placing confidence in armed might, in nuclear weapons of war. They know that so-called "Christian" America, that prints on its "almighty dollar" the words: We trust in God is foremost in placing trust in military might.

These things are challenging. Mere pretension to Christianity is not enough. Politically, Christendom has failed.

As a result mankind faces the greatest crisis in the history of the world. It faces a conflagration that threatens to destroy civilization itself. The forces of Communism, challenging to Christendom, and daily advancing with steady progress, cause men to live in constant dread of the morrow. Christendom has failed politically.

But the Bible has not failed. In fact, it predicts the very state of things we see on every hand today. Christ declared:

"Upon the earth (there will be) distress of nations, with perplexity . . . men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) coming with power and great glory" (Luke 21:25-26).

The very conditions we see today are signs of his second advent.

Christendom Has Failed Socially

Observe the conditions that exist on every hand. Consider the terrible record of modern social conditions: the crime, child delinquency, broken homes, wide-spread unhappiness, constant pursuit of pleasure as a form of escapism, the frustrations, the blatant materialism of modern life.

As we pour over the records, we learn that so-called Christian countries are the greatest offenders. No less than one-fifth of America's youth, of a certain age, have a court record for misbehavior! The home of modern evangelism has the worst record of any nation! Why should this be so? it is because the true impact of Christ's teachings has not been felt. It is because Christendom has failed here also.

But again, we emphasize, the Bible has not failed.

It predicts the very conditions that face us socially as a sign of Christ's coming. It declares:

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, DISOBEDIENT TO PARENTS, unthankful, unholy, trucebreakers, false accusers, fierce, despisers of those that are good, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (1 Tim. 3:17).

Is it not a remarkable thing, that the Bible should so clearly foretell the very conditions that exist socially in the "last days"? The truth of its predictions shows that every confidence can be placed upon what it says.

Can A Divided Christendom Really Save?

Consider Christendom's divided state. Look at the multiplicity of sects and creeds, each claiming to have the truth, each setting before man a different way of life!

The challenge of the Bible is to seek out the truth amid the confusion that exists. It salvation is worth having it is worth seeking, and we must not become discouraged because of the difficulty of the way. God is testing us, seeing if we are worthy of the great prize He has in store for those who "worship Him in truth." The Truth is not difficult to find, if we prayerfully search for it. It is made more difficult because of the contradictory ideas set forth by man. But here, again, it is Christendom that has failed - not the Bible!

The Bible predicted the conditions we see about us doctrinally.

Paul, writing to Timothy, declared:

"I charge thee, therefore, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE; BUT AFTER THEIR OWN LUSTS SHALL HEAP TO THEMSELVES TEACHERS, HAVING ITCHING EARS; AND THEY SHALL TURN AWAY THEIR EARS FROM THE TRUTH, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:1-4).

Since Apostolic days the predicted great apostasy from the Truth has taken place.

Why Christendom Has Failed

Christendom has failed politically and socially because it has failed doctrinally. The transforming influence of the Bible is not felt with power because the Truth is not understood. Where error abounds the power of the Bible is lacking. And, unfortunately, error abounds on every hand.

Take, for example, the fundamental doctrine of Christendom - belief in an immortal soul. It is generally believed that this is taught in the Bible, but that is not so. The term immortal soul does not once occur therein. In fact, the very contrary is taught; the mortality of the "soul" is clearly affirmed time and again. The evidence is overwhelming in support of this statement. It has been computed:

"In the 754 places where the Hebrew word 'nephesh' (i.e., soul) occurs in the Old Testament Scriptures, it is said in 326 places to be subject to death ... The soul is said in 203 places to be in danger of death, and in 123 places to be delivered from death, implying its liability to death. In the 106 places where the Greek word 'psuche' occurs in the New Testament Scriptures, it is said in 45 places to be subject to death ... The soul is said in 29 places to be in danger of death, and in 16 places to be delivered from death, implying its liability to death" (Waller's Concordance on the Soul).

Despite these facts, in his book, Peace with God, Dr. Graham writes:

"There are those that teach that after death those who have refused to receive God's plan of redemption are annihilated, they cease to exist. In searching the Bible from cover to cover / cannot find one shred of evidence to support this view. The Bible teaches that whether we are saved or lost, there is conscious and everlasting existence of the soul and personality" (p. 61).

What would the Dr. make of the following statement of Scripture? Would he find in it "one shred of evidence" to support that which he denied? The Bible declares of a certain class:

"They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise; therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish" (Isaiah 26:14). "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward (i.e. apart from a resurrection); for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6).

Dr. Graham further writes:

"The Bible teaches that you are an immortal soul. Your soul is eternal and will live for ever . . . in one of two places heaven or hell" (p. 61).

The Bible teaches nothing of the kind. Indeed, the words immortal soul are not found in conjunction in the Bible. On the contrary we have the statement of Scripture:

"The soul that sinneth shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4).
"He poured out his soul unto death" (Isaiah 53:12).
"God shall redeem my soul from the power of the grave" (Psalm 49:15).

Reason this matter out for yourself. Why did Christ die? The answer is, that he might bring salvation to man. Then what about all the souls that existed from Adam to the advent of the Lord Jesus? If the soul is immortal, then these were all immortal; and if heaven is the reward of the righteous, then many souls must have entered heaven before the Lord appeared to save them!

But the Bible teaches that Christ "brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel" (2 Timothy 1:10). How is that possible if the souls of men were always immortal?

Death is supposed to be the gateway to glory; but though this is commonly taught, who desires it? In times of ill-health we seek the aid of a doctor, we try to ward off our grim enemy as long as possible. We do this because we are far from confident in what our preachers tell us; we prefer this life on earth, with all its frustrations, its problems, rather than a theoretical existence in heaven.

On the other hand, all desire that which the Bible offers -- an unending life of happiness under ideal conditions. The promise of the Bible supplies and satisfies the heartfelt longing of all.

The theory of the immortality of the soul is not only unscriptural, but illogical. If the soul is immortal, why should theologians and moralists make such outcry against mercy killings? If the body encloses an immortal soul which, at death, ascends to glory, would it not be logical and kind to release the soul from a body of pain. and suffering? Why then do religious bodies agitate against it?

The theory of the immortality of the soul is guilty of setting God in a false light before mankind. Obviously if the soul is immortal, it must go somewhere at death; its destiny is either heaven or hell. The Bible knows nothing of this, of course, as we have already stated. It declares, quite clearly, that "No man hath ascended into heaven (John 3:13), not even David, the man after God's own heart (Acts 2:34). Yet theology, in contradiction to the Bible, teaches that God consigns to endless misery the souls of the unredeemed. It finds the word "hell" in the Bible, and conjures it up as a place of endless misery and torture. Actually, the "hell" of the Bible is the grave. The word "hell," itself, comes from an Anglo-Saxon root signifying to cover. We meet it in the word "helmet" -- a covering for the head.

But theology, having invented an "immortal soul" must have a place in which to put it. The souls of the redeemed go to heaven, but the souls of the unredeemed end in hell; and as the majority of mankind are unredeemed, so "hell" is more highly populated than is "heaven"! This theory of theology (for we defy the reader to supply us evidence from the Bible providing proof of its truth), thus forces men to teach that He Whom the Bible reveals as a God of Love, consigns to endless misery the souls of the majority of men. It is forced to teach that God does to the "ignorant and the erring" what man would not do to his worst enemy, and what God prohibits His ministers to do (see Heb. 5:1-2). Thus theology presents God entirely out of character, entirely different to the way He reveals Himself in the Bible. In fact, the teaching of theology regarding hell is a terrible libel on the God of mercy and love revealed in the Bible.

On one hand church bodies protest regarding conditions existing in the jails and reformatories of this land, and on the other hand they teach that God consigns man to endless misery! Where is the consistency of such teaching? It is true there are verses in the Bible which may appear to give seeming support to this teaching, but it is only because certain ideas are read into them. Death, annihilation, is the punishment of the unredeemed, a merciful oblivion; whilst eternal life through a bodily resurrection is the reward of the righteous. Theology rules by fear and not by love, whereas God draws men unto Him by the power of His love.

Hope In A Resurrection

You might ask: Where did the theory of an immortal soul, and heaven-going at death originate? The answer is that they came from a pagan origin. Even today, the aborigine has his heaven at death -- a place where food is plentiful, the very opposite of his condition here on earth. The Indian has his "happy hunting ground," where he constantly enjoys the excitement of the chase -- his chief pleasure on earth. And the Christian has his heaven with streets paved with gold -- because gold is his greatest delight now on earth!

The Bible knows nothing of this teaching. It speaks of the death state as a state of complete unconsciousness:

"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God" (Psalm 146:3-5).

"The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence" (Psalm 115:17).

"The living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything . . . their love, their hatred, their envy is now perished" (Eccles. 9:5-10).

"Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beast that perish . . . He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light" (Psalm 49:19).

In fact, it is the reality of death, that makes salvation so needful. If death were but the gateway to greater glory who would fear it? It should be something anticipated with joy, and not looked upon with dread. But let this grim enemy approach, and the greatest preacher will seek the aid of modern science to keep him at bay!

Nowhere in Scripture do we have the inspired writers comforting their readers with the hope that after death their souls will enter realms of bliss above, but everywhere the emphasis is in a resurrection of the body from the grave. "God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave" (Psalm 49:15). "Many that sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and contempt" (Dan. 12:2). The Lord, himself, taught:

"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25).

The Bible teaches that apart from the resurrection, then "they that are fallen asleep in Christ are perished" (1 Cor. 15:18). Here the Bible is at variance with the statement earlier quoted from Dr. Graham alleging that "whether we are saved or lost, there is conscious and everlasting existence of the soul and personality." If those words are true, then Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 15:18 are false. He was wrong when he stated that apart from the resurrection, "those who are fallen asleep in Christ are perished."

The truth of the matter is clearly set forth in the following declaration:

"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ (note that this does not embrace all mankind - cp. Isa. 26:14) shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming" (1 Cor. 15:19-23).

God's Future Purpose

The doctrine of the second coming of Christ is clearly taught throughout the Bible. It is the great message of hope upon which God would have us center our attention. In this age of materialism and of distrust in the Bible, Christadelphian communities everywhere lift their voices in warning of the great impending national crisis of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16) that will consummate in the personal, visible return of the Lord Jesus to this earth (Acts 1: II; Rev. 1:7; 16:12; Mat. 25:21; Luke 21:27), when he will take up his great power and reign (Zech. 14:9; Dan. 2:44; Luke 1:32-33). The signs that show Christ's coming is near are numerous and distinct. They are seen in the growth of Russian power, the returning Jew, the divided and antagonistic state of the nations, the unprecedented preparations for war, and other national movements, clearly predicted in the Bible. These all have a significant meaning to those educated in the prophetic Scriptures. They herald the approaching end of an age, and the opening of a new era. God did not create this earth that it should forever remain the arena of bloodshed and violence, of sin and disobedience. The time is coming when He will call a halt to these things. He created the earth that it might reflect to His glory (Num. 14:21), and to this end He will send Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches:

"Times of refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you" (Acts 3:19).

"The God of heaven shall set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms (modern nations), and it shall stand for ever" (Dan. 2:44).

God is about to intervene in the affairs of the nations, and set up His kingdom on earth. In that day of glory, a great light will burst upon men everywhere. They shall then clearly see the purpose of God, and rejoice in the new knowledge they shall have. We read: "The Gentiles shall come unto Thee (the Lord Jesus) from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity and things wherein there is no profit" (Jer. 16:19).

Christ is coming to bring about great changes in the earth politically, socially and morally. But first he will reward his followers. From the grave of death will come forth those who have sought him in the days of their flesh, and to them will be given life eternal (Rom. 2:7). Thus clothed with power, they will assist him in governing mankind, so that under the perfect administration then set up, peace and righteousness will flood the earth (Isa. 2:2-4). The song of the redeemed in that day will be: "Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, people, tongue and nation, and has made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth" (Rev. 5:9-10).

Where the Bible Challenges You!

The Bible sets forth a system of Truth that is logical, consistent and easily understood. In that Truth there is found the seed of life eternal. By embracing it, and obeying its injunctions, we please Him whom we desire to worship, and to Whom we owe all things.

But the challenge is, Have you the moral courage to step out of the procession that leads to an abiding place in the grave, and walk in that way that will bring you forth again to life eternal?

The Bible clearly sets out the way of salvation. God demands your close attention to what He has set down, and insists upon you following the conditions that He requires, before He will bestow the gift of life eternal on you.

But there are very few with the independence of mind, and moral courage to do just that!

Christ warned that this would be so. He did not parade large numbers as an illustration of the worth of a movement, or the value of a teaching. In fact, the Bible warns: "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" (Exod. 23:2). Christ taught that it would not be the "many" who would find the way of life: "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" he declared (Matt. 7:14). The reason why he thus spoke is not hard to find; for the way of life makes demands which only few are prepared to accept. On another occasion, the Lord declared: "Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" (Luke 13:24).

The Bible teaches that "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb. 11:6). Again, it declares, "Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Finally: "He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6).

You might reply, "Oh, I believe in a God!"

But the question is, "Are you prepared to believe God?" "Are you willing to give the time to hearken to Him and embrace the Truth He has set forth in the Bible?"

The Bible's challenge to you, is a test of your loyalty to Christ. You may feel incensed that we dare challenge any doctrines advanced by the popular preachers of today; but the claims of Truth are paramount. Loyalty to Christ demands that we seek His way with independence of mind, it insists that we follow wherever he may lead. We appeal to you, Reader, to examine again your beliefs. This article does not claim to set forth Bible truth exhaustively: we have not the space to do that. And we would be pleased to hear from you, and to provide you with further free literature explanatory of the Bible -- essential to your future wellbeing. We ask you to give this matter a fair, unbiased reading, carefully examining the Bible references set down. We are confident of the results if you will do that -- for the power of Truth shines out from the pages of the Bible powerfully and clearly, calling men and women to the salvation and glory that is laid up for those who serve the Lord in truth and sincerity. Paul declares:

"The Lord Jesus Christ shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom . . . I have fought (Gr., agonized) a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but UNTO ALL THEM ALSO THAT LOVE HIS APPEARING" (2 Timothy 4:1,7,8).