Bible Prophecies Being Fulfilled Today

DO YOU realize the Bible, which was written thousands of years ago, foretells events that are happening today, this very hour? This is possible because the Bible was written by holy men of God who inscribed in it what God wanted to reveal to mankind. Inspired by God, who knows the end from the beginning, these prophets were unanimous in their prediction that the time would come when God would establish a kingdom on earth for the purpose of restoring mankind to life, health, and happiness. This happy time is referred to as “the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:21)

When Jesus was on earth, he confirmed these ancient prophecies. He told his disciples that he would be crucified, be raised from the dead, go to his heavenly Father, then return at the end of the age to set up the long-promised kingdom of blessing upon the earth. His disciples naturally wanted to know when this would happen. They asked Jesus, “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy presence and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3) In response, Jesus gave them many signs by which his followers living at the time of the event would recognize that it had come. He said:

“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in diverse places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

Then, in the same chapter, he gave a prophecy that applies to no other time than the present time and the immediate future. It reads:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved.”

This prophecy could apply only to the present day because there has never before been a time since the flood when it was possible for all flesh to be destroyed. Plagues have swept the earth, destroying millions, but the human race survived and increased. World wars, fought in the conventional manner, killed millions, but humanity lived on. But with total nuclear warfare and its poisoning of the air which we and all animals must breathe–now, for the first time in history, complete and absolute destruction of the human race is threatened. Now we realize the import of this prophecy, written two thousand years ago: “Except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved.” But the Bible assures us that those days shall be shortened, and that the human race will not be destroyed.

The threat of atomic warfare is a cause of great anxiety and perplexity in the world today. Entire nations are in fear and distress. This present situation in the world is in fulfillment of another prophecy of Jesus:

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring. Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.”–Luke 21:25,26

But if men only realized that these present calamities are positive signs of the nearness of God’s glorious and benevolent kingdom under Christ, they would rejoice instead of fearing. The Bible tells us that there must first be a time of trouble before the kingdom of peace and righteousness takes full control to bless the world.

The very fact that we understand these prophecies is further evidence that we are living in the days known as “the time of the end.” When the prophet Daniel was given certain prophecies regarding this time, he did not understand them. He wanted so much to understand. We read his words:

“I heard, but I understood not. Then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Daniel 12:8,9

The Lord’s words to Daniel tell us just how “the time of the end” can be identified when it has come:

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”–Daniel 12:4

Do we not see these conditions fulfilled today? Has there ever been a time when there was so much rapid and worldwide travel? We not only have supersonic travel by jet plane within the earth’s atmosphere, but also travel in outer space at fantastically higher speeds. Whereas in Daniel’s day travel between countries took months, it now takes only a few hours. Beside fast railroad trains, there are great highways over which high-speed automobiles constantly run to and fro. There is a prophecy in Nahum that describes present traffic conditions with astonishing accuracy:

“The chariots shall rage in the streets; they shall justle one another in the broad ways; they shall seem like torches; they shall run like the lightnings.” Nahum 2:4

This was written more than twenty-five centuries ago! Daniel’s prophecy regarding the increase of knowledge has also been spectacularly fulfilled. This is one of the most amazing phenomena of modern times. Man has existed on earth for six thousand years, yet practically all the modern conveniences and scientific achievements we today take so much for granted were developed within the past one hundred and fifty years. Within this comparatively short period of time there has been a sudden awakening, and a tremendous surge of knowledge. One scientist has estimated that man’s total body of knowledge doubled between 1775 and 1900; doubled again between 1900 and 1950; again between 1950 and 1958; and is now doubling every five years! It is hard to grasp such a rapid rate of acceleration. This is another proof that we are now living in what is termed “the time of the end.”

Since, as we have seen, the prophetic descriptions given in the Bible are so amazingly accurate of present conditions, can we not reasonably expect the Bible prophecies concerning the future to be equally accurate? That would be the only logical conclusion to draw. What does the Bible tell us will come to pass in the near future?

Bearing in mind that, in Bible usage, a “mountain” represents a kingdom, we read:

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow into it. And many people shall go and say, come ye, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isaiah 2:2-4

Because we are now living in the period called “the last days,“ this prophecy is in the process of fulfillment. In symbolic language, it describes God’s kingdom on earth under Christ, the kingdom for which we have for so longed prayed: “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

In that kingdom there will not only be peace, but there will be life, life in its fullness, a resurrection to life, everlasting life in perfect health, to all the willing and obedient. This was secured by Jesus’ death on the cross as a ransom for Adam and his race. Life is the desire of all nations, and we read, “I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come.” (Haggai 2:7) The shaking is now going on and will soon be followed by blessing. The prophet Daniel said:

“At that time shall Michael stand up; the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people . . . and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life.” Daniel 12:1,2

Gods’ kingdom will soon be revealed to all mankind. The great prince, Christ Jesus, is already invisibly present. When the current time of trouble is finished, the kingdom of God will take complete control of earth’s affairs and there shall be a resurrection of the dead.

I know it is hard to conceive of a world in which men will no longer die. Nevertheless such a time is really coming and is near at hand.

We read:

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.”–Revelation 21:3-5

Christ Has Returned

THERE has always been great interest among Christians regarding the second coming of Jesus Christ. He first came to earth nearly two thousand years ago to sacrifice his perfect human life as a ransom price for the forfeited life of Adam and his race. Then he was raised from the dead a glorious spirit being and returned to God in heaven, having purchased the human race. He promised to return in great power as king of earth, to reign for a thousand years, to redeem all mankind from sin and death, and to restore them to human perfection and eternal life. This objective is termed, “The redemption of the purchased possession.” (Ephesians 1:14)

Every prophet of God spoke of this wonderful event:

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you; whom the heaven must retain until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19-21

Today we are proclaiming a most joyful message: Christ has returned to earth! He is here, invisibly present, and is now setting up his kingdom to bring restitution to the world.

The Bible teaches that when Christ first returns, only a few will know about it, only those who are watching and who recognize the signs of his presence. Jesus himself said, “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth.” (Revelation 16:15) When Jesus told his disciples that he would be crucified, raised from the dead, ascend to heaven, and then, at the end of the age, return invisibly to earth to establish his kingdom, they wanted to be sure they would recognize such an important event when it occurred. So they asked him, “What shall be the sign of thy presence, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3) In reply Jesus gave them many signs that would be evidences of his invisible second presence. These signs are everywhere around us today and prove that Christ has returned.

Time will not permit us to cite them all, but let us consider some of them. Although there have always been wars between nations, in Matthew chapter 24 Jesus refers to a scope and intensity of conflict such as the world has never before experienced. It refers to extremely destructive world wars involving every nation of the world:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved.” Matthew 24:21,22

Since Christ’s return, and as an evidence of it, there have already been two world wars. A third one, using atomic weapons, is threatened. Such a war could, by poisoning the atmosphere, destroy every living thing upon the earth. This particular set of circumstances has never before existed and is a sure sign of the times. This is confirmed by Daniel:

“And at that time shall Michael [Christ] stand up [return]; the great Prince [ruler] which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation, even to that same time.” Daniel 12:1

The very fact that all nations are now vainly striving to bring peace upon the earth is another sign of Christ’s invisible thief-like presence. The Bible says that at the time of Christ’s presence, the cry for “peace and safety” would be the loudest. Thus we read the apostle’s words to the faithful, watching Christians who recognize the signs:

“For yourselves know perfectly that the day [presence] of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”–1 Thessalonians 5:2-6

Let us take the apostle’s advice and not be as others who ignore the signs of Christ’s presence.

The Sign of the Fig Tree

Another important sign Jesus gave his disciples, which we see fulfilled today, concerns the fig tree:

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree. When his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh.”–Matthew 24:32

This sign becomes beautifully clear when it is realized that the fig tree is a symbol of the nation of Israel. Israel was at one time the only nation recognized by God. He said, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth.” (Amos 3:2) Then they displeased God and were cast off from favor. They were banished from their own land and scattered among the nations. Thus we read:

“Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night, where I will not show you favor.” Jeremiah 16:13

Thus the symbolic fig tree withered. But God promised to restore Israel to his favor, as is written in the next two verses:

“Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but the Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them. And I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.”

This is confirmed by Ezekiel:

“For I will take you from among the nations, and gather you out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own land.” Ezekiel 36:24

This is something that is happening before our eyes and it is thrilling to see. Israel is once again a nation and is being built up in her own land. The fig tree, which was withered and dry for so many centuries, is now budding. It is a sure sign of the end of the age and the return and presence of Christ. We are in the beginning of the time referred to in Acts:

“After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.” Acts 15:16

The restoration of Israel is an especially significant sign because the Bible teaches that the operation of the kingdom of God on earth, whereby all nations will be blessed, will commence with that nation.

Another important sign that all can recognize today was given by Jesus:

“Upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.” Luke 21:25,26

“The sea and the waves roaring” picture the discontented and restless masses of humanity rising up in protest and clamoring for their rights. This is causing distress in every nation to an extent never before experienced in history. Then we read: “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.”

Men’s hearts are now failing because of several fearful possibilities facing the world for the first time in history, each of which threatens to destroy the human race. There is the threat of an atomic holocaust. There is the ever-increasing pollution of the air, water and earth, whereby people sicken and die. There is the population explosion, bringing world-wide famine. There is developing a wide-spread anarchy, threatening to overthrow law and order. Fearful as they are, these are signs that Christ is present and that God’s kingdom is about to assume complete power over the earth, to destroy evil, and bring life, health and happiness to all mankind.

Claiming Prayer

“Ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss.” James 4:2,3

THE healing miracles performed by Jesus attracted thousands and thousands of people and he preached the gospel of the kingdom to them. (Matthew 4:23) This was his method of quickly gaining a large audience. His time was short–he had a brief 3 1/2 years in which to accomplish his ministry. He did not have time to go to them individually; they must come to him and they did, in very large numbers.

“And there followed him great multitudes of people, from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.” Matthew 4:25

And he healed them. Matthew 12:15 says he healed them all. When he saw their sufferings and distresses, their lost and aimless condition, his heart was filled with pity for them.

“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” Matthew 9:36

He gave freely of his vitality and his divine gift of healing. But even a perfect human organism has its limitations. Rest and recuperation are needed even by a perfect man. So at times he simply had to withdraw himself from the multitude no matter how much he pitied them and how much they needed him.

The Importance of Prayer

There were other reasons beside the need for rest to leave the multitude. Most important of all he felt the absolute necessity of regularly communing with his heavenly father. To speak with his father was more important than food or rest to him. As it is written of him, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.“ (Job 23:12) Luke reports an occasion when “he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12)

And another reason to withdraw himself periodically from the multitudes was to be alone with his disciples and teach them. The teaching of his disciples was very different from the preaching to the multitudes. He had things to tell them that the multitudes would not be permitted to understand, that they could not understand. He told his disciples plainly:

“It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; but to them, it is not given.” Matthew 13:11

But as a practical matter, how did he manage to escape from the multitude? They surrounded him, they cried and clamored for his healing touch. There were endless numbers of them. If he simply walked off with his disciples following, the multitude would follow too. He would never get away. In fact there is an occasion when Jesus wanted to be alone with his disciples, so someone suggested they take a boat, sail across the lake, and land in a quiet spot where Jesus could talk to them privately. But what happened?

“And they departed into a desert place by ship privately; and the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all the cities; and outwent them, and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people.” Mark 6:32-34

That didn’t work as they had expected. So what did Jesus do? Reading between the lines, I think it was something like this: Jesus, surrounded by the multitude, would signal just one of his disciples to follow him. Perhaps a nod of the head would suffice. Then, hiding his face, he would quickly mingle with the crowd, and work his way free from the multitude. Before the people realized he was missing, he and the one disciple would be well on their way up the mountain. On the mountain they would find an isolated spot where Jesus could sit down and rest. Then the one disciple would return down the mountain and tell the other disciples where Jesus’ secret haven was. Unobtrusively, by twos and threes, and without attracting the attention of the multitudes, they would come to Jesus. This method seems to be suggested in these words:

“And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would, and they came to him. Mark 3:13

It is also suggested in the occasion we are now considering:

“And, seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain; and when he was set, his disciples came unto him. And he opened his mouth, and taught them.” Matthew 5:1,2

Alone on the Mountain

The noisy multitudes were gone. The heartrending cries of suffering and the tearful pleas to be healed were left behind for awhile. Instead there was the peaceful quietness of the mountain top. The clean, cool mountain air was so refreshing after the dust, dirt and heat of the plains. Jesus had taken special pains to be alone with his disciples on this occasion. The multitude could wait. What he had to say was for his disciples’ ears alone. He wanted to impart to them some of “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,” which the multitude would not understand and could not understand. It would be foolishness to them.

“And he opened his mouth, and taught them,” preaching the most important sermon in history, which came to be called “The Sermon on the Mount.” He opened his remarks by the declarations of blessedness we know as “The Beatitudes.” It is well the multitudes were not there because it would have been utter foolishness to them:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit” is it not more blessed to be rich? “Blessed are they that mourn” is not happiness more to be desired?

“Blessed are the meek” everybody knows it is the aggressive ones that get the good things of the world!

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst” the getting of sufficient food is our greatest problem; and he calls hunger blessed!

“Blessed are the merciful”it’s only good business to press your advantage, when you have it!

“Blessed are the pure in heart” well, now, if you don’t have a little healthy suspicion, you’ll be taken advantage of!

“Blessed are the peacemakers” tell my enemy that! If he stops fighting, I will!

“Blessed are they which are persecuted” oh come now; is the iron rule of Rome a blessed thing?

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely” is not a good reputation rather to be desired?

Now do you see why he wanted to be alone with his disciples? He had incredible and astonishing things to tell them, real gems of truth, holy things that the world could not appreciate, that they would ridicule and reject. He wanted to use plain speech to his disciples. If the multitude had been present, he would have had to express himself in parables:

“Therefore speak I unto them in parables; because they, seeing, see not; and hearing, they hear not; neither do they understand.” Matthew 13:13

In the course of his Sermon on the Mount, he also cautioned his disciples along this line:

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine; lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Matthew 7:6

Applying this lesson to ourselves, it is to the hearing ear and the sympathetic mind that our message is directed, to those whom the Lord has drawn and is drawing. As Proverbs expresses it:

“The hearing ear, and the seeing eye; the Lord hath made even both of them.” Proverbs 20:12

Our message makes no sense to others. They see no beauty in it, it has no appeal. It appears as foolishness.

Here is the particular part of the Sermon on the Mount we are going to consider:

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you; for everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom, if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give a serpent? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so, to them; for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:7-12

Words for His Followers

This is another of those astonishing utterances of Jesus that the world cannot understand. “Ask, and it shall be given you . . . for everyone that asketh, receiveth.” The world hears this and responds:

“This is certainly contrary to our experience. In fact, you get hardly anything you ask for. We have asked for health, and life, and gotten sickness and death. We have asked for food, and millions have starved to death. We have asked for wise and just rulers, and been saddled with tyranny. We have asked for peace and gotten war.”

Then Jesus made the statement, “Seek and ye shall find . . . for he that seeketh, findeth.” The poor world, naturally endowed with the propensity of veneration and worship, have sought for the true and loving God but have not found him. They have groped blindly and felt after him without success. We read, “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him.” (Acts 17:27) Seeking safety and security, the nations of the world have united into the United Nations Organization hoping that “he that seeketh, findeth.” But the fearful threat of atomic destruction hangs over all.

“Knock, and it shall be opened unto you . . . and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.” Do the desired doors of opportunity, attainment, and fortune open upon demand to those of the world? We know that they do not. The world is full of disappointment, discouragement and disillusionment. Instead of doors opening, they slam in one’s face.

To the world these statements of Jesus make no sense even today. They are piously read in the churches, but are not taken very seriously. They are considered beautiful prose, but impractical and unworkable. So it is a good thing the multitude was not there that day on the mount when Jesus spoke these words. They would have scoffed.

“The learned Rabbi means well, but he doesn’t have much practical experience in the ways of the world. If you want something, grab it; don’t ask, or seek, or knock, or pussyfoot around. Possession is ninetenths of the law. Just go after it and get it! It’s dog-eat-dog in this world.”

Yes, that’s the way it is in Satan’s world. That’s why the Lord’s people are as “strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Hebrews 11:13)

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you, for everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.”

These are indeed beautiful words. They are among the most sublime, meaningful and vital words that Jesus ever uttered. They are comforting, reassuring and restful to the soul. Yet there are some, even among the Lord’s people, who are actually discouraged by these words! Why? Because they have tried them and have failed.

They have asked, and not received; they have sought, and not found; they have knocked, and it has not been opened. Then that serpent Satan has been quick to suggest to them: “You are obviously not one of the Lord’s called-out ones. If you were, his promise would not fail you.” So they stop asking, they stop claiming this exceeding great and precious promise. Instead of bread, they accept a stone; instead of fish, a serpent.

But why does the promise seem to have failed them? We read, “There hath not failed one word of all his good promise.” (1 Kings 8:56) What is wrong? Let us consider some of the possibilities that can be wrong so we can correct them and be able to receive all the lavish blessings the Lord has promised to them that love him. There are several necessary ingredients to the successful claiming of this promise. These are clearly given in the scriptures for our information and benefit. The Lord wants us to avail ourselves of this promise and has supplied all the information necessary for us to do so.

The Proper Way to Ask

Two of the requirements are found in our text: “Ye have not, because ye ask not; ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss.” (James 4:2) One must ask for God’s blessings and there is a prescribed way of asking. We also see that there are things we should not ask for, which are amiss to ask for.

An important requirement is faith:

“Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:6

There are specific things mentioned that we may ask for we are invited to ask for with the full assurance, that if we do so in the prescribed manner, we shall receive them. There is also the necessity for persistence and perseverance in asking for the proper things. But this is the primary requirement mentioned by Jesus:

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

There are conditions in this statement: “If ye abide in me.” Those who abide in Christ must have gotten into him by faith, by repentance, and by consecration. To abide in him means that faith will abide, the repentance for sin and opposition to it will abide, and the consecration to the Lord and his service will abide and be manifest.

The other condition is also important: “If my words abide in you.” The Lord here associates himself and his word (the scriptures) in the minds, in the hearts, in the lives, in the prayers of all who are truly his. The word of God should be a part of our very being. If it is, it will have a tremendous power over us, leading us safely, keeping us secure whether asleep or awake, lighting our way, and instructing us continually along the path of life. This is what we read about God’s words:

“Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; and when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou wakest, it shall talk with thee; for the commandment is a lamp, and the law is a light; and reproofs of instruction, are the way of life.” Proverbs 6:21-23,

If the word of God becomes part of us, we can say it is “in him we live, and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

Let us analyze the various requirements for claiming this most precious promise: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” James says, “Ye have not, because ye ask not.” But some might say:

“Why should I ask? Did not Jesus say your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him? (Matthew 6:8) If I am his child, and he knows what I need, why should I have to ask?”

Of course your heavenly Father knows what you need. He knows everything, but he still wants you to ask. There is no better proof than that in the next five verses, after Jesus said “your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him,” he taught his disciples how to pray. In that prayer he included the petition:

Give us this day our daily bread.” We are told to ask because when we ask, our minds are prepared to receive. God will not give us his precious things until we are prepared to receive and appreciate them. If we say, “There is no use for me to ask for that,” and then do not ask, of course we will not get it. He wants to hear our requests; it means something to him. What we want and long to have, what we consider important, indicates the condition of our hearts. That is what he wants to see. We can’t tell him what our needs are; we don’t really know ourselves. We don’t know what’s good for us. But our heavenly Father knows. Jesus said in this same sermon: “Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things [the material things].” Then he said:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”–Matthew 6:32,33

Jesus’ Formula for Material Things

Some feel we should not ask for material things, that it is sinful to do so. Now here is a perfectly safe way, an approved way, a formula given by Jesus himself, describing how we might obtain our necessary material needs: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” The Diaglott says “SUPERADDED to you.” That sounds like an abundance, all you really need. It is a positive statement. You can positively claim this promise if the kingdom of God and his righteousness is first and foremost in your life. Although we cannot and need not tell the Lord what our needs are, we can tell him (and he loves to hear) our heart intentions, our sincere desires, our longings and aspirations.

“Be careful for nothing [be not anxious about anything], but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6

Our asking must be done in the proper manner, in the prescribed way. Jesus said:

“I am the way . . . And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do; that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:6,13,14

Unless we have asked in this way, we have not asked properly.

After saying, “Ye have not, because ye ask not,” James adds: “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts [or appetites].” What are these things that are amiss which we may not ask for with any hope of receiving? These are the purely selfish things that are not to the glory of God nor to the benefit of his people. While we are taught to pray for our daily bread, we are not taught to pray for money or luxuries to be showered upon us. However, it is certainly not amiss to labor and to ask the Lord’s blessing upon our labors, to seek guidance from him in the performance of our daily work. It is certainly not amiss to receive with thankfulness the fruit of our labors, much or little, as the Lord may see best for us. “The laborer is worthy of his hire.” (Luke 10:7)

Some might think that all the good things of life are “amiss” to ask for. This is certainly not so. It is only the unimportant things that are amiss, things pertaining to the flesh the short human existence, the brief earthly life. But all the enduring things, the eternal things, the heavenly things, the things that really count, are included in the promise: “Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

Now let us reason together. How long do you expect to live on this earth? Perhaps as much as a hundred years? Such a long human life is a tiny, infinitesimal, insignificant span of life compared with the eternity of the divine nature. In the words of Paul: “Not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) How incomparably more important it is, then, to ask for and receive the heavenly gifts the treasures of heaven rather than the miserable, groveling, selfish benefits that are so temporary and which wither like grass. Let us never ask as did the Israelites in the wilderness for flesh and the leeks and the onions of Egypt. Let us not “ ask amiss.”

In claiming the promise, “Ask, and it shall be given you,” there is the tremendously vital ingredient of faith:

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering [or, as the Diaglott says, `not hesitating’] for he that wavereth [or hesitates] is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:6-8

When Jesus was on earth, he found a woeful lack of faith. He was in the nation of Israel, the people favored of God, a chosen people, heirs of history rich with God’s loving kindness. Should he not have found a strong, unwavering faith? But in fact he found little faith.

Even among his own disciples, there were doubting Thomases, and sinking Peters. He once said to them, as if in surprise: “How is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

Demonstrations of Faith

When Jesus saw a real demonstration of faith, he was exceedingly pleased. One such account is given in Matthew chapter 8 which I will paraphrase. Jesus had just come down from the mountain and a great multitude followed him. A man with a hideous case of leprosy came to him and was instantly healed. As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, a centurion, a Roman officer commanding a hundred soldiers, made an appeal to Jesus. He said that his servant was seriously sick. Jesus said that he would come and heal him. But the centurion said, “Lord, it is not necessary that you leave the service of this multitude to come to my house. I understand your position. I, too, am a man of authority in my small way. If I want something done, I issue a command and it’s done. But what do my hundred soldiers compare with this tremendous power of God that is in your hands? My house is far too humble for you to enter.” Now I quote from the scripture: “But speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed: Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel! . . . And Jesus said unto the centurion: Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”

Note the words, “as thou hast believed.” This phrase describes faith! Here is another similar event:

“While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead; but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.”– Matthew 9:18

She did indeed live. Here’s another example:

“And, behold a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment; for, she said within herself, if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” Matthew 9:20, 21

And she was! What magnificent exhibitions of pure, and simple faith these are! Think of it! Faith that can say: “My servant is desperately ill; but don’t trouble to come all the way to my house to see him. Just say the word here, and he will be cured.” Faith that can say: “My daughter is dead; but lay your hands on her and she will live!” Faith that can say: “I’ve been sick for twelve years; the doctors can do nothing; but if I only touch his coat, I’ll be all right!” Why can’t we all have faith like that, faith not to obtain physical healing for a few brief years on this earth, but to ask for and receive the eternal and enduring things God has promised us?

On the road to Bethany Jesus had spoken to the fruitless fig tree; the tree instantly withered at his command.

“And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this, which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, it shall be done! And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:19-22

From these words of Jesus has sprung a common adage: “Mountain- moving faith” or “Faith to move mountains,” describing a strong and complete faith.

“If ye have faith, and doubt not . . . Ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed . . . and it shall be done!” What a remarkable thing for Jesus to say to his disciples, and to us! Is it possible that through simple faith such a tremendous power is available to us? What did Jesus mean? Of course this statement of Jesus has primarily a symbolic significance. The fig tree represented the Jewish nation, cast off from favor, its hopes withering. When Jesus came to it, he found no fruit. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:11) As he said:

“Therefore I say unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Matthew 21:43

But what did the mountain which shall be cast into the sea represent? I think it represents the kingdom and authority of Satan which will sink into destruction in a sea of anarchy. We see the rising tide of anarchy today.

Personal Mountains

In addition to this specific symbolism, I think there is more a personal application to each one of us. Yes, each one of us, if we have faith, can move mountains.

Do you have mountains of trials, towering before you, seemingly insurmountable? They can be removed, if you have faith.

Do you have mountains of problems, piled high blocking your progress in the narrow way? They can be solved, if you have faith.

Are there mountains of fleshly weaknesses that seem to come between and threaten your communion with the Lord and his people? They can be overcome with faith.

Do you have mountains of earthly obligations that leave so little time and strength for the Lord and his service? Faith will find a way.

Are not such mountains as these more important than literal mountains of soil and rock? Is not their removal a much greater accomplishment, a greater miracle, and much more to the glory of God?

Let us suppose you have one of these mountains of trials, problems, fleshly weaknesses, earthly obligations, or other things you would like removed. What should you do? In faith claim the promise: “Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.” First we should ask:

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask in Jesus’ name. Our mountains may not be removed at once but we are assured of a loving and merciful consideration of our case, and grace to help. If the removal of the mountain is delayed, we know that such delay is designed to work some good thing in us.

After asking let us also claim the promise: “Seek, and ye shall find.” Let us implement our desire to remove the mountain by seeking ways to do it ourselves. Let us do our part. We are told we will “find grace to help.” To find, we must seek. Have we really done our best? One way to move a mountain from in front of you to behind you, is to climb over it. Another way is to walk around it. Back home on the farm, if we had a tree stump too big to pull and too wet to burn, we plowed around it. Sure it was annoying to see it there, standing in the way. But we learned to accept it and did not let it hinder us in our work. With the passage of time, it finally decayed and collapsed of its own accord. Let us also remove our mountains by claiming the promise: “Knock and it shall be opened unto you.” We can “knock” on the door of the scriptures and often have the answer to our difficulty opened to us.

Consider the case of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. The death of Jesus had been a cruel blow to them, a mountain of disappointment in their path. They contemplated returning to their former earthly pursuits, thoroughly discouraged. But then we read:

“And their eyes were opened, . . . And they said, one to another, did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” Luke 24:31,32

The opening of the scriptures did the job. Their mountain was removed and they felt a glorious sense of relief. Jesus can also talk to you about your mountain. But you’ll have to “knock” by faithfully reading the scriptures, and the wonderful Bible helps provided in the Studies in the Scriptures. If you do this with faith, it will be opened unto you. That’s a promise. “Believing, ye shall receive.”

Specific Things to Request

We have considered the necessity for asking, that we must not ask amiss, that we must ask in Jesus’ name, that we must ask in faith, and that we must do our part. Now let us consider the specific things we may ask for with the full assurance that if we do and in the prescribed manner, we shall receive them:

“And this is the confidence we have in him; that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14, 15

Confidence in God

Notice the expressions of faith in this scripture: “The confidence we have in him; we know that he hears us; we know that we have our petitions.” This confidence and assurance is based on our asking “according to his will.”

What are these things that are “according to his will” which we are told to ask for and which, if we ask, we will receive? One of these is suggested by James:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5

“But this is fantastic,” you might say. “God is the source of all wisdom. Can I obtain his wisdom by just asking?” Yes, you can. But God does not open our skulls and pour wisdom into our brains through a funnel. Nor does he speak audibly and privately with us to impart special knowledge not available to others. Nor does he send exclusive revelations to us through a certain organization. No! His wisdom is in his word. As Paul said to Timothy:

“Thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.” 2 Timothy 3:15

It is through the scriptures that his wisdom is to be revealed to us.

Let us consider the small “if“ at the beginning of the promise: “If any of you lack wisdom.” How important it is for us to first realize our lack, that we are nothing and know nothing of ourselves.

Everyone dislikes a “know-it-all”; God dislikes it too. The world calls those who have such an attitude “smart-alecks.” Those who think they know it all have nothing to learn They can never obtain wisdom. But the humble, the meek, the teachable, those who know their lack of wisdom, these may ask and receive. There is an old saying: “The significance of the vessel is not in the shell, but in the void” the emptiness, the ability to contain something. A lack of wisdom must be humbly realized before the emptiness or void, can be filled. Solomon provides an excellent example of this principle. The account is in 1 Kings chapter 3. When Solomon was crowned king in the place of his father David, God said to him: “Ask what I shall give thee.” Think of it! The omnipotent God, offering Solomon anything he wanted! No conditions, no strings. He had but to ask. Anything! What an opportunity! He was already a king, but just for the asking, he could have fabulous wealth, great honor, triumph over all his enemies, long life in good health ANYTHING! But for what did Solomon ask? He said, “I am but a little child. I know not how to go out, or come in.” Then he simply asked God for an understanding heart, to discern between good and bad, to enable him to be a just and good king over Israel. The record says:

“And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him: Because thou hast not asked for thyself long life; neither have asked riches for thyself, nor have asked the life of thine enemies; but have asked for thyself understanding, to discern judgment; behold I have done according to thy words. Lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked both riches and honor; so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee, all thy days.” 1 Kings 3:10-13

The Way to Please God

“And the speech pleased the Lord.” Do you want to please the Lord? Here is the formula: Go to him as a little child and ask him for an understanding and discerning heart. That will please the Lord. Your request will be granted, and who knows what other spiritual riches may be granted besides!

Here is another specific gift we may request:

“If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:13

God’s Gift – The Holy Spirit

This is an extraordinarily rich and lavish gift, because the holy spirit has so many forms and manifestations. It is variously called in the scriptures The Spirit of God, The Spirit of Christ, The Spirit of Truth, The Spirit of Holiness, The Spirit of a Sound Mind, The Spirit of Liberty, The Spirit of the Father, The Spirit of Promise, The Spirit of Meekness, The Spirit of Understanding, The Spirit of Wisdom, The Spirit of Glory, The Spirit of Counsel, The Spirit of Grace, The Spirit of Adoption, and The Spirit of Prophecy.

We may ask for the fruits of the spirit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering [or forbearance], gentleness [or kindness], goodness, faith [or fidelity], meekness and temperance [or self-control].” Galatians 5:22,23

These treasures of the holy spirit are ours for the asking, and we are invited to ask for them. But don’t expect to receive them suddenly, all at once. They will be given gradually as we make room for them in our hearts and minds. As we depose and empty ourselves of the wrong spirit–the spirit of the world, the flesh, and the devil the promise is, nevertheless, sure if we ask.

We may also ask for the nations:

“Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen [or the nations] for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Psalms 2:8,9

We participate in this promise with Christ, as members of his body. We shall indeed inherit the nations, reducing them to obedience to God’s kingdom with a rod of iron, typifying firm divine authority or control, dashing evil governments, principalities, and powers to pieces. This is something we can ask for with assurance.

I came across another interesting thing to ask for in Zechariah: “Ask ye of the Lord rain, in the time of the latter rains; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain.” Zechariah 10:1

Rain is a symbol of truth. The “latter rains” probably refer to the harvest truths given in the latter, or last days of the Gospel age.

“Ask ye of the Lord rain [a wide promulgation of truth]; in the time of the latter rains [at the end of the Gospel Age, when harvest truth is proclaimed]; so the Lord shall make bright clouds [the clouds of trouble are bright with promises to us]; and give them showers of rain [a really saturating broadcast of harvest truth].”

Let us pray for the harvest work and do our part in it.

Maintaining the Old Paths

Finally, we can ask for the “old paths”:

“Thus saith the Lord; stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16

Let us stand in the way we have chosen and not be drawn away from it. Let us continue to see the precious truths of old, made clear by a faithful and wise servant, and not deviate from them. Let us ask to be kept steadfast in the old paths, the strait gate, the narrow way,

the good way, and not be diverted by new and strange road signs. Let us continue to walk there in, confidently and serenely, finding rest for our souls.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.”

Let us claim this promise, and make it our own!

Crumbs from the Master’s Table

TODAY we are going to consider an incident that is recorded in Matthew 15:21-28 and Mark 7:24-30. It is the account of Jesus’ healing the daughter of the Syrophenician woman. But first let us consider some background as given in Mark’s account.

Herod had beheaded John the Baptist under the most bizarre circumstances and his conscience what was left of it was assailed by superstitious remorse. At this time Jesus went about preaching the kingdom and performing wonderful miracles of love and mercy, and the people flocked to him. They even considered taking him and making him a king. This growing popularity of Jesus disturbed Herod. We read:

“And Herod heard of him, for his name was spread abroad; and he said that John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.” Mark 6:14

Jesus knew what was going on in Herod’s warped and depraved mind. He knew there was a possibility that Herod would seek to kill him. Jesus was not afraid to die. This was the very purpose for which he had come to earth. But he knew that it was not due time for him to die. He had a work to do, a ministry to perform, and only when that was finished at a certain pre-determined and prophesied time, he would be offered up not before. So it was because of prudence and not because of fear that he left Galilee temporarily and, together with a few of his disciples, journeyed about 45 miles toward the Mediterranean. It was a two-day journey in those days. Today, by jet, it would take about five minutes. This brought Jesus to what is called in our lesson, “The borders of Tyre and Sidon,” an area within the boundary of the land called Phoenicia of which Tyre and Sidon were the principle cities. Jesus did not enter these cities. Apparently he merely crossed the borders of Galilee thus freeing himself, for a time, from the authority of Herod. By so doing he was by no means abdicating his ministry. It was an interlude he would profitably utilize for necessary physical recuperation, meditation, prayer and the private instruction of his disciples.

Jesus The Perfect Specimen

Jesus would have preferred that no one recognize him in Phoenicia. Mark 7:24 tells us that he “entered into an house, and would have no man know it. But he could not be hid.” Of course he could not be hid! Have you ever thought of the contrast there must be between a perfect man and a fallen, depraved man? At that time mankind had fallen for 4000 years, with each succeeding generation “born in sin and shapen in iniquity” (Psalms 51:5), and every generation adding its cumulative effect of physical disfiguration. In 4000 years they had become miserable caricatures of the real thing. It is even more so today. So we can picture Jesus arriving in Phoenicia accompanied by his very ordinary looking disciples. Being a replica of the beautiful and physically perfect Adam with the grace and regal bearing of the King of earth, he, by sheer contrast, caught the attention of everyone who saw him. He was quickly identified as Jesus and the news of his arrival was rapidly passed from mouth to mouth. The great prophet and healer of Israel, about whom they had heard so much, was in their midst! Now we read:

“A certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation. And she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.” Mark 7:25,26

One can scarcely imagine the heartbreak which that poor woman had to endure! A devil had taken possession of her sweet little girl! The specific manifestations of such an obsession are too horrible to describe in detail. Matthew’s account says she was “grievously vexed with a devil.” The Weymouth translation renders it, “Cruelly harassed by a demon.” This devil, or unclean spirit, was one of the fallen angels who had been instrumental in corrupting the earth in the days of Noah. This was one of the powerful spirit beings who, allied with Satan, had tyrannized and degraded mankind so that,

“Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” Genesis 6:5,11

Under the domination of Satan these fallen angels became demons who were tyrants and bullies. They used their superior powers to influence mankind to wickedness, pulling them down to depths of depravity. Now here was one of these ancient bullies who, as is typical of bullies, did not “pick on someone his own size.” He had seized control of the brain of a helpless little girl. He expressed himself through the lips of that innocent child, using most foul and profane language. That is why he was called an “unclean” or “impure” spirit. He sometimes controlled the girl’s body to viciously attack anyone who came near. The poor mother probably had many scars of these encounters with her own daughter. She knew it was only a matter of time when the poor girl would be driven to suicide. The mother was now at her wits’ end not knowing what to do. She had been hearing of Jesus, the great healer of Israel, who was doing such wonderful things in distant Galilee. She had heard that he frequently cast out devils from those obsessed. But her daughter had to be kept under restraint. She could not take her the necessary two days’ journey to Galilee; besides, she had heard that Jesus would not have dealings with any but Israelites. So she had just about given up hope on that score. We can imagine her elation when a neighbor ran to her home and breathlessly said,

“A most wonderful thing has happened! Jesus, the great prophet and healer of Israel is here in our village! He arrived just a little while ago with his disciples; and I know the very house he is in, right now!”

A hope, almost dead, revived and surged in her heart.