Comment By Torchlight

Ultimate Weapon?

Mr. Krushchev is reported to have told a Japanese delegation in September last that Russia has now a terrible new secret weapon capable of destroying the whole of humanity. Later, he is said to have modified the claim. Whether or not he was correctly reported, can there be any doubt that the search for the ultimate weapon of destruction is being actively pursued by the great powers?

Among the words used by our Lord of the crisis of human history in the days preceding the coming of the Son of Man are these: "upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows; men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world" (Luke 21.25-26). This and other prophetic utterances indicate that these fearful developments in instruments of destruction will proceed. The theory that the very existence of these weapons will eventually outlaw war because no government would dare to use them is falsified by the prophetic Word. One day they will come under the control of Antichrist, who will have no regard for the sanctity of human life. He will crush every obstruction in his path to supreme power, and to achieve it "he shall destroy wonderfully" (Daniel 8.24). Man's rebellion against God has yet to reach its climax. Peace will come to this strife-ridden world only when the Son of Man intervenes to put an end to the madness which has driven man to the brink of self destruction.

Israel Complains

We mentioned here in April last the apprehension in the Middle East following the meeting of Arab League chiefs in Cairo early this year. As a sequel to this meeting we now have the news that Israel will lodge a complaint with the United Nations Security Council on the decision taken there, by 13 heads of state, to launch a war of extermination against the Jewish State. This shows the serious view taken by the Israelis of Arab intentions.

This gives confirmation to the accuracy of Biblical prophecy, and points to the shape of things to come. During the course of history several attempts have been made to destroy the Jewish race; the last attempt, by Adolf Hitler, is still being unfolded, and the scale and ferocity of it has shocked the world. The Jewish race is indestructible, all attempts to exterminate it have failed. Whatever form this threatened assault against the present State of Israel takes, the survival of the Jewish race is certain. In spite of her record of unbelief and present rejection of her Messiah, the promises of God to Israel await fulfilment. This nation will yet be the medium of divine blessing to mankind. A repentant and restored Israel will one day take her place at the head of the nations.

"Thus saith the LORD of Hosts: In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, shall even take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you" (Zechariah 8.23).

Christadelphian Activity

Recently, an impressive Bible Exhibition appeared in the Civic Hall of a Cheshire town under the title, "Rediscovering the Bible". This exhibition is to travel to other parts of Great Britain. It comprises a comprehensive collection of exhibits ranging from facsimiles of early Hebrew and Greek manuscripts to the English versions of the Bible. Wycliffe's first translation and early editions of Tyndale were on view. There were also some remarkable pictures of the Dead Sea Scrolls and of the caves where they were discovered. Many other exhibits of great interest to all lovers of the Scriptures were included in the collection. In conjunction with the exhibition a course of Bible talks was advertised and the attractive notice board outside informed: "Tonight's subject: LIFE AFTER DEATH; FACT OR FICTION?" There was no indication whatever of the sponsors of this project but careful enquiry elicited that it was held under the auspices of the Christadelphians.

Writing here some time ago on Seventh-Day Adventists we warned of the method of this cult in operating under a cloak of anonymity. A similar warning needs to be given regarding the Christadelphians. Although not to the same degree as Seventh-Day Adventists, the Christadelphians operate in such a way that they are often not easily identified. They sometimes advertise under the title "Beraen Bible Students", and publish literature under the name "Gospel Publicity League". They are diligent students of the Bible but their knowledge is unenlightened by the Spirit of God whose personality they deny. They are very persistent in their pursuit of converts and do not readily let go of anyone who shows interest in their views.

It is well to be alerted to the teachings of this cult on the fundamentals of the Faith. Christadelphians reject the doctrine of the Trinity and distort the views of those who accept it. They blatantly deny the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ and assert that He had no existence prior to His birth from Mary. They deny the personality of the Holy Spirit; and teach that the devil is not a person but a personification of sin in the flesh. They see no expiatory element in the Atonement. Hell for them is the grave, they reject eternal punishment and teach the annihilation of the wicked. This catalogue of their errors is by no means complete but it is sufficient to expose the danger of meddling with this cult. To give lip-service to the Bible while seeking to undermine its vital doctrines can have one explanation only; they are "darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them" (Ephesians 4. 18). All readers of Needed Truth should be aware of the fearful heresies of the Christadelphians and should warn any who appear to be attracted to their teachings of the risks they are taking. "Shun profane babblings" (2 Timothy 2.16).

unknown | Nov 1964
Comment By Torchlight