Who’s Praying for the Arabs? 
                                                              by
                                                         Josprel


In our zeal to experience the fulfillment of Bible prophecy in the Middle East, those Arabs who have been born again, have become the forgotten sector of the body of Christ. Is anyone praying for the Arabs?

There are approximately 175, 000, 000 Arabs dwelling in 21 Arab countries, and we seem unaware that Christ also died for them. Among them are Arabs who already have experienced the new birth; evangelical Christians, suffering hardships along with other dwellers of the powder-keg Middle East. Since these believers are neither Jewish or Moslems, they are viewed with suspicion by both sides in the explosive Arab-Israeli conflict. The hardships engendered by this "caught-in-the-middle" status are intensified by the militant theology disseminated against Arabs by so-called "muscular Christians" - some of them well-known Evangelical fundamentalist Americans. Amazingly, these muscular Christians endeavor to hasten the fulfillment of Middle East Bible prophecy by manipulating events in that area of the world, even at the risk of provoking a full scale "holy war" between Israel and an alliance of Arab nations; a war that would result in a catastrophic loss of life on both sides.

Such results are of no concern to muscular Christians since - in their view - the war is absolutely necessary to the return of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem, and such deaths have been preordained by God. Anything they can do to hasten the pace of prophetical fulfillment is considered by them to be a plus. In actuality, muscular Christians are attempting by human manipulations to force the hand of God through political actions, finances and propaganda.

Among the activities applauded and encouraged by muscular theologians are terrorist activities against Arabs by groups outlawed by the Israeli government. This includes attempts to destroy the Dome of the Rock mosque in Old Jerusalem. They believe that the destruction of the mosque will lead to the rebuilding of the Jewish temple, thus facilitating Christ's return. Though most Christian and Jews who revere the Old Testament prophets, agree that the Dome of the Rock mosque someday will be destroyed and replaced by a Jewish temple, the vast majority of them are nevertheless willing to leave these events to God's discretion. Since God requires no prompting by man to fulfill His Word, they hold that the mosque will be destroyed by an act of God, such as an earthquake, not by an act of terrorism. For those who subscribe to this view, God's time clock does not run slow.

When muscular Christians are warned that their attempts to destroy the Dome of the Rock mosque most likely will trigger a full scale Arab-Israeli war with a horrendous loss of life, their response is a callous, fatalistic one. They reply that it has all been predicted in the God's Word - it is all predetermined by God. They also respond that, since Zechariah 13: 8-9 predicts that Israel will suffer the loss of two thirds of her population in her final conflict, such heavy casualties cannot be avoided; they are the will of God.

Muscular Christians also view the Arabs as expendable, stating that they are the enemies of Israel and, therefore, the enemies of God. With such a calloused exploitation of scriptures, they rationalize their attempts to quicken the pace of prophetical fulfillment.

Arab Christians find themselves in a precarious dilemma. Moslems hear much regarding the views of muscular Christian preachers who broadcast over evangelically built radio and T.V. stations located in the Middle East. These preachers beam anti-Arab messages that equate anti-Arab, Middle East politics with Christianity, charge Arabs with condoning terrorist activities, and support the take-over of Arab lands by Israel. Moslem Arabs consider such propaganda as representative of all Christians. Understandably, the Moslem Arabs react negatively to born-again Arabs and the Western nations. They reject the message of redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ. After all, they reason, how can an Arab be a Christian when Christians hate Arabs?

As we pray for Israel, can we not also pray for the Arabs? As we love the Jews, can we not also love the Arabs? After all, God does; He loves the world. Jesus assured us of this truth when He stated that, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, should not parish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3: 16-17).

Who’s praying for the Arabs?
                                                           -30-

                                            © Josprel (Joseph Perrello)
                                                   josprel@lverizon.net

Josprel resides with his wife, Maria, in Western New York State. Though brought up by devout parents, he abandoned both the Church and religion at an early age, not returning to them until several years later.  He served three years in the Far East with the U.S. Air Force.  He then was separated from active duty and placed on a ten-year reserve status.  He studied for the ministry under the G.I Bill of Rights, and holds a Master of Theology degree. He currently is authoring two novels, "Beloved Apostate" and "Kanfal."
 

KJV =  King James Version
TEV = Today's English Version                                                     



                                                               The Lord’s Table-Talk
                                                                            by
                                                                        Josprel

“A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one unto another” (John
13:34-35; KJV).

The disciples’ last meal with Jesus in the upper room, before the crucifixion, had ended and Judas had left the group to betray his Master. Jesus, together with His eleven other disciples remained at the table, and began His final table-talk with them. His purpose in the talk was twofold: to prepare them for His departure and to encourage them.

“My children I shall not be with you much longer. You will look for me; but I tell you now what I told the Jewish authorities, ‘You cannot go where I am going.’ And now I give you a new commandment: love one
another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples” (John 13:33-35; TEV).

Jesus also told them, “There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you . . . And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will
be where I am” (John 14:2 ? 4; TEV). He then puzzled His disciples by stating that they knew where he was going and also how get there.

This so perplexed Thomas that he exclaimed, “Lord we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way to get there?” (John 14:5; TEV).

Jesus responded, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me” (John 14:6; TEV).

Before leaving the table, Jesus informed them, “I cannot talk with you much longer, because the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father; that is why I
do everything as he [the Father] commands me. Come, let us leave this place” (John 14:30-32; TEV).

The obedience of Jesus to His Father openly demonstrated His love for Him. Obedience to God should characterize all God’s children, but sadly, such is not the case. At times Christians are like the little girl who
threw her arms around her mother exclaiming, “Oh, mommy, I love you so much I could die for you!”

To which her mother replied, “Now that’s strange. I have a daughter who is willing to die for me, but she didn’t wash the dishes when I asked her to.”

There is an immense gulf between love that emanates from a momentary emotion and love that is demonstrated as an act of our free will, especially when we know the love will cost us something. Most often
there is no emotion involved with the latter kind of love. It is a disinterested love, freely given, sometimes at great cost to the giver. Such disinterested love for our fellow believers, flowing forth without reservation, marks those who are genuine followers of Christ.

It bears noting that Jesus did not designate the performance of mighty signs and wonders as the badge of discipleship; they can be counterfeited. Neither did the Lord authorize spiritual gifts as such a badge. As demonstrated by the Corinthian church, such gifts, exercised self-servingly and without being impelled by genuine love, amount to “no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell” (1st Corinthians 13:1; TEV).

In 1st Corinthian 13, The Apostle Paul outlines what amounts to a negative formula regarding spiritual gifts.

Verse 1: “I may be able to speak the languages of men and even of angels,  but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clangingbell bell” (TEV).

Negative Formula #1:
Tongues minus love = noise.

Verse 2: “Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity [love,] I am nothing” (KJV).

Negative Formula #2:
Spiritual gifts minus love = individual insignificance.

Verse 3: “I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned, but if I have no love, this does me no good” (TEV).

Negative Formula #3:
Philanthropy + martyrdom minus love = non-profitable.

In verses 4-8, the Apostle Paul next lists love’s positive qualities:

Love is long-suffering[/i]. It endlessly endures all things.

Love is kind. It is benign, gracious and amicable.

Love is not envious. It never displays jealousy.

Love does not boast. It does not brag or parade itself.

Love in not puffed up. It is not arrogant, conceited or egotistical.

Love does not behave itself unseemly. It is not rude and ill-mannered.

Love is not self-seeking. It is unselfish; it does not insist upon its
rights.

Love is not provoked or irritable. It does not grumble or complain.

Love does not think evil. It is happy with the truth.

Love does not rejoice in iniquity. It rejoices in good.

Love does not keep a record of wrongs.

Love is eternal.

Spiritual gifts shall pass away, but faith, hope and love abide eternally.

                                                                       © Josprel

Josprel welcomes comments from the readers of this article. He may be  contacted at: Josprel@verizon.net

 

[NOTE:]

                                                     Can These Bones Live?
                                                                  by
                                                              Josprel

                                                              Part Two                                     

The Nations and the Millennium:

Ethiopia: According to Psalm 68, verse 31, Ethiopia “will quickly stretch out her hands to God,” and shall enter into the Millennium.

Libya (Also called “Phut” in the Bible): Libya did not believe the dry bones could live again: Writings of the 13th and 12th centuries B.C. describe Libya (also referred to as Lubim) as being a hostile, warlike people. During the 12th through the 8th centuries B.C., Libyans raided Egypt, then enter as settlers, and also served as soldiers in the Egyptian armies. West of Egypt, Libya still exists as a nation in our time. The Bible is silent regarding the future of Libya during the millennial age.

Lydia (Also called “Lud” and “Ludim” in some versions of the Bible): Lydia did not believe the dry bones could live again: During the time of Homer, the Pelasgic Meonians - akin to the Trojans - occupied Lydia. From what race the Lydians originated is a mystery. The Greeks considered the Lydians and their language barbarous; nonetheless, the Lydians were a highly civilized people.

Assyria (Modern Iraq) did not believe the dry bones could live again: After of reign of Solomon, all the leaders of Israel approached his son, Rehoboam, who became king of Israel. “Your father made our yoke heavy,” they complained, referring to the endlessly soaring taxes and other burdens Solomon had imposed on the people to finance and facilitate his projects, “now, therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.”

“Return in three days and I shall give you my answer,” the king replied.

During that period, he consulted with the elders who had served his father. They advised him to do as Israel’s leaders requested, but Rehoboam rejected the advice. Instead, he consulted with the young men with whom he grew up. They advised him to tell the leaders of Israel, “My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist . . . my father put a heavy yoke on you. I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges [literally: scourges with metal points or barbs] (1st Kings 12: 9-11; NKJ).”

When the leaders returned for the king’s answer, Rehoboam responded as recommended by his friends. The results were catastrophic. Ten of the nation’s tribes separated from the two that remained loyal to the king and formed their own nation. The king assembled an army of one hundred and eighty thousand warriors to do battle against the ten separated tribes, but was warned by Shemiah, a prophet sent to Rehoboam by God, to not do battle against the separating tribes. He obeyed. The ten tribes became known as the nation of Israel; the two remaining tribes – Judah and Benjamin – became known as Judah.

Over the centuries, the nation of Israel digressed into idolatry, intermixed with gentile races, and became known as the Samaritans [Recall the question asked to Jesus by the woman at the well, when He requested a drink of water? “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (John 4: 4).]

The verse adds this revealing comment by way of explanation for those unfamiliar with the centuries-long feud between Judah and Israel /Samaria): “For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans” (NKJ).

Judah, on the other hand, remained relatively true – with some lapses - to the worship of Jehovah. Ezekiel, chapter 23, characterizes Samaria/Israel and Jerusalem/Judah as two sisters. Both committed harlotry with other nations, Jehovah charged.

Of Samaria/Israel, the older sister, the Lord said, “I have delivered her into the hands of the Assyrians, for whom she lusted” (Ezekiel 23: 9).

Jerusalem/Judah, the younger sister, “became more corrupt in her lust then she [the older sister, Samaria/Israel] and in her harlotry more corrupt than her sister’s harlotry” (Ezekiel 23: 11).

“I will sir up . . . the Babylonians, All the Chaldeans [The Chaldeans were a warlike, aggressive people from the mountains of Kurdistan. They conquered and ruled the world of their era]

Pekod [Pekod was a powerful Armaenan tribe near the mouth of the Tigris River. During the time of the Prophet Ezekiel, Pekod was within the Chaldean Empire]

Shoa [The Shoa were a tribe of Semitic nomads who populated the Syrian desert during the 14th century B. C. and assimilated with the Armaenans. The Shoa never were conquered]

Koa [Koa was located east of the Tigris River in the upper Adaim and Diyala rivers region]

All the Assyrians “. . . and they shall Judge you according to their judgment . . .”

Egypt did not believe the dry bones could live again:
Nonetheless, incredible as it may appear to our generation, during the Millennial reign of Christ Jesus, Iraq [ancient Assyria] Israel and Egypt, shall join together in becoming a blessing: “In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria [Iraq], and the Assyrian [Iraq] will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria [Iraq], and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians [Iraq]. In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria [Iraq] – a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, ‘Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria [Iraq] the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance” (Isaiah 19: 23-25; NKJ).

NOTE: Since this author is making this study during a period of profound hatred and hostilities between Israel, Egypt and Iraq (Assyria) Isaiah’s prediction seems fantastic – impossible of fulfillment - if it were it not for the prophet’s assurance that Egypt “will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them. Then the Lord will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptian will know the Lord in that day and will make sacrifices and offerings; yes, they will make a vow to the Lord and perform it” (Isaiah 19: 20-21).

It shall require a calamity that God permits to fall upon Egypt to bring the Egyptians to the Lord [“And the Lord will strike Egypt, He will strike Egypt and heal it; they will return to the Lord, and He will be entreated by them and heal them” (Isaiah 19: 22)]. Once they do so, Egypt shall be one of the three nations - the other two being Israel and Iraq [Assyria] - especially blessed by God during the Millennium.

Many contemporary nations did not believe the dry bones could live again: Many of today’s nations did not believe the dry bones could live again. Several of them, including the Palestinian nations, Hitler’s Germany and even Great Britain actively endeavored to prevent the rebirth of Israel. But it was God’s time for the re-gathering of His ancient people from the four corners of the Earth. From almost every nation under the sun they came. After His people had been cast into the world’s “valley of dry bones” for untold centuries, God opened the graves and drew together the dry bones, put flesh on them, breathed life into the nation, and Israel lives!

From approximately 446 BC until the United Nation’s recognition of the modern State of Israel in our generation, Israel was under the control of Gentile world powers. Sadly, as recorded by the Apostle Paul in Romans 11: 25, Israel still rejects Jesus Christ as its Messiah; however, Paul added a joyful note,  “.  .  . blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles [the time of Gentile world dominance] has come in [has been completed]. And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins’” (Romans 11: 25-27; Paul’s partial quote is taken from Isaiah 59: 20-21).

According to Zechariah 12: 9-10, when the Gentile nations finally gather in a united, final attempt to destroy the nation of Israel, God will “seek to destroy all nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplication: then they will look on Me whom they have pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” What a graphic prediction of the crucifixion of Jesus and Israel’s future recognition of Him as the true Messiah!

Yes, the bones live!

                                                                          -30-
                                                 
                                                          © Josprel (Joseph Perrello)
                                                               josprel@verizon.net

                                                                                             Horses In Heaven
                                                                                                       by
                                                                                                   Josprel
 
It was the Sunday after Christmas. The morning service had ended, and our threesome was sitting in a restaurant. Acting as hostess on behalf of a local church was a senior pastor's wife. Until her husband, one of our former district officials, was promoted into the Presence of the Lord several years ago, she had pastored with him in another town. Now this assembly was utilizing her talents, and she assisted wherever needed.

This was the last Sunday of my three months tenure as the church's interim pastor; the new pastor would be arriving with the New Year. At the board's request, our hostess had taken my wife, Maria, and me to dinner.

The food was excellent; the service was courteous and efficient. At the meal's conclusion, the hostess handed the waitress a church check, adding a generous tip to the amount of the bill. We were engaged in conversation over coffee when the waitress again approached, lingering as though reluctant to leave. We complimented her on her service and she immediately engaged us in conversation.

She was only a part-time waitress, she informed us. For some thirty years, her main vocation was training racehorses. We listened attentively as she recounted her experiences. Amiably, she told of a special race one of her horses had won, described foaling procedures, the patience required to make a horse profitable, and the terrible sense of loss felt when an animal had to be put down. It all was very interesting; it was apparent the woman knew and loved horses.

During her account, I could sense my companions praying with me for an opening to witness her. The waitress knew we were affiliated with a church; the church name on the check was visibly noticeable. Obviously, she had not randomly selected us for conversation. She was interested in more than horses. But, I wondered, how could we make a transition from horses to Christ?

Finally, deciding to risk sounding flippant, I yielded to an urge to ask if she knew there were horses in heaven. Jesus would be returning to earth riding a white horse, I added. His armies would be with Him, also mounted on horses.

She hoped it would be soon; no one else had the solution to earth's problems. When asked if she was ready for Christ's return, she hesitated. She sometimes attended services with her fiancée at the local veteran's hospital, she informed us.

Tactfully, our threesome led the conversation into God's plan of salvation, recounting to her the story of Jesus and Nicodemus. We followed this with the story of the Philippian jailer. As we spoke, her features visibly softened and her eyes grew moist; the Gospel had touched her.

Without hesitation, she permitted us to pray with her. In full view of other diners and her coworkers, without evident embarrassment, she joined hands with us and bowed her head. The enveloping presence of the Holy Spirit was gentle as our hostess prayed, asking the Lord to reveal Himself to the horse trainer and redeem her.

Invited to visit the church, the woman seemed receptive, mentioning that she had watched with interest the erection of the church’s new sanctuary. She owned a Bible and, after promising to read the Gospel of John and the book of Acts, she returned to her duties.

THERE ARE HORSES IN HEAVEN! What a childlike statement. In our quest for profundity, we tend to relegate such simple themes to the realm of allegory. We feel foolish conferring on them a serious voice. But, with infinite unpretentiousness, God anoints simplicity to seed His Word in receptive hearts. Heaven's horses opened a wedge for the Gospel, focusing a horse trainer's attention on Christ, the greatest Equestrian of all!
                                                                                                     -30-

                                                                                           josprel@verizon.net
                                                                                       © Josprel (Joseph Perrello)

                                  Genetically Based Sin
                                         by
                                            Josprel

Some time ago, I read with interest the comments someone sent to a large urban newspaper. They had to do with the writer's concern on the implications of genetic research on the prevailing ideas regarding sin and man's free will. Is humanity really responsible for some acts condemned by the Western religions? A United Methodist bishop also was quoted as wondering if sin is centered exclusively in free will.

The Apostle Paul, the Church's quintessential theologian would have no argument with the idea of genetically based sin. Such discoveries verify his teachings, long recorded in his Epistle to the Romans, that due to The Fall the human race is "sold under sin." Paul wrote that, by its own volition, humanity is unable to practice the morality demanded by God, since the sin principle (Paul uses the term: "The law of sin and death") is so dominant a factor in human nature that, without submission to the Spirit of God through Christ Jesus, men are unable to free themselves of its clutches. The human mind indeed may will to achieve the demands of God's moral law, but the sin factor [genetically based sin] in fallen humanity does not permit it. A regeneration and transformation through Jesus Christ - a rebirth, if you prefer - is necessary.

The Apostle Paul put it this way, "So I find that this law is at work: when I want to do what is good, that evil is the only choice I have. My inner being delights in the law of God. But I see a different law at work in my body - a law that fights against the law which my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin which is at work in my body . . ." (Romans 7:21-23; Good News Bible).

Paul's solution? "There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Jesus Christ. For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Jesus Christ, has set me free from the law of sin and death. What the law [the moral code] could not do, because human nature was weak, God did . . ." (Romans 8:1-3; Good News Bible; brackets added by the author).

Yes, indeed! The genes of our race are programmed to sin! God understands this, and He has mandated a reprogramming through the Holy Spirit of those who are born again through Jesus Christ. It is for neglecting to avail one's self of benefits of this reprogramming that a person is charged by God with guilt.

Who knows? As scientist continue their search they yet may verify other long-scorned Biblical truths, such as life after death, the reality of heaven, and - now be nice, Josprel - perhaps even Hell and the Lake of Fire.

                                                         -30-
                                                          © Josprel (Joseph Perrello)
                                                                   josprel@verizon.net

About Josprel: An Air Force veteran and prolific writer, Josprel's stories appear in print and the Internet. He is a clergyman who pastored some ten years in Attica, New York, site of the nation's worst prison riot.  At the request of the Attica Prison administration, he held weekly three-hour-long Bible studies for the inmates.





 

                                                         Fadeout into Darkness
                                                                       by
                                                                       Josprel

Has America moved past the point of no return to God? Is our nation experiencing a fadeout into darkness by having departed from Him? This author thinks so. He welcomes your opinion, and will be overjoyed to be proven wrong in his opinion of America's fadeout into darkness. He may be contacted at: josprel@verizon.net


                                                       Fadeout into Darkness
                                                                  by
                                                              Josprel

Most of us have seen it   those fadeouts with which movie and television producers conclude a scene. The scene gradually fades into darkness before the following scene blends in. This is appropriate for movies, but not for a nation. Perhaps I puzzled you with that last statement; after all, how does an entire nation fadeout into darkness? That's a good question, but answer is saddening, dispiriting.

A nation's fadeout into darkness doesn't occur overnight. It takes generations, centuries - sometimes millenniums, as in the histories of several ancient empires. The society gradually decays from within. The original foundations that once made it strong weaken. There may be attempts by conservative leaders to strengthen them; however, grassroots conservatives shake their heads, sigh, give verbal consent to these leaders, and go about their business as usual. It's lamentable that Bible believing Christians seem to predominate among these sighing head shakers.

The fadeout deepens, and the darkness grows more intense. Tag me a pessimist, if you will; should you do so, it's with good cause. I confess I am pessimistic about the future of our nation. I believe America is fast fading out into darkness. I'll not bore you with evidences of this. No doubt you're aware of them, have clicked your tongue in exasperation over them and done nothing. Perhaps you haven't even prayed regarding them. Suffice it to say, the old foundations have mostly disintegrated; we are well into the fadeout process. 

The next scene is about to begin!

Since it is my pessimistic opinion that America has past the point of no return with God, and understanding through Scriptures what lays ahead for a nation that forgets God, I grieve! Yes, I grieve! I grieve for the liberties we are loosing, I grieve for the demise of the last bastion for the spreading the Gospel throughout the world, I grieve over the corruptions within the clergy, I grieve over the pulpits across which the true Gospel no longer is preached, I grieve over Christians, pastors, evangelists, politicians, husbands, wives, senior citizens, and everyone else, who seem unaware of how close to the end we are. But I especially grieve for our children.

What kind of future are we bequeathing them?

If I weren't so pessimistic about the future, I would say, "God has America under His control." However, should I do so, my pessimism surely would respond, "Yes, that's so, but God also had ancient Israel under His control. Still, because of Israel's disobedience, He permitted the Babylonians to conquer the nation.

And Israel experienced a fadeout into darkness.

I realize I should conclude this pessimist article on an optimistic note. But how can I when I already have confessed my opinion that our nation has past the point of no return with God? How can I when God drew His line in the sands of history, in essence warning the nation to not step over the line into immorality, mockery of His Word, religious corruption, and vile social sins?

And America stepped over the line!  How grievous!

Each of us must confess our contribution to the soon descending darkness; we must ask for God's forgiveness for contributing to it, consecrating what little time is left us to His service as Heaven’s nightshift workers. Past generations experienced powerful revivals to call the people to God. Jonathan Edwards, Wesley and his fervent Methodists, Charles G. Finney, Dwight L. Moody, and the Pentecostals of past decades, among others, were all agents of the Holy Spirit, used to recall their respective generations back to God. At times, entire communities   including major cities   were shut down, as the Holy Spirit preformed His work in the hearts of the people.

Our generation looks back with longing to those days, wondering why we haven't been empowered with such a revival; why we haven't experienced even the initial smoldering of such a spiritual awaking. But we did have the smoldering of an awakening intended to initiate such a revival. We did experience the flicker of such a revival. Descending from heaven, the spiritual spark fell upon youth who labeled themselves, "The Jesus People." It ignited into a flame, enkindling Christian businessmen who, cultivating the blaze, used it to burn through sectarian partitions with an emphasis on being Born Again and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The blaze appeared destined to ignite a revival at least rivaling, if not eclipsing, those of yesteryears. However, the by in large rejection of the Jesus People by many church denominations, materialistic greed, personal ambition, carnality, and unacknowledged spiritual immaturity quenched the work, stumbled many newborn Christians, and brought evangelism (especially of the televised variety) into mockery and disrepute   a costly comment on the anemic state of the contemporary American church. Only eternity can reveal what might have been had not the fadeout occurred.

Despite what some may claim, no hint of a revival of national proportions emerges on America's spiritual horizons. And, should such a revival still be possible, as believers, we have not prepared ourselves to receive it. We know what we should be doing, but seem too preoccupied to do it! As a result, even the "mercy drops," enjoyed by those long ago hymnist, D. W. Whittle and James McGranahan, no longer " . . . round us are falling." After all, we are not pleading for showers of blessing.

Revivals are generated through confession, repentance, prayer, and fasting. Overall, the American church is not a praying church, much less one that fasts, so the fadeout into darkness progresses. Soon, only those who have within themselves the light of life will be able to navigate the narrow road, guided by the still small voice of their Pilot. Those not so illuminated and directed shall fall by the wayside, sad victims of the Laodicean spirit so prevalent in the churches.

Given a continuance of the current societal climate in the nation and the impoverishing spirit of Laodicean carnality in the churches, it is not inconceivable that, in the not too distant future, those who desire to remain true to the Jesus Christ will face persecution, prison and martyrdom, as many of our fellow believers already do in other nations.

If you're a casual, non religious reader of this article, it should give you pause for serious reflection. It should drive you to receive Christ Jesus as your savior. And, if you're a born again Christian, this article should drive you to your knees.
                                                                       -30-

                                                      ©  Joseph Perrello (Josprel)
                                                             josprel@verizon.net

                                                 The Discipline of the Cross                           
                                                                  by
                                                              Josprel

"I have been crucified with Christ: and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me   . . ." (Gal. 2: 20; "The Book").

"But all those things that I might count as profit I now reckon as loss for Christ's sake    .  .  .  I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of . . . the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.  For his sake I have thrown everything away.  .  .  .  All I want to know is Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death, in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life" (Phil. 3: 7-11; "Good News Bible").

A negative world-view? Hardly! Only such a profound consecration can protect us from being overwhelmed by the tides of a pleasure mad, flesh pampering society. In times like these, clarifying the definition of the cross, and appraising Calvary's discipline in our lives is especially imperative. 

Considered negatively, the cross signifies the death of our old nature. Unredeemed humanity considers the discipline of the cross to be a negative worldview.  But the Scriptures explicitly declare that the believers’ sin nature - "the old man" - was crucified with Christ Jesus at Calvary. In
identification with our Lord, we died.  Our old man, who was shackled in slavery to sin's dominion, no longer exists.  Sin's tyranny over us has been abolished.  We are free, and are enjoined to regard this as an accomplished fact (Romans 6: 6-18; Amp. Bible).

Considered positively the cross, with the subsequent empty tomb, denotes our new birth: In actuality, the cross-life is a positive worldview.  After our old man was executed with Jesus at Calvary, he also was buried with Him in the tomb (Romans 6: 1-6; Amp. Bible).  In union with our crucified and risen Lord, we were ". . . buried with Him in baptism in which [we] were also raised with Him to a new life" (Col. 2:12; Amp. Bible). 

As resurrected, cross-disciplined disciples, we view Calvary and the empty tomb as our demarcation point.  It was at Calvary that God destroyed our old sin nature.  And, in the tomb, through the resurrection power of Christ, we experienced a rebirth.  God created us ". . . in fellowship
and in union with Christ. He gave us the very life of Christ, the same new life with which He quickened Him."  As new creations, we departed the tomb with our risen Lord (forever free of the death shroud of sin; now everything is new (Eph. 2: 1-10; NKJ; 2 Cor. 5: 17-21 Amp.).

Considered from a life orientation perspective, the cross orbits us around Jesus.  He now is central to our world-view.  Disciplined by the cross, we make Christ our
priority in all aspects of life!  Clearly decreed by our Master, this imperative cannot be misunderstood. "Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and come after Me    . . . whoever of you does not . . . surrender claim . . . to all that he has, cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14: 26- 33; Amp.). 

 The discipline of the cross focuses all that we are or ever hope to be, all our possessions and desires, in our crucified and risen Master.  He is our worldview. Though it may appear paradoxical to the carnal mind, it is our crucifixion with Christ that authenticates our resurrection with Him. Like the risen Lord, our resurrection is validated by the marks of crucifixion.  In absolute union with Him we have been eternally imprinted by Calvary, and we relate to this world as He does (1 John 2: 15-17; 4: 17; John 15: 16-21; Amp.). 

To the Doubting Thomases of this present age, who refuse to believe that we have risen to new life in Jesus, we display the evidence of this wonder.  We bear the marks of
Calvary; we are disciplined by the cross.   
                                                                 -30-
                                               © Josprel (Joseph Perrello)
                                                   josprel@verizon.net

                                                                         

                                                   A Superlative Forgiveness
                                                                    by
                                                                Josprel

                                   Matthew 6:5-15

Several years ago in an American city, a gang of skinheads beat to death a teenaged foreign exchange student from an Eastern country.  The parents came to claim their son’s body. As they left the plane, reporters mobbed them.

“You must hate the ones who murdered your son,” one commented.

No, we are Christians; we forgive them,” the mother replied. They demonstrated a superlative forgiveness.

Some demonstrate a superlative non-forgiveness. One such case was a Christian woman who told my wife and me how her husband’s family cheated her after he was severely wounded in battle and subsequently died in a veteran’s hospital.  With lies, deceit and misinformation they manipulated the armed services insurance agency into assigning them the insurance proceeds rightfully belonging to the widow and her young son.

“They did you a great injustice,” I agreed, “but you must forgive them.”

“I do forgive them, but I’ll never forget what they did!”

One Christian gentleman said regarding another, who wronged him, “I forgave him, but I’ll never invite him to my house again.” 

It’s been observed that forgiveness without forgetting is like vultures feeding on a dead carcass. It contaminates our prayers. If we want God to answer our prayers, we must forgive. Jesus coupled God’s forgiveness to our forgiveness of others. In His teaching on prayer, Jesus said, “This then is how you should pray . . . Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us . . .” From among the six petitions in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus expands only on forgiveness; He assigns it top priority. “If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in Heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done” (Matt. 6:14-15; Good News Bible; Today’s English Version).

Webster’s definition of forgiveness agrees with the Scriptures: “Giving up all claim to requital for an offense and giving up resentment on account of the offense.”  C.S. Lewis observed, “We all say that forgiveness is a wonderful thing, until we have something to forgive.”

Forgiveness is a three-phase process. In the first phase Jesus admonishes us, “So watch what you do! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times a day, and each time he comes to you saying, ‘I repent’, you must forgive him.’ The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Make our faith greater’” (Luke 17:3-5).

The “So watch what you do!” admonition is a critical one. It demonstrates we must forgive while searching ourselves to discern where we may require forgiveness in a matter.  We may be like a cartoon I once read: A little boy was crying because no one would play with him.  His discerning mother asked, “What did you do?” She learned he made such a nuisance of himself that he spoiled the fun of the other children; they boycotted him from their games. Jesus asks us to check what we may have done that deserves forgiveness and correction should problems arise between ourselves and another person.

The second phase in forgiveness also is found in Luke 17:3:  “If your brother sins, rebuke him.” In this passage, the word “rebuke” also may be rendered, “admonish.”  To admonish means to point out what needs correction in the person.  Sometimes, before we can admonish another, we first must permit God to admonish us.

A woman testified of how terribly abused she was as a child. She hated her father until she accepted Jesus Christ. She then prayed that the Lord would lead her father to ask her forgiveness for his treatment of her. Then he was hospitalized and she visited him. The Lord admonished her, “Ask your father to forgive your hatred.”

After an intense inner struggle she confessed her feelings to her father, asking his forgiveness. He broke into tears, asking her to forgive him, also. And father and daughter were reconciled.

The third phase in forgiveness is the restoration of a brotherly harmony.  Forgiveness endeavors to restore an erring person to harmony with the offended one.  Joseph is the quintessential example of this phase of forgiveness. After his brothers sold him into slavery, Joseph was brought to Egypt where he ascended to a position of authority next to Pharaoh. When seeing his brothers in Egypt to purchase food during a great famine, Joseph displayed a forgiving spirit.  “Then Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt, giving them property in the best of the land near the city of Remeses . . . Joseph provided food for his father, his brothers, and all the rest of his father’s family, including the very youngest” (Genesis 47:11-12; Good New Bible; Today’s English Version).

It was Brooker T. Washington, the renowned scientist who said, “I will not permit any man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.”

How astute! An unforgiving spirit may or may not hurt the other person, but it is certain to degrade our own souls.  We lived across the road from a neighbor who installed solar panels on his roof to capture the sun’s energy, thus converting it to electricity. He used it to heat his enormous, enclosed swimming pool so his family could swim during winters.

I inquired, “What happens on overcast days? Is no electricity is generated?” 

“No, the panels draw energy from the sun even on those days. I’m the only one who can shut down the panels to not generate energy by closing the shutters over them.”

As I think back on that incident, it occurs to me that, in order to keep our spiritual shutters open to God’s forgiveness of us, we must open our spiritual shutters of forgiveness toward others. Only we can shut down God’s panels of forgiveness to us.
                                                                                           -30-

                                                                          ©  Joseph Perrello (Josprel)
                                                                               josprel@verizon.net







   

 

               

[Black-liars]

 Humor with a Purpose

                           Lying in Color                                   
                             by
                     Josprel

Have you ever noticed that many people color the lies they tell? To them, lies apparently come in a verity of hues. There are white lies, black lies and lies in several shades between these two extremes. As may be expected, those who follow the art of color-lying grow more proficient the longer they practice it. They often claim the best of intentions when using color-lies.

Black-liars tend to be a malicious lot. The lies they tell are self-serving ones. Among many other things, they may lie on job applications, falsify educational credentials, embellish military service records, and misrepresent credit histories. They tend to live a life of lies by cheating on their spouses, lying in order to blame others for the consequences of their own actions; they may doctor the account books of their business affairs. Color-liars of other hues tend to view black-liars with profound scorn. White-liars, especially, look down their noses at black-liars, claiming that they deserve to be sent to the hottest section of the Lake of Fire - right smack in the center of it. Black-liars, on the other hand, respond to other color-liars by calling them hypocritical snobs, who make as fine a kindling for the Lake of Fire as they do.

Though dark gray-liars merge from the fringes of black-liars, they are somewhat self-righteous in their attitude towards them. Most politicians fit into this category, since they practice gray-lying [and quite often black-lying] during their campaigns and subsequent terms in office. But they do so for the good of their constituents, or so they say.  It is impossible for their constituents disprove the claim, since they cannot comprehend the gray-lies told them by their politicians?  How can they?  The man in the street is a rational being, while gray-lying politicians often behave irrationally.  The Congressional records are well-inked with the myriad gray-lies contained in the hot-air speeches of verbose politicians practicing the art of gray-lying. If the Congressional walls could speak what they hear, gray-lies would be their singular vocabulary.

That brings us to the light gray-liars. Light gray-liars seem to thrive on the fact that they are neither black-liars nor dark-gray liars. They lambaste both, charging that the aforesaid categories of color-liars give all color-liars a bad reputation; nonetheless, this analysis of their color-lying colleagues by light gray-liars does not compute well since it amounts to the proverbial pot calling the renowned kettle "black." When light gray-liars point the finger at other color-liars, they often are advised to remember that at least three of their fingers are pointing back to themselves.

Light gray-liars also encompass teachers and preachers - teachers because they teach false theories, such as evolution, transcendental meditation, mind-control, Eastern philosophies, and even witchcraft, though they claim they are compelled to do so; and preachers because they hesitate to take a public  stand against the evils in our society, thus making them collaborators- by-silence. Perhaps, since teachers and preachers have such a molding effect on the character of our society, they should be included in the black-liars or dark gray-liars categories. But let's be charitable to them; perhaps they know not what they do.

Skipping the other shades of gray-liars, we arrive at the white-liar category.

Ahhh, those white-liars; they are unrivaled among color-liars! To hear them tell it, one would conclude they are God's holy elite. According to their point of view, white-liars have the sanctity of heaven on their lies. After all, they lie for the purest of motives, or so they say. White-liars hang the white-lie tag on such lies as claiming to be not home when one does not wish to accept a phone call.  Employers often use it when ordering a secretary to say he or she is not in the office to avoid speaking to a caller. The white-lie label also is stamped on lies that are told when to tell someone the truth may hurt that person's feelings.  Women sometimes practice the art of the white-lie when pretending to admire a friend's new acquisition, even though they know the item is totally inappropriate for the person. A husband may do the same when admiring his wife's new hat. He white-lies by saying it looks beautiful on her, when he knows it makes her head look like a flower pot or a feather duster. After all, they're only white-lies, aren't they? Why hurt a person's feelings.

White-liars make it appears that practicing the art of white-lying will earn them a place next to the Great White Throne. They say they're just being kind, since telling the truth would tend to embarrass those to whom they white-lie. Yes, there are numerous situations in which the white-lie may be practiced and its use rationalized.  It's a holy lie, isn't it?  They say! 

But what does God's Word say?

"But as for  .  .  . the unbelieving .  .  .  murderers .  .  .  and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.  .  .  (Rev. 21:.
 
"Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil" (Mat. 5:37).

It appears that God takes seriously any form of color-lying.

So what should one do when speaking the truth would unduly hurt someone?

1.  Whisper a prayer for wisdom and attempt to remain silent; we need not give an answer to every comment or question. Sometimes, just a smile will suffice.

2. Believe that God will grant you the wisdom you seek.

3. If a smiling silence doesn't suffice, give as tactful a response as possible without lying.

4. If the person requires a fuller response, speak the truth in love. The person expects that from you. Love and the Bible require that you speak the truth if silence does not suffice.

5. The truth may or may not offend the person to whom it is spoken. If it does, you must remember that the person demanded it of you. Gently remind the person of this. Explain that you respect the person too much to lie to him or her. Attempt to apply the balm of love to the offended person.  If the person was not offended by hearing the truth, you have made a new friend or solidified an already existing friendship. In either case, you were obedient to the biblical injunction that believers are not to tell lies of any kind, but rather, they are to speak the truth in love.     
                  -30-

                                  © Josprel (Joseph Perrello)
                                      josprel@verizon.net


 

   
     

 





 

                                                         Can These Bones Live?
                                                            by
                                                            Josprel
                                             
                                                              Part One


[A study of prophecy relating to Israel, the Gentile nations, and the Biblical relationship these nations have to near-future events.]

“The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the   valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said unto me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ So I answered, ‘O Lord God, You know.’

“Again He said unto me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say unto them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord to these bones: ‘Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live . . .’

“‘So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone . . . Also He said to me . . . ‘say to the breath‘ Thus says the Lord God ‘come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.’ So I prophesied . . . and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then He said unto me, ‘Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore, prophesy and say to them, ‘O my people, I will open your graves and cause you to come forth from your graves, and bring you to the land of Israel . . . I will put My Spirit in you and you shall live . . .’” (Ezekiel 37:1-14; New King James Bible).
                                                 *******

We are living in an era of the fast fulfillment of biblical prophecy. I recall being told as a young child by my father - a steadfast Christian who knew the scriptures – that Israel one day would become a nation again. He said this during a time when such an event appeared impossible of fulfillment; yet in our era Israel already has been resurrected for decades.

Since the scattering of Israel during the time of Jeremiah (who predicted both the captivity and the re-gathering of the nation) in approximately B.C 629, there were no lack of skeptics who doubted the nation would be resurrected. Even Israel itself voiced doubts about it. Israel’s estimate of its return from oblivion may be found in Ezekiel 37:11: “Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: We are cut off for our parts.” In our vernacular this may be rendered: “It’s all over for us. We have been totally dismembered.”

The condition of Israel’s bones as seen by Ezekiel:
1. They were completely open to the elements (verse 2).
2. They were long dead, very dry and beyond human hope of life (verse 2).
3. They were disassembled and in disarray. The Living Bible records that the bones were very old and dry. They were scattered everywhere across the ground (Read the entire account).
4. There were an enormous number of bones (verse 2).

What God said the dry bones symbolized:
”Son of man these bones are the whole house of Israel” (verse 11).

Those whom God blames for the dry bones of Israel:
“‘Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!’ says the Lord, “Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: ‘You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold I will attend to you for the evils of your doing,’ says the Lord . . .”

By whose authority the dry bones live again:                     
“I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their folds” [This already has been occurring in our era for several generations [Jeremiah 23: 1-4; NKJ].

 God’s remedy for the dry bone of Israel:
“‘[Israel] shall be fruitful and increase. I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed nor shall they be lacking,’ says the Lord” [The Lord Himself has been gathering Israel, and He continues to do so in our era (Jeremiah 23: 1-4; NKJ)].

God’s judgment upon those who did not believe the dry bones could live again:
“The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, ‘Son of man, prophecy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘Wail, ‘Woe to the day!’ For the day is near, Even the day of the Lord is near; It will be a day of clouds, the time of the gentiles. The sword will come upon Egypt, And great anguish shall be upon Ethiopia, When the slain fall in Egypt, And they take away her wealth, And her foundations are broken down. Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, all the mingled people. Chub, and the men of the lands who are allied, shall fall with them by the sword’” (Ezekiel 30: 1-5; NKJ).

Ethiopia did not believe the dry bones could live again: Rendered “Cush” in Hebrew, Ethiopia corresponds to what today is called the Sudan. The Sudanese are a people of dark skin tone, and Moses was severely criticized by his sister, Miriam, and his brother, Aaron, for his marriage to an Ethiopian woman (Numbers 12:1-16; NKJ).

Both Miriam and Aaron were envious of the leadership position of their brother Moses. Miriam instigated an open rebellion against Moses and Aaron followed her lead. To justify the rebellion, they used the excuse that Moses had married an Ethiopian (Cugotcha2e) woman. The Lord punished Miriam by striking her with leprosy; however, Moses pleaded with Him, “Heal her now oh Lord, I beseech thee.”

God heard the prayer of Moses. He healed Miriam, though not without inflicting profound humiliation upon her; she was ostracized from the people and shut outside the camp for seven days.

The Nations and the Millennium:
Ethiopia: According to Psalm 68, verse 31, Ethiopia “will quickly stretch out her hands to God,” and shall enter into the Millennium.

Libya (Also called “Phut” in the Bible): Libya did not believe the dry bones could live again: Writings of the 13th and 12th centuries B.C. describe Libya (also referred to as Lubim) as being a hostile, warlike people. During the 12th through the 8th centuries B.C., Libyans raided Egypt, then enter as settlers, and also served as soldiers in the Egyptian armies. West of Egypt, Libya still exists as a nation in our time. The Bible is silent regarding the future of Libya during the millennial age.

Lydia (Also called “Lud” and “Ludim” in some versions of the Bible): Lydia did not believe the dry bones could live again: During the time of Homer, the Pelasgic Meonians - akin to the Trojans - occupied Lydia. From what race the Lydians originated is a mystery. The Greeks considered the Lydians and their language barbarous; nonetheless, the Lydians were a highly civilized people.

                                            Completed in Part Two

What Happened to Holiness?
                     by
                  Josprel

Something has happened to Holiness; she's gone! Search for her! She must groom the Bride for the Bridegroom's coming!

Something has happened to Holiness! In the frenzy of our activities, we don't see her around much anymore. Actually, it seems that she left quite a while ago. We did not’t evict her. However, since we've only recently noticed her absence, it is evident we've neglected her. Yes, our Holiness is missing!

Born Again appears alive and well. Even the Charismatic Gifts clan makes an occasional appearance, but where is Holiness?

Our lamented Holiness is not that frowning-faced, dark-colors-only, hems-to-the-ankle, legalistic impostor, who always yells, "That's worldliness!" even at the healthy fun, laughter and joy displayed by believers. That's not the Holiness we love and for whom we seek. Our sweet, gentle, tenderhearted Holiness graces the Bride of Christ with her vibrant beauty. She encourages the Bride to live as the Bridegroom lived in the world. Her stabilizing influence assures the Bride that she soon shall see her Bridegroom (Heb. 12:14).

Reliable sources report that Holiness left when she felt stripped of her Scriptural essence. Apparently, she felt we had demoted her to the inferior status of a theological anachronism. She was grief-stricken over this, claiming we consider her demeanor unsuitable to our contemporary, integrated lifestyles. The reports conclude that, most likely, Holiness will not return to us until she again is elevated to her former status.

A general feeling of shocked dismay now is discernible among those who once knew Holiness. They had not intended to demote her; they just took her for granted. They now openly proclaim that Holiness is infinitely appropriate to this generation and absolutely essential to its welfare. They claim to miss her and wish to tell her so. They also want her to know of of their assurance that God's Word still remains as immutable as its Author.

Holiness must be informed of this development. She must be notified of those who again desire to lovingly embrace her; she must told of their understanding that, without her, the Bride is in jeopardy of being asleep when her Bridegroom appears. Those who comprise this concerned group also realize that the Beauty of Holiness is essential within their churches; otherwise, without her beauty, they descend to the mundane status of mere organizations, a status they hope to evade.

This group laments grievously because  the Holy Spirit grieves over the absence of Holiness. They understand that she is essential to the Bride's maturity (Rom. 6:19-23; Ep. 4:1-32).

Holiness always has pure intentions. Avoiding complicated theological jargon she clearly defines her mission. Her task is to shield Christ's Bride from the spiritual dangers of a debilitating, iniquitous world and to set her apart for the Bridegroom. Holiness evaluates the Bride's maturity. She insists that only her beautifying care meets the requirements for the Bride to appear before the Bridegroom's Father (Heb. 12:9-14). As the Bride awaits the coming of her Bridegroom, the Spirit and the Beauty of Holiness empowers her to triumph over the trials that are so essential to her maturity (II Chronicles 20:15-22; I Chronicles 16:27-29).

Sadly, the departure of Holiness deprives the Bride of her spiritual "beautician" (Gal. 5:19-26; Ps. 93:4-5; 96:6-9). The Spirit of Truth, who  is commissioned to purify the Bride for the coming of her Bridegroom, has employed Holiness as the agent for this task. He depends to her to beautify the Bride. This she shall accomplish by applying her beauty secrets - cleansing, purifying and transforming the Bride into conformity to the Bridegroom.

It is therefore vital that Holiness be immediately located! She must be allowed to resume her beautification of the Bride as only she can do. She alone understands and can apply the process by which the Holy Spirit  shall transforms the Bride into the image of her Bridegroom. (II Cor. 3:17-18; Rom. 12:1-2).

What happened to Holiness? Where is she? The Bridegroom desires her beautifying attributes in His Bride.

                  -30-

         © Josprel
           josprel@verizon.net[/b]
   
About the Author:

Josprel, who resides in Western New York – just across the Niagara River from Canada - was brought up in a devout Christian family. He rebelled against the Lord at an early age, finally enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in which he served three years, two and one half of them in the Far-East, as a sergeant of operating engineers. Upon returning home, he accepted Christ as his Savior and studied for the ministry and earned a Master of Theology degree He is a prolific writer, with stories and articles appearing in print and on the Web. For some ten years, Josprel pastored in Attica, New York, the site of the nation's worst prison riot. After the riot, at the request of the Attica Prison Administration, Josprel sponsored and conducted three-hour-long weekly Bible studies for the inmates. He is the author of two novels in progress, "Beloved Apostate" and "Kanfal."