by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," July 1997 Crime is a multifaceted, hydra-headed monster that seems to have authorities completely buffaloed. No matter what programs they attempt, they cannot seem to get a handle on what works, what does not work or why! According to the 1987 FBI Uniform Crime Report, many factors contribute to … Continue reading “The Sixth Commandment (Part One) (1997)”
The Weightier Matters (Part 2): Judgment
by Staff Forerunner, July 1997 Last month's introduction examined the attitudes of the Scribes and Pharisees and described Christ's extreme frustration with them. Our Savior admonished them to revamp their perverted thinking. They were to continue keeping the lesser aspects of the law, but to emphasize the weightier matters. The first of these is judgment. … Continue reading “The Weightier Matters (Part 2): Judgment”
Deceptions of the End Time
by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," July 1997 Human nature is incredibly self-deceptive. Sometimes the truth hurts, and our hearts—”deceitful above all things and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9)—will avoid admitting the truth at all costs. The heart is so deceitful that it will often not admit it can be deceived! These days, deceit is … Continue reading “Deceptions of the End Time”
The Fifth Commandment (1997)
by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," June 1997 In Matthew 22:36 a Pharisee asked Jesus, “Which is the great commandment in the law?” His response shows that He divided the Ten Commandments into two sections or tables. He covers the first four by saying, “'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, … Continue reading “The Fifth Commandment (1997)”
Will Aliens Invade the Earth?
by Staff Forerunner, June 1997 God inspired David to write the words of Psalm 19, revealing that the heavens above—commonly called “outer space” today—are a witness to God's tremendous glory: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). In verse 2 David asserts that the heavens repeat the … Continue reading “Will Aliens Invade the Earth?”
The Weightier Matters (Part 1): Introduction
by Staff Forerunner, June 1997 In one chapter, Matthew 23, Jesus Christ rips the scribes and Pharisees to shreds. Eight times He pronounces on them woe—defined by Webster's Dictionary as “deep suffering, grief, affliction, ruinous trouble.” He dubs them “hypocrites” seven times, “blind guides” twice, “fools and blind” twice, “blind” once, “whitewashed tombs” once and … Continue reading “The Weightier Matters (Part 1): Introduction”
A Woman’s World
by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," June 1997 Conventional wisdom says that we live in a man's world. Men have all the advantages, all the power. Women, even when they, of necessity, claw their way into positions of prestige and authority, never receive quite the respect that a man would. Conventional wisdom—society's accepted “truth”—is … Continue reading “A Woman’s World”
The Fourth Commandment (Part Two): Christ’s Attitude Toward the Sabbath
by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," May 1997 Nowhere in the Bible is the Sabbath annulled by a command or example of Jesus Christ or the apostles. If we carefully and honestly study the most controversial and difficult of Paul's statements, we will see that he never used his authority to abrogate the keeping of … Continue reading “The Fourth Commandment (Part Two): Christ’s Attitude Toward the Sabbath”
Sharpening Our Saws
by William R. Gray (1941-2021) Forerunner, May 1997 The Boy Scouts have as their motto “Be Prepared.” This principle has physically saved many lives over the years and is a good principle for us to keep in mind during our spiritual development for the Kingdom. Yet, more specifically, how does it apply to the Sabbath? … Continue reading “Sharpening Our Saws”
‘Go Ye Therefore Into All the World…’
by Staff Forerunner, "Ready Answer," May 1997 So starts one of our favorite hymns. Are we hypocrites if we still sing, “Go ye therefore into all the world; preach the gospel unto everyone”? We do not seem to be doing those things now. Jesus commanded these words recorded in Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:15. Religious … Continue reading “‘Go Ye Therefore Into All the World…’”