1992 Issue 6
II Chronicles is God's trumpet blast calling His church to revival and reformation. It is the ultimate solution to the political confusion, injustices and oppression, the economic decline, the moral anarchy and the religious apostasy we face on the threshold of the Twenty-First Century.
Essential to the restoration of the future is the preservation of our past heritage. As Israel of old, the church in the Twentieth Century has lost her memory. Therefore, revival and reformation begin with a renewal of our memory, and of our commitment to the foundation God has laid for us in Christ and His Word.
II Chronicles reminds us of that solid base on which we must build for the future, "all other ground is sinking sand."
Each month the "Cross-Examination" column presents a summary statement of a Reformed and Reconstructionist conviction in theology or ethics, and then offers brief answers to common questions, objections or confusions which people have about that belief. Send issues or questions you would like addressed by Dr. Bahnsen to the editor.
In Scripture, is there a distinctive future promised for the Jews as an ethnic group or nation? With respect to the question of the relationship of the Christian gospel to the Jews, as well as their place in Biblical prophecy, we believe the following truths to be based on God's word:
The Old Testament promises to Abraham and to the nation of Israel, when properly interpreted in light of the whole Bible, were all pledged in and through Christ for God's true people in all ages.
"SoftPorn" Plays Hardball: Its Tragic Effects on Women, Children, and the Family by Dr. Judith A. Reisman.
Perhaps you have been tempted to pick up a copy of Playboy just to see what was in it. In reality, you knew what was in it, that is why you wanted to pick up a copy and leaf through. Hopefully you did not yield to temptation.
Two years ago in the Republic of South Africa, 3,500 youths went to a Christian youth conference at the Kwasizabantu mission to speak to Pastors Erlo Stegen and Kje1l Olsen. These young Christians ranged in age from 10 to 16 years old. They told the pastors they were ready to take a stand against the African National Congress (ANC)and other Communist parties who were continually threatening them and trying to scare them into joining and serving the communist groups.
"These groups have intimidated and persecuted our Christian friends for their faith throughout the country," said Pastor Olsen, during a recent visit he and Pastor Stegen made to the U.S. We have documented, factual case after case of these persecutions. Young people are threatened with knives and are beaten for refusing to join "The People". ANC offices are set up inside the schools and children are called in and threatened. And the youth are standing for Christ."
Mark and Lonna Akin were recently interviewed by Debbie Raines. They tell of God's mercies to them in the midst of Lonna's current battle with Leukemia. Lonna is still in need of a bone marrow donor.
In the passage before us we come to the concluding vision of the series of visions that Zechariah received on one night. The next visions are not received until a later date. The last date mentioned in Zechariah 1:7 was where the visions began; it is not changed until Zech. 7:1.
In a sense, Zechariah has come full circle in this series of visions. In his first vision, recorded in Zechariah 1:8-11, he saw the vision of the Four Horsemen on horses colored similarly to the horses pulling the Four Chariots in Chapter 6 (Zech. 6:2-3; 1:8). Those Four Horsemen were also in a valley, as are these Four Chariots (Zech. 6:1; 1:8).
