Within the past couple of months we've been
responding back and forth within the local newspaper. The most recent letter has
not yet been published within the newspaper.
Mr. Miller's First
Letter (unknown denomination) - Click to view
Mr. Foster's First Reply
(church of Christ) - Click to view
Mr. Miller's First Reply - Click to view
Mr. Foster's Second Reply - Click to view
Mr. Miller's First
Letter (unknown denomination)
Letters To The Editor
Time is now to get your house in order
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 2:56 AM EST
The end of time's last warning is now going out throughout the world. It's time
to get our house in order.
When Jesus Christ was asked about his second coming and what the sign would be,
his answer was in the form of a warning. “A warning of false religions, false
prophets,” and “yes” even false Christ figures would arise.
False religions lead to armed conflict which in turn leads to famine and
pestilent. Read Revelations, Chapter 6.
Rev. 6:2 shows the first of the four horsemen, with a bow, going out to conquer.
This horseman symbolizes false religion - symbolized by the horseman's crown.
Jesus makes it plain in John 18:36 that his kingdom was not of this world - not
at this time.
The second horseman rides a red horse symbolizing false religion followed by war
(6:4).
The third horseman rides a black horse, carrying a pair of scales, symbolizing
famine that follows war.
Why famine? In times of war, farms are neglected or trampled under invading
armies. Distribution systems and economies are disrupted leading to a shortage
of food. Hunger is the result, because of the lack of nutrition which weakens
people, causing epidemics. This explains the fourth horseman riding a
sickly-looking pale horse.
It is the time for the eyes of humans to be opened. In the book of Isaiah there
is a “new prophecy” for our generation. Isaiah 40: 3,9 and 10 states, “Prepare
ye the way of the Lord. Behold the Lord God will come with a strong arm (Jesus
Christ).” The prophet Malachi confirmed the message. Behold I will send my
messenger. He shall prepare the way before me and the Lord whom ye seek, shall
suddenly come to his temple.
Behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and
all that do wickedly, shall be stubble (Malachi 3: 1-4:6)
These scriptures also come with a great promise from our God. He said before the
great and dreadful day of the Lord, He would send his messenger to turn the
hearts of the children to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers back to
the children (Malachi 4:6). He will make a complete change in our hearts.
Jesus came over 1,900 years ago to announce the future Kingdom of God. He will
return soon to establish that kingdom.
God makes it clear in Ezekiel 18:31, 32 that he doesn't want any of us to die,
that he takes no pleasure in our deaths. You can have a joyous life now and more
importantly everlasting life.
The end of time's last warning is now going out throughout the world. It is time
to get our house in order.
Walter R. Miller
Closplint
Mr. Foster's First Reply
(church of Christ)
Some scriptures have been misunderstood
Saturday, November 25, 2006 1:14 AM EST
I don't know how often this happens - maybe more often than not - but I felt
obligated to write a letter to the editor concerning a previous letter to the
editor by a Mr. Miller that appeared in this paper on Nov. 20. I apologize
beforehand about anything anyone may take offense to within this letter. I,
however, feel obligated by the Bible to do as it says in 2 Timothy 4:2, as well
as 2 Timothy 3:16.
In essence, I believe that some scriptures were misrepresented and misunderstood
and led to conclusions contrary to the word of God. From my reading of
Revelation, as well as what the author of the previous letter stated, some
things were symbolic and did represent other things. However, even John, in this
vision we call Revelation, had to have an angel explain the meanings of the
symbols he saw. To point to a verse in Revelation and say that this horseman is
symbolic of false religion or another horse is symbolic of something else is to
go above and beyond what we know of the Bible. I looked at a commentary on
Revelation (that I also disagree with), and its author claimed the first
horseman would represent something completely different. Who is correct? I would
say, who knows? Since this verse is symbolic and the Bible does not tell us in
plain words what these symbols mean, how can we say for certain what it means?
Next, you referenced John 18:36, where Jesus states, “My kingdom is not of this
world,” but you added to it and said, not at this time. What many don't realize
is when we look back to Daniel 2:31-44 and Isaiah 2:2, prophecies are given
concerning the kingdom of God, how it would start at Jerusalem and the word
would spread from there and it would consist of all nations. Daniel makes it
clear that it would come during the reign of a kingdom following a kingdom that
ruled the world (only the Greeks ruled the known world - the Roman kingdom was
established next). During the reign of the Roman Empire, Jesus came preaching
that the time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:14). He, of
course, was referring back to Daniel and Isaiah concerning when he would
establish this kingdom.
The plain fact that so many people miss is that the kingdom of God is his
church. That is why it wasn't of this world - it was a spiritual kingdom. Let's
look at Mark 9:1 when Jesus says that some of the ones listening to him speak
would not die until they saw the kingdom of God established with power.
According to your letter, that would mean there are some 2,000-year-old Jews
still alive who heard Jesus back then say those words. However, the kingdom, the
church, was established with “power” on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 - this is
why Isaiah 2:2 mentions Zion and Jerusalem being the place where the word of the
Lord would go forth.
You also referred to Isaiah 40:3, 9 and 10 as being a “new prophecy” for “our
generation.” However, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all say that this prophecy
was talking about John the Baptist - the one in the wilderness, preparing the
way for the Lord. Concerning Malachi 4:6, you mentioned there is a messenger
that will come and turn the hearts of the children to their fathers and the
hearts of the fathers back to the children. However, in Luke 1:17 the angel
Gabriel told Zechariah that his son, John the Baptist, would “turn the hearts of
the fathers to the children.” It seems very clear that this messenger being
spoke of has already come and did prepare the way for Jesus.
From all of this, we can see and understand that the “kingdom” of God is his
people - the church. That was established in 33 A.D., with power, and it's a
kingdom that will last forever. Even some who heard Jesus speak saw it come with
power. We can also see that the messenger sent to prepare the way for the Lord
was John the Baptist. Even Paul himself referencing those who had become
Christians said, “For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and
transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col. 1:13). This proves that
the kingdom is already established and in effect, with us being part of it.
Like I stated at the beginning, this was not written to offend or to argue, but
a plea to look back to the word of God and correct ourselves. I completely agree
that the time is now to get your house in order. Both Peter and Paul said in the
Bible that the day of the Lord would come as a thief in the night - that is, as
a surprise. I don't think it can come as a thief if there are signs making it
“obvious.” Regardless of when Christ does come back, we have no promise of
tomorrow, whether it is through Christ's return or through death. Today is the
day of salvation.
Stephen M. Foster
Totz
Mr. Miller's First Reply - Click to view
Search for truth by reading the Bible
Tuesday, December 19, 2006 2:39 AM EST
Don't listen to me folks. I'm just a man searching for the truth, which leads to
God and life eternal. Study the Bible for yourselves. That is what the word of
God tells us to do.
Thessalonians 5:21 says prove all things, hold fast to that which is true. The
word also tells us that the people of Berea were counted more noble than the
Thessalonians because when Paul and Silas preached to them, they listened with
an open mind. They later searched the scriptures to see if what they spoke were
true (Acts 17:10-11).
In searching for the truth, the Bible makes it clear that a person should look,
listen and compare God's words to those of man.
Mr. Foster's letter proves that there is a disagreement between us on what we
each believe, causing confusion - proving that man is the author of confusion,
not God (1 Corinthians 14:33 and 40).
Just think how much more the world must be confused by the 1,500 different
denominations or the 2,500 sects of religion in this world (I confess I'm
confused). That is why I study my Bible and ask God for enlightenment and
encourage others to do so. Despise not prophecies, preaching or preachers
(Thessalonians 5:20) but prove all things, hold on to that which is true.
I did not add on to John 18:36 in my letter dated Nov. 20. I left off the bottom
line where Jesus himself said that for now his Kingdom was not from here.
Jesus speaks of two kingdoms. One being the fathers, where he now sits at the
right hand of his Father's throne. The second kingdom, which will be established
here on Earth, will be the throne of the son of God. (Luke 22:29-30). But first
there is another glorious event that will have to take place. Satan, the god of
this world, will have to be dethroned (II Corinthians 4:4).
Jesus said unto his disciples, you that have followed me in the regeneration
when the son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon
twelve thrones (Matthew 19:2
. “Jesus will then become King of Kings.”
I do not believe that there are Jews 2,000 years old still living on the Earth.
However, I do believe what my Bible teaches. When Jesus spoke to his followers
in Mark 9:1 he was referring to the second death. Throughout the Bible where
Jesus and the disciples brought the dead back to life, referred to absents from
this life as sleep, a sleep to which there will be a resurrection. But the
second death which Jesus applied in Mark 9:1 shows that his followers in faith
would not suffer the death of the lake of fire that will cleanse the Earth of
everything that corrupts in the great white throne of judgement.
There are many religions in this world, because of the many different beliefs. I
have high respect for a person who stands by his or her own beliefs. But we need
to keep in mind that just because we believe or teach something does not make it
true. Truth is absolute facts.
My letter dated Nov. 20 was not a doomsday letter nor was it an alter call. I do
not believe that today is the day of salvation, as Mr. Foster stated in the
closing of his letter. I challenge him to prove it.
Your Bible is an instruction book. Study it. I promise you that once God starts
to reveal his great plan of salvation to you, that you will sleep better at
night.
Malachi 4:6 is a promise in the future tense. Shall is an auxiliary used to
express futurity.
In closing I will say this, “There is great knowledge stored in the pages of
God's word, but you will never find it, if you don't look for it.” Bible stands
for B - basic, i - instruction, b - before, l - leaving and e - earth. Read and
study your instruction book.
Walter R. Miller
Closplint
Mr. Foster's Second Reply - Click to view
Mr. Miller,
I appreciate your response within the paper and I hope and pray that through our
letters here it will help many to open their bibles and study the word of God. I
completely agree with you concerning that the folks out there should check and
make sure we have rightly divided the word of truth within these letters. I
implore those reading these letters to study each scripture and prove to
themselves using only God's word. The bible can be a difficult book to
understand, even Timothy who was an elder in the church was told to study and of
course through that study rightly divide the word of truth. To each of us we
should realize that this means that people can also wrongly divide the word of
truth. We must always take caution when we hear others teach, even Peter warned
how some could struggle with scriptures unto their own destruction (II Peter
3:15-16)
Likewise, I also agree that God is not the author of confusion as you quoted
from Corinthians. However, man has had nearly 2000 years to distort, interpret,
and confuse God's word with his own ideas. I also believe that we do have
disagreement between one another; however there is only one bible and I pray we
will use the inspired scriptures to correct ourselves.
I will try to be brief in my explanation of some of these scriptures that you
have quoted as well as some that I will quote because we are getting into some
very lengthy subjects and the newspaper will only allow me to write so much.
First of all you quoted Luke 22:29-30 saying that there were two kingdoms, one
being the fathers and the other kingdom being Christ’s. However, if we read in
Daniel 7 it makes it clear that when Christ ascended into heaven and came to God
(the ancient of days) he was given a kingdom (the church). Peter was given the
keys to this kingdom in the sense that he preached the first gospel sermon
telling people how to enter into that kingdom; he used the keys to open the
doors. Paul as I wrote in my last letter when speaking of Christians said they
had already been translated into the kingdom of his beloved son, (Col 1:13). For
those who were living 2000 years ago to be in Jesus' kingdom as this verse says
contradicts what you said in your letter concerning two kingdoms and Christ's
kingdom not being the one in effect at this time. In Revelation 1:9 John himself
said he was a fellow partaker in the kingdom and patience of Christ. But how
could be a partaker in Christ's kingdom if it wasn't established yet as you say?
Secondly, according to Matthew 25:31-44 when Christ returns he sits upon the
throne of judgment and after this he will deliver the kingdom (the church) back
to God the father. When Jesus comes again, it will not to be to establish His
kingdom. King Jesus has already done that. But it will be to gather His kingdom
together and to deliver it up unto God to begin a victorious celebration that
will never end. Concerning II Cor 4:4 I believe you quoted the wrong verse
because it has nothing to do with Satan. Also, Matthew 19:28 is speaking of the
throne of judgment at the end, which is the same as Matthew 25 I quoted before.
Next let’s look at Mark 9:1 in which Jesus says "Verily, I say unto you, that
there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they
have seen the kingdom of God come with power." Let's really examine this
verse...the word till as used in the text means "until". So in short it's saying
some standing there would not die until they have seen the kingdom come with
power. This leaves two categories of people within this group...SOME that will
die before the kingdom has been established and SOME who will die after it has
been established (thus the "until" part). Now if this were talking of the second
death (the lake of fire) this verse would literally say that all of those there
will be thrown into the lake of fire some before the kingdom is established and
others not UNTIL it had been established...now since Revelation makes it clear
that the unrighteous will be thrown into the lake of fire after the judgment,
then it would be impossible for Mark 9:1 to be referencing the second death as
you said, because of chronological order.
Concerning Malachi 4:5-6, I agree that when it was written it was speaking of a
future tense - realize Malachi was written around 2400 years ago. Let’s read it
"Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet. Before the coming of the great and
dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the
children." I will however stick to what I said previously because about 400
years after this was written; the angel Gabriel quoted this verse and said it
was speaking of John the Baptist (Luke 1:17). Also, Jesus said in Matthew
17:12-13 ...Elias (Elijah) is come already and they knew him not...vs. 13 ...and
the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. Matthew
11:14 and Mark 9:13 likewise say that Malachi was speaking of John the Baptist.
Now I don't know about you but if Jesus, and the angel Gabriel said he already
came, proving Malachi 4:5-6 to already have been fulfilled, you can be assured –
it has been fulfilled.
In closing I will answer your challenge when you said "I do not believe that
today is the day of salvation, as Mr. Foster stated in the closing of his
letter. I challenge him to prove it."
II Cor 6:2 "...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of
salvation"
Stephen Foster, Minister
Mountain View church of Christ