DID THE APOSTLES EXPECT JESUS TO RETURN SOON?
Dennis Gulledge

In Revelation 22 we find John saying (twice) that Jesus will come
quickly (verses 7, 20). Does that mean that he expected the return of Christ
to occur within his own lifetime despite many New Testament warnings which
dispel any such knowledge on man¹s part? (Matthew 24:36; 25:13).
In verses 6, 7 and 20 the two words ³shortly² and ³quickly² (KJV) are
forms of the same Greek word (en tachei). This word has at least two
meanings. First, it can denote chronological nearness (Acts 25:4). However,
in prophetic literature time can be a very elastic concept (Obadiah 15). The
Edomites were not finally destroyed until centuries after Obadiah¹s time.
Second, the word can mean ³speedily² (Luke 18:8). That is, the events,
whenever they occur, will occur without delay. Therefore, the term can refer
to speed rather than time.
The NIV makes a serious mistake when it renders ³soon² in Revelation
22:7, 20. The word soon denotes chronological nearness exclusively and
espouses the false idea that the apostles expected Christ to return in their
own lifetime. It is tragic that a translation would have an inspired apostle
affirming such a radical falsehood as would make the common reader wonder if
the writer even knew what he was saying. Either that or ³soon² in an awfully
long time!


McGARVEY¹S WARNING
Dennis Gulledge

For years I have read the following words of warning from J. W. McGarvey
spoken to Jesse P. Sewell, a century ago. This selection has appeared in
various papers and bulletins over the years under different titles. I never
knew the actual source of this information until recently. I discovered it
while reading The Harding College Lectures 1950. At the conclusion of
chapter four entitled, ³Biographical Sketches of Restoration Preachers² (pp.
74-75) are these timely words from Jesse P. Sewell:

Now I will tell this incident in the life of Brother J. W. McGarvey. In
January, 1902 or 1903, I was preaching for the Pearl and Bryan Streets
Church in Dallas. Brother McGarvey, an old man at the time, was invited to
speak at the Central Christian Church in Dallas. We had three men in the
Pearl and Bryan Streets Church who had graduated from the College of the
Bible in Lexington, under Brother McGarvey, and they were great admirers of
him. They suggested that we invite Brother McGarvey to preach at Pearl and
Bryan that night. We did so. I was just a boy of 24 or 25 then. I was
sitting by the side of this great old man on the front seat, waiting for the
service to begin. As we sat there talking, Brother McGarvey said to me:
³Brother Sewell, I want to say something to you, if you¹ll accept it in the
spirit in which I mean it.² I told him I¹d appreciate anything he had to
say to me. He said about these words, ³You are on the right road, and
whatever you do, don¹t ever let anybody persuade you that you can
successfully combat error by fellowshiping it and going along with it. I
have tried. I believed at the start that was the only way to do it. I¹ve
never held membership in a congregation that uses instrumental music. I
have, however, accepted invitations to preach without distinction between
churches that used it and churches that didn¹t. I¹ve gone along with their
papers and magazines and things of that sort. During all these years I have
taught the truth as the New Testament teaches it to every young preacher who
has passed through the College of the Bible. Yet, I do not know of more
than six of those men who are preaching the truth today.² He said, ³It
won¹t work.²
That experience has been an inspiration to me all the days of my life
since. It has helped me, when I was ever tempted to turn aside and go along
with error, to remember the warning of this great old man.

Today we are seeing the fruits of certain brethren ignoring McGarvey¹s
warning. Not only are some brethren fellowshiping the denominations in
their use of the instruments, but are taking up their arguments for it as
well. You should read the article, ³Arguments for Instrumental Music²
Reviewed, by Larry Murdock in the Gospel Advocate (February 2003, pp.
26-27). Brother Murdock reviews the arguments in favor of the instrument in
worship offered by Perry C. Cotham in his book, Ceasefire, Ending Worship
Wars Through Sound Theology and Plain Common Sense (2002).


VOLUME 40 NUMBER 5 FEBRUARY 3, 2003

SYMPATHY

We extend our sympathy to the family of Peggy Bokony who passed away on
Monday morning. The funeral is expected to be on Thursday, February 6th here
at the building.
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50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

We are invited to celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of J. L. (Jay) and
Martha Franklin hosted by their children on Saturday, February 8th from 1:30
PM to 4:00 PM at the Bryant Senior Adult Center, in Bryant, AR.
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CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Scott Perry¹s new address is: 10226 Mabelvale Pike or PO Box 8, Mabelvale,
AR 72103
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ALL COMERS CLASS RESUMES

The All Comers Class will resume on Tuesday, February 11th, at 10:00 AM. We
will begin a study in the book of Joshua.
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CAC SCHOOLS

Priority enrollment for the 2003-2004 school year at Central Arkansas
Christian Schools is Feb. 3rd through Feb. 17th. Church families may apply
during this period prior to Open Enrollment. Call Jeanette Palmer at
758-3160 ext. 124 for admission information.
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SERMONS FOR FEBRUARY 9

Morning
Giving Is a Spiritual Barometer (2 Corinthians 8:7-8)
Evening
Haggai *********************************
Christian and Celeste would like to express their heartfelt thanks and
appreciation to the Mabelvale congregation for their generosity and loving
kindness. And we praise the Lord because we pray for His help and He used
all of you as His answer.
SEARCH
Week of February 9
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS A CHURCH?
What in the world is a church? The dictionary says it is ³a facility used
for worship. esp., Christian worship.² It gives ³denomination² as a synonym.
But, what does the Bible say? Jesus Christ is the central Person of the
Bible. Would you be surprised that the church in the Bible is the church of
Christ?

EVENTS OF INTEREST
February 2-7......FHU Lectures
February 11........All Comers Class Resumes at 10:00 AM
February 18........All Comers Class
February 18........Evening Ladies Class
February 25........All Comers Class

OUR RECORD FEBRUARY 2, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 221
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 173
P.M. WORSHIP 132
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 109

CONTRIBUTION 6164
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
February 9, 2003

Eddie Black John Boyd
Cliff Boyd Bill Boyd
Ray Bryan Alan Caudle
Richard Butler Henry Brooks

Evening Johnny Boyd
Ken Bittle
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

February 12 Alan Caudle
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USHERS FOR FEBRUARY

Morning John & Jason Griffin
Evening Richard Butler & Devin Long
Wednesday Keith Golden & Ken Sullivan
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GREETERS FOR FEBRUARY

Gary & Jennifer Poole
Stan & Michele Smith
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

February Bill Boyd
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