EVANGELISTIC LECTURES

By JOHN LEWIS SHULER

National Bible Lecturer for the American Bible
Institute And Professor of Evangelism at Takoma Park Seminary
Washington, D. C.

Review And Herald Publishers
1950

Contents

Foreword
1. Peace or Pieces?
2. What and Where Is Heaven?
3. He Wrote His Own Biography Before He Was Born
4. Why Doesn't God Kill the Devil?
5. Armageddon and the Atomic Bomb
6. Heaven Split Wide Open
7. The Way of Jesus Christ in the Year 2005
8. The Bridge from Trouble to Eternal Happiness
9. Last Day Signs
10. The Destiny of the Four Great Powers
11. The Key to Your Bible
12. Who Is the Antichrist?
13. In-fidelity Challenged, Refuted and Silenced
14. The Greatest Religious Discovery of the Twentieth Century
15. The Key to Present Truth
16. Three Steps to the City of Eternal Happiness
17. The Millennium 
18. Which Day Shall Christians Keep?
19. The Key of Knowledge
20. $5,000 for One Text
21. Unlocking Truth's Mightiest Secret
22. Who Changed the Sabbath?
23. Four ways you will know your Friends in Heaven
24. The Key to the Nature of Man
25. The Mystic Ladder
26. Does It Pay To Be Good?
27. What About Hell?
28. The Mystery of Death
29. Do the Dead Know What Happens After They Die?
30. Protestantism's Two Unanswered Questions
31. Does the Bible Contradict Itself?
32. Three Generals Appointed for Armageddon
33. How You Can Postpone Your Own Funeral
34. The Rich Man and Lazarus - Luke 16:19-31
35. The Woman in White
36. Why So Many Denominations?
37. The Seven Last Plagues
38. The Seal of the Living God
39. Can One Enter Heaven Who Has Not Been Baptized?
40. The Woman in Scarlet
41. "Lord, What Will You Have Me Do?"
42. Mark of the Beast
43. One Hundred Thieves Caught in One Church
44. The Real Truth About the Jew
45. Preparing the Way for Christ to! Come
46. The Master Key to Your Ideal Life
47. Four Mysterious Horses
48. Five Reasons Why Ministers Reject the Sabbath
49. How To Die and Live Again
50. Baby Buggy Religion
51. What Is the Unpardonable Sin?
52. How God Leads Into the Truth
53. Five Million Dollars for One Pearl
54. Half-Baked Christians
55. Jesus Is the Way
56. The Key to Certainty in Religion
57. Is St. Peter in Charge of the Gates of Heaven?
58. What Faith Corresponds to the Divine Pattern?
59. When God Makes His Last Call
60. The Practice of the Presence of God
61. Why I Am What I Am
62. The Truth About the Law

Foreword

These sermons were delivered in an evangelistic campaign conducted in Des Moines, Iowa, during September, October, November and December of 1946. The first sermon was given on Sunday night, September 8.

The sermons were mechanically recorded at the meetings, and are reproduced in this volume exactly as spoken to the audience with scarcely any editing. No attempt has been made to place them in precise literary form. One of the objectives of this book was to reproduce the full length sermon in the free evangelistic style with its directness and appeal.

The typewritten material for the printer has of necessity been hastily prepared, and it is inevitable that some errors in construction would creep in. The doctrines presented, however, stand as being in strict accordance with the Scriptures of Truth. In some instances, certain texts, as quoted from memory by the speaker, may not be exactly word for word as recorded in the Bible, or with the same punctuation, but there is no deviation from the declaration or apparent meaning of the Scriptures.

A brief word on the plan followed in these evangelistic meetings will be in order. During the first two weeks, sermons were delivered on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights. Beginning with the third week a central Bible class was conducted at the meeting place with the interested people each Thursday night. From the third week to the tenth week inclusive, sermons were presented on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday nights, and on Saturday afternoons at three o'clock beginning with the fifth Saturday. From the eleventh week to the fifteenth week inclusive, the Bible class was conducted on Tuesday nights, and sermons were presented on Sunday and Friday nights and Saturday afternoons.

Above each sermon title we have indicated the number of each sermon in the series. Beneath the sermon title is a notation designating at what point in the series it was presented. This will enable any worker to discover the plan followed in the order of subjects.

Special Bible lessons were mimeographed on punched note sheets. These were given to all who attended the weekly Bible class. They were made with blank lines after certain statements of Bible doctrine, on which the people recorded the respective Scripture references as the Bible lessons were presented. The first Bible lesson was mechanically recorded as it was given to the class, and is reproduced in this volume. It will convey to workers, some concrete idea as to how the Bible class was conducted.

In connection with these sermons, twenty-two appropriate after meeting talks were presented. These were recorded mechanically and may be published in a separate volume, and made available, if there is sufficient demand for them. A postal card has been inserted in each sermon. volume, which the purchaser may use to register his desire for the additional material.

We send these forth with the earnest prayer that God will use these sermons, to establish many interested souls in the present truth, and, that many of the heralds of the third angel's message will find herein help, inspiration and guidance in presenting God's message for these closing days.
Yours in Him,
J. L. SHULER.

1. Peace or Pieces?

As we watch the swift moving events of our day, certain great questions arise in our minds. What does this new Atomic Age hold in store for man? Will the atomic bomb blast civilization into oblivion? What about the riddle of Russia? Will Russia absorb and rule all Europe? Can Stalin succeed where Hitler failed? World Peace! World security! How will it ever be achieved? What lies ahead for our world? What kind of a world tomorrow?

I don't know what is coming. You don't know what is coming. But there is a God in heaven Who does know. He knows the end from the very beginning, and from ancient times the things which are not yet done. And it has pleased that great God of heaven Who knows the future, to reveal in this Bible some of the events of the future, Which we need to know. It is to some of these items that we direct your attention tonight.

In 2 Peter 1:19 the apostle Peter says, "We have a more sure word of prophecy whereunto you do well that you take heed as unto a light that shines in a dark place." I have placed this text on a piece of muslin, that you may see for yourself what the Word of God says. Notice how it reads: "We have a more sure word of prophecy whereunto you do well that you take heed as unto a light that shines in a dark place." Just as the headlights of your automobile show the road ahead, the prophecies of the Bible show what is coming before it happens.

The course of this world's history for the past 2,500 years has been exactly in accordance with a prophetic outline found in the second chapter of the book of Daniel. In Daniel 2:28 I read, "There is a God in heaven that reveals secrets, and makes known to the King Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days." By means of a wonderful dream God revealed to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, what would happen in the latter days.

Now I have something very remarkable to bring to you. I want You to notice the striking device that God used to portray the future history of nations. (At this juncture a large wooden figure of a man was unveiled on the stage, beside the speaker's desk.) I want You to notice that what you see here on the stage is just What I am going to read from God's holy Word. I am turning now to Daniel 2:31-35.

"Thou, O King, saw, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou saw till a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors; and the Wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth."

A gigantic statue of a man made of different metal segments was shown to Nebuchadnezzar in his dream. This man's head was of fine gold, his breast and arms of silver, his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and Part of clay. Beginning with the most precious metal, gold, there was a uniform depreciation to finally terminate with the most base of all, clay. There you have, if you please, evolution in the reverse. A stone cut from the mountain without hands, smote this man upon his feet and dashed him to pieces. The wind from that concussion blew the fragments into oblivion. Then the stone expanded and expanded and expanded until it filled the entire world.

What a mysterious dream! What can it mean? As soon as Daniel told the king his dream, he proceeded to explain the meaning of the gold, the silver, the brass, the iron, the clay and the stone. Now follow me and you will see.

I am turning now to Daniel 2:38, reading the last sentence in the verse. "Thou art this head of gold." The pronoun "thou" refers to Nebuchadnezzar that mighty king of ancient Babylon. To Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, the prophet says, "Thou art this head of gold." O how plain that is! It shows us that this head of gold represented or symbolized the empire of Babylon over which Nebuchadnezzar was then ruling.

Now notice, he goes on to explain the meaning of the breast and arms of silver. I am reading now from Daniel 2:39, the first part of the verse. "And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee." Daniel makes it plain that this breast and arms of silver represented a second world empire that would follow Babylon upon the stage of world dominion. History tells us that this second world empire was Medo-Persia. So the breast and arms of silver symbolized Persia.

Next he explains the third part of the man. I am reading now Daniel 2:39, the last part of the verse. "Another third kingdom of brass shall bear rule over all the earth." How plain! He tells us in so many words that this third part of the man is a third world empire that will succeed or follow the second one. History shows that the third world empire that followed Persia was the empire of Greece.

Then notice how he explains the meaning of the legs of iron. I am reading Daniel 2:40. "The fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron." How plain! It shows that these legs of iron symbolized the fourth world empire that would follow the third. History shows that the fourth world empire that followed Greece was the great empire of Rome.

Mark this. Every school boy in Des Moines can testify to the accuracy of this prophecy in the Bible. Every school boy in Des Moines can tell you that Persia followed Babylon, that, Greece followed Persia, and that Rome followed Greece. There it is, as plain as two and two make four. The head of gold, Babylon. The breast and arms of silver, Persia. The sides of brass, Greece. The legs of iron, Rome. The four metals: the gold, the silver, the brass, and the iron symbolized four world empires that were to arise one after another along the pathway of history, as the scroll of the future would he unrolled in the days to come from Daniel's time.

What about the feet and toes? What about this mixture of iron and clay? In the feet and the toes? The Word of God tells. I read Daniel 2:41. "Whereas thou saw the feet and toes, part of potters' clay and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided." Daniel tells us in so many words that the mixture of iron and clay represented the breaking up of the fourth world empire into smaller kingdoms.

Other prophecies of the Bible even foretold the exact number of those divisions. Daniel 7:24 indicates that this fourth empire was to be divided into ten parts. Did this come true? It certainly did. During the fourth and fifth centuries of the Christian era, ten distinct independent nations established themselves within the boundaries of Western Rome.

I have a chart here which gives a list of these ten kingdoms of Western Rome. These ten kingdoms were as follows: the Anglo-Saxons, the Burgundians, the Franks, the Alemanni, the Visigoths, the Suevi, the Lombards, the Heruli, the Ostrogoths, and the Vandals. Seven of those nations are found on the map of Europe today. The Anglo-Saxons are what we now call the English; the Franks are the French people of Prance; the Alemanni constitute Germany; the Burgundians are that little nation of Switzerland; the Visigoths constitute Spain; the Suevi are that little country of Portugal and the Lombards are of Italy. These seven nations of England, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal and Italy find their place in this prophecy of Daniel 2 as the toes of this composite metal man.

Now follow me closely. Here's where the prophecy touches our day. Here is where it touches 1946, if you please. When we deal with England, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Switzerland, we are dealing with Western Europe of 1946. Here is the verse that defeated Hitler. Did you know that there was a verse in the Bible that actually defeated Hitler? I am going to read that verse in just a moment.

Many people are worried about Russia. They think Russia is going to absorb and rule all Europe. Here is a verse that forever precludes Russia from gaining permanent domination over all Europe. I can tell you on the basis of this Holy Word, that if Russia grows to be ten times as strong as she is now, she'll never be able to absorb and permanently hold all Europe under her sway. Here it is. I hope you have your notebook to record all these Scriptural references.

I read Daniel 2:43. "Whereas thou saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they shall not cleave" (referring to these divided nations of Western Europe) "they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay." The prophecy shows that these divided nations of England, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, and Italy will never be welded together into a world empire, as they once were under the Caesars of Rome. You know, I know, everybody knows that you cannot weld iron and clay together. Iron will not cohere with clay. These nations of western Europe cannot be welded into one world empire as they were back in the days of the Caesars when Rome ruled the world.

Notice those seven famous words of prophecy. Here they are: "They shall not cleave one to another." There are the seven words that defeated Napoleon Bonaparte. In the 19th century Napoleon swept over nation after nation of Europe. It looked as though Napoleon would rule all of Europe. It looked as though no nation or combination of nations could stand against his onslaught. In 1811 Napoleon said, 9n five years I shall be the master of the world." But God had said that what Napoleon was trying to do, to make Europe into a world empire, could not be done, even as iron will not cohere with clay. "They shall not cleave one to another."

So his dreams of world empire vanished in smoke on the field of Waterloo with Napoleon fleeing for his life. He bowed his head in defeat and said, "God Almighty is too much for me." Yes, God Almighty was too much for Napoleon. More than twenty-three hundred years before Napoleon was ever born, this prophecy declared that those nations of western Europe could not be welded into a world empire to be ruled by one man. "They shall not cleave one to another.

Those are the seven words that deprived Germany of victory in World War I and again, in World War II. In 1914 William the II of Germany, Kaiser of Germany, started out to make himself the ruler of all Europe. It seemed for a time that no power could stand against the German army. But the Word of God was on record in Daniel 2:43 that those nations of Western Europe could not be welded into a world empire to be ruled by one man. Consequently, the Kaiser's dream of a world empire turned into a nightmare with him fleeing into Holland and spending the rest of his days in exile sawing wood at Doorn, Holland.

In 1939 Mr. Hitler started out to make himself the ruler of all Europe. When Hitler struck at Poland in 1938 he knew England was not prepared for war. He didn't think she would come to the defence of Poland. But Mr. Hitler forgot a number of things. He forgot that the "English Bulldog" will fight whether he is ready or not. He forgot that America lies over the Atlantic Ocean, and that millions of brave Americans would rise as one man to defend the fairest flag ever flown in the breeze---the Stars and Stripes forever. He forgot God. The Word of God had declared that these nations of Western Europe could not be welded permanently into a world empire by any man.

My friends, as Hitler advanced, occupying vast portions of Europe, the Word of God was at stake. The Bible was on record that those divided nations could not be fused into a world empire to be ruled by one man no matter what his name, Hitler or anybody else. Thus it was that Mr. Hitler's dream of world empire turned into a nightmare of suicide amid ashes and ruins of his own capital city, Berlin.

Notice this carefully, don't miss it. The outcome of World War I and the outcome of World War II confirm this Book as the Word of God. This prophecy of Daniel 2:43, "They shall not cleave one to another," stands true amid all the over turnings and upheavals among the nations of Western Europe for the past fourteen centuries. Time and again the mightiest men who ever trod the soil of Western Europe have tried to weld those nations into one great world empire as it was in the days of the Caesars. But everyone has failed. All the armies they could muster have not been able to break the force of these seven words of God's Holy Writ. "They shall not cleave one to another."

Listen to me. One verse of God's Bible is stronger than all the armies in the world. Jesus Christ says, "The Scripture cannot be broken!" "Heaven and earth," says He, "shall pass away, but my Word shall not pass away."

I wonder if there is an infidel in this audience tonight. Please be especially free to invite all infidels and sceptics to these American Bible Institute meetings. Many will find faith in God in these lectures. If there is an infidel here tonight, I have a question for you, brother. Here it is. Think it through. How could any man of himself in the days of ancient Babylon look ahead for 2,500 years in advance as Daniel did, and accurately foretell that beginning with Babylon there would be only four world empires, and that the fourth would be divided into segments, and remain divided in spite of all man's attempts to reunite them. Come on, infidel, what do you say?

I'll tell you what you'll have to say. You will say, "Mr. Shuler, the fact is, that there isn't any man of himself who could look ahead 2,500 years." That is right. Man cannot look ahead even through tomorrow. This good Book says, "Boast not thyself against tomorrow, for thou knows not what a day may bring forth." You'll have to say, Mr. Infidel, that no man of himself could look ahead and prophesy accurately for 2,500 years in advance. Doesn't the fact, then, that Daniel did accurately foretell the future 2,500 years in advance, prove that this prophecy is inspired by that great God Who alone knows the future? This Book foretells things. You can't do that. I can't do that. The fact that his Book foretells things before they happen proves that this book was inspired by that great God Who alone knows the future. Infidelity is silenced; the Bible is vindicated by the unerring fulfilment of its predictions.

The most thrilling and breath-taking part of the dream of the future was when this stone smote the image on his feet and dashed it to pieces and the wind blew the fragments into oblivion. This represents what will happen in the great battle of Armageddon. This is the most interesting item in all the prophecy. It is the most important item for you to understand. In fact it is one of the biggest prophetic subjects in all the Bible. It is such a big subject that I am devoting my entire lecture next Sunday night here at the KRNT Radio theatre to "The Impending, World-ending Battle of Armageddon as Prophesied in the Bible." I will show from the Bible next Sunday night, when it will come, where it will be fought, who will win, and who is the one man who will rule the entire world after that battle. You must plan to be present to hear that subject.

Tonight I promised to tell you what lies ahead for our world. What kind of a world tomorrow? What will be the final outcome of these unsettled conditions that we see today? Well, here it is in Daniel 2:44. "In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever."

On the authority of this blessed Word I ca n tell you that the final outcome of this world situation will be the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth to reconstruct this world into a new, perfect world where there will be no more sorrow, no more sickness, no more trouble, no more wars and no more death. In Revelation 21:1 the prophet says, "I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away." In Revelation 21:4 he declares that God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.

This is the answer to the question, "How and when will lasting peace be established?" It will be in the kingdom of God. Here's the answer to the question. Will the atomic bomb blow the world to pieces? The answer is, "No." This world will not be blown to pieces by atomic bombs. This world in due time is to be transformed under the creative hand of the Lord Jesus Christ into a new earth.

Wouldn't you like to know how this sin-sick, tear-smitten, war-dazed world will be made into a sinless, happy paradise? Yes. Don't fail then to be at the Hoyt Sherman Place on Tuesday night and you will hear. Ever since Jesus Christ lived among men 1900 years ago, millions of people have been praying, "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth; as it is in heaven!" This prayer has never been answered yet. The will of God is not being done in this earth today as it is done by the angels in heaven. But that prayer will be answered. Wouldn't you like to know how and when the will of God will be done on this earth, as it is in heaven? Be at the Hoyt Sherman Place Tuesday night when I speak on "Heaven" and you will get the answer from the Word of God. You will see also the mystery of this stone that demolished the image and then expanded and expanded and expanded until it filled the entire world.

I can deal with only a few highlights of the prophecy in this lecture. This is why you want to be sure to mark that stub in the program folder so that we may mail you a free printed copy of this lecture that gives everything I say and much more that I cannot say for lack of time.

Do you know that everything in this prophecy has been fulfilled except the last item, the smiting of the man to pieces? Yes, that is exactly the way it is. I want you to notice where we are in the stream of time.

I have a long chart here that contains an outline of this prophecy of Daniel 2. The head of gold was Babylon, ruling the world from BC 606 to BC 538. In 538 BC Cyrus overthrew Babylon. Then Persia began to rule the world. The breast and arms of silver was Persia ruling the world from BC 538 to 331 BC. In 331 BC Alexander overthrew the Persian empire in the battle of Arbela. Then Greece ruled the world. These sides of brass represented Greece ruling the world from 331 BC to 168 BC. In BC 168 Rome took over Greece. Then Rome ruled the world from 168 years before the birth of Christ until 476 years after Christ when the Roman empire in the west fell.

Rome ruled the world when Jesus was born. If you have ever heard the Christmas story you have heard this verse, "It came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed." Caesar Augustus, a Roman Emperor, ruled the world when Jesus was born. Notice that the course of history was in the legs of iron when Jesus was born, nineteen centuries ago. Then between A. D. 351 and A. D. 483 the Roman Empire in the west was divided into ten kingdoms, as indicated by the feet and the toes being part of clay and part of iron. England, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Switzerland are the remnants of these divisions in our day.

Now, what next? Where are we today? Let us look at God's time-table. We are not in the head of gold. Babylon passed away as a world empire in B. C. 538. We are not in the breast and arms of silver. Persia passed away as a world empire in 331 B. C. Where are we today? Not in the days of Greece. Greece as a world empire passed away in B. C. 168 when Rome took over Greece. Where are we today? Not in the days when Rome ruled the world. The Roman empire fell in the West in 476 A. D. Where are we today? We are in the very last division of the composite metal man. The course of history is almost run. We are on the last lap of the journey. The next act, according to the prophecy, is the return of Jesus as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."

"Down in the feet of iron and of clay,
Weak and divided soon to pass away,
What will the next great glorious drama be?
Christ and His coming, and eternity."

Friends, I wonder if I have really made this prophecy plain. I've tried my best to make it clear. I believe everyone here is ready to signify by the uplifted hand that I have made the prophecy plain and that according to my explanation we must be on the verge of the last mighty act. How many believe that I have made this prophecy plain and according to my explanation we must be on the verge of that last mighty act? Will you please signify it by lifting your hand just now? Thank you. It looks as though I see every hand. I'm glad that you recognize the truthfulness and the import of this prophecy.

Friends, this brings everyone, hearers and preacher, face to face with the most vital issue of all our lives. Are we ready to enter Christ's everlasting kingdom? Are we prepared to meet Jesus Christ the coming King? There isn't anything in our lives more important than for us to make sure of an eternal happy home in Christ's kingdom.

A home in His kingdom is actually worth more than all the gold, the silver, the diamonds, the stocks, the bonds, the farms, and the houses in the world. "What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" If you should fail to prepare for a home in Christ's kingdom, it would be better for you to have never been born. However, every soul may have an eternal happy home in Christ's kingdom if he wants it. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved." All you need to do is to surrender your heart and life to the blessed Jesus and let Him live in you a life of obedience day by day.

I think tonight of one of those thieves who was crucified when Jesus was nailed to the cross for our sins. This man lived all his life in sin. He was now face to face with death. He knew he wasn't ready to die. In his dying hour he turned to Jesus and said, "Lord, remember me when Thou comes in Thy kingdom." O, how graciously Jesus responded to his request for salvation, and gave him the immediate assurance that he would be with Him In paradise.

Friend of mine, Jesus is ready to do the same thing for you if you will but look to Him. "Look unto Me and be you saved, all you ends of the earth." Don't you want Jesus to remember you when He comes in His kingdom? I'm sure you do. I've never met anybody in all my travels who didn't want Jesus to remember him with an eternal happy home in His kingdom. I believe everyone here tonight desires to raise his hand as a silent prayer to Jesus Christ. "Lord, remember me when Thou comes in Thy kingdom." How many of you with me, want to send up a silent prayer tonight to Jesus, "Lord remember me when Thou comes in Thy kingdom?" Would you lift the hand just now as a silent prayer to Jesus? Thank you. Let us look to Him now.

(Praying.) O Lord Jesus, we thank Thee that Thou art our Saviour. O we thank Thee for Thy great love in giving Thyself upon the cross for our sins. And now, Jesus, we have raised our hands to Thee as a silent prayer. Jesus, Thou hast heard the prayer. Thou hast seen every hand that has been uplifted here tonight. And O, blessed Christ, precious Saviour, undertake for every man and woman, boy and girl in this great audience. O, Lord, we thank Thee that Thou hast heard our prayer and that Thou wilt remember us with an eternal happy home when Thou comes in Thy kingdom, and we will give Thee all the praise in the name of Jesus, Amen.

2. What and Where Is Heaven?

(An outline setting forth the leading items, which are brought forth from the Scriptures in this lecture, was placed in the hands of each hearer, before the lecture began. Some of these propositions on the outline had blank lines after them, on which the hearers were requested to fill in certain Bible references. These propositions from the outline and the Bible references involved, appear in the transcript of this lecture.)

A mail carrier was making his way from house to house. Suddenly a voice called out, "Got anything for me today?" Looking up he saw it was the man who lived in the second house ahead. He replied, "Yes, I have. I have a letter for you that is postmarked Honolulu." "Fine," said the man, "that must be from my wealthy brother who lives in Honolulu." And sure enough when he opened the letter it was from his wealthy brother, inviting him to come and spend the rest of his life on his lovely estate near Honolulu.

In this letter he told about the lovely mansion that he had built for him next to his own palatial home. He told of the lovely flower gardens laid out all around the home. He described the wonderful fruit trees laden with the most luscious fruits. Then he added, "My plan is, that if you are willing to accept my offer, I'll come with my plane to bring you and your family to this lovely home, and I will share all of my fortune with you."

Do you think he was interested in such an offer? He certainly was. He accepted it, double quick. O, how he looked for that day when that plane would arrive to take him and his family to that lovely mansion. I can hear some of you say, "O! I wish I could be that lucky." Listen, this blessed Bible, the Word of God, puts into the hands of everyone in this auditorium an offer that is far better than this. Here it is, John 14:1-3. And listen, this is an offer from your brother. You have a wealthy brother in heaven. His name is Jesus. He is your elder Brother. He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Shortly before He left this world He told His disciples that He would come again to receive His people unto Himself and to take them to glorious mansions in heaven. Notice, as I read, John 14:1-3.

"Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

Notice, Jesus says, "I go to prepare a place for you." Have you ever wondered what that place is that Jesus has prepared for His own? Wouldn't you like to know what that place is like and where it is located? And how you may be sure of having a home in that fair and happy land? Your Bible tells,

Hebrews 11:16 shows that this place that Jesus Christ has prepared is the New Jerusalem, the city of God, in the heaven of heavens. Jesus said in John 14:3, "I go to prepare a place." Then Hebrews 11:16 tells us, He has prepared a city for His people. In the context, in verse 10, that city is identified as the New Jerusalem, a city whose builder and maker is God. This indicates that this place which Jesus has prepared for our future is the New Jerusalem.

We have placed an outline in your hands that you might have a record of the striking facts about this home in the land of the "sweet by and by." Be sure to bring your notebook Thursday night. Look at No. 1 on the outline that you have in your hand. "Mansions in heaven are available through the Lord Jesus Christ," and on the blank line, record John 14:1-3.

Look at No. 2. "There are three different heavens," and on the blank line, record 2 Corinthians 12:2. Here Paul is the speaker. "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) such an one caught up to the third heaven."

Paul declares that he was caught up to the third heaven. Since there is a third heaven, there must be a first and second heaven. If you tell me that your brother lives in the third house from the corner, I know I must pass two houses before I can contact your brother in the third house. When Paul says he was caught up to the third heaven, he must have passed through the first and second heavens before reaching the third.

The question naturally comes, what are the three different heavens? Are they three degrees of happiness in the life to come? Will people progress from one to the other?

Look at No. 3 on the outline, "The first heaven is the aerial heaven." Fill in the word "aerial" on the blank line before the word "heaven." Then after the words "aerial heaven" fill in the reference Revelation 19:17. This verse speaks about the birds flying in the midst of heaven. Everybody knows that the birds fly in the air above the ground. The Bible designates the air or atmosphere above the surface of the earth as the first heaven. This first heaven or atmospheric heaven is the heaven from which the rain and the snow come down. This is where the clouds float around. In the Bible in its own picturesque way of describing things, it calls the clouds, "the bottle of heaven." Isn't that colourful and expressive?

Look at No. 4, "The second heaven is the stellar heaven." Fill in the word "Stellar," and then record the reference, Psalms 19:1-6. This second heaven is far above the atmospheric heaven. It is the heaven where the sun, moon, and stars move in their orbits. This is the heaven that is mentioned in Psalms 19:1-6.

One beautiful night David went out and looking up on high at those millions of twinkling orbs he broke out in a most rapturous song, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handy work . . . In them hath He set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it!"

Next look at No. 5, "The third heaven is Paradise." Fill in the word "Paradise," and after the word, record the reference 2 Corinthians 12:2, 4. In the second verse, which I read just a moment ago, Paul says he was caught up to the third heaven. In the fourth verse, in speaking of the same experience, he says he was caught up into Paradise. Now you can see how plain that makes it, that the third heaven is Paradise.

Look at No. 6, "This identifies the third heaven with the New Jerusalem." On the blank line record Revelation 2:7 and Revelation 22:1, 2. You see, the way to understand the Bible is to compare scripture with scripture and not scripture with man's idea. Compare scripture with scripture and the Bible explains itself, and you have the right explanation.

Revelation 2:7 declares that the tree of life is in the middle or midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 22:1, 2 declares, that the tree of life is located on the banks of the river of life in the New Jerusalem. So that identifies the New Jerusalem with the third heaven and Paradise. This third heaven is the place where Jesus has prepared those lovely mansions for His people.

We have a chart here that will help you to understand this. You will notice that here is the line of the earth's surface, or what we call the ground. Here is where the buildings are resting. The air, or the atmosphere above the earth's surface is the atmospheric or aerial heaven. It is called "aerial heaven," because aerial is a Latin word for air. This is the heaven where the clouds float around, where the aeroplanes travel. This is the heaven where birds fly, and from which the rain and the snow come down.

Then far above the atmosphere is the "stellar heaven." It is called the stellar heaven, because the word "stellar" is the Latin word for star. In the stellar heaven is the moon some 240,000 miles away. And the sun, 95,000,000 miles away. The nearest fixed star, Alpha Centauri, is some 19 billion miles away, or nineteen-thousand-million miles distant.

Then far above the starry sky is the third heaven, Paradise, the New Jerusalem. This is where the throne of God is located. This is where the angels dwell, and where the righteous will go, to live forever with the Lord.

I promised to tell you about the two men who passed through the first and second heaven into the third heaven, and then came back to this earth to talk to men. You will find this in Matthew 17:1-5. Put this reference down. It isn't on the outline. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah came from God's dwelling place in the third heaven. As they appeared upon the holy mount, they talked with Jesus and the chosen three of His disciples.

The transfiguration of Christ was a miniature representation of His second coming. E11jah, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, represented the righteous living, who will be changed in the twinkling of an eye and caught up to meet the Lord at His coming. Moses, who was resurrected from the dead, represented the righteous dead, who will be raised from the grave with immortal bodies when Jesus comes.

Everybody in this world craves happiness. But O, there are so many things in this world that mar our happiness, such as, sickness, pain, trouble, disappointment, and death. Friends, in this home that Jesus has prepared for you that craving for happiness will find full and lasting satisfaction. In Revelation 21:4 I read some of the most blessed words that have ever been penned. "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

In this heavenly home there will be no more sickness, no pain, no trouble, no poverty, no war, no sorrow, no death. We will have perfect immortal bodies that will never have an ache or a pain; that will never get old; that will never die.

"There's no disappointment in heaven,

No weariness, sorrow or pain;
No hearts that are bleeding and broken,
No song with a minor refrain;
We'll never pay rent for our mansion,
The taxes will never come due;
Our garments will never grow threadbare,
But always be fadeless and new;
There'll never be crepe on the door-knob,
No funeral train in the sky;
No graves on the hill-sides of glory,
For there we shall never-more die;
The old will be young there forever,

Transformed in a moment of time;
Immortal we'll stand in His likeness,
The stars and the sun to outshine.
I'm bound for that beautiful city
My Lord has prepared for his own;
Where all the redeemed of all ages
Sing "glory" around the white throng;
Sometimes I grow homesick for heaven,
And the glories I there shall behold:
What a joy that will be when my Saviour I see,
In that beautiful city of gold!"

My friends, when you think of all the suffering, trouble, sorrow, sickness, and disappointment in this world, aren't you glad that your loving Saviour has prepared such a wonderful home for you, where there will be no trouble, sorrow, sickness, pain, or death. Wouldn't you like to thank Jesus just now, for providing such a happy future for you? How many, with me, would like to express your thanks to Jesus tonight for providing such a happy future? Will you lift your hands? Yes, it seems that all hands are raised.

Friends, if there were a country in this world where people could go and never be sick, and never have any trouble and be perfectly happy, and never get old, and never die, wouldn't there be a rush for such a country? Yes! Everybody in the world would want to go to that country. In heaven God has prepared just such a place, for you and me. Why shouldn't we seek with all our hearts to have an eternal happy home in heaven?

A home in that heavenly land is worth more than all the wealth of this world. "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Just ask yourself, what would it profit me if I could gain the whole world, and then lose an eternal happy home in heaven? This ought to put into your hearts, and into my heart a determination to follow Jesus all the way, no matter what it costs, even if it costs us our life.

Look at No. 7 on the outline, "The New Jerusalem is a place of perfect and everlasting happiness," and on the blank line record Revelation 21:4. Remember that the last two chapters in the Bible, Revelation 21, 22, describe the infinite glories and beauties of this heavenly country. When you get home tonight, please take the Bible and turn to the last two chapters before you put your head on the pillow. If you want to have something sweet on your mind as you fall asleep tonight, just take the Bible and read the last two chapters of Revelation.

In those two chapters you will find that the New Jerusalem, the City of God, is laid out in a perfect square. It measures 375 miles on each side. It contains 140,625 square miles. It has twelve foundations composed of 12 precious stones. These are so arranged that it will look like a gigantic rainbow. This city has twelve gates, three on each of its four sides. Each gate is composed of one massive pearl. The streets possess the power of perfect transparency, so that when you walk on those streets it will be like walking on air. The throne of God and the throne of His Son, Jesus, is located in the centre of this New Jerusalem. Proceeding from the throne of God is the river of life, clear as crystal. On the banks of the river of life with the branches beautifully arched over the river is the tree of life. The fruit on that tree possesses such magic power that when you eat of it you will never be sick again. You will never die. This is the tree of life.

This New Jerusalem is a sinless city. In Revelation 21:27 we are told that "There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles." Sin is what defiles. This New Jerusalem will be free forever from every trace of sin. It will be the only city that I have ever heard about in which there will never be any liquor. There will be no tobacco in the New Jerusalem. There will be no dance halls, no gambling dens, no swearing, no hatred, no immorality, no stealing, no Sabbath breaking, no sin of any kind. You see, we get rid of every sin before we can go there. "There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles."

The big question is, how can we get rid of every sin? There is only one way. "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin!" Not just nine-tenths, but from "all sin!"

Modern chemistry is performing great miracles, but listen, all the chemistry in the world has never been able to find anything that will wash sin out of the soul of man. What can wash away my sins? Nothing, but the blood of Jesus. Our only hope of a home in heaven is the precious blood of the Lamb. If you really want to know how to get ready for a home in heaven be sure to hear the lecture on Thursday night.

You have heard much in recent months about the atomic bomb, atomic power, the atomic age. Listen, do you know that there is coming a super atomic explosion that will be as much greater than any of these atomic explosions that man has produced, as the ocean is to a tin cup full of water. Beyond that great super atomic explosion there will come a new world in which the righteous will live forever. Here it is in 2 Peter, listen as I read. This is really a marvellous thing in view of what has happened since the advent of the atomic age in 1945.

In II Peter, 3:10 I read, "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise." This heaven which will pass away refers to the first heaven, the atmospheric heaven. The Bible says in Revelation 21:1, "I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven," (not the second heaven, not the third heaven, but) "the first heaven was passed away." The heavens shall pass away with a great noise. This will be a super-explosion of the gases in the air. Then will come the conflagration of the world. The elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works-that are therein shall be burned up."

This is a very significant point. The Bible is, just as up to date as Big Ben. It says, "the elements shall melt with fervent heat." What are the elements? The elements are the fundamental forms of units of matter. This material world is composed of some 90 elements. Some of these are: iron, lead, copper, silver, gold, radium, uranium, oxygen, hydrogen, etc. It says the elements shall melt. The Greek word that is used here in connection with the elements means to loose, or untie. It is the same Greek word that is used where John the Baptist said he wasn't worthy to untie the shoe laces of the Messiah.

Here is the principle of the atomic bomb. In the atom are tiny particles held together by enormous cohesive forces. The atomic bomb is a loosening of the particles that make up the atom. That's why they talk about splitting the atom. God knew all about that before the first man ever walked on the earth. In the day of the Lord, God will use the forces of atomic action. The heavens shall pass away with a great super-atomic explosion. Then will come the conflagration of the world.

But this world will never be wiped out of existence as a planet. When the Bible talks about the end of the world that doesn't mean that this physical world or globe will be wiped out of existence. How do I know this? Friends, if we read the Bible we don't have to worry about this world being wiped out of existence. The earth abides forever. It will never be wiped out of existence. The atmospheric heaven will pass away. There will be a conflagration that will burn sin out of the world. Then beyond this, there will arise a new earth.

I turn to verse 13. "Nevertheless we according to His promise, look for a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness." This physical sphere on which we are living will never be wiped out of existence. It will be reconstructed, recreated, remade, renewed into a perfect new world, just as it was in the beginning. There the righteous only shall live. There is only one way you can survive this impending destruction. "He that doeth the will of God shall abide forever!"

Look at No. 8, "At the final day Jesus Christ will reconstruct our present world into a perfect, happy, and sinless new earth in which only the righteous will dwell!" On the blank, record 2 Peter 3:10, 13.

Look at No. 9. "This new Jerusalem will descend from the third heaven to become the capital of the new earth!" Put down Revelation 21:1-3 on the blank line.

Under 10 and 11 you have some striking items about this coming new earth, with the Bible references already recorded. Notice these. Christ will rule over this new earth from the New Jerusalem, on the throne of David. (Luke 1:31-33; Isaiah 9:6, 7.)

The will of God will then be done on this new earth as it is now done in heaven, in accordance with the Lord's prayer. (Matthew 6:10.) This new earth with the New Jerusalem as its glorious capital will constitute the heavenly home of the righteous for eternity. (Matthew 5:5; 2 Peter 3:13.) This new earth will be the earth which the meek will inherit according to Matthew 5:5. It will be the place where the saints will reign on earth according to Revelation 5:10.

A party of Americans were touring Great Britain one summer. They decided when they came to Liverpool they would stay at the North Western Hotel. When the train arrived at Liverpool they called a taxi that took them to the North-Western Hotel. Stepping up to the desk to register the clerk said, "Sorry, there isn't a room available. See that sign, `No rooms available unless reservation confirmed'."

They called another taxi, picked up their luggage and started to find some other place. As they were leaving the hotel, they noticed one of the ladies in their party remaining at the desk. They said to her, "Come on. There isn't a room here!" "I'm going to stay here. They have a nice room for me!"

They returned to her and said, "How is this? We all came here at the same time. He told us there wasn't a chance to get a room." she said, "I wired the hotel five days ago from London to reserve a room. It's all ready for me now!"

Friend of mine, if you want a place in God's heavenly home at the end of the way, you must make a reservation now, during this life. To those who make a reservation, Jesus will say, "Come you blessed of My Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." To those who fail to make a reservation, Jesus will have to say, "Depart from me into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels!"

Do you know how to make a reservation for a mansion in the new Jerusalem? Here it is. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved!" "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life!" Jesus says, "I am the door, if any man enter in by me he shall be saved!"

Wouldn't you like to send on your reservation tonight? I know I do. I believe everybody in this auditorium is ready to say by the uplifted hand, "Lord help me to so believe on You that You can reserve a place in that wonderful home for me!" How many want the Lord's help to so follow Him that He can give you an eternal happy home in the city of God? Would you lift your hand just now? Thank you. (Praying) Our Dear Heavenly Father, O, we do thank Thee that Thou hast provided such a happy future. Lord, in this world of disappointment, sorrow, sickness, pain and death, O, how we do thank Thee that Thou hast provided such a happy future. Father, Thou hast even given Thine own dear Son that we might have an eternal happy home in Thy kingdom and in Thy glorious city. Father, Thou hast seen every hand that has been raised and we pray that Jesus will undertake for everyone. We do want that Thou should help us to so believe on Jesus, to so follow Him that we might have that wonderful everlasting life, that eternal happy home in the land of the Sweet by and by where dreams will come true. Father, do grant that everyone of us will so make a reservation now, that at the end of the way, Jesus can welcome us into this wonderful home that He has prepared. We ask it in His precious name. Amen.

(This is a copy of the outline which was placed in the hands of the hearers, preceding the presentation of the Bible lecture on heaven.)

SOME STRIKING SCRIPTURAL FACTS ABOUT HEAVEN

1. Mansions in heaven are available through the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. There are three different heavens.
3. The first heaven is the atmospheric heaven
4. The second heaven is the starry heaven.
5. The third heaven is God's paradise.
6. This identifies the third heaven with the New Jerusalem. In order to learn something of the glories and the beauties of the New Jerusalem, you are advised to read Revelation 21 and 22 when you return to your home.
7. The New Jerusalem is a place of perfect and everlasting happiness.
8. At the final day Jesus Christ will reconstruct our present world into a perfect, happy, and sinless new earth, in which only the righteous will dwell.
9. This New Jerusalem will descend from the third heaven, to become the capital of the new earth.
10. Christ will rule over this new earth from the new Jerusalem, on the throne of David. (Luke 1:31-33; Isaiah 9:6, 7.)
11. The will of God will then be done on this earth as it is now done in heaven, in accordance with the Lord's prayer. (Matthew 6:10.)

This new earth with the new Jerusalem as its glorious capital will constitute the heavenly home of the righteous for eternity. (Matthew 5:5; 2 Peter 3:13.)

This new earth will be the earth which the meek will inherit according to Matthew 5:5:

This new earth will be the place where the saints will reign on earth according to Revelation 5:10.

Those who accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and obey His teachings will have an eternal happy home in heaven. (John 3:16; Revelation 22:14.)

3. He Wrote His Own Autobiography Before He Was Born

The most stupendous claim that ever has been advanced by any person, was that put forth by a young carpenter from an obscure village in the hills of Galilee some 1900 years ago. His family was poor and unknown. His foster father was the village carpenter. This young man worked unnoticed by the world in the carpenter shop of his foster father, in the little village of Nazareth until he was thirty years of age.

When he reached his thirtieth birthday he stepped out from the family circle; out from that carpenter shop; out from the quiet hills of Nazareth and boldly proclaimed to the world that he was the Saviour of mankind, the long expected Messiah, the Son of God. He told the people, "If men do not believe on Me as the Saviour, they will die in their sins and perish, but if a man believes on Me as His Saviour he will live forever." The all-important question before you and me is to ascertain the correctness of this claim.

Questions have come to me in this Bible Institute something like this, "Mr. Shuler, how can a person like me who has never seen Jesus really come to the place where he can be absolutely sure that Christ is the only Saviour? How can I know for a certainty that Christ can forgive my sins and give me eternal life beyond the grave? Well, here's the answer in the Word of God. Put it down, Acts 18:28. Speaking of Apollos, the record says, "For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ." Apollos showed by the Scriptures, the Old Testament scriptures, that Jesus was the Christ, the Saviour of `the world. He took up the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament and showed how all those prophecies were fulfilled to the letter in the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

Do you know that Jesus wrote His own autobiography hundreds of years before He was born? Whoever heard of a man's life story from birth to death being recorded in a book hundreds of years before that man was born, and then, every item coming true in his life? That would be an outstanding wonder, wouldn't it?

Tonight, I'm going a step further than this. Strange as it may seem, or as Robert Ripley says, "believe it or not," tonight we are going to show you how that carpenter of Nazareth directed the writing of His own life's story even hundreds of years before He was ever born as a baby. This is the wonder of wonders!

I direct you to 1 Peter 1:10-12. Here we learn that it was the Spirit of Christ Who directed the Old Testament prophets to predict the coming of the Saviour beforehand. Everyone who has ever heard the story of Christmas knows that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Even little children can tell you that. But do you know that it was recorded 700 years before Jesus was born, that His birth would take place in that little village of Bethlehem?

Here it is, Micah 5:2: "Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

This was recorded on the scroll of the prophets BC 710, over 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. Notice that Micah points out the very town where the Messiah was to be born. Out of a million places in the world where He could be born, the prophet puts his finger on a little hamlet five miles from Jerusalem, and says, "Out of Bethlehem will this Messiah come forth." You will notice that while he prophesied that the Messiah would be horn in Bethlehem, he very clearly shows us that this would not be the beginning of Christ. He declares that while He would be born in Bethlehem, His goings forth have been from the days of eternity. Yes, Christ is the eternal Son of God. He was with the Father before the world was.

Everybody in the world that has ever heard the story of Christmas must testify that Micah 5:2 has been fulfilled. I dare say that I could take the children here tonight and ask them where Christ was born, and six out of eight would say in Bethlehem, just as prophesied by Micah.

If we examine the facts in the case, we shall see the Master hand of God in the fulfilment of Micah 5:2. Mary, the mother of Jesus, lived in Nazareth. Nazareth is 92 miles north of Bethlehem. Ninety-two miles was about a four or five days journey in those days on donkey back. At present it requires a full day's run by bus. If you had been living back there three weeks before Jesus was born, knowing that Mary was living in Nazareth, you would have said her child will be born in Nazareth. That was the natural thing to expect, for Nazareth was her home.

But what happened? "God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform." At the right time there came from Rome a decree that everybody in the world must be taxed. This decree of the Roman Emperor Augustus, brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem at just the right time for the birth of the Christ to take place in this village, as was prophesied 700 years before. Isn't it wonderful that Micah could look ahead 700 years by the Spirit of God and see how even though Mary would be living in Nazareth, a decree would come from Rome from a ruler who knew not God, which would cause her to journey 92 miles to Bethlehem at just the right time for the birth of that wonderful Son in that place? This is one of the numerous remarkable fulfilments of prophecy, which forever establishes the Messiahship of Jesus Christ.

A biography usually tells something about a person's parents. Isaiah foretold 700 years beforehand that Jesus the Christ would be born of a virgin. Put down Isaiah 7:14: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel."

There are some people who say it is very difficult to believe in the virgin birth of Christ. They say it is contrary to nature. You need have no difficulty with this, if you will just remember that prophecy never fails. What God says is to be, always happens. God said 700 years beforehand that Jesus would be born of a virgin. It is very easy to believe that what God said was exactly fulfilled.

The prophecy of Zechariah pointed out some amazing details hundreds of years beforehand. I want you to notice with me three items outlined in Zechariah 11:12, 13. You talk about television! Here is super-television! I'm going to read how the scripture pointed out the exact price that Christ would be sold for over 500 years beforehand. It specified where the one who took that money would throw it down. It specified what disposition would be made of that money. It is really remarkable.

I read from Zechariah 11:12, 13. "I said unto them, If you think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was priced at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord."

Think of it! Five hundred years beforehand it was foretold that this Christ would be sold for thirty pieces of silver and it specified that the money would be thrown down in the temple and it would be used to purchase a field as a burial ground for strangers. How did it come out? All these three details were fulfilled to the very letter in the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

When Judas asked them, "How much will you give me if I betray Him into your hands?" He struck the bargain for thirty pieces of silver. It says "They weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver." After he had betrayed the Saviour his conscience smote him. He came back to the priests with whom he had made the bargain to betray Christ and cried, "I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood." Then he threw down the money on the temple floor. This was exactly where God had foretold 500 years beforehand he would cast it down.

They said to one another, "What shall we do with this money?" One man evidently made the suggestion that it might be put into the treasury box of the temple. Listen to me. Do you know that if they had put that money into the treasury box of the temple, this wouldn't be a true book tonight? When that suggestion was made someone said, "No! you can't put that money in the treasury box. It is the price of blood. It is not lawful to put that money in the treasury box. We will take that money and buy a potter's field." And this is what they did. Notice that they did with this money just what the scripture foretold 500 years before.

Tell me, how could any man of himself look ahead 500 years and predict such minute details, the exact price, what the man would do with the money, and what they would use the money for. Nobody knows such things ahead of time except God. The prognostication of such minute details forever stamps the Bible as the Word of God and Jesus Christ as the only true Saviour.

One thousand years before Jesus was due to appear on this earth, Scripture even foretold where they would drive the nails into His body. Think of it! Put down Psalm 22:16. It says: "They pierced my hands and my feet." And that's exactly what happened to Jesus when He was hung on the old rugged cross. They nailed Him to the cross. They pierced His hands and His feet.

Now this is remarkable. This was written by David one thousand years before the birth of Christ, and in the time of David, death by crucifixion was not even known. It was the Romans who invented death by crucifixion at a later date. Just think of it! Even when death by crucifixion was unknown a thousand years ahead the Bible foretold exactly where they would pierce the body of the Messiah.

The Bible record indicates that four soldiers were on guard around the cross where Jesus hung. They stripped Him of His clothing. Jesus evidently had five different pieces of clothing. They took four pieces and divided them amongst themselves. This was one apiece. One apiece, but one left over. Then one of the soldiers said, "What shall we do with this remaining piece? I tell you, we will tear it into four pieces and then every man will have exactly the same." Do you know if that suggestion had been followed, this wouldn't be a true book tonight?

Here it is. Put down Psalm 22:18. It is uncanny how these minute details were specified and came to pass so clearly. It says here in Psalm 22:18, "They part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture."

Prophecy did not say that they would tear it into pieces and everyone take a piece. It said they would divide his garments among them and cast lots for what was left. When this one soldier suggested that they tear it into four pieces the others said, "No! We will not tear it into four pieces.

We will cast lots and see who gets it." They did exactly as God had said they would do a thousand years ahead.

More wonderful than all this, the Bible foretold a thousand years ahead that Christ would be resurrected before His body would begin to decay. Put down Psalm 16:10: "Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer your Holy One to see corruption." It was foretold that He would be raised from the dead even before His body began to decay.

Nor is that all, listen to me. It was foretold 700 years ahead that His resurrection would take place on the third day. Here it is in Hosea 6:2. "After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight." Actually it said on the third day, the Father would raise His Son, and He did.

Again, the Bible foretold that He would ascend to the Father. In the Old Testament it told how He would take His place on the Father's right hand as a Priest and Mediator to plead the cases of all who accept Him. You will find this in Zechariah 6:13.

I have a chart here tonight that is really remarkable. By the way, I'm going to give you a copy of it. My! how you will treasure it. This card contains what you see on these three charts. It tells the complete life-story of Jesus from the Old Testament.

PROPHECIES OF JESUS

"We have found Him of whom Moses and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth." John 1:45.

Here on the left-hand side are the Old Testament prophecies about the Christ Who was to come, what He would do and all that. Then over here on the right are the New Testament references where these prophecies were fulfilled to the very letter. Not one word failed. Beginning with His birthplace on this chart there are thirty-seven advance items concerning the Messiah. They are traced out here one by one.

I have touched only a few of these in my lecture, but you will have all the references on the card. In the prophecy it foretold His birthplace. He was to be born in that little hamlet of Bethlehem. It foretold who His mother would be. She would be a virgin. It foretold the tribe from which He would come, the family from which He would come. It foretold how He would be called into Egypt. It foretold the very year when He would begin his ministry.

It told what kind of work He would do. He would be a prophet, a light bearer, a healer. He would preach in parables. All of this, mind you, was in the Old Testament centuries before Jesus was ever born. It foretold that He would be rejected by His own people, the Jews. It told of his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It told how He would be betrayed by one of His own disciples. It told the exact price He would be sold for and how they would use the money. Then it told how they would spit upon Him; how they would smite Him with a rod; how He would be silent before His accusers; and how His disciples would forsake Him.

As for the closing scene, it told how He would die, even foretold just where they would drive the nails. It told the year, the day, and the hour that His death would take place. It told how He would be crucified with criminals; numbered with transgressors. It told about the taunting words that hundreds of years afterwards they used when they taunted Him as He hung upon the cross. It even foretold the agonizing cry, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"

All this was prophesied hundreds of years ahead. It told how He would pray for His persecutors. It even told the very liquid they gave Him to drink as He hung upon the cross. It marked out what they would do with His garments. It told that not one bone of His body would be broken. It told how He would make His grave with the rich; how He would be resurrected before His body began to decay; how it would take place on the third day. Then how He would ascend to the Father and would sit upon the Father's throne as our great high priest.

Now the very fact that the life of Jesus in the New Testament corresponds to every prophetic detail about the Messiah is unimpeachable evidence that Jesus of Nazareth is the only true Saviour and the only true Redeemer. Mark this well. There is no chance for a mistake on this point. There is absolutely no room for doubt. Why not? Because-no other man ever lived, nor ever can live to whom these prophecies can apply except Jesus Christ. So we know Jesus is the right one; the only one; the true Messiah; the true Saviour. This is how people who have never seen Jesus can be absolutely sure that He is the only true Saviour and put all their trust in Him. This is how to cure your doubts and increase your faith.

Dr. Arthur Pearson has wisely said: "There would be no honest infidel in the world were these Messianic prophecies studied, and there would be no doubting disciple if this body of predictions were understood."

When we find that the life of Jesus corresponds in every detail to the prophetic blueprint, we can say we have found Him of whom Moses and the prophets did write, the Messiah, the only true Saviour.

"Yes, there's One, only One,
The blessed, blessed Jesus,
He's the One;
Men afflictions press the soul,
When waves of trouble roll,
And you need a friend to help you,
He's the One."

"Wonderful, wonderful Jesus!
Who can compare with Thee!
Wonderful, wonderful Jesus!
Fairer than all art Thou to me!

Wonderful, wonderful Jesus!
Oh, how my soul loves Thee!
Fairer than all the fairest,
Jesus art Thou to me!"

(Musical rendering of this was then sung by the choir.)

Yes, friends, it just takes one thing now to make this complete. And that is for every soul here to make sure that he receives Jesus into his heart as his personal Saviour. If you accept Him, you will live forever. If you reject Him, you will die in your sins and perish. The supreme issue before every man and woman, every boy and girl, is, "What shall I do with Jesus which is called the Christ?" The only wise course, the only safe way, the only right decision is to receive Jesus into your heart as your personal Saviour.

Lord Kelvin, that great English scientist was once asked, "What has been your most valuable discovery?" Lord Kelvin had made many great scientific discoveries. The Kelvinator refrigerator is named after Lord Kelvin. He discovered the principle of mechanical refrigeration. People thought when they asked him this question, he would go on to explain his different discoveries. Looking them in the eye he said, "Gentlemen, the most valuable discovery I ever made is when I discovered that Jesus Christ was my personal Saviour."

Have you made this discovery for yourself? O, I hope you have. This good Book says, "To as many as receive Him He gave the power to become the Sons of God and they were born, not of flesh nor of the will of men but of God."

O, friends, I believe everyone of us wants the Lord to help us to follow this wonderful Jesus, whom we have been talking about, and singing about. How many of you tonight want the Lord to help you to truly follow this wonderful Jesus? Will you lift your hand just now? Yes, it seems that every hand is raised.

(Praying) Blessed Jesus, precious Saviour, Son of God, O, how we do thank Thee for what we have learned tonight from the word of God. We are so thankful that in Thee we have a solid rock. Lord, how plain this is! How sure it is! O, Lord, we cannot thank Thee enough for these prophecies that give us such a sure foundation for our faith. We know no one ever lived to whom these could apply except Thee.

Our faith, Lord, seems stronger. We go from this auditorium tonight with more faith in Thee than we've ever had before. We have raised our hand as a silent prayer to Thee asking for Thy help. Lord, we need it. We live in an evil world. We need help and strength to follow Thee all the way. Lord, we know Thou will hear our prayer and grant us strength and help to follow Thee all the way, that finally we may be with Thee forever in Thy wonderful kingdom. We ask it in Thy precious name. Amen.

4. Why Doesn't God Kill the Devil?

(An outline setting forth the leading propositions, which are established from the Scriptures in this lecture, was placed in the hands of each hearer, before the lecture began. These propositions had blank lines after them, on which the hearers were requested to fill in certain Bible references. These propositions from the outline and the Bible references involved appear in the transcript of this lecture.)

Some time ago I stood on the street corner of a certain city and saw an empty automobile without anybody at the wheel make a tour of the business section of that city. Men the driverless car came to a red light it stopped. When the light changed to the green, the car would proceed. When the car came to another car in the middle of the road, it would turn and go around it just as you would do if you were at the wheel. But remember, nobody was in the car; and nobody was at the wheel. Thousands of people lined the streets of that city watching the movements of that automobile.

Do you think the people who watched that car thought that it was doing this of itself? Certainly not! They understood, that, behind the scenes, someone was directing the movements of that machine. So we know that all of the crime, wickedness, sin, and evil in this world does not come of itself. Back of all this crime, evil, and wickedness there is some superior intelligence engineering the great fight against God and against the right. The Bible explains that this intelligence is the devil or Satan.

I turn to 1 Peter 5:8. As I read this text I would like you to notice that the scripture makes it plain that the devil is a real personage just as much as a lion is a real animal. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion," (he is just as real a personage as a lion is a real animal) "your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour."

The New Testament mentions the devil in 34 places; it mentions Satan in 37 places. When you take the 34 places in the New Testament that mention the devil and add to that the 37 places that mention Satan you have 71 direct proofs in the New Testament for the existence of the devil and Satan. A man who doesn't believe in the devil is the worst fooled man in Des Moines.

There was a noted robber and his gang who lived in a cave on a high mountain range. He was the terror of all the country round about. When he wanted to make a raid on a certain valley, he would hire men to go from house to house in that valley telling the people that this great robber whom they had so long feared was now dead. This was to put them off their guard so they would leave their property exposed. Then suddenly, the robber and his gang would sweep down on that valley unawares and plunder their goods without resistance.

The devil is using the same kind of tactics to capture the people of this world. He has invented the lie that there is no devil. This is to throw people off their guard so that he might capture them the more readily in his snares, O, how we need to heed the counsel of the scripture! "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour."

Some people will tell me, "Mr. Shuler, you are wrong. I know there is no devil because I've never met him." Do you know why? It's because you and the devil are going the same way. If you will step out and accept the Lord Jesus Christ, you will not go one day without knowing that there is a real devil fighting against people who endeavour to walk in the ways of Jesus. Look at the first statement on the outline. "There is a real devil, who is fighting against all who follow Christ." On the blank line record 1 Peter 5:8.

The question comes, Who is the devil? Does the word "Devil" in the Bible denote merely an abstract principle of evil? Or is he a personality? I turn to John 8:44 Jesus Christ declares that the devil is a liar and the father of lies. Tell me, can a mere influence tell a lie? I hear you say no! Can a mere influence be considered the father of lies? No! Since Jesus Christ declared that the devil is a liar and the father of lies, it is plain that the devil and Satan is a personality. Jesus Christ, who is supreme authority on all questions of religion, taught that the devil is a personal being.

I turn next to James 2:19. This verse declares that the devils believe there is only one God. Tell me, can a mere abstract principle believe in God? NO! A horse and a cow are real creatures, but a horse or a cow cannot believe in God. Nothing short of an intelligent personality can believe in God. The very fact that the devils believe there is only one God is proof that the devil is a personality. Just as surely as there is a personal God, and a personal Christ in heaven, there is a personal devil in this world fighting against those who serve God and follow Christ.

Look at No. 2 on the outline. "The devil, or Satan, is a personal being." On the blank lines please record John 8:44 and James 2:19.

The question arises, Who made the devil? Where did the devil come from? It may surprise you to learn that the one we call the devil was once a happy, perfect, sinless angel, next to the very throne of God in the heaven of heavens. The devil came from heaven. Here is the text. Don't forget to bring your notebook to every lecture. You will want these valuable Scripture references.

I turn to Luke 10:18. This text contains a direct statement from the Lord Jesus Christ. He says: "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." The devil came from heaven. Jesus Christ so declares, "I beheld Satan fall as lightning from heaven."

In harmony with this, the third proposition on the outline sheet says, the devil is a fallen angel from heaven, and on the blank line record Luke 10:18.

The Bible even tells his original name when he lived in heaven. His name has not always been the devil or Satan. The Bible tells his original name when he lived in heaven. Here it is. Put down Isaiah 14:12-14. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!" Before he sinned against God, before he was cast out of heaven, his name was Lucifer. When he rebelled against God his name was changed from Lucifer, which means Day Star, to Satan, which means "adversary" and to devil, which means "false accuser'* or "Deceiver." In harmony with this the fourth proposition on the outline is, his name was Lucifer, and on the blank line after this statement, please record Isaiah 14:12-14.

We now go a step further. This Bible even tells the position he held in heaven before he sinned. Put it down, Ezekiel 28:13, 14. The 28th chapter of Ezekiel speaks of Satan under the personification of the King of Tyre. Notice as I read from verse 13 and verse 14: "Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God," "Thou art the anointed cherub that covered; and I have set thee so." Lucifer was one of those covering cherubim to the throne of God. He was one of those mighty angels whom God had chosen to stand next to His throne.

Does the Bible explain what is meant by "covering cherub" Yes, it does. I have it pictured here upon a chart of the ark of the covenant. In the holy of holies of the earthly sanctuary there stood what was called the ark of the covenant. This ark was a chest made of wood, overlaid with gold. The cover of this chest was beaten out of one piece of gold and was so fashioned as to make not only the cover, but to form the figures of two beautiful golden angels one on either end of the cover of the chest with their wings stretched so as to meet exactly in the centre. These golden angels were called "covering cherubim." Cherubim is the plural of cherub. They were called "covering cherubim" because they covered the mercy seat which was the top of this sacred chest. Between these angels was the Holy Shekinah or the visible manifestation of the presence of God.

In the heaven of heavens, Jehovah, the Monarch of the Universe, the King of Kings, sits between the cherubim, not between golden cherubim as you see pictured on this chart, but between the living cherubim. I read in Psalm 80:1: "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leads Joseph like a flock; Thou that dwells between the cherubim, shine forth."

Before Lucifer sinned, he was one of these Cherubim that covered the throne of the great God in the heaven of heavens. "Thou art the anointed cherub that covered, and I have set thee so." In accordance with this the fifth proposition on the outline declares, his position was that of a covering cherub to the throne of God, and on the blank line record Ezekiel 28:13, 14.

When he rebelled against God he was cast out of heaven to this earth. We find this in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 12:7-9 I read: "There was war in heaven!" Isn't that a startling declaration? If I had read there was war in China or war in Persia, you wouldn't be surprised. This says, "there was war in heaven."

When you think of heaven, you think of a place of perfect peace, perfect security, perfect rest. So it is now and ever will be. But there was a time when there was war in heaven. Does the Bible tell between whom that war was fought? Yes. Listen to this scripture. "There was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels." This war was between Michael and His angels and the dragon and his angels. Michael is one of the many names that the scriptures give to Christ, the Son of God. The dragon, as mentioned here, is one of the many names that scripture gives to the devil.

On one side stood Christ and the loyal angels who took God's side in the controversy; on the other side stood Lucifer and certain angels who followed him in his disobedience to the law of God. What was the outcome of the war? Look at Revelation 12:9. "The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

This war which began up in heaven between Christ and Satan has been raging in this world ever since man sinned in the beginning. The last battle of this war will be the battle of Armageddon, on which I will preach next Sunday night at the Shrine Auditorium. "The Impending World Ending Battle of Armageddon." Don't miss hearing it.

In accordance with what we found in Revelation 12:7-9, the sixth proposition on the outline declares that he was cast from heaven to this earth because of rebellion. On the blank line you may record Revelation 12:7-9.

The seventh proposition says, he goes to and fro in the earth. On the blank line record Job 1:7. There was a day when the sons of God met and Satan came also. The Lord said to Satan, "Whence comes thou?" Where do you come from? Satan's answer was "From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it."

I promised to tell you what the devil looks like. If I were to ask an artist to draw me a picture of the devil, he would likely draw a most hideous looking creature with two great horns coming out of his head, a long dark pointed tail, his mouth breathing forth fire and brimstone, and a great pitchfork in his hand. There is no such devil as this. That is a relic of the superstition of the Dark Ages. Lucifer, or the devil, is actually noted for his beauty. Here it is in Ezekiel 28:12: "Thou sealed up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty!" Lucifer was one of the most beautiful angels God ever made. He was so bright, he was so glorious, that he was given the name Lucifer which means "Son of the Morning!"

Some may say, "If God made the devil, isn't he directly responsible for all the evil that Satan has done through the ages? Why did a Good God make a bad devil?" A simple little illustration will clear up these questions.

Here is a man by the name of John Doe. His mother of course is Mrs. Doe. His mother did everything possible to bring up John Doe in the right way, but John Doe turns out to be a drunkard. One day you are walking down the street and there you see John Doe wallowing in the gutter-drunk. His eyes are bleary, his nose is red, his hair is matted and dirty. He is a most revolting sight. Would you say what a terrible specimen of humanity Mrs. Doe brought into the world? No, you wouldn't think of blaming that mother for bringing a drunkard into the world. She brought a pure, sweet, innocent boy into the world. He corrupted his own way and made himself a drunkard.

So I am bold to say, God never made a devil. He made Lucifer pure, holy, perfect, sinless. He of his own accord corrupted his way; disobeyed the law of God; rebelled against God; and made himself a devil. This is exactly what the Bible says. Put down Ezekiel 28:15. It actually declares that he was perfect until he sinned. "Thou was perfect in all thy ways from the day that thou was created, till iniquity was found in thee."

We come now to that question that has puzzled millions. If God is all powerful and the devil is the originator and the instigator of all evil, why hasn't God killed him long ago, and put an end to his evil work? Why doesn't God kill the Devil?

God is love. The only service God can accept from His creatures is one that is prompted by love. If God had slain Lucifer the moment he took the first wrong step, the other angels would have begun to serve God from fear and not from love. The rebellion of Lucifer would not have been settled or cured. There would have been a question as to the truth or falsity of the charges he had made against God. It took Christ's death on the cross to settle the devil's doom.

Look at the eighth proposition: Christ's death on the cross gives Him the right to destroy Satan. On the blank line record Hebrews 2:14. In speaking about Christ having been made flesh and blood it declares, "that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.

Christ's death on the cross rang Satan's death knell. The cross of Calvary, not only made salvation sure for you and me, if we accept Jesus, but it settled the fact that Satan will finally be destroyed.

The appointed time for his destruction is not yet come. Some Sunday night soon I am going to speak on the 20th chapter of Revelation. This is one of the biggest chapters in all the Bible so far as depicting things to come, is concerned. When I lecture on this 20th chapter of Revelation you will see how and when his destruction will take place.

Look at the ninth proposition. Satan's destruction will take place at an appointed time, and on the blank line record Romans 16:20. "The God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly."

Why hasn't God killed the devil? The time hasn't yet come. Paul says, "The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly!" God is making Satan's rebellion an everlasting lesson to the universe. He permits Satan to run his course so that In the future no one will ever have the least reason to ever rebel against God again. When God makes final settlement with Satan, He will also settle with the people who take Satan's side. That is why we should not be on his side now.

God doesn't want to punish you and me when He punishes Satan. God wants to give us an eternal, happy home in His kingdom. "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God is giving you and me an opportunity to accept His way of escape so that whenever He does finally deal with the devil and those who follow the devil that we may escape.

Notice the tenth proposition. There is victory over sin for everyone who will surrender his will to Christ. On the blank line record 1 Corinthians 15:57. "Thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

The devil has led every person who ever lived in this world into sin excepting one, the Lord Jesus Christ. He was tempted in all points like as we are yet without sin. Jesus met the devil in hand to hand conflict and conquered him. This is good news! He says in John 16:33, "be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

As Christ overcame the devil and sin, we through Christ can overcome the devil and sin. There is victory over sin for everyone if he will only look to Jesus Christ. "Look unto me," he says, "and be you saved all the ends of the earth."

"In a look there's life for you; In a look at Calvary.
Blessed thought! Salvation's free, By a look at Calvary."

Don't you want victory in your life? Of course you do. You can have it. "Thanks be unto God Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Why not ask Christ just now to give you the victory? How many with me want to look to Jesus Christ just now to give us the victory in our lives? Will you lift your hand, please? Thank you. It appears that every hand is raised.

One day a minister was walking on the Boston common. He met a boy who had a hand-made cage full of different birds which lived in that vicinity. He said, "Boy, where did you get those birds?"
"I trapped them."
"What are you going to do with them?"
"I'm going to play with them."
"Well, after you get tired playing with them, what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to give them to the cat to eat."
"On the minister said, "Id like to buy those birds."
"Mr., you don't want those birds. They're not canaries. They won't sing. They're no good."
Those little birds were sitting there in the cage all drooped, not moving a feather, just waiting for their doom.
"But," the minister continued, "I want to buy them. How much will you take?"
"O! they're no good to you, you don't want them."
"Yes, but how much will you take?"
He finally got the boy to say, "I'll take $2.00 for the cage, birds and all."

The minister gave the boy the $2.00 and walked away. The boy watched the preacher. He turned into an alley. He opened the door in the cage. Not one of the birds moved. They didn't realize they were free. He gently patted the side of the cage and one after another hopped out the door and flew into God's free air. The minister said, "It made me happy every time one of those little birds took to the air. It seemed as if their wings said, `Redeemed! redeemed from death'.

Friends, the devil has trapped you and me in sin. He once had the entire world in his cage of sin. Nineteen hundred years ago Jesus Christ left heaven and came down here to throw open the devil's cage of sin. He came to open the prison to them that are bound. O, sinner, the cage door is open tonight! Why not soar out to liberty in Christ? Why stay in the cage of sin when Jesus has opened the door?

We, like those birds, can go to freedom. How many who feel bound in the chain of sin want Jesus to set you free? How many would like to say, "Preacher, pray for me in this closing prayer that Jesus will set me free." Just lift the hand. Thank you. I see many hands. God is speaking to your hearts by His Holy Spirit.

(Prayer.) Blessed Jesus, precious Saviour, we thank Thee that Thou art the victor over Satan. We thank Thee that Thou hast overcome and that we, through Thee, can overcome. We pray, Lord, for every soul here tonight, but we especially pray for those who have just lifted their hands. O, Jesus, undertake for them, Thou canst set them free no matter what chain of sin may bind them in their life. O, blessed Christ, we pray to set everyone free from every sin and help us that we may so serve Thee that we may have an eternal happy home with Thee in Thy kingdom forever. We ask it in Thy precious name. Amen.

(This is a copy of the outline which was placed in the hands of the hearers, preceding the presentation of the Bible lecture on "Why Doesn't God Kill the Devil?)

SCRIPTURAL NOTES ON WHY DOESN'T GOD KILL THE DEVIL?

1. There is a real devil, who is fighting against all who follow Christ.
2. The devil or Satan is a personal being.
3. The devil is a fallen angel from heaven.
4. His name was Lucifer.
5. His position was that of a covering cherub to the throne of God.
6. He was cast from heaven to this earth because of rebellion.
7. He goes to and fro in the earth.
8. Christ's death on the cross gives Him the right to destroy Satan.
9. Satan's destruction will take place at an appointed time.
10. There is victory over sin for everyone who will surrender his will to Christ.

5. Armageddon and the Atomic Bomb

The Bible tells of a final battle in which so many people will be slaughtered, that it is spoken of figuratively as a river of blood two hundred miles long. You will find this in your Bible in Revelation 14:19, 20. There you will read: "And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God, And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs."

This Scripture declares that the blood ran to the horse bridles for the space of sixteen hundred furlongs. Sixteen hundred furlongs amount to two hundred miles. A furlong is one-eighth of a mile. When you divide sixteen hundred by eight, the result is two hundred. So when the Scripture says that the blood came out to the horse bridles for sixteen hundred furlongs, that is equivalent to saying that there was a river of blood to the horse bridles two hundred miles long.

This is a figurative description of the wholesale slaughter that will take place in the final battle of Armageddon. There will be so many millions of people slain that it is compared to a river of blood two hundred miles long. In fact all the people in the world will be slain in this final conflict except those whose names are written in the Book of Life. Thus it is written in Daniel 12:1 that "there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."

The battle of Armageddon will decide the fate of every person on this earth. You and I, and every other living soul at that day, will either be slain in this final conflict and be lost forever, or we will be delivered by the Lord Jesus Christ to live forever in His kingdom. The most vital question is, will you be among those who will be spared in this final conflict, and live forever with Jesus Christ in His kingdom? You can be, and you will be, if you obey His commandments and make the preparation that He asks you to make.

Jesus Christ declares that as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in this final day. The deluge swept all the people in the world to destruction except this man of God and his family. Noah was delivered out of that universal destruction because he made the preparation that God asked him to make. So it will be in reference to this wholesale slaughter in the battle of Armageddon at the last day. Every soul who makes the preparation that God has specified in His Holy Word will be delivered. All who fail to make this preparation will be slain in this final struggle.

The question naturally arises, What is this battle of Armageddon? You will find the answer to this question in Revelation 16:14, 16. These verses read as follows: "For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty ... and he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon."

Please notice that the 14th verse declares that the kings of the entire world will be gathered to the battle of the great day of God. The 16th verse in speaking of this same gathering of the nations, declares that they will be gathered to Armageddon. Thus when we place these two verses of Scripture together, it is as plain as can be, that the battle of Armageddon is the battle of the great day of God Almighty. The great day of God refers to that final day which will usher in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this world. This final struggle is called the battle of the great day of God Almighty because this is the conflict in which God himself will fight according to Zechariah 14:3. "Then shall the Lord go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of the battle."

It will be interesting to note some of the things God will do in connection with this final war of Armageddon. In Revelation 16:16-21 we have a record of some of the most startling events in the entire history of our world that will take place in the final struggle. Verse sixteen declares that the nations will be gathered in a place called Armageddon. What will God do when the nations gather at Armageddon? The next verse, the seventeenth verse, tells: "And-the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air, and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne saying, "It is done."

When the nations gather for the battle of Armageddon, the voice of Almighty God will proclaim, "It is done!" This is the last. The end has come. Man's day is ended. Mark well this point. Armageddon is the world-ending battle. It will mark the end of the present order of things. It will ring down the curtain on the history of the human race. The battle of Armageddon is the most momentous and most decisive struggle that ever has taken place or ever will take place. You and I certainly need to know what the Bible says about it.

A man in Chicago pulled out his watch before a crowd and said. "If there is a God in Heaven, I give Him five minutes to strike me dead!" People went into hysterics. Women fainted. When the five minutes was up, the man announced, "You can see now, there is no God!" This didn't prove anything except that he was a fool, because the Scripture says "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God!"

Some day God is going to talk, and every human being will know about it. When the nations gather for Armageddon the voice; of God will be heard from one end of the earth to the other, saying, "It is done!" These three words of God, "It is done," will turn this world upside down. Verse eighteen tells about this: "And there were voices, and thunders, and lightning; and there was a great earthquake, such as way not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great!"

This will be the greatest earthquake that ever has been, or ever will be. In fact the verse says, "there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth!" This earthquake will cause the entire world to reel to and fro like a drunken man. Isaiah 24:20 declares that "the earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage!"

This final earthquake will reduce every city in the world to a heap of rubble, as though super-atomic bombs had struck every city at the same time. Notice how the prophet describes this in the next two verses of this 16th chapter of Revelation. "And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found!"

When this universal destruction comes where will you go for safety? There will be only one safe place in that tremendous day, and that will be, to be hid in the Lord Jesus Christ. "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee!" If you are obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ you will be able to say with the psalmist, "God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea."

Friend of mine, will you be found safe in the Lord Jesus Christ in this final conflict? There is only one way to be sure about this and that is to be true to the Lord Jesus Christ every day that you live. If you have never given your heart to Him, I hope you will do it now.

When will the battle of Armageddon come? Revelation16:12-20 shows that the kings of the earth will be gathered for this final battle under the sixth plague, shortly before the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven at His second advent. Armageddon takes place in connection with the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. In connection with Armageddon there will come the greatest aerial bombardment that has ever been known. God will hurl down ice bombs from heaven weighing 50 pounds each. Some will say "is this really in the Bible?" Certainly it is. You will find it in Revelation 16:21. This verse says: "And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great."

A talent is an ancient Hebrew standard of weight that equals fifty-seven pounds. When it says that every stone was about the weight of a talent, that means there will be a barrage of ice bombs from heaven about the size of half bushel baskets. Some will say, "I don't believe anything like this could ever happen!" It is just as easy for God to rain hailstones weighing fifty pounds each as it is for Him to rain little drops of water from heaven. The casting these great hailstones from heaven is a part of God's plan. He talked to Job about this. God asked Job, "Hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?" Job 38:22, 23.

What can man do against this bombardment of ice bombs from heaven? Fighter planes will be helpless. Anti-aircraft guns will be useless. God has promised that everyone who obeys His word will be protected from these great hailstones. In Isaiah 32:18, 19 we find that when these great hailstones fall and every city is laid low, God's people shall dwell in a peaceful habitation an in quiet resting places.

On that memorable September day in 1945, when the Japanese surrender document was signed on board the battleship Missouri in Tokyo harbour, General Douglas MacArthur made a significant reference to Armageddon in a speech, which was heard around the world. He said, "Military alliance, balances of power, League of Nations-all in turn failed ... We have had our last chance. If we do not now devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at our door."

You have heard much about the atomic bomb and atomic energy. But here is one special point you should mark well. What about the deep significance of the discovery of the atomic bomb in the light of these Bible prophecies which show that Armageddon will wipe out civilization, level the cities to the ground, and destroy man from the face of the earth? Before the advent of the atomic age in 1945, sceptics declared that such prophecies were simply absurd. But no infidel needs to doubt them now. Scientists openly declare that when schemes are devised for converting to energy even as much as a few per cent of the matter of some common material, civilization will have the means to commit suicide at will. The scientists are preaching the end of the world.

Dr. M. L. E. Olphant, of the University of Birmingham recently declared that "the atomic scientist is now able to produce an atomic poison gas which, if used in and with an atomic bomb, would kill every living thing within a radius of 1,000 miles. Three such bombs, if dropped at the proper spots, would wipe out the entire population of the United States.

The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America in its official organ, the Federal Council Bulletin for November 1945, declared that this atomic discovery of a method of transmuting physical elements produced the most stupendous change in man's relation to the natural order since man was created. Everyone knows that it is fraught with incalculable good or incalculable harm. As one of the responsible scientists has said, "It has been demonstrated that the universe is inflammable. He went on to add that he trembled to think of what would happen if some fool set a match to it"

Everybody knows that with the new super-destructive weapons that men are now forging, in the realm of electronics, atomic energy, cosmic rays, transoceanic rockets, and germ sprays, that the wiping out of civilization and the destruction of the human race is at hand, unless men and nations see to it that there is never again a major war.

When the first atomic bomb was tested in the New Mexican desert, as a prelude to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Dr. George B. Kistlakowsky, one of the nuclear scientists who was on the scene said to his colleagues, "I am sure that at the end of the world-in the last milli-second of the earth's existence-the last man will see what we saw." He like many other scientists, recognized that man in taking hold of atomic power, had at last taken hold of a force that was capable of annihilating all life on our planet.

Men are alarmed because some genius, with the madness of war upon him, might, with some new fissionable material set off an atmospheric chain of reaction, which would transform our earth into a bright new star, or ball of fire, consuming all life within it. Bible prophecy however makes it clear that God will intervene before man can do this. Christ will appear, and according to Revelation 11:18 will destroy them that destroy the earth. Isn't this a most significant, up-to-the-minute statement in view of the possibilities that atomic scientists are pointing out today?

Bible prophecy shows that in due time God will transform this world into a new perfect earth in which the righteous only shall live. The apostle Peter tells about this in 2 Peter 3:10-13. In this prophecy Peter declares that in the world conflagration soon to come the "elements" will be "dissolved." He does not say that all the elements will be dissolved. He does say that the conflagration will be brought about by a dissolution of elements.

The Greek word here translated "dissolve" is the simple word "luo," meaning to loose, surely a perfect word to describe the setting free, the releasing, of neutrons and protons from the power which for ages has locked them in and bound them so tightly together in the atoms of which our universe is built. It is clear that the principle of nuclear fission, of atomic energy, is the same as that which God will use in the global conflagration which will result from a dissolution of the elements of our earth. God knows how to split atoms, too, because He created them with His Word, and they will obey His Word.

Every battle that has ever been fought has been a matter of men arrayed on two opposing sides. But the battle of Armageddon will be different from every other, battle. There will be more than men arranged on two opposing sides. It will be a contest between the armies of earth and the armies of heaven, between the Lord Jesus Christ and the devil, between the Son of God and Satan.

The devil himself will lead the charge on the field of Armageddon. You will find this set forth in Revelation 16:14. There we are told that the spirits of devils go forth to gather the kings of the entire world to the battle of the great day of God Almighty. Armageddon is the last battle in the age-long struggle between Jesus Christ and Satan, between the Son of God and Lucifer. Armageddon is Satan's last effort to install himself as the sole ruler of mankind.

What nations will be involved in the battle of Armageddon? In Revelation 16:14 we find that the kings of the entire world will be gathered to this final battle.

Every nation in the world will take part in this last mighty conflict. You and I will act a part, and we will be found either on the side of the Lord Jesus Christ, or on the side of Satan.

Where will this battle of Armageddon be fought? Since Armageddon is a universal conflict, the battlefield will embrace the entire world. The Bible shows however that this last conflict will especially centre in Palestine, commonly called the Holy Land. In Joel 3:2, 12 God says: "I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat ... Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about!"

The valley of Jehoshaphat is between the Mount of Olives and Jerusalem. This prophecy of Joel indicates that the territory around Jerusalem will be a pivotal spot in the final struggle of the nations.

Revelation 16:14, 16 shows that the kings of the whole world will be gathered to a place called Armageddon. Armageddon means literally the mountain or hill of Megiddo. This word is compounded from two Hebrew words, "Har," meaning mountain or city; "Mageddon" which refers to Mount Megiddo, which overlooks the plain of Esdraelon in Northern Palestine. These plains are marked the plain of Armageddon on some maps.

It is a vast, triangular plain in the northern part of Palestine, about sixty miles north of Jerusalem. It is bounded on the west by the range of mountains terminating in Mount Carmel; on the northeast by Mount Tabor; and on the southeast by Mount Gilboa. The area enclosed by these mountain ranges has probably seen as much fighting as, or perhaps more than, any other similar area on the surface of the earth. It is one of the most historic battlefields of antiquity. More blood, likely, has been shed on this spot than any other spot on earth of equal size.

These prophecies suggest that the Near East will be the great storm centre in Armageddon. While the conflict will likely especially centre in Palestine, its implications will reach out to every part of the habitable globe and affect every soul on the face of the earth.

The question comes, who will win in the battle of Armageddon? The East? The West? Russia? England? United States? The battle of Armageddon will not bring triumph to any nation or worldly power. Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will be the victor on the field of Armageddon. I refer you to Psalm 2:2-9.

The second verse tells how the kings of the earth will set themselves against the Lord. "The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed!" Then in the sixth and seventh verses, the Lord God tells how He will crown His Son Christ, King of the world. "Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree; The Lord has said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee!"

Then in verses 8 and 9 the prophecy tells what will happen when Jesus Christ appears in connection with the battle of Armageddon. "Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession. Thou shall break them with a rod of iron; Thou shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel!"

The battle of Armageddon brings the last act in that prophetic dream recorded in the second chapter of Daniel, on which I talked last Sunday night in the first Bible lecture of this Bible Institute. God showed Nebuchadnezzar the figure of a man, whose head was composed of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his sides of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. The last act in the dream was a stone that smote the man on his feet and dashed the entire man to pieces. Then the stone became a great mountain, and filled the entire world. This stone, smiting the man to pieces. represents what Jesus Christ will do to the nations in the battle of Armageddon. The prophecy of this second Psalm declares that He will break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

I promised to tell what man will rule the entire world after the battle of Armageddon. This prophecy of the second Psalm shows that the Son of God will rule the entire world after this final conflict. In Revelation 11:15 we find that the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of the Lord Jesus Christ. The man Christ Jesus, the man of Calvary, will rule supreme over the entire world after this final battle.

Some night soon during this Bible Institute I will give a lecture on the wonderful prophecy of Revelation 20. There we shall find that after the final phase of Armageddon, Jesus Christ will reconstruct the earth into a perfect paradise where none but the righteous will ever dwell. Then the will of God will be done in this earth as it is now done in heaven. Then the meek will inherit the earth, as Jesus said.

The battle of Armageddon will come to a more sudden, stop perhaps than any other battle that has ever been fought. Why? Because thee Bible shows there will be, as it were, a blast of atomic power or a new kind of death ray that will slay millions of people in a second of time. The heavens will be split wide open and Jesus Christ will appear in person, surrounded by an army of millions and millions of angels. This will bring the great battle of Armageddon to a sudden termination. Wouldn't you like to know more about these momentous coming developments in our world? Certainly you would. Then don't fail to be on hand Tuesday night when I will take up these significant items and trace them out from the Bible. Time will not permit me to read the striking texts on these matters in this lecture, but by the help of the Lord we will do it in the next lecture. You owe it to yourself to hear from the Bible these essential facts about this impending, world-ending battle of Armageddon. I hope you will not let anything keep you from being on hand Tuesday night to hear about the momentous outcome of this final battle.

I hope no one will think-to himself, "I will wait until I see those armies gather in Palestine, then I will get ready to meet Jesus Christ." If you delay your preparation until you see this, you will never be able to prepare. Why not? Because Revelation 16:12-21 shows that Armageddon comes under the sixth and seventh of the seven last plagues. The scriptures show that man's opportunity for salvation and forgiveness closes before the first plague begins. It will be to late for Any person to prepare to meet Jesus Christ when the armies gather in Palestine for the last mighty struggle. The door of mercy will-have been closed forever at that time.

God says, "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." He says "Come now and let us reason together, though your sins be red like crimson, I will make them white as snow!" The Lord is ready to save you now. Jesus Christ is able to save to the uttermost, all who come unto God by Him seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them. If you will do the coming, Jesus Christ will do the saving. I appeal to you to put your case in the hands of Jesus Christ while you have the opportunity.

A wealthy lady was notified one day that she must appear before the court within seven days, in regard to a certain case. Her husband said, "You better see Foster and get him to represent you." "Oh," she said, "I am having a party and a dance today. I have no time today to see Mr. Foster. I go and see him tomorrow." The next day she went to the office of this noted lawyer. After she had told him her story that she must appear before the court within seven days to answer to a certain charge, he said, "Lady, I cannot take your case!" She pleaded with him, "Please take my case. Name any fee you wish and I will give it to you." "Lady," he said, "If you offered me one million dollars, I couldn't take your case. If you had come yesterday I would have gladly taken your case. This morning just before you arrived I received word that I have been appointed judge of the court. I could have been your lawyer yesterday, now I must be your judge."

Jesus Christ wants to be your lawyer at the court of God. In 1 John 2:1 we read, "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Jesus Christ guarantees a verdict of acquittal for you before the Supreme Court of the universe. He will forgive every sin and cover it with His blessed righteousness. Some day soon He will cease to be the Advocate for sinners, and will come to judge the quick and the dead. O, I beg you not to put off the matter of placing your case in the hands of Jesus Christ. He is coming soon as judge. Take His as your lawyer while you have the opportunity.

Don't you want Jesus Christ to forgive all your sins and make you ready to meet Him? God can do everything for the person who earnestly desires His help. I am sure everyone in this auditorium is ready to say by the up: lifted hand that you want God to help you, to trust in Jesus Christ for full salvation. How many want to be remembered in prayer that the Lord will help you to trust in Jesus Christ for full salvation. Will you lift a hand please? Yes, it seems that every hand is raised. (Praying.)

"Our dear heavenly Father we thank Thee for Thy great love in giving Jesus, Thy dear Son, to be our Saviour. We thank Thee for His infinite sacrifice upon the cross. O Lord we want to put our cases fully in the hands of Jesus. Lord, Thou hast seen all these uplifted hands, I pray that Thou wilt undertake for every soul in this audience. Bestow full salvation on each one and make him ready to meet Jesus Christ at His coming. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus and for His sake. Amen!"

6. Heaven Split Wide Open

Men have been watching and studying the heavens for centuries. Their nightly vigil has been rewarded, for they have seen some wonderful sights in the sky. I suppose we would all like to look through that new 200 inch telescope on Mt. Palomar in California and view the wonders of God's creation.

The day is coming however when men will see a dazzling sight in the sky, the like of which men never have seen. Heaven will be split wide open and they will see Jesus Christ, Son of man and Son of God, who trod this earth 1900 years ago, descend through the portals of the sky, surrounded by millions of countless angels. As King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ will appear in the midst of that final, world-ending battle of Armageddon, and the battle will stop immediately. You will find that in your Bible in Revelation 19:11-21. I hope you have your notebook to put down the valuable scripture references.

I read the 11th verse. "I saw heaven opened!" Yes, heaven will be opened. Heaven will be split wide open. "I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God!'

You will notice he saw heaven opened, and through the opening in the sky Christ was riding forth as the mighty, all-conquering Lord. Some people will say, "O, I don't believe that will ever be. It is impossible that the heavens will open and that Jesus Christ will ride forth from the sky!" Listen, fifty years ago people said it was impossible for men to fly across the sky like the birds. Nobody talks that way now. Men are flying five times, yes, ten times faster and higher than any bird ever flew.

The wonders of science confirm the truths of the Bible. Things in the Bible that once seemed almost beyond the realm of reality are now seen to be easily possible. Radio helps us to believe in the reality of prayer. Radar and television help us to understand the all-seeing eye of God.

I read in the 14th verse, "The armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean!" You will notice, "the armies in heaven," or the angels will come with the Lord Jesus when He rides forth from the sky. Jesus Himself said it would be just this way.

Put down Matthew 25:31: "The Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him!" We have a chart here on which the artist has endeavoured to give us some concept of this great day of days, when the Lord Jesus will appear surrounded by countless millions of bright shining angels.

(At this juncture a chart was lowered, depicting Jesus coming upon a cloud, surrounded by the angels.)

Notice verse 15: "Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite," (notice that word and think of Daniel 2) "that with it He should smite the nations: and He should rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God!"

You will notice that Jesus will "smite the nations" just like that stone smote the man whose head was of gold, breast and arms of silver, thighs of brass, legs of iron, feet part of iron and part of clay. Jesus will appear in the midst of the battle of Armageddon. It Is just as plain as can be. You can't help but see It. Take down the text, Revelation 19:19. After he describes how heaven will be opened and Christ will appear, he says: "I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army."

Mark this point. When the kings of the earth and their armies are gathered for the last battle, that great world-ending battle of Armageddon, Jesus appears from the open heaven and the battle stops instantly.

I want you to notice with me how Jesus Christ will come down from the sky at His second advent and what He will do. I turn to Acts 1:9-11. I want you to notice that what the artist has placed upon this piece of canvas is exactly what we read in the Bible in Acts 1:9-11.

(At this juncture a chart showing the ascension of Jesus was lowered In the sight of the audience.)

Notice what the Scripture says, "When He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up. behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven!'

Forty days after our Lord's resurrection He led His disciples out of the city, down across the brook Kidron, then up over the brow of the Mount of Olives. Many times they had walked by His side over the hills and valleys of old Judea. But this was to be the last time that He would ever walk visibly by their side. As He walked along He explained to them matters pertaining to the kingdom of God. When He reached a certain spot across the summit, in the vicinity of Bethany,