SOUNDS LIKE AMERICA!

So many verses in the OT about Israel sound just like this country today! The times are changing and shifting. We are warping to the left and there is no going back. A judgment is coming, and coming quickly! For example, Hosea 4 reminds us of our nation today: "Listen to the word of the Lord, O sons of Israel. For the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land. Because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land. There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing, and adultery. The land mourns, and everyone who lives in it languishes" (vv. 1-3a). Further: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because you have rejected knowledge." "The more they [you] multiply, the more you sinned against Me." The new generation "feeds on the sin of My people." "They will eat, but not have enough; they will play the harlot, but not increase, because they have stopped giving heed to the Lord." (vv. 6-11). Our country is changing quickly. It will never be the same again. Please prepare your children and grandchildren for what is coming. (I have found that so many mature Christians have a lot of children and grandchildren who know nothing about the Bible or about the Lord. They are not saved!) --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

CONVERSATION AND LETTER TO DR. COUCH

Dr. Couch, I'm reading your new book "The Birth of the Nation of Israel." I am getting so much out of it. It is a gem with so much packed into a beautiful package. Things are declining so fast in our country it is hard to keep up with it. Not only the secular but the church world, too, is collapsing. A hardness has descended over many of the hearts in our families and we can't get them to see what is happening. Their hearts are hard and their eyes have layers of scales. We need to pray that God will show them the errors in their thinking. DL Dr. Couch, I am in a Southern Baptist Church where the pastor, the deacons, and the folks know nothing about the Bible. The pastors says he "leans toward dispensationalism" but he never teaches prophecy. I have given some lessons on prophecy—the people loved it but this is not what they are fed on. Most SB are terribly ignorant about the Scriptures, but they don't know they are ignorant! If it's SB that's good enough for them. PC My new books are going like hot cakes! Those who are purchasing them are reading them right through and not putting them down. They must be speaking clearly to those who are getting them. We are most grateful for this. --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

WHO ARE THE DOGS?

The Word of God uses the expression "the dogs" to describe homosexuals, in both the Old and the New Testaments. This may be one of the last times this can be mentioned online because the government is coming against anything we say about Sodomy. The issue of course is the inspiration and authority of the Bible. It is not about us; it is about the Word of God, and, what the Lord says on the subject. Homosexuality is first mentioned in Genesis 18-19, with the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This sin was "an outcry" that came up before the Lord (18:21). The evil of the Sodomites was "indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave" (v. 20). All ages of "all of the people from every quarter" were "acting wickedly" (19:4-6). God determined to "punish the city" (v. 15) and "destroy this place" (v. 13). The women in Jeremiah's day became so sinful they were compared as being worse with their iniquity "than the sin of Sodom" which God overthrew "as in a moment" (Lam. 4:6). The people of Isaiah's day was flaunted like the people of Sodom "for they brought evil on themselves" (Isa. 3:9). Even in Job's day there were "cult prostitutes" who were more than likely same-sex homosexuals offering themselves to same-sex takers in the temples that were set aside to the gods of the pagan people in Job's day (Job 36:14). In Rehoboam's day there were "male prostitutes in the land" which was one of the "abominations of the nations" that God hated because it was tempting His people in Judah (1 Kings 14:24). Abijah later had such men "put away from the land" (15:12). It was worse in Josiah's day. We read: He "broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes which were in the house of the Lord, where the women were weaving hangings for the Asherah" (2 Kings 23:7). The tapestries the women were making were for the temple goddesses who were the sex goddesses the people were worshiping. Josiah had these sexually perverted men and women killed and their bones "filled the places where the Asherim idols (the phallic goddesses) were displayed (v. 14). The nation of Judah was seething with the sexual displays of the pagan cultures. This reminds us today of America where sex, and homosexuality, is virtually worshiped by the American younger generation! In America, and the rest of the world, there is a judgment being stored up for "the great day" of wrath that will fall upon the workers of evil (Jude 6-7) which is "Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire." This may fall upon us more quickly than we can imagine! Peter also reminds us that the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah will be judged. These homosexual sins are part of ungodliness (v. 6) and they are the expressions "by the examples of those who would live ungodly in [the] sensual conduct of unprincipled men" (v. 7). Such men stand "under punishment for the day of judgment" (v. 9). Such men "despise authority and are self-willed" (v. 10). The homosexuals are the "dogs" and are "the immoral persons" who will never enter for everlasting life the blessed and eternal new city of Jerusalem (Rev. 22:14-15). --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

COVENANT THEOLOGY DEFIES THE WORD OF GOD!

Someone has correctly pointed out to me that Covenant theologians have nothing to say about future prophecy. They are basically silent on the subject. All they can do, without evidence, is deny dispensationalism, even though the word "dispensation" is in the Scriptures. In fact, they actually go against what the Bible teaches, and, they admit that their Covenant approach is not in the Word of God. They also write against what the Scriptures teach about future prophecy. Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us "the secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever." God has told Israel, and us, what is coming. They are literal events which will take place on earth. The Covenant guys are silent and have nothing to say. About half of our Bible is prophetic, much of it has come to pass literally, and the rest will take place just as the Lord has said! Remember, the Covenant guys are intellectually dishonest. They hold to a system that they know is not revealed in Scripture. They admit that fact but still go on and hold to their humanly-created doctrines. For example Louis Berkhof writes: "It must be admitted that the term 'covenant' is not found in the first three chapters of Genesis, but this is not tantamount to saying that they do not contain the necessary data for the construction of a doctrine of the covenant." Further: "It may still be objected that we do not read of the two parties as coming to an agreement, nor of Adam as accepting the terms laid down [for a covenant], but this is not an insuperable objection." And he adds, "Those who deny the covenant of works generally base their denial in part on the fact that there is no record of such a promise in the Bible. And it is perfectly true that Scripture contains no explicit promise of eternal life to Adam. … We have no definite information in Scripture respecting … this covenant [of works]." He goes on: Some Reformed teachers "question whether and in how far; the covenant of works can be considered as a thing of the past; or whether and in how far; it must be regarded as still in force." (Louis Berkhof. "Systematic Theology." 213-218) Charles Hodge further states: the issue of God entering into this covenant of works with Adam; "this statement does not rest upon any express declaration of Scripture." (Charles Hodge. "Systematic Theology." 2:117) James Orr well writes on the flawed hermeneutics of Covenant theology, that it creates "the idea of the Covenant as an exhaustive category, and attempts to force into it the whole material of theology, it created an artificial scheme ..." (James Orr. "The Progress of Dogma." 303-04) Covenant theologians virtually deny the true covenants of the Bible: Abrahamic, Land and Davidic covenants, though they embrace the New covenant. (Though they goof somewhat in the way they interpret it.) Those of the Covenant theological persuasion cannot seem to grasp the obvious biblical nature of dispensationalism. The dispensations are clearly laid out in the Bible. Even Charles Hodge admits to all of the dispensations but the last one, the dispensation of the kingdom. (See my book "Classical Evangelical Hermeneutics.") There I list the dispensations Charles Hodge admits to (chapter 10, 128-138). They are almost identical to what dispensationalists see in Scripture. And Hodge is a Covenant theologian! In Covenant theology, the advocates virtually deny future prophecy, and the fact that God has predicted coming events in world history. In this, they go against the Word of God, and the Lord Himself! I don't know how they can do this! The prophet Amos writes: "Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets. … The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophecy?" (Amos 3:7-8). On Amos 3 Unger writes: "The Lord was the Author of the impending calamities foretold by His prophets. They had to comprehend the fact that if a calamity occurs in a city (Isa. 14:24-27; 45:7), that most emphatically it was the Lord who had done it." Nothing happens unless God brings it about! Talking about man-made theology! A.A. Hodge, the son of Charles Hodge, goes even further and makes up additional titles for the Covenant of works. He says it can also be labeled the Covenant of nature or the Covenant of life! ("Outlines of Theology." 310) We dispensationalists do not have to "create" theology on our own. We take the Word of God at face value, that is, we interpret Scripture just as it is! To show how sick the Covenant theologians are, note how A.A. Hodge mixes up the Bible and tosses verses and concepts around to try to make a point! This is just unbelievable as to how the Bible is distorted by the Covenant guys! He writes: "The covenant with Abraham (the Abrahamic covenant) the typical believer, bearing the visible sign and seal of circumcision, and thus founding the visible church ("the church"?) as an aggregate of families. ("of families"?) This covenant continues to be the charter of the visible church to this day, the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper now attached to it, signifying and sealing the benefits of the Covenant of Grace, to wit, eternal life, faith, repentance, obedience, etc., on God's part, as matters of promise; on ours as matters of duty, ..." ("Outlines." 370) What in the world is Hodge writing about? He throws a bunch of stuff all together, mixes various covenants, tosses in church issues, etc.! This is the writing of someone who is terribly confused and does not know what he is doing with the Word of God! Only clear biblical theology and dispensationalism makes sense, because it comes straight from the Bible. The Covenant guys cannot challenge dispensationalists because they are just too confused! If you are being tempted to buy into Covenant theology, please send me some questions that I will answer from Scripture and not from my indigestion or heart burn! I have real trouble believing that some of you out there are holding to Covenant theology. You are blind to biblical truth, and you do not know how to just simply read the Word of God and let it speak for itself! --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

CHRISTMAS 1941: A DIFFERENT AMERICA

Lacy was sitting on the floor at the bookstore going through different history volumes that I might be interested in. She looked at the bottom shelf and found a small 50 page book pushed back in the corner that most people would have missed. It was a book by historian David McCullough entitled "In The Dark Streets Shineth." It was about Winston Churchill who arrived secretly in this country a few weeks after Pearl Harbor. He stayed with the President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, over the days of Christmas. It was a perfect Christmas celebration with snow on the ground and plenty of cold weather that kept the fireplaces of the country burning. Of course, everyone was thinking of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor and the fact this nation was now at war with the enemy, both with Japan and Germany. This small picture book showed what it was really like in the good old days. Most Americans had musical instruments at home, the piano and other instruments that someone could play around the fireplace. I can remember as a small boy my aunts playing Christmas hymns on the piano and the accordion. Everyone sang along, and no one had to ask, "What's this season all about?" Toys were few and far between even though we were not on poverty row. You just didn't give a mountain of junk to the kids. Fruit and candy were the mainstay of the celebration. The book shows Churchill going to church with the Roosevelts on Christmas Eve. Candles were lit and the Christmas tree was lit on the White House lawn. Churchill was deeply moved, and so was the Roosevelt family, the grand kids and the entire bunch! Churchill's arrival was at first kept secret but then it was revealed that he was here. Both he and the President spoke on the radio honoring the birth of Christ before the entire nation. The picture book shows Grand Central Station decorated with Christmas wreaths and candles. The American homes were shown with the children preparing for Christmas, all having fun but also getting ready to sing around the piano. The turkey was in the oven, and though the war had begun, still Christmas was celebrated because the country was not going to forget the birth of Christ. McCullough wrote that for Christmas 1941, carols were the "soul of the story" for remembering the coming of Jesus. "It was impossible to imagine life in America without "Shenandoah," "Amazing Grace," "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" or "Silent Night" and "Home for Christmas." Such songs are quickly vanishing from our nation's treasure chest. Churchill crossed the Atlantic in secret at some personal risk as the war had just begun. On Christmas Eve both he and the President stood on the White House balcony before a gathered crowd of 20,000. The Washington Monument was in the background just behind the Virginia Hills. Roosevelt said to the people "Our strongest weapon during this war is what Christmas Day is all about." The world was listening to his words by radio. He added, "As the war creeps closer to our homes and hearts tonight we have peace in each cottage home and in every generous heart." A Program was printed up for the Christmas Eve celebration. The songs being sung were "Break Forth O Heavenly Light," and "The Heavens are Telling," and too "The Heavens Praise Thee, Eternal King." Also, "Christmas Memories," "The Hallelujah Chorus," "Joy to the World" and many other old favorites. All of the songs were played by the U.S. Marine Band. Many Generals were seen with the President. No one backed down in order to be politically correct. Churchill was touched by "O Little Town of Bethlehem" which he had never heard before. He was especially moved by the line that read: "Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light." Churchill was nearly moved to tears when he heard the people sing what was almost a British anthem as that nation struggled through the conflict with Germany, "The White Cliffs of Dover." All of the music that was sung before Churchill and Roosevelt was part of a historic affirmation as to the Christian (and Christmas) heritage of these two blessed nations. The President then gave his 1941 Christmas Eve message to the nation over radio. He said: "How can we put aside this evil world, even for a day, this Christmas Day, and rejoice in peace over the birth of Christ? Here the world is resisting the truth in propagating so much evil. As this war begins I have set aside a Day of Prayer and a Proclamation for our people. Our free institutions are being dominated by arrogant rulers who have selfish purposes to destroy our beloved way of life. The new year, 1942, calls for our courage and resolution of old and young to help to win a world struggle in order that we may preserve all that we hold dear. "Our strength, as the strength of all men everywhere, is of greater avail as God upholds us. "Therefore, I hereby appoint the first day of the year, 1942, as a day of prayer, of asking forgiveness for our shortcomings of the past, of consecration to the task of the present, of asking God's help in days to come. "We need His guidance that this people may be humble in spirit but strong in the conviction of the right, … to achieve a victory of liberty and peace. … We set our faith in … God's care for us and all everywhere. " Churchill then spoke briefly and closed with "Here, then, for one night only, each home throughout the English-speaking world should be a brightly-lighted island of … peace. In God's mercy, a happy Christmas to you all." Both leaders knew that the world was at that time being blessed of God by what He was doing with the English-speaking world. The Anglo-Saxon civilization was used of Him to change the nations of earth. This is historic fact and should not be set aside or denied. But now, the English-speaking nations are shelving their heritage and denying the blessings of All-Mighty God. We will pay a high price in walking away from the mercy He has shown our people. We have denied His grace! Pray for the peace of our planet, and thank Him for sending His Son to bring deliverance and salvation through Jesus Christ! --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

THE MIRACLE OF THE KATYDID

God's creation is awesome! There is no way that evolution can really work! Take for instance the lowly katydid. The eggs of this little defenseless creature only hatch every seventeen years. Now how does it know to do that? And, the billions of eggs spread throughout the forest all hatch at once as if by some given signal. And, they do indeed hatch by the billions. They make a little sound that no one can forget hearing during the middle of the summer. After they lay their eggs, all together, within a few days that all die together! But the story is not over. During their short lifetime every creature in the forest loves to munch on them. It is as if the katydid is the ice cream or candy of the animal kingdom for every species. But the story is still not over! Those that die become the richest fertilizer for all the trees and plants in the forest. In fact, they become the richest fertilizer possible to feed the plants and trees. God knows what He is doing, and, we are just so stupid that we just don't get it. The little katydids are recycled and are not wasted in the plant and animal world! --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

Hebrew Word Study: ISRAEL: A BLESSING TO THE WORLD

The Lord told Abraham that he would be a great nation and a blessing to all mankind (Gen. 12:2). The main reason of course is that he would bring forth salvation through the Messiah. But in the secular way, Israel has also been a blessing to all the peoples of the earth, though few really know or understand this. Some incredible facts: The Jews created the cell phone working with Motorola in Israel. The AOL Instant Messenger was developed in 1996 by four young Israelis. Voice mail technology was developed in Israel. Most of the Windows NT and XP operating systems were developed by Microsoft-Israel. The Pentium mocroprocessor was most likely made in Israel. Israel has the highest percentage of home computers per capita in the world. Israel has the largest number of startup companies in the world. Israel is ranked #2 in the world for venture capital funds, behind the U.S. Israel designed the airline industry's most impenetrable flight security systems. Twenty-four percent of Israel's work force holds university degrees ranking third in the industrialized world. Israel leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the work force. Israel produces more scientific papers per capita than any other nation on earth. The Weizmann Institute of Science is one of the most important research centers on the globe. Israel's Givun Imaging developed the first ingestible video cameras the size of a small pill. An Israel company was the first to develop and install a large scale solar-powered and fully functional electricity generating plant. Israel's $100 billion economy is larger than all of its immediate neighbors combined. Israel also gives more for charity, per capita, to the backward nations of the earth. (From the magazine "Maoz Israel," December 2010) Yet, Israel's enemies want to drive her into the sea! Besides bringing to us the Messiah, what would the world do without Israel? I saw much of her blessings myself from twenty-three trips to Israel, even being there and under fire during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Ma'oz in Hebew means "the strong mountain," the "Place of Refuge." God is Israel's Ma'oz as given in Jeremiah 16:19, and He is "The defense of the Psalmist's life" (Psa. 27:1). Jeremiah 16:19 is a Messianic kingdom passage and reads: "O Lord, my strength and my STRONGHOLD (Ma'oz), and my refuge in the day of distress (the Tribulation), to You the nations will come (at the end of the Tribulation) from the ends of the earth ..." The Rabbis say about this verse: "This Messianic vision is a distinguished feature of Biblical teaching. All the nations will acknowledge the One True God!" --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

HEBREW WORD STUDY

One of the most common names for God is EL. Elohim is three Hebrew words put together. El=God, oh=comes from the Hebrew word "To be," or Ha'Yah. And the im=the plural. Thus, it could mean "God exists in a plural!" This then would open the door for the trinity. Other related words: Elohim can mean "the Superior, the supreme, the mighty God." "Kho-seed" is translated as "Towards God." The Old Testament has many names for God. The New Testament has basically only two names: Theos, the most common name, and, Lord, Kurios. In the New Testament there is also the Greek name for God: "Despotees." Or, "Despot." It is usually translated as Lord or Master. God is the Despot over His creation and over all men on the earth! This means He is the sovereign and the all ruling One. The references for Despot: Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24; 2 Thess 2:21; 2 Peter 2:1; and Rev. 6:10. In 2 Peter 2:1 Despot is translated as "the Master" and it is referring to Christ, who is "the [rejected] Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves." By the way, this is a verse that flies in the face of Limited Atonement. Christ is the Master who paid even for the sins of those who reject Him! --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

SCIENCE AND THE BIBLE

No one has been able to challenge the statement of the apostle Peter about the marvel of creation. He wrote that it escapes the notice of the world that "by the word of God, the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water" (2 Pet. 3:4-5). There is nothing in space that comes close to the earth. It is the miracle "water" planet that has ¾ coverage with H2O. Without this, there would be no life on earth. The Bible speaks correctly by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I am fascinated by the story of the creation of earth and the universe. I got this fascination from my science courses in the university. Today, people can receive some college degrees with only 4 hours of science. But over fifty years ago I was required for my degree 12 hours of science. I was also required 12 hours of language whereas today, some can get a degree from the best of schools with no language. I took German so that I could read technical science journals, which I did the last semester of my required German studies. How many people do you know who have taken a university course on evolution? I did, and my professor was outstanding. Dr. Wells held his Ph.D. in biology and he showed us the weakness in the evolution theory. You might say, "Well, science has so changed these past fifty years!" The answer to that statement is a yes and no. Many principles in regard to evolution have remained the same, however, what we have learned has simply reinforced the fact of the weaknesses of evolution, not supported the field. For example: The study of DNA was just beginning but now, the issue of the chromosome goes against evolution. We know that the crossover from DNA just does not happen! Then there is the the discovery of the cone fish and the Bacterial Flagellum. Some years ago I saw a documentary on the cone fish. It slides along the ocean floor with a tube moving back and forth on the sea bottom. When it somehow "spots" a small meal, a "spear" shoots out from the tube so fast that it can't be seen. It strikes the meal and quickly draws it into its mouth. The spear actually separates itself from the body of the cone fish. It is like an archer firing off an arrow that is detached from the arrow quiver. I phoned the scientists at the Texas Oceanic Institute in Galveston and talked with the professors about the cone fish. They said, "Oh, yeah, we know about the cone fish and we have no explanation for it! It does not fit any creatures that we know of, and it has no parallel that would support evolution. We have no answers!" Then I spent months studying the Bacterial Flagellum in Dr. Michael J. Behe's great book, "Darwin's Black Box" (Simon & Shuster, 1996). (Dr. Behe is professor of Biochemistry at Lehigh University.) The Flagellum has a paddle, a rotor, and a motor. The flagellum operates like an electric motor with turning parts that are separate from its body. It has an armature system like in an electric motor. Behe points out that "it is irreducibly complex. Gradual evolution of the flagellum, like the cilium, therefore faces mammoth hurdles. … The evolutionary literature [on the flagellum] is totally missing. Even though we are told that all biology must be seen through the lens of evolution, no scientist has ever published a model to account for the gradual evolution of this extraordinary molecular machine." (p. 72). The flagellum "has been discovered with staggering complexity, with dozens or even hundreds of precisely tailored parts. It is very likely that many of the parts we have not considered here are required for an cilium to function in a cell. … Darwinian theory has given no explanation for the cilium or flagellum. … As the number of systems that are resistant to gradualist explanation (slow evolution) mounts, the need for a new kind of explanation grows more apparent. Cilia and flagella are far from the only problems for Darwin." (p. 73). With winter coming on I suggest that you purchase Behe's book and cozy down to read through it from cover to cover. You will be fascinated, and, you will find yourself challenged as to the story of creation. I also recommend Dr. Charles Gordon's incredible book "In Plain Sight." Dr. Gordon is a scientist and a medical doctor who loves to study the creation of small things and also to look into the creation of the universe. He wrote about the Galaxy NGC 1309 and said that it is one of approximately 200 galaxies that make up the Eridanus group of galaxies. I have news for Dr. Gordon, recent studies now argue for from 10 to 20 more in number of the galaxies we thought were in space. The Helix nebula is a mere 450 light years away. The Eagle Nebula (NGC 7293) is a fascinating study. It is 7000 light years away! These statistics are just the start of our research on the incredible universe God created. We have a mighty God who is the Author of all we see in space. By the way, as far as one can go in space, there is God! And, the laws He created, of physics and chemistry, are as far off as one can go! Before one can speak about evolution, one must look carefully at the incredible nature of these laws upon which all of creation is formed. But the earth is most unique by its balance of oxygen, the other gases, and water itself. The right balance of all of the chemicals on earth is important: and as well, the distance of the earth from the sun, and the distance of the moon from the earth makes it a miracle planet. The balance is perfect! It is hard for some scientists to imagine but the Word of God tells us that the earth was created to be lived on. "Thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it. He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited). I am the Lord, and there is none else" (Isa. 45:18). --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

CALIFORNIA SINKING INTO THE PIT

No wonder California is sinking into the mire and dirt! They have over 400 state agencies running the government. This is madness and stupidity. The rest of the nation should not bail them out of the slime. This is one of the most ungodly states in the union. They have no common sense. Pain is coming to its citizens, unless Washington makes the rest of us help them out! --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

THE ATTACKS OF THE WORLD

There are at least four things that the world hates and attacks. They hate Christ and God the Father. (1) For the people of the earth "take their stand against the Lord and against His Anointed One, the Messiah (Psa. 2:2). (2) They deny the coming of the Son of God, thus repudiating His incarnation. Therefore they do not have the Father (1 John 2:22-24). (3) And in "these last days" they deny the "promise of His coming. For since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation" so they say (2 Pet. 3:4). They are "mockers" or scoffers "following after their own lusts" (v. 3). This shows they are self-absorbed and egotistical. (4) They are also evolutionists who do not take notice that "by the Word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water" (v. 5). They pay no attention that "the present heavens and earth [came] by His word and is reserved for fire kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men" (v. 7). While it appears as an unrelated issue, the world is rapidly moving to a climax that is setting us up for the destruction the Bible speaks of. But the world is paying no attention! As believers in Christ, be prepared for terrible times. Know your Scriptures and stand tall with the fortification of the Word of God! --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

THINGS ARE FALLING APART

You need to prepare for "Things to Come" because we are facing some terrible economic issues that are indeed leading us to preparations for The Gathering Storm of troubles prior to the rapture of the church and the arrival of the seven year period of tribulation. But don't forget—God is the Author of history. He is taking us where He wants us to go, and, Israel is at the center of His plans and purposes. In Daniel 10:21 the Lord says "I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth." The writing of truth is the Word of God which shows God's plans and purposes for man and the earth in time and in eternity. These decrees and plans are truth, things that are realities and shall unfailingly come to pass, having been predetermined by God (John 17:17), Unger says. He adds, "The reason those events are handled in such detail is based on the principle that Scripture deals with secular history only as it is connected with the Lord's elect people Israel." --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

CALIFORNIA SINKING!

There are over 400 State agencies in the state of California that run that government. This is unbelievable and is something that none of us can thoroughly conceive in our minds! It is impossible for that state to continue as solvent and out of the red. We are all sinking in the slime of governmental rule!    I have some bad news for you. While I was a bit optimistic a few weeks ago about turning our country around, I now have changed my mind. I don't think the new senators and congressmen can do it. I believe we are too far gone. President Barack Hussein Obama has ruined our country and the Republicans don't get it either.    I just heard that on our Texas border, in one county, some 30 people have been killed in the drug war going on there. People are now moving out of that area because it is almost total conflict taking place. We have lost our country.    Are you saving up food to survival when things really fall apart? You need to.    --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

HEBREW WORD STUDY

Psalm 103:1-5 is an outstanding section of verses. It begins with "Bless the Lord, O my soul" (v. 1). "Bless" is "barak." It comes from the Hebrew word that means "to kneel" or "knee." To bless is to kneel down before God. Another related word is to "barak" is "fat cattle" ("Be' Ree"). Fat cattle are a blessing to the farmer that means more food on the table.    The word "covenant" is also related: Ba'Ret. To make a covenant or a contract brings about a blessing between individuals, and it brings security. A blessing comes forth from someone, but specifically, a blessing is created. Only God can create something out of nothing, and this is a blessing! So the word Ba'Rah means to create, as creating the heaven and the earth (Gen. 1:1). The word is used only of the Lord who created all things that have come into being. Using the Participle, Solomon wrote "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth." To create you is a blessing. We should remember the Lord, our Creator, "before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, 'I have no delight in them (that is, in the evil days)'" (Eccl. 12:1).    103:2-5 tell us why we should be blessing the Lord. We should "bless His holy name," We should forget "none of His benefits," He "pardons all our iniquities," He "heals all our diseases," He "redeems our life from the pit," He "crowns us with lovingkindness and compassion," and He "satisfied our years with good things." What a God we have who blesses us continually, thus our souls should be blessing Him!     Dr. Mal Couch   (12/10)

SOMEONE HAS HUMOR!

Recently discovered was a large Star of David on top of the Iranian Airline building in the Islamic Republic in Tehran. The Star looks to be about thirty feet across. Before the 1979 revolution in that country, Israeli engineers had build the airport building for the government. No one saw it until recently.     Of course the government ordered that the Star of David be removed. This "happening" had taken place before. A Star was found on a building of the main square earlier in Tehran. The Jews have great humor and we're sure they got a big laugh at the fact that the Star was seen from the air for many years.    Between 1960 and 1979 El Al airlines regularly flew from Tehran to Tel Aviv when there was peace of a sort between Iran and Israel.    The Star of David is a symbol of Israel's Messiah and it is mentioned in Numbers 24:17. "A star will come forth from Jacob (Israel), and a scepter shall rise from Israel." Some make a big deal over the shape of the star, when actually it is just easier to make a star with two triangles placed one on top of another. The star is part of the Israeli flag and it flies on all of the military vehicles of the Israeli military. In other words, the Lord Jesus, who is Israel's Messiah, is featured on everything that is Jewish. Israel's king is the Savior of the Gentiles, and He is also the Savior of the Jewish people.     --Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

SOMEBODY DOES NOT LIKE GOD

Barack Hussein Obama spoke to a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and supposedly spoke to them about the Declaration of Independence. He purposefully misquoted the founding fathers with these words: "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, endowed with certain unalienable rights, life and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."    He left out "by their Creator." Since this was a quote he had to have calculated to do just that, leave out the name "Creator." Probably no one in the audience missed this gaff. For the last few weeks Hussein has been getting chummy with the Hispanics for a very specific reason. He's going to do something for them that will endear the crowd concerning illegal and criminal foreigners who try to sneak into our country and receive all the medical and social security benefits they can get.    The President is really opposed to Christianity, though he tries to deny the same. In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said: "Those forces (Nazism) hate democracy and Christianity as two phases of the same civilization. They oppose democracy because it is Christian. They oppose Christianity because it practices democracy." Inside the Jefferson Memorial we have these words by Jefferson:    "God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure whenever we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever." (AFA Journal)    We are being lulled asleep by leaders that do not share the spiritual standards of Christianity. I see no turnaround taking place in our culture!    Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

DEATH OF WOMANHOOD

I saw a commercial on TV that I couldn't believe. It was by Mattel, the folks who invented the Barbie Doll. The girl in the ad said, "When I was a little girl I dreamed of being a helicopter pilot." Then, "When I was a little girl I dreamed of being a fireman!" These of course are lies. Almost all little girls dream of motherhood, of having a baby and raising it. But this was total propaganda in order to plant ideas into the mind of girls that they can be anything. In fact the ad ended with: "What I want to do, I can do it!" This of course is a lie. I have too many friends in the military who tell me the girls cannot come even close doing what the men do. For example, in a truck pool, the women cannot change a five foot high truck tire. But never mind. They just give them another assignment but then tell the public that the girls are doing everything that the men are doing! This is just not true!    Remember, whoever controls the language and the thought forms, controls the culture. There are no longer any heroines (fem.), they are all heroes (mas.). There are no longer any waiters and waitresses, they are all servers. There are no longer any policemen or policewomen, they are all police officers. They have neutered down the words so there is no distinction between the sexes. This is a calculated plan to blur the images of men and women.      The Bible tells us the truth. Peter writes: "Husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman, and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered" (1 Pet. 3:7). Women are not men! They have 50% of the strength of men, 50% of the stamina, 50% of the upper body strength. They have mood swings because of their hormones.    Women are just not men!

Hebrew Word Study

The sons of Tobiah are mentioned in Ezra 2:60. We know little of this personality. Others may have also been named Tobiah.    The name means "God is good." The Tob or Tov means "good" in Hebrew and the "iah" is part of the name of God "The EverExisting One." Thus, "God who is the EverExisting One is good!" Goodness is one of the attributes of the Lord.    The word for grace is Ch'an. It means "to show favor, give pleasure, be kind, to protect." In fact, the word to put up a protective encampment has the word grace in it. You are gracious if you put up a camp that gives protection. The name Hannah has the word grace in it: Han, or Ch'an. To be friendly or kind is to be gracious: Ch'an'uh. "God is gracious (kind) and compassionate and righteous" (Psa. 112:4).    Che'Nam means to receive something good undeservedly, without payment, or without compensation. Jacob said to Esau: "Please take my gift because God has dealt graciously (shown undeserved kindness) with me, and because I have plenty. Thus Jacob urged him and Esau took the gift" (Gen. 33:11).     —Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

EARLY AMERICA: A HARSH LAND

On one hand there was a lot of tolerance in early America, but on the early hand, law and punishment could be harsh and unforgiving. Certain groups, such as the Quakers, were pilloried, banished, scourged, and imprisoned. Some who held to radical religions were burned with hot irons. Why? And was this not extreme punishment that was cruel?    Yes, but we must put into place an understanding of the times. The colonists had come from Europe and England where there was actual warfare going on between the Protestants and Catholics, with the Catholics killing more than the Protestants. Christian belief was critical and life and death issues came to the surface. People were dying for their faith! And as well, America was coming out of the Middle Ages in which cruelty was the name of the game. But it was not too many years before such practices disappeared. Cruelty passed in the colonies before it did in any other nation on earth.    One can also argue that some laws were strong, and by the fact that punishment was indeed punishment, crime was kept to a minimum; peace ruled and brought blessings where it had not been before! It is easy to rewrite history. We were not there, and we have never had to fight through the issues our founding fathers faced.    One can only say: "Thank God for America!" We have more blessings than any other people on earth.      —Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

AMERICAN FREEDOM

Americans are to be free to say and do anything that does not harm others or that destroys the social fabric of the nation. This includes all Americans but especially Christians who founded this nation in order to be free to "be free."    Though the apostle Paul, and all the early Christians lived under the sway of the Roman Empire, which had various restrictions on freedom, they still advocated total freedom in Christ to do what their conscience dictated. We are not required to be PC (politically correct). What if I don't like certain people for a specific reason? What if I believe that certain cultures will destroy America? What if I speak out against sins that others find acceptable? That is my business! And God will judge or correct me. It is not the business of other people. They are not to dictate my thoughts. I am free to be me, right or wrong!    Of course all believers in Christ want to be right, and to be obedient to the Lord. He comes before what the government dictates, and even before what I think. Paul speaks to this freedom in Christ. He wrote "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more" (1 Cor. 9:19). Freedom carries with it responsibility, duty, and obligation to others. But I am still free. Paul said he did all things that he might "save some" (v. 22), and he did all things "for the sake of the gospel" (v. 23). Though he was free, the gospel and the will of God came first (vv. 24-27).    This is why the early colonies pledged their faithfulness in their colony charters to the gospel, and in order to honor the Lord. For example the Bill of Rights of the Virginia Convention (1776) said this:    "That Christianity (religion), or the duty which we owe to our Creator and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of Christianity, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.    "All men are entitled to equal Christian freedom, that all Christianity stands without prejudice before the law of the state, and that liberty is not license."    The colonies then existed in order to honor God and were not ashamed to admit such. God will restore our freedoms if we pledge ourselves to His Word and to the gospel message. Otherwise, we will sink again into slavery!    Please pass this message on.    —Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

HEBREW WORD STUDY

Have you heard of NASA? The National Aeronautical and Space Administration? The Hebrew word Na'Sah means "to go up." This is no accident. Someone in that space agency had a bit of humor. In some other contexts it can mean "to lift up, raise up," or "to be exalted."    The Hebrew word M'aR means "bitter" as in "bitter or salty water." It is a feminine word in Hebrew. The name Mary comes from this word. The word filtered into Japanese. Japanese ships are named "Something Maru" in reference to the salty sea! The planet "Mars" is red!     The Hebrew word Ad'am is a reference to the first man. The word Ad'amah means "ground, dirt." Adam was created from the dirt. The word Ad'am can also refer to "people." Because soil is often red, the word can sometimes mean "red" and "blood."  --Dr. Mal Couch     (10/11)

EUROPE IS LOST!

Strangers have invaded Europe. They don't speak the same language. They know nothing about the Reformation history of Europe. They despise the religious heritage of the countries they have settled in. The wives walk several paces behind their husbands. Many ghettos are controlled by religious fanatics. The police cannot communicate—they don't know the language.    Some cities are controlled by the so-called immigrants. In some European cities the foreigners have one-quarter of the population. In some cases, a majority! The majority of the foreigners in many cities are under 18. The city of Paris is surrounded by the strangers. 1 in 10 in the population of France are the strangers. Pigs cannot be mentioned in the farm country. Many state schools only serve halal food to all pupils. Non-stranger women who are born in these countries are called out in public "whore." Satellite dishes are pointed not to local stations but to stations of origin.    Teachers in French schools cannot mention certain authors lest it offend the strangers. The history of the European Holocaust cannot be mentioned in schools. In England, courts of the strangers are now open, passing by local laws. Many Jews are having to flee these countries for fear. People in the country are not free to go where they want. One-third of the strangers are not objecting to suicide attacks. The strangers never mention any support for Israel. When 9-11 happened, the strangers danced in the streets. These "settlers" refuse to integrate into the country. The strangers are now a swing vote in elections though they know nothing of the country they are settling into.    The concept of European personal freedom is out! Because of these minorities the support for Israel is dying.    A war of sorts has started internally in these countries. And it will touch every nation. Meanwhile, Europe is about to go under economically. All Europe is interlocked just as prophecy said it would be. Europe is becoming one nation.    What is happening there is coming to America because we have renamed liberty to mean the rights of a minority that will swallow up true biblical and American freedoms.    Only where Judeo-Christianity flourishes is there true liberty. Goodbye Europe. Goodbye America. Slavery and a war of ideology is about to begin. Many Christians are asleep and have no idea what is going on—mainly because the pastors are not teaching biblical prophecy and warning their people of what to expect! We are spiritually, socially, and culturally asleep!        —Dr. Mal Couch (10/11)

HEBREW WORD STUDY

Ezekiel 37:14: "I will put My Spirit in you." That is, within the Jewish people. Or, with the Hiphil form, "I will deposit, leave, provide" My Spirit within you." And, "I will place you on your own land." "Will place" is the Hebrew word Na'Can meaning: with the Hiphil form: "I will come down and settle, lower you in your own land." The amillennial guys, and covenant guys, try to defuse the meaning of this incredible verse. The verse is telling us what God will do when the Davidic kingdom begins. The orthodox Jewish Rabbis tell us: "When the miracle of Israel's national revival is performed, the people's faith in God will be firmly established. This is the explanation of the breath entering the bones of Israel to revive them. Israel's restoration could not be achieved by human power, but only by the Spirit of God." It is great being a premillennialist who takes the Bible at face value! The Word of God is plain and clear and requires no hard work to accept all that it is saying. But the poor amil guys keep getting it wrong. For example, Ellicott writes: "These promises prepare the way for the prophecy of the great and final attack of the enemies of the Church." What? How in the world could Ellicott write that? —Dr. Mal Couch (10/11)

THE SECULAR WORLD AND THE BRAIN

Even the secular scientific world gets it—about the brain, that is. They write: "The human brain is the most complex entity in the observable universe. Hundreds of billions of small nerve cells called neurons communicate with each other by releasing tiny quantities of chemicals, called neurontransmitters. Our critical mental capacities depend on an orderly system of chemical communications among the neurons of our brain." (Psychiatric Drugs. Drs. Stuart Yudofsky, Robert Hales, Tom Ferguson) God has made man so unique. And this is what the Bible tells us. We are at the top of the creative ladder. Our creative genius is unexplainable, apart from what the Scriptures tell us! And yet it is corrupted by sin. It is all observable in science but also in the Bible. Only the redemption found in Christ can make the difference, just as the Word of God tells us! --Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)

THE POOR COVENANT GUYS

Dr. Iain Campbell, writing in TableTalk for November, says that in Revelation 19:11-14, Christ is seen as the Word of God who comes riding out of heaven as a warrior King coming to defeat sin and Satan. While this is true, Dr. Campbell downplays what this passage is all about. It is about Christ coming to fulfill His messianic one thousand year kingdom reign on earth. Campbell gets questions like: "Do we take the Bible literally?" He answers, "We need to find out what their question means." What does he mean by "What does their question mean?" It means just what it says. Do we take the Word of God literally or not? Part of his answer, he says, is against "trying to interpret Revelation woodenly." In other words, no, we should not interpret the Bible literally, especially when it has to do with future prophecy! Campbell goes on: "The book of Revelation is a picture book using vivid imagery to convey who Jesus is and what He has done." While this is right, he goes on and attempts to get rid of all references that we should take as literal language with historic fulfillment in view. The covenant guys will do anything to get rid of Christ as Israel's literal Messiah, coming to a literal earth, to reign literally for one thousand years. To take the Bible that way means that they have to see the Jewish people as the recipients of an actual kingdom with Christ ruling worldwide on a literal earth, from a literal city of Jerusalem. And by avoiding this plain interpretation, their anti-semitism is revealed! They hold to replacement theology. The church has replaced Israel in God's future, kingdom plans. Satan loves this! He can get rid of Christ as returning as Israel's promised king. The second coming is taken allegorically without any real meaning behind it. Campbell finishes by writing: "As our King, He will finally triumph over all His enemies and the enemies of His church." Again, while there is some truth to this, Israel and the Jewish people are then out of the picture! --Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)

THE EVIL UNITED NATIONS!

The UN has declared Rachael's tomb in Hebron as a mosque! For centuries it has been recognized as the burial place of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rachael, Rebecca and Leah. There has never been a question about this site or location of the Patriarchs or Matriarchs of the Jewish people. Hebron is in an Arab section of the Holy Land, and so this move was meant to placate the Arabs. The world does not mind lies when it serves their purposes. The UN sees the Arabs winning and the Jews losing. Truth and what is right has nothing to do with their decisions to change the facts or play with history. Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu described the UN's decision as "ludicrous." Israel immediately suspended all cooperation with UNESCO. This UN decision could bring about a "hot" confrontation between the Arabs and the Jews! --Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)

A SICK NATION

The other day I watched several men in their 20s on TV say things about themselves that I have never heard from a past generation. What I heard was fired up by secular psychology that is prevalent in our public government schools. While I realize that every younger person may not think this way, I'm afraid that too many have this opinion about themselves.    I heard them say: "I love myself," "I could just hug myself," "I'm a good person," and "I'm really very smart."    The entire reason for receiving Christ as our Savior is because we are not worthy of His grace and love. We have to come to Him in contrition, realizing that we are sinners, and that only He can save us. This pride and self-exaltation brings about God's judgment. And, it fosters sin that is destructive to others and to ourselves.    Abraham Lincoln realized that America needed to be humbled before the Lord. Pride and sin is what brought on the Civil War, he noted. Only judgment from God will turn the nation around!    --Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)

END OF DISCUSSION

Anyone who has thoroughly researched the issue of prophecy knows that the discussion is over, as to what the early church thought about premillennialism. Premillennialism says that Christ will come to establish the Davidic kingdom for one thousand years, as prophesied in Scripture. By taking the prophecies in their normal reading, this is the only view that the Bible gives. The Godly orthodox Jews, Christ and His disciples, held to a premillennial position. The Messiah "would come before (pre) the establishment of the millennium, or the promised Davidic, Jewish earthly kingdom.    Those who hold to another view are brainwashed by positions that are man-made and created by contrary theology for a purpose. They have a misguided agenda that violates common sense and the plain reading of the Word of God!    Those who hold to other positions have not done their homework, their research in history and theology. They have not researched the laborious and exhaustive four volumes entitled "The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers." This was researched over about thirty years and was published by Seven Day Adventists. No, their 7th Day Adventist views are not brought forth in the first three volumes, so one reading this work is getting pure history. Dr. John F. Walvoord had the four volumes in his office, located just behind his head in his bookcase. He shared with me personally that there were no works like this that proved beyond a doubt what the early church believed.    The editor, LeRoy Edwin Froom, led a research team of dozens of men who began the project from 1935 to 1938. World War II caused them to stop the project but it was renewed after the war, in 1948. The team surveyed dozens of libraries across Europe and Italy. They gleaned volume after volume of ancient texts to demonstrate that the early church, and even many of the churches during the Middle Ages held to literal interpretation when it came to Bible prophecy. They quote exhaustively the pre-Reformers and the Reformers to give to us what the best of scholarship was thinking at that time. Only a fool would ignore and misread what was said by so many concerning the literalness of Bible prophecy.    The covenant theologians of today, the postmillennialists and amillennialists, and the Replacement guys (those who believe that the church has replaced God's Plans with Israel) just can't deny this scholarship that is so understood today by premillennialists and dispensationalists. What is most interesting to me is that premillennialists came to the same conclusions without knowing about these volumes. They just read the Bible and let it speak for itself. And then over time, it was discovered what the early church and the most spiritual during the Middle Ages were thinking earlier. In other words, dispensationalists and premillennialists have always been right while the other guys are just dead wrong—and their wrong-ness can be proven with thorough research.    By the way, "The Prophetic Faith" volumes can be purchased online for only $400 for the complete set—but few can afford them! As a professor, with the urging of Dr. John Walvoord, I got my set some years ago and made sure that many of my students could also get them as well.    Sorry covenant guys, you have misled so many through the years and you really are out in the cold as to what the Bible says, and what church history tells us as well!    Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)

IMPORTANCE OF THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

Many people ignore the covenant God made with Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). The covenant includes three main points: (1) God would give to him a land (the land of Canaan), (2) He would make from Abraham a great nation, and, (3) Through him He would bring forth a blessing or a curse on those who curse him. "And in you (Abraham) all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (v. 3b).    We dispensationalists and premillennialists understand that this covenant is the key to the Bible and to world history. The covenant theologians think that this covenant is no longer in God's purposes but this is not so. Psalm 105:6-11 indicates that the Abrahamic covenant is still with us. "The seed of Abraham is His servant; the sons of Jacob (Israel) are His chosen ones!" (v. 6). The Lord "will remember His covenant forever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations" (v. 8).    Notice the guaranteed promise: "The covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, then He confirmed it to Jacob for a statue, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, 'To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance'" (vv. 9-10).    Notice that this is a "literal" covenant, one that is kept by the Lord forever, and it is made with the immediate and far generations of Abraham, His son Isaac and then Isaac's son Jacob, and ultimately to a "thousand generations." The covenant also has to do with the land of Canaan. The covenant guys force themselves to reject and deny this great covenant that has to do with Abraham's descendants and also concerning the land promises!    The entire Bible hinges on this great promise made in Genesis 12!    --Dr. Mal Couch   (11/10)

A NATION GONE BONKERS!

More and more we are seeing on TV a nation that has gone nuts! Crazy things are happening in America that make no sense at all. People have lost their moral and mental sense of balance. They are making decisions that defy common reasoning. A survey taken some years ago pointed out that people in America had three great concerns. (1) Food, (2) Shelter, and (3) how to have plenty of work to provide for their family. Now two great needs stand out: (1) the ability to buy things, gifts for themselves or for others, and (2) taking care of their pets who now are like additional family members. While I love my Kitty Kat, she is not a person. I enjoy my Kat and I enjoy and relate to people! But my animal is not human! For Halloween there was a news feature that talking about (1) "how to keep your pets safe." And, (2) how to take care of their emotions when you put on a Halloween mask because it may frighten them and they would become spooked! This is madness and the sign of a nutty nation! Other surveys have shown that this younger generation has two great desires: (1) how to become wealthy, and (2) how to become popular! Religious and biblical ignorance is growing fast. One young girl went to the jewelry store and wanted a necklace with "that little man on the cross" on it! I can remember the days when the Dallas Cowboys were forced to have short hair and would be kicked off the team if they had pierced tongues and lips and tattoos. There was a code of appearance and conduct that those in sports had to abide by. Now, anything goes and there are no moral and social standards that guide and control the culture. No one cares, and, the younger generation does not know the difference. More than likely it will get worse and not better. There is no such thing as biblical standards that even the society adheres to. We are moving deeper and deeper into a cultural and social apostasy, along with an apostasy of the church. The lost used to conform to biblical principles, even to a degree; but no longer! Paul warns: "Do not be conformed to this world (culture), but be transformed (metamorphosized) by the renewing of your 'thought processes' that you may prove what is the will of God ..." (Rom. 12:2). --Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)

THE FALL OF SATAN

Christ was there when Satan was cast from the heavens by the Lord, following his rebellion before the throne of God! Christ said "I watched, observed, Satan fall from heaven like lightning" (Luke 10:18). Translating the verse gives chills up and down the spine. Christ is speaking with strong and forceful words how Lucifer was instantly, at the speed of lightning, tossed from the throne room of the God of the Universe!    At some point in eternity past, Christ as the Son of God, observed Satan plunging from heaven! "I saw" is an Imperfect (Past) tense in Greek and means that at some moment in eternity past the Lord observed this happening. The Greek word is "theoreo" which means "to watch as a spectator." It was God the Father who was driving him from His presence. This is described in poetic form in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. Theoreo is generally used as an Imperfect (Past) tense in Greek. It is the reporting of an event that took place at some historic moment.    "To fall" is an Aorist Participle of "Pipto." With this form, the point is that he was suddenly, without a pause, quickly tossed from God's presence. The Participle gives the word the force that Satan has moved to a different position; he is now occupying a new status. He is classified as one who should no longer be accepted with God in His eternal glorious state.    Satan was removed from heaven with the speed of lightning, or light! Without a moment's hesitation he was thrown from the presence of God. If one blinked the eye one would have missed this event! Satan was suddenly gone from the Lord's presence!    The next verse, verse 19, indicates that the disciples will now have to confront Satan's emissaries, the angles, who fell with him, who are described as serpents and scorpions. The disciples will have spiritual authority over them as they travel about doing the will of the Son. The apostles will have authority "over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you."    I wrote in my Luke Commentary, "What a protection afforded these followers of Christ!" I added, "This also tells us that the seventy disciples faced awesome evil beings who are the followers, the fallen demons, who belong to Satan. The demons are now in three classifications: (1) Those who are now active among humanity, (2) Those demons who are confined until a judgment, and (3) Those demons who will be released to do their dirty work during the tribulation (Rev. 9).    "These seventy disciples, along with the twelve, were given authority over all the power of the enemy, and Jesus told them, "nothing shall injure you" (v. 19). Christ also reminded His disciples that their names were recorded in heaven (v. 20). Such deep truths are hidden from "the wise and intelligent."    "Christ added, 'All things have been handed over to Me by My Father (v. 22a).'" He said, "As well, it is the sovereign prerogative of the Son of God to reveal the Father to whom He wishes. These seventy were blessed because of what their eyes had witnessed (v. 23)." Satan and his spiritual followers, the demons, are what we face now in this world! --Dr. Mal Couch  (11/10)

THE HISTORICAL LIES CONTINUE!

It amazes me how ignorant our historians are who comment on early American colonial history. They keep trying to get rid of any argument that would have us face religious issues in the founding of this great nation. The majority of the issues in regard to the Revolutionary War were religious and theological.    The main point of contention was theological not political or about prosperity. Listen to the words of our second President, John Adams who tells this happening. He said:    "Fear of the Church of England contributed as much as any other cause to arrest the attention [of the people] not only of the inquiring mind, but of the common people and urged them to think carefully on the Constitutional authority of [the English] Parliament over the colonies, … The objection [they had] was not only about the office of a [church] Bishop, though that was dreaded, but to the authority of Parliament on which it must be founded. The reasoning was this: There is no power less than Parliament which can create [Anglican] Bishops in America. But if Parliament can erect dioceses and appoint Bishops, they may introduce the whole [spiritual] hierarchy, establish tithes, establish religion, forbid [religious] dissenters, [turn church] schism(s) [into] heresy, impose [civil] penalties [in regard to religion] extending to life and limb as well as to liberty and prosperity."    Adam's thinking:    If Parliament could appoint Anglican Bishops for America then Parliament could impose itself in all American affairs. Note that Adams said this issue would "contribute as much as any other cause" for the people to stop and think of the implications of the appointment of a church Bishop!    Something happened that was as important as the dumping of the tea into Boston harbor, though it is almost never referred to. When the church of England sent a new Bishop over to America, the people rushed him back to the ship and sent him on his way home to Britain.    This event was reported in 1769 in the paper the Political Register. "The bishop had attempted to land, but was greeted by cries of 'No lords spiritual or temporal in New England!' 'Shall they be obliged to maintain bishops who cannot maintain themselves!' The bishop was bundled back on the ship, the wheels of his carriage dismantled, and his mitre and crosier thrown after him. A banner surmounted by a liberty-cap read: 'Liberty and Freedom of Conscience.'"    Then someone hurled a book of Calvin's Institutes at him. The people shouted out: "Lord, now let Thou Thy servant depart in peace."    Does anyone know about this event? I don't think so! --Dr. Mal Couch    (11/10)

THE GREAT ANTI-EVOLUTIONARY PASSAGE

What a verse for denying the doctrine of evolution! And that is Isaiah 45:18. It reads: "For thus says the Lord who created the heavens. He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, He formed it to be inhabited."    "For" in Hebrew is the word "key" and means "Yes, indeed!" This follows verse 17 that ends with "You need not be confounded world without end!"    The word "thus" is the Hebrew word "ko" and can mean "in the same way." The verse then starts: "For in the same way ..." This is introducing the fact that "the Lord created the heavens." "Yes indeed, the Lord in the same way created the heavens ..."    The Lord is Yahweh, meaning "the Everexisting One." This name comes from the common "to be" word that has the thought "Simply to be, to exist." The Lord "just IS!" He has always been, and always IS.    "Created" is from BARA. This is in what is called the Kal Participle form. It would be translated "the Lord" is the One who is characterized as "The One who creates." God is the only One who can be applied to this verb. He is the only One who creates out of nothing. No human being, or other so-called god can do such! He is not part of His creation. He creates uniquely and originally from nothing. He is not a part of physical matter. He is separate from His creation though He sustains it and keeps it going!    God created "the heavens" (plural). This refers to all of the galaxies in space, all of the heavens and the planets and stars. Isaiah then simply says "He is God!" The verb is implied. Isaiah just says "He God!"    Isaiah then says "He formed the earth..." "Formed" is the Hebrew word YAZER and it is in the Hophal form. It should be translated "the earth was formed, molded (as a potter who fashions the clay) ..." The earth was shaped as He wished!    The earth was both SHAPED and then MADE in order to be inhabited for animal and human life. The earth and its life forms did not evolve; the earth was made for a distinct purpose and that was to sustain life just as the Lord wished!    "He established it." The Hebrew verb "to establish" means "to set it up," "put it in its place," "to found it and give it permanence, firmness and solidity."    He created it not to be a waste place. "Waste" in the Hebrew is "a solitude place, emptiness, nothingness, a deserted nonentity." This is the key to understanding the earth. It was made to be inhabited by life that God would create. It was not meant to be empty and purposeless."    "A waste" place is the Hebrew word "tohu" and means "a nonentity, chaos, nothingness" (see 40:17).    The Rabbis say "God is the sole Power of the world which He created for man to dwell in and not for confusion. He does not hide in darkness but reveals Himself in justice and righteousness. Isaiah ends this great verse about creation with God proclaiming "I am the Lord, and there is none else."    --Dr. Mal Couch (10/10)

GREAT TRIBULATION PASSAGE!

Jeremiah 25 begins speaking about the coming of the Babylonian Invasion in 605 BC but as the chapter continues, it projects far into the future and the judgment of the Lord upon all the nations of the world. In other words, the chapter is about the worldwide tribulation that we are getting closer to.    These judgments will take place "when the seventy years of captivity are completed" (v. 12). "Many nations and great kings shall make slaves of the Jews" (v. 14). God's cup of wrath will be given to "all the nations in whom I send you (Israel), to drink it" (v. 15). Near nations are listed and judged and then nations farther away, such as Saudi Arabia (v. 23).    Judgment will come on "the kings of the north, near and far, one with another, and upon all the kingdoms of the earth" (v. 26). This is tribulation times! The nations will drink of God's wine of judgment and vomit, they will fall and rise no more because of "the sword which I will send among you" (v. 27).    God's sword will be "against all the inhabitants of the earth" (v. 29). The Lord will shout from on high (v. 30). The tribulation is described: "He has a controversy with the nations, against the inhabitants of the earth, a clamor will come to the end of the earth (v. 30).    The Lord will enter into judgment will all flesh (v. 31), "Behold, evil will go forth from nation to nation, and a great storm will be stirred up from the remotest parts of the earth" (v. 32). "Those slain by the Lord on that day (the day of wrath) shall be from one end of the earth to the other.    This sounds very much like the book of Revelation and Matthew 24. It is impossible to turn these verses into an allegory, or spiritualize them. They are to be taken literally. How foolish are the covenant guys, the amills, who do not know how to read their Bible!    When the Lord restores Israel from their time of judgment, they will never again be punished by Him. The Lord "contends with His people" and He will take out of their hands "the cup of reeling and staggering" (Isa. 51:22). He will remove "the chalice of His anger" from their hand and the Jews "will never drink it again" (v. 22). God will put the cup of His wrath into the hand of their "tormentors, who have said to the Jews, 'Lie down that we may walk over you!'" (v. 23). God's people will be restored "and redeemed without money" (52:3). They will rise from the dust and told to loose yourself from the chains around your neck (v. 2). The Jews will be clothed in beautiful garments when they enter the kingdom. Jerusalem will be called "the holy city" and the Gentiles, the uncircumcised and unclean, will never again come against Israel (v. 1). --Dr. Mal Couch (10/10)

THE HISTORICAL LIES CONTINUE!

It amazes me how ignorant our historians are who comment on early American colonial history. They keep trying to get rid of any argument that would have us face religious issues in the founding of this great nation. The majority of the issues in regard to the Revolutionary War were religious and theological.    The main point of contention was theological not political or about prosperity. Listen to the words of our second President, John Adams who tells this happening. He said:    "Fear of the Church of England contributed as much as any other cause to arrest the attention [of the people] not only of the inquiring mind, but of the common people and urged them to think carefully on the Constitutional authority of [the English] Parliament over the colonies, … The objection [they had] was not only about the office of a [church] Bishop, though that was dreaded, but to the authority of Parliament on which it must be founded. The reasoning was this: There is no power less than Parliament which can create [Anglican] Bishops in America. But if Parliament can erect dioceses and appoint Bishops, they may introduce the whole [spiritual] hierarchy, establish tithes, establish religion, forbid [religious] dissenters, [turn church] schism(s) [into] heresy, impose [civil] penalties [in regard to religion] extending to life and limb as well as to liberty and prosperity."    Adam's thinking:    If Parliament could appoint Anglican Bishops for America then Parliament could impose itself in all American affairs. Note that Adams said this issue would "contribute as much as any other cause" for the people to stop and think of the implications of the appointment of a church Bishop!    Something happened that was as important as the dumping of the tea into Boston harbor, though it is almost never referred to. When the church of England sent a new Bishop over to America, the people rushed him back to the ship and sent him on his way home to Britain.    This event was reported in 1769 in the paper the Political Register. "The bishop had attempted to land, but was greeted by cries of 'No lords spiritual or temporal in New England!' 'Shall they be obliged to maintain bishops who cannot maintain themselves!' The bishop was bundled back on the ship, the wheels of his carriage dismantled, and his mitre and crosier thrown after him. A banner surmounted by a liberty-cap read: 'Liberty and Freedom of Conscience.'"    Then someone hurled a book of Calvin's Institutes at him. The people shouted out: "Lord, now let Thou Thy servant depart in peace."    Does anyone know about this event? I don't think so! --Dr. Mal Couch

PURPOSE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH?

What is the purpose or the work of the local church? Generally people come up with all kinds of "works" and ministries that the local assembly should be doing, but unfortunately, this is all wrong. The people who are a part of the local church are to do NOTHING! There is no assigned task given to the local church except that the sheep are to come to the church, do nothing, but listen to the shepherd or shepherds teach God's Word in order to grow and mature, so that they individually can go forth to minister what they personally are supposed to do for His service.    There can certainly be Sunday school teachers who carry out the teaching ministry of the pastor(s) in order to mature the sheep. But otherwise, there is no assignment given to the local church, no "doing" that the people are supposed to carry out as a commission. The NT makes this clear but it is often missed or overlooked by the pastors or shepherds.    Christ gave to the church "Pastors (Shepherds) (indeed, that is) Teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ" (Eph. 5:12). Note: it is the people who are in the ministry, not the pastor. The pastor is the teacher to mature and "grow up" the church saints that they may do the work of the ministry!    Going out the church door the people are to reach their lost friends for Christ. In the local congregation they are to support each other with love. Within the church, they are not to be busy bees with a lot of activity that can be time-wasters and that are not the main functions of the church as a local organization.    "Shepherds indeed Teachers" seems to be the way the passage should be translated. In other words, the Shepherds are to Shepherd by teaching the Word of God so that the flock can mature and do the work of the ministry. In this sense, the Shepherd is not in the ministry, the people are. He is to be the shepherd!    Hoehner on this says: "Teaching in the local assembly should have authority when based on Scripture. … The pastors should teach the revelation of God authoritatively. … Shepherding includes instruction."    Charles Hodge notes: "The apostle intended to designate the same persons at once pastors and teachers. … Every pastor was required to be apt to teach. This interpretation is given by Augustine and Jerome. … In this interpretation the modern commentators almost without exception concur."    Thus, the sheep are to come to the assembly and listen and learn, grow up and mature, and then carry out their role of evangelizing and loving the fellow-brother in Christ.    Paul says the main task of the local church is to teach the sheep the Word of God. Note: "You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having RECEIVED THE WORD with much tribulation ..." (1 Thess. 1:6). And, "You RECEIVED from us the Word of God's message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the WORD OF GOD ..." (2:13). Also: "Your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows even greater" (2 Thess. 1:3).    Is the LOCAL CHURCH given a specific task to carry out, except for teaching God's Word? The shocker is NO!    The founder of Dallas Seminary, Lewis S. Chafer, points this out with force and clarity! He writes:    "No responsibility or service is imposed on the [local] church per se. The common phrase, 'the church's task,' is, therefore, without Biblical foundation. It is only when individuals sense their personal responsibility and claim personal divine enablement that Christian work is done. … The 'church which is His body' has for its mission to build itself up until the body is, complete (Eph. 4:11-16; Col. 2:19), but the visible church, as such, is charged with no mission. The commission to evangelize the world is personal and NOT corporate. So far as the Scripture story goes, the work of evangelization was done by individuals called directly of the Spirit to that work (Acts 8:5, 26-27, 39; 13:2, etc.). There is no trace of any corporate responsibility attaching to 'the church.'" (Systematic Theology, IV, 149-150)    Chafer goes on and talks about the abiding main purpose of the Pastor, that is, the Shepherd in the local congregation:    "They are to be trained is indicated in Ephesians 4:11-12. The saints are to be equipped for this service by the gifted men whom God has placed over them as their leaders. … The pastor and teacher is responsible for the equipment of those given into his care. This includes an accurate knowledge of the truth. … The one who is taught will 'hold the truth in love.' … The body is to be self-building up in love. 'Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular' (1 Cor. 12:27)." (Systematic Theology, IV, 68-71)       Conclusion: The local church has no specific commission given to it by the apostle Paul. The pastor is to teach the Word of God in order to mature the sheep, who will then go forth and share the gospel and the truth with those outside the church building.  -- Dr. Mal Couch (10/10)

THE BLESSINGS ON THE EUROPEANS IS ABOUT OVER

The blessings upon the Europeans is about over. But earlier, here in Genesis 9, Noah made what we call a cryptic prophecy about his son Japheth. Because Ham ridiculed his father Noah for getting drunk, his distant son Canaan would be cursed, by God, "the God of his son Shem." God would "enlarge (or bless) Noah's son Japheth, and he (Japheth) would dwell in the tents of Shem, and Canaan would be his servant" (Gen. 9:25-27). To dwell in someone's tent is a sign of blessing. This is a broad, cryptic prophecy. By that we mean we cannot see all the implications here in these verses but they have far off consequences and fulfillment. "Cryptic" means that we cannot now see all of the implications of this prophecy but someday it will all make sense. The Europeans are the descendants of Japheth and they would be the most blessed of the Semites (the Shem-ites), or specifically the people of Israel. Unger writes: "The Japhetic line is predicted to enjoy not only expansion in temporal possessions, but spiritual blessings as well. Christianity has had great outreach upon the Japhetic peoples of Europe and America. God's glory, His Shekinah, is another reference to the spiritual blessings on the Israelites as a Shemitic (Semitic) people." Griffith Thomas adds: "We know that as a matter of fact the Christian Gentile nations have indeed superseded the family of Shem in religious privileges, and have entered upon their inheritance of spiritual blessing and earthly power. It is at least striking that the political control of human affairs is now in the hands of the Japhetic line." Henry Morris says: "Japheth also would appropriate these blessings to himself by enjoying fellowship with Shem. The Japhethites (especially the Greeks, Romans, and later the other Europeans and the Americans) have stressed science and philosophy in their development." Harold Stigers writes: "The fact is that the Japhethite nations have been the major beneficiaries of the Gospel in the last two millennia. From these nations, millions have been brought into the house of God through believing in the resurrected Christ. Their widespread habitation of the globe is referred to in the words 'God will enlarge (lit., make it wide to) Japheth.' That the Gospel is meant is the thought to be preferred." H. C. Leupold goes on: "The Indo-Europeans or Ayrans, are spread out over vast stretches of territory from India across all Europe and of a later date over the Western Hemisphere. The Japhethites have now very largely come in to share Shem's blessings, for as Gentiles they have been grafted on the good olive tree. Shem's spiritual heritage is ours." Barnes continues: "This enlargement of Japheth is the most striking point in the history of Japheth, who is the progenitor of the inhabitants of Europe, and America. The Japhethites have proven themselves capable of rising to the heights of these lofty themes, and have elaborated that noble form of human speech, which was adopted in the providence of God." The old great scholar John Gill, writing around 1775 said: "God gave Japheth a large part of the earth, and large dominions in it, as his posterity have had. These vast countries to the north, which were formerly the Sythians, and now the Tartars inhabit; not to say any thing of the new world (America). Many Christian writers interpret them of the conversion of the Gentiles, and Jews, in one Gospel, that is, God shall persuade the Gentiles, the posterity of Japheth, by the Gospel, and through the power of His Gospel, and through the power of His grace accompanying it, to embrace and profess Christ and His Gospel." The Jewish Rabbis add: "God shall enlarge Japheth means he is the progenitor of the Indo-European or Aryan peoples, receives the blessing of worldly prosperity and widespread dominion. This is the first of the universal forecasts in Scripture of the day when enmity between nations will be forgotten, and they will unite in acknowledgment of the God of Israel." The Rabbis are encouraging but in matter of fact, for the moment in history, the blessing is departing from the European nations. They had their chance and they benefited by the Gospel but are now giving it up. The Muslim peoples are now taking over Europe. A war is certain in which the European peoples will be dominated by the Muslims. A terrible time in history is on its way! --Dr. Mal Couch (10/10)

CHURCH PRAISE MUSIC

The farmer went to church one Sunday without his wife. She asked "Well, how did it go?" "We had praise music instead of regular hymns." "What is the difference," she asked? "Well, it all goes something like this: "Martha, the cows are in the corn," that would be a hymn. If I said to you "'Martha, Martha, Martha, Oh Martha, Martha, Martha, Martha, the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows, the white cows, the COWS, COWS, COWS, are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn,' that would be a praise chorus." "If my hands went down," that would be a hymn. "If my hands went up and up and up," that would be a praise song. "If I enjoyed the music like my soul was being touched, as I do when I am singing in the shower, that would be a regular hymn. But if I squinted my eyes like a duck in a hail storm, that would not be a painful toe broken by my shovel, that would be what you do in a praise song!"

LETTERS THAT WILL BREAK YOUR HEART!

Dr. Couch, I was a student of yours some years ago. I learned so much by your courses, your stories, your trips to Israel, your studies in church history, your handling of the scriptural text. To put it mildly, I highly respect you as a servant of God, and also because of all the books you have written. Your books have a special place in my library. Things have changed drastically where I went before. The school is not the same. I am wondering where you would suggest I go in order to get the studies you taught. Thank you for your ministry and the blessings you have been to me in the past. What should I do? Sincerely, JW Dr. Couch, I came to Christ through a student who took some of your courses some years ago. He used to loan me your books and tapes and I learned a huge amount about God, the Bible and the church through you. I started attending a small Baptist church. I was working toward being a Southern Baptist pastor but I realized that what I was getting was nothing like I received from studying with you. I soon realized that the pastor never taught the Bible; he only taught salvation messages that never fed the sheep. In fact, he had some strange doctrines. After I expressed my doubts he began preaching a series against Calvinism. I stuck around for awhile but realized I had to leave. I attended a Southern Baptist school but they didn't even have a hermeneutics course nor did they teach the biblical language. What should I do? All the churches around here are SB or Pentecostal, or, they are covenant in their theology. I need to get where I can feed my family. I would like to attend Scofield Seminary with you but I can't do that in good conscience unless I am a church member. I really don't know what to do. Your ministry has helped me through the years grow more than anything else so I value your advice very much. Sincerely, ML Dear JW and ML. The only school I am working with, and that I could even start to recommend, is Scofield Seminary. (Scofield Seminary is not connected to Scofield Ministries.) By the way, both of your letters are typical of many that I receive monthly, from students I have never met, or from former students who thank me for blessing them in past studies. Things are changing rapidly in schools and churches across our nation. It is getting worse more quickly than we could all have imagined. Young teachers at many seminaries think they know so much but in reality they are very arrogant and ignorant about the Word of God. They are not to be trusted and they have little understanding about teaching the Scriptures. I urge both of you to give me a phone call for a conversation about what you might do from this point forward. Thank you for writing. Dr. Mal Couch (10/10)

Great Bible Scholar - Dr. John A. Witmer (1920-2007)

Great Scholar Goes Home!

Friday, January 5, 2007 a great premillennial/dispensational scholar went home to be with the Lord. Dr. John A. Witmer served the Lord for well over sixty years. He was a premier professor at “old” Dallas Seminary and also the head librarian for many years.

Dr. Witmer was also a nationally published author and a close personal friend. For my AMG Twenty-first century commentary series he wrote Galatians-Ephesians which should be published sometime this year. Dr. Witmer had a BA, MSL, Th.M., and Th.D. He is well known as author of numerous Sunday School lessons for youth and adults, and for his extensive contributions to Christianity Today, Gospel Herald, Moody Magazine, and Kindred Spirit.

He was extremely intelligent and gentle as a Christian gentleman. He will be well missed. The vacuum he leaves will be filled by younger, often misguided academicians who are philosophical but not as textual and biblical.

Thank you Dr. Witmer for all you did for me.

MARIOLOGY

I'm often asked about Mary, the mother of Jesus. I have about twenty Catholic texts used in Catholic seminaries and referred to in the teaching of priests. The average Catholic would not believe what the Church actually teaches about her! It is downright heresy! Some years ago I wrote a book entitled "The Teaching of the Catholic Church—Taken from Their Own Textbooks." It is an awesome volume that is quite revealing about their Mariology. Below is a quick summary: "By a special intervention of God, she was preserved from the stain of original sin." "Her many names: 'The Mother of the Homeless, Widowed Mother, Mother of a Political Prisoner, Unwed Mother, Liberator of the Oppressed, Seeker of Sanctuary, and First Disciple.' "Mother of God" therefore endowed with a form of divine perfection." "Immaculate Conception." She was uniquely conceived, was immune from sin, personal or inherited." "She remained throughout her life a virgin." "Free from sexual desire." "At the birth of Jesus, there was non-injury to her hymen and consequently no pain in the birth of Jesus." "She was taken bodily into heaven." "She is now clothed with the sun and stars in glory, according to Revelation 12." (What a terrible misinterpretation of the book of Revelation!) "Mary had an intimate share in Christ's battle against Satan and in His victory over Satan and sin, she must also have participated intimately in His victory over death." "Since she has Divine Motherhood, she has the right to reign as Queen of Heaven." "Mary's royal merit is based on her intrinsic connection with Christ in His work of Redemption." "Mary is the new Eve." "Christ is the Mediator, Mary is the Mediatrix of the whole world." "Since she gave forth Christ, the Redeemer, she is the Source now of all graces." "She is the Coredemptress. She co-operates in the giving of Redemption to mankind." "Nobody can approach Christ except through the Mother, she is the dispenser of all gifts." "Nobody can achieve salvation except through her." "She is the Most Holy One." "God wished that we have nothing, except by the hand of Mary" --St. Bernard of Clairvaux. "She may receive special veneration because she is the Mother of God." "There are two special feasts for Mary: The Feast of her Home-Going (her Assumption to heaven, and her birth." "She is joined by an inseparable bond to the saving work of her Son." "We continually ask her, as our mother, to pray and intercede for us before the throne of God." "Mary's role in God's plan may be best summed up in the phrase 'To Jesus through Mary.'" "It is in Mary that the Church finds her fulfillment." "Through her is the plan of universal salvation." Verses that go against Mariology: "The grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many (who are to be saved)" (Rom. 5:15). "There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). "There is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5). "Christ Jesus … who is at the right hand of God; who also intercedes for us" (Rom. 8:34). "Jesus is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:25). "I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). -- Dr. Mal Couch (10/10)