GOVERNMENT COMING AFTER CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

The Federal government is going to force ministries to offer birth control medications to all women working for Christian ministries. However for a short time this will exclude churches, but we know that soon they will force the same thing in churches as they can get away with it. It is only a matter of time. This reminds us of Nazi Germany that slowly began to take control of all religious institutions in that country.


Some ministries are beginning to fight back. Dr. Philip Ryken, president of Wheaton College (where I graduated from), is filing a brief against the government opposing this move and take over by the feds. Other religious institutions are joining with Ryken in a legal brief.


We knew that such a move was not far off! We have already lost many of our freedoms and more will be scheduled to go on the chopping block soon. 

America is gone! It is not the same place morally nor spiritually. Prepare for more intent persecution. 

Warn your congregations. We will see even more things coming upon us that we have never imagined.

OUTSTANDING WORD STUDY TOOL

Drs. Warren Baker and Eugene Carpenter have done a tremendous job in giving us a Hebrew Old Testament word study volume on key words in the older text of our Bible. 

This 2138 page volume is keyed to the Strong's numbering system which makes it a handy work in giving us definitions and usages to aid the student of the Old Testament. No one who likes to exegete or teach from the Word of God can do without it. 

I find myself using it two or three times a week since I love to study the great highlights from Genesis to Malachi. This study tool is perfect for Hebrew scholars but simple to use for anyone who has not had the biblical Hebrew language. (1) each word is pronounced, (2) given an English equivalent, (3) defined in a Hebrew verse and passage, and then (4) described in its usage. One wonders how it has been possible to go so long without such a handy help when studying the Scriptures! 

There is no way to “over endorse” this work. Again, whether a Hebrew teacher or scholar, or just a driven Sunday school teacher, “The Complete Word Study Dictionary Old Testament” (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers) is a must on your library shelf. Both writers hold advanced degrees from various graduate schools including Faith Theological Seminary. --Mal Couch, Ph.D., Th.D.

GOD HAS A PURPOSE …

The Lord has a purpose and a time-frame for everyone. He works within in order to accomplish his tasks. Lewis S. Chafer, the great Bible teacher, said he wanted to go as far as the Lord wanted him to in his ministry. And that he did. He died while on a teaching tour just as he pledged to do!

Of John the Baptist it was said: “While John was completing his course, he kept saying … 'One is coming after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie'” (Acts 13:25).
 
 And of David: “After he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers, and underwent decay” (v. 36).

Paul said: “I have fought the good fight [God laid out for me], I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

And: “I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course [He gave me], and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

David added: “Your statutes are my songs in the house of my pilgrimage” (Psa. 119:54). Peter went on: “Conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon the earth” (1 Pet. 1:17).

David also said: “I am a stranger in the earth” (Psa. 119:19).

We all have to realize we are just passing through!
 
--Dr. Mal Couch (7/12)

James 1:12-17

Saint Augustine was one of the great fathers of the early church.  The story is told that soon after his conversion to Christ he was walking down a street in Milan, Italy, where he was at the time a student.  A prostitute saw him and called him by name.  “Augustine,” she said.  He paid no attention to her, though he heard her.  She called after him several times, but he did not respond and just kept on walking.  Finally she said, “Augustine, it is I.”  Without slowing down or even looking at her, he said, “Yes, but it is no longer I.”

 

Surely Augustine was enduring temptation at that time.  His reply to the prostitute, whom he no doubt knew, indicate his knowledge also of the true source of solicitation to evil and the way of victory as well.  Augustine’s reply, “It is no longer I,” expresses his realization that having become a believer, a Christian, he now had a new enablement to say no to sin and he availed himself of that power.  He was a changed man from the inside out. 

 

Our friend James, brother of Jesus, was used of God to give us information about how to have victory over both the trials and troubles of life and the temptations to sin.

-- Dr. Robert Lightner, pg 3, Solid Stepping Stones (used with permission) 

Hating Israel

Many Evangelicals despise the Jewish people, or at least, give no thoughts to them as God's earthly people. But Psalm 129:5 says: “May all who hate Zion, be put to shame and turned backward.” Though not all covenant guys hate Israel, or ignore Israel, still many turn against the Jews and believe that the Lord is finished with Israel. However, God loves them and therefore we should as well (Rom. 9:28). “They are beloved to God.”

The Hebrew word for hate is “sa-nay” and can be translated “to be unable to put up with,” or “to slight.” Thus, “to disdain.”

Woe to those who turn their backs on Israel.

The Message (James 1:2-4)

Conservative scholarship largely agrees with A.T. Robertson’s view of when the book of James was written:  “The Epistle of James was probably written shortly before the Jerusalem Conference, most probably just before, that is A.D. 48 or 49.”  The practical message of the book was most fitting for the times in which it was written, and it is equally so for our day.  Christians of all times need to know what God expects of them and how to walk with God in a world that is opposed to Him and His teaching.  There is always the constant need to translate heavenly truths into earthly shoe leather.  Children of God must continually be on their guard against becoming so heavenly minded that they are of little earthly good.

 

It was to “the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad” (1:1) that James wrote.  In other words, he wrote to Jews who had been taken captive and then scattered.  They had experienced captivity and scattering from Assyria, Babylon, and Rome.  Sometimes they would also migrate on their own to seek their fortunes.  However, wherever they went, they always retained their identity and were loyal to their ancient customs.  The Jewish historian Josephus said:  “There is no city, no tribe, whether Greek or Barbarian in which Jewish law and Jewish customs have not taken root.”

 

Apparently, James used the phrase “the twelve tribes” in a nontechnical or general way.  Before James wrote , the ten northern tribes had already disappeared from history.  The content of the book reveals that James had a particular group of scattered Jews in mind: those who had come to believe in Jesus as Israel’s Messiah.  Perhaps James saw and even conversed with some of these Jews as they came to Jerusalem to worship and sensed their need for practical admonition and guidance on their Christian journey.

-- Dr. Robert Lightner, pages 2,3, Solid Stepping Stones (used with permission) 

THE MAN JAMES-- James 1:1

Did you know Jesus grew up in a home where there was rejection and opposition to Him and His ministry?  It is true - He did.  He was Mary's "firstborn son" (Luke 2:7).  She and Joseph, the carpenter, had four other sons later and at least two daughters.

Jesus had brothers and sisters, but He was the "firstborn", miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit, as told by Luke the physician (Luke 1:35).

The brother of Jesus we are most interested in here is James.  In time he became the pastor of the church in Jerusalem.  However, before he held that prestigious position, and before he wrote the New Testament book that bears his name, he was an unbeliever.  He and other member of his family, no doubt his siblings, were offended by Jesus and His ministry (Matthew 13:55, 57-58; Mark 3:31; 6:3).

Think about that for a moment! Jesus, the healer and Friend of sinners, lived in a divided home.  He therefore certainly knew what it meant to have members of His own immediate family oppose, ridicule, and reject Him.  We should find encouragement and help if we have had or are having some of the same experiences in our homes.  Jesus understands and cares for us no matter what our circumstances are.

We do not know for sure when the members of Jesus' family changed their attitude toward Him.  We can be relatively certain, however, that they came to believe on Him sometime after He arose from the dead and before the day of Pentecost.  Support for this is found in the fact that Jesus' brothers, Mary, and the eleven disciples were praying together during this time (Acts 1:14).  Also, after His resurrection Jesus made a special appearance to James (1 Corinthians 15:7).

The Lord's brother was recognized as a leader soon after Jesus ascended back to the Father.  Also, as noted earlier, James became the head of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13-21).  How different this man was from how he responded to Jesus and His ministry earlier! In the Bible book that he wrote, we find him being used mightily for the Lord.  Eusebius, an early church father, also tells us that James' knees had grown hard like a camel's knees because of his constant kneeling in prayer. 

-- Dr. Robert Lightner, pages 2,3, Solid Stepping Stones (used with permission)

RICK WARREN RESPONDS

The Orange County Register put in their paper a pretty strong article against Rick Warren's Saddleback Church as to its close relationship with Muslim theology. Warren wrote a retraction in which he denies the statements of the newspaper. In order to be correct and fair we here give his reply and denial against the words of his church. Warren says that there is not a relationship with Muslim theology and that they only have had a Bible study with Muslims in their community. We accept his word and believe the newspaper was practicing poor journalism. Warren has many other theological problems that we are concerned about but we take at face value his claims that he nor his church is in bed with Muslim beliefs. --Dr. Mal Couch (4/12)

NETANYAHU HOLDS BIBLE STUDY

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu is holding a Bible study in his residence as did the first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion. Netanyahu said: "Ben-Gurion understood that the Book of Books is our mandate for our country. He viewed the Bible as the wondrous story of the Jewish people, the unique spiritual, cultural and historic heritage of our people, and also as one of the cornerstones of all of human culture."

A former Prime Minister added: "Netanyahu said he wanted to reinstate that practice in order to encourage love of the Bible among government officials, and by extension, the nation." Some have said this practice could lead his country to great success. Joshua 1:8 promises success for the one who meditates on the Book of the Law. Other Jewish leaders, such as Moses and Nehemiah, recognized the wisdom of applying one's heart to God's Word.

I believe this is another step in the awakening of Israel in preparing for their spiritual return to the God of Scripture. Pray for the peace of the nation! --Dr. Mal Couch (4/12)

WOLVES IN SHEEP CLOTHING

In the California paper "Orange County Register (p. 8) Rick Warren says he's trying to build bridges to the Muslims. He acknowledges that Christians and Muslims worship the same god.

Tony Campolo says that he is not convinced that Christ lives only in Christians. He calls Muslims our brothers.

Warren says that the five fundamentals that many Christians hold to are just too narrow and legalistic, and that Christian fundamentals are the greatest enemy we have in our nation. (Philadelphia Inquirer, '06).

It is well known in history that Mohammed was a cut-throat leader of a band of Arab tribesmen who robbed, pillaged, and raped without number the caravans and villages of the Middle East. He destroyed Christian churches, many of which are still today Islamic mosques. On the Temple Mount in Jerusalem (the Dome of the Rock) it is written "God has no son."

Winston Churchill said of Islam: "How dreadful are the curses which Mohammed left for us. Islam paralyses the social development of all the cultures in which it invades."

Christians, wake up! --Dr. Mal Couch (3/12)

A WOMAN EXPLAINS THE BIRTH PANGS

Jeremiah refers to the terrors of the tribulation, and the wrath of God, as the birth pangs (Jer. 30:6-7). The tribulation is like a "woman in childbirth" and it is also called "Jacob's distress." Jesus refers to it in Matthew 24:8: "The beginning of the birth pangs." As well, Paul calls it "the birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape" (1 Thess. 5:3).

Dr. Lacy Couch was able to make this expression make sense. Just before the delivery takes place every woman goes through the contractions leading up to the coming forth of the baby. No woman escapes these contractions. The muscles contract, they "let go," and then contract again. This would be a "pre-delivery" that all women feel. Applying this to the tribulation, or the wrath of God, there could be a series of pains that the world may feel before the full-blown tribulation arrives or takes place on the earth. Certain terrors will fall upon the world before the arrival of the seven-year tribulation itself takes place.

Who knows when that terrible day arrives on the world? Those who know their Bible will probably be sure when such events come upon us. And we could not be very far away from their arrivals. Everyone knows the world is just waiting for such happenings to fall upon the globe. --Dr. Mal Couch (3/12)

SEMINARY DROPS THE WORD “RAPTURE”

In one of the "big" seminaries in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, their doctrinal statement includes the teaching about the rapture but they no longer use the word "rapture." It is true that the Bible does not use the word but why hide the term from those reading the doctrinal statement?

The Greek word is "arpozo" but traditionally, the word rapture has always been used because this is most understood by the readers. While the seminary still holds to this doctrine it seems apparent that they are attempting to bury the term as if they are ashamed of the word itself! Sometimes such changes are just a few inches away from dropping the teaching about the subject itself. In some of my own personal research, I found that there are at least thirteen rapture passages in the New Testament. The word actually means "to snatch away." Why don't we then call it the doctrine of the "snatching away"? This would be more accurate! But to have no word to explain the concept we are not doing the Bible reader a service to simply take the word away all together! --Dr. Mal Couch (3/12)

THE ISSUE OF INERRANCY

I have been told that many of my books published by Scofield Ministries are blessing many pastors and missionaries here in the States and even in Europe, especially in Germany. This is very encouraging. In that country many are fighting the issue of Inerrancy with the German accreditation that schools have to get with the approval of the State. Many of you know that I fought almost alone the State of Texas over the issue of accreditation. I'm sure the subject of Inerrancy was part of the battle as it is now in Germany. It just happens that my masters thesis in graduate school was on this subject.

I may be publishing a book on the subject of Inerrancy and the Bible. If you are interested in receiving a copy please send us your address and we'll fire off a volume when it is finished. This is one of the most important subjects for Evangelicals to get straight in their minds. --Dr. Mal Couch (drcouch@scofieldprophecystudies.org) (3/12)

THEOLOGY OF JOHN MacARTHUR

Speaking with one of the most respected mission workers in Germany, we were told that the theology of MacArthur is wrecking havoc in the churches in that country. You ask what specifically is the problem? The answer would be "all of the above." That is, so much that he teaches leads many astray, especially his book concerning salvation as found in the Gospels.

Many times in the past, MacArthur has had to back-track his views, realizing that what he teaches is not right. Many tell us that confusion reigns in the congregations in California. One can still depend on the great older dispensational teachers of the past. Many of the more recent dispensational teachers cannot be depended on. MacArthur claims to be dispensational but many but many scholars doubt this as true. MacArthur blasts away at Lewis S. Chafer in many of his books. He does not seem to understand what dispensationalism is all about.

Be careful what you read and depend on. I suggest my book Classical Hermeneutics published by Kregel. It will help keep your mind straight and on the biblical narrow path! --Dr. Mal Couch (3/12)

TO WHOM IS THE BOOK OF HEBREWS WRITTEN?

Many commentators think the book of Hebrews is written to believing Jews but I do not think that is true. During the last century there were only about four great respected Greek scholars, including the scholar Kenneth Wuest. He thinks the book was handed over to the Christian community for an apologetic but that the thrust of the book is aimed at unbelieving Jews, who heard the gospel but rejected it and fell into apostasy, refusing to embrace the salvation offered in their Messiah.

I'm in good company! I believe Wuest is correct. By the way, how many teachers do you know who have translated the entire book of Hebrews? I have but there are not many more. The language of the book of Hebrews is very difficult but it is worth the effort of translation if one knows Greek!

There are too many sections in Hebrews that tell me the book is written to unbelieving Jews not believing Jews. Why does the book begin describing the deity of Christ if the book is written to believing Jews? The early church held to the deity of Christ, which is mentioned in almost every New Testament letter? Also, how would we take this "apostasy" section: 3:7-4:7 (the falling away, 3:12). The apostasy is always about those who have fallen away from the faith and the truth and have never held to the gospel.

Using the lack of faith of the OT saints the author speaks of the "disobedient" or "those without faith" (3:18). They were those of "unbelief" (v. 19). What they heard did not profit them because "it was not united by faith in those who heard" (4:2). With lack of faith they could not enter in God's rest (4:3). They failed "to enter into God's rest because of disobedience (to be without faith)" (4:6). Many commentators dance around the bush trying to make the above passages apply to believing Jews but it just will not fly!

The author of Hebrews concludes this section with: "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience (being without faith)" (4:11).

Finally from the Greek text: "Be looking brothers (Jewish brothers) that not anyone of you have an unbelieving evil heart in apostatizing (falling away) from the living God" (3:12). (aphistami=to fall away from, to depart, to withdraw from, to become faithless, to keep oneself away from.)

--Dr. Mal Couch (3/12)

HAVE THINGS CHANGED!

Just a few years ago there were 24% of black births, 3% of whites born out of wedlock. Now there are 73% of blacks, 53% of Latinos and 29% among whites. In America we have aborted more than 53 million children since the 1970s. The numbers are moving up with those who hold college degrees. Also, no one can deny there is a racial issue at foot here also. And the whites have given up on their spiritual and Christian knowledge of the problem as well.

I do not believe there has been a time in history in which such a large number in illegitimacy has ever taken place as is now happening. These stats will certain bring about a judgment, which I believe we are now experiencing in the West. A price will be paid before it's all over! -- Dr. Mal Couch (3/12)

IT REALLY IS ALL OVER!

The majority of Americans will vote for Obama, and this trend to elect liberal men will grow even more so in the far future. Our nation has indeed turned socialistic and liberal. More than likely Obama will get 80% of the black vote, 70% of the Hispanic vote, 70% of union votes, and 100% of all homosexual votes. Too, he will more than likely get 75% of those in their twenties and who are attending our liberal state colleges.

These racial and age groups just don't get it! And with the death of Christianity and the silencing of the same, the apostasy is here. I don't want to take the wrong credit but about three years ago I was saying we were into the Christian and cultural apostasy prophesied in Scripture. Others are now echoing the same tune. Christians need to prepare themselves for persecution; it's on the way and is not far off. The churches are dying and shrinking on the vine. --Dr. Mal Couch (2/12)

COURSE ON PROPHECY

I will be doing a 3 hour credit course on Prophecy for Scofield Seminary of California (No relation to Scofield Ministries). It will be on the undergraduate and graduate levels. It will not be finished for a month or so. You will have to sign up with Scofield before you can start the study with me. There will be books to purchase, though there will also be some books supplied free for the student body. Email me (drcouch@scofieldprophecystudies.org) if you are interested. There will be notes and CD narration supplied. --Dr. Mal Couch(2/12)

Obama Mug Shots

Someone just sent me 20 mug shots of criminals. All were wearing sweaters with the name of Obama or his picture. None of the shirts had pictures of George Bush or his name printed out. This has to tell us something. I'll leave it up to you as to what this is saying.

It is no coincidence that our President is carrying out many policies that Hitler put into practice when he took over Germany. We are rapidly moving into deep water. --Dr. Mal Couch (2/12)

LAWLESSNESS IS NOW AT WORK IN THE WORLD

Paul tells us "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the world" (2 Thess. 2:7).

Evil is now working full-blown in the world but will increase when the Holy Spirit is moved from the earth. This is what the apostle is saying in this passage of Scripture. "Lawlessness" is present now in the world and it is having an effect. By writing "mystery" Paul refers to that which is "too profound for human ingenuity" (BAG), or that is mysterious or illusive in its nature and cannot be comprehended, though evident for it can be seen. Lawlessness is a dark spiritual force that is inspired by Satan himself. It is a rebellion and is in conflict with all that God is and that He sets forth as truth. The man of lawlessness (v. 3), whose power is presently at work in the world, will someday be revealed.

"Already" and even now this attitude of confusion, this lawlessness, is working itself (producing energy). The voice of the verb (a middle or passive in Greek) is important for interpretation. If it is a passive voice, that it means that rebellion against God is going on now. Alford takes lawlessness as "ungodliness—refusal to recognize God's law. Since ungodliness is mysterious, going on now, and it cannot be manifested fully, "its real character and full scope are not yet disclosed." Though rebellion was obvious in Paul's day.

It would someday be evident, this spirit of lawlessness would be incarnate in "the man of lawlessness." This would be when the man of lawlessness would be revealed, the man of sin, the Anti-Christ.

"Only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way." The masculine article "Ho" in front of the participle ("the one who is restraining," or "the Restrainer" - supporting the idea that this is the Holy Spirit.)

This is the only answer that makes sense, though some believe the Holy Spirit leaves the earth when the Church is raptured. Although the Spirit of God has a vital ministry with the Church during this present age of grace. He is still operative during the Tribulation. Men will still come to saving faith during this terrible period, and that work will be accomplished by the Holy Spirit of God.

The Holy Spirit, who is the Restrainer, restrains sin until a certain time period comes about. Then the Restrainer "should become" or come into being! In Greek the passage actually says "He simply moves over, He does not leave." The change has to do with His restraining work not His salvation work.

The Holy Spirit was hindering or restraining when this epistle was written, but He has continued to do so, and will "until He be taken out of the way," or probably more accurately "until He becomes out of the way." "The Spirit shall become out of one sphere into another," or "He that withholds, disappears from the midst, or is taken out of the way, removed." (Ellicott)

Some say "ginomai" cannot be translated "to be taken out of the way," but evidence exists to the contrary that is well in line with Greek usage. "The phrase is used of any person or thing which is taken out of the way. … He that hinders shall be removed" (Alford).

"Ek" with the various verbs it uses can read, "removal out of the way, or midst." That there was someone in the way, the Holy Spirit, who would in the future be taken out of the way, is palpably the point (Ritchie). To be taken out of the way is not to be entirely
removed.

As already hinted at above, the middle voice of "ginomai" may prove helpful in fully understanding this passage. Since the verb "ginomai" is deponent in form it may not denote removal by an outside force but instead be indicating a determined act on the part of the subject, the Restrainer. "The Holy Spirit is going to move out of the way, He is not going to be taken out of the way." Many commentators miss this distinction. The Holy Spirit will continue to exist in order to save the lost during the Tribulation. --Dr. Mal Couch (Thessalonian Commentary, AMG)

MAKING YOUNG SOLDIERS STRONG …

How can you make 100 young men, young soldiers, double their strength? You put on the parade grounds 100 your women, virgins, and have them shout and cheer the young men who are marching by. You don't put the young women in the tents or in the sleeping areas with, for example, the young sailors aboard a ship.

What am I talking about?

I have some old documentaries of German troops parading in Berlin before World War II. Thousands of young girls are shouting on the curbs, cheering on the troops as they passed by. This energizes young males like nothing else. Young men love to show off before the young women. It gives them strength and purpose. They will fight bears for the girls. This is now forgotten in America. We put women aboard ships sleeping beside the men--but you know what really happens!

The Bible speaks of the young virgins who cheered for David and his soldiers. When Jerusalem was being destroyed, as recorded in Lamentations, the Bible tells us the young virgins hung their heads. "the daughters of Zion sat on the ground and were silent. They threw dust on their heads, they girded themselves with rough clothing, sackcloth," "The virgins of Jerusalem bowed their heads to the ground" (Lam. 2:10).

Men and women are different. Men need to fight for their women and children. They are carried along when they have a purpose. In America we have become so equal that we are no longer different. The joke is that we pretend that women are the same, are equal with the men in all things; and this is just not so!

Recent articles are telling us that male-ness in this country is being destroyed. Will this be turned around? Probably not. The femi-Nazis have virtually won the war. We are blind as to what the real issues are in the destruction of our culture. Pray for America! --Dr. Mal Couch (2/12)

BE AWARE OF FAIR-WEATHER FRIENDS

One of the great problems among believers is when a so-called friend in Christ turns against you. And very often, when you have done nothing wrong to them. Too, sometimes they will not tell you what the problem is. They treat you worse than an unbeliever would.

Carnality, fleshliness raises its ugly head. What is amazing is they do not see themselves, they avoid their own sins.

We have been studying the book of Romans and I have been amazed how in Paul's list of depravity, that we often attribute only to the lost, we find Christians practicing the same sins. For example, Paul warns of: evil, wickedness, strife, deceit, envy, malice, slander, arrogance, unloving, and being unmerciful (Rom. 1:29-31). Sounds like some Christian brothers who break fellowship and who then go to war with their fellow brother in Christ!

What is most interesting is the fact that they refuse to say what is wrong. They just sneak off into the night and turn against the other brother without any explanation. I have seen this is one of the most prevalent sins among the children of God.

Watch out for these types. They will cut your liver out! By the way, I have found too that in time, they see the light and come back and apologize. The Spirit of God finally gets through and brings conviction. But often it is too late. The pain has done its dirty deed! --Dr. Mal Couch (2/12)

DID YOU KNOW?

The Bible indicates that early man was highly intelligent and knew far more than we give him credit. Humanity did not simply evolve upward as the secular world tries to claim. For example, the Babylonians knew of the "Horns of Venus." They also wrote of a crest of a planet. How could ancient Babylonian priests watch the phases of Venus without a telescope?

Until the invention of the telescope by Galileo, mankind had known nothing of these satellites. The priests of Babylon could have had a telescope. In the British Museum there is a remarkable piece of rock crystal, oval in shape and ground to a convex form. It was found in Sargon's palace in Nineveh. It looks like a lens from a telescope.

The ancient Egyptians had a special hieroglyphic for the number of one million. But it was not until Descartes and Leibniz in the seventeenth century did the modern world gain any conception of millions in mathematics.

Pythagoras (530 BC) deduced that the earth is a sphere and Aristarchus of Samos (310-230 BC) insisted that it revolves around the sun.

Eratosthenes (276-195 BC) curator of the Alexandrian Library, calculated the terrestrial circumference with a slight error of only 225 miles!

Plutarch gives the distance from the earth to the sun as 804 million stadia. This is almost the figure accepted by astronomy today.

Empedocles (494-34 BC) argues that light required time to travel. He also had a concept of the mutation of the species. Lucretius (95-56 BC) was aware of the uniform speed of falling bodies in a vacuum.

All of this historical evidence are but signposts and large arrows pointing back to the fact that the Bible has a legitimate story to tell. It is inspired by the Spirit of God. Without question, the Scriptures are historical and lead to these truths accurately. We see signs in ancient history of the markers of the Word of God. --Dr. Mal Couch (2/12)

OUTSTANDING BARGAIN!

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Various views of Prophecy
Replacing the Church for Israel
The Olive Tree Prophecy
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When is the Rapture?
Role of the Law in the Church Age
What does "Being Asleep" mean?
Gog and Magog
Daniel's 70th Week Prophecy

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DEATH PANEL IS HERE!

If you are over forty, be prepared to die! This is a true story. A little girl who needs a transplant cannot receive one because she is mentally challenged. You could be next if the Obama's Death Panel evaluates your needs. This is exactly what Hitler did to those he felt were out of the loop of medical help. We must replace Obama, and do it quickly! Four more years is too much to tolerate in terms of putting up with this man. He has drastically changed America! --Dr. Mal Couch (2/11)

DID YOU KNOW?

More than likely, the earth before the flood was going around the sun perpendicular on its axis. This gave uniform weather for each one year period. The sun was striking the earth continually at the equator giving the canopy and green house effect. The earth was covered with a great cloud canopy that brought about uniform weather year around. There was longevity of life just as the Bible said because radiation was blunted by the clouds.

The flood took place because of the tilt of the earth. What caused that no one knows. With the contrast of weather, hot and cold, the canopy fell bring on a great flood of water that covered the globe. This brought about heat at one end of the earth, say the northern hemisphere, and cold at the other extreme, providing weather patterns. The Bible says this also. "Then there were seasons, summer, fall, winter, and spring." When the water canopy fell the cold trapped the great elephants with food in their mouths in Siberia.

By the way, the creation days were creation days. Because of biological interlocking, these are six 24-hour days. They could not simply represent stages of evolution. The animal kingdom is interdependent. All life is dependent upon all life! The flowers cannot survive without the birds and the bees. Life could not take millions or billions of years to form because of this interdependency. And life does not develop by billions of years and by chance.

Have you ever seen in a documentary the huge flowers that grow the size of a man? And they live only for a day or two? They spring up several inches each hour! Only certain flies are attracted to them. And when the fly starts down into the flower it cannot turn around. As the fly descends into the flower it leaves its pollen in the plant which causes another flower to grow. And this happened by chance? Impossible! --Dr. Mal Couch (2/11)

DID YOU KNOW?

Early races took the early traditions wherever they went from the beginning Genesis stories. They modified the stories to fit their races, the climates, and the geology they were familiar with. They distorted the truth and put the stories into their own mood of religious errors.

The Genesis account is the purest and it can be trusted under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit with Moses. The biblical account represents the original form these traditions must have assumed. They can be trusted but the false accounts given by the pagan cultures cannot though they have some seeds of truth in them. --Dr. Mal Couch (2/12)

THE HARRY POTTER STUDY BIBLE

Southern Baptist pastor Jared Moore has written a study guide to the Harry Potter movies and books. Moore, is a graduate of Liberty University, a conservative school started by Jerry Falwell. I knew a few years back that Liberty would go liberal. While this does not prove the same it shows that the graduates are not getting the biblical education they should be receiving in order to properly defend the faith from error. And Harry Potter is the epitome of witchcraft error!

The book is actually called "The Harry Potter Bible Study." It is published by the Associated Baptist Press, and while there are some conservative warnings in the publication this is only half true. There are many things in the booklet that are spiritually misleading to youngsters. The Harry Potter series represent the "unfruitful works of darkness." Children should not be exposed to any of the material that can be so seductive. This is further a picture of the sign of the times! --Dr. Mal Couch (1/12)

CATHOLICS ARE AFTER EPISCOPALIANS

The Catholic Church is reaching out to married Episcopalians to get them into the Catholic fold. While they cannot be priests they can become members of the Church. The reason this is happening is because the Episcopalians are becoming so liberal and the Catholics are saying, "See, we are still conservative and you can feel comfortable here with us!"

This is like the wolf in the sheep's clothing. They are getting new members, and the Episcopalians don't see the snare awaiting them. This new approach and program is called "The Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter." The concerts will be full-fledged Catholics, expected to pray to the Pope and to oppose contraception and abortion. They will be allowed to preserve revered verses from their Book of Common Prayer.

This is a giant step toward a one world religion, driven by the Catholic Church. --Dr. Mal Couch (1/12)

THE GOVERNMENT CLOSING US DOWN

In New York State the Department of Education is no longer allowing religious services to be held in schools or community facilities such as government supported housing projects. Such services have been very successful in stopping crime in such places. This will probably spread from State to State. It reminds us of how Nazi Germany slowly put the clamps on churches and caused the them to bow down to the government. Things are happening more quickly than we can imagine! We must change the government in Washington or we are all doomed as to the ministry of Christ.

Be prepared for rough times coming! --Dr. Mal Couch (1/12)

RUPERT MURDOCH OWNS ZONDERVAN

His company that turns out porn material now owns Christian publishers Thomas Nelson and Zondervan! As well, the subsidiary, HarperCollins Publishers. These publications used to be owned and operated by Christians but no more! "Madness" and evilness is driving the money that causes such companies to be sold to the devil. Where will it end?