Many Christians fail to realize that the blessings of our Lord's victory at Calvary are available to us RIGHT NOW through the appropriation of faith. And this includes the powers of the age to come!
    That we live in "the last days" is evident from a number of passages, but, however dark the day in which we live, VICTORY may be the PRESENT, continuing experience of anyone who, by faith, walks "in the Spirit", (Gal. 5:16).
    Consider a few aspects of the triumph that is PRESENTLY OURS - to the extent that we are appropriating them through the exercise of that faith to which our Lord has called us.
    1) We have been delivered from the power of "this present evil age", (Gal. 1:4; 6:14; Rom. 12:2; Jn. 16:33; Col. 2:20).
    2) We have already been permitted a foretaste of the "powers of the age to come", (Heb. 6:5) - having "tasted that the Lord is gracious", (Psa. 34:8).
    "It is GLORY just to walk with Him!" "Blessed assurance! Jesus

    In John 2:12-25 one finds the account of Jesus' leaving Capernaum for an important trip to Jerusalem, where He purposed to observe the Passover of the Jews, (2:13; 6:4; 11:55). A divinely-instituted memorial feast - celebrating Israel's providential deliverance from the death-angel, and from the bondage of Egypt; it was also divinely-designated "the LORD'S Passover". John's reference to it as "the Passover of the Jews" suggests something of the deplorable spiritual condition of both the religious leaders and the people of the covenant-nation.
    The Passover was appointed a perpetual institution in Israel, (Ex. 12:14) - to be observed at a divinely-designated time, (Deut. 16:1). Three times a year ALL the men of Israel were required to appear before the Lord with an offering: the Passover, or Feast of Unleavened Bread, was the occasion for one of these required appearances, (Deut. 16:16).
    On the evening before the Passover, the head of each family carefully collected and removed all leaven from his dwelling and the place was given a good, general cleaning. But the conditions existing

in GOD'S HOUSE were in stark contrast! It was not that there was any lack of religious fervor, nor even that those appearing be- tore the Lord failed to bring the necessary half-shekel which sealed their status as members of the chosen nation. The problem was that the glory o the Temple was being robbed of its spiritual significance and power; the offerings were being desecrated by the jingling of money changing swindlers who were plying their trade within the temple courts! In the midst of such shameful confusion it was utterly impossible for a man to bring his lamb to God with a proper attitude of heart!


    The idea of a temple for the Most High had originated with King David (2 Sam. 7) who was ashamed to live in such a magnificent palace as he enjoyed when considering the fact that the symbolic dwelling

place of His Lord was in a portable tent! Though he purposed in his heart to build a Temple for Jehovah, he was not permitted to do so because he had been a man of war. However, before his death, he provided an abundance of materials that would be used in the construction of a temple.
    Before the appearance of Jesus, three temples had stood in Jerusalem 1) The first built by king Solomon, and dedicated in a memorable manner, (I kings 8); 2) The second one, and very inferior, built under the leadership of Ezra, following the return from Babylonian captivity, (Ezra 6:15-22); 3) The temple to which Jesus went had been built by Herod, an Amorite, who had been placed over Judea: in an effort to reconcile the Jews to his reign. Though started in 19 B.C., it was not completed until 64 A.D. And it was destroyed by the armies of Titus six years later.


    In the temple Jesus found "those that sold oxen, sheep and doves". Since such animals were required for the sacrifices, it might have been convenient for the worshipper to purchase the required sacrifice nearby; but, it was often at an exorbitant price. And it appears that the time actually came when the priests would offer no sacrifice that had not actually been purchased from the temple-merchants! And, since this business was so profitable, it was not long before the temple-merchants were multiplied. Since only certain

types of coins were accepted for the temple tax, a "Money Exchange" was soon set up - where the profiteers charged from 10 to 15 percent, just for making change!
    The place that had been intended as a "house of prayer for all people" had come to be characterized by the noise of a busy barnyard, the stench of a stable and such covetousness as gloated over the profits that were being made at the expense of helpless brethren! The rulers of the temple hoarded enormous wealth.
    Those who were true-hearted in Israel must have been sickened by the constant prostitution of their national religious feasts. And the Gentiles who were serious about worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, must have been humiliated by the heavy commerce that had been set up in the Court of the Gentiles - the only access that they had to the holy temple! But, greater than all this was the holy indignation of Him who beheld the indescribable desecration of His Father's house! To what depths of iniquity had the covenant nation fallen!


    Consumed by zeal for the sanctity of His Father's house, Jesus: made a whip of small cords, drove from the temple the merchants who sold sheep and oxen, poured out the money of the changers - overthrowing the tables where they had plied their trade, and commanded those who sold doves to: "Take these things hence!" "Make not my Father's house a house of merchandise!"

    Though Jesus surely recognized that this sordid business of temple-commerce had the sanction, support and LEGAL authorization of the temple authorities, He was conscious of His own high and holy mission, and chose this occasion for the public inauguration of His messianic ministry - fully yielded to His Father's will, and desirous of His Father's glory! It was His intention to forcefully protest that WHATEVER IS CONSECRATED TO GOD'S SERVICE must be freed from worldly profiteering! Though outward conformity to rites and ceremonies may impress the natural, sentimental mind; carnal motives and ambitions will ultimately be exposed by Him Who searches hearts and reveals secrets! And the church of our Lord Jesus Christ is now His "holy temple" - the dwelling- place of the Holy Spirit during this age. Whoever destroys its sanctity and influence will be destroyed! (I Cor. 3:16-17).


    Without any warning or argument Jesus has assumed His messianic right to purge the temple of its profiteering vendors. His expression "My Father's house" left no doubt, to the Jewish mind, about the implication of His deed; He was clearly claiming messianic authority! Thus, the challenge of the rulers of the temple: "What SIGN showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?"
    "Destroy this temple" He said, "And in three days I will raise it up!" But, the Jews did not Un-

derstand His saying; nor did His own disciples understand it until He was raised from the dead, (vs. 23; Lk. 24:8, 45; Jn. 14:26).
    Thinking that He referred to the Temple being built by Herod, the Jews laughed Him to scorn. That temple had been under construction for 46 years; nor would it be completed for 37 years more! The saying was preposterous! But, in reality, the words of Jesus were a veiled reference to the glorious triumph that would ultimately announce His authority as "Lord of ALL!" He would arise from the dead with the power of an ENDLESS LIFE! And with authority to rule as "King of kings" and "Lord of lords"!
    And so He HAS TRIUMPHED - deserving the place of absolute authority in our hearts and lives!


is mine!"
   3) Since our "citizenship" has already been transferred to the coming age, we live with God's kingdom ever in view, (Phil. 3:20; Col. 3:1; Eph. 2:19).
   4) We have been freed from the powers of evil - loosed UNTO the glorious liberty of God's kingdom -the kingdom of the "Son of His love!" (Col. 1:13; Jn. 8:32, 36; Gal. 5:1; Eph. 1:6).
   5) Freed from the natural enmity that once stood between ourselves and God (through the blood of Jesus), we have now, through Him, been RECONCILED to our heavenly father and King, (2 Cor. 5:19; Rom. 5:10-11).

    6) Through our identity with Christ, we have now received "the spirit of adoption" - the adoption itself becoming a reality in the resurrection, wherein we will be fully conformed to His image, in glory! (Gal. 4:5-7; I Jn. 3:1-3).
    7) The man of faith stands JUSTIFIED in God's sight - declared to be POSITIVELY RIGHTEOUS - not only through the blood of Jesus, but also through the POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION! (Rom. 5:1-5; 4:5-8, 25).
    8) And the man of faith is ALREADY BEING CHANGED into the likeness of the Christ - as the affections of a loving heart are. set upon the Lord "in the beauty of holiness", (2 Cor. 3:18; Rom. 8:28-29; I Jn. 3:1-3).
    CONCLUSION: Though created in the image of God, that image was corrupted in man through the FALL. But, "in Christ", that image is being restored to the man of faith. The restoration will be completed in the resurrection, wherein we will be adequately prepared to share the FULNESS of glory, blessing, triumph and authority of our dear Lord in His millennial and everlasting kingdom! (I Cor. 1:9; 15:57-58).
    In view of the victory that IS ALREADY OURS, through faith, our hearts ought to thrill to the words - and enter into the spirit set forth - in Psalm 98. After all, it is HIS VICTORY into which we are permitted to enter; His triumph that really SETS US FREE!
    Is YOUR LIFE a faithful witness to His triumph? Or does it make men wonder? EG

    A letter from Pastor Sam Arnold announces the intention of the West Bronston Baptist Church to sponsor a "family camp" June 16-20, 1986. For this retreat they anticipate a time of: prayer, praise, preaching and recreation of spirit, soul and body. The PLACE will be the Mountain View Baptist Camp, located in the beautiful hills of Southern Kentucky, in the Cumberland River area.
    Cost will be $40.00 per person from age eight and up. From ages three through seven the cost will be $20.00 per child. There will be no charge for those under three. The price will include housing, food and insurance coverage for each camper.
    Those desiring further information, or to make reservations, should contact"

Pastor Samuel D. Arnold
219 S. Horseshoe Drive
Somerset Kentucky 42501
Telephone: 606-679-4956

    God is invisible. Our Lord Jesus dwells now in light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see, (I Tim. 6:16). The Holy Spirit is as invisible as the wind that blows, (Jn. 3:8). The God who made the world and all things therein, the Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands, (Acts 17:24).
    Count not the church steeples! Abraham had neither temple for God,

nor house for himself. Israel was a peculiar nation without a visible God. Astonishing, because all other nations proudly worshipped their gods of silver and gold - hundreds of visible gods. They scorned Israel, "Where is now their God?" In reply Israel changed, "Our God is in the heavens; he hath done whatsoever he pleased", (Psa. 115:2-3).
    Israel constantly drifted into idolatry. It required faith merely to be different. Billions worship idols today. Idolatry flourishes. Paul was stirred when he saw famous Athens wholly given to idolatry. Men at Ephesus shouted, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
    Our hope rests NOT on visible gold, silver, brick and stone, but on faith in an invisible God! As in ages past, there is a constant drift toward idolatry. Catholicism is saturated with it. Visible objects are supposed to make God MORE REAL to the ignorant!?
    Europe has little faith, but many beautiful cathedrals bear eloquent testimony that cathedrals do NOT lead men to God. From the splendor of the Vatican a helpless Pope looks out upon one of the most wicked cities in the world!
    Faith, and only faith, is the substance of our hope. Faith also rebukes and cuts to the heart - making men cry: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Faith is the evidence of power unseen. That word "evidence" is from the Greek "el- engkhos". It is used 18 times in the New Testament. Five times it is translated "reprove". Six times it is rendered "rebuke", and four

times it is conveyed by "convince". Twice this same word is translated "convict", and only once is it rendered "evidence".
    We are not to FAINT when "rebuked" by our invisible Lord, (Heb. 12:5). Whom the Lord loves he "rebukes" and chastens. Faith cries, "Lord, rebuke me when I am wrong!" (Rev. 3:19). Faith fills with hope. It also warns that "The wages of sin is death!"
    Our daily lives are surrounded by invisible forces. The mighty power of electricity is invisible. We cook with invisible gas. Invisible, mysterious gravity holds us to this whirling earth. Magnetism makes us wonder. The stars are held by invisible bands, (Job 38:31).

Love, hate, envy, pride and ambition are invisible rulers in our lives. Why, then, should we be considered "fools" to trust in an invisible God?


Thy way, 0 God, is in the sea,
   Thy paths I cannot trace;
Nor comprehend the mystery
   Of Thine unbounded grace.

'Tis but in part I know Thy will,
   I bless Thee for the sight;
When will Thy love the rest reveal
   In glory's clearer light?

Here the dark veils of flesh and
     sense
   My captive soul surround,
Mysterious deeps of providence
   My wondering thoughts confound.

When will the day of perfect light,
   The happy morn arise,
That shall remove the shades of
     night
   From my beclouded eyes?

With rapture shall I then survey
   Thy providence and grace;
And spend an everlasting day
   In wonder, love, and praise.
    Man is the greatest marvel in the universe. NOT because his heart beats 40,000,000 times a year - driving his blood more than 60,000 miles; not because of the wonderful mechanism of eye and ear; not because of his conquest over disease and the lengthening of life; nor because of the unique qualities of his mind, but because he may WALK and TALK WITH GOD!