Some of our readers have been with us since the first issue of the Clarion Herald was published 22 years ago this month. Many of you have been a real source of blessing and encouragement as we have endeavored to hold forth the Word of Life by means of the printed page.
    Now you have outdone yourselves in providing new equipment for setting the type - not just for the paper, but also for other study materials that I hope to get into print - Lord willing.
    Brother Paul Bratland, one of our young men who works with computers, has been a special help - both in advising concerning the type of equipment needed and in making the actual purchases at very reasonable rates. Now I will be struggling to learn the operation. The computer is a Peaktron, 386-SX, 25 Mhz, 2 MB RAM, 80 MB Hard Drive - complimented by a Hewlett-Packard Laser Jet III printer.
    Again, and again some of you have expressed your love and liberality - so that there has been no need to constantly plead for your help. You have given willingly, cheerfully and liberally - the kind of

    "Much study is a weariness of the flesh", wrote the wise man, (Eccl. 12:12). Nevertheless, one who desires to teach others must "be diligent" (study) so as to rightly divide the word of truth, (2 Tim. 2:15). Surely every man of God should follow Paul's admonition to the Thessalonians: "Study (labor) to BE QUIET", (I Thes. 4:11) until he has so prepared his heart and mind as to give a consistent exposition of the Scripture in its proper context.
    There are Biblical words that are used in several different ways. When such is the case, the mere "reference runner" who assumes that he may fit any use of that word into a PARTICULAR CONTEXT, will end up both confused and confusing. Hence, the necessity of diligent endeavor to determine the SENSE of each usage before combining the various usages for the instruction of others.
    Consider, then, the word "fire" which, in its New Testament usage, comes from the root word "pur".
    1. It is used of a literal, burning, consuming flame, as seen in "Gehenna" - outside the Holy City.

    2. It illustrates the divine holiness which consumes all that is inconsistent with its nature - and is manifested in such divine indignation as devours the adversary, (Heb. 10:27; 12:29; Rev. 1:14; 2:28; 10:1; 19:12; etc.).
    3. Likewise, His angelic ministers are symbolized by "flames of fire", (Hebrews 1:7).
    4. It is also used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit as He came down to empower the Lord's church for the fulfilling of its appointed task, (Acts 2:3-4).
    5. Again, it symbolizes the "trials" of faith whereby the people of God are tested, purged and prepared for a more exceeding weight of glory, (I Pet. 1:7; 4:12; comp. Ezek. 22:20; Mal. 3:2-3).
    6. It is a symbol of DIVINE JUDGMENT whereby the works of God's people will be tested for quality at the Judgment seat of Christ, (I Cor. 3:12-15); comp. Num. 31:23); as also the outpouring

of divine wrath upon sin, unbelief and every form of ungodliness, (2 Thes. 1:8-9).
    7. Fire also describes the kind of torment awaiting all who reject the love, grace and mercy of God, in what the Bible calls "hell", (Matt. 5:22; 13:42).
    8. The human tongue is "a fire" - capable of igniting a mighty conflagration of destruction! Fueled by hell, it defiles the whole body - spreading its undisciplined, passionate recklessness to all the lower elements of man 's carnal nature, (Jas. 3:6).
    9. Finally, it describes the method whereby the present evil order of things (world-system) will be supplanted by "new heavens and a new earth", (2 Pet. 3: 10-13).
    Though these examples do not exhaust the usages of "fire" in the Scriptures, they at least demonstrate the necessity of careful diligence - even in the matter of comparing Scripture with Scripture. Failure to recognize this principle may be disastrous!
    '--edited from a previous issue of the Clarion Herald, (January 25, 1975)
    Lord willing, Louise and I will be leaving Rockford on February 24, enroute to Lakeland, Florida where my Dad will be celebrating his 96th Birthday.
    We expect to meet with Bro. Matt Tauscher and the brethren in Fernandina Beach on Sunday - returning home by way of Arkansas and Missouri.
    Then, we have accepted an invitation to be with the Melvin Gray's, and the Trinity Baptist Church, of Garnett,

    "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began ", (Acts 3:19-21).
    Peter has been preaching Christ to the Jews - showing them how faithfully God has fulfilled His Word in sending His Son to suffer for their sins. Now, he calls upon them to "Repent, and Turn Again", (ASV).
    Have you ever stopped to consider why it was so important that they repent? or what awaited them if they would repent? Then consider it NOW!
    1. That their sins might be blotted out.
    2. That "seasons of refreshing" might come "from the presence of the Lord" - NOT "in" the presence of the Lord - that is NOT IN HEAVEN, but unto the earth.
    3. That God might SEND AGAIN the Messiah Whom He had appointed for them - even Jesus
       a. "Whom the heavens

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Kansas, on March 12-13. Louise will be speaking at a special meeting (just for their ladies) on Friday. I will be speaking for the entire church on both Thursday and Friday nights - returning to Rockford in time for the Sunday services.
    We are so grateful for the mutual love and fellowship of Christian friends.

have received", (referring to the present session of the Christ at God's right hand, as High Priest over the house of God).
       b. UNTIL (defining how long His session at the Father's right hand is to endure) "the time of RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS", (Rom. 8:21; 2 Pet. 2:13; Isa. 65:17-25; 66:15-14; etc.).
       c. Nor is this a new plan; it is just what God has spoken "by the mouths of His holy prophets" - again and again.
    Should we not ACCEPT THIS as the very Word of God? And should not our hearts rejoice to know that God will perfect the work of Redemption that He has undertaken in His Son - the redemption of all that was lost in the Fall of the First Adam! E. G.

Special "Thank You" ... Continued
giving that pleases the Lord.
    Thank you, again! May the Lord richly bless you, each one - making you a blessing to others. E.G.

"They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe' entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed", (Luke 17:27-30).
    The REVELATION of the Son of Man involves His coming, a second time, in power and great glory. According to Paul's words (2 Thes. 1:7) our Lord will personally come:

    1. "FROM HEAVEN", (1 Thess. 4:16).
    2. "WITH HIS HOLY ANGELS", (Jude 14; Matt. 16:27).
    3. "IN FLAMING FIRE", (I Cor. 3:13; Heb. 10:27; 12:29; Jude 7; Rev. 14:10; comp. Ex. 3:2; 19:18; Isa. 66:15; Ezek. 1:13; Dan. 7:9; Matt. 25:41).
    Toward the wicked, there is a "fiery judgment" associated with the Revelation of the Son of Man. Woe to all who have despised His love, spurned His invitation and rejected the salvation so freely offered through His broken body and shed blood! For them it will be forever TOO LATE!
    A proper Christian attitude involves a patient, longing and expectant waiting for the Revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, (I Cor. 1:7; comp. Rom. 8:19-23; Phil. 3:20-21). For the faithful, the stedfast and afflicted of the Lord, there awaits a glorious REST which begins at the time of His Revelation, (2 Thes. 1:7).
    At the coming "Revelation" of our Lord, He will publicly recognize, own, honor and reward His faithful people, (I Pet. 1:7, 13; 4:13; Matt. 16:27; Rom. 2:7, 10; 2 Cor. 4:17; Heb. 12:11; Col. 3:4; I Jn. 2:28; 3:2; Psa. 62:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Eph. 6:8; Col. 3:25; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12).

    As we expectantly await the Revelation, let us continue to:
    1. Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    2. Serve the Lord with gladness.
    3. Make our calling and election sure and
    4. Know that our "labor is not in vain in the Lord" E.G.