The Prophetic Telegraph - No.2
The New Bus
July 1986
A number of people gathered
around the bus as the conductor amiably encouraged everyone to go on board and
enjoy the ride. He was a very personable young man with a winning smile and
persuasive manner. He could well have been trained as a Public Relations
Officer, or even a Disc Jockey. But his job was not in the world of
entertainment. He had more serious work to do, even if his manner was
light-hearted and jovial.
"Ladies and
gentlemen, this is the Gospel Bus, and in a short while we shall be setting off
on our journey to the
"How much is
the fare?"
asked an old gentleman.
"Absolutely
nothing sir. Your fare has already been paid by the Company. It was a great
sacrifice, and because of that I'm sure you'll respond with a grateful
heart."
"Are you sure
about that? They used to say years ago that there was a heavy price to pay to
travel on that old bus over there," he persisted.
"Yes, and why
have you suddenly acquired this fleet of new buses?" asked his wife. "The
other old ones have been in service for some 2,000 years."
"It stands to
reason madam. Just look at them. The dents, the faded old paintwork, and worst
of all the bullet holes in the side. People were getting really nervous about
travelling in them. Besides, look how small they were. Not much room inside was
there? Now just compare them with our spanking new buses in brilliant new
colours, and covered with exciting adverts for the Gospel. Isn't it a joy to
behold? Look at this on the back - 'SMILE - GOD LOVES YOU!' So warm and
inviting! Plenty of room inside too. All our new buses are double-deckers.
Better view upstairs. No reputable firm would continue to use those old bangers
in a day and age like this. Must keep up with the times you know."
"But you've
chosen a new route, haven't you?" queried a mother accompanied by her two
teenage children.
"How right you
are madam. Large numbers of people from all over the land have worked
tirelessly on the job. They have sunk their differences and worked together in
laying the tarmac. We were getting so fed up with all the varied groups at each
other's throats all the time. But it's so different now. Lovely people. Cheers
your heart. Look at that now! Our new straight and narrow."
"Yes, I can
see it's very straight, but it's not all that narrow," said a serious bespectacled man with
a small voice that got lost in the crowd. "But I always thought
the Gospel spoke of a different type of straitness."
"What happens
if I get sick on the journey?" asked a frail woman of about fifty.
"No problem
madam. There's a doctor on board. We don't allow passengers to stay sick for
long. I can assure you madam that our medical care is second to none."
Apparently satisfied with
this, she went on to say, "But I haven't much money to spend on
the journey."
"And what did
I say before, madam? Didn't I say that the fares have already been paid?"
"Yes you did,
but that doesn't account for what happens on the journey," she persisted.
"I'm trying to
explain to you that on our journey everything is free. We have one great big
feast of good things for you people to share with each other as you travel, and
they're all free. You don't have to pay for anything."
"What about
snipers and terrorists?" asked a policeman. "You were the one to point out the
bullet holes in the side of that old bus over there."
"I can assure
you there's absolutely nothing to worry about sir. We have taken all of that
into account. Our new bus is made of bullet-proof steel and glass. What is
more, our new route, which we have carefully mapped out, takes us over safer
ground and therefore you won't have to worry about anything."
"I'm not
convinced your new service is the genuine Gospel Bus Service," quizzed an earnest young man. "I
was under the impression the Master said only a few would take this
route. How come you have a fleet of these new double-deckers operating a
continuous shuttle service?"
"What you say
has been correct for many centuries sir. But in these last days there are so
many people interested in getting to the
"Your
arguments still don't convince me," he said, "therefore I'm going to
travel on the old bus." And with this he strode off.
"Come back
sir!" shouted
the conductor. "Come back! That old bus is dangerous! And the
route is dangerous! You may even have to pay for it with your life!"
"Come
back!" "Come back!" echoed the crowds, as they all began to board
the new bus. And within a few minutes they were off and away.
--------oOo--------
So much for the allegory.
Now for the point of the story. Like all stories, the author attempts to throw
a situation into high relief in order to make his point strongly. But how many
evangelicals and charismatics today would be taken in by the type of approach
that was presented by the conductor in the story?
To those who have known the
Lord for many years, and have grown into some measure of maturity of
understanding, and who have tasted the disciplining of the Master's hand upon
their lives, the whole sordid scene of pseudo-christianity in this land today
produces a sense of spiritual nausea and wretchedness. All the more so when it
becomes patently obvious that the malaise has reached a point of no-return,
where so much momentum has built up that it is running riot. Where it will end
is a matter of grave concern. But insomuch as some will be willing to listen,
we still send out these warnings. In this Telegraph we have presented the facts
allegorically, but now we seek to take the matter further, and present no less
than eight important departures from sound doctrine which are currently traded
as Christianity by evangelicals and charismatics alike. As a result, vast
numbers of people are being 'taken on board' who would never darken the doorway
of a church if they really knew what the Lord and Master expected of them in
following Him. All we hope is that our dear brethren in
We therefore address this
bulletin to "those whom the Lord loves" with
our hopes and prayers that they may open eyes and ears to the ways of the Lord.
EIGHT POINTS OF DEPARTURE FROM
THE SOUND DOCTRINE
1. NO WORKS. We are told that "By
grace you are saved by faith, not of works lest any man should boast." (Eph.2:8)
As in all these eight areas of departure, it is not so much what is said that
is wrong, but what is left out. No believer in his right mind would query the
text in Ephesians quoted above. Our salvation comes as a gracious gift from
God, and cannot be purchased by 'good works'. In this sense we would agree with
the conductor by saying that the price has already been paid at
But the subtlety rests in
the fact that each and every believer has an enormous price to pay AFTER he has
made his commitment to the Saviour. So great is the price that it literally
means everything he has and is. So greatly do we cling to ourselves, our desires,
our appetites, our aspirations for the future, our family and friends, that we
can be oblivious to the fact that Paul said in Romans 12:1-2 "I
beseech you by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto the Lord which is your reasonable
service." It would be correct to say that just as Jesus gave
His all for our salvation, so in return He asks that we give our all to Him in
obedience and sacrificial love. Furthermore, Paul likens the Christian life to
a building programme. (See 1 Cor.3:10- 15) Jesus Christ is the only foundation.
But the superstructure is our own responsibility. We are told that some may use
gold whilst others prefer wood. But when the structure is bathed in the flames
of the divine fire, some will lose their life's work because it has been of
disallowed materials. Hence our work is vital. Don't let evangelicals rob you
of the importance of faith-works. Learn from the Bible what constitutes such
abiding works.
2. NO CROSS. We are told that "We
are buried with Him by baptism into death - if we have been planted together in
the likeness of His death, we shall be in the likeness of His
resurrection." (Rom.6:4-5) The mistake comes by assuming that
this identity is complete just by uttering a suitable sentence at conversion
whereas Paul was speaking of an on-going process. See Phil.3:10-14. Paul
desires that he may "know Christ, and the power of His
resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to
His death, if by any means he may attain to the resurrection of the dead."
"Not as though I had already attained," he adds. What
was that he said? After 20 or more years of ministry? "I forget
those things which are behind and reach forth - - for the prize of the high
calling." And in 2 Tim.2:12 Paul says, "If we
suffer, we shall also reign with Him, if we deny Him (the suffering) He will
also deny us (the reign.)" Yes, the way of the cross is not
an optional extra in the Christian life but an expected daily experience.
3. NO POVERTY. We are told these days that
"God has given you richly all things to enjoy." (1
Tim.6:17) There are many other verses in the N.T. which can be picked out to
foster the same line of teaching. But it is a snare. Do not listen to those who
glibly tell you, "You are kids of the King!" How can
we possibly read the story of the O.T. saints in Hebrews 11 cringing at the
agonies they endured, and then say that we shall enjoy all the riches and have
the same rewards without their poverty? Or perhaps Heb.11:40 is misunderstood. "God
having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be
made perfect" The meaning is that God has provided that
better thing for US AS WELL, not that He has something for us better than they
could attain. We are therefore to share in their poverty, in order that in a
coming day we may share in their wealth in the day of God's glory.
There is no place in a
Christian's life for unnecessary wealth in any direction. It is a good
testimony to be able to show others that this world's good are used and not
abused, given away when needed by others and not hoarded. Let God Himself be
our insurance policy against the future, because our future is entirely in His
hands. We are not advocating the worship of poverty, but rather declaring the
deceitfulness of riches, and the knowledge that the love of money is the root
of all evil. The sad thing is that many Christians these days are rich in a
tangible sense without being rich towards God.
4. NO SICKNESS. We are told that "They
shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."
(Mk.16:18) and "Is any sick? Let him call for the elders of the
church to pray over him with the anointing of oil in the-name of the Lord, and
the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise Him up."
(Jas.5:14-15) and Ps.103:3 "He forgives all your sins, and
heals all your diseases."
The mere quoting of verses
such as these sometimes raises the hopes of the Lord's people to unwarranted
and dizzy heights. We believe the Lord CAN heal, and also that in certain cases
He DOES heal. But there is no warranty throughout Scripture that it should
always be the case for everyone at all times. Our Lord clearly selected certain
people for healing, and at other times healed all who came to Him. The apostles
healed some, and even raised the dead at certain times, and then at other times
we read of brethren being left sick. This is a whole complex issue that can
only be properly understood in terms of EACH INDIVIDUAL BEFORE THE LORD. Some
are healed as a testimony, whilst others are allowed to suffer to perfect their
faith and their lives in readiness for the greater life ahead. Every minister
of healing should approach every situation as though it were the only one, and
seek the specific counsel of God. Healing should never degenerate into a form
of mass processing.
5. NO LAW. We are told that
"Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one who
believes." (Rom.10:4) and "If you are led by
the Spirit, you are not under the law." (Gal.5:].8) and
"The righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed
by the law and the prophets." (Rom.3:21)
How true all this is! And
praise God for it. But what does it actually mean? So many believers today seem
to think that they no longer need to read the TEN CONMANDMIENTS, that they are
no longer binding upon Christians. But once again a great error is perpetrated
by lack of care in interpretation. Paul's argument was that the Jews were
trying to attain righteousness through the keeping of the law. And Paul showed
by his teachings that no man can ever attain righteousness by this means,
because we are all fallen by nature. If we offend in one small point, we are as
guilty as if we had transgressed them all. Hence righteousness comes only through
Christ, by faith in His sacrifice, and not through the works of the law.
But having said that, Paul
truly establishes the law, rather than demolishing it. Indeed it is a most
dangerous principle to assert that Christians do not need to attend to the TEN
COMMANDMENTS. All Christians should attempt to keep the commandments of God at
all times. And should they fail, they know that there is plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed. Blessed indeed is the one who teaches man the
laws of God to do them. How much better this land would be if Christians once
again taught their children the laws of God.
One final word here. It is
important to realise that many ORDINANCES no longer apply, because they were
fulfilled in the sacrifice of our Lord upon the cross. Hence of course there
was a complete termination of all blood-sacrifice at the time of His death. And
other laws, such as that of circumcision, have become spiritually operative
instead of enacted in the flesh. But in all cases of the O.T. laws, much
wonderful teaching can be gained by reading them and understanding what God was
saying through them. But many more laws still apply today than most believers
are normally willing to concede. An expansion of this theme would be out of
place in this article, but may perhaps be taken up in a later issue.
6. NO WARFARE. We are told "That
through death He might destroy him who has power over death, that is, the
devil." (Heb.2:14) and "He has spoiled
principalities and powers and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them
in it (i.e. in His death)" (Col.2:15)
By the use of such verses
as these many believers are encouraged to assume that all has been accomplished
by our Lord, and that there is no real need to engage in any spiritual warfare
at all. Jesus has made a completed work at the cross, and there is nothing left
to do. And this is where the error lies. It lies in the inability to understand
the meaning of our identity with Him when we believe. To a Christian, it must
be a finished work. God has accomplished what He set out to do, but He invited
His children to enter into that victory and experience what it means in
practical terms and this is for our own good as well as being a part of God's
overall plan. To be 'in Christ' is not to be blissfully asleep in the back of
an armour-plated bus, but to be out on the battle-field for the Lord, entering
into the cosmic warfare with the armour that God supplies for us, and SEEING
the victory of the cross as we use the authority of our Master's name to expel
demons and sever Satanic links, to bring release to the captives and drive out
fears. Christ's victory can then become our own experience in life, to the
glory of God.
7. NO PROPHECY. We are told of
"The dispensation given to me (Paul) to FILL UP the word of God."
(Col.1:25) and "When that which is perfect is come, that which
is in part shall be done away." (1 Cor.2.3:1Q) and "If
any man add to these things, God will add to him all the plagues of this
book." (Rev.22:18) By Scriptures such as these we are made to
believe that the Bible is a closed volume which contains the sum total of all
that God ever intended to say to mankind. Once again, selective reading has
produced a distortion of the true facts, and robbed the believer of his right
to the LIVING WORD OF GOD in his daily experience. When Paul said what he did
to the Colossians (quoted above) he was referring to the fulfilment of the
message and work that God had given him to do. And when he spoke about 'that
which is perfect' coming, he was looking to the resurrection day, not the final
compilation of a Bible. And the Revelation passage, with its dire warning
clearly refers to those who might tamper with John's writing and the revelation
it contained, and cannot be extended in its meaning beyond that. Our Lord said
that man cannot live by bread alone, but by 'every word (rhema) that
proceeds out of the mouth of God.' A church that cannot believe in
the daily outpouring of divine wisdom, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit,
must indeed be a very impoverished church. God's people must be a prophetic
people, conveying to the world at large the true character of God and the need
for repentance and belief.
8. NO TRIBULATION. We are told that "You
are the children of light, not darkness, - - and that day shall not overtake
you as a thief. God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation
through the Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thess.5:4-9)
The old adage that ' a text
without a context is a pretext' applies here. The N.T. is replete with
statements showing that 'through much tribulation we shall enter the