Feb 1993 - Editorial

The advice that things written aforetime were written for our learning was given in the context of not pleasing ourselves because Christ pleased not Himself (Rom. 15:1-4). The men who were to lead the return from captivity in Babylon, learned that lesson themselves and taught others while they were captives. Foremost in their minds was their acknowledgement of personal and collective sin, a quality becoming any leader in divine things. Our principal writer, dealing with preparation to return, emphasizes the importance of personal attendance to the reading of God's Word and prayer regardless of any challenges made in respect of such exercise. Leaders will be tested regarding faithfulness to God, no compromise of truth, and the maintenance of the vision of the Place of the Narne and the house of God.

Remnant leaders faced such problems and so will leaders today. Paul's warning to the elders of Ephesus is relevant today, "Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in the which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops" (Acts 20:28).

The Person who makes overseers is the sarne One who wrote the Scriptures so that they are truly God-breathed. Because they originate in God they have unity and purpose, and are eternal in nature. We thank God, like Paul did, that the word of the message, even the Word of God, is still being accepted, "not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also worketh in you that believe" (1 Thes. 2:13).

Israel's leaders today arise Out of the ballot box; the direction they take flows out of political will, as Focus shows. Compromise and the mind of the people dictate policy direction and the ultimate goals of Israel in 1993, which are so far removed from the written mind of God by the Spirit of Truth.

unknown | Feb 1993
Editorial