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INDEX: Main Article - He That Is Without Sin Among You, Let Him First Cast A Stone (John 8:7) Health Article - A Soy Drink a Day Might Keep the Doctor Away Bible Study and Last Month's Answers Questions on Real Love For the Month of Love Answers to How To Gain Victory On the New Year's Resolution Questions and Answers #1 Does the word END always mean end? What I am trying to ask is, does the word END mean no more, finished, etc. in all cases? #2 Who does the word HE refer to in Daniel 9:27? I understand that there are only two options: the prince that destroys the city Jerusalem or the Messiah. #3 Where does the Bible state, God helps him who helps himself? Antichrist PICTURE: A single pillar, automatically tiled in the index box, represents "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15)..

HE THAT IS WITHOUT SIN AMONG YOU, LET HIM FIRST CAST A STONE (John 8:7)

It usually happens when a major scandal breaks out. A spokesperson will get on the air and quote "He that is without sin cast the first stone." (John 8:7) What is proposed is that people are to accept the behavior without question. Christians should stop dead in their tracks and raise a red flag. We should be saddened by such a gross miss use of the Bible, but many are not. Why? Some who read this may even wonder what is wrong with the spokesperson’s statement. It seems like the right application.

In analyzing the situation surrounding John 8:7, a "woman was taken in adultery" (John 8:4). She deserved to die "for the wages of sin [is] death." (Romans 6:23) Jesus’ point was that if she deserves to die, let the first one that does not deserve to die cast the first stone (John 8:7). Seeing that "all have sinned" (Romans 5:12) which means all of us deserve to die, each "being convicted by [their own] conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, [even] unto the last" (John 8:9).

Take this example and then add the phrase "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" (Matthew 7:3) to the equation, we end up with what is happening in today’s society. Today’s society has catchy slogans like: "Don’t judge me!", "Who appointed you judge?", "We shouldn’t be judging one another!", "Hypocrite!", "We’re to love one another!", "You’re not accepting of me.", etc. All of which is basically trying to convey the message, "I’ll do whatever I feel like and you’re not to question it!" And we do not have a leg to stand on because for the most part, they are quoting what seems to be a teaching of Jesus, though they ignore that Jesus did tell the woman to "go, and sin no more." (John 8:11) Further, "the LORD [is] longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation]." And we are no longer considered guilty when "we confess our sins," for "He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) So as long as someone is not repentant of their sin, they remain guilty and are subject to the consequences.

As you can see, a contradiction in themes seems to be expressed in the Bible. Let us examine two statements that Jesus made to really exploit this apparent contradiction. "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam [is] in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." (Matthew 7:1-5) This quite clearly seems to state that we should not judge at all in the slightest. But on the other hand, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." (John 7:24) Now this seems to be a contradiction.

Further, we seem to have yet another pair of statements from one of the Apostles that seems to do the same thing. Paul by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16), which does not contradict Jesus (1 John 5:7-8) but rather is to "testify of Him" (John 15:26), states "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?" (1 Corinthians 6:2) And then in another place, Paul states, "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in [his] brother's way." (Romans 14:13) Is this double talk?

So taking the position that the Bible does not contradict itself, how does one rectify an apparent contradiction in themes? Are we to judge or not? If people like to judge others, can they quote all the verses supporting their belief in judging and ignore the other verses? And the ones that do not like being judged, can they quote just the verses that support their argument and ignore the others?

Well, we need to ask some basic questions. First, who is the ultimate judge? "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man." (John 5:26-27) This verse and others reveal that Jesus is the judge. By the way, He’s also our attorney or "advocate" (1 John 2:1) which is good news, but another subject.

Second, are people to judge? "Judge not according to the appearance, BUT JUDGE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT." (John 7:24) So, yes we are to judge but in a particular manner.

When will Jesus pass judgment? "I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom." (2 Timothy 4:1) He will judge at His coming.

When are people to judge? "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matthew 19:28) "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?" (1 Corinthians 6:2) According to these verses, people will judge after the coming of Christ, but we are to judge even now at least the "small matters."

Who does Jesus judge? "… God shall judge the righteous and the wicked" (Ecclesiastes 3:17)

Who do people judge? "That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Luke 22:30) "Know ye not that we shall judge angels?" (1 Corinthians 6:3) But note that all these are done after the coming of Christ. As for judging people now, there is no positive statement in the Bible that we should be judging people.

So what is the conclusion? We are not to judge people as in who is saved and who is lost. ("Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:." (Luke 6:37)) However, we are to judge behavior or "matters", i.e., the evidence. This is how the judicial system works which God set up under Moses. "Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place [such] over them, [to be] rulers of thousands, [and] rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, [that] every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear [the burden] with thee." (Exodus 18:21-22) People are found guilty or innocent based upon the evidence. So when the White House scandal broke, we may determine if the president is guilty or not based upon the evidence. The consequences associated with the guilty behavior, if that would be the case, is another subject. But never should we say that the president is hopeless and is going to hell. "Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart." (Psalms 44:21)

How do we know if a situation is right or wrong? "All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2 Timothy 3:16) Use the standard. It is people’s opinions that get us into trouble. The "If it feels good, do it" mentality does not hold water compared to the Bible.

So the next time you go to judge a situation but not a person (hate the sin but not the sinner), and someone makes the statement, "Who appointed you judge?" Your reply is God did. God told me to judge behavior and avoid that which is wrong. Just be careful though, "[It is] an honour for a man to cease from strife: BUT EVERY FOOL WILL BE MEDDLING." (Proverbs 20:3) &

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SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES (John 5:39)

REAL LOVE FOR THE MONTH OF LOVE

1. In one word, what is God? 1 John 4:8, 4:16





2. What has God done to show His love? John 3:16





3. Because He loves us, can we do whatever we want? Revelation 3:19





4. What can we do to show our love to Him and let others know that we love God? John 14:15





5. How can somebody tell that we are Christians? John 13:35





6. What is the greatest act of love? John 15:13





7. What is the toughest love to show? Matthew 5:43-48

ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S STUDY:

How To Gain Victory On the New Year's Resolution

1. What is the first step in gaining victory over a habit? 2 Corinthians 8:12
For if there be first a willing mind.

2. Is gaining the victory a matter of just gritting our teeth and doing what we need to do to beat the habit? 1 Corinthians 15:57
No, . . .God, . . . giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, go to Jesus in prayer before the temptation, while you are being tempted, and afterwards to thank Him for keeping you from falling into temptation which strengthens you for then next test.

3. What mental image should we portray during the strongest moments of temptation? Romans 6:11
. . . reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, . . . which in short is a corpse.

4. When temptation is at its strongest, what should I have done ahead of time so as to not give into the temptation? Romans 13:14
. . . make not provision for the flesh, in other words, we should not be planning for failure.

5. What must we have if victory is going to occur over the habit? Matthew 14:29-30, 1 John 4:4
Believe that the Lord is able to work a miracle as He did for Peter and realize greater is He [Jesus] that is in you, than he [Satan] that is in the world.

6. What do we do if we fail and give into temptation? 1 John 2:1-2
If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Ask Him for forgiveness and start again.

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YE HAVE HEARD THAT ANTICHRIST SHALL COME (1 John 2:18)

SECOND IDENTIFYING MARK (picked at random):

Revelation 13:1-2 "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as [the feet] of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority."

John saw in vision a SYMBOLIC representation of the Antichrist. Seeing that we have never seen a living creature like this one, this means it represents something. Both the book of Revelation and Daniel cannot be taken literally. The objects represent something. Good news, the Bible tells us what the objects are, such as, WATER in prophecy does not mean drinking water. In the rest of the Bible (all books but Daniel and Revelation) WATER does mean drinking water. So Jesus at the well really did want water. And Moses did strike the rock which caused water to flow out for the Israelites to drink. But in prophecy, WATER is defined as:

Revelation 17:15 "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, . . ., are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues."

So the second identifying mark is that the Antichrist is located in a populated area of the world and not in the desert or at either the north or south poles.

REVIEW OF THE IDENTIFYING MARKS:

1. . . . would deny Jesus is the Christ by words, actions, or both.
2. . . . is in a populated area of the world. &

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THAT THOU MAYEST PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH, EVEN AS THY SOUL PROSPERETH (3 John 1:2)

A Soy Drink a Day Might Keep the Doctor Away (By Jane E. Allen, The Associated Press)

So say scientists and nutritionists studying the potential of soy to lower the risks of cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis and diminish the hot flashes of menopause.

"I don't know of any food that brings so much to the table as soy foods," said James Anderson of the University of Kentucky, a leading nutrition researcher.

Soybeans have long been a staple of Asian diets and may be responsible for lower cancer rates in that region. Though they have been cultivated in the United States since 1829, they caught on more as cattle feed than as something for the dinner table.

But proponents say that should change, given the apparent health benefits for both women and men.

"We're beginning to see the rationale for how soy has an effect in cancer, heart disease, and potentially the bone and brain," said Stephen Barnes, a pharmacology and toxicology professor from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

For men, soy protein also appears to protect against prostate cancer. And Anderson's 1995 analysis of 38 studies, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, suggested soy protein lowered cholesterol.

"Soy protein is potent and has the potential of significantly lowering fats in the blood." "Who should use soy protein? All of us." &

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ANSWERS FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURE OF TRUTH (Daniel 10:21)

QUESTION #1 - Newville- Does the word END always mean end? What I am trying to ask is, does the word END mean no more, finished, etc. in all cases?

ANSWER #1 - If this were so, that would mean God is not everlasting. Note the following verse "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." (James 5:11) This is not so because we are told "Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen." (Psalms 41:13) Since God is everlasting, the word END cannot mean TO BE CONCLUDED or FINISHED in all cases. Consulting Webster and comparing verses in the Bible, we see another definition emerges. That definition is OUTCOME or RESULT. Try it on James 5:11, "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the RESULT of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."

Let us try the Bible comparison. Compare: "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is] death." (Romans 6:21) with "For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) We understand WAGES to also mean RESULT, so to continue to sin results in death. So substitute RESULT for the word END in verse 21 and we get, "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the RESULT of those things [is] death."

Let us try a few more. "Receiving the RESULT of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls." (1 Peter 1:9) "Now the RESULT of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and [of] a good conscience, and [of] faith unfeigned:" (1 Timothy 1:5) "For Christ [is] the RESULT of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." (Romans 10:4)

QUESTION #2 - Mechanicsburg- Who does the word HE refer to in Daniel 9:27? I understand that there are only two options: the prince that destroys the city Jerusalem or the Messiah.

ANSWER #2 - Using twentieth century grammar standards, following HE backwards to the first proper noun results in the subject being THE PRINCE THAT DESTROYS from verse 26, however, that assumes Daniel applied grammar standards of today. Is this the case?

Note Daniel 1:2, "And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god." Focusing on both occurrences of the word HE in this verse, one using today’s grammar methods would have to conclude that HE refers to GOD or at least to Jehoiakim. Reading it that way though would say that God has a god which He does not, and Jehoiakim has been conquered ("into his hand"), i.e., Jehoiakim is the one that is losing all the goods. Since HE does not refer to either God or Jehoiakim, we conclude that Daniel did not apply the grammar standards of today.

So who does HE refer to in Daniel 1:2? The word HE in proper context actually refers back to verse 1, "In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it." After reading this, we see Nebuchadnezzar is the subject of HE, and we realize that the opening verses to Daniel are actually focusing on the main subject, that of which is Nebuchadnezzar and what HE did.

So what has the Bible taught us? The style that the writers wrote with when using pronouns like HE, HIM, HIS, and the like, refers to a main subject and not to the first proper noun appearing before the pronoun. This would mean, after looking at Daniel 9:25-26 ("Know therefore and understand, [that] from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined."), we find the main subject is the Messiah while the prince that destroys the city is only a minor subject or an item in a list of details. So the HE that confirms the covenant is none other than the Messiah.

Besides, the covenant in subject is the one with Abraham. How do we know this? The phrase is not "a covenant" meaning any agreement but rather "the covenant" meaning a specific agreement. And there is only one specific agreement that God is concerned about and that is the one made with Abraham.

Do we have a text to back that theory up? "As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy [promised] to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham." (Luke 1:70-73).

QUESTION #3 -Camp Hill- Where does the Bible state, God helps him who helps himself?

ANSWER #3 - No where. The word HELPS appears only twice and is not related to the subject.&

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