Vol. 40, No. 1

January, 2015

“WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE NIGHT? WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE NIGHT?”

(Isaiah 21:11)

Pastor George Mills

It just does not seem possible, but we are entering our 40th year of this Publication. We praise God for opening doors that we can enter with the Gospel message. We trust that in this New Year we will reach more than ever. We send our greetings and best wishes to those across the land and those in foreign lands. May God Bless each of you, wherever you may be! Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

While I have been searching for a text for the New Year ahead of us, this passage has come to my attention quite a few times recently. We all want to look at the year ahead and wonder just what it will bring. What’s in this year for me? Will there be joy and gladness, or will there be sickness and maybe death?

In by-gone days, cities had to build a wall of protection around them, and night watchmen were assigned a ward, or section for him to patrol upon the wall. Sometimes in the late hours of the night, a city dweller would call out to the watchman; “Watchman, what of the night.” “What do you see out there? Are we safe?” And the Watchman would answer back as to what the condition may be. In our text, the Watchman gave answer that can be taken in several ways. His answer was, “The morning cometh, and also the night.”Some take his answer as meaning; “nothing is changing, it’s the same thing over and over. The morning comes, and the night follows.”

But there is prophecy in his answer. Some see darkness ahead, referring to the night, and some see light ahead, referring to the coming morning.

The Book of Isaiah is sorta like a miniature Bible. Isaiah has 66 chapters, the Bible has 66 books. The first 39 chapters of Isaiah deal with captivity, the last 29 chapters of Isaiah deal with deliverance. The 39 Books of The Old Testament predict the Birth of Christ. The 27 Books of the New Testament present the Birth of Christ. 66 Chapters, 66 Books.

Well, anyway, what did the watchman mean when he said, “The morning cometh, and also the night?” In most cases, every verse is easy to understand. Simple language is used.. Sometimes a verse, or passage takes more study, more searching. I find this true in this passage in Isaiah. Some see only darkness, and some see light. The watchman saw the year ahead. “For thus saith the Lord unto me. Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, all the glory of kedar shall fail” (v16). The watchman (Isaiah) announces that the Edomites of Mount Seir, (v11) will fail, That’s the darkness of night. The names in this text, Dumah,(v11) Dedanim (v13), Tema,(v14, Kedar (v16) are sons,and descendants of Ishmael and bitter enemies of Israel. That’s the darkness of night,

But the morning of deliverance is breaking for Israel. As Isaiah saw the year ahead and saw both darkness of night and morning of glory, I want to look into the New Year in front of us. What’s out there, ahead of us? While we may not see these thing in full bloom, they are in full blossom…

God said to Ezekiel in Eze.3:17-19; “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel, therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, thou shalt surely die, and thou gavest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, the same wicked man will die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thy hand. Yet, if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity, but thou hast delivered thy soul.” Today, let me take the place of the watchman on the wall and see what is out there in front of us for the New Year ahead…

“Watchman, what of the night?” For this New Year, I can see that the darkness of the night of Apostasy grows fuller with each passing day.

“Apostasy” meaning “the renunciation of Christian Faith.” In fulfillment of the words of Paul to young Timothy, “I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom. Preach the Word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned to fables. But watch thou in all things, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” We do not have to wait until tomorrow to see the fulfillment of this and many more passages about apostasy, we are in the darkness of apostasy now. The fundamentals of the Faith have been forsaken in so many ways. We blame the liberal politicians for the downfall of our society. We must blame the liberal pulpits of our land for the spiritual downfall. The religious education of our land has been turning out liberal preachers. Many schools that were once stalwarts of the faith have changed their policies and many have had to close their schools. Local Churches that were once pillars of the community are just meeting places. The influence of the Church has been lost because of apostasy. We have lost a generation of teens and young families. People want to be entertained.. There are so many “bibles” and none agree with each other. How shall a man preach the Word when he does not know what the Word of God is?Don’t fall for this new stuff called ‘bible’ that is on the market today. There is nothing wrong with our old tried and trusted King James Bible. No translation stands with the majesty of this Book! No longer do we hear from the pulpit, “I believe in the Inspired, Infallible Word of God.” Instead, we hear about errors, bad translations,and references to non-existence “originals.” In trying to make the bible say what we want it to say, we have “shot ourselves in the foot.” The night of apostasy is getting darker. I should take time to mention the religious “money grabbers” charlatans. Fakes, phoneys, those who have learned to rob well meaning donors to their tricks and schemes. But, payday someday!

“Watchman, what of the night?” I see the darkness of the night of immorality as it sweeps across the world. The Apostle Peter said of these days, that “damnable heresies” will invade the religious world. I wonder, do we really think that God is simply going to overlook sin just as though it never happened? He gave us some examples…“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly. And turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly. And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked.” (2Pet 2:4-7). We should also mention that God gave this lifestyle up to uncleanness, gave them over to vile affections, and gave them up to a reprobate mind who practice this lifestyle. While the supreme court has power and authority, it cannot, without recompense, violate the Laws of God. In Romans ch. 1, God gave us the moral ladder downward to destruction. The homosexual lifestyle is the bottom rung on that ladder.

As we see the moral decay of this nation, as we see the growing apostasy, as we see the growing hatred of Christ we think of the words of President Abraham Lincoln who said, “All of the armies of Europe could not, by force, take a drink of water from the Ohio river.. If we fall, it will be because we fell from within. The darkness of immorality is growing darker.. We see the growing number of murders, rapes, drug additions, abortions, criminals, prisons, alcohol addiction, riots, burning of cities, shootings in schools, terrorist activities, no respect for officials. Police departments have been “thrown under the bus” Not to mention the growing attacks against the Christian Faith. And the list goes on and on. People say, “Where is God in all of this? Let us not forget that we have outlawed God. He is forbidden in our homes, our schools, our churches, government institutions, senate, congress, and the courts.

“What of the night?…It’s getting darker!

“Watchman, what of the night?” I see the gloom, and darkness, and trouble of the nations. Nations are upset. The storm clouds of the great tribulation are growing and getting darker. Jesus said in Mt. 24:21, “For then shall there be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved, but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Read Revelation Ch s. 6-18 and you will read about a period on this earth that, as Jesus said, there has never been such a time. Trouble in the Middle East. The economy of European nations. Terrorist activities are growing. Daily, we hear of dastardly deeds of terrorists. Paul warned us of these days of wrath, (1Thess 1:9, 5:1-9).

“Watchman, what of the night?” It’s growing darker! Is world war three brewing, or is the battle of Armageddon on the horizon?

“Watchman, what of the night? I can see the shadow of one called the “man of sin” or “son of perdition.” We know him as the anti-Christ, the great deceiver. The one who will have answers to the world problems. The one who has a platform of peace, but one who is a man of war. He is predicted in Books of the Old Testament, (Daniel 7, 9 as the “little horn, the false Christ in Mt 24, the man of sin of 2Thess 2, the beast of the apocalypse of Rev 13, 17, “Who is this man?” some ask as they try to identify him. As I look into the darkness I can only faintly see him. His identity will remain hidden in the darkness for yet a while. “Watchman, what of the night?” The night is dark, very dark. “But watchman, you see only darkness, is there any hope for us?”

“THE MORNING COMETH” There is the dawning of a new day. “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings, and ye shall go forth, and grow as calves of the stall.”(Mal. 4:2) While the conditions of the world grow darker and darker, the “Blessed hope” of the Glorious coming of the Lord Jesus for His own in that which the Bible reveals as the pre-tribulation rapture of the Church, grows brighter and brighter. “The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, and with the the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, COMFORT one another with these words.” (1Thess 4:13-18). The Morning cometh. Thank God for the fact that across this land some have not turned from the faith. Some pulpits are still strong and sending out the Gospel message. God is raising up new educational institutions and turning out men who have a love for Christ and His Word.

“Watchman, what of the night?” Isaiah saw the darkness of night, but he also saw the dawning of a new day. Oh, it’s dark and getting darker down here. But I see light. I shall not fear the darkness. Morning cometh. The dawning of a new day. Are you ready for the coming Of Christ? Receive Him today, You will never walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”

<><><>><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

FROM MY HEART

By Mildred Mills

THE “SON” IS SHINING

The sun is shining today and what a beautiful sight it is! We have had rain, rain, and more rain for the last few months. Even when the rain ended the cloudy, gloomy dark skies were still with us, but today the sun is shining brightly and we are thankful. The weather is a whole lot like our lives, some cloudy, dreary days and then the sun shines again and all is well. What a difference the sun makes! We need to remember the sun is always shining, even when the darkest storm clouds are hovering over us. The sun is there, still shining but covered with the darkness of the storm clouds and all the dreary, gloomy “stuff” that comes along with the storms of life. So when the dark days come and we can’t see the sun for days we can choose to smile and remember the sun is still shining and the clouds will not last forever. A sunny day is on the way! What a comfort and such a blessing it is to know that everything is all right IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE and He is in control, no matter how bad the storm clouds seem to be, the sun is still shining! If you have never received Jesus as your Saviour, do it today. Talk to Him and tell Him that you know you are a sinner and you need to be saved from your sin. Ask Him to come into your heart and save your soul. He will do just that, your sins will be forgiven and you will have a home in Heaven, In My Father’s House! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten SON that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

What a difference the “SON” makes!

So let the sunshine in,

Face it with a grin,

Smilers never lose,

And frowners never win,

So let the sunshine in,

Face it with a grin,

Open up your heart,

And let the “SON” shine in.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

THE MERCIES OF GOD

By Pastor George Mills

“It is of the Lord’s Mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.” (Lam. 3:22-23)

The Mercies of God,

To the Heavens reach,

His Grace is sufficient,

For sinners, each..

His Judgments are fair,

We need never fear,

His Love is displayed,

It is ever so near.

Not one of His Mercies ,

Could we ever merit,

But His promise is sure,

That we all do inherit,

His unfailing care,

His bountiful Love,

That reaches from earth,

To His Throne above.

Morning by morning,

And night after night,

The Mercies of God,

Shine ever so bright.

We are never consumed,

For He cannot fail,

The Mercies of God,

Will ever prevail.

His Love and Compassion,

Can never fail,

In every storm,

And through every gale.

And at last we will say,

There on Heaven’s Bright shore,

‘Twas the Mercies of God.

That brought us safe o’er.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

THINK ABOUT IT…The enemy is strong, but the believer’s DEFENSES and stronger than his

DEVICES.

<><><><><>><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

SATANIC ATTACKS UPON THE WORD OF GOD NEVER CHANGE.

As it was in the beginning, so it is today.

“And the Lord God commanded the man saying, of every tree in the garden thou mayest freely eat. But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it, for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Gen 2:16-17).

God’s Commandment was, sure, plain, and simple. No debate about it; “Thou shalt NOT eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge.” Now, let’s go on to Genesis 3,”Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, yea hath God said ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” The first thing Satan did was to cast doubt upon the Word of God…

1. DOUBT..

“Yea hath God said?” The first thing Satan did in the very beginning was to cause a DOUBT. He questioned the Word of God. His tactic has not changed. Behind every new ‘version’ are the words, “Yea hath God said?” “Did God really mean that?” The second thing he did was to…..

2. DILUTE

After he plants DOUBT he goes further by adding, “In reality God is keeping something from you.” “Your eyes will be opened and you will be like God. Satan tries to bring this up to today’s language; He said to Eve,“Have you read the latest commentary on that verse? We checked the “originals” and the “originals”say something else.” Just change a word here, and there another. “Let’s update. The language in the KJB is archaic.” Now, don’t you believe that lie. Don’t change the Bible, change your language. “Every Word of God is Pure.” And then, his next attack….

3. DENY.

“Ye shall NOT surely die.” After Satan plants his DOUBTS, then he dilutes by adding, he continues his attack by DENYING the Word.. And with every new version, RSV, TEB, NKJV, NASV, NIV, etc, the attack continues. A careful verse by verse comparison of these new ‘versions’ with the Authorized King James Bible clearly shows entire passages omitted, added to, or edited. The KJB says in First Tim. 3:16,”God was manifest in the flesh.” the same verse in the NIV says, “He appeared in a body.” The question is, “who appeared in a body? Buddha? Allah? Who?” Hundreds and hundreds of changes in the confusion of “Bibles.” today started with just changing a little word, here, and there. God is not in the confusion about the Bible. And the attack goes on…

DISOBEY.
The door is now open. “Go ahead Eve, partake of the forbidden fruit. It’s delicious! Your eyes will be opened and you will see glorious things.”“Every Word of God is pure. He is a shield to them that put their trust in Him. Add not to His Words, lest He reprove thee, and thou shalt be found a liar.” (Prov. 30:5-6). We DISOBEY when we DOUBT. We DISOBEY when we DILUTE. We DISOBEY when we DENY, we DISOBEY when we DELIBERATELY tamper with, change, or explain away any portion, passage, or precept.

A dear lady recently asked me, “My preacher’s bible doesn’t read like my bible. What should I do?” My answer to her and to anyone, “Get out! Leave!. Find a good Bible (KJB) preaching Church. We disobey the clear commandment when we listen to or go along with this modern corrupting of the Word of God. “Oh, but preacher, this is my home church, we have been here for many years.” It’s still wrong. Get out. “From such, turn away.”(2Tim 3:5).

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

THINK ABOUT IT….Sin has made a mess out of man. The Bible makes a man out of a mess.

God is in the pottery business. He has been making new vessels out of broken pieces for centuries.

“We are subject to the men who rule over us, but subject only in the Lord. If they command anything against Him, let us not pay the least regard to it.”……..John Calvin

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

JUSTIFICATION

“Therefore being Justified by Faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ro. 5:1).

We have been going through the Book of Romans in our morning messages lately. I call It “ROAMING THROUGH ROMANS” I have enjoyed it. Today, allow me to share a few thoughts about Justification. The word Justification means. “To be declared Just, or to be made “Just as though I never sinned. And that is the way we stand in Christ Jesus. It matters not what our life may have been, Faith in Christ alone makes us just as though we never sinned.

This is the miracle of the New Birth.

1. THE CONTENT OF JUSTIFICATION…

(A).JUSTIFICATION is apart from the Law. See Romans 3:20, 24, 28..

The purpose of the Law was to reveal sin, and how sinful sin is. “Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith,(Gal. 3:24) “Therefore by the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be Justified in His sight. For by the Law is the knowledge of sin.” (Ro. 3:20).

(B) Justification appeared in the Law and the Prophets…

Abraham was Justified 430 years before the Law, see Ro. 4:1-8.

The Prophet Habakkuk 2:4 Said “The Just (Justified) shall live by faith. This verse is repeated 4 times in the Bible.

JUSTIFICATION is available in Christ alone. (Ro 3:24-26.

Justification contains forgiveness from all sin, past, present, and all possible sin. Ro. 3:24. “Being justified freely by His Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Ro. 3:24.

That verse has three amazing words….

JUSTIFIED. “To be declared “Just.”

REDEMPTION. “Deliverance from bondage.

GRACE. It is all a free gift of God.

2. THE INTENT OF JUSTIFICATION.

(A) That man might be made right with God. (Ro. 5:1-8). What a blessing, “Peace with God).

Since Genesis 3:15, a battle has been raging in many ways between God and man. Christ, in His finished work on the cross ended that battle and now, by simple faith, the war is over.

3. THE EXTENT OF JUSTIFICATION.

“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe,. For there is no difference.” (Ro. 3:22).

ALL THAT BELIEVE! To believe is to Trust, to receive.. Justification has nothing to do with your background, you position on earth, your moral or social standing. Justification is for all who believe.

Job asked that important question…””How should a man be Just with God?” (Job 9:2).

He answers in the middle of the chapter…

“If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me.”(Job 9:20). If I say that I am justified, If I just tell everyone, I’m right with God, my speech will condemn me. If I say, I will forget my complaint, and comfort myself. It is not by the power of positive thinking.

“If I say I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself.” (Job 9:27-28). It is not by being remorseful.

“If I wash myself with snow water and make my hands never so clean.” (Job 9:30). If I reform myself, mine own clothes shall abhor me.” Justification is not something that I can do, or help with,It is all faith and trust in the finished work of Christ.

Now, what about you my friend. Are you trying, hoping, thinking maybe? I urge you to right now, get your mind out of the picture. Trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone. He is there, wherever you may be. Claim the promise of God; “But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” JUSTIFIED, FREELY, FOREVER!

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

FRESH FISH FOR SALE, TODAY!

By an unknown author

A man opening a Fish Store hung up his sign;

FRESH FISH FOR SALE, TODAY, and invited his friends to the opening. They were all glad at his enterprise, but one suggested that his sign might be improved. “Why the word; “TODAY?” Of course it’s TODAY, not yesterday, or tomorrow. So the fish monger removed the word. Another said, “Why the words “FOR SALE?” Everybody knows that, or else why would you open your store? And off came the words. Another complained,”Why the word “FRESH? ““Your integrity guarantees that every fish will be fresh,” and off came the word. Finally the word “FISH”remained, but another objection was raised; “Why the sign? I can smell your fish two blocks away.”

MORAL…The Church that tries to satisfy everyone winds up pleasing nobody. Put your sign up and stand by it.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Pastor Mills…I am in prison. I am a Christian. There seems to be so little I can do. Any suggestions?

Answer… I am glad that we have this opportunity to send this Publication, in bulk to many prisons. I trust that the New Year will open more doors for us that we may reach further with the Gospel.

First, I am glad to know that you are a Christian. I know that it is not easy there by any stretch of imagination. But you can make the best out of the time you have there.

Study your Bible. If you do not have one, let me know, I will see that you get one. Enroll in a good correspondence course. There are many.

Witness to other inmates in prison. We can help you with some tracts, or some other literature you may need. Many in prison have never heard a clear Gospel message.

LEARN TO PRAY! Pray for yourself. You have as much right and access to God as does anyone else. Ask God for the Spiritual power. Create a Prayer list, and never give up on praying. I thank God that in places that I know not of, people are praying for me and this Ministry.

Not only should you enroll in a Bible course, you should work on some degree. If you need High School, work on that. Use your mind. Don’t fill your mind with the foolishness of this world. Learn to use your mind. Read..study. The mind is Satan’s workshop. Don’t give him a foothold..

Self examination. What led you there in the first place? SIN. Determine, by the Grace of God that “I will never be the same.” Many many have lived a life of crime, and were sent to prison, and there, they found Christ to be real. They receive Him as Saviour, and left prison to do wonderful works for God. Let that be you!

As I said, I know that life there is not easy, but you can make the best out of it. Let this time make

YOU BETTER, and not BITTER..

God Bless you….Pastor Mills

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“How can I know God’s Will for my life?

Answer… This is never an easy question to answer.. I remember when I was a young convert, I wanted to know God’s Will. As I read the Scriptures, it seemed to me that God was speaking directly to me through the Bible …AND HE WAS! I believe that the Holy Spirit who lives in every believer will take the things of Christ and show them to us. The Book of Romans says “Present yourself a living sacrifice.” (Ro 12:1-2)

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Let me express with gratitude every letter, every call, every comment, every offering concerning this Ministry. I am so glad that we are going into many places both here in our homeland and in foreign lands.

Thanks so very much. Pray for us that we will be able to go further with the Gospel in this New Year1 Thanks!