60 Seconds with the General Secretary
There is a vital difference. Christianity alone of all the religions of the world worships and serves a living Founder. The Easter season brings that fact into clear focus.
Have you heard the TRIUMPHANT ACCLAMATION?
He lives, He is not here, He is risen. Come! See the place where He lay.
Have you seen the NATURAL REVELATION?
Nature’s awakening yawn, beginnings of a soft carpet of green, the Easter lily in all of its simplistic beauty.
Have you participated in the HUMAN ATTESTATION?
Before I was blind, but now I can see. I’m not all that I ought to be and I’m not all that I expect to be, but thank God I’m not what I used to be.
Have you studied the PROPHETIC ANTICIPATlON?
King David, a thousand years before Christ, predicted Christ’s resurrection.
“Thou wilt not leave my soul in sheol, neither wilt thou permit thine Holy One to see corruption.” Psalm 16:10
Job confidently asserted:
“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” Job 19:25
History, Revelation, Nature and Prophecy converge at the empty tomb to bear witness that Christ arose from the grave. Unlike “Star Trek” we are not asked to go boldly where no man has ever gone before. We are not encouraged to take a leap in the dark. God does not command a stoic, resolute attitude in the face of the unknown.
Hear the inspired penman,
“For as much, then, us the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver them who, through fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14, 15
During the Battle of Waterloo, England waited silently for news of the outcome. Its citizenry knew full well that if Wellington could not defeat Napoleon, England would be lost. Patience was exhausted, nerves were frayed. Finally, semaphore signals appeared from a ship in the English Channel. From the top of the Winchester Cathedral trained eyes read the news:
WELLINGTON DEFEATED –
Fog set in and no further transmission was possible. “Wellington defeated” was relayed throughout England. Despair reigned as the people prepared for the worst. What would Napoleon do to their beloved England. Later, the fog lifted and the full message was communicated –
WELLINGTON DEFEATED THE ENEMY!
Apparent defeat was in reality victory.
Two thousand years ago a disheartening message came from a Jewish tomb:
JESUS DEFEATED –
With the death of the Messiah the hopes and dreams of His disciples came to what they believed was an insoluble end. They scattered anticipating the worst. On the third day the stone which secured the tomb was rolled away and the full message was communicated –
JESUS DEFEATED THE ENEMY!
Apparent failure was in reality triumphant victory.
As you read this editorial, child of God, are you convinced that your hopes and dreams have been dashed along the shores of life? Do you feel you have been defeated? Not so! He lives and because He lives, we too shall live. Gloriously!!!
Excitingly yours because redemptively His,
Marvin J. Rosenthal
“And it shall come to pass in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem” Zechariah 3:9
