His Truth Is Marching On: Advanced Studies on Prophecy in the Light of History - Softcover

Woodrow, Ralph

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0916938034 ISBN 13: 9780916938031

Publisher: Ralph Woodrow, 1977

Synopsis

At His first coming, Jesus said the kingdom was at hand. Did he then "postpone" the kingdom because the Jews rejected Him? Do the Scriptures teach a Jewish-type millennium when God will turn back to animal sacrifices in a Jerusalem temple? Presents reasons for believing a "fulfilled" view regarding Joel's prophecy, the 144,000, the coming of Elijah, and Ezekiel 38. Also discusses the error of setting dates for the return of Christ--1844, 1914, etc.

About this title

About the Author

In addition to authoring over a dozen books, Ralph Woodrow has had the opportunity to speak for many Churches and groups of various denominations during 40 years of ministry--including camp meetings, conventions and conferences. Through a unique set of circumstances he was put into the ministry at age 18. His ministry began in Canada, where he went as a pianist for an evangelist--but soon several Churches and groups opened their doors for Ralph to preach extended revival meetings. When he returned home after a few of months of ministry in Canada, God continued to open doors for him to preach the Gospel--holding revivals at many Churches and denominational rallies. As a single man of 21 he felt led to hold tent revivals and also to preach on the radio, with good results from both. From these early beginnings sprang an inter-denominational ministry, through which many effective doors of ministry open to this day.

In his early teens, he began to search the Scriptures--becoming intrigued to discover things in the Bible that he hadn't been taught. Similarly, he began to discover that some of the things he had been taught were not in the Bible. Ralph memorized hundreds of Scriptures as a teenager--his whole life revolved around studying God's Word and seeking God's will for his life. He preached his first sermon when he was 15 in their local Church. He spent much time at the Church, doing anything he could to serve the Lord--mowing the lawns, cleaning the Church, praying, and attending the meetings where he grew in the Spirit-filled life.

Throughout his ministry, in addition to preaching the Gospel at large, he has shared neglected biblical truths. AS AN AUTHOR, he is known for his scholarly research, along with his emphasis on the importance of love and unity. He emphasizes that if Christians disagree on some points of doctrine--they should disagree agreeably--knowing that all Christians agree on more than they disagree. Books he has authored total over a half million in print. Also, he has shared printed sermons with a select list--since 1961. Woodrow was born in San Jacinto, California and grew up in nearby Riverside. He and his wife, Arlene who is also a minister and writer, minister in various capacities locally in addition to periodically ministering throughout the U.S., and sometimes in Canada.

FREE-learn more about Woodrow's ministry. Send a legal size SASE and request "Celebrating 40 Years Ministry" ('97) and the January '98 "Palm Springs Letter."

From the Back Cover

HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON is a fascinating, interesting, and easy-to-understand study on biblical prophecy, shedding light and clarity on Scriptures that are sometimes veiled or misunderstood. Though challenging some of today's popular prophetic views, in Ralph's characteristic use of biblical and scholarly principles of reasoning and research, his conclusions come forth in a "spirit of love an unity."

Though the basic message is the same as former editions, as I proofread this 1996 edition, I was stirred afresh at the reality of the powerful Kingdom truths presented. I seemed to sense the message is timely, and that this edition will go forth with a fresh anointing to bless the Church, the Body of Christ!

Chapters that especially ministered to me include: "The Kingdom of God-Postponed or Present?" and "Christ-King of kings-NOW!; enlightening truths that will cause one's walk with God to be more effective and vibrant-showing that Christ's Kingdom is present reality-that we rule and reign with Him in righteousness, not only in the future, but now!

An enlightening chapter is "Do The Scriptures Teach A Jewish-type Millennium?" Sometimes Scriptures have been applied to an age to come, when in reality they have already been fulfilled. To suppose that God will accept animal sacrifices for sin in a future rebuilt Jerusalem temple, would be religion in reverse. God does not walk backwards!

Additionally, this "must have" book includes: A close look at the history and folly of "date setting." It explores certain "future or fulfilled" questions regarding: seven women/one man, the coming of Elijah, the 144,000, Joel's prophecy, the "day of the Lord," and the battle of Ezekiel 38.

Seeing how prophecy has been fulfilled in the past, with renewed hope we can look forward to that grand and glorious Day when He who is King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, shall come again! -Arlene Woodrow (Mrs. Ralph Woodrow)

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

It was the night of October 30, 1938. Orson Wells-then 23 years old-presented on radio a dramatic account of an invasion from Mars, complete with "news" bulletins and "eye-witness reports" about the invasion and accompanying destruction of the eastern portion of the United States!

Though an effort had been made to explain it was only a play, out of six million who heard the network program, it has been estimated that two million believed it was actually happening! Police headquarters, newspapers, and radio stations, were swamped with anguished calls. A young man in New Jersey went speeding to a priest so he could make "peace with God before dying." At 80 miles an hour, his car went out of control and overturned, but he escaped unhurt. It is said that two geology professors set out for New Jersey with the intention of buying the Martian cylinders to exhibit at their university!

Another time of mass fright followed September 11, 1909 when Professor Wolf announced that Halley's Comet would brush the earth on the night of May 18, 1910, leaving death and destruction in its path. A number of astronomers agreed with Wolf's conclusions. One astronomer announced that the comet's tail was composed of deadly cyanogen gas. Some people packed the cracks of their windows with rags and old papers to keep out the poisonous fumes! Some bought tanks of oxygen. Others figured that if the end was at hand, they might as well have a good time and "live it up." Still others were fearful and prayed. But the night of May 18, 1910 came and went, and the hysteria was soon forgotten.

History has also recorded times of mass excitement in connection with dates that have been set for the coming of Christ and the end of the age. Jesus said: "BUT OF THAT DAY AND THAT HOUR KNOWETH NO MAN, no not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take heed, watch and pray, for you know not when the TIME is" (Mk. 13:32, 33; Matt. 24:36; 25:13). Nevertheless, over the centuries men have repeatedly set dates for this event. Some have sought to justify this by saying that we may not know "the day or hour"-but this does not mean we can't know the YEAR!

Thousands sincerely believed that Christ would return in the year 1844. William Miller-from whom the Adventists trace their beginning as a distinct movement-is generally credited (or discredited) with setting the 1844 date. When Miller first thought he knew when the Lord would return, he told only his wife and closest friends. For 13 years he remained silent on his farm. But he continued his study of the prophecies and attended church regularly. He was a Baptist.

Then one day in 1831, he was asked to come to a nearby town and share his ideas. This was the beginning. Being a farmer, the farmers and small town folks of New England in the 1830's felt this was a man they could trust. He was one of them. The word spread until thousands of Christians-scattered through various denominations-had accepted the Advent teaching and date of October 22, 1844.

When the day finally arrived, many gathered in churches and meeting halls to await the end. Others remained quietly at home. The daylight hours passed then dusk and night. When the clock struck midnight, the failure of their hope was evident. An early Adventist wrote: "Such a spirit of weeping came over us as I never experienced before...we wept and wept till the day dawned".... Miller believed the 1844 date was indicated by Daniel 8:14: "Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Figuring that the 2300 days symbolized 2300 years, and that the prophecy should be measured from the same starting point as the 70 weeks (457 BC), he concluded that 2300 years would measure to the year 1844. The "sanctuary" he took to mean the earth; that it would be cleansed by the "flaming fire" that would accompany Christ at his coming....

Another famous date that was set for the Second Coming or presence of Christ and the end of Gentile rule was the year 1914. This was the date set by Charles Taze Russell who founded that movement which is today known as the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Writing 26 years before, Russell said that by 1914 "all present governments will be overthrown and dissolved"; that Jesus "will then be present as earth's new Ruler"; and that "neither Israel nor the world of mankind...will no longer be trodden down, oppressed and misruled by beastly Gentile powers. The Kingdom of God and his Christ will then be established in the earth."

Pastor Russell lived to see the year 1914 come and go-to witness the failure of his prediction. What was his reply to this? In 1916 he wrote: "The thought that the church would all be gathered to glory before October, 1914, certainly did have a very stimulating effect upon thousands, all of whom accordingly can praise the Lord-even for the mistake."

Nevertheless, the date of 1914 has been retained. Jehovah's Witnesses claim that the overthrow of Gentile power began in that year-that Russell was wrong only in that he expected these things to happen more suddenly than they did. It is pointed out that it was in 1914 that Word War I broke out.

The basis for the 1914 date was to be found, supposedly, in Leviticus 26. God told Israel that they would be blessed if they would obey him; but punished if they disobeyed. "And if you will not for all this harken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; then I...will chastise you SEVEN TIMES for your sins" (Lev. 26:28)....

Tichonius, an early Christian writer, believed Christ would return in 381 AD. In the book of Revelation, we read about "time, times, and the dividing of time." He figured a "time" as a century. Thus time, times, and the dividing of time would equal three and a half centuries. Then figuring-evidently-the time of Christ's ministry as the beginning for these 350 years, he arrived at the year 381 AD!....

Hippolytus (170-236) and also Lactantius (250-330) believed the year 500 AD would be the time of the Second Coming of Christ. This was based on some erroneous dates given in the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament....

Michael Stiefel (1486-1567), a friend of Martin Luther, taught that Christ would come in judgment at 8 A.M. on October 19, 1533! Luther warned him against making such claims. Nevertheless, he continued and the news spread far and wide. Three days before, crowds began to assemble to await the final hours. Stiefel administered the Lord's supper. When the date failed, the disappointment knew no bounds. Some had neglected their work and lost their harvest....

In spite of the fact that many dates have been set-and have failed-we share with all Christians the grand and glorious hope of his coming! We are content, however, to leave the "times and seasons" in his hands, believing that some things God REVEALS, and some things he CONCEALS. We will seek to "occupy until he comes" and not live in fear about trying to escape to Petra, or Israel, or some desert place. We do not pretend to know the day nor hour-or year! -of his coming. We do believe, though, that with every breath we draw that his coming is getting closer all the time. As Paul said: "Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed" (Rom. 13:11).

Edition details

• Publisher: Ralph Woodrow
• Publication date: 1977
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0916938034
• ISBN 13: 9780916938031
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 119