Friday, September 30, 2011

The New Covanant Blessings

Dr. Couch's new book gives the historical events that are leading up to the coming of Christ to establish His government in the earth! The hardback 175 page book is now available for just $11. The book deals with two subjects:

* The New Covenant Blessings for the Church
* The Coming Reign of Christ

Make donation check out to Scofield Ministries, 120 CR 3222, Clifton, TX 76634.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Messianic Systematic Theology of the Old Testament

This newest book by Dr. Mal Couch is the first of its kind to aid Messianic Jews in understanding the theology of the Old Testament. It has copious quotes from the orthodox Jewish Rabbis who have a great appreciation of the inspiration of the Bible. The Rabbis are sound in their interpretations except, unfortunately, they do not accept Jesus as their Savior and King.

The volume is also important for all those who love Israel and who appreciate the Old Testament. If you are a messianic Gentile (goy), you will want this book to share with Friends of Israel. Also, it is perfect for giving away to Jewish acquaintances who are considering the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as the way of salvation. The donation for the book is just $17. Make check out to Scofield Ministries: 120 CR 3222, Clifton, TX 76634.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

America: Founded as a Christian Nation?

Is America a Christian Nation? I believe we can say "It was." Things have changed. Our people have departed from the Lord. You need this latest book as you face the time of voting in November. The book needs to be read before you go to the polls.

This hardback 150 page book is yours for a donation of $17. Send a check with your name and address to Scofield Ministries: 120 CR 3222, Clifton, TX 76634. Please feel free to pass it around, and give a copy to your pastor.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Ask Dr. Couch

Dr. Couch, could Gog be the anti-christ in Ezekiel 38?

ANSWER: No, not really. First, he is only over the land of Magog (and he is also the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal) and not the entire world, or the Roman empire, as all believe he will be, from what is said in Revelation. The description of him does not match up with Revelation 13 or any other thing describing him in Revelation. In Ezekiel 38 his description is too limited. The event of Gog and Magog is confined and is not universal as played out in Revelation.
Thanks for asking.
--Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Monday, September 26, 2011

The Birth of the Nation of Israel

Every Christian needs to read this new book by Dr. Couch to understand what God is doing in the Middle East. It is a thorough treatment of the founding of the Jewish State. While the Jews have gone back in unbelief, as prophesied, they are now beginning to turn to Christ as their Savior. The fulfillment of prophecy is coming to pass before our eyes. Don’t miss reading this important book! We are asking for a donation of $17. Please send us your name and address for that copy. Scofield Ministries, 120 CR 3222, Clifton, TX. 76634.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Two Volumes in One Book

Darwin, Evolution, and the American Constitution

New Book will make an important contribution to understanding our American Constitution. Dr. Andy Woods has discovered the keys to our Constitution and our American way of life. The book is most important for every believer to read and study. Get an extra copy for your pastor and Sunday school teacher.

Denying Christ's Second Coming

Dr. Couch in this new volume also sets forth the arguments for the doctrine of the return of Christ. Many attempt to deny what the Bible is saying about His return. You need this book in order to defend the doctrine of the Messianic Kingdom that may not be far away.

This one book, with two subjects, may not last long. Only a limited number have been printed. Send a donation of $17 to Scofield Ministries, 120 CR 3222, Clifton, TX 76634:

The two subjects in the one book are very important for what is happening in our nation, and around the world. DON'T DELAY!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Perhaps Today

Dr. Mal Couch and Dr. Paul Benware have finished working together on a new book making the doctrine of the rapture of the church clear for those who may be confused.

This is one of the most important doctrines in Scripture because it tells how the dispensation of the church will end. The authors' hope is that the book is kept simple for those who have not received much teaching from the Word of God on the issue. There are about seventeen different rapture passages in Scripture.

Dr. Benware and Dr. Couch have both written extensively on the subject in various publications. One of the most important chapters was written by Dr. Couch that thoroughly explains the subject. This chapter has been re-published in three nationally publicized volumes on theology (Harvest House). Dr. Benware's book “End Times Prophecy” (Moody Press) is one of the most popular works on biblical prophecy and the doctrine of the rapture.

For a donation of only $10. Send your name and address to: Scofield Ministries, 120 CR 3222, Clifton, TX 76634.

Friday, September 23, 2011

The Jews and the Founding of America

Many do not know how blessed America is with its Jewish population. They came to these shores and were blessed, but in turn, they blessed America. This untold story is documented by Dr. Mal Couch. It focuses on the Southwest with incredible information. Send a donation check of $15 to Scofield Ministries, 120 CR 3222, Clifton, TX 76634. Reading that will inspire all who love Israel.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Ask Dr. Couch

Dr. Couch, who are 'the rest of her seed' in Revelation 12:17? Are these the church saints?

ANSWER: No. At this point, remember the world is deep into the tribulation. The church saints have been raptured. The "her" is not the church, "she" is Israel that Satan is trying to destroy. Remember context, context, context!

The Jewish people keep God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus as well. Thomas says rightly "this sequence says rather plainly that 'the rest of her seed' is none other than the 144,000." He adds, "The rest of her seed as the 144,000 Israaelites who were sealed in chapter 7. These have the distinction of being active witnesses throughout the world during the last three and one half years before Christ returns."

Thanks for asking.
--Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Ask Dr. Couch

Dr. Couch, do we still have the tug of the sin nature in the Christian life?

ANSWER: There is a lot of confusion on this issue. While POSITIONALLY the old man was crucified with Christ we still wrestle with sin in the life. Romans 7:14, 17, 20, 21 are good verses that tell us we have a struggle even as Christians with sin. Paul writes: "I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin" and "sin which indwells in me," "sin which dwells in me" and "evil is present in me." This is not about our past position, it is about the present Christian and spiritual walk.

We read in Romans 6:6 that the "old self (old man) was crucified with Him." This is positionally truth. But then Paul adds that in our walk we should "no longer be slaves to sin" (6:6). Positionally, "we died with Christ (v. 8) and we now are "to live to God" (v. 10).

Therefore, in the walk we are "to consider, reckon" ourselves "alive to God in Christ Jesus" (v. 11). With a Present Imperative we are to "not allow sin to reign, rule in our mortal body that we should obey its lusts," again, in the walk. "We are not to be presenting the members of our body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but (instead) be presenting ourselves to God as those alive from the dead and our members as instruments of righteousness to God" (v. 13).

Those who have problems with the differences between POSITIONAL and EXPERIENTIAL truth get all of this confused. It really is very simply. For example, Paul says we are now "in the heavenlies" ("heavenly places") in God's viewpoint, that is, POSITIONALLY, we are there, in glory! (Because God is not bound by time!) But in our time-walk, in the daily experience, we are still living out the Christian life on earth.

May this help in our understanding in the struggle in the Christian life.

Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

EVOLUTION HOAX

Did you know: That certain owls have extra large wings so that when they dive on the mouse, the poor little creature can't hear them coming? Also, they have groves in their wings that make the wind noise less, again so that the mouse does not hear them coming. How did this species of owl "evolve" such mechanisms? If it did not, it would not have eaten and would have died long ago! There was no evolution in their creation.

Did you know: That makko sharks swim 6 times faster than humans. On their skin they have tiny teeth to reduce drag and give them more speed. They need this because of their large size. What if they did not have these teeth? They would have missed their meals and would have died.

Did you know: That certain gulls can dive into the water at 90 mph in order to catch fish and that they begin the dive from twice the height of Olympic divers? They dive dozens of times per day, and if not, their chicks would die from lack of food. A half a second before they hit the water, an air bag opens on the top of their heads and a bag opens around their chest in order to keep them alive from the dive! THIS IS NOT LEARNED BEHAVIOR! They were created this way; these air bags did not evolve. These gulls were created this way—thus, no evolution! Only these specific gulls do this. No other birds can do the same!

And yet our kids in public school are told that these things just evolved by chance, by accident! How foolish. More and more "evolutionists" are turning away from believing such things, and yet, they do not confess that they've got it all wrong!

One of my courses in college was an anti-evolution biology study taught by a Ph.D. in biology. He really knew what he was talking about! Do you know another Bible teacher who was so blessed with such a course? Probably not.

--Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Saturday, September 17, 2011

KIND WORD FROM JOHN DWYER

Fifteen years ago he sent me this kind word. He was then the editor of the Christian newspaper in Ft. Worth.

"Dr. Couch, to my dear brother and go-laborer—may you and I each leave a legacy of honor and godliness like Stonewall Jackson as he served the Lord and also his country." This would be the prayer and concern of all of us as we strive to serve in very troubled times. In the biography of Jackson written by Rondel Rumburg, we read this that is fitting for our day:

"There is always a great danger of losing an understanding of the heritage of an era when present-day historians and writers try to impose their own cultural mores on that period of time. Charles Rollins in his Ancient History, declared, 'Man, when abandoned to his own ideas, sees nothing beyond the present moment.' When the vision is thus limited there will be a near-sighted approach to history. It is at that point when distortions become the facts of history. … The greatest threat is within, because some are conforming to the will of the change agents."

Our Christian culture today is collapsing rapidly. Pastors are moving away from the Word of God in order to conform to what the world desires. We can't keep up with the evil changes that are coming upon us so quickly. Campus Crusade has dropped the name of Christ in their title. Many Bible churches are dropping the word "Bible." They all want to be accepted and be politically correct. Someday there will be a price to pay. We indeed are deep into the apostasy. A judgment is certainly not far away.

--Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Friday, September 16, 2011

ISRAEL WILL SOMEDAY FIGHT AGAIN THE MUSLIMS

Isaiah 11:11-16 is a great prophetic passage that describes the preliminary events of Israel's persecution by the Arab nations, even Islam, so notes Dr. Merrill F. Unger, the great OT scholar of years past. The verses tell us of the Jews returning to Zion, as Unger notes, beginning in 1948 with the founding of the state of Israel.

These prophesied events "will happen on that day" (v. 11). God "will again recover the second time with His hand the remnant of His people who" have remained in the Arab lands after being scattered (v. 11b). They will return back to their Holy Land "from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands (the continents, along the shores) around the sea (v. 11c).

The Lord "will lift up a flag (a standard) for the nations, and will assemble the banished ones of Israel, and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth" (v. 12). The Jews will not fight with each other (the Northern kingdom-Ephraim, and the Southern kingdom-Judah) (v. 13). Unger writes that "the old rancor will be healed in the kingdom, and the unity of all Israel will become a blessed reality."

When the Jews are back in their Holy Land, they will "swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines on the west" (v. 14). They will secure their western borders and subdue the peoples who are the leftover of the Philistine tribes. The Jews will "plunder the sons of the east" (v. 14b) by possessing the Arab Muslim peoples near by: the Edomites, the Moabites, and the sons of Ammon (v. 14c).

Nature will be changed by the Lord (v. 15). He will "utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt (the Red Sea, Sea of Reeds); and He will wave His hand over the River (Euphrates)," today where we see Iran and Iraq. Men will walk "dry-shod" over the river-bed (v. 15b). And as the kingdom begins, the Lord will establish "a highway from Assyria for the remnant of His people who will be left, just as there was for Israel in the day that they came up out of the land of Egypt (under Moses)" (v. 16).

Several things must happen first: (1) the apostasy (which we see presently), (2) the rapture of the church, (3) the terrible seven year tribulation, (4) and then finally, when Christ comes to establish His kingdom reign. All events are drawing closer to fulfillment! We are closer than we can imagine!

--Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Ask Dr. Couch

Dr. Couch, I understand that some think that the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) is not applicable to the church age today. Is this true, and, what do you think?



ANSWER: In the Bible there are first and secondary applications in various chapters. A question: is the Law in the OT seen with a first application to us today, or a secondary application? Are we under the Law, or was the Law for the Jewish people during their existence in OT times?

All would answer that the Law was for the Jews during the dispensation of the Law. Yet, there are great spiritual principles in the Law for us today, but not with direction application. I can learn many great principles from the Law as I read it but we are not under the Law in a direct way now in this church age.

The same is true with the Sermon on the Mount. For example we read in Matthew 5:3 of the "poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Do the poor today receive blessings by being under the kingdom of heaven? Of course not, the kingdom of heaven is the messianic kingdom that is yet to come, when Christ returns as Israel's Messiah! This was anticipated by the Jews, but the kingdom of heaven is not the church today.

Do you think that 5:20 is about us today, those now living in the church age? It reads: "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." Do you think that is for the church presently? Of course not!

Are we guilty of fiery hell (5:22) if we say to a brother RACA? This is extremely Jewish and must be understood in regard to the Jews who were then under the Law.

Do we stand and pray in the synagogue as mentioned in 6:5. No, we do not. Do we "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" as the Jews? To a certain extent yes but in another sense we do not (6:33).

Again, while there are certain spiritual lessons in the Sermon on the Mount for us today, these verses are not first for the church dispensation. They were for the Jews who were looking for the messianic rule of the Messiah over Israel in the Holy Land. First application would be for Israel and the Jews; second application would be for us, but interpreted with caution.

When we read our newspaper we apply the same principles of interpretation. I know that the first page of my newspaper is about "hard" news and is not the advertising section of the paper. I know that it is not the editorial section, nor the want-ad section. When I read my newspaper I read it with sound "hermeneutics." I apply the various sections in the proper way. I don't simply apply every paragraph directly to me, from every sentence, with a broad stroke of the brush! I do the same when reading and applying the Bible to every situation.

Common sense is needed when reading the Scriptures!

I hope this helps. Thanks for asking. --Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

MOVING INTO THE APOSTASY

The apostasy is upon us. I predicted three years ago that by watching TV we would see the apostasy increasing by what is shown on the tube. And I was right! Television is getting dirtier and dirtier. More filth is being pumped into our culture. And, there is no turning back.

Women are dominating the TV screen. As news anchors and as cop-erettes. The John Waynes are gone. This was predicted in Scripture. In Isaiah 3 we read: "The young boys will be their leaders (princes) and capricious children will rule over them" (v. 4). "There oppressors will be children, and women will rule over them. … Those who guide you will lead you astray, and confuse the direction of your paths" (v. 12). "The people will be oppressed, … the youth will storm against the elder, and the inferior against the honorable one" (v. 5). They will say "You have a cloak (of honor), therefore you shall be our ruler" (v. 6).

More is coming. It is not getting better! --Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

AMERICA AND THE MUSLIMS: WE'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE!

The courts have made it clear "America is a Christian nation." People knew that the Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and others were not part of the American culture. "The legal debates knew that the generic Christian faith, was what built up this nation. Our culture, our society, was all built on the Bible and Christianity. "The essential difference between the American Revolution and the French Revolution was an anti-religious event." John Adams said as much when he observed that the "Revolution was in the mind and hearts of the people, and change in their religious sentiments of their duties and obligations." American generic Christianity fit hand in glove with republicanism. Alexis de Tocqueville provided a virtual road map for the future direction of the young nation, observed that in the U.S. the spirit of religion and the spirit of freedom were ultimately unified, and that they reigned in common over the same country..

John Adams negotiated a peace treaty with the Islamic Barbery Pirates because they were raiding our commerce ships. We virtually went to war with them. This stopped them from moving further into Europe in their effort to take over that part of the world. We are now going into round two. The Muslims are coming on to capture the entire world for Allah! --Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Monday, September 12, 2011

GOD SENDS THE RAIN OR STOPS IT!

Has God stopped the rain in America? Yes, of course! We read that He is in charge of His history, and His nature in His world. We read that the Lord says, "I will remove the hedge (of protection) and it will be consumed; I will break down its walls and it will become trampled ground. And I will lay it waste … I will also charge the clouds, TO RAIN OR NOT TO RAIN on the world" (Isa. 5:6). The reason: My people "do not pay attention to the deeds of the Lord, nor do they consider the work of His hands" (v. 12).

For "My people have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. … Therefore, He has stretched out His hand against them and struck them down, and the mountains quaked. … For all this His anger is not spent, but His hand is still stretched out" in declaring a judgment (vv. 25-26).

The people just say "We play." This is what we see today on TV. Americans just "Play, play, and play." It seems to never end! The people "rise up early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink; who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!" (v. 11). They will go into exile for lack of knowledge (v. 13).

The people in America love signs from the Lord. They ask God to hurry up, to make hasten His work, "so that they may see it. … Let the purpose of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come to pass, that we may know what He is doing" (v. 19). In fact, they call evil good, and good evil; and substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; they substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. They justify the wicked for a bribe and take away the rights of the ones who are in the right" (vv. 20-23).

Americans are too occupied to be concerned about His coming. They ask "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation" (2 Pet. 3:4). Job adds that the Lord sends the drops of rain and the clouds, and His thundering. He spreads the lightning about Him … for by it He judges the peoples (of earth); He gives food in abundance. He commands the lightning to strike its mark. Its noise declares His presence. The cattle know what is coming!" (Job 36:29-33). HE IS IN CHARGE!

He tells the snow to fall upon the earth (37:6) and He tells the rain to be strong (v. 6). He loads the clouds with thick moisture; He disperses the clouds of His lightning. It changes direction, turning around by His guidance that it may do whatever He commands it on the face of the inhabited earth. Whether for correction, or for (the benefit) of His world, or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen" (vv. 12-13).

Thus, He holds back the rain, the clouds and snow, or He sends it!

God sends rain on the land where there is no people, He satisfies the young lions, the young birds cry to God for food, or wander about without food, as He sees fit! (38:26-41).

Storms, earthquakes, drought, fires, tornadoes, floods, all come upon us by God's command. Nothing happens by accident. We are hopeless and helpless without His intervention.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

ISLAM AND BABYLON THE HARLOT

For some time now many of us have been looking at Islam as the driving force behind Babylon the Harlot as seen in Revelation 17-18. While we certainly do not want to interpret the Bible by current history, this idea has some possibility to it.

Shoebat in his latest book "God's War On Terror" has opened the door on this idea with a lot of evidence that this may be true.

These names of well-known men of the past have also thought this could be possible:

John Wesley said "The iron teeth of Islam matches closely with" such an idea.

Hilaire Belloc (1938) said "I believe that a main unexpected thing of the future is the return of Islam."

Gregory Palamus of Thessalonica (1354) wrote "The Muslims live by the bow, the sword and debauchery, taking slaves, devoting themselves to murder, pillage, spoil, they believe God approves of them."

Vernon Richards said Islam and Muhammad's concept of Allah believes in making the whole world Muslim, this is an actual mandate for war. This is their latest attempt to conquer the infidel world."

Josiah Litch (1840) interpreted the star in the figurative language of Revelation, is a minister of religion.

Sir Robert Anderson argued for the rise of power with Iran, Iraq, and Turkey as the great kingdoms who seek power in the end times.

Anderson added that the Levant and not the Adriatic, Jerusalem and not Rome, is the center of the world in the End Times.

Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386) said the antichrist will come from the Middle East is certainly not new.

Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem (560-638) identified the Muslim occupation of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount as the fulfillment of the "abomination that causes desolation" that is always associated with the coming of the antichrist."

Other names can be mentioned such as Maximus The Confessor (580-662), John of Damascus (676-749), Eulogius, Paul Alvarus, and the Martyrs of Cordova, as well as Martin Luther can be added to the list.

While the unity is mixed, these scholars are getting close to Babylon in their interpretation of what is happening in the Middle East. --Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Global Warming and the Carbon Tax By John Pappas, ThD

The much debated topic of global warming, the evil of CO2, and big oil's contribution to the destruction of our planet has brought the globalist to the point of desperation. This is an attempt to disseminate false claims and to make the simple complex in an effort to institute a political solution where the UN is elevated to the savior of the world. In reality, the basic issue of CO2 is really a means to generate money that forms the foundation of a global tax to fund a governing body that controls all the governments of the world.

This is evident by the basic physics that make up the problem. Is CO2 the root problem, or even a contributor to the problem? The answer is no! In this article I will show that CO2 is not the problem at all. In fact, looking at a plot of average surface temperature and CO2, one finds a general trend, but at other times the graph shows them moving in opposite directions. A direct correlation means that the two parameters will be directly related always, not mostly! They do not correlate always so one cannot claim a correlation. This is basic statistics, the kind of stuff we learned in Physics 101, Chemistry 101, and Statistics 101.

The starting point in any analysis is to verify that the data you are analyzing is valid. In this case both CO2 and temperature are taken from ice core samples. Though this method introduces error and is flawed, it does provide at least something to analyze. A starting point and understanding the possible errors helps to limit the conclusions made during the analysis. It is not the point of this article to discuss the problems associated with ice core data collection and the assumptions used. But, after understanding the data collection method, the problems, and possible errors, one can examine the data and see that a direct correlation does not exist, since a correlation means that one variable will tract the other – always!

Throughout history warming and cooling cycles have always been with us. Is the current warming cycle any different from any other cycle? The answer is no! For example, in a BBC article just after the revelation of a conspiracy to hide data by the UN's council on global warming issued the following "counter-point" argument. The argument: "A Carbon Dioxide rise has always come after a temperature increase not before."

Skeptic:

Ice-cores dating back nearly one million years show a pattern of temperature and CO2 rise at roughly 100,000-year intervals. But the CO2 rise has always come after the temperature rise, not before, presumably as warmer temperatures have liberated the gas from oceans.

Supporter:

This is largely true, but largely irrelevant. Ancient ice-cores do show CO2 rising after temperature by a few hundred years - a timescale associated with the ocean response to atmospheric changes mainly driven by wobbles in the Earth's orbit. However, this time, CO2 is leading temperature. Furthermore, the situation today is dramatically different. The extra CO2 in the atmosphere (35% increase over pre-industrial levels) is from man-made emissions, and levels are higher than have been seen in 650,000 years of ice-core records. They may in fact be higher than at any time in the last three million years.

As can be seen by the response, the supporter of warming by man-influenced CO2 does not care about the facts or the truth. In science a correlation can only be made if it holds true all the time. Clearly, the supporter accepts the fact that a direct correlation is not found between global warming and CO2 activity, but then adds the argument man has increased CO2 by 35%, but what does that have to do with that data and warming? Nothing – there is no correlation.

A Look at the Facts

The basic chemistry of the lower atmosphere is made up of the following:

Nitrogen (N2) = 78%
Oxygen (O2) = 20.9%
Argon (Ar) = 0.93%
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) = 0.033%

Water Vapor ~ 1-4% at the surface; 0.4% at high altitude.

As can be seen from the basic makeup of our air, CO2 is only 0.03%! The basic science that has been taught about the earth's temperature control mechanism has to do with water and wind not CO2. Does this mean we do not have to worry about CO2 levels? I do not know, but I do know the correlation of CO2 to the temperature of the earth is a lie!

The earth's atmosphere is sometimes viewed as a closed system, that is, within the earth's atmospheric shield there is no effect on earth from an outside agent. This closed-system view is fine as long as the subject studied is not concerned with anything involving outside affects. Conversely, sometimes the earth's atmosphere is viewed as an open system, where the effect of outside influences are taken into account. The type of analysis depends upon what is being investigated.

For this article, my concern is only with CO2 and its influence on temperature so I will not talk about other areas. As can be seen, CO2 is a natural part of the atmosphere and is only 0.03% of its makeup. What is not talked about in this debate has to do with the regulators of the environment. This brings us back to the subject of a closed system verses an open system. When talking about a regulator, one is really speaking of a control law and every law has its direct correlations. For any temperature related subject, one cannot escape the fundamental law PV=nRT or (Pressure)(Volume)=nR(Temperature). For the earth, our major regulators of energy are the energy sources, water and wind.

From the perspective of energy, the major source is the sun, but other localized sources are also involved (e.g. volcanic activity, forest fires, friction of the earth, a large city, etc), but for our purposes, the sun and stored energy radiated back to the atmosphere from the surface is the dominate energy source and the evaporation/condensation cycle of water - what is commonly called the hydrologic water cycle is the other.

Wind is the result of a temperature difference and serves as a source of heat transfer as the law of thermodynamics says heat flows from hotter to colder. This temperature difference causes wind. The wind moves in the atmosphere causing evaporation/condensation of water. This wind/water activity serves to regulate the temperature, always moving the temperature to a steady state, uniform condition. The time it takes to reach a stabilized condition varies greatly and the dynamics involved is complex as the winds move in three dimensions, some laterally, some longitudinal in a complex swirling fashion. This is what the ancients knew and the Bible speaks about the wind and water cycle:

The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, And comes again on its circuit. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again. (Ecclesiastes 1:6-7)

With respect to water, it is the thing that is constantly changing state from solid to liquid to vapor and back. Each state change has a different energy component. The system is complex, it is not simply a lake or the ocean's evaporation that contributes but this activity also occurs with water in the earth and water in the atmosphere as the air changes temperature. The change in air temperature at the surface of the earth occurs due to the energy of the sun and the movement of the winds. As the water content of the air increases by evaporation, the air becomes supersaturated and water droplets form or conversely, droplets change into vapor again due to changes in radiation or winds.

As you can tell, this is rather simple in it design, but complex as a control system. The affect is that water serves as the primary regulator. Water's unique tri-state ability serves not only to provide a stable temperature, demonstrating God's goodness and provision for His creation, but the created world also serves to clearly reveal His character (Rom 1:20).


God is Sovereign in Controlling the Elements

Our Creator created the earth and all this is in it leaving laws that must be lived by. These laws are for the natural world as well as mankind. These natural laws governing every aspect of the natural world have been established in order for man to identify the greatness of God. Some of these laws we understand and know, but others we are yet to understand. The temperature and weather are controlled by these laws, and are somewhat predictable, but God moves in history at His will to affect weather. That it is God who controls the elements is clear from Scripture:

For He looks to the ends of the earth, And sees under the whole heavens, To establish a weight for the wind, And apportion the waters by measure. When He made a law for the rain, And a path for the thunderbolt, (Job 28:24-26).

He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly. He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; He casts out His hail like morsels; Who can stand before His cold? He sends out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow. (Psalm 147:15-18)

He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion. When He utters His voice, There is a multitude of waters in the heavens: And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, He brings the wind out of His treasuries. (Jer. 10:12-13)

For behold, He who forms mountains, And creates the wind, Who declares to man what his thought is, And makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth—The LORD God of hosts is His name. (Amos 4:13)

After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads. (Rev. 7:1-3)

As can be seen from the previous verses, God is in sovereign control of the weather. He uses weather for both blessing and curse. He sends the sunshine (Ps. 19:4-6; Matt. 5:45), the rain and snow (Job 5:10; 38:22-30; Ps. 147:16-17), the wind (Ex. 10:13; Ps. 78:26; Ps. 147:18), and the storm (Ps. 107:25-26; Jonah 1:4; Ezek. 13:13). He does all this for a purpose: sometimes to exhibit His power (Ex. 19:16), sometimes to help His people in time of battle (Jos. 10:11-14; 1 Sam. 7:10; 2 Sam. 22:13-15), sometimes to bless His people (Deut. 11:13-15; Ps. 65:9-11; 147:7-9), and sometimes to judge people (Lev. 26:18-20; 1 Kg. 17:1; Gen. 7:11-24; Isa. 8:6-8; Nah. 1:8; Ex. 9:22-26; Ps. 107:25-27; Nah. 1:3-4; Hag. 2:17). But He is in control.

The End-Time's Government

Ever since God broke-up mankind's global government centered in Babel, breaking down their temple and creating all the various language groups (Gen. 11), the world system has been trying to move back to that goal. The book of Daniel describes the four great empires, or semi-one-world governments in increasing succession. First, he describes Babylon as the lion, then the bear representing Media-Persia, the leopard representing Greece, and finally the beast representing the Roman Empire where we are currently at. Though Rome, represented by what is Europe today, does not seem very strong, will become strong in the last days as it is run by Antichrist (Dan. 11:31-45; 2 Thes. 2:3-8; Rev. 13:1-10). Bible prophecy describes an end-times government that is oppressive, controlling, and brings the whole world back to a one world government.

Notice what Dr. Walvoord writes, "Accordingly, prophecy of the Roman Empire, which is fulfilled in part up to the time of Christ, then spans the centuries between and picks up in the days just before the Second Coming. In the vision of the Roman Empire in Daniel 7, its terrible destruction is described in verses 7. But the prophecy then goes on to say, 'It had ten horns.' While the prophesied destruction of nations by the Roman armies was literally fulfilled, history has never fulfilled what was anticipated by the ten horns." (Walvoord, Major Bible Prophecies, p. 371)

The world is moving quickly towards this goal. The establishment of the UN with all its various unregulated, unchecked works is reaching a point of uncontrolled power. The establishment of the G7, G8, G20 & etc, has divided our world into the various economic centers where those bodies do not answer to our lawmakers, are not elected, and make their plans and rules in secret, as they divide up the world into various economic zones.

The global economic crisis has brought the banking systems of the Roman world linked by a global body ruled by the Europeans under a central controlling body. One cannot be finanically independent today. The American bank is not allowed to fail, and it is more and more regulated by European standards. The banks of the world must conform to international (European) standards.

And it is international crisis management that uses CO2 and the so-called evil oil industry that posse the engine for generating money needed to bring financial funding for the one-world government.

But how is it that scientists' participate in this global deception? Mankind is fallen. Scientists' have a certain reputation of being honest, and trustworthy. After all they follow the unbiased scientific method. The reality is, however, that scientists' are men who will lie, cheat, and steal just like anyone. A prime example is the search for cold-fusion. How many scientists' have been caught claiming they have cracked the cold-fusion mystery? It turns out, great university institutions have been duped by these scientists time and again. What is the lure? What is the lure for any crime? Scientists are men who have to secure their jobs, and if you are a scientist working for a program funded by the government, you better come to the conclusion that the government wants or you will be out of a job. That is what we have seen with the UN's controlled origination.

Come to the Waters

Just as water and wind serve as the regulators of temperature, so they are used as metaphors of life – a spirit filled life. Water is used as a symbol of a spirit-filled eternal life in what the Bible calls living water. Isaiah 55:1 proclaims, "anyone who thirsts, come to the waters." The idea of eternal life has both the idea of entering into a new life in Christ and in that new life, living a life as a new creation in Christ. That is to say, eternal life is used in both a metaphor of salvation of a born-again person, but also of sanctification; eternal life as a legal point in time when the born again believer was saved, then eternal life as a way of life - living the Christian life. Jesus uses this metaphor of water, first to identify who it is that gives the water – the One we must know:

Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." (John 4:10)

Then, Jesus uses the metaphor to speak of a new life, everlasting-life:

Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:13-14)

So as to make it perfectly clear who He is, Jesus links Himself to the Godhead of Isaiah 55:1 (cf. Isa, 44:4):

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:38-39)

Finally, the metaphor is made complete in the new heavens and earth as John writes:

Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Rev. 21:5-8)

Conclusion

He who tells the beginning from the end, tells us how it will end – the earth will be burnt up. But those who believe who He is and what He did on the cross have eternal life. God is sovereign and will someday judge the earth, but we are not to be fooled by the world and let them pervert the truth. We know the world is moving toward a one world government, but we are to seek the truth and speak the truth. The Lord Jesus Christ is the savior not mankind, He alone came in the flesh to die on the cross as the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The world needs to know Him and Him alone as their Savior who died on the cross, was buried and resurrected from the dead. God by His grace sent His only begotten Son into the world that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:15-16). But we have been warned about those who suppress the truth of God, they have no excuse, but we must preach the gospel of Christ to the world. As we look at His creation, we can see His invisible attributes – His power, wisdom, justice, love and the Godhead (Rom. 1:16-32). What a great loving and righteous God and Savior we serve!

Friday, September 9, 2011

FAILING BAPTIST

More and more Baptist pastors are failing. Many of them are moving into false doctrine. Many Baptist pastors come to the house and just ask if the person will sign a covenant in order to be a member of the church. They don't ask about being born again. Some even believe that the various denominations are the same. They have bought into Rick Warren's thing and have no doctrinal discernment. They advocate the Purpose Driven philosophy.

On page 12 of Warren's book "A Purpose Driven Life" he says that many have been captured under the cross, the moon and the hammer and the sickle, and, that the cross is not what the church is all about. The only symbols are concentric circles and baseball diamond. Many Purpose Driven churches have removed the cross.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

OUR POSITION IN CHRIST

1 Corinthians 1:30 is a profound verse of Scripture. God has placed us into Christ which gives us a new POSITION in Him. The verse reads:

"By [God's] doing you are [placed] in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption."

We become four things because we are IN Christ. Sanctification is the Greek word related to "Hagios" which means holiness, or holy. We are holy because we are in Christ, we are related to Him! "In Christ" is a technical expression. By being in Him, we are saved because who He is brings about our new relationship. I am found only in Him!

"Became" is the Greek word "ginomai" which means "to become something different." We became someone who is now "wisdom." That happens because we are related to Christ. This is "wisdom" from God. Nicoll writes:

"It comes of Him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus." "Your new life derived from God is grounded in Christ." The relative clause "who was made wisdom unfolds the content of the life communicated" to us from God in Christ. God has done it all. He gives us Christ's righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, all because we are related to Him. Without God's working we would have nothing. —Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

OBAMA SAYS …

Our President says: "Today America is a Christian-Muslim, Jewish, Hindu country." He's right! We have given up our Judeo-Christian heritage and thrown it to the wind. A judgment is sure to follow. —Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

A WAR ON!

Unfortunately, there is a war going on between hard core Reformed guys and dispensationalists. The dispensationalists are right. The Bible is “Dispensational,” and that can be proven all the way back to the early church. While being dispensational is not exactly being premillennial, the two are very close together. All dispensationalists are premillennial! The early church was clearly premillennial and so were the orthodox Jews. Christ and the disciples were. They made it clear that the church and Israel were not the same nor were they inter-linked.
What is happening is not a textual war but a philosophical skirmish. The Reformed guys just don't like dispensationalism. I want to thank ML for his great letter. We're putting up on the front page of our website for the month of September. He's right on! --Dr. Mal Couch

Ask Dr. Couch

Hello Dr. Couch.

Thanks for your ministry. I was introduced to you and your bible teaching by a student at Tyndale seminary about eight years ago when I was a new christian. Your books and sermons have really helped give me a foundation in dispensational premillenialism when many of my younger christian friends were were headed into reformed theology. While I was reading Ryrie, Couch, Lahaye and Lutzer, they were reading Sproul, Berkhof, and Kenneth Gentry. It seems that the popular and "in" thing is to head in the reformed direction. Have you heard of the "young restless and reformed" movement that is going on? John Macarthur, R.C. Sproul and some other notable pastors and theologians are encouraging it. To be very honest it seems that the men I know that are involved in this sort of thing are doing it just because it is popular and sort of noble to be "reformed." What do you think about this?

When I have talked to reformed guys about dispensationalism, and read blogs from guys like Kenneth Gentry, they will often accuse dispensationalism of being a new heresy that developed in the 19th century. People i know have jumped on this bandwagon. Oddly enough they dont want to actually talk about the biblical text they just want to bolster thier arguments with the names and opinions of their favorite theologians and bible teachers. How would you deal with this. Thanks for your ministry, and thanks for providing your bible lessons free on your website they are the epitome of great bible exposition and clear teaching.

ANSWER: Unfortunately, there is a war going on between hard core Reformed guys and dispensationalists. The dispensationalists are right. The Bible is "Dispensational," and that can be proven all the way back to the early church. While being dispensational is not exactly being premillennial, the two are very close together. All dispensationalists are premillennial! The early church was clearly premillennial and so were the orthodox Jews. Christ and the disciples were. They made it clear that the church and Israel were not the same nor were they inter-linked.
What is happening is not a textual war but a philosophical skirmish. The Reformed guys just don't like dispensationalism. I want to thank you for your great letter.
We're putting up on the front page of our website. --Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

WE'RE BEING OVERWHELMED!

The Muslim flood into America began in 1991 under the presidency of George H.W. Bush. At that time the arrivals were about 6% per year. Now it is 16% each year. There has got to be a strategy afoot in order to destroy the Anglo-Saxon, European, Reformation base of America. Good bye America!

—Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Monday, September 5, 2011

Ask Dr. Couch

Dr. Couch, could the word "resurrection" (ex-anastasis) in Philippians 3:11 actually be about the rapture rather than the resurrection, as it is now translated?

ANSWER: You are correct in that this is the only place where this word is used in the NT. Technically, it translates "out-up-stand." It would be doubtful that it would be translated as "rapture." The verse concludes:

"That I may arrive at (attain to a thing, may become a partaker of) the out-up-stand along with the dead ones."

The word is clearly a compound and it is most unusual. Paul really wants to stress the resurrection. If the word was about the rapture it would include that thought, but here, he only touches on the resurrection of the "dead ones." If the rapture does not happen before he dies, he will join the righteous dead when they are brought back alive.

Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Sunday, September 4, 2011

DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT NOAH'S ARK?

Noah's Ark was the largest ocean going vessel ever built until the building of the P&O Liner "the Himalaya." The Babylonian account which speaks of the Ark as a cube betrays complete ignorance. It was a cube that would spin around in the water and go no where! The Ark was the near-exact dimension of a modern ship, a ratio of 8.1 to 1.

The Ark was the sufficient dimensions to accomplish its intended purpose of saving alive thousands of kinds of air-breathing creatures that would otherwise not have survived the year-long flood waters. Assuming the length of the cubit to a have been at least 17.5 inches, the available floor space of this three-decked barge was over 95,000 square feet, and its total volume was 1,396,000 cubit feet.

Such figures are difficult to picture without comparisons. For the sake of realism, imagine waiting at a railroad crossing while ten freight trains, each pulling 52 boxcars, move slowly by, one after another. That is how much space was available in the Ark, for its capacity was equivalent to 520 modern railroad stock cars. A barge of such gigantic size, with its thousands of built-in compartments (Gen. 6:14) would have been sufficiently large to carry two of every species of air-breathing animal in the world today.

—Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Saturday, September 3, 2011

A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO STUDY OF THE BIBLE

It's Saturday afternoon and I'm at my desk but I'm not studying for my teachings tomorrow and Monday night. I did all of that at the first and at the middle of the week. But many pastors are at their desks sweating trying to come up with something to dish out tomorrow morning.

My desk is covered with Hebrew and Greek grammar books. I have a roll cart also next to me with grammar books, lexicons, and language commentaries. I have my Hebrew text and Greek text so that I can translate verses I will be teaching on tomorrow. To my left the entire wall is covered with books, most of them grammar commentaries and grammar texts.

Many pastors do not want to study. They do not want to take the time to absorb the Scriptures into their hearts and minds. What a shame and what a loss! This is but a part of the departure or the sign of the fact that we've moved into a part of the apostasy Paul speaks of in his letters.

—Dr. Mal Couch(9/11)

Friday, September 2, 2011

THE WAY IT WAS!

Carolyn McCall, the wife of Dr. Tom McCall, is a relative of John Alden, a personality of the American Revolution War period. Timothy (1771-1839) was a descendant of John Alden. The Timothy Alden Academy was founded for both boys and girls in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Timothy pioneered the "memoriter" method meaning that the student memorized the material he was supposed to be learning. The student who excelled in memorizing received a certificate.

The girls went to school during the summer because the boys had to work in the fields at that time. They went to school during the fall and winter while the girls canned the food for the coming winter. John Alden was seen as a young Pilgrim made well known by Longfellow in one of his poems. John was a graduate of Phillips Academy and of Harvard, and became a Congregational minister. He was greatly in teaching over and above preaching. In 1815 he founded Allegheny College at Meadville, Pennsylvania, and become its first president. A sample of a certificate of accomplishment for the students read:

"Margarit Frost Mead for her amiable behavior, at the academy, and for the progress, which she has made, in those branches to which she has attended, is entitled to the commendation of her friends and instructors."

Another certificate of Merit read:

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth. This may certify, that _______ for good conduct, and close attention to studies, has merited the approbation of her instructor."

It's a different world now for our children in school. God was then honored but not today!

—Dr. Mal Couch (9/11)

Thursday, September 1, 2011

MYSTERY BABYLON

What is going on with the term "Mystery Babylon" in Revelation 17:5? There is a lot of confusion about this expression. The word "mystery" is a noun and not an adjective. It was Tertullian in the second century who first called Babylon, Rome. Babylon means Babylon and nothing else. Also, in verse 1, the wilderness means the desert and is inapplicable to Rome but fits well with Babylon on the Euphrates, or certainly the Saudi Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia is the largest nation in the Middle East. It is a huge country! The cities of Mecca and Medina in that nation.

This opens the door for Babylon being Islam today. Islam came out of Saudi Arabia and the city of Mecca. Many of us are coming to this position, in fact, I'm now working on a book on The Olivet Discourse and Islam. If you would like to have it, it will be $17 and be ready in about five weeks.

In Revelation 17-18 the woman's name is "Babylon the Great" not "Mystery Babylon the Great." Thomas writes: "This along with the fact that 'myserron' seems to have a parenthetical independence here brings a decision favoring the appositional relationship. This gives the sense, 'a name written, which is a mystery.'"

Thomas adds: "[Babylon] was a city where false religion began (Gen. 11:1-9) that has continually plagued Israel, the church, and the world. It will once again become the world's leading city religiously as well as commercially and politically as the end draws near. … So the metropolis that functions as headquarters for the beast's empire has a long reputation for its anti-God stance. It is a city, but it is also a vast religious system that stands for everything God does not tolerate."

All of this fits well with Islam. —Dr. Mal Couch(9/11)