THE MONTH OF MAY Roy Matlock, Editor. Paul Roberts, Pastor

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1 Paul Roberts, Pastor The Monthly Mission Messenger Volume XVIII, No An Outreach Ministry of East Union Missionary Baptist Church N. Springlake Rd. Hensley, AR Phone (501) Roy Matlock, Editor THE MONTH OF MAY 2017 We thank God for all the year, but now and then we have some special dates that we recognize. May is a good time of the year. The winter has passed and by this time spring has well emerged and new growth and new life is abundant. On my calendar there are several days that are recognized as special days in May. i/e Loyalty Day (1st), National Day of Prayer (4th), V-Day (8th), Mother s Day (14th) and always the 2nd Sunday in May; Armed Forces Day (19th), American Red Cross Day (21st), Ascension Day (25th), Memorial Day (29th). Let s give each of these a few thoughts. As spring emerges new life emerges. The grass is turning green; the flowers begin to bloom; the trees bring forth new growth. Birds are nesting and new hatched life is all around us. Just yesterday my wife and I were driving along the lake road that leads from our home to the highway and we saw a mother goose, her gander and seven young goslings sunning on the clean bank near the road. Everything is abundant and lovely. The first day of May is designated as Loyalty Day. I don t know when this was designated as such but it is a good thought. If everyone would honor God s Word to Love thy neighbor and reach out to our neighbors with Christian friendship, we might recognize blessings we have been missing. May 4th is designated as National Day of Prayer. This also is a good thing. If all believers will recognize this and practice taking everything into consideration that we know we need God s help in, (of course we need Him in everything), and go to Him in serious prayer about it, some great changes to the sad conditions that exist in our country might be noted. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. May 8th is designated as V-Day. Victory in Europe Day, generally known as V-E Day, or simply V-Day, was the public holiday celebrated on May 8, 1945, to mark the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces. It thus marked the end of World War II in Europe. There are many V-Days designated since then. They all probably have a worthy cause for which they are designated. Many of us can well remember the original V-Day. And I m sure that all Christians gave worshipful praise to our God for that day and for our freedom in America. (Info. from WWW). May 14th. The second Sunday in May is always recognized as Mother s Day). The first observance of this day was in 1907 when Anna M. Jarvis of Philadelphia, PA suggested that 1

2 a special service be held for mothers in the Philadelphia Church. The next year other churches held similar services. It has been generally observed since 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation to celebrate it, and ordered the American flag displayed on all public buildings. HAPPY MOTHER S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The greatest names of women among those recorded in history are those who have been God fearing women and who have a great part in God s work and plan through the ages. If space permitted, we could look at the record of many of them. May God bless all our mothers. May 20th is designated as Armed Forces Day. Many Americans celebrate Armed Forces Day annually on the 3rd Saturday of May. It is a day to pay tribute to men and women who serve the United States armed forces. Armed Forces Day is also part of Armed Forces Week, which begins on the second Saturday of May. Many events across the United States take place on Armed Forces Day to honor Americans in uniform who served their country in times of war and peace. Those who are honored on this day include people who serve the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. National Guard and Reserve units may celebrate Armed Forces Day/Week over any period in May because of their unique training schedules. Events and activities may include: Multi service military displays in areas open for the public. Various educational activities that teach children about the armed forces. Support the Troops themed motorcycle rides. Large parades and other local celebrations. (Info. from WWW). All red-blooded Americans should thank God for our men and women who dedicate themselves to the services that protect our country and freedom. May 21st is designated to recognize The American Red Cross The American Red Cross was established on May 21, 1881 by Clara Barton in Washington, D.C. As one of the nation s premier humanitarian organizations, the American Red Cross is dedicated to helping people in need throughout the United States and in association with other Red Cross networks throughout the world. We depend on the many generous contributions of time, blood, and money from the American public to support our lifesaving services and programs. Clara Barton and a circle of her acquaintances founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. on May 21, Barton first heard of the Swiss-inspired global Red Cross network while visiting Europe following the Civil War. Returning home, she campaigned for an American Red Cross and for ratification of the Geneva Convention protecting the war-injured, which the United States ratified in (Info. from WWW). Probably some of you who read and study with The Monthly Mission Messenger have received benefits from the American Red Cross. We can thank God for all organizations in our country that are so beneficial to so many of our citizens. May 25th has been designated as Ascension Day. The day our Lord ascended back to heaven was 40 days from His resurrection. We recognize Easter as a memorial to His resurrection. We know that was on the first day of the week but we don t know the exact date. This year we celebrated Easter on April 16th. May 25th is 40 days, both days inclusive. Acts 1:1-3 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2. Until the day in which he was taken up, after he through the Holy Spirit had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3. To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being 2

3 seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: V,9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Belief in the death, burial and resurrection is what God requires of mankind to grant salvation and everlasting life. Romans 10:9-10 That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. 10. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. V,13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. May 29th has been designated as Memorial Day. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day and it is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season. Memorial Day is a federal holiday. All nonessential Government offices are closed, as are schools, businesses and other organizations. Most public transit systems do not run on their regular schedule. Many people see Memorial Day weekend as an opportunity to go on a short vacation or visit family or friends. This can cause some congestion on highways and at airports. Memorial Day started as an event to honor Union soldiers who had died during the American Civil War. It was inspired by the way people in the Southern states honored their dead. After World War I, it was extended to include all men and women who died in any war or military action. The current name for this day did not come into use until after World War II. Decoration Day and then Memorial Day used to be held on May 30, regardless of the day of the week, on which it fell. In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed as part of a move to use federal holidays to create three-day weekends. This meant that, from 1971, Memorial Day holiday has been officially observed on the last Monday in May. However, it took a longer period for all American states to recognize the new date. (Info from WWW). Truly, it is an honor to have such a holiday. We remember our friends and love ones who have passed on and decorate their gravesites at this time. The month of MAY has many memorials for us. * * * * * * Daniel chapter (12) As we concluded our studies last month we were looking at the things the angel explained to Daniel about the rule of the antichrist during the first half of the tribulation period. We looked at Daniel 11: Before continuing with this study, it might be good for you to go back to last month s issue of the MMM and read the last portion of it. This will help you to grasp the things that are explained in this last chapter. As we begin chapter 12, the angel is still informing Daniel about the end-time events. He began speaking to Daniel in chapter10:4-11. In this last chapter he backs up his thoughts and begins at the beginning of the tribulation period. V,1 And at that time (at the time of the beginning of the tribulation period), shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of your people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. This is the time Jeremiah spoke of in Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. The tribulation period is primarily for the Jews, and it will ultimately draw them to accept Jesus as their 3

4 Messiah. All those who accept Him will have their names written in the Lamb s Book of Life. The angel is still informing Daniel about what shall happen and how God will deal with his people. Verse one shows that his thoughts have moved to the last week of the 70 weeks that God would deal with Israel. Not only the Jews but all saved people will have their names in the book. The book mentioned here is the Lamb s Book of Life. Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him (the antichrist), whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no way enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they who are written in the Lamb's book of life. The Apostle Paul describes some of the actions that will be taken at that time. 1 Thess. 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come. The way they will be delivered is, they will be taken off the earth at the rapture and will not have to endure the tribulation period. 2 Thess. 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Dan. 12, V,2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. There will be 1,000 years between these two resurrections. The saved will be resurrected at the second coming of Christ. The lost will be resurrected at the end of the Millennium and stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). V,3 And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. Those who are wise are those who witness for Christ during the church age. It will also include all those who are saved after the rapture during the complete tribulation period. These will have special rewards during the millennial reign of Christ and also on throughout eternity. V,4 But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. After Daniel has received all the messages from the angel and written them down in a book, the angel tells him to seal the book. It is for end time things. Then he gives a sign as to how it can be known that we are near the time of the end. He said: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. We have now come to the time of the fulfillment of that prophecy. When it was given men traveled in vehicles drawn by animals or rode the animals or walked. Now we run two and fro in the earth in automobiles, great passenger jets or fly around the world in 90 minutes in a space vehicle, or travel from one side of the earth to the other in one day. Knowledge has been increased by a thousand percent since then. This all means we are living very close to the time when these things will come to pass. After Daniel receives this knowledge he sees two more angels standing, one on each side of the river. V,5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood two others, the one on this bank of the river, and the other on that bank of the river. V,6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, How long shall it be till the end of these wonders? This question was asked for our benefit, so that we might have a greater knowledge about the signs of the end of time. V,7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by him that lives forever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half time; and when he shall 4

5 have accomplished the shattering of the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. This refers to the last half of the tribulation period. A time = one year. Times is plural and = two more years. A half time = 6 months. This = 3 1/2 years. V,8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? V,9 And he said, Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Daniel did not understand all the meaning of all this. When he asked the angel what it meant he was told that it was closed up till the time of the end. Daniel did not have the book of Revelation to study. God did not reveal all the meanings to him. He did not know the times like we can understand them today. We have the complete Word of God to tell us all the things God wants us to know about this. We are told to study it. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The angel continues to inform Daniel about humankind and his actions relating to belief in God during the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period. V,10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. V,11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. This is 3 1/2 years. The antichrist will fall after the daily sacrifice is taken away. After his fall there will be the last 3½ years of the tribulation period. V,12 Blessed is he that waits, and comes to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go you your way till the end: for you shall rest, and stand in your allotted place at the end of the days. Many have tried to figure out just what is meant by the 1,335 days. This writer does not try to make them mean anything that the scriptures do not explain. To do this would be making a guess. I do not believe God wants us making guesses about what His Word teaches. Let us not forget what the angel told Daniel when he could not understand it. Daniel said: V,8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? V,9 And he said, Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. This concludes our study of the book of Daniel. I will be composing it all in a book for a study guide shortly. It will be made available to all our readers free for any donation toward your support of this ministry. With your donation, please send a note stating, Please send the study of the book of Daniel. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. * * * * * * * A Picture of your Spiritual Life. You are interested in your personal photograph. The world can photograph your exterior. The Bible photographs your interior. You look at your picture and don t like it but the camera took a picture of what it saw. The Bible shows you what you really are on the inside. Hebrews 4: For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 5

6 13. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Heb. 12: Therefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13. And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Let s look at our exterior picture. A. We dress it up in our best and seek for the pleasures of life. B. We have a comfortable home and fit into our society. C. We have the best of food in our festivities D. We obtain a good education. E. We have the best automobile we can afford. F. We re in excellent health. G. And so we walk before men. They make us Committee-men. 2. Trustees. 3. Business executives. 4. Governors. 5. Congressmen. & 6. Presidents The picture may look good to men but how does it look to God? From which nature do we get our motivations? The fleshly nature or the spiritual nature? Works of the flesh are these? Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, jealousy, wrath, selfishness, divisions, heresies, 21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of which I tell you beforehand, as I have also told you in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. When your exterior life is displaying sinful practices and you are so walking before men, it is usually filled with all the things listed in the above passage from the Bible. Thus, you are not living your life to honor God. You are living after the lusts of the flesh looking for the pleasures of life to suit yourselves. Now let s look at the picture the Bible gives to us of our interior after we have been born again. John 3: That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7. Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again. After the new birth comes to you, your interior will produce: A. Your submission to scriptural baptism. Matthew 28:19-20 Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. B. A desire to attend church and worship regularly Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. C. A close relationship with other believers 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. D. A desire to witness to our lost loved ones and friends. Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. E. A desire to support God s work. Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet you have 6

7 robbed me. But you say, How have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings. V,10 Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Heb. 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 2 Cor. 9:7 Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver. F. A desire to know the teachings of God s Word 2 Tim. 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Tim. 2:15 Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Psalms 119:9-12 How shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to your word. 10. With my whole heart have I sought you: O let me not wander from your commandments. 11. Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12. Blessed are you, O LORD: teach me your statutes. Psa. 119: I have not departed from your judgments: for you have taught me How sweet are your words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104. Through your precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Galatians 5: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. 24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Which photograph is the most interesting, exciting and desirable to you, the exterior or the interior? * * * * * * * Last month I mentioned the possible discontinuation of the web page ministry. I asked for your prayers concerning this. The thought of sending the gospel message and the teaching of God s Word around the world is very exciting. All arrangements have been made to keep it. Some changes have been made and we have come to agreement on the costs. The page was shut down for a couple of days while re-arranging some things. If you tried to get on the page while it was shut down you opened a page that has the same web address as mine. This is strange that there are two men by the name of Roy A. Matlock that are ministers of God s Word and have a web page with the same address, but it is so. Mine has my picture holding my guitar. Check it out. * * * * * * * NEW BOOK Law & Grace This study explains why we worship on the 1st day of the week instead of the 7th day. Free for your support of this ministry in any amount. Please send a note with your offering stating Please send the book, Law & Grace. SUPPORT SINCE OUR LAST ISSUE Thank you so much and May God bless Randy & DeAnna Staton... Sheridan, AR Charles Flowers... Mariana, AR 7

8 East Union Missionary Baptist Church NON-PROFIT ORG N Springlake Rd US POSTAGE Hensley AR P A I D PERMIT NO. 5 RDFIELD AR ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED «presortdate» «recipient» «address» «city» «state» «zip» ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO THE EDITOR: Roy Matlock Ph. (501) N. Springlake Rd. royamatlock@gmail.com Hensley, AR THE C D I LL SEE YOU SOON Country Gospel. This is our first recording of a CD entitled I ll See You Soon. This is the first of a series of Country Gospel songs written by your Editor. Yours for your gift of any amount to support this ministry. With your gift please include a note: Please send the CD I ll See You Soon. THE WORKING MAN S DEER HUNT For your gift of any amount to support this ministry. A true to life account of a one man deer hunt with pictures of me and the deer that was taken. Contains a great testimony of a spiritual experience that happened with just me and God in the deep woods. With your gift please include a note: Please send the book: Deer Hunt. REVELATION COMMENTARY For your gift of any amount to support this ministry. A description of the evil beast. The Antichrist exposed. The woman on the scarlet colored beast explained. Second Coming of Christ. Battle of Armageddon. The Millennial Kingdom. The Holy City and the glories of heaven. With your gift please include a note: Please send the Revelation Commentary. THE BIBLE QUIZ Hundreds of Bible questions with an answer section that will guide you to the answers to many things of the Bible. Sharpen your Bible skills. Increase your Bible knowledge. Yours for an offering of any amount to this ministry. With your gift please include a note: Please send book: Bible Quiz. BIBLICAL CHRONOLOGY OF MAN A detailed study of the scriptural links with dates from Adam to the birth of Christ. Yours for an offering of any amount to this ministry. With your gift please include a note: Please send the book: Chronology of man. LAW & GRACE NEW A detailed study primarily of why most Christians do not keep the 7th Day Sabbath, but worship on the first day of the week. Yours for a gift of any amount to support this ministry. With your gift please include a note: Please send the book of Law & Grace IF YOU LIVE IN OR NEAR THE EAST END AREA, OR ARE VISITING HERE, WE CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO VISIT US IN SERVICE AT EAST UNION CHURCH. REGULAR WORSHIP TIME Traditional Worship.. 9:00 A.M. Life Group. 10:00 A.M. Contemporary Worship. 11:00 A.M. Sunday Evening Worship.. 6:00 P.M. Wed. Bible Study. 6:30 P.M. AWANA... 6:30-7:30 P.M. (During regular school only) «encodedi mbno» «presorttrayid» P