Help Heavenward

Hey, over on the Octavius Winslow Archive, there is going to be a "Challies-Like Reading the Classics Together" read through Winslow's book, Help Heavenward. I've joined and you can to. the Project begins on January 10, 2011 upon which time you have one week to read through the first chapter. Appears that Matthew Blair will be covering one chapter a week. My copy arrived yesterday and it looks like there's eleven Chapters total.

I've already read the preface, foreward and table of contents, plus a little of chapter 1 to whet my appetite. Like other books by Winslow this looks to be very sweet, very warm, very heart enflaming. I'm truly beleiveing for a freshness in my soul and spirit as I slowly and thoughtfully and reflectively read through Winslow.

Matthew Blair writes that this is his favorite of Winslow's books. I've only really been exposed to couple of other works by Winslow - but I confirm they are RICH.

On the first page of Chapter One, Winslow thinking of those spies who went into the promise land writes and we read: "Faith is the spiritual spy of the soul." Wow - sound exiciting to you? I'm fired the journey. I'll leave you with poem which is at the conclusion of Chapter one:

“A captive here, and far from home,
For Zion’s sacred courts I sigh:
“There the ransomed nations come,
And see the Savior ‘eye to eye.’

“While here, I walk on hostile ground;
The few that I can call my friends
Are, like myself, with fetters bound,
And weariness my path attends.

“But we shall soon behold the day
When Zion’s children shall return;
Our sorrows then shall flee away,
And we shall never, never mourn.

“The hope that such a day will come
Makes e’en the captive’s portion sweet;
Though now we’re distant far from home
In Zion soon we all shall meet.”

Click Here and Here for the Octavius Winslow Archive reading the classics together.

Click here to find "Help Heavenward" online.

Christmas Shoe Box and The Gospel

As part of Operation Christmas Child a Ministry of Samaritan's Purse my three little girls each packed a shoe box. Wanting to really love on the child who would recieve her box my 11 year old enclosed the note pictured above. Please click on the picture to enlarge the image.

click here for more on Operation Christmas Child.

Gospel Summary

Read this today on Provocations and Panting, who read it on Ligonier Minstries. Excellent Summary of the Gospel by Jeremiah Burroughs from his book, GOSPEL CONVERSATIONS:

The gospel of Christ is the good tidings that God has revealed concerning Christ. As all mankind was lost in Adam and became the children of wrath, put under the sentence of death, God, though He left His fallen angels and has reserved them in the chains of eternal darkness, yet He has thought upon the children of men and has provided a way of atonement to reconcile them to Himself again.

The second Person in the Trinity takes man’s nature upon Himself, and becomes the Head of a second covenant, standing charged with sin. He answers for it by suffering what the law and divine justice required, and by making satisfaction for keeping the law perfectly. This satisfaction and righteousness He tenders up to the Father as a sweet savor of rest for the souls that are given to Him.

And now this mediation of Christ is, by the appointment of the Father, preached to the children of men, of whatever nation or rank, freely offering this atonement unto sinners for atonement, requiring them to believe in Him and, upon believing, promising not only a discharge of all their former sins, but that they shall not enter into condemnation, that none of their sins or unworthiness shall ever hinder the peace of God with them, but that they shall through Him be received into the number of those who shall have the image of God again to be renewed unto them, and that they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

That these souls and bodies shall be raised to that height of glory that such creatures are capable of, that they shall live forever enjoying the presence of God and Christ, in the fullness of all good, is the gospel of Christ. This is the sum of the gospel that is preached unto sinners.

ht: Timmy Brister

The ONE Who Gives Peace - John 14:27

MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU:

Preparing recently for a Labor day Weekend sermon which was to be on the text Joh 14:27, I was struck how Jesus says "MY peace." This qualification "MY" and "I GIVE" was precious to me as I meditated upon this verse. I thought upon Jesus and how willing he is to give this peace and also HOW ABLE he is to give his own peace. Both in accomplishing our justification by making payment for sin, dying as a substitute for his people upon the cross and also imparting to us PEACE, a work of the SPIRIT of GOD, the COMFORTER. In further dwelling upon the word "MY" I thought it good to read the whole of John's Gospel noting from each chapter some precious truth about Jesus.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

CHRIST WHO IS OUR PEACE - HE IS....

CHRIST WHO IS OUR PEACE - HE IS....
IN JOHN CHAPTER ONE:
The Word in the beginning, with GOD, and is God, John 1:1
The creator of all things, John 1:3
Life in Himself, the light of men, John 1:4
Shining in the Darkness. John 1:5
TO THOSE believing on his name and recieving him, John 1:12
He gives power to become sons of God.
He is the Word from everlasting made flesh, John 1:14
And dwelling amoungst us,
Declared by the prophet
The Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29

IN JOHN CHAPTER TWO:
The water He turned to wine, John 2:9
He cleansed the temple
Overturning tables,
Wielding a scourge,
Pouring out the changers' money.
The zeal of his Father house consuming him. John 2:15-17
AND He knows what is in ALL men. John 2:24-25

IN JOHN CHAPTER THREE - HE IS:
The Bronze Serpent lifted UP, John 3:14-15
The only begotten of his Father,
Sent of the Father,
Him upon whom, All the ones believing will not perish. John 3:16
The bridegroom, John 3:29
The one to whom God giveth not the spirit by MEASURE. John 3:34

IN JOHN CHAPTER FOUR:
The second miracle he does,
Healing the nobleman's Son,
From afar with a word,
The son lives,
The Whole house believes,
Jesus our God and Saviour. John 4:46-54

IN JOHN CHAPTER FIVE:
The impotent lay at the pool,
Waiting no more,
Jesus has come,
The word is spoken,
And immediately the impotent walks. John 5:7-9
They seek to Kill him,
For Jesus, Not only healing on the Sabbath,
But God is His Father, he equal with God. John 5:18
They want to kill the one who
Gives life to those dead who hear his voice. John 5:25
For Jesus has life, life in HIMSELF. John 5:26
The scriptures speak of him, John 5:39
Moses wrote of him. John 5:46


IN JOHN CHAPTER SIX:
He feeds 5000, John 6:10-11
Walks on Water John 6:21
Into a ship that immediately is on the otherside.
He gives meat which endures to everlasting life. John 6:27
To believe on Jesus is to work the work of God. John 6:29
The Father has given HIM a people, John 6:37
And he is able,
And willing,
To receive that which his Father has given him,
He is the living bread, John 6:51
Eat of this bread and live forever,
The bread that he gives is his own flesh,
Given for the life of the world.
Eat his flesh,
Drink his blood,
If not you are dead. John 6:53
His words are Spirit and Life. John 6:63

IN JOHN CHAPTER SEVEN:
Believing on Him,
Rivers of Living Water
Flowing out of your belly. John 7:38-39
Which is the Spirit,
Promised.

IN JOHN CHAPTER EIGHT HE IS:
The light of the World, John 8:12
The son who makes free indeed, John 8:36
Seen of Abraham, who was made glad. John 8:56


IN JOHN CHAPTER NINE:
He gives sight to the blind.
Like the blindman,
so was I in Sin,
But praise be to Him,
NOW I SEE. John 9:25


IN JOHN CHAPTER TEN HE IS:
The door, John 10:7
The good shepherd, John 10:14
Laying down of himself, John 10:18
His life for the sheep, John 10:15
Giving eternal life, John 10:28
To his own who shall never perish, John 10:28
One with the Father. John 10:30


IN JOHN CHAPTER ELEVEN:
HE Loved Martha, her sister and Lazarus. John 11:5
HE IS the Ressurrection, John 11:25
And the Life.
HE Wept. John 11:33
And then Raised the Dead Lazarus. John 11:42-43
Calling him Forth.


IN JOHN CHAPTER TWELVE:
Annointed for Burial
By Mary,
With costly ointment,
She wiping his feet with her hair,
And the house filled with the odor. John 12:3, John 12:7
Riding on the Young ass,
Triumphal Entry, John 12:14-15
The voice from Heaven, John 12:28
The judgment of this world,
The prince Cast out. John 12:31

IN JOHN CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
The hour has come, John 13:1
With Joy and Quiet
We peer into The Inner Sanctuary,
The final hours, the last advice,
The precious words before his arrest....
He leaves an example,
Washing their feet, John 13:15
"Do as I have done to you,
The servant is not greater than his lord."
"Judas, that thou doest,
Do quickly." John 13:17
"Only a little longer,
Soon I am gone." John 13:33
"Love one another, John 13:34
By this they will know you are mine." John 13:35

IN JOHN CHAPTER FOURTEEN:
Let not your heart be troubled John 14:1
I am going,
AND Coming Again,
Receiving you unto myself, John 14:3
The Comforter is coming, John 14:26
Peace I am leaving, John 14:27
If you loved me
You would be rejoicing, John 14:28
For I go to the Father.

IN JOHN CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
He is the True Vine John 15:1
We the branches John 15:5
Abide in Him John 15:7
He in us
Glorify the Father, John 15:8
Bear much fruit,
And so be his disciples.
Love One Another, John 15:12
The world will hate You,
FOR The world has hated HIM, John 15:18-19
The Comforter is coming,
The Spirit of Truth,
He will testify of HIM John 15:26

IN JOHN CHAPTER SIXTEEN:
Expedient it is that he goes,
For he goes not
The comforter comes not.
But if he goes,
The comforter he sends. John 15:7
The Spirit of Truth
Who will guide
into all truth. John 15:13
Like a woman in travail
Sorrow will be yours,
But like her delivered,
anguish forgotten,
Joy reigning, John 15:21
You will rejoice
With joy no man can take. John 15:22
You shall be scattered
leaving me alone,
because the Father is with me. John 15:32
I tell you now,
that in me
ye might have peace.
Be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world. John 15:33

IN JOHN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:
The High Priestly Prayer:
LIFE Eternal to Know God
And Jesus Christ
Whom God has sent. John 17:3
He prays his Father,
"Glorify Me
With the same Glory
I Had with thee before the world was." John 17:5

IN JOHN CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:
In the Garden,
They seek him,
To arrest the innocent.
Knowing all things, John 18:4
He asks them - they reply,
He says "I AM"
Backward they fall, all to the Ground. John 18:5
Willing his life he lays down,
No one will take it from him.
The good shepherd for the sheep.
God-Man, representing Men, as Man.
Born and come into the world,
A King but not of this world. John 18:37

IN JOHN CHAPTER NINETEEN:
The enemy having no power
But what was given of God. John 19:11
It is finished,
With Life yet in him,
He of his own volition,
Bowed his head,
And Gave up the Ghost. John 19:30
He laid down his life and died for his own.
It is finished.

IN JOHN CHAPTER TWENTY:
HE IS RISEN
"Thomas, Reach hither thy finger" John 20:27
"Behold my hands"
Many other signs he did yet not written, John 20:30
But these written, that ye might believe, John 20:31
That Jesus is the Christ,
The Son of God,
And that believing ye might have,
Life through his name.


IN JOHN CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE:
Jesus, the Lamb of God,
Who has taken away the sins of the world,
Who lived in our midst,
Speaking words that are Spirit and Truth,
Teaching and Preaching,
Healing and Miracles,
The works given him of the Father.
The Good Shepherd,
The sacrifice for sin,
Life now in his name,
Many other things Jesus did,
If they should be written,
Every one,
I suppose that even the world itself
Could not contain the books
That should be written
AMEN. Joh 21:25

Peace He Left,
His Peace he gave,
Not as the World gives,
Gave He unto us.
Let not our hearts be troubled,
Neither Let them be afraid. Joh 14:27

PEACE - Octavius Winslow on Joh 14:27

Given the opportunity to preach Labor Day weekend while our Pastor was out of town, I was praying and searching for the biblical passage. During this time of not knowing I read the day's post from the Octavius Winslow blog. Here was the text. Although I didn't borrow or use Winslow in preparing or delivering the sermon - I was much encouraged by him as God's means to remind me of a text that has long been very precious to me.

Here is what I read:

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives give I unto you.” John 14:27

Peace also is a fruit of spiritual-mindedness. What peace of conscience does that individual possess whose mind is stayed upon spiritual things! It is as much the reward as it is the effect of his cultivated heavenliness. The existence of this precious blessing, however, supposes the exposure of the spiritual mind to much that has a tendency to ruffle and disturb its equanimity and repose. The Christian is far from being entirely exempt from those chafings and disquietudes which seem inseparable from human life. To the brooding anxieties arising from external things- life’s vicissitudes, mutations, and disappointments; there are added, what are peculiar to the child of God, the internal things that distract- the cloudings of guilt, the agitations of doubt, the corrodings of fear, the mourning of penitence, the discipline of love.

But through all this there flows a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God. It is the peace of the heavenly mind, the peace which Jesus procured, which God imparts, and which the Holy Spirit seals. A heavenly mind soars above a poor dying world, living not upon a creature’s love or smile- casting its daily need upon the heart of a kind Providence- anxious for nothing, but with supplication and thanksgiving making known its requests unto God- indifferent to the turmoil, vexations, and chequered scenes of worldly life, and living in simple faith and holy pleasing on Christ. Thus detached from earth, and moving heavenwards by the attractions of its placid coast, it realizes a peace which passes all understanding.

And if this be the present of the heavenly mind, what will be the future of the mind in heaven? Heaven is the abode of perfect peace. There are no cloudings of guilt, no tossings of grief, no agitations of fear, no corrodings of anxiety there. It is the peace of perfect purity- it is the repose of complete satisfaction. It is not so much the entire absence of all sorrow, as it is the actual presence of all holiness, that constitutes the charm and the bliss of future glory.

The season of sorrow is frequently converted into that of secret joy- Christ making our very griefs to sing. But the occasion of sin is always that of bitter grief; our backslidings often, like scorpions, entwined around our hearts. Were there even- as most assuredly there will not be- sadness in heaven, there might still be the accompaniment of happiness; but were there sin in heaven- the shadow of a shade of guilt- it would becloud and embitter all. Thus, then, as heaven is the abode of perfect peace, he who on earth has his conversation most in heaven approximates in his feelings the nearest to the heavenly state. Oh that our hearts were more yielding to the sweet, holy, and powerful attractions of the heavenly world! Then would our conversation be more in heaven.

HT: Matthew Blair

Book Review - The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission

The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission, Promoting the Gospel with More Than Our Lips by John Dickson

Over on the Zondervan Blog, Koinonia, I recently was selected by drawing to receive and review this book by John Dickson, director of the Centre for Public Christianity (www.publicchristianity.org).

My interest was quickly piqued as read through the endorsements at the beginning of the book. For example: Alistair Begg reports that this book is "required reading at Parkside." And Alistair McGrath writing "I have learned from reading it...it challenged me, encouraged me, and often inspired me. And at my age that's quite an achievement." And Collin Hansen advising "John Dickson will encourage you from Scripture with many varied ways to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Following the endorsements I went to the back of the book scanning the notes, the Scripture Index and especially reading through the subject index trying to get a "feel" for the books scope, depth, and possibly also special items to note as I read through the content.

The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission (which I will refer to simply as Secret for the remainder of the review) has 91 endnotes and 380 scripture references taken from 12 OT books and 21 NT books. The Subject Index includes seven Greek word in their phonetic anglicized equivalent (there are actually at least 24 instances where Dickson deals with as many different Greek words) ; 7 ancient names ie. Philo, Ignatius, Eusebius, Chrysotom, Irenaeus, Tiberius; A couple of words I had no idea about: tripitaka and upanishads; plus some various others subjects which grabbed my attention: God-Talk, apostolic gospel, New Atheism, Koran, Shema, Turkey, Richard Dawkins, employee-employer relationships, and Hitchens.

Some other items of interest before we begin:

• Scripture references are generally from the TNIV.
• Study Guide and videos are available at www.promotingChrist.com (I haven't checked this out yet but their availability is a definite plus.
  
• No footnotes, only endnotes.
• 239 Pages in length.
• Ravi Zacharias and Alister McGrath wrote the two Forewords.
• Ravi Zacharias has known and worked alongside John Dickson for several years.
• Justin Taylor posted the following links to John Dickson, which might prove useful in getting to know the author 1) Promoting The Gospel 9-10-08 2) Promoting the Gospel Conference 11-25-08 several audios 3) Dickson interviews John Lennox 12-26-08 4) John Dickson interviews Martin Hengel 7-11-09
• Kevin deYoung lists this book in the up and coming books to watch for in 2010, with a slight cautionary word. click here I would love to see deYoung's thoughts after having read the book.
  

In the introduction, "Confessions of an Evangelists", Dickson describes his own story of coming to Christ at the age of 15 and enthusiastically and continuously speaking about Christ to anyone who would listen. But this early freedom and frequency was soon squelched when astute leaders in his church noticing his ability and activity had him enrolled in a several month long evangelism training class. The results weren't good. Coming out of this class he lists several things that changed for him. He now had a canned outline of the gospel, which really wasn't the whole rich gospel of who Jesus was and what he did. He lost his earlier pre-training freedom of speaking of Christ in all occasions for a method which required him to use a one-size-fits all system. He became self-conscious as a result plus he now saw mission work as only what he could say with his lips. And so a major goal of Secret is to show that The whole life lived can be mission oriented always promoting Christ even in times when outwardly our lips are not proclaiming Christ.

Chapter One subtitled, "Why Get Involved in Missions" might very well be my favorite. It reminded me very much of a John Piper quote: "Missions exist because worship doesn't."

Dickson expounds on Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD, quoting also from 1Cor 8:4-6 for the purpose of saying "If there is just one God in the universe, everyone everywhere has a duty to worship that Lord." Dickson then walks us through Psalm 96:4-5 demonstrating "the driving force behind all our efforts to bring the news of the one true Lord to our friends and neighbors: If there is one Lord to whom all people belong and owe their allegiance, the people of that Lord must promote this reality."

Chapter one alone justifies the price of the book.

As the book progresses we are given apologetic helps in answering various objections such as "All religions are equal," tolerance/intolerance, and various forms of Pluralism.

The book goes on to encourage us and to instruct us by exhortations, by scripture exegesis, and by many of Dickson's own life example in how we can "Promote the Gospel." Promote the gospel by speaking, by much praying, with our money, by godly behaviour, through good works individually and corporately.

Throughout the book I sensed a desire in Dickson to remain balanced. For example he does encourage good works as a mission promoting activity but then adds "mission disconnected from the gospel is not Christian." He encourages us to preach the gospel by talking about the gospels, the events in the gospels, the narrative of the gospels, but then reminds us to not neglect the theological meaning of these events. Which I read as meaning don't just talk about the doctrine of the atonement but show who Jesus is from eternity, how he lived and what he taught, and how he suffered and how he died and how he rose on the third day. But so as not to be devoid of the theological meaning, why he came, why he lived as he lived in our place and as our representative, and how he died a wrath absorbing sacrifice. Demonstrating that we are justified by Faith and not works and for all this God gets the glory. Dickson lists many non-verbal ways to promote the gospel but then spends his longest chapter on "What is the Gospel" and includes two appendices with further gospel-telling helps.

I am aware of the controversies today over just what is the doctrine of Justification. And I noted that the first endorser of Dickson's book is N. T. Wright, who comes down on the wrong side of this debate endorsing and promoting the New Perspective on Paul. So I read with care especially those passages dealing with just "What is the Gospel?" Dickson's book is written carefully enough that evidently he offends neither side. I might add that, in his chapter, "What is the Gospel?" I would wish there was more emphasis on theological meaning accompanying the recounting of the gospel narrative. It was there, but I would wish for more. Yet, what I took away especially from that chapter, was to be more careful to recount the content of the gospels and not just the doctrine of the gospels and I think that was the weakness Dickson was addressing.

Providentially, it is very appropriate that I received, read and reviewed this book as in our own church we are praying and striving to increase our missionary endeavors beginning this month.

I extend my thanks to Zondervan Publishing for sending me The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission and with the endorsers I can say I am better for having read this book and hope especially better equipped for the promoting of Christ my savior to the Glory of God.

Below is pictured some of the notes and index I created to enhance my own use of this book in the future, click on picture to enlarge and further zoom in:

Pilgrim's Progress - Demas

Pictured at the left is John Bunyan in prison, perhaps writing The Pilgrim's Progress as his beloved blind daughter Mary clings to his side. He did not love this world, he did not forsake Christ for the treasures of this world. He did not listen to Demas for all the freedom this world had to offer. I sometimes try to think of Bunyan like this as I read and discuss with my little girls, The Pilgrim's Progress.

No more in the Plain called Ease, temptation comes and and our Heroes encounter Demas:

Then Christian and Hopeful outwent them again, and went till they came at a delicate plain, called Ease, where they went with much content; but that plain was but narrow, so they were quickly got over it. Now at the farther side of that plain was a little hill, called Lucre, and in that hill a silver-mine, which some of them that had formerly gone that way, because of the rarity of it, had turned aside to see; but going too near the brim of the pit, the ground, being deceitful under them, broke, and they were slain: some also had been maimed there, and could not, to their dying day, be their own men again.

Then I saw in my dream, that a little off the road, over against the silver-mine, stood Demas (gentleman-like) to call passengers to come and see; who said to Christian and his fellow, Ho! turn aside hither, and I will show you a thing.

Christian: What thing so deserving as to turn us out of the way to see it?

Demas: Here is a silver-mine, and some digging in it for treasure; if you will come, with a little pains you may richly provide for yourselves.

What a temptation is this? Please note to see the silver mine they must TURN OUT OF THE WAY. And Hopeful is beginning to succumb:

Hopeful: Then said Hopeful, let us go see.

Praise God, for a faithful brother to check us.

Christian: Not I, said Christian: I have heard of this place before now, and how many there have been slain; and besides, that treasure is a snare to those that seek it, for it hindereth them in their pilgrimage.

And so Christian converses some with Demas that Hopeful might learn and ourselves:

Then Christian called to Demas, saying, Is not the place dangerous? Hath it not hindered many in their pilgrimage? Hosea 9:6.

Demas: Not very dangerous, except to those that are careless; but withal he blushed as he spake.

Interesting, how Demas blushed. Is this some indication that he knew he lied? Some hint of that former conscience? Whatever it may be Christian is not fooled.

Christian: Then said Christian to Hopeful, Let us not stir a step, but still keep on our way.

Hopeful: I will warrant you, when By-ends comes up, if he hath the same invitation as we, he will turn in thither to see.

Hopeful now seeing their danger, and remembering just what kind of principals Byends held to predicts Byends fall here.

Christian: No doubt thereof, for his principles lead him that way, and a hundred to one but he dies there.

Demas: Then Demas called again, saying, But will you not come over and see?

Christian: Then Christian roundly answered, saying, Demas, thou art an enemy to the right ways of the Lord of this way, and hast been already condemned for thine own turning aside, by one of his Majesty’s judges, 2 Tim. 4:10; and why seekest thou to bring us into the like condemnation? Besides, if we at all turn aside, our Lord the King will certainly hear thereof, and will there put us to shame, where we would stand with boldness before him.

Demas cried again, that he also was one of their fraternity; and that if they would tarry a little, he also himself would walk with them.

Christian: Then said Christian, What is thy name? Is it not the same by which I have called thee?

Demas: Yes, my name is Demas; I am the son of Abraham.

Christian: I know you; Gehazi was your great-grandfather, and Judas your father, and you have trod in their steps; it is but a devilish prank that thou usest: thy father was hanged for a traitor, and thou deservest no better reward. 2 Kings 5:20-27; Matt.26:14,15; 27:3-5. Assure thyself, that when we come to the King, we will tell him of this thy behavior. Thus they went their way.

I liked how Bunyan joined Judas, and Gehazi with Demas. We read the whole account of Elisha, Naaman, and Gehazi from 2Kings 5.

Demas like Talkative earlier does prove scary to me. And because of him, my girls and I had some talk on the doctrine of the perseverance of the Saints. We talked about election, we talked about the ransom price. We talked about the atonement accomplished. We talked about the gift of the Father to the son and how all that the Father giveth to the son shall come to him, and for the one who comes, Jesus is both able and willing to receive him and will in no wise cast him out. Comforting truths to me, comforting to my girls as we consider Demas and are warned away from the love of this present world.

Col 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Philemon 1:23-24 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus; Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.

2Ti 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

And so Hopeful's prediction proved true:

By this time By-ends and his companions were come again within sight, and they at the first beck went over to Demas. Now, whether they fell into the pit by looking over the brink thereof, or whether they went down to dig, or whether they were smothered in the bottom by the damps that commonly arise, of these things I am not certain; but this I observed, that they were never seen again in the way. Then sang Christian,

“By-ends and silver Demas both agree;

One calls, the other runs, that he may be

A sharer in his lucre: so these two

Take up in this world, and no farther go.”

1John 2:15-17