The world cannot wait for the end of 2020. Before it began 2020 was hailed as the year of 20 / 20 vision or some variation of that play on the measure of good eyesight. In 2020 humanity would congratulate itself on how clearly it sees and how enlightened it is. In 2020 humanity would look far forward and see all the dazzling possibilities of what man can achieve. Our sovereign God, who sits enthroned in the heavens and before whom all the nations are as nothing and less than nothing and vanity, cut man’s vision short by visiting misery and destruction upon the earth in 2020. Jehovah turned man’s triumph into ash, so that man now curses 2020 and wishes it to be finished. What humanity willfully forgot is that 20 / 20 vision is only the measure of man’s eyesight, and man is blind. He lives his life in the spiritual darkness and sightlessness of sin. Man might be bedazzled with himself, but there is no true light there. Man’s only hope is Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, who calls his people out of darkness into his marvelous light. And what light is the Light! How bright is he who is the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of his person! In his light we see light. In his light we know all the things of God that he has revealed. In his light we see the kingdom of heaven and walk in it. In his light we have illumination for our feet and a light upon our path. In his light we have much more than the blind 20 / 20 vision of man, for in his light we see God.

2020 was not the year of 20 / 20 vision, but it was anno domini, the year of our Lord. His footsteps have echoed loudly this year. He comes, and he comes quickly. And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”

We hope you are edified by this final regular issue of the year. One of the pleasant surprises we have enjoyed in publishing Sword and Shield is how many readers have submitted their own articles for publication in the magazine. When Reformed Believers Publishing published its first issues, we wondered how much interest there would be even in reading the magazine. We have been delighted to hear from so many who have felt compelled also to write an article here and there for the magazine. We find this to be a powerful expression of the fact that Sword and Shield is a believer’s paper. We are thankful to God for those men and women in the office of believer who have readily and cheerfully employed their gifts of writing for the advantage and salvation of other members (Heidelberg Catechism, A 55). We also think that the contributions are adding a nice flavor and a pleasing sound to the magazine. The voice of the magazine is not and need not be this or that editor, but the voice of God’s people as we together confess our Savior. What a spiritually exciting project to be part of!

In this issue we welcome Mr. Samuel Vasquez and his contribution on a timely topic in the Protestant Reformed Churches: biblical counseling. That topic is certainly ripe for some lively discussion and some biblical examination among us, and we trust that Mr. Vasquez’ article will get us started.

Also, we thank the Reformed Free Publishing Association (RFPA) and Professor Engelsma for allowing us to republish his timely and necessary review of Dr. Richard J. Mouw’s latest book. Professor Engelsma’s review was originally published on the RFPA’s blog on September 23, 2020, here. Dr. Mouw’s book and Professor Engelsma’s review remind us that the issue of common grace is alive and well and that there is still work for the Protestant Reformed Churches to do in their polemic against common grace and their development of the truth.

In this issue we also introduce a new rubric: A Word in Due Season. “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” (Prov. 15:23). Rev. VanderWal gets this rubric going with an explanation of heresy.

Finally, we are very happy to announce plans for two special editions of Sword and Shield in the near future, the Lord willing. The first special edition will commemorate the first annual meeting of Reformed Believers Publishing, held in October. The issue will feature the comments, speeches, and reports that were delivered at the meeting, along with some photos of the evening. God has gone before the magazine and prepared its way, and the occasion of the first annual meeting is a good opportunity to commemorate his guidance. Keep an eye out on or around December 15 for this Annual Meeting Edition.

The second special edition is another Letters Edition. Your letters have continued to come in at a steady pace, and we are grateful for your thoughtful comments, questions, and criticisms. Look for this Letters Edition on or around January 15. As usual, these special editions will not interrupt the regular editions of Sword and Shield, so you can still look forward to the magazine the first of each month as well.

May God speed the truths written herein to your heart, and the next issue into your hands.