The picture of the owl reminds us of the proverbial expression, "Like a wise old owl." However, this does not entirely project the Scriptural symbolism of the bird.

In "Outline and Object" we read: "There are three different varieties of the owl spoken of in the Bible, namely, The Little Owl, The Great Owl, and the Screech Owl. The owl is described as unclean, and forbidden as food for Israel (Leviticus 11:16,17; Deut. 14:16). In Isaiah it is used to illustrate desolation. Being a night bird, it is figurative of evil, under cover of darkness."

In our cover picture the owl appears to be asleep like many in this day of grace—not alert to the condition of ruin around and of impending judgment. The article, "What Meanest Thou, O Sleeper?" is directed toward the unsaved. "Asleep or Alert?" is written with a view to awaken the believer who has been lulled to sleep—not constantly living in the sense that Christ's coming is at hand. May the Spirit of God use these messages to accomplish His purpose in bringing every soul to eternal blessing with present joy and future glory as we begin the new decade of the 1980's.