The End

In my personal devotions, I am currently approaching the end of the Book of the Revelation (of Jesus the Christ.). However, that book is, by no means, the only Biblical book that refers to the end of all that we know and experience in this life. Peter, for example, writes: “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (I Peter 4:17).

As Peter wrote his first epistle, foremost in his mind was a desire to encourage the believers to stand firm in the face of suffering and trial. On four occasions he used the term “the end,” focusing his readers’ attention on the final resolution of all things. A study of these occurrences gives us a glimpse of the tenor of the entire book.

 

The first use followed an explanation of the nature and benefits of the various trials in a believer’s life. The result would be a pure, effective faith now, as well as “receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1:9; AV), the final ultimate deliverance of our whole person. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls.

 

Meanwhile, “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:13; AV). Our minds should be completely (“to the end”) ready for action, sober and expectant, focused on the ultimate resolution of all trials.

 

This ultimate resolution could come at any time: “The end of all things is at hand” (4:7). Our responses should be to “therefore keep sane and sober for your prayers.” To be sober is to be of sound judgement, making careful decisions, not based on emotion; especially watchful as we pray, with eternity in mind.

 

The last occurrence of “the end.” in Peter's letter is the one referred to at the beginning of this post. The time of final judgment on both Christian and non-Christian looms nearer and nearer. But God’s cleansing of His people has already begun, and it at times is not pleasant, although beneficial. His judgement on those outside “the house of God” will be much more severe, with no opportunity for reconciliation. This warning should motivate who know the Lord, in our ministry to the unsaved. It should also speak to any who do not have a personal, saving relationship with Him, to carefully consider their ways. There is yet time to come to the Saviour - but that time is becoming increasingly short!

Seven Outgrowths of Faith

Writing to the Church at large, the apostle Peter states: "For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love."  (II Peter 1:5-7)

Having “escape[d] from the corruption that is in the world ” (v. 4) through our “faith” in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we must now grow spiritually, conforming our nature and practice to His. We must put to use the divine nature we now possess, recognising that He has provided all the resources we need.

In this passage, Peter assumes we already have “faith,” thus here our spiritual lives must begin. He instructs us to “supplement” that faith with seven character traits: virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness  (perseverance), godliness, brotherly affection, and [agape] love.

 

There is, both in the text ( “supplement”), and in practice, a progression here. As new disciples of Jesus, we should strive for virtue, eliminating sinful actions and thoughts from our lives, as the Holy Spirit brings conviction. A commitment to growth in knowledge, first the basics of the faith and then deeper doctrines, enables us to exercise wisdom in life’s choices (and my own books, especially "Foundations of the Faith", may be found to be helpful in this matter!). A self-controlled, disciplined lifestyle exercises perseverance, even strength in the face of adversity, which in turn produces godliness - an attitude of reverence toward God that strives to please Him by developing His attitudes and priorities. Our relations with others will thus be marked by brotherly kindness toward believers and agape love (self-sacrificing, undeserved love) for all.

 

Such spiritual growth does not come without effort. He has provided all we need, but we must “make every effort” in the process, and not simply allow the Holy Spirit to reside in our hearts to work on our character and habits. Any lack of spiritual growth is our fault, not His. May all who read these words be found " grow[ing] up in every way into Him Who is the Head, into Christ," (Eph.4:15-16), to Hos glory.

Propitiation

When I published my first book: "Great Words of the Faith", one of the words with which I dealt was "propitiation". I also looked at the word "expiation" which has a similar, but not identical, meaning. I state: "Expiation refers to that which is judicial; propitiation refers to that which is relational.  Expiation removes a barrier; propitiation removes the barrier, and restores a relationship."

Today, Sept. 20th, is the Jewish "Yom Kippur" - "Day of Atonement". The Complete Jewish Bible translates these words from the First Letter of John as "Also, He [the Lord Jesus] is the kapparah [the atonement] for our sins — and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world." (2:2). 

Two other places where the word is found are: Romans 3:25 - “Whom [Jesus] God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion].” (Amp), and I John 4:10 - "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [that is, the atoning sacrifice, and the satisfying offering] for our sins [fulfilling God’s requirement for justice against sin and placating His wrath]." (Amp).

In any case, the action of the Lord Jesus in submitting His body to be a substitutionary sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins and to endure God’s wrath against all the sins of the world, thereby enabling Him to be reconciled to us - to be made "at one" with Him, with Christ’s perfect righteousness credited to our account, is seen in these three verses to be a basic theme of this great truth of Christ’s propitiatory work on the cross. And surely, as John says: “In this is love,” that God would so love us that He would offer up His Son, and the Christ would so love us that He would die for us. Surely, this is love! 

The Gift of Labour.

In the Biblical book of Genesis is a verse that is often overlooked. It reads: "Yahweh Elohim took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it."(2:15).

When God first created man, He gave him work to do. Although “Yahweh Elohim planted a garden” for man (Genesis 2:8), it was up to man to take care of it if he would continue to eat its fruits. Thus means that having to labour for one’s living is not some kind of divine punishment for man’s sin, as some people would interpret it, but rather a divine benefit for man’s good.

As mentioned previously (Aug. 16th), I am currently going through the Book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus, the Christ, in my personal devotions. The book speaks of the new earth, when sin and suffering will be gone forever, and shows that there will be work to do: “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in the city, and His servants shall serve Him.” (Revelation 22:3; TLB; emphasis added).faithfulness

 

We don’t know yet what our assignments will be on that new earth, but they may somehow be commensurate with our  in serving the Lord here. “... behold, I come shortly. And My reward is with Me:” says the Lord Jesus, “to give to every man according as his work shall be.” (Revelation 22:12; RGT).

 

It is, therefore, a God-given privilege to be able to do useful work, whether that work consists of preaching God’s Word or improving God’s world. “Whatever your hand finds to do, ” [whether being paid for it or not], “do it with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). As Jesus said, “night comes, when no one can work.” (John 9:4).

 

No matter what the job that has been provided for us to do may be, it is important to remember and obey the admonition: “Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24) and “that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (I Corinthians 15:58). 

Fifth Sunday

Another Fifth Sunday, and a reminder of those who are persecuted, in some 50 countries around the world, simply because they are disciples of Jesus, the Christ.

Imagine being arrested, thrown into prison, and facing legal charges simply for holding a Christian meeting in your home!

That’s what happened to Pastor Mohan*, in India’s northern Uttar Pradesh state.

Around 50 Christians were at his village home, with a walled garden compound, when Hindu extremist groups prompted local police to come and arrest him.

A crowd surrounded the group of believers, threatening and provoking them. Mohan admitted he was afraid. The local media also turned up, in what appeared a coordinated move to intimidate and instil fear into the Christian community.

Although initially released from police custody, Mohan was later accused of forcing, threatening and luring people into his church, in breach of Uttar Pradesh’s anti-conversion laws.

Mohan was remanded in custody for a month — but said it felt much longer as other criminals in the prison bullied him and forced him to do all the menial chores, such as mopping the floors and cleaning out the drains.

He felt completely alone and in despair, until someone brought him a New Testament. He was led to read the story of Paul and Silas in prison and realised the challenges that God’s gospel servants will sometimes face.

Release International partners have been supporting Mohan and providing him with on-going legal aid during this traumatic time.

After a month in prison, Mohan was released and was told by police he should not return to his home area. However, he is seeking to continue his ministry there, although now local Christians in his village are meeting in much smaller groups.

Meanwhile, Mohan’s court case is dragging on. He is regularly summonsed to court, and each time there are more court fees to be paid. ‘We are under a lot of pressure,’ he said. ‘We are very stressed.’

India’s constitution grants freedom of religion. But so-called anti-conversion laws such as those in Mohan’s home state of Uttar Pradesh are increasingly being used by Hindu groups to intimidate Christians and to stifle gospel ministry.

Release International’s partner in India is providing legal assistance to frontline church leaders all over the country, advising them, and encouraging them. Pastors like Mohan want to serve Christ and the gospel — even in the face of those who try to stop them doing so.

Mohan said, ‘The [Hindu] fanatics have an eye on us always. But the more we are persecuted, the more we grow. We dedicate ourselves to serving God boldly, but we do feel unsafe — so please pray for our protection.’

* Name changed to protect the brother involved.

How much do you really understand about the foundational teaching of the Church of the Lord Jesus, the Christ? In this book, I go through the text of "The Apostle's Creed", and share in everyday language, the basic teachings that it covers. There is also an Appendix on God the Holy Spirit.

Remember that all royalties are sent, directly, to "Voice of persecuted Christians" (formerly Release International) in support of persecuted disciples of Jesus in many different countries.