Fifth Sunday: "Great Words of the Faith"

 Another month with five Sundays, so another book promotion!

"Great Words of the Faith" was my first venture into the world of self-publishing. Like its successors, it started its life as a spoken word - in this case, as a series of about eight words, preached before the congregation of St.Andrew's Parish Church (now St.Andrew's United Free Church), in Bellshill, Lanarkshire.

Many years later, I used some of those messages as the basis for a series of broadcasts on Revival Radio, a Christian radio station that is, sadly, no longer. That was when an established author, already known to me, suggested that the series would make a good book! A few years later, I used the series, suitably upgraded, in Calderhead:Erskine Parish Church in Shotts, Lanarkshire, and its linked congregation in nearby Allanton.The young Session Clerk also suggested that the series would make a useful book.

With two people, who had no knowledge of even one another's existence, having said the same thing, I started on the manuscript - with the original eight, or so, words increased to twenty-four. The central word is "Love" and it was given two chapters, making a total of twenty-five chapters.

As with all of my books and, indeed, this blog (!), I receive no financial benefit from sales (or 'clicks'). Indeed, I don't even see the royalties from book sales, as they are sent, directly, to Release International, in support of the persecuted church. So, purchasing one, or more, of my books is not only helpful to your understanding of the Christian Faith, but it is helping those who suffer - many in ways that are beyond the comprehension of those of us who live in the still relative safety of "the west" - for that same faith.

All of my books are designed to be read without the need of a dictionary beside you, and are written in an almost conversational tone!

Why not start the new year with some wholesome, helpful, reading! You know it makes sense!

A good new year to one and all.

Two Bethlehems.

A couple of weeks ago I, and all who were present at the Pathway Fellowship in Wishaw, received a little booklet on the story of Ruth, found in the First Testament in the Bible. The booklet is entitled "Finding Hope under Bethlehem Skies" and is a brief devotional commentary on the story of Ruth, and how it relates to this Christmas season (which, some will know, ought really to be celebrated in September - but that's another story!).

The connection with Christmas is not just the town of Bethlehem, but the amazing fact that Ruth, a member of the Moabite people, sworn enemies of the Children of Israel, had a descendant Who was named "Jesus" because, as an angel revealed to Joseph of Nazareth, "... He will save His people from their sins." (Matt.1:21). Yes, a Moabite - themselves the result of the incestuous sexual act of a drunken Lot and one of his own daughters (Gen.19) - is an ancestor, after the flesh, of the One Who is the Saviour of all who come to Him in faith. Actually, Matthew tells us more. Boaz, who took Ruth to be his wife, was the son of Rahab, the prostitute of Jericho. Indeed, his ancestry goes right back to Judah's sexual act with his daughter-in-law, disguised as a common prostitute! (Gen.38).  But both of these women placed their trust in YHWH, the God of Israel - and that is what matters! It is also a reminder - even to our Jewish friends - that YHWH (HaShem) is God of the Gentiles as well as of the Jews, and that He can take the most unlikely material, and use it to bring about His will and purposes! 

The birth of Jesus, the Christ was, as far as we know, perfectly normal! What was miraculous was His conception! It was unlike any other in the whole history of humankind. It was, indeed, an "other world" conception. The angel, Gabriel, told Mary: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;" (Lk.1:35). The Child conceived in her womb was from outwith our world. And this had to be so because the Boy born to Mary was Immanuel - "God with us" (Is.7:14; Matt.1:23).

I've just finished reading a book that seeks to relate Biblical theology to Quantum Physics! I understood about 10%!!! But one thing about which I agreed fully with the author is that eternity is not, as some suggest, "endless time", but a state of "timelessness", and the "distance" between time and eternity is but a small fraction of a nanosecond! The Baby born in Bethlehem was of heavenly origin. Almighty God, the Creator, had entered this physical world in the form, and with the nature, of a human Infant. He came into this world from eternity, and His incarnation made possible our redemption - but that, too is another story!

Now, if we consider this more deeply, and if we are His disciples, then we must realise that our own new birth - our regeneration - comes from outwith this world! Jesus said the we are "born from above" (Jn.3:3, 7-8; alternative translation). Our salvation is not from any earthly source, but from Almighty God Himself, through Jesus, Who is God the Son, by means of of God the Holy Spirit. In a sense, then, my heart becomes a "Bethlehem stable", a place where Jesus comes into the world! I open the door to Him, by faith, and He is born in me bu the Holy Spirit. And that is the case for all who have accepted Him as Saviour, and Lord, and King.

We make Him known to others by His power working within us. He affects every aspect of our lives. We are, in a sense (I almost typed "quantum sense"!) a "Bethlehem" - His place of entrance in the world in which we live today. Someone has noted that the Christ was born here below, that we might be born from above! Of course, if the stable door is closed after He enters, then we will never be able to share Him with others!

The booklet I mentioned at the beginning suggests a song to which the reader might listen each day. So here is a song for you. Listen carefully to the last verse: "O Holy Child of Bethlehem, ... ... be born in us today"! May that be the sincere prayer of each one of us as we move through this Advent season - and anticipate the Second Advent, when He comes again, not as a helpless infant, but as the mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords. I trust that you are prepared for that tumultuous event!

A work in progress!

Best-selling novelist, the Anglo-Canadian author Arthur Hailey (1920-2004), is recorded as having said of his fictional characters: "I don't think I really invented anybody. I have drawn on real life." When readers open a book by this author, they encounter ordinary people who have been placed, by the author, in extraordinary situations.

Do you realise that Father God often does the same thing?! In Dr Luke's second volume - known to us as the Book of the Acts of the Apostles (although, more accurately, the Acts of God the Holy Spirit, through apostolic men!) - and in chapter 4, we find two ordinary people, the fishermen Peter and John, having been placed in an unexpected situation, being witnesses to the reality of the risen Lord Jesus. These men who, with the rest of the band of disciples had fled when their Master was arrested, were now boldly facing threats and punishment, for nothing other than telling people about Him.

The context is that, on the previous day, they "... were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." (Acts 3:1-10)

The two responded to this amazement by proclaiming the Gospel message - 3: 12-26 - and, we read in Acts 4, that "... the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead." (4:1-2). The Sadducees, of course, did not believe that there was any such thing as a resurrection (that is why they were "sad, you see"! Theological humour!).

Having been kept in custody overnight, Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin - the supreme Jewish Council - who wanted to know how they had performed the miracle on the lame man. This gave Peter another opportunity to preach the Gospel! (vs.8-12). His preaching was so powerful that even these authorities, who opposed the followers of "the Way", were astonished as "... they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men,". But "... they recognized that they had been with Jesus."! (v.13).

Most, if not all, of us are ordinary people in a real life of work, relationships, and everyday circumstances. But Father God is looking for ordinary people to do extraordinary work for Him! Our opportunities to demonstrate the reality of the Lord Jesus may sometimes come disguised as difficulties - as they did for Peter and John, and other disciples as recorded by Dr Luke.

However, if you read Peter's response to the Sanhedrin, you will have noticed the secret in v.8 - "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said ...". Even as ordinary people, we can have an extraordinary impact for the Saviour if we will trust the Author of our circumstances, and rely on the indwelling power of God the Holy Spirit. We are, as a friend from many years ago often pointed out "works in progress"! However, if it is true that we are "with Jesus" then that work will continue under His masterful guidance. Paul, writing to the believers in Philippi, assured them that "...  I am sure that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (1:6). They, too, were "works in progress", but that work would be completed. 

May that be the ongoing experience of all who read this post, as we see all around us, indications that the final prophecies are being fulfilled, and the Rapture of the saints of God is rapidly approaching!

Light at a Time of Darkness.

The Book of Ruth, in the Tanakh (the Old, or First, Testament), is a love story with a difference! It is certainly not a "Mills & Boon" romantic novel. There is the love shown by Ruth, to her mother-in-law, Naomi; and the love that blossomed between Ruth and Boaz. There is also, on the part of all three, an obvious love of Almighty God, characterised by their trust in Him.

We may better appreciate the significance of this story by placing it in its proper context. The stories described in the Book take place at the same time as the events of the Book of Judges – a dark and difficult era for the people of Israel. After the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel each operated independently of one another. Lacking unity, the tribes were weak and vulnerable to attack from neighboring countries and plundering tribes. At the same time, without consistently strong leadership, the Israelites frequently turned away from God and worshiped the pagan gods of surrounding nations. The Book of Judges can be described as a painful cycle: the people become complacent and turn away from God; God sends foreign enemies to subjugate the people; the people cry out and God sends a savior to redeem them; finally, saved from their enemies, the people become complacent and the cycle is repeated once again.
Is there a message, here, for the people of Israel today, as the war with Hamas rages on?
After selflessly following her mother-in-law to Judea, Ruth is rewarded with a life of poverty and no marriage prospects. However, Ruth finds herself at the farm of a man named Boaz who, unknown to her, is a near kinsman of Naomi, and he is kind to her. (One can almost hear the wedding bells!) But once again, Ruth is disappointed. The harvest season ends and nothing happens. Boaz fails to act.
In a bold move, Naomi instructs Ruth to sneak into the threshing floor where Boaz is asleep. And yet, instead of a romantic scene, Boaz essentially tells Ruth: “There is another redeemer-kinsman, more closely related than I. Wait, and I shall speak with him tomorrow.” This other relative is given the opportunity to marry Ruth, but he turns it down – yet another moment of rejection and disappointment! It is only then, at the very end of the book, that we finally reach the moment we’ve been waiting for. Boaz takes her to be his wife. Ruth was a Moabitess; Boaz was descended from Rahab, the prostitute from Jericho.  Yet from this union, the Messiah is born. How amazing is the grace of Almighty God!
The lesson of the Book of Ruth is particularly important for both Jews, and Gentile and Jewish disciples of Yeshua (Jesus). In many ways, the modern State of Israel is re-experiencing the era of the Book of Judges. Modern Israel is divided into “tribes” – religious and secular; Orthodox Jews who seek to scrupulously live by the Torah and Messianic Jews who have accepted Yeshua as HaMashiach; Jews of Middle Eastern origin and Jews from Europe; Jews who believe the State of Israel is the harbinger of redemption and Jews who reject its religious significance altogether. At the same time, dangerous enemies like Iran and its terror proxies such as HamaS (remember HamaN? see Esther 3:6 ff), threaten Israel from without, while "Palestinian" terrorists murder as many Jews as they can within Israel. From this perspective, Israel is living through an era of great pain and national disappointment.
But the Book of Ruth teaches us that it is precisely during times like this that the seeds of redemption are sown. Perhaps, at this very moment of civil strife and external threats, the story of the final Redeemer, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus, the Messiah), is being set in motion – right under our noses!
Ruth reminds us that the people of Israel, and disciples of Jesus, must never give up hope, for God will not forsake His people - whether His Chosen people, or those who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Take strength, for the redemption will come!

I shall return!

In 1914, Ernest Shackleton, the Anglo-Irish explorer from the early 20th century, led an expedition to sail to Antarctica, and then walk to the South Pole. The expedition was going according to plan until the ice trapped their ship, the Endurance, and eventually crushed its hull. The expedition team set up camp on an unstable ice-floe, and then rowed lifeboats until they reached the comparative safety of Cape Wild, on the coast of Elephant Island.

However, they were still far from safe! They needed help, and they needed it quickly. Promising that he would return for the rest of the team, Shackleton announced that he would take one of the lifeboats and, with a crew of eight, and only a sextant to guide them, set off on the 800 mile voyage to the island of South Georgia, in the South Atlantic. Amazingly - some might even say, miraculously! - they succeeded and, having clambered over the island's ice-capped mountains, reached a whaling station, and the help they so desperately needed. A ship was despatched and, four-and-a-half months after having arrived at Cape Wild, the stranded crew of Endurance were rescued, with not one life having been lost. Their leader had kept his word.

That makes me think of a somewhat similar situation! As the Lord Jesus was preparing to leave His disciples, He promised to return. He sai: "If I go and prepare a place for you,I will come again, and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you will be also." (Jn.14:3). Then, after enduring the horrors of His passion and crucifixion - beside which, even the ordeal of Shackleton and his men pales into insignificance - He rose from the dead to provide eternal life for all who place their trust in Him, and in Him alone, as their Saviour. He lives with them, today, by God the Holy Spirit, Who indwells each one but, one day, He will return and gather them into His presence. Paul writes to the disciples of Jesus in Thessalonica: "For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord." (I Thess.4:15-17).

I find myself wondering if those who had been left behind by Ernest Shackleton were constantly looking to see if their was any sign of their leader. I suspect that they were, and that they would have noticed some sign - perhaps the top of a mast - before he actually arrived to rescue them.

Many disciples of Jesus are certainly looking for His return - and we are living at a time when signs of that imminent return are all around us! He is even more true to His word than was Shackleton to his. The rapture of the genuine disciples of Jesus is certain - because He has said so. 

Are you looking? Are you listening for the sound of the shofar? If you are His, He is coming for you. If you have not yet come to Him, in faith, and received the salvation that is available by the grace of the Father, then I urge you to think carefully about such matters. The time is now short, and it is only those who are truly His who will rise to meet with Him in the air. Will you be one of them?!

Fifth Sunday - "Foundations of the Faith"

Yes, it's another "five Sunday month" and so, as previously intimated, I am not publishing a post in either English or French, but promoting one of my books - in this case "Foundations of the Faith".

This is the second of my series on "... the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 1:3). The book is written, as are the others in the series, in language that doesn't require a degree in theology to understand. I was privileged, as a much younger man, to sit under the ministry of the Rev George B. Duncan, and the teaching of Rev Prof William Barclay - in my opinion, two of the best communicators of the last century. Whether in my preaching, or in my writing, I have sought to emulate these two men, so that "ordinary" people can understand what I am sharing. I know that I have books on my own bookshelves that I dare not read without my dictionary sitting beside me! That should not be necessary when you read this book (or any of the others!).

The book is based on what is referred to as "The Apostles' Creed". This is not claiming that it was the apostles who produced the creed, but simply that it reflects what they taught.

One of those who endorsed the book writes:

"Following up his “Great Words of the Faith”, this is a timely piece of very accessible writing from a respected and experienced writer, teacher and preacher. In an age when it would seem that the Christian message has lost its focus, with the various contrary ‘noises’ around us, Brian has taken us right back to the basics through a detailed analysis of the Apostles’ Creed. After an explanation of the importance of a clear understanding of the gospel message, the reason for our faith, he takes us through the detail of the Apostles’ Creed. It is a ready reckoner of the great truths of the Christian gospel that have stood the test of time. It is accessible, scholarly, personal and full of scripture reference. The difficult issues are not skirted but the fundamental truth of the Godhead is allowed to shine through. With the apostle, we should be able to say, “I know Whom I have believed”. This book will undoubtedly help in assuring that assertion of faith. I heartily recommend it to you." 

Dr. Ken Cunningham, CBE, FRSA 

General Secretary, School Leaders, Scotland 

Former Principal, and Head Teacher, Hillhead Learning Community

I would encourage you to purchase the book - in either paperback, or Kindle e-book, format. If you do, please leave an online review. For self-publishing authors like me, these are invaluable. You might also, if you believe that it would help others in their understanding of the Christian Faith, tell them about it, or have your review published in your church magazine (if such exists!). 

Permit me, too, to emphasise that, as with my blogs, I receive no financial, or other, benefit from purchases of my books. All royalties are sent, by Amazon, directly to the Bank Account of Release International, in support of the Persecuted Church.

His ways; our ways!

Sometimes, I have these posts prepared a week, or more, in advance. However, this is one of those occasions when my own mind has been reeling with the reports, and pictures, from the land of Israel, during the callous, and indiscriminate, killing and kidnapping spree, on Saturday 7th, by the terrorist organisation Hamas - whose leader, by the way, is reportedly safely in Qatar, while his daughter is receiving treatment in an Israeli hospital -!!! Did someone say "Cowardice, and hypocrisy"?

I have a dear Jewish friend, a retired General Practitioner, who spends approximately half of the year in his home in Glasgow, and the other half in an apartment in Netanya just about 30 km. (less than 20 miles) away from Tel Aviv I am never sure where he is at any particular time, but have e-mailed him expressing my hope that he is safe and well. These events that take place a long way from home, are always made more stark when one has a personal connection with someone who may be involved. Along with most of those who were of an age of discernment at the time, I recall "9/11". However, shocked as I was, the reality didn't come home to me until I discovered that a friend died in one of the Twin Towers! The situation, and the satanic actions, in Israel on "7/10" are real to me because a friend may have been affected [thankfully, he has responded, and is well).

So what can one say about that dreadful, bloodthirsty, and evil attack? There are certainly questions that may be asked. The Children of Israel are, according to the written Word of God, the Chosen people of YHWH. Why did He not intervene in this atrocity? Why did He not stop those demonic terrorists in their bloodlust? Why were small children beheaded and burned alive?

My former minister, spiritual mentor, and personal friend, the late Rev. George B. Duncan, was sometimes heard to say: "If I knew everything about God, I would be God!" That is true. The prophet, Isaiah utters these words of YHWH: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says YHWH. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." (55:8-9). While Paul writes to the early disciples of Yeshua, in Rome, in similar vein: "O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! “For who has known the mind of YHWH, or who has been His counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid?”" (11:33-35).

The book of Job, in the First Testament, is an interesting book that provides some insight to the undoubted problem of suffering. Job is described as a man who "... was blameless and upright, one who feared God, and turned away from evil." (1:1). Now there's a man who, surely, deserved the total protection of YHWH! Yet, as we read on, we discover that he becomes a man who suffers greatly - and YHWH permits it!

That is the key word - "permits"! Theologians speak of the two wills of Almighty God - His Sovereign will and His Permissive will. Without going into too much detail, His Sovereign will refers to all that He has ordained; all over which He fully exerts control, including, of course, all things that were, are, and will be. He does all He pleases all the time. English pastor, theologian, and author, Arthur Pink (1886-1952) appropriately says:

“Subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely independent: God does as He pleases, only as He pleases, always as He pleases. None can thwart Him, none can hinder Him. So His own Word expressly declares: “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure” (Isa. 46;10).” (The Attributes of God by Arthur Pink, p. 3).

The Permissive will of God may be seen in the experience of Job. This good man suffered, not for any wrongdoing in himself - although, like each one of us, he was a sinner - but because Father God was showing the satan (the adversary, the root of all evil) that Job's faith was solid and real.

Another useful passage to read is Psalm 3, composed by King David when he fled from his own son, Absalom. In that situation, he faced a kind of betrayal that cuts deeper than any other - the betrayal of a family member. This post is already long enough, but permit me to make just a brief comment on David's words - and encourage you to read Ps.3 for yourself.

The opening verses capture a feeling of despair and desolation. David acknowledges the multitudes that stand against him, who doubt his deliverance through God. Last Saturday’s brutal onslaught was a betrayal of the fundamental principles of humanity. As the demonic terrorists ruthlessly took innocent lives, the nation, much like David, felt overwhelmed, surrounded on all sides by hatred and violence. Just as David’s adversaries doubted his deliverance through God, Israel's enemies question and test the survival and resilience of the Israeli people.

However, the psalm does not remain in this space of despair. It moves from lamentation to a profound expression of faith. David speaks of God as a protective shield. “I lie down and sleep and wake again, for YHWH sustains me.” (v.5). These words not only reflect David’s trust in God amidst his personal crisis but also encapsulate the Israeli spirit. Despite the terror, life goes on. People still sleep, wake, and continue with their daily tasks, relying on the sustenance and protection of HaShem, their protective shield.

In these trying times, Psalm 3 reminds us of the indomitable spirit of the Israeli people and their unwavering faith in the face of adversity. Just as David emerged from his trials with renewed faith and strength, Israel, too, will emerge from this crisis stronger, united, and with an even deeper connection to their people, their faith, and their God.

May those of us who love Israel, and her people, be faithful in upholding them in prayer, and supporting them in whatever way we can.

m

Am Yisrael chai.

A changed life - if only!

It was a number of years ago, and my wife and I were spending our summer holiday touring France with our caravan. One of the strange things about France is that it is, officially, a totally secular nation, yet every day has its "saint" (many of the names of whom, I have never heard!), and it has more religious holidays than most countries - certainly than the UK.

It also has some of the most beautiful church buildings I have ever seen. On one occasion - I don't recall the details - we were visiting one of those buildings. As we moved quietly around, my wife whispered to me: "Everyone is so quiet in here!" She was perfectly correct. It was, I believe, because there was something about the building that touched people who were not in the least "religious" - that something that, I was taught, is referred to as the "numinous". That simply means a sense of awe, of mysticism, of sublimity, of transcendence. In short, there is a sense of the presence of Almighty God in such a building.

That occasion was brought to mind by my reading about a similar situation experienced by Lord Kenneth Clark, possibly best-known for his television series, "Civilisation - a personal view", broadcast in 1969; and as having been Chancellor of the Exchequer in the mid-seventies. In his autobiography, he makes clear that he is a liberal, secular humanist. However, as the TV series shows, he was not indifferent to the role of religion, and specifically Christianity, in the history of western Europe. 

Indeed, he writes of a "religious experience" that "... took place in the church of San Lorenzo, but did not seem to be connected with the harmonious beauty of the architecture. I can only say that for a few minutes, my whole being was radiated by a kind of heavenly joy, far more intense than anything I had ever experienced before." Sadly, the "flood of grace", as he went on to describe it, created a problem for him. "My life was far from blameless. I would have to reform. My family would think I was going mad, and perhaps after all, it was a delusion, for I was in every way unworthy of such a flood of grace. Gradually the effect wore off and I made no effort to retain it. I think I was right. I was too deeply embedded in the world to change course." (emphasis added).

How tragic! If only he had responded, positively, to that grace-granted glimpse of that which is beyond this material world. If only he had allowed it to turn his attention away from this world, and towards the Lord Jesus! He would have experienced a changed life - if only! He would have become a part of that glorious, invisible, world that is not an illusion, but the ultimate reality. If only!

Father God can enable any of us to change, no matter how embedded in the world we may be. The miracle of the new birth (see John 3:5-7) will take place when we say "Yes" to the stirring of God's grace in our hearts. Don't put it off! Paul says: "Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (II Cor.6:2; emphases added).

Kenneth Clark died in May 1983. As far as I know, he died as he had lived - without faith in the Lord Jesus, the Christ. If only!

Signs in the heavens, Pt 3.

Isn't it funny (strange, not humorous!) the way things sometimes work out. If I hadn't left my laptop and "banana pouch" behind on that Monday morning, I would have been in my bed, fast asleep, at the time of the storms that I witnessed by having had to return to the home of my hosts, and then start my journey to my own home all over again! And, of course, if I hadn't witnessed the storm, I would have been unlikely to write three posts about the Rapture! "God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform;" as the 18th century hymn writer, William Cowper claims!

Anyway, we have considered that, at the Rapture, there is a departure that disciples of Jesus will make; there is a destination we will have; and, in this post, I want to share that there is a delight that we shall know. 

“… we, who are still living on the earth, will be swept up … into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And, after that, we will be with Him for ever.” (I Thess.4:17; J.B.Phillips).

Each of us, I am sure, knows the joy of being in the presence of a loved one.  It may be a husband, or a wife; it may be a father, or a mother; it may be a brother, or a sister.  It may well be that it is “just” a friend – someone who is as close to us as our dearest relatives.  For me, that person is my wife.  And words alone cannot express my feelings when I am with her – which is, I would contend, exactly as it should be!  Sometimes, I think to myself: “Well, if I experience such an intense happiness when I am with my wife, what’s it going to be like when I am “with the Lord” which, Paul assures us, “is far better” (Phil.1:23)”?!   And I find that I can’t even begin to comprehend the intensity of that delight!  “The principal happiness of heaven”, writes Matthew Henry, “is this: “to be with the Lord”, to see Him, live with Him, and enjoy Him for ever”. (Commentary, I Thess., in loc). 

But, as we think of the intensity with which we will behold Him, we must also rejoice in the eternity for which we will be with Him.  “we shall be with Him – for ever.”  Not only do we have an intense delight in being with a loved one; we also, usually, hate to have to tear ourselves away, to be parted from, that loved one.  We might even go as far as to say that we dread the very thought of separation – and, indeed, is not separation the main factor behind our natural grief on the physical death of one to whom we were at all close?!  But this situation won’t arise for the believer, when the Christ calls us to Himself.  Because we are to be with Him for “the eternity of eternities”.

Our feeble, finite, minds cannot even begin to grasp the vastness of eternity (but it's dealt with, certainly to some extent, in my book "Great Words of the Faith"!).  Even “for ever” is too much for us.  Yet this is the way it will be with Jesus.  We will never be separated from Him, if we truly belong to Him, and He to us.

And that is so important! You see, although it’s exciting to think of the Rapture of the Church - to think of the departure we shall make – the certainty of it, and the suddenness of it; to think of the destination we shall have – the Person we will meet, and the perfection we will gain; to think of the delight that we shall know – in the intensity with which we will behold Him, and the eternity for which we will be with Him. But if you are not "in Christ Jesus" and He is not in you, then that Rapture will only serve to show you that you have missed an amazing opportunity - and that you have only yourself to blame! I happen to believe that there will be those who will be saved during the period following the Rapture, but they will suffer terribly! 

John records: "Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?" I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night within His temple; and He who sits upon the throne will shelter them with His presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Rev.7:13-17; emphasis added).

Those who are saved during that time will have suffered - perhaps more than any others before them. so may each of us be ready for that trumpet-sound (I Cor.15:52), that we might avoid such persecution, and that ours might be that departure; that destination; that delight.

Signs in the heavens, Pt 2.

In the previous post, I introduced the concept of "the Rapture", and we discovered, from God's Word, that there will be a departure we will make at that climactic event - a departure that is certain, and that will be sudden.

However, we must also consider the destination we shall have.  “… we shall be caught up … to meet the Lord in the air.” (I Thess.4:17).  We won’t depart merely in order to wander around, aimlessly, in space like rogue satellites, or even disembodied spirits!  We will have a destination, a goal, to which we will go.  And that destination will be the Christ Himself! 

There will be a Person we will meet.  And we will meet Him “in the air”.   Since the air was thought of, in Paul’s contemporary culture, as being the abode of all manner of evil spirits; since the devil is even designated “… the prince of the power of the air,” (Eph.2:2); it is a measure of the complete supremacy of the Christ, that He should meet His people in that region.

So, although I would contend that these words be taken literally, they also have a symbolic meaning pointing, as they do, to the majesty and power of the victorious Jesus.  He is the Person we shall meet. 

But there is also a perfection we will gain.  No matter how faithful a disciple of Jesus I might be( and oh, how I wish that I were more faithful!), I am still, while dwelling in this mortal body, imperfect.  There is, raging within me, that battle of which Paul wrote to the young church in Rome: “I cannot understand my own behaviour.  I fail to carry out the things I want to do, and I find myself doing the very things I hate.  When I act against my own will, that means I have a self that acknowledges that the Law is good, and so the thing behaving in that way is not my [converted] self but sin living in me.” (7:15-127; Jerusalem Bible). 

The devil continues to exert pressure on us; we are tainted by the influence of the world around us, from which we cannot really escape.  Sanctification (also dealt with in "Great Words of the Faith"), the process of “perfecting” for the disciple of Jesus, is only completed when we enter the immediate presence of the Lord – either at our physical death, or at the Rapture.  But then, we shall be perfect, even as He is perfect. (see I John 3:2).

So, at the Rapture, there is a departure that disciples of Jesus will make; there is a destination we will have; and, as we shall discover next time, there is a delight that we shall know.

Signs in the heavens?!

It was in the very early hours of Tuesday that my wife and I were travelling back home`from Meigneux, south-east of Paris. We had stayed there with friends on Sunday night but, when leaving on Monday morning, I had a "senior moment" and left both my laptop and my "banana pouch" behind! This was only discovered some three hours, and 175 miles later when we stopped for lunch! Thankfully, my dear wife had her purse (my wallet was in the pouch!), so we ate before returning to Meigneux - and then starting our journey all over again! 

Just south of Périgueux, I noticed the first flash of sheet lightning. However, there was no sound of thunder, and no rain. Perhaps I had made a mistake (it has been known to happen!!). We travelled on and, gradually, we saw more sheet lightning, and even forked lightning. As the sky was also cloudy, the effect was strange and, as the flashes became more frequent - with, still, neither thunder nor rain, some words of the prophet Joel, quoted by Peter in his sermon on the first Day of Pentecost, came to mind: "And I will show wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke; the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day." (Acts 2:19-20; emphasis added). I should mention that the thunder and rain, and very strong winds, did arrive long before we reached home!

Now, the "day of the Lord" to which the prophet was referring, is the day of judgement that the Bible assures us is coming. However, although there are some who would disagree, many believe that, before that Day there will be a period of tribulation, but that it will be preceded by what is generally referred to as "the Rapture". I devote a full chapter in my first book (Great Words of the Faith) to the subject, but wish to share the "bare bones" with you in this, and the next (and maybe the one after that!) post.

For this post, let us deal, simply, with what the rapture is. It is, I believe, that event that will take place “… in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” (I Cor.15:52).  It is that event at which “… the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord.” (I Thess.4:16-17; emphasis added). 

Those words of Paul to the Thessalonian believers were in answer to something that was troubling them.  They were looking forward to the return of the Lord Jesus, as had been promised (see Acts 1:10-11).  But they were concerned about their believing friends who had already experienced physical death.  Paul was able to assure them that, at the Rapture, the bodies of those who had died before, and whose spirits had already passed “through the veil” (see ch.25), would rise to join with believers who were still physically alive, and that they would all meet with the Lord together – “in the air” (the realm in which the satan thinks that he has the power: Eph.2:2).

So, what do Paul’s words tell us about the Rapture?  He refers, first of all, to the departure we shall make. “… first the Christian dead will rise; then we who are left alive shall join them, caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (I Thess.4:17; NEB). We will leave this earth, with all of its sin and evil; its pain and heartache; its downright rottenness; its satanic influence on all that is good and true. 

We may note the certainty of this departure.  In I Thess.4:15, Paul says “Here we have a definite message from the Lord “ (Phillips).   No theory; no speculation; no hypothesis that Paul has formed by himself; but a definite “message from the Lord” and, as such, an absolute certainty – something of which we may be completely assured.

We may also be assured that it will be sudden.  In I Cor.15:52 we are told that it will be “… in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, …”  It won’t be a long, drawn-out, process.  It will happen (as the late Tommy Cooper might have put it!) “just like that”!

The word translated “caught up” in I Thess.4:17, is from the Greek root harpazo.  This has the idea of being snatched up.  William Hendriksen has this to say: “The suddenness, the swiftness, and the divine power which is operative in this being snatched up are here emphasised.  The survivors [saints] have been changed ‘in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye’ (I Cor.15:52)”.

The departure we shall make – certain, and sudden.  However, we must also consider the destination we shall have - but that will be for next time!

The Name of the Lord

Some may be aware that an orthodox Jew will not write even the word "God" in full, but as "G_d". Why is this so? Well, it's because of the commandment:  “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." (Ex.20:7). But "God" is really just a description! So what is God's Name? That had already been given to Moses, as we read in Ex. 3:14 : "God said to Moses, “I am Who I am.” And He said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am' has sent me to you."

The name "LORD" (as it is normally shown in English language versions;  Hebrew YHWH = Yahweh, or Jehovah) conveys the truth that He is the eternal, self-existing One. Indeed, the popular question asked by the sceptic: "If God created everything, who created God?" is non-sense! "God", by definition, is UNcreated!

 

The Lord Jesus Christ appropriated this divine name to Himself when He told the Jews: "Before Abraham was (i.e., 'existed'), I AM" (John 8:58). Correctly assuming that this statement was nothing less than a direct claim to identity with God, the Jews immediately (but unsuccessfully) attempted to stone Him to death as a blasphemer.

 

As the "I AM", the Lord Jesus Christ is, indeed, everything, and He has revealed Himself to us under many beautiful symbols. Perhaps you are aware of the seven great "I AMs" in the John's account of the gospel, each of which is rich with spiritual depth of meaning. They are as follows:

 

"I am the bread of life . . . the living bread" (John 6:35, 51).
"I am the light of the world . . . the light of life" (John 8:12).
"I am the door of the sheep" (John 10:7).
"I am the good shepherd . . . (Who) giveth His life for the sheep" (John 10:11).
"I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25).
"I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).
"I am the true vine" (John 15:1).

 

However, moving in a different direction, I recall, as a young (and very immature!) student at the Bible Training Institute in Glasgow, thinking that it was "cool" to use the expression "Cor blimey" as commonly used by, I believe, Cockneys. It was a fellow-student from the year above mine (and who may even be reading this post! Thank you Barbara.) who spoke to me and asked if I understood what I was saying. I probably flustered a bit, so she explained that it was a corruption of the phrase "God blind me" and was, in effect, a curse on oneself! As you may imagine, I have never used the expression since! Sadly, I hear many - even professed disciples of Jesus - who will say things like "Oh, my gosh!"; "Oh my goodness"; "Jeezo"; etc., etc. I encourage you to think about what you say - and what may be the underlying thought!

I am currently working on my fourth book, entitled "Living the Faith", and based on the Letter from James. Just before typing this, I was working on chap.11 of the book, headed "The trouble with the tongue", looking at ch.3 of the letter. James has a lot to say on the subject - and it is all well worth reading and pondering. I quote J.B.Phillips who renders v.5(a) of that chapter: "The human tongue is physically small, but what tremendous effects it can boast of!" And these effects can be for evil, as well as for good! It is little wonder that the Psalmist cries: "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips!" (Ps. 141:3).

The Lord Jesus said: "I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt.12:36-37).

Let us be careful as to how we speak, at all times - and especially when we refer to the Name that is above every name.

Defending the Faith

In line with the recently announced 'policy', this being the fifth Sunday of the month, I have not prepared a devotion for either of the blogs - in  English or French. Instead, I wish to share a little about the third of my books in the brief series on getting to know "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 1:3). This third book is named "Defending the Faith", and is based on the First Letter of John (there are appendices on the other two letters from the apostle).

One of those who endorsed the book wrote:

"In "Defending the Faith", Brian Ross takes us through the three letters in the New Testament, penned by the ‘beloved disciple’, the elderly apostle John. He deals, in I John with, among other things, the need for disciples of Jesus to be aware of false teaching – specifically the Gnostic heresy; the importance of fellowship; and the need to grow in the faith. In II John, he draws out the apostle’s warning against false, itinerant, teachers while, in the third of the letters, he shows that John commends hospitality, and condemns a spirit of control in the church. Brian writes, as does John, from a pastor’s heart."

The Venerable Dr Paul Vrolijk
Senior Chaplain and Canon Chancellor
Archdeacon of North West Europe.

As with the other two books in the series - and the one that is currently 'a work in progress' - I have sought to steer clear of language that requires a Doctorate in Theology to be understood. Rather, having sat under the tutelage of Prof. William Barclay, and the ministry of Rev. George B Duncan - in my opinion two of the finest communicators of Biblical truth of the last century - I have sought to do what they did, and use language that may be understood by the majority of people.

Also as with the other books, ALL royalties from sales go directly to Release International, in support of the persecuted church. I do not even know how many books have been purchased, whether in paperback, or Kindle e-book, formats. Of course, that may be a good thing, if no-one is buying!!

Links to all three books are available at the top of the blog. The paperback retails at £8.99, and the Kindle version at £3.99, so they are also affordable. If you use the relevant link at the top of the blog, you will be able to read, free of charge (!) a percentage of the book that will, hopefully, give you more of the flavour thereof.

If you do purchase, please leave a review. This helps other folk to decide whether (or not!) they also wish to buy.

Thank you.                                                                                

Blood Donor.

For many years - after a late start - I was a blood donor. Indeed, I have a certificate thanking me for the 85 donations that I made. Regrettably, a time came when I was no longer permitted to donate - it was the age factor! With my late mother having received a number of units of blood at one time, and a cousin who was more like a sister to me, having also received a great deal of blood whilst fighting a (sadly ineffective) battle against leukemia, I wanted to give back what they had received - and just kept giving!

However, I thought of my "blood-giving" days when I came across an Indian female quartet that I had not heard before. They are called "The Jubalites", and I liked their singing. I also liked the tee-shirt that one of them was wearing for one song. It was black with, in large white lettering, the information: "A Blood Donor saved my life"!

I knew that my blood donations would have helped save some lives - I read that as little as a teaspoonful of whole blood could save the life of an infant! - but I knew that this particular young woman was not referring to any human blood donor, but to the Lord Jesus, the Christ. The cross that was also displayed on the tee-shirt was a bit of a giveaway!

Of course, there is an immeasurable difference between my blood, and the blood of the Saviour! My blood only helps someone with a physical need. It is something that only a relatively small percentage of people are ever likely to need. His blood deals with the problem that is common to all of humanity, the problem of sin.

It is John who, perhaps, makes this most clear when he writes: "... if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." (I John 1:7; emphasis added). Please read that again, and slow down when you come to the words that I have emboldened. Do you realise the amazing truth that is being proclaimed? I knew, from a fairly early age, that the Lord Jesus "... Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree," (I Peter 2:24), but that, I had believed, covered sins already committed. When I realised that my salvation was much, much, more than that, I was astounded - and, I must say, relieved!

You see, "all" means exactly that! I checked the Greek - the word "pasées" is defined as "all, any, every, the whole." You can immediately see how much is excluded - nothing, i.e. no thing! So, the blood of the Lord Jesus is so efficacious that it covers, not only my past sins, but also every sin that I shall ever commit during the rest of my life! If that doesn't blow your mind, then I don't know what would!

What an assurance - and how much I need it. You see, even although I have been saved, I am still a sinner. Indeed, John goes on to say: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (I John 1:8). Note there, if you will, who it is that we deceive if we make such a claim - not our families; not our friends; not our work colleagues, or leisure companions; certainly not Father God! No, the only person who is taken in by such a claim is the one who makes it!

I have just started reading (yet again!) the Letter to Hebrew (Jewish) disciples of Jesus for my personal devotions. One commentator states: "When God saves a sinner, He breaks the power of the indwelling sinful nature at the moment the sinner places his faith in the Lord Jesus (Romans 6).When that believer dies, he loses the sinful nature and, in his glorified body, has only the divine nature." (Kenneth S. Wuest; Hebrews in the Greek New Testament, p.40). So, until I leave this mortal body, I am prone to sin - and I do.

However, because of the shed blood of the Saviour, I am already justified* - that is to say, God the Father treats me "just-as-if-I'd" never sinned; I am being sanctified* - that is to say, God the Holy Spirit is working in me (poor material 'though I am!), making me, little by little, more like Jesus; and I will be glorified - that is to say that, when I meet Him face-to-face, I shall be sinless, in my new resurrection body, that is beyond my finite mind to even imagine!

Do you have such a future to anticipate? Oh, I know that you are not good enough! That's okay. Not one of us is, for "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Rom 3:23). And there's that little word "all" again - absolutely no exceptions. But Paul continues: "... they are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, Whom God put forward as an expiation by His blood, to be received by faith." (Rom 3:24-25; emphasis added). 

I suspect that many who read this blog are regular blood donors in their own countries. Well done! There may even by some who have been the recipients of such blood, and who are ever grateful to those who provided it. But please remember, only the blood of the Lord Jesus cleanses you, and me, from all of our sin. Only when we are cleansed may we enter the presence of Father God. Only those who enter that holy presence, in the name of, and covered (metaphorically) with the blood and righteousness of, Jesus, will spend eternity* (timelessness, not "endless time"!) in His presence.

Have you taken advantage of the blood?!

* These words are dealt with, more fully, in my first book: "Words of the Faith". Remember that I receive no financial benefit when you purchase any of my books, as all royalties are paid, directly, to Release International, in support of the persecuted church.

The "Good Life"

One of my favourite "sitcoms" on UK TV in the past (actually, in the 1970s!) was the series entitled "The Good Life". In it, Tom and Barbara (played by Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal) were a couple who decided to quit "the rat race", and turned their garden, in their posh London suburb of Surbiton, into a smallholding, in an endeavour to make themselves self-sufficient in food and other items. Their long-suffering, and snobbish (well, Margo was!), next-door neighbours, Jerry and Margo Leadbetter (played by Paul Eddington and Penelope Keith), are variously offended, amused, and even impressed! 

But what really is "the good life"? Surely it is something that most, if not all, of us would wish to live! So how do we attain it? Of what does it consist? Should we all try to become "self-sufficient? How may it be defined?

I suspect that, for many people, "the good life" is based on appearance. They want to look good in front of neighbours, and friends. They want to look physically good - not that there is anything wrong with that, provided it is natural - but some spend a small fortune on beauty products, tanning salons, plastic surgery, fat suction, etc. Yet appearance, whatever we do, changes. As we get older, there is a limit to what anyone can do with silicone, and dye! And, of course, none of these things, or all of them together, can stop death!

Others interpret "the good life" in a hedonistic fashion. It's all about what brings pleasure to me, in the form of activities and life-style. It's having multiple holidays in exotic locations; attending the cinema or theatre; throwing expensive parties; doing what we find enjoyable - including the use of drugs, and of illicit and immoral sexual activity.

Yet another group see "the good life" as the possession of the latest gadgets; a mansion in which to live; a new car every other year (at most!); the latest clothing fashion; having as much money in the bank as they can possibly spend; and, if that is not absolutely true of some, even they see "the good life"as something that can be bought and paid for in one way or another.

Of course, as so many have discovered, none of these things truly satisfy, and there are many who, looking back over their life, have realised that, rather than it having been "good", it has been largely wasted!

God's Word tells us what "the good life" really is. It is living one's life as Almighty God created you to be. It is doing His will, in His way, to His glory. Many are familiar with Paul's words to the Ephesian believers: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast." (2:8-9). This is a wonderful, and glorious, truth. However, many stop there! Paul doesn't. He goes on to say, in the following verse: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (2:10). We are not saved by works, but we are saved for works - and doing those works that the Father has prepared for us, is "the good life".

The Lord Jesus, Himself, speaking of those who are His sheep, said: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10^(b)) or in some translations, "in all its fulness". That is "the good life".

Are you living life in all of its fulness - serving God by serving others in His Name? There's an old song from the 70s that invites you to 

"Put your hand in the hand of the Man Who stilled the water;                              Put your hand in the hand of the Man Who calmed the sea.                            Take a look at yourself, and you will look at others differently,                              by puttin' your hand in the hand of the Man from Galilee."

That Man was, and is, the Lord Jesus - and when we have our hand in His, then we are truly living "the good life"!