In the Beginning - Pt.5

For the past few posts, I have suggested that we could imagine ourselves in a theatre, watching a play. Perhaps for some, that suggestion was even useful! However, this is no longer a play - it has turned into a horror film!

We are still in the third chapter of Genesis, but we now move into the second half of that chapter, (Remember, of course, that no part of the Bible was originally written in chapters and verses! These are a relatively recent 'invention' designed to make it easier to find a particular verse, or passage!).

The final action of the Creator, in this situation, is justice - but justice blended with mercy. I'm reminded of some words, written by Graham Kendrick for the "Make Way for the Cross" Easter March, 'way back in 1989: « We worship at your feet where wrath and mercy meet, and a guilty world is washed by love's pure stream » (Come and See). In Genesis 3:22-24 we read: "Then YHWH Elohim said, 'Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever' - therefore YHWH Elohim sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man; and at the east of the garden of Eden He placed the cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life." 

Our first parents had violated the one commandment that they had been given, by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, so they could not complain about being deprived of the tree of life. But that very expulsion was as much a protection as a punishment. Almighty God saves us from living in a state of constant rebellion against Him and total banishment from Him. You see, He has in His eternal mind a way of restoring the damage we have done. I was reading, a few days ago, this comment in The Life Application Bible, on Isaiah 27:12: "God's purpose in judging the earth is not vengeance, but purging. He wants to correct us, and bring us back to Him. God does not punish us for our sin, just to make us suffer, but to make the faithful better equipped for fruitful service."

If we look carefully we can see, clearly, this blend of what we deserve, and of hope based on love, in the forward look to life outwith Eden. "The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And YHWH Elohim made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins, and clothed them." (3:20-21). There is a future, and Father God even provides garments that would protect them from physical harm caused by the thorns and thistles already predicted. (v.18).

In what theologians refer to as the "protoevangelium" (the first gospel message), YHWH curses the serpent/devil, and prophecies: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." (v.15). The uppercase letters should be sufficient explanation! But both woman and man are also sentenced. The woman is told that childbearing will be painful (but note the implicit promise of children!), and that she will want to please her husband, and that he will have a position of seniority in the relationship. Check back to Pt.3! Already sin has made a difference even in the relationship between husband and wife! Of course, both are still equal - but the man now has his position confirmed - and it is actually one of responsibility!

And, it is because of man that the ground, itself, is cursed. Working it will not be the pleasure it was at the beginning - not that there are not those who enjoy working in the fields, but that they now have to work much harder; greater effort will be needed to provide what the ground can produce; and man will return to the ground when physical death overtakes him, as will all of humanity.

So mankind is banished from the earthly paradise into which it was placed, and the way barred to ensure that they do not re-enter. (vs.22-24; above). Thankfully, that is only the end of an act - although there is still some horror stuff with which to deal!

God willing, we shall look at the next scene, next time.

For a wee touch of nostalgia, click on the link (or copy and paste!).

https://www.youtube.com/embed/gizXMaQ7Y5o

Legalism v. Grace

In his letter to the young Christian churches in Galatia, Rabbi Shaul (aka the apostle, Paul) writes these words: "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Gal 5:1). What he is doing in that sentence is comparing God's grace with man's legalism - legalism that makes the attaining of certain standards, legitimate in themselves, necessary for salvation.

But nothing needs to be added, because nothing can be added! Allow me to illustrate. The winner of a marathon doesn't run an additional 500 yards "just to be sure" or just "to show what a good runner I am". When the finishing line has been crossed, nothing more is required.

When the Lord Jesus hung on the cross, He cried out in a loud - and strong! - voice, the one word: "Tetelestai" which means "Finished"! He had completed the work for which the Father had sent Him to this planet, "tabernacled" in the very human flesh that He had created. The veil of the Temple was torn in two - from top to bottom; as if Father God had reached down and ripped it. The way was now open for sinful men and women - and that includes you and me! - to enter the presence of Almighty God. 

But more! By His giving of Himself as the perfect, spotless, unblemished, Lamb of God, He paid the penalty for your sin, and for mine. Forgiveness is there for the claiming - full and free! I cannot add to my salvation by anything that I do. Paul again: "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. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Eph 2:8-10). I am saved for good works, but not by them!

The hymn writer,  ‎Augustus Toplady, put it so beautifully:

"Not the labours of my hands can fulfil Thy law's demands. 

Could my zeal no respite know; could my tears forever flow;o

All for sin could not atone - Thou must save, and Thou alone."

I have no need to strive - "'Tis done, the great transaction's done; I am my Lord's and He is mine"! (Philip Doddridge).

The Law says "You still need to do this, and that." 

God's grace says "Tetelestai" (It is) "Finished"

"Only by grace can we enter;

Only by grace can we stand.

Not by our human endeavour,

But by the blood of the Lamb.

Into Your presence You call us,

You call us to come.

Into Your presence You draw us,

And now, by Your grace, we come." (Graham Kendrick).

Do you know God?!

While my wife and I were in Scotland, for our annual 'mid-year' visit, we had the opportunity to hear, meet, and speak with, Christian songwriter and worship leader, Paul Baloche. "Paul who?", some may be asking. However, many will be familiar with songs that he has been inspired to write. Songs such as "Open the eyes of my heart, Lord"; "Hosanna"; and "Above all". Within Christian music circles, he is a well-known figure - and I have met him!!!

Of course, over my lifetime, I have met a number of famous people and, indeed, spent some time with some of them. The first was Cliff Richard. I was not a particular fan at the time - but I spent about an hour in the vestry of the church building in which he was going to be singing, with only Cliff and his then manager, Bill Latham, for company. There were more than a thousand of his fans crowded into the main sanctuary who would have given a great deal to have had that opportunity!

Some years later, I had a similar time spent with Helen Shapiro. I have met Jack Hayford ("Majesty"); Graham Kendrick (you do know who he is!); Sir Peter Vardy (Car sales); and many others. Of course, although I have met many well-known people, I am unable to say that I 'know' any of them!

The American writer from a previous era, Mark Twain (1835-1910), travelled extensively, and often took his wife and children along with him. On a trip to Europe, he was invited to dinner with a particular head of state. When one of his daughters heard of the invitation, she reportedly said: "Daddy, you know every big person there is to know, except God!" Sadly, that young girl's observation was true, as Mark Twain (real name Samuel Clemens) was an unbelieving sceptic. Indeed, I have no evidence that he "knew" that particular head of state any better than I know any of the individuals named above!

However, the question that may be asked is: "Do I know Almighty God?"! Someone reading this post may enjoy real friendship with, and intimate knowledge of, some people whom the world acknowledges as being very important. But do you know God? And is you knowledge of Him, such as it is, any more than second-hand information, or speculation; the sort of things that we might read in a book. (Each of my own books - see the header - will certainly provide that level of knowledge; may even lead you into a genuine personal relationship with Him; and your purchase will help to support the persecuted church!).

The Lord Jesus, Who is God, wanted His disciples to have an intimate knowledge of the Father. On one occasion He prayed: "... this is the way to have eternal life - to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth." (John 17:3; NLT.) This kind of knowledge is intensely personal, and is gained only through a deep, prolonged, friendship. Indeed, the knowledge referred to in those words of Jesus, and elsewhere in the Bible, is compared with the intimacy of husband and wife as they become "one flesh" (Gen.4:1 inter al).

You and I may have this knowledge as we come before Almighty God, confessing our sins, and sinfulness; accepting that we can do nothing about them; believing that, in the Persona of the Lord Jesus, Almighty God has done all that needed to be done; and receiving the new life that is offered to everyone through that same Jesus. We then get to know Him better by spending time (quality time!) in His presence; talking with Him (prayer); listening to Him (reading the Word); and sharing His love with others.

Do you know Him like that? Would you like to know Him like that? The offer of full salvation is for you! It's not enough to know about God. We need to know Him in our hearts, and walk with Him day by day.

The way of the cross.

While speaking with a friend, earlier this week, he made the point that too many in the church today don't preach the Gospel of salvation.  "All that I hear", he stated, "is that we should 'love one another' and be nice, kind, people.  That," he said,"is not the Gospel."!

He certainly had a point!  We may learn a number of things about the Gospel of salvation by observing the actions of the two who were crucified with Jesus.   For example, it is possible to want salvation, and yet not experience it.  Luke provides the record: "One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him, saying, 'Are you not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!'" (Luke 23:39).  

Paul assures us, in his letter to the infant church in Rome, that "every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." (Rom 10:13). Why, then, was this particular man lost?  We may see three reasons:

1. he was thinking only about physical deliverance;

2. his plea was not genuine.  Luke informs us that he "railed" at the Lord Jesus. That's a word that may be defined as "reviled or scolded in harsh, insolent, or abusive language."  Some other translations use terms such as "scoffed" (NLT); "hurled insults" (NIV); "spoke insultingly" (Darby).

3. he didn't want salvation by the way of the cross.  He cried out: "Save Yourself and us!'".  What he didn't realise was that if the Lord Jesus had come down from the cross, He could not have rescued others!  

Again, writing to the Roman believers, Paul assures them that "... God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8; emphasis added).  The anonymous writer of the Letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus tells us that "... without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." (Heb 9:22; emphasis added).

Yet, in spite of these clear instructions in the written Word of God, many appear not to want anything to do with the message of the needed sacrificial work of the Christ. They call it a "bloody" Gospel - and it is!  They would rather talk about Jesus' life, teachings, and example.  Now, it is true that the Saviour's life is important; His teachings are an absolute storehouse of wisdom and truth; His example is worthy of being followed by all.  However, it is not only through His life, but also His death and resurrection, that salvation and forgiveness can be offered to a guilty world.

The other malefactor came as we all must come - in humility and faith.  Luke continues the record: "But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.'  And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" (Luke 23:40-42).  What a difference in attitude!  And he received a response from the Saviour: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:42).

If you wish to reach heaven, you cannot avoid the way of the cross.  It's the place where, as Graham Kendrick reminds us in one of his songs, "wrath and mercy meet" - where the sins of the world, and the love of Almighty God, met in the redemptive encounter.  It is only "... the blood of Jesus, His Son ...", John reminds us, that "... cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7).

Have you been "washed in the blood of the Lamb?"  Have you come by the way of the cross?!

Solar-powered lighting!

The French-speaking Fellowship in Bergerac, of which my wife and I are members hold, from April to September (or thereabouts!), a monthly bi-lingual worship service with everything translated, and the songs sung in a combination of French and English.  The July service was held yesterday. Although not the main speaker, one of our English friends who is married to a Frenchman - and whose French language skills are considerably better than average - was translating the early part of the service into English.  At least, that's what I thought was happening!  The pastor would say something in French, and she would provide an English-language translation.

Then I realised that the roles appeared to have changed!  Suddenly, she was sharing in English, and the pastor was translating into French!  It was an excellent message and I want to now share it - with my own additional thoughts!

It was based on solar-powered garden lamps that she and her husband had purchased - and, she confided, they were no the most expensive ones!  Indeed, she wasn't certain that they would work for long at all - but had, happily, been proved to be wrong in her expectation!  As she pointed out, there are a number of lessons that disciples of Jesus may learn from those little lamps.  Let's think of a few.

Solar-powered lamps only work if they have been exposed to the light.  This is what is used to charge their batteries.  No light in; no light out!  The disciple of Jesus needs to be constantly walking "in the light".  "... Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  (John 8:12).  It is as I spend time in His light, that I am able generate light that may help others.

Lamps don't have to be expensive to operate successfully.  My friend had been perfectly candid about the low cost of her lamps - and her concern that they would not function satisfactorily.  She was, to her relief, proved wrong!   Sometimes, I suspect, we think that one requires to have been walking with the Lord for many years; or have a certain level of theological education; or hold a particular position in society; in order to be of any real use to the Saviour.  Nothing, of course, could be further from the truth.  As used to be said, He is not as interested in our ability as in our availability!  If He calls me to a particular task, then I may be assured that He will equip me to complete it.

Being inexpensive lamps, the ones in question stayed lit for as long as there was power in the battery. They didn't have an "on-off" switch!  As a disciple of Jesus, I have to ask myself if the same thing is true of me?  Am I always "switched on" for Him?  Or are there days when I don't even attempt to shine?  We sung the Graham Kendrick song "Shine, Jesus, shine" at yesterday's worship service - but I wonder if He sometimes has to shout: "Shine, Brian, shine!"  

I don't know exactly how many lamps my friends purchased, but I do know that, regardless of how dark the night, just one little lamp will dispel that darkness.  John writes: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:1-5).  As a disciple of Jesus, I should bring light into even the darkest of situations and circumstances!

A final thought - for which there isn't really a direct connection to the lamps.  Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven." (Matt 5:14-16). Even when I do shine for Jesus, it is not in order that I may receive pats on the back, and be told what a fine disciple I am.  I am called to let the light of Jesus shine through me, that others may see more and more of Him in me - and that they may glorify God for His beneficence.

So, how is your light right now?  I hope that it is shining - every day of the week, and in every way possible.

Hopelessly in debt!

During my years as a teacher of Religious and Moral Education, I had to teach about belief-systems other than the Christian Faith.  One of those was Islam - and I think that I can claim to know a wee bit more about that religion than does the average westerner!

One of the teachings of Islam has to do with a final judgment.  It is claimed that each Muslim has an angel on each shoulder (the Kiraman Katibin).  The angel on the right shoulder keeps a record of every good thing that the person does; the other angel keeps a record of every bad thing that the person does.  At the judgment, the records are added up and, if there are more good things than bad, the person goes to paradise; if it is the other way around, the person goes to hell.

This is not, of course, the kind of teaching in the Christian Faith.  However, some people determine to try something similar.  One man, intent on recording his experiences with God, decided to keep a daily "balance sheet"!  On one side, he listed all that he did for God; on the other side, all that the Lord did for him.  If some small need was met by His gracious hand, it was noted.  All favours and mercies were thus recorded.  However, after just a few weeks of this book-keeping, he gave up."It's no use", he said, I can never get ahead.  I am always hopelessly in debt"!

If we are ever tempted to add up the instances of God's goodness in our lives, we must not forget that the heavenly Father can cause even adversity to be an asset. Someone has said: "I willingly bear witness to the fact that I owe more to the fire, the hammer, and the file, than to anything else in my Lord's workshop.  I sometimes question whether I have ever learned anything except through the rod. My trials have often brought me my richest blessings."

It would be an interesting exercise to take time, for just one day, to note the benefits of God's favour upon us.  Actually, it would be an impossible task - but it would be profitable in sharpening our spiritual perception!  I suspect that we would quickly find that we are the recipients of abundant treasures - some clearly defined; some well disguised! Even if we were to spend every remaining second of our earthly lives in dedicated service to Him, we would never be able to show our full gratitude for his wonderful provision.  Considering all that He has done for, and given to, us we can only acknowledge that we are hopelessly in debt to Him.

We can never earn our eternal salvation; it cannot be bought.  It is a gift of grace from the One Who loves us so much that, in the Persona (not a typo!) of the Son, He gave Himself to pay the penalty for your sin, and for mine.  As the Graham Kendrick song reminds, and encourages, us: "The price is paid!  Come let us enter in to all that Jesus died to make our own.  For every sin, more than enough He gave; and bought our freedom from each guilty stain".

Have you accepted that salvation - freely offered, yet purchased at such great cost? It is there, available to you right now.  Do something about it - for the sake of your eternal destiny, and that glory may be given to His Name.                                                                

Resurrection Day.

Well, after a lot of travelling; a lot of difficulties; but, of course, the loving hospitality of two dear families, we finally arrived at the static caravan in the Gironde, at 2230 yesterday.  This morning, we woke to the thought that today is Easter Day or, as some prefer to name it, Resurrection Day.

We are delighted that, with the erection of a new Reception at our end of the site, we are now able to access the internet from the warmth and comfort of the 'van.  Of course that will make it all the more difficult to give it up, when we move to a permanent house, in due course!  However, we were able to join with the congregation of Dalziel-St.Andrew's, in Motherwell, for their morning worship service - which is streamed on a weekly basis (http://www.dalzielstandrews.org.uk/watch-live/), and is also available on YouTube - link on the page already given), where the minister is a personal friend of many years, and where our younger daughter is involved in various areas of service.

It was an eggciting service, presented with eggsuberance by an eggspert at the task, who eggsplained all that he was doing, to the children who were present.  (Watch the service in order to understand why I have inserted such an eggsasperating set of eggxamples of 'eggie' comments.  If you don't, then the yolk's on you!).

So what is Easter?  Why give it an alternative title of Resurrection Day?  Well, simply because, just as Christmas is not predominantly top do with the fictional 'Father Christmas' (in spite of the reality of Saint Nicklaus), or the overindulgence in food that occurs - at least in those parts of the world in which such indulgence can be afforded; so Easter is not about chocolate eggs (although the egg is a symbol of new life), or the Easter bunny (there may be a 'creative' link there!).  Both, in fact, have to do with the One Who is truly central at each of those festival times - the Lord Jesus Christ.

At Christmas, we remember His incarnation - Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of all that is, taking upon Himself, in the Persona of the Son, human flesh, and living a life like ours, except without sin (see Heb.4:15).  At Easter, we remember that the reason for His coming was that He might "... save His people from their sin". (Matt.1:21).   He did this by paying the penalty that we deserve to pay.  On that first Good Friday, He hung on a wooden cross - not only bearing the sins of mankind upon His shoulders, but actually becoming sin, in all of its foulness, and filth, and revulsion, and detestation (II Cor.5:13).  What an amazing sacrifice - God the Son becoming so disgusting that God the Father, still dwelling in the sinlessness of eternity, could not even bear to look upon the Son, the Beloved.  "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matt.27:46).

The enemy, the satan, the devil, together with all of his infernal minions, rejoiced. What he didn't know about was what C.S.Lewis, in the Narnia Chronicles, refers to as "deep magic".  So, having rested from His labours, the Son broke through the physical death that He had truly experienced, in resurrection power. Hallelujah!  As we were reminded this morning, the tomb was empty!

Of course, if we ignore, or reject, all of what Jesus has done, in time; then we have no claim on Him, in eternity.  Let Christian songwriter, Graham Kendrick, bring this longish post to an end.

"The price is paid; Come, let us enter in to all that Jesus died to make our own.
For every sin, more than enough He gave, and bought our freedom from each guilt and stain.

            The price is paid, Alleluia!; amazing grace so strong and sure!
            And so, with all my heart; my life in every part; 
            I live to thank You for the price You paid.

The price is paid - see satan flee away; for Jesus, crucified, destroys his power.
No more to pay; let accusation cease; in Christ there is no condemnation, now!

The price is paid and, by that scourging cruel, He took our sicknesses as if His own.
And, by His wounds - His broken body there - His healing touch may now, by faith, be known.

The price is paid; 'Worthy the Lamb' we cry.  Eternity shall never cease His praise.
The church of Christ shall rule upon the earth; in Jesus' Name we have authority."

Have you submitted to the Lordship of the King of kings?  If not, then be assured that there is no better time to do so than now!  Your full salvation is part of that eternal 'package'.  Remember, the price is paid!

Amazing Grace.

Yesterday, I had to go into Glasgow to attend a luncheon meeting connected with Scotland for Marriage.  Due to an unforeseen set of circumstances, I was unusually early, so decided to go for a wee wander along Sauchiehall Street.  I looked into the Savoy Centre - one of the earlier shopping malls in the city - and, as I browsed among the various units, I saw a selection of dish-towels displayed on a wall.

A number of said dish-towels had, printed on them, what were proclaimed to be "Songs of Scotland".  They had the words of some of the well-known songs - "The bonnie banks of Loch Lomond"; "Auld lang syne"; "My love is like a red, red, rose".  There were some that, I suspect, are not quite as well-known - "Westering home"; "My love is but a lassie yet"; "Scots wha hae"; and "Will ye no come back again".

However, every dish-towel had one other song.  There, for all to see, were the words of "Amazing grace"!

Now, I don't know for certain why English John Newton's old hymn should be considered to be a "Song of Scotland" - other than the fact that the tune to which it is often sung is equally often played by pipe bands.  However, I hope that many who pass by, and who purchase (or receive as a gift) such dish-towels, will read those words.

Grace, the acrostic explains, is "God's Riches At Christ's Expense".  It's what many of us where thinking about just a week ago as we remembered the crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary.  As another hymn-writer has put it: "He paid the price, that I might go free".  Mankind is sinful.  I am a sinner; you are a sinner.  There is absolutely nothing that either/any of us can do about it.  All that we deserve is the righteous judgement, and the wrath, of a sinless and holy God.  Only a perfect human being could escape that wrath.

But, thankfully, He is also the God Who is Love.  Not just the highest form of love, but love itself.  Love is His essence.  Without Him, love could not exist and, we may say with all reverence, without love, He could not exist!  And, in love, He did what only He could do.  He took on human flesh, and became a Man - the perfect God-Man.  And He paid the penalty that you and I deserve to pay. 

Graham Kendrick wrote the lovely song "Come and see".  The chorus goes like this: "We worship at Your feet, where wrath and mercy meet, and a guilty world is washed by love's pure stream.  For us, He was made sin - oh, help me take it in.  Deep wounds of love cry out, 'Father, forgive'.  I worship, I worship the Lamb Who was slain."

That's what's so amazing about grace!  And it's available to all who will admit their sinfulness, and come to Him in repentance and faith.  The door is open.  Won't you come in?

Going to the Rock!

It's not that I'm one for name-dropping, but I have met my share of celebrities in my day - and been no further than about 7' (2 m) from HM the Queen on occasion!

I recall, one Saturday evening in Glasgow, spending about an hour and a half with a still young Cliff Richard. I've chatted with Graham Kendrick; shared a few thoughts with Jack Hayford (composer of 'Majesty' among other songs); and sat (almost literally!) at the feet of Billy Graham - to name but a few!

What made my thoughts start to travel in that direction was, earlier this evening, listening to Helen Shapiro sing "I go to the Rock". I had the pleasure, many years ago now, of meeting Helen as well, and spending some 20 minutes with her. She made her name, of course, on the secular scene when as a young teenager, she shot to fame with "Walking back to happiness". However, like so many, she discovered that true happiness can be extremely elusive. It was in 1987 that this Jewish-background young woman discovered, after several months of searching the Messianic prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament of the Christian Bible) that they had been fulfilled in the Person of Yeshua (Hebrew for 'Jesus'), and that only in Him is real happiness, that doesn't depend on physical circumstances and material possessions.

Of course, throughout the last two millennia, and in spite of scepticism, mockery, persecution, and death, millions of others have found the same truth - that when Jesus said "My purpose is to give ... a rich and satisfying life." (John 10:10; NLT), He really meant it!

So, where do you go when there's nobody else to turn to? Who do you talk to, when nobody wants to listen? Who do you lean on when all around is sinking sand, and there's no stable foundation? May I recommend my Friend, Helen Shapiro's Friend, and the Friend of countless numbers in every place, and in every age - the One Who truly is "the Rock of our salvation"?

"YHWH is my Rock , my Fortress, and my Saviour;
my God is my Rock , in Whom I find protection.
He is my Shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety." (Ps 18:2; NLT).

"... and that Rock was Christ." (I Cor. 10:4-5; NLT).