The end of time!

I believe that it was no less a person than Albert Einstein who established that 'time' has a beginning and an end. Of course, students of the written Word of God, the Bible, already knew that, as the fact is clear in that Word! There have also been many who have claimed, in spite of the clear statement of the Lord Jesus to the contrary (Mk.13:32), to be able to predict the very day on which the Son will return and herald the end of time.

However, although we can not know the precise point at which time will end, we may discern the seasons - and there are many indications that we are rapidly approaching that momentous event known to Biblical theologians as "the rapture". There are a few differing views as to when, in the overall scheme of things, that event will take place. The Bible speaks of a time of tribulation for the human race. I am among those who believe that the rapture will occur immediately before that seven-year period.

One of the clear signs of the times is the increase in the persecution of disciples of Jesus. Those of us who live in what is often called "the West" are often blissfully unaware of the severe difficulties faced by our brothers and sisters in the Lord, in more than fifty countries in the modern world. However, even the secular world is beginning to realise something of the extent of the persecution that these dear people face. Indeed, a recent report ordered by British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, stated that the persecution of Christians in parts of the world is at near “genocide” levels!

Having been interested in, and supportive of, the persecuted church for decades, I am aware of some of the current increase in persecution in, e.g., China, India, Sri Lanka, and the Central African Republic. I know that North Korea remains the most dangerous country in the world in which to be identified as a disciple of Jesus. I know that Muslim extremists will target Jesus' followers as much as they will Jews. This is seen, particularly, in Nigeria where two Islamic groups - Boko Haram and militant Fulani tribesmen are responsible for the slaughter of more believers than in any other country - more than 75% (if I recall correctly) of all of those murdered, are in Nigeria! Of course, there are fates worse than death!

There are, of course, many other such signs, so it is a wise person who will ensure that they are ready for the event itself! How may one do that? Simply by being "born again" (John 3:3). That, in turn, involves the ABC of admitting that you are a sinner in the sight of Almighty God; believing that the death of Jesus, the Son, is sufficient to atone for your sins; and confessing to others that you are now committed to following Him.

That is the shortened version! May I recommend two of the links below - "Do you need God?"; and "New Christian UK"? Of course, you may also contact me using the e-mail address at the top. I would also recommend the first two of my own books (remember, I receive no financial benefit at all. All royalties go directly to Release International - supporting the persecuted church). Of course, the third book is worth reading - but start with the first two!

Blessings, and shalom.

The bombs on Resurrection Day

I had wondered how I might respond to the terrible news of the bombings in Sri Lanka on Resurrection Day. Then I came across this article, penned by a Sri Lankan brother in the Lord Jesus. Rather than try to produce something from afar, I am reproducing it, from one who is close to the situation.

Article by 

Ajith Fernando,

Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka

While most Christians in Sri Lanka were in church yesterday morning, celebrating the risen Christ on Easter Sunday, bombs went off in four of our cities (Kochchikade, Negombo, Batticaloa, and Colombo), targeting churches and hotels. The latest figures seem to leave us with at least 290 dead and 500 injured from the eight bombings. Some arrests have been made.

There are hints emerging as to who is responsible for the attacks, but I do not want to speculate too much on that and unnecessarily implicate those who are not involved in this crime. It is better to be safe and remain silent than to give false witness, which is a serious sin. We pray that God would guide the security officials to whom he has given the authority to be agents of his wrath, punishing wrongdoers (Romans 13:3–4). As for Christians, we will do what we can to be agents of peace in our fractured land (Romans 12:14–21).

Close to Home

The Zion church in Batticaloa, where at least 28 were killed (including many children), is a vibrant church at which I have preached several times. The pastor was out of the country at the time of the bomb blast. The sister of our Youth for Christ leader in Eastern Sri Lanka, Thamendran, was worshiping there and is fighting for her life in the hospital, with serious head injuries.

A young man from our sports ministry lost one of his legs in the Colombo explosion. A neighbor couple of ours and their daughter died, and their young son is in the hospital. As far as we know, there is one former Youth for Christ clubber who died in Colombo.

Five Ways to Pray

While it may seem foolish to spend time praying when there is a crisis around us, this is the most powerful thing God’s people can do in a national crisis (2 Kings 19). We need to mobilize individual and corporate prayer among Christians.

1. For Holy-Love

Please pray that the church would act with maturity, reflecting the holy-love of God: on the one hand, insisting that the authorities will carry out a thoroughgoing investigation and will punish the wrongdoers; and on the other hand, personally and corporately showing love to all, including our enemies. We cannot afford to let hatred blunt our witness. God will judge the wicked, and he will do that often through government institutions. Our belief in the doctrine of judgment takes away our bitterness over gross sinfulness like this. On our part, we do what we can do, and that is to love our enemies.

2. For Faithfulness

Pray that the church would faithfully carry out its calling to be an agent of healing in broken situations. Individually, we can get close to suffering people. I prayed with my Hindu neighbor this morning when he came home to tell me that his sister had died in the blast. We also can get involved in a more corporate way in bigger projects.

3. For Healing

Pray for the injured and for their speedy recovery, and pray for the medical services to do their work well.

Pray also for the emotionally scarred and for their steady recovery. This is a time when we can be agents of the God of all comfort through our listening and ministering (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).

4. For Comfort and Strength

Pray for God’s comfort and strength to the many Christian and non-Christian people who have been devastated by the loss of their loved ones.

5. Against Unrest

Pray that extremist forces would not use these incidents to cause unrest in the country. Christians can act as moderating agents because, while we may be enraged by what happened, we are freed from bitterness as we know that a just God who controls history is greater than the problems.

We look at everything in life through the lens of our belief in a God who is holy-love. We know that he judges the wicked, and so we are not bitter. We know that he loves the world and that we are called to be agents of that love. This drives us to action. But we don’t do so with a defeatist attitude. We know that God is building his kingdom, culminating in the return of Christ, and that our actions are building blocks in this process.

Holy-love must win in the end! Amen. Come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20).

Ajith Fernando is the teaching director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka. He served as the ministry’s national director for 35 years. He is the author of seventeen books, including Discipling in a Multicultural World, and lives in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with his wife. They have two adult children and four grandchildren.

The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed!

Those words in the heading have been the traditional Resurrection Day greeting for disciples of Jesus, for many, many years. Yet a report, published last week, claimed that a majority of those in the UK, who would refer to themselves as "Christians", do not believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ (Messiah).

The New Testament writers have absolutely no doubt that the resurrection took place - and that it was, indeed, a physical resurrection! I devote a full chapter to the subject in my second book, Foundations of the Faith, not least because it is a foundational belief. By the way, do remember that all three of my books (see above) are available as both paperbacks and e-books, and that ALL royalties are now sent directly to Release International, supporting the persecuted church - like those in Sri Lanka who have suffered so terribly today.

What follows is based on that particular chapter in Foundations - and may even encourage you to purchase, review, and recommend! 

The basis some have for denying that the resurrection of the Lord Jesus took place, is the claim that He didn't really die on the cross! That is similar to saying that someone sentenced to death by lethal injection; gas chamber; electric chair; hanging; beheading; or any other means; managed to survive the experience! You see, the whole point of the death penalty being executed is that the person so condemned dies! It doesn't require the mind of Sherlock Holmes to work that out!! We must also remember that the deed was done by experienced professionals, who were even commanded to double-check, when Joseph of Arimathea requested the body that it might be entombed!

However, one common rebuttal of the resurrection goes like this. Jesus had, somehow, fooled everyone. He was wrapped up in the grave-clothes, and laid in the tomb, and the great stone rolled across the entrance to the tomb, He revived and, without any assistance managed, from the inside, and in His physically weakened state, to escape from the grave-clothes in such a way as to leave them looking undisturbed; roll the stone disc – probably some five feet (one hundred and fifty centimetres) in diameter, and six inches (fifteen centimetres) thick – up the slight incline that kept it in place; get past the guards who were on duty; find some suitable clothing; and appear to His disciples. Hello!!!

Or what about this one. The man who died on the cross wasn't really Jesus! One of the disciples took His place so that He could appear as if He had risen from the dead (the usual Islamic explanation)!  This requires a number of factors to come together.  Jesus was not some non-entity.  He was well known to the authorities.  Accordingly, His ‘substitute’ would have had to be identical in build and appearance.  This man would also have to be one of the disciple band.  However, at this stage, the number of followers was relatively small, and most of them would have been known by others.  Certainly, if there had been a ‘double’ that man would already have been marked out.  Such a man would also have had to agree to take the punishment and death that was ahead.  People at that time were all too aware of what crucifixion involved – let alone the previous flogging and other suffering – and it would have been an unusual man who would have volunteered to take another's place. Sorry - that idea simply doesn't stand up to any scrutiny, either.

Yet again, there are those who suggest that the disciples stole the Body of Jesus, and then went about with these wild stories of His alleged appearances.  This does have, at first sight, a measure of feasibility that is missing from the previous suggestions, and is the story which the Roman guards were bribed to repeat.  They were even assured that they would not suffer the usual penalty for having ‘lost’ a prisoner (their own deaths) as the chief priests would square things up with the governor! (Matt.28:11–15). One then must ask where the disciples managed to hide the body so that the combined might of Rome and the contemporary Jewish hierarchy would be unable to find it! Another 'non-starter'.

There are additional alternatives that have been proposed - but not one of them bears any worthwhile examination. You may find out more (and a great deal of other information pertinent to "... the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 3)) by purchasing the book!!

The bottom line is that, however some may endeavour to explain it away, the resurrection of Jesus is sure and certain. He is risen; He is most certainly risen; He is alive today. He is also coming back to this planet that He created, and on the surface of which He walked and ministered. However, that is a subject for a future post - if such a future exists!!!

May all who read this post, and this blog, be among those "... who have loved His appearing." (II Tim 4:8). 

Disappointment - His appointment!

A Christian friend who has been working, as a church planter, in a particular area of France, has been asked by the organisation, with which she has been working, to return to the area in which she had formerly worked. She writes: "This has obviously been difficult for me to digest and I'm still processing and trying to make sense of this "detour" that God has me on."

This is not a unique experience! Sometimes, the disciple of Jesus must not only endure "fiery trials", but also encounter baffling circumstances that may seem to be a hindrance - even although (s)he is earnestly seeking to do God's will.

Some two hundred years ago, Rev. Barnabas Shaw experienced such difficulties. Appointed as a Methodist missionary, he had hoped to serve God in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Suddenly, there was a change of plan and he was directed, instead, to minister in Cape Town. When he arrived there, however, the British Governor, who was hostile to the Gospel, forbade him to preach to the indigenous nomad tribes. Shaw, and his wife Jane, were very disappointed. Like the psalmist, their spirits were overwhelmed with sorrow (see Ps.142:3). They were so desirous of serving the Lord yet, twice in just a few months, their high purposes and plans had been frustrated. With the little money they possessed, they bought  yoke of oxen and a cart, loaded up their goods, and headed towards the interior of the country, to set up a mission outside the Governor's jurisdiction.

On the twenty-seventh day of their journey, they met a company of Khoikhoi (aka Hottentots) - the non-Bantu indigenous nomadic cattle-farmers of South Africa. To their astonishment, they discovered that these peaceful people were trying to make their way to Cape Town. They were, the Shaws were informed, searching for a missionary  who, they had been told, was being sent to teach them "the great Word of God"! That their paths should cross in such dense jungle, has been described, by the American Baptist preacher and writer, A.J.Gordon, in his book The Holy Spirit in Missions as "such a juncture of Providence as has rarely occurred in the history of missions." A.J. Gordon, by the way, also wrote a number of hymns, including the well-known "My Jesus, I Love Thee".

The chief of the Khoikhoi led Barnabas and Jane some two hundred miles farther inland, where the faithful missionaries were able to establish a spiritual outpost for the Lord. Barnabas also taught the Khoikhoi to cultivate the soil, as they had previously never grown any type of crop. Their only source of food was the cattle with which they travelled South, in their constant search for fresh pastures. The disappointments that the Shaws has experienced had really been the over-ruling hand of God directing them into His perfectly appointed way.

When our trust is in Him Who says: "... I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose,’" (Is.46:9-10), then we may be certain that, although He may lead us in what we perceive, at the time, to be a roundabout way, He will always lead us aright.

Of Sirens, and Bellbirds!

The Sirens, in Greek mythology, were three sea-nymphs who lured sailors to their death with their bewitching song.  The hero, Odysseus, however, managed to escape their deceptive call as he sailed by, by tying himself to the mast of his ship, and having his crew block their ears with wax.  The Sirens were so distressed to see a man apparently hear their song, and yet escape, that they threw themselves into the sea, and drowned.

That story, we may safely accept, is untrue.  However, the following story, related by Rev. George B.Robeson, a former Acting Principal of Jaffna Central College in Sri Lanka, is given as accurate. Lost in the jungle, a man sought desperately to find his way to safety. His strength was ebbing fast as the insects and stifling heat did their deadly work. Suddenly he heard what he thought to be a bell tolling in the distance. Believing he was nearing civilization, he struggled bravely onward; but he never seemed to draw closer to the sound. Finally, he fell to the ground exhausted, never to rise again. The mysterious bellbird had claimed another victim!   Mr Robeson says many a traveller in the heart of the rain forest of Central and South America has been led to his death by the bell-sounding call of this seldom-seen bird. Many times this bird with its call entices people to get off of the path to seek out the sound. 

This, also, is all too true.   Satan employs subtle devices to ensnare the human race. Even as individuals seek to free themselves from the grip of sin, they are lead astray by the tempter’s “bell” ringing in the distance. “At last,” They think, “I’ve found a way of escape,” and so, following the call of the evil one deeper and deeper into the jungle of despair, they are eventually lost for eternity. 

Many are following the deceptive call of the sirens, or of the devil’s “bell-bird”, because it seems right to them. However Jesus, the Christ, Who declared that “No man comes to the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6), is the only One Who can lead us to the promised land of salvation and safety!

Acts of God?

These past days have seen much reporting of natural disasters - what are still sometimes referred to as 'acts of God' (which is really a bit unfair, as He tends not to receive the congratulations when good things happen!).

The major events have been the severe flooding in the state of Queensland, Australia - and now, also, in Victoria State, and parts of New South Wales; and in both Brazil and Sri Lanka.  Because these tragic events, that have resulted in both death and devastation, have been caused by particular weather conditions associated with La Niña (the little girl!) - the extensive cooling of the central and eastern Pacific Ocea!  It is, however, easy to blame 'Mother Nature' ( if one does not accept the existence of any divine being, or even force), or Father God (if one does)!  Some have, apparently, even seen these disasters as some form of punishment by God, much as the AIDS epidemic was once heralded as a punishment on homosexual activity.

Yet a reasoned look at these situations can come up with a somewhat different story!  Those homes that have been so badly effected in Australia are, reportedly, built in areas known as 'flood plains' - in other words, areas that are prone to flooding.  In Brazil, much of the damage, and the higher number of deaths, are apparently due to the fact that unstable homes had been built on hillsides that are prone to mudslides - mudslides, I suspect, that are due, in no small measure, to deforestation with the resultant lack of tree roots to bind the soil and keep it in place.  In Sri Lanka, there is the added complication of landmines that may have been unearthed by the flood waters as they recede - landmines left over from the civil war that ravaged that island nation until so recently.

In other words, much of the devastation is not a 'punishment from God', but the consequences of mankind's own actions.  It was the same with the AIDS epidemic - it wasn't a punishment, it was (and is) a consequence of unnatural behaviour.  Most people appear not to have worked out that that may be why certain behaviour is prohibited, and condemned, in the Bible!

Of course, the weather conditions do have a part to play.  Yet even that is, ultimately, the responsibility of a fallen mankind.  God's written Word makes clear that, when God had completed His creation, He "...  looked over all He had made, and He saw that it was very good!" (Gen 1:31; NLT).  Sadly mankind, in the persons of the first couple permitted, by their disobediance, the entrance of evil into the world.  And, because of that, we read, God said that "... the ground is cursed because of you.  All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.  It will grow thorns and thistles for you, ..." (Gen 3:17-18; NLT).  Paul expands this, when writing to the Roman disciples of Jesus: "For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." (Rom 8:22; NLT).  We live in a fallen world and, contrary to the theories put forward by the secular humanistic evolutionists, it is not getting better - it is, quite demonstrably, getting worse!

It's not a pleasant prospect!  But, praise God, it isn't the whole story either.  For that same Word assures us that, just as individual lives are renewed when we confess our sinfulness, and look to the Lord Jesus for full and free salvation; even so, there will be a new earth (and a new heaven - but that's too big a subject for a blog post!) in which, as it was in the beginning, "God's home [will be] among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." (Rev 21:3-4; NLT).

It's a wonderful prospect for those who are His.  Be sure that you are among that number!